RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 15-17, 2009
Bigdog,
Now I wish we were with you guys. Stayed at Cherry Hill on our first big trip with the TT down through ARches, Bryce and Zion. Played that putt-putt every night 3 nights in a row. It's one of the best "courses" I've seen and played. Lots of fun too! I think it's on the Miniature PGA tour. If you get a chance, run down the street to Lagoon. It's a pretty good old-time amusement park with a pretty good wooden roller coaster. They also have this other more modern ride (I forget the name of it), but it will get you wet and probably make you sick at the same time. Watch it and you'll know what I mean. :R
RE: They're trying to talk me down to a 1/2 ton...
Up-grade you to a 1-ton, and you can tow most anything.Not necessarily. Did you know that Ford puts that little 5.4L in their 1 ton? Or at least they used to. :R
RE: Adding BAL stabilizer jack - suggestions?
I would not use wood as a spacer for this purpose. I would have a welding shop get some square tubular steel and weld it to the jack and then the frame. Take a look at most Fleetwood trailers to see how they do it.
RE: Brookings Oregon to Astoria?
I would say maybe. You've got 340 miles to go in 9 hours (+1 hour for food, gas, potty stops). That means you'd have to average 38 mph. On a weekday, that should be doable. On a weekend with heavier traffic, maybe.
RE: They're trying to talk me down to a 1/2 ton...
They are trying to sell you anything that has a trailer hitch already on it!
8500# with a Ford 5.4L??? NO WAY!!!
Run as fast as you can away from this dealership!!!
For that much weight, I'd be looking for a used GM 8.1L, Ford V-10 or a diesel in a 3/4 ton minimum.
RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 15-17, 2009
The things a Grandpa has to do for a beautiful Granddaughter.Yep, this grandpa is babysitting the little one while mom and grandma go shopping. Gee, I think I remember how to change a diaper. :R :B
RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 15-17, 2009
I think it's been about 4-5 years since we've been to Silver Falls SP. Kids and I did the 7 mile loop/walk to see all the falls. Laura had hurt her knee a few years prior and didn't think she would make it. She was probably right cuz that 7 miles is quite the hike...up some steep parts and down some steep parts...but the kids and I enjoyed it. :C
Have I ever mentioned how much I don't like mowing the lawn?!?! :E If we could only figure out how to downsize everything we have, sell the house and get our MH, I think that would make us a couple of happy campers. :B
RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 15-17, 2009
Jon,
Boy, seems like every trip you guys go on turns into quite an adventure. Glad to hear you're having fun (I hope). :B
Ron,
Laura and I were there (Estes Park) several years ago and all I can tell you is it's a real nice area and the temps can change 50+ degrees between night and day. We were there just after Labor Day and it would get down to the upper 20's at night and be up round 90 during the day, so pack your flannels and some T-shirts. :C
RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 15-17, 2009
Aw man, you really didn't have to say anything about lawn mowing. :R
I'll probably be doing that sometime this weekend too.
So who else got woken up by the thunder last night besides us? :E
I like thunderstorms, just not when I'm trying to sleep. :B
RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 15-17, 2009
We just got back from Leavenworth a couple hours ago. I think it's hotter here that it was over there, but there were too many skeeters at the Thousand Trails to make being outside enjoyable. It would be a real nice park if they could get rid of those darn bugs! We're talking about sleeping out in the TT in the driveway tonight cuz it's sooo warm out (the TT has AC and the house doesn't). :C
I could definitely tell our new trailer is heavier than our old one as we got near the top of Stevens Pass. Slowed down to 50 the last mile or so where it's the steepest. Had Laura get out and push to save a little gas. :B Grandkids had fun and drove us nuts at the same time. :R
Took a pic of our rig, but don't know if it turned out good enough to post yet. Will check it out later.
Donna, congrats on being a GGM.
Bob, you're repeating yourself again. Gotta get back on your meds dude. :B
Jon, chances of a day cooler than 100 in the Utah desert this time of year are slim to none cuz slim is up in Alaska. :C Get up early...real early...and back to camp before 2pm to avoid the heat.
