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RE: Reese hitch with Sway Control
As mentioned, the bar will sit loose on the balls initially. When you install it there is no tension between the bar and the mounting balls as the lever is undone allowing the bar to slide so you can make it the length you need to install. Tigthening the lever puts a clamping force on the bars so it is harder to slide but it will still sit loose until you drive and turn a bit. Once you turn the bar will need to expand or contract which will put pressure on the ball and will then snug it up so it doesn't flop loosely.
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camp-n-family
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05/23/13 07:00am |
Towing
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RE: Made in America?
Remember when those vehicles had sticking accelerator petals. Toyota blamed it on the stupidity of their customers. NEVER will I trust that company.
And the domestics have never had recalls? Remember the Pinto? or how about the Exploder? Look at the top 10 most infamous recalls list. One from Toyota and one from Honda. The rest? Ford and GM.
The sticking pedal issue was an isolated case that got blown out of proportion by the media. It caught on and all of a sudden they were happening everyday. Coincidence? Funny how it happened as Toyota was set to become the largest auto maker in the world and the domestics were needing bail outs. Also funny was how quickly it stopped happening once Toyotas' reputation was hurt.
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camp-n-family
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05/22/13 08:14pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Made in America?
GM is the most "American" vehicle. Why? Cause the US taxpayers are one of the biggest shareholders!!!
Toyota's profits might go back to Japan, but they pay property tax, payroll tax, collect sales tax, import taxes, etc etc. GM pays the same taxes (except import tax when it imports their foreign made cars into the US), but they also took BILLIONS of taxpayers dollars in bailout funds.
I'd rather drive my Toyota than Obama's GM...
AMEN!
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camp-n-family
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05/22/13 04:49pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Here is something to chew on.......
I take a lot of flack for owning "foreign" vehicles even though they are more "domestic" than many domestics. I was a GM man for years until inheriting my first Toyota. That's when I realized what a fool I was. I finally had a vehicle that didn't depreciate faster than I could pay it off or need a new exhaust, alternator and head gasket like clockwork at 80,000kms. I'm now on my 5th Toyota and have a local built Honda too.
Here's the way I see it. Yes they are foreign owned companies. They built factories here to get past the foreign stigma and help sell vehicles even though it cost more to build. In doing this they created good jobs here, employing thousands while putting millions (billions?) of dollars back into the local economy. I see that as a good thing.
On the other side you have several domestic companies (some now foreign owned) that are building vehicles too but are outsourcing for parts and sending much needed jobs to other countries because it's cheaper. This takes jobs away and money out of the local economy. On top of that they are so poorly managed that they require billions of tax payers dollars to bail them out regularly.
So what's worse? A company whose revenue goes to a foreign state but creates jobs and invests in the local economy? or a domestic company that outsources jobs to other countries, lays off thousands as a result and requires your hard earned money (tax dollars)to stay afloat?
Pretty easy choice in my mind (no matter how small you may think it is :B) Flame away.
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camp-n-family
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05/21/13 09:23pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: How does one seam seal a roof if you cant walk on it?
You can walk on the roof, you just need to be careful where. Walk around the edges and where it's supported underneath, not up the middle. If you need to get to the middle just make sure you spread out the weight, either crawl out or lay some plywood out. If you go the ply route put a blanket or sleeping bag down first. Sharp corners can gouge and tear the rubber roof.
As for resealing, I would clean the seams well, then use the self levelling Dicor to fill any holes and dips and smooth the edges of the current seal. Then go over that with Eternabond tape. This way you won't have to worry about resealing every year. I've done this with all my trailers, old and brand new, never had a problem.
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camp-n-family
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05/14/13 02:29pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: length of trailer vs weight?
Weight or length isn't likely to change fuel costs - at all. It seems like the 5.7L Tundras are getting a little over 10mpg which is the best any gas engines are getting towing any high walled RV.
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X2. The biggest downfall is the small fuel tank. The only chance of saving fuel would be switching to a diesel, but you could put a lot of gas in the Tundra for the inital cost differential to acquire one.
