RE: I think I've got the answer
JJ,
That is good information to know. I had no idea as I'm sure many don't. I knew that for "best performance" it is good for them to be level and I especially knew that on electric they had to be level. Just took a chance the first time when on electric and the ice cream melted. I figured the propane operation worked better because that is how you travel with it running.
So, good bad or indifferent. In the future, except while on the road traveling. When it is parked I'll be sure to either shut it off and empty it or get it level.
RE: I think I've got the answer
A couple of things you should never run the fridge when your parked significantly unlevel Say more than a bubble out. And, the refer uses 12V also so you'll need your battery on and charged during operation.
Is that on electric or doesn't matter, both propane and electric?
Yes, it does draw on the battery as well. I monitored the batteries, in that two weeks, it took them down to about 1/3 W/O ever charging.
I think I've got the answer
I've seen the question asked, how long will the refer run on propane? No difinitive answer but just, "a pretty long time" seems to be the general concensus.
Well, being lazy. I found the answer, or I'd say pretty close. I didn't feel like emptying the refer after returning and I didn't plug the TT in so I left the refer on propane for about two weeks after filling both tanks. It lasted almost exactly 14 days on one tank before I changed to the next tank. Now I know that there are variables like outside temp to take into account but that is the jist of it. Outside temps averaged around 60 degrees at night and maybe up to 78 degrees in the day.
One other discovery I made was the refer actually keeps cold while the TT is on a slope the whole time while on propane. The last time I did this I plugged it in and ran the refer on electric and I quickly emptied it and turned it off. The ice cream started to melt so that was the deciding factor for me then. This time no ice cream but I did have a bag of ice in the freezer and on propane, it never melted. So, FWIW, perhaps useful info.
RE: Another Inverter question
I looked at the recomended Go Power Inverters. They tend to be a bit pricy compared to some of the others that I've shopped. It has been said, "you get what you pay for." I'm curious as to the why they are a little more than a comparable unit of similar wattage?
I thank you for the input, it gives me a place to "launch" from.
The price difference is MSW (modified sine wave) vs. PSW (pure sine wave) and the duty cycle. You will be happier with the PSW as the MSW inverters sometimes cause TV picture and sound interference.
Yes, I've seen the difference between the MSW vs. the PSW. Big difference in same make as well. No, I'm really talking apples to apples, PSW to PSW. The price is all over the place depending on what or which MFG'er you look at.
I really appreciate all of the input, I'll probably get one of the two, the GP or the Morningstar Sure Sine.
RE: Another Inverter question
I looked at the recomended Go Power Inverters. They tend to be a bit pricy compared to some of the others that I've shopped. It has been said, "you get what you pay for." I'm curious as to the why they are a little more than a comparable unit of similar wattage?
I thank you for the input, it gives me a place to "launch" from.
Another Inverter question
I would like to install a small inverter so I can run the tele and DVD player only. Not looking to run anything else with the inverter. My question is, if I switch the heater and refer off at their respective AC circuit breakers (if they even have them, I would think they would because they will run on AC if it is available). Will they still run on DC if I have the TT plugged into the inverter?
Next question, is this typically how folks with inverters run them, small or large? Or is my approach all wrong, am I missing something. I know this is perhaps a newb question but this'll be my first time actually running an inverter and I want to make sure I'm not missing or over looking something. An inquiring mind wants to know.
EDIT; Okay, maybe a laptop or two as well and perhaps a few phone chargers.
RE: Antisway bar/ Weight Dist. Sys.
Yes they are 2 different things, and honestly. there is no such thing as anti sway. It is sway control. It is there to "help" you bring the trailer back in line after a sway event has been induced, Not to prevent the sway event. and honestly. there is no such thing as anti sway.
As mentioned. The only real antisway, is a properly setup hich, and trailer. A properly setup trailer will not sway, unless you induce it thru the steering wheel, (dodging something in the road) or cut tire. If you have sway something is wrong. Fix it, Adjust the balance of the trailer, and the hitch, to a point where it has no sway at any speed, and only then do you add sway control
I have to respectfully disagree with part of your coment. There are three hitches that are designed to be anti sway. They are the Pull Right, Hensley Arrow and the ProPride hitches. They are engineered specificaly for this purpose and come at a price as well.
As has been said, the trailer needs to be properly setup so as not to have sway from improper balance. Tongue load should be at minimum 10% of loaded weight of TT and it is said 13% ideally, FWIW.
RE: YATFT (Yet Another Tire Failure Thread)
Goodyear Marathons are no better. I am a firm beliver in checking air pressure on all tires regularly. Before I head out on a trip I check air pressure on TT tires to make sure they are up. Anyway, last trip out I had a tire failure and thankfully it was at low speed. I left the Dr's. office (kids had an appointment and Dr's. office was on the way so we took the TT) and TT was sit'n fine. Munchkins wanted to get a bite to eat so I told them to keep an eye out for Subway sanwhiches. They found one and when I went to the left turn lane and began my left turn. Looking at the TT tires as I made my turn, I noticed that the rear lf tire was completely flat. I didn't drive more than five miles from the Dr's. office when it went flat. I of course changed it and when I did I went to a gas station and pumped air into the flat tire and right at the shoulder where the side wall and tread meet was a tear. I'm glad I wasn't on the highway, I'm sure it would have completely seperated if given time.
