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Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Lubricating equalizer hitch?
thanks!
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Skelshy
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04/12/13 12:24pm |
Towing
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RE: Can my Toyota Tundra handle this trailer.
I tow a 3900 lbs (yellow sticker) TT with a 250hp 1999 f150, similar capabilities. Works fine very stable. Only weakness is the 4sp transmission in the mountains. If it goes into 2nd gear it gets a bit noisy. But we get everywhere we need to. Traffic flows around you. 9 to 10 mpg.
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Skelshy
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04/12/13 01:52am |
Towing
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Lubricating equalizer hitch?
Manual states: "The friction surfaces of the head and sockets should be kept clean and well lubricated with Equal-i-zer high performance lubricant."
What are head and sockets?
Do I lubricate the part where the sway bar rests on the L-bar? (which has gone rusty)
Thanks
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Skelshy
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04/12/13 12:20am |
Towing
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RE: EcoBoost Gas Mileage
http://www.fuelly.com/car/ford/f-150/2012/gas%20v6
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Skelshy
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04/12/13 12:05am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: To EcoBoost or Not...
We added an older truck when we got our trailer and kept our other vehicles. Don't like the extra insurance cost, but neither of us want the truck as a daily driver. Our CR-V gets 27mph freeway and the Elantra I had for a rental got 34 with fairly spirited driving.
If you want a new truck by all means go for it, but economy or fuel economy? It's still going to be 5000+ lbs worth of truck shaped like a brick and as long as that doesn't changes, my expectations towards better fuel economy in trucks are limited.
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Skelshy
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04/10/13 05:28pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Lubing The TT?
Cool. What do I use on the moving parts outside? Esp. the clips that hold in the pin and the wd hitch bar have gotten oxidated (rough surface on aluminum). And what about where the wd hitch bars rest on the trailer end ?
Thanks
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Skelshy
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03/31/13 09:24pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: towing mirrors
I hated the McKesh mirrors. Went back the CIPA clip-ons which have a small FoV but they work reasonably well. Have a 1999 truck so don't care about scratches :)
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Skelshy
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03/27/13 04:31pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Should or shouldn't I???
Do the math ... new truck costs $50k but lasts (naively) 10 years. Loses 15% of its value first year and 10%/year after (again naively). Pay interest say 3%. So about $1500 interest per year and $5000 depreciation. Pay for collision and comprehensive because if we total the thing we're toast. Everything is new and under warranty, minimal maintenance cost. Have a shiny new vehicle. No worn out anything.
Fast forward to middle years. Depreciation and interest have slowed down. Minor repairs, tires, brakes, first major service. Some big ticket items still under powertrain warranty.
Fast forward to 10 years old. Depreciation has almost stopped. No longer pay for comprehensive. Paid off. Looks dated and everything is worn out. Value of vehicle largely determined by how well it has been maintained. Probably need to budget at least $3k/year for repairs.
It's a matter of preference I guess. If your truck has a history of parts failing before they were expected to fail, that might be good motivation to get a different vehicle. Deeply discounted 012 model might be an option...
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Skelshy
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03/27/13 04:26pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Water in battery box
Hmm. Guess I'll have to drill holes and rewire so the terminals are not under the vents. Thanks.
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Skelshy
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03/25/13 09:37am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Thank you everyone, we got our TV. Now to get the TT!
Nice :) Pictures or it didn't happen ;-)
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Skelshy
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03/25/13 09:28am |
Tow Vehicles
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Water in battery box
I have two of those I think
http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-HM318BKS-Black-Snap-Top-Battery/dp/B004W5SGBO/
I think the rain comes in through the little vents. One box was full of water when I went to install the batteries yesterday. Is it safe to tape over the vents?
Thanks S.
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Skelshy
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03/25/13 09:17am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Tundra to 3/4 ton-- thinking about it, advice please
Life changes to quickly to buy today for tomorrow's needs. But life is also to short to delay getting what we want :)
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Skelshy
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03/24/13 12:24pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: tow vehicle for jayco 145??
To answer the immediate question, there is a new industry standard for towing performance measurements, but very few manufacturers adhere to it. Hence if you learn a vehicle can tow x lbs, only the manufacturer knows what that will look like.