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camp-n-family
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05/13/13 05:26pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Flipping Shackles
^This is why they say "a picture is worth a thousand words" ;)
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camp-n-family
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05/13/13 05:02pm |
Toy Haulers
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RE: 2014 GM 1500 Payload Specs
Sounds like GM is getting serious about the heavy half ton tower. That's great for the market.
Dodge and Toyota will probably still be bringing up the rear with 1100-1500 lbs of payload.
I wouldn't get too excited yet. The crew cab that you'd want for towing would be the long box with the tow package which drops the numbers to 1751lbs already. What they fail to show is how the vehicle is optioned out, meaning it's likely a bare bones model. Start adding options and the numbers will drop quickly.
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camp-n-family
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05/08/13 10:17pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Joined the Hensley club for $500
Stinger exchanges used to be free for the original owner. I get the Hensley newsletter and it recently had the program listed but nothing was mentioned anymore about it having to be the original registered owner. Maybe it allows exchanges for everyone now or maybe the previous owner can help you out. Call Hensley and see 1-800-410-6580.
Normally you pay a deposit and the shipping and they send you a new one. The deposit is refunded when you return yours.
I got mine used too and had to swap the stinger. A local dealer here sells them for $140 plus my trade. I now need to swap again but may try the Hensley route first, unless anybody here wants to swap a straight stinger for a 2" drop?
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camp-n-family
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05/06/13 07:06pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: What can an Avalanche pull?
Isn't the OP talking about a TT so the only "payload" would be the tongue weight? as far as towing capacity/weight, that would be wet weight plus "stuff" not necessarily maximum trailer weight rating.
bumpy
Yes, but we need to know the payload of the tow vehicle to determine if there is enough left to handle the tongue weight. For example, if the TV payload is 1300lbs and 600lbs of that is used up for passenger weights and some cargo, plus another 75lbs for the WD hitch, then there would only be 625lbs left in the TV payload for the tongue weight. In this example that would mean a loaded TT weight of 4800lbs if using the average 13% for tongue weight (4800 x 13% = 624lbs)
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camp-n-family
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05/06/13 06:29am |
Towing
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RE: Looking for a TT that fits my family needs
There are a lot of HTTs out there in the 19-21' range (closed) that would suit your needs. My old Starcraft 19' for example was only 3600lbs loaded (2800 dry), my inlaws' even lighter. Lots of space when opened up and plenty warm inside with the furnace and heated mattress option.
My biggest concern would be the payload of your van. The conversion options eat up a lot of the payload.
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camp-n-family
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05/05/13 09:01pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: What can an Avalanche pull?
It's not always what you can "tow" but more of what you can "carry". As with most 1/2 tons you will likely be limited by payload. What is the payload rating of the Avy (on door sticker)? How much weight (passengers, gear etc) do you need to carry in the Avy? Subtract that from payload and thats what you have left for trailer tongue and hitch weight. Figure 13-15% of loaded trialer weight for the tongue and that's what you can tow, as long as you're under all the other ratings (tow, axle, tire, receiver etc)
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camp-n-family
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05/05/13 08:40pm |
Towing
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RE: brakes locking....suggestions?
Don't necessarily have to adjust the controller every time but they should be cleaned and warmed after sitting for a bit. Ever leave your car sitting for a few days when it rains? The brakes grind for a bit as the surface has rusted a bit. Same for your tt.
I use the manual lever on the brake controller to "drag" the brakes slightly as I pull out of the storage lot. They no longer stick and grab by the time I get on the road.
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camp-n-family
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05/05/13 08:32pm |
Towing
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RE: New trailer - Weight
Too much weight on the front. At most you should return the front to the unloaded weight, not more. Let out a link and try again. When you say you have 2 links used do you mean hanging loose or tensioned? You should have a minimum of 4 links between the bars and the snap up bar to have enough slack for turning.
Saw a guy once with only 2 links and the bars were above the trailer frame. Never got a chance to point out the problem, he had a new fiver shortly after.
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camp-n-family
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05/05/13 08:25pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Do I need an Equlizer WDH?