RE: 01 Suburban 1500
jbufkin,
Well, that's a little better, but not much. A UVW of 6233# means you're probably around 6500# before you get your stuff in it, so add another 1000# for all your stuff. Yes, I said 1000#. You really don't think it adds up to that, but it will. Now your trailer is at 7500# ready for the road and ready to make your truck work hard. That little 5.3L engine will have a tough time pulling 7500#, so I would try to stay out of the mountains. Actually, I would try to get something with a bigger engine, probably diesel. Yeah, I know, the price of diesel is worse than the price of gas, but that's the price you pay to go RV'ing. :B
RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 15-17, 2009
A winery in the Utah desert? Go figure. :R
I think Rt 6 is the way went to get down to Arches. Yeah, that was a fun road. NOT! But that was when we had our first half-ton Suburban. I think our current truck would do a better job towing on that road, but I doubt the gas mileage would be any better. :R
Okay, so all you guys that are going camping (or are already there), don't forget to take a pic of you and your rig to send to me for the rally yearbook. :C It's supposed to be nice weather all over the place, so even if you're not going camping, go take that pic for me...please. :B And yes, I'm gonna try and get our pic too. :C
RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 15-17, 2009
Yeah, that darn light could mean anything or nothing, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Bob, I like the tape idea. :C
Hobo, why don't you get a part time job at a campground. Then you could solve both problems at the same time. :B
RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 15-17, 2009
Geez Bigdog, 3 years wine budget lost to truck repair. That's gotta hurt! :E Glad to hear you're back on the road. Hate it when mechanical things get in the way of fun.
My Suburban is in the shop now. The "check engine" light came on the other day, and of course the dealer has to hook it up to a computer to find out what the problem supposedly is. There goes $100 just for the "diagnostic", then who knows how much go fix whatever is wrong with it. I hope it's something cheap! :R
RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 15-17, 2009
Wow, that sucks! 3 injectors all at the same time...ouch! :E There went the wine budget for this year. :B Wonder if he got some bad fuel somewhere.
RE: 01 Suburban 1500
Well Kevin, like I said, just a guess. :B I didn't know where to go looking for the numbers for that motor.
And you're right on with the 5.3L numbers according to my 2001 brochure I still have. :B
RE: 01 Suburban 1500
4campnuts,
Your 95 probably had the 5.7L which would have had more HP and torque than the 5.3L, and the Jayco probably weighed less than the Coachman. Either way, an apples to oranges comparison is useless. In my experience, the 5.3L would be okay if you can stay out of the mountains and under 7000#. Other than that, forget it!
RE: 01 Suburban 1500
jbuffkin,
If your trailer weighs 8000# empty, that is one HEAVY 25' trailer!!! And if that weight is correct, there is NO WAY I'd want to pull it very far with your current Suburban. But, before you go truck shopping, see if you can somehow get it safely to a scale and get it weighed. That will give you a clearer picture of what kind of truck you need to be shopping for.
RE: 01 Suburban 1500
Been there, done that, got our current Suburban because of it. :C
It will depend on what engine and rear axle ration you have in the Suburban, plus what the trailer really weighs when it's loaded up ready for a trip. Get us those numbers and we'll be able to help you out better. In the meantime, check out my website (in signature below) for into that might help you.
RE: Northwest Spring Rally, May 15-17, 2009
We're going to be taking the 2 older grandkids (if you can call 4 and 6 old) with us to Leavenworth this coming weedend (27-29). Their mom and dad haven't had much time alone with the new baby since she was born, so we're taking the other 2 out of their hair for a few days. :B
Laura and I went down to Yelm to photograph a wedding. Boy was it warm and muggy! Typical wedding...started late, not everyone showed up that said they would so there was plenty of good food left over (shame), but everything went well for the happy couple.
Bigdog,
You sure that rattle noise wasn't from something you hit or ran over (like on your last trip). :B
Tradwinds,
The beach is one of our favorite destinations when we don't want to do much but sit around and relax most of the time.