RE: Towing trial?
It appears that more than what it will tow like when it is fully setup, most want to see if they are comfortable with the length of the trailer. It makes sense, if you are not comfortable with the length of the combination then it doesn't make sense to proceed with the purchase. If one has experience with another TT, then they probably have a pretty good idea of what to expect with a loaded vehicle. Just a thought FWIW.
RE: 2nd time out and had problems
My first guess is that you were changing a fuse on a loaded circuit. Can't say what the initial blown fuse was caused by but subsiquent changes, everything that draws DC power should have been turned off or disconected including perhaps changing the main fuse while plugged into the TV (tow vehicle). Just a thought.
RE: Newb Questions
By hitch, Reese, Eaz Lift, Anderson, Blu Ox, Hensley Arrow, etc. In other words, what make and is it a WD hitch (weight distribution)?
RE: Newb Questions
Well, you are off to a good start with your TV. I really wouldn't pay much attention to the GVWR on that EX as it really is more capable than Ford gave it credit for. Your TT max's at 7500# which really isn't much for the EX so your winging it probably didn't hurt anything. With the setup you currently have, doesn't sound like it'd be much to dial you in. What kind of hitch do you have?
RE: If you've got 3 or more kids...
Lantley and E and J- my 04 armada is listed in brochures with a 1693 lb payload but in reality when we scaled the truck we found with options, 3 people (2 adults and 1 small child), 1 dog and full tank of fuel, in reality we had a payload of 820 lbs.. Again these were scaled weights and hand calculated from gvwr. If you don't believe me, the armada loaded as stated above weighed 6180 lbs. The stated gvwr is 7000 lbs. 7000 lbs - 6180 lbs = 820 lb payload. Also the armada was only rated for 910 lbs of tongue weight per the owners manual.
E and J and I have talked quite a bit about differences in armada towing experiences. The one thing I can say is it towed a car trailer ok, a 5000 lb 2 horse trailer really well and a larger boat for a friend pretty well. It did not do well at all for my 7000 lb (scaled weight) 30 ft tt. I am glad it works for you but I will stick with my 3/4 ton to pull this tt.
Arno,
This is one of the things about MFG's that makes me wonder about how they arrive at their numbers. Your 04 Armada has a GVWR of 7K, my 08 has a GVWR of 7250#. Between 04 and 08, other than cosmetic changes and and interior upgrade, the only real change in anything was the brake upgrade they did for it in 06 I believe, and they've improved them just a bit more since then with the ABS issues they were having. Suspension and driveline haven't changed at all. For 2013 it's up to 7300# and still with no changes, it keeps going up. While 300# isn't a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, I gotta ask what's their logic or reasoning? That tongue wt. rating is purely based on 10% of rated towing capacity, not realistic.
Toyota used to have a tongue wt. rating but they've done away with it stating only that trailer tongue wt. must be a minimum of 10% of loaded trailer wt. but they do not give a hard number not to exceed like Nissan.
But going back to what the OP is asking. There are a bunch of hard sided TT's that they could pull with an Armada or a number of other 1/2 ton SUV's that don't have to weigh 8K loaded like mine.
These are some that come to mind, I know that it's push'n the weight that you were comfortable with using your Armada but much less than I'm do'n comfortably.
This one and this one just to start. With a little care in looking, there is a plethora of TT's that are 1/2 ton towable. One mans opinion.
RE: If you've got 3 or more kids...
Ranger 431,
I looked at your sig and I see that you have a true control brake controller. I had one of those too, in fact I had two. I gotta ask, how's that working out for you? My experience with that controller is not so good. How long have you been using it, did you use it in your Armada?
RE: If you've got 3 or more kids...
E&J I will indulge you a bit even I don't think comparing an X and an Armada is a worthwhile exchange. I don't want to be rude so I will keep this exchange going against my better judgment
You stated and I quote,
"I don't think we are in disagreement on the EX ability to tow vs. the Armada. I think you would sell the EX ability vastly short if you went by payload."
I agree with the above but I don't think you can apply the same statement to an Armada.
In short you are better off sticking to the numbers with the Armada because it is strictly a 1/2 ton truck.
The Armada is all 1/2 ton nothing real beefy about it. An 8K TT will have a 1200# TW leaving 400# for passenger and cargo. The Armada also has a short wheel base which doesn't help its cause either.
The X is all truck. It's Super Duty all the way through. It is a solid built 3/4 ton truck. Nothing imitation about it. Ford gave it softer springs in an attempt to give it a better ride. The softer springs deflated the payload number.
Many of those towing with an X add,air bags,F-350 springs,rear sway bars,Roads master active suspension, or Landyot radius arms. To stiffen the rear suspension and compensate for the OEM suspension softness.
To answer your question I towed my prior 10.5K loaded TT with a V-10 and then a 7.3 PSD X without issue. But I would not tow a 8K GVW TT with an Armada. Why would I when there are 3/4 ton SUV's available?