You don't "need" a special hitch but you will likely be happier with one that has built in sway control like the Equil-i-zer or dual cam. Thousands of people use basic set ups with friction sway bars without problem but the ones with built in sway are the most popular for a number of reasons. (comfort, ease of use, stability, price etc)
Depending on the bars that you already have (do you have the bends where the chains are?) you may be able to just get the kit to convert it to a dual cam set up.
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camp-n-family
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05/01/13 04:52am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Do I need an Equlizer WDH?
Yes you need a WD hitch, and since it came with one why not use it? If it's a bit rusty just give it a coat of paint, no need for a new one.
An unloaded weight of 4800lbs is probably going to push 6000lbs once it's loaded which will put your tongue close to, if not over your max of 720lbs. Take a look at your reciever or owners manual too. Most will list 2 weights, one for weight carrying and one for use with a WD hitch which will be higher. I'd suspect that the 720lbs rating is only when used with a WDH.
Also, that amount of weight hanging off the back of a vehicle can significantly reduce the weight on the steer axle and cause control issues. The WD hitch will return most of that weight. You'll want to use some sort of sway control too with the short wheelbase tow vehicle.
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camp-n-family
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04/30/13 09:54pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Vehicle Capacity Comparison
This is where I disagree. Manufactures all but one in particular which I will not mention will at the drop of a dime change its numbers when they hear that others are higher. This is why when new trucks are coming out that they will not post numbers until the other does in hoping to out do the other. I can provide examples but I think you all get what i'm saying. I'm not just saying its all about the axles as thats like saying all you need is torque to pull your trailer, and don't worry about tranny gears or rear end gears.
Yes there is probably some way that they are rate these vehicle but thats like saying all manufactures abide by the same rules when calculating mpg and we all know thats not true.
This is what the new J2807 towing standards was supposed to stop and put everyone on a level playing field. Tow rating guidelines set out, and agreed upon, by the big manufacturers to test against. Well guess what, they can't even do that right. GM won't implement it until Ford does, Ford won't until Dodge does wah wah wah. Toyota was the only one to step up to the plate and abide by the guidelines, good on them, but now they are paying the price with reduced sales because their advertised ratings are now lower than the others (even though nothing on the truck has physically changed)
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camp-n-family
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04/30/13 09:43pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Best SUV to pull a 19' Sportsman trailer
There are several mid size SUVs that could handle that size TT comforatably and pretty much all the full sized ones with V8s.
It would help knowing more about what you need in a TV. Seating, cargo room, off road ability (think 4Runner, Pathfinder etc) or mostly grocery getter (Acadia, new Durango) new or used, budget.....
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camp-n-family
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04/29/13 10:45pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Vehicle Capacity Comparison
As a Tundra owner I've been arguing your point for a while. For some reason the Tundra gets bashed even though it has higher ratings than both the Ram and F150 you mention. I'm not saying this to brand bash or start the loyalty wars, just continuing with the OPs point.
FAWR 4000lbs
RAWR 4150lbs (d-rated, axle manufacturer actually lists them much higher)
Yet a GVWR of only 7200lbs resulting in payloads as low as 1300lbs.
With a strong drivetrain, 4.30 towing gears, more power than a GM 6.0l and brakes that are comparable, if not bigger, than most 3/4 tons, I have yet to find the weak link for my situation. My Tundra handles my 31' 8000lbs trailer very well even though I'm a couple hundred pounds over my "rated" payload.
It all comes down to who can build the truck the cheapest, but still give it ratings that will sell, while keeping the legal department happy.
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camp-n-family
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04/29/13 10:24pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Suggestions about finding a 20" rim for a GMC Sierra?
Why do you want a 20" rim for the spare? Why not get the same as the factory spare? The rim size doesn't matter, it's the overall diameter of the tire that does. For example my stock truck has 275/55R20 tires which are 31.9 inches in diameter, the spare is 275/70R17 which is 32.2 inches in diameter or a 0.3" difference which is close enough for the trucks computer. The manufacturers do this to save weight and cost. (tires for 17" rims are much cheaper than 20s)
Keep an eye out on Craigslist or visit a GM forum and check the buy/sell forums. Quite often you can find original full sets or singles for way less than new.
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camp-n-family
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04/29/13 09:56pm |
General RVing Issues
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