Gas engines generally make more power at higher RPM, and they are engineered this way. There's nothing inherently wrong with running at 4k RPM. The faster then engine runs, the more air/fuel mix it can burn.
If your performance expectations aren't met, some gas engines are build to perform better at lower RPMs. More displacement or a turbo to force more air/gas mix into the engine will get you more HP at lower revolutions.
Here's a list of SUVs with > 5000 lbs tow
http://autos.aol.com/car-finder/style-suv/5500-lb-towing-capacity/
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee will come out as a turbo diesel that reportedly is rated at 7400 lbs tow as well.
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Skelshy
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03/22/13 03:26pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2013 Ram Extended warranty cost
With an extended warranty, you win if the cost of repairs after the manufacturers warranty runs out exceeds the price you paid up front (plus interest you missed out on)
Lots of scenarios where you don't win, for example your needs change and you sell the vehicle. Or your vehicle gets totaled. Or you are not good at keeping to your maintenance schedule and the insurance company weasels out of their claim. Or if you get a lot of stress dealing with the insurance company.
people often are over-insured because the risks are perceived as great. In reality, lots of issues will be covered by manufacturers warranty in the first place. You are not buying a seven (or whatever) year extended warranty, it's a seven minus three years warranty. Also keep in mind your vehicle is going to be older when the warranty kicks in and the remaining value less.
I go by insuring things I cannot afford to pay or will ruin me financially. Liability, house etc. If I have engine failure six years from now, I will deal with it then, use my money for more fun things now.
Now if you prefer the peace of mind, go ahead and pre-pay for these repairs, but pick a reputable vendor. It's certainly a valid choice, some folks prefer the certainty of a fixed payment vs. gambling it. But definitely make an informed decision because when the vehicle is brand new, it's easy for the salesman to play your fear of losing or breaking it. That fear might not be there the next day or even three years later when the factory bumper to bumper runs out.
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Skelshy
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03/22/13 12:51pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Chevy Suburban Vs Ford Expedtion for tow vehicle ????
What years are you interested in? I like the 01-06 3/4 ton Burb with 6.0L over Ford's Expedition. But Ford brought the 6-spd trans to the Expy in 2007, and GM in 2009, which makes a huge difference when towing.
QFT - go for a vehicle with a 6sp transmission.
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Skelshy
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03/22/13 12:19pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Hello Ram 1500 Diesel!
The Touareg is a luxury SUV and the RAM is a Truck. I don't think their customer bases overlap :)
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Skelshy
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02/21/13 03:44pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 1/2 or 3/4 ton to pull 2000 Nash 24
I wanted to point out it's also a matter of personal expectations and preferences. Some folks are fine going 45 mph up a pass because that just happens for half hour few times a year. Some folks pride themselves in having the killer tow vehicle fit for any duty they throw at. There might not be a right or wrong answer (as long as you yourself are comfortable and safely within the vehicle's limits)
I got the itch to upgrade myself, but I also like the fact my 1999 F150 was inexpensive and is paid for :)
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Skelshy
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02/19/13 03:34pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Do you buy locally?
it's a cost/benefit thing; we bought from a dealer from 200 mi away. They had a good price and we figured at the discount we got, we could still choose if the cost of the repair was worth driving back or not. (Even if we incurred a $3000 repair we'd come out ahead - never prepay)
We also didn't particularly like the "local" dealer 30 mi away.
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Skelshy
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02/18/13 03:49pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 2013 F150 payload low?
We have a 1999 F150 towing a 5000 lbs trailer, are comfortably within all the weight limits (yes we checked on a cat scale), and the rig is super stable. It's not a speed demon but then again the 235hp 5.4 was never going to be. It's a mystery to me why people talking about compromises.
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Skelshy
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02/16/13 12:14pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Ram 1500 Diesel
Diesels are cool - lots of usable power, less screaming high RPM excitement. The cost equation is mostly a toss (really depends on how much you drive) ... People will buy it because they prefer a Diesel engine not because of cost.
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Skelshy
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02/14/13 12:28pm |
Tow Vehicles
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