RE: Hensley Arrow Questions
I agree with all the comments here - my experiences have been similar - won't bore you with the details.
I'm sure like most eveyone else, the $$ made it a bit hard for me to bite the bullet, but with the return policy, it's a no-brainer to try.
I used it with the same TT and 05 Durango as well as the current TV listed below. It is AS ADVERTISED. NO SWAY. NONE. It's weird, jerk the wheel back and forth and the TT just follows the TV - can't even induce sway. I've had a couple emergency manuevers, and the TT just followed without any drama. You are in control of the rig, never the other way around.
Re the bump - just put your prodigy on b2 - and I doubt you will ever feel 'the bump' - I haven't.
Most feel there is a learning curve on the hook up. I agree. Just stay with it, it gets easier. You get better at it, plus with some wear and slight loosening of the parts, it gets much easier. Don't give up on it too early.
Get one, you'll like it. For safety and peace of mind, you cannot go wrong.
I'm a very skeptical person and do not 'rave' about something easily. I'm just saying this works as advertised. PERIOD.
Good luck - keep us informed of your decision and how it works out for you.
RE: TT or MH? The ultimate decision.
I have only owned trailers, but have done a lot of thinking about a switch to a MH.
I'd be looking at a MH IF I were doing mostly a lot of traveling, i.e., long trips, as opposed to weekend, long weekend jaunts. I rather have the convenince of the TT once I get there.
MH's have got to be the greatest thing when you do a lot of traveling. I'm lucky to do one long trip a year, and usually do several short trips each year. Plus the cost of TT is significantly less, especially if you already own a TV.
Why not go with a TT for now. Less 'investment' (yeah right, TT's, MH's, they all nosedive in value) now, and see how it goes. Especially if you get into a TT that is a couple years old - you'll take less of a depreciation hit.
I know it's not all about the money, but something to consider. I agree with some others that the TT is a better way to go, at least now. The issue of the kid's having to go to the bathroom, etc, isn't a big one. I know I have kids. Something you just deal with.
Now, if you just WANT a MH, don't worry about justifying it, just get one, use it, and be happy. It doesn't really matter what any of us think anyway. I know you were just looking for things you might not have considered, so I digress, and apologize...
RE: question about hole in siding of TT
I went to storage last weekend to work on the TT, among other things, to apply eternabond on the roof at various places. To my surprise, I found a HOLE IN THE SIDING! Yep, it was a jagged hole about an inch by a half inch. I decided to cut the right size eternabond and apply. It's near the top, so it's not too noticeable.
Since your hole sounds like it is a bit bigger, I'd try to re-enforce it from the back and then apply eternabond.
Or, pick from one of the many great suggestions already mentioned...:)
RE: Mountain Tow Vehicle Suggestions
In YOUR situation (living AND camping in the mountains), I think the BEST alternative is a diesel. With the turbo diesels you don't loose nearly as much horsepwer in the higher elevations. I agree with you that it would be disappointing to get a new TV and have nothing much better. And with ANY of the TV's you mentioned, you WILL be disappointed in YOUR situation.
I envy your 'place', i.e., living in Colorado, camping in the mountains, and NEEDING a diesel! Go for it and you will NOT be sorry or disappointed. Anything less, and you will be. JMHO, YMMV.
Hmmm...on edit...you could go with a used Excursion V10, 4.30 rear axle as an alternative, or maybe a TV like the one in my signature (only the 8.1), but I would definitely get the diesel when doing all my driving in the mountains. Get one, and never look back, and be done with it.
RE: 2008 Pilot as a tow vehicle
Normally I'd say you'd be too close to the tow rating. But I looked at the website and saw the teardrop design. I think you'd be okay with the Pilot with the following caveats:
1) You pack light. Not hard to do for a weekend, more challenging on longer trips.
2) You don't plan on traveling in the mountains most of the time.
