c3saving
East Coast
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Joined: 05/22/2012
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Moving from a 2002 Niagara popup to a 2012 Shadow Cruiser 280. We're both nervous and excited. Our two vehicle is a 2000 Silverado 1500 5.3 V8 with the tow package. We have been told it will be fine for towing the TT. After much research, it looks like it will be fine. Trailer Life rates the truck at 8500lbs. The TT rates at 5000 lb dry, GVWR at 7500 lb. We're getting the Equalizer hitch installed as well. Already have a brake controller. We have not a clue about all the bells and whistles on this TT. We plan on pulling it next week to campground to figure it all out. Any advice on pulling it. We have never towed/backed up anything this long before. I expect white knuckles on the steering wheel driving it to the campground. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
CB
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AJP69
Manhattan, KS
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Backing this will be easier than backing your pop-up. No need to white knuckle, if the Equalizer is set up correctly you wont even know the trailer is back there. Well until you watch the gas gauge. I would try to keep the weight down if you can but either way you truck should do just fine.
2012 Jayco Jay Flight Swift 264BH
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tekman741
Gardner, Ma
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Have Fun
04 chevy k3500 8'bed 6.0l gasser 4:10
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jerem0621
Sequatchie, TN
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Dark side? My TT is white!!!
Lol. Just kidding ya. Have fun. Its fun on this side. Lol
Thanks!
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch
Sway Control: Valley dual friction sway control
Brake Control: Tekonsha Voyager
"It's Kind of Fun To Do The Impossible"
~Walt Disney~
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RusLwt001
Dacula, GA
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We did the same thing and too almost the same TT. We had the 14' Popup for 8 years, then upgraded to the 2012 Shadow Cruiser 285RLS. I got to tell you, towing is very smooth and backing is much, much easier. Apparantly,and I am not sure if this is true, but because the TT wheels/axels are much further behind the TV than when pulling the pop-up, backing up is a breeze. Very, very easy to control. You will like it better. Just make sure you never forget what you are pulling! Also, one of the best recommedations I got from this forum was buy a pair of FRS walkie talkies...about $25. You sit one on the seat next to you and the DW has the other calmly guiding you in to the site.....it really makes her feel like she is part of the process. Good luck and congratulations on the new Shadow Cruiser.
Russ
2012 Ram 1500 V8 5.7 Hemi
2012 Shadow Cruiser 285RLS
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c3saving
East Coast
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In the popup community, moving up and out of the popup up to the hard side is considered "moving to the dark side." Popup humor! It's definitely going to be different than what we have experienced. The dealer had someone interested in our popup and asked if it had the electric lift. Electric lift -- yea right. My husband was the electric life, and the electric awning, electric slide, etc. We had electricity but nothing that really was "operated" by electric motor. I'm hoping it will be a lot less work for the man.
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downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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You are going to wonder why you didn't "move over to the dark side," sooner.
Looks like a very nice trailer and a good combination for you truck.
As always, keep the load light and don't over pack the bed of your truck.
Congrats and have fun.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."
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boosTT
Milwaukee
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Its very different "camping" in a TT compared to a pop-up. I made the switch around 2 years ago.
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Downwindtracker2
BC
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Just got back from our first trip with a TT after nearly 20 years of tent trailers. Quiet,the furnace,the neighbors. A second sink,we use to use a basin outside for hands.
Adventure before dementia
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dougsee3
Calgary AB
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Sounds like a good fit as long as your truck is the one rated at 8500 lbs. (4.10 gears 4x4)
In your area you would still fine with a slightly lower (3.73) rating. The towing might be a little hard if your truck had only 3.42 gearing for eg.
Are you sure you have the 8500 lb rating?
2008 Pace Arrow 33V
8.1 Workhorse
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Calgary Alberta
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