Being a sort of rebel on these forums I'm learning to use these forums as a form of recreation, kind of like a comic strip. The ignorance never ceases to amaze and amuse so for a little fun I decided to list a few things I've learned here.
Things I've learned from RV.net:
1. Never use a 1/2 ton truck for anything more then getting groceries.
After years of using 1 ton trucks I've now used 1/2 ton for hauling hay, equipment etc for 15 years pulling gooseneck and drawbar trailers. Even took our 5th out west into the mountains and thru the passes above 8000ft. A very relaxing and enjoyable trip.
2. Don't use cruise control while towing.
I've used cruise control while towing before they were commonly factory installed. In 4000 mile trip to the west and in the mountains I probably drove 150 miles max without it engaged. Even going down the mountains I would shift the tranny out of D into 2 or even 1, depending on the steepness of the road, set the cruise at a speed and let it do all the work with seldom a brake application.
3. Use Mobil 1 Synthetic motor oil.
Used it on one truck that I leased and changed every 5000 miles. Bought it when the lease was up and ran it until I had my first hyd valve lifter go bad in my life at 153,000 miles. Switched back to a commercial motor oil and again change oil between 10,000-15,000 miles and have over 100,000 miles on current truck hoping to get back to my normal 200,000+ miles I had come to expect.
4. Never use P rated tires for towing.
Always did on my 1/2tons until I learned it wasn't safe on RV.net. Used LT tires on one truck for a while. Rode like a box wagon. P rated tires always had and currently do work great.
5. Gas engines are no good for towing.
I've been using gas and diesel engines for towing since the late '50's and both do the job I need to get done quite well, thank you.
6. Never tow a 5th wheel with a gooseneck adapter.
Been pulling my 5th with one for 11 years. It puts any cross wind force on the fifth wheel down on the floor level of the truck bed instead of 16 inches above the floor keeping the forces down closer to tire level. Got it stuck once in a farmers field and he pulled me out with a JD 5020 farm tractor with duals weighing over 19,000lbs. Nearly got the tractor, truck, 5th combo stuck! Haven't broke the frame yet.
7. Weight distribution bars and anti sway bars are an essential part of towing equipment and not bandaids.
Funny, the only time I used the equipment was towing a TT with a '78 Ford Fairmont in the hills of Kentucky. Decided then and there if I needed to rely on bandaids I wouldn't pull it, period! I gave the bandaids away because my conscience wouldn't let me sell the junk. Never needed them on my '70 Ford Maverick on a trip to Florida and back because the 13ft trailer was sized right for the tow vehicle. When my Ranger was also going to require them to pull a landscape trailer I got rid of the trailer and made my gooseneck to eliminate the problem.
On our trip out west with two class A motor homes and another dually diesel 5th wheel combo We overheard one of the A drivers radio to the other, "talk about a white knuckle experience," and the response from the other A driver, "talk about an understatement," my wife looked at me and laughed. I had my left elbow up on the window sill with two fingers and a thumb on the steering wheel and my right arm on the center arm rest with my fingers slowly moving Google Maps on my new iPad following our progress across the plains and my legs relaxed while the cruise did the work. (Sorry, my iPad was new and I didn't know Google Maps would automatically track my progress if I did the right thing) I hadn't realized how windy it was until the little windsocks at the overpasses. (Check my daily blog on the Ohio Rally forum from June and July of 2010.)
There are other items I learned such as diesels have no engine braking, brake controllers, etc. but to keep this post shorter we won't go there this time.
Seems every time I follow "expert" advice from this board and others it costs me. Last internet advice I took from the "experts" cost me 10 days of hospital, 1 month of nursing home and 7 more months of rehab and over $100,000 and still more surgery and rehab ahead. I'll admit, I'd be lying if I said this one didn't make me angry.
If anyone expects me to follow their "expert" advice please forward your name, address, phone number, checking/savings acct numbers, and list of assets to my attorney. Thank you!!!
* This post was
edited 05/09/12 05:23pm by DSteiner51 *
D. Steiner
The sooner I fall behind, the more time I have to catch up.
DSteiner51 wrote: ...Last internet advice I took from the "experts" cost me 10 days of hospital, 1 month of nursing home and 7 more months of rehab and over $100,000 and still more surgery and rehab ahead. I'll admit, I'd be lying if I said this one didn't make me angry.
I don't care about all the other bad advice, but I would like to know about this one.
PM me your address and I will forward my financials right away.
Plus, IMO, he is telling the truth, even if the various forum police won't like it. Most of us don't post the truth when we see garbage posted, just ignore all the bad advice and go to other post. Good post DSteiner51.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever" '05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins-Pulling our '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2010 Rzr or 01 V Star in back. Where the wheels are stopped today
Offline
Online