3) You have little ones. They won't be little too long. As they get bigger, that little TT might just be too tight. You have no real headroom (tow rating)with the Pilot - so, to get a bigger TT, you'd have to get a bigger TV. More $$.
Almost ALWAYS, we get a smallish TT, a barely adequate TV, and shortly thereafter find out the TT is too small, TV is not big enough, etc, and wanting something more. Buying twice is a lot more expensive. Most on this forum can tell you that.
Good luck - keep us posted of your decision and tell us how it goes.
RE: I'm bummed...
I'm right there with you. We opted to NOT fight the crowds this weekend. We're gonna go in 2 weeks upto the Dell's and cash in on their "after season deals" (2 CG's up there have full hookups for $19.50 or 24/night. Compare that to most campgrounds that were having "holiday" prices of $47/night for the same sites.
This weekend, our storage lot is repairing/seal coating the lot so all trailers had to be out until Tue. Luckily I have a place to store our trailer for the weekend (sisters place).
So today I spent the day doing some overall cleanup on the trailer. Washed & waxed the outside, touched up the black paint on the a-frame, bumpers and stabilizers. Washed, clayed, and waxed the TV. My arms are dead!
Sure I miss camping this weekend, but in two weeks it'll be nice and quiet, and I can do the entire weekend for the price of one night had I gone this weekend.
I camp well before Memorial day and well after Labor day, so missing a couple jam packed campgrounds with inconsiderate folks is no biggie.
I got to hook up and play today with zero out of pocket cost!
Maybe you store your's at the same place as mine - they did sealcoating this weekend too, but I was able to get in and do a bit of work...
RE: I'm bummed...
We are not going out either the DW has to work. We canceled next weeks trip too, my brother was in the hospital and was not expecting to make it. He's doing fine and my reservations were canceled.
Well the best camping is yet to come, fall is cool and the air is fresh.
I agree, with fall coming, the best is yet to come...
I'm bummed...
BEAUTIFUL weather this weekend and NOT going camping!
I've never gone camping on a holiday weekend as I don't like to fight the crowds...but I even thought about going this time.
My wife went to visit her parents, and I planned on camping with my daughter, but it was too late to make reservations anywhere. And I don't want to take a chance trying to get in somewhere. Most eveything seems to be booked up.
Oh well then, plans are to, among other things, go to the TT in storage and do some upkeep - painting front of frame, replace broken tail lense, etc. Heck, maybe I'll even hook it up, bring it home, or just drive around pretending I got away.
I wish I was 'away' instead of 'working'. Seeing the TT won't make this easier...
RE: Just starting to look at travel trailers, need advice.
Hookie wrote:
Hmmm...so then, an Excursion would NOT be a truck?
That is correct!!! An Excursion is an SUV - - - albeit a very large SUV
Sorry, don't buy that 'explanation'. Some SUV's are also TRUCKS, some SUV's are NOT. Unless I hear a GOOD explanation...
Then your opinion goes against almost everybody including people like Edmunds that also call the X and SUV and correctly so. CLICKY.
Larry
You apparently are not reading what I write. Or clearly not understanding. The EX is an SUV, but also a truck, IMHO. How about your van, is it just a 'van', and NOT a truck? I'm saying, it's a van, but is also a truck.
I agree that Ex's, etc. are 'classified' as SUV's, but SOME are also trucks. Same with your van. They are built off of truck frames, suspensions, drivetrain, etc.
Trucks are not only pick ups.
RE: Just starting to look at travel trailers, need advice.
Sorry, don't buy that 'explanation'. Some SUV's are also TRUCKS, some SUV's are NOT. Unless I hear a GOOD explanation...
OK fine - call it what ever you want - - truck, semi, crossover, hatchback, Jack, Bill, Fred, etc... - - -
but Ford calls it an SUV!!! That's a good enough explanation for me :S
Les
Ok, some people are being close minded here.....
Yeah it's an SUV...yeah it contains truck engines, truck axles, truck towing capacities, no it does not have a separate cab and bed....
I won't fault someone for calling it a truck- (techically it is not), and dang don't fault someone for calling it an SUV.
Not closed minded in the least. I never said it WASN'T an SUV. How is it not technically a truck? Trucks come in all sizes and shapes. What about the Ford Ranger?, etc... Trucks do not have to have a 'cab' and a 'bed' to be called trucks. I'm not the one here with a closed mind...
RE: Just starting to look at travel trailers, need advice.
To the OP,
I owned an '05 Durango with the Hemi - pulled a 27' 5000lb TT. Did a decent job. Also had an '00 with the 4.7, pulling a PUP. I'm sure you will be fine if you keep the TT in the 4000 lb range. Good luck!
RE: Just starting to look at travel trailers, need advice.
Hookie wrote:
Hmmm...so then, an Excursion would NOT be a truck?
That is correct!!! An Excursion is an SUV - - - albeit a very large SUV
Sorry, don't buy that 'explanation'. Some SUV's are also TRUCKS, some SUV's are NOT. Unless I hear a GOOD explanation...
RE: 8.1L MPG?
I have a 2001 2500 With the 8.1 , my 5ver is 14000 lbs i get 10 mpg @ 70 mph , I use the truck for work and empty on the highway get 18 mpg, just bought a 3500 duramax not much differace in mpg from bb gas to diesel
WOW! Can't say I get anywhere NEAR that!
I pull a 5000-6000 lb TT (that has a low profile) and get 8 - 9.5 MPG, solo in Chgo suburbs, 10 MPG. On a solo trip to the twin cities with 5 passengers and luggage, 11+ mpg. (@ 70-75mph). All hand calculated.
To the OP, I agree with a few others - I think the shape of the new TT would play a bigger role in mpg than the extra weight. That said, I doubt you'd lose more the .5 mpg either way.
RE: Just starting to look at travel trailers, need advice.
For johnrbd: A Durango is considered by many to be a SUV and NOT a truck. JMHO. I also concur with justaboutretired on figuring out what to do.
Hmmm...so then, an Excursion would NOT be a truck?
RE: Need larger tow vehicle help
Yep, the Excursion PSD would be best, BUT, because they are harder to come by, you will pay a higher price. There are many more V-10's out there and better deals. You'll save a lot of money, so have more $$ for gas.
3/4 ton Suburbans and Yukon XL's are also an idea - with either 6.0 or 8.1.
Finally, the E350 Ford vans would also work good. You just have to keep looking - something will come up for you.
Do NOT settle for a 1/2 ton in your case. With all the people and hitch weight, you'd be over your max payload in a hurry. Come to think of it, the E350 might be your best bet - I believe it would have the highest payload (and room) of all I mentioned above.
RE: Bunkhouse Not To Exceed 32' Overall Length?
Check out the (Crossroads) Zinger 26BH, 29'11" bumper to ball. That gives you two bunks in the back. Don't know if you need 4 bunks...
RE: Need New Tow Vehicle-Opinions Please
If you don't mind a 3/4 diesel, I say go with that - you'd be set except for heavy fifth wheels. If you think you'd like to stick with 1/2 ton, particularly the new Ram, I'd say in this case to put the cart before the horse - meaning, wait until you buy what TT you'd like first, then get the proper TV to tow it.
What happens with most of us is this - we say, nah, I don't want/need a big heavy TT, the 1/2 ton would be fine/good enough. Then we get our first TT and find we want/need something bigger. So we buy the new new big TT think the TV will still be fine. Then we find out, oops, I'm not so sure about this anymore, and end up getting a bigger TV...more $$...yep, happens to the best of us...
(That new Ram IS sweet!)
RE: The correct way to drive a 4X4!!!!!!!!
Yeah, the last time I did that stuff with the ol' bus (Yukon XL), the wife told me to knock it off...go figure!