I'm not sure what your point is? An X is a towing beast an Armada is not. An Armada is a decent vehicle its just not in the same league with an X or any 3/4 ton SUV.
Yes I'm OK with going over the payload ratings with a X because it is all Super Duty chassis,however I don't see the Armada in the same light because is simply is not as stout or built on a 3/4 ton frame.
The X is truly unique vehicle. There was nothing quite like it before it was introduced and there has been no replacement since it has gone out of production.
The 7.3 PSD X is so desirable it has become sort of a cult vehicle.
The PSD X still commands top dollars on the used market. Because there is still nothing else quite like it.
The X's low payload number is a non issue at this point. The X has developed a very solid reputation for towing heavy. Maybe there was once a time to challenge the wisdom of exceeding the X's payload rating. However the X's history and track record has proven that it is every bit as capable as other 3/4 ton Super Duties of its era.
I don't think I mentioned anything you don't already know.
Yeah, I'd agree with that!
If you are comfortable towing 8K with an Armada,feel free.
Personally I prefer a 3/4 ton tool for that job.quote]
OOOOkaayy.., how do I respond to this? Lantley, it may not be your intent but you come across as condesending, deliberate, IDK?
There really is no comparison, you asked in an earlier post what the payload of the Armada is and I responded with the payload of both vehicles just to make a point about payload is all.
IMHO the Armada is sold short as well albiet again no comparison to the EX or as you put it (paraphrasing), "any other 3/4 ton vehicle." Sure it is "all 1/2 ton," but as far as beef? It's got a little more than you give it credit for. Whether one agrees with me or not, I think the strongest point is the rear independ suspension and like the floating axle of a 1 and 3/4 ton, the weight bearing axle is supported by the bearings. Yes.., you can remove the drive spindle W/O pulling the wheel unlike any other 1/2 ton (okay the Toyota Sequoia too now). Soft sprung as well but that can be compensated for too. Just as an aside, I worked as a machinist for over 20 years. Any machinist will tell you, your setup is the most important part of machining. We did both in shop as well as on-site (portable) machining. Rigidity is paramount! The reason I mention this is just to qualify myself I suspose in the arena of "beefieness"! Getting back to the rear suspension, I really don't think you will find anything in 1/2 ton vehicles more rigid. Toyota Sequoia also has a rear independent suspension that offers like rigidity.
Continuing my point about payload. I find it interesting that there are states where you can buy GVWR. One that comes to mind is WA, I know that there are others but I don't want to put out misinformation. I'm sure this applies primarily to comercial vehicles but any vehicle can be a comercial vehicle depending on what it is used for and how it is registered. The primary factor when purchasing GVWR is not exceeding GAWR. The Armada has a GAWR of fr 3700# and rr of 4300# for a combined GAWR of 8K. I'm not exceeding the GAWR's on either axle.
I've been towing TT's since 91 when I bought my first. Things have changed in some ways and in others they haven't. Why tow with a 1/2 ton when there are 3/4 ton available? I can think of a number of reasons but I don't want to be argumentive. Yeah, I'm comfortable towing 8K with the Armada, it does a fine job of it. Would I prefer a 3/4 ton, absolutely and I would probably get an EX before the Burb. But until it rains money or somebody gifts me with an EX, I'm gonna continue with what I have.
You have been most kind to continue with me in this dialog, against your better judgement! Happy Camping!
RE: If you've got 3 or more kids...
Lantley, did you not ask the payload of the Armada? I provided it as well as the payload of the EX. You asked, I answered. Not my job to try to convince you of anything and I wouldn't. Your arguement is not with me, all I did was state the facts.
I realize the two vehicles are vastly different. The reason I pointed out the payload of the EX is because that is the first thing everybody jumps on and while it is important to maintain some sense of proper loading. Payload is not the only consideration. If it were then the EX would be in "violation" as quick as the Armada, that is my only point on the payload. I realize that the EX can do much more than the Armada, kind'a a no-brainer.
I don't think we are in disagreement on the EX ability to tow vs. the Armada. I think you would sell the EX ability vastly short if you went by payload.
So, if you don't think it is a "waste of dialog," my question to you is, would you limit the EX payload to what the MFG. places it at for towing? Many have recomended the EX for what the OP is asking. If one goes strictly by payload then the EX wouldn't fit the bill for many TT's that people are using them to pull.
RE: If you've got 3 or more kids...
Maybe it's time for those that haul trailers..... Rvers, horse people, those who boat and compete in all the different sports out there band together and raise our voices to the automakers. If loud enough maybe they would realize there is a demand for a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton SUV w/ a strong enough payload and engine to handle a family of 5 or 6 and an 8000 or 9000 lb trailer.
My Armada does a fine job of pulling our 8K+ TT if you don't feel like you have to be going 80 mph up mountains!
Yeah, I know arno.., your wasn't the pleasant ride most of us Armada owners enjoy. There's always the exception.
I know a lot will bemoan the idea of a 1/2 ton SUV pulling 8K or a bit more but iT's doable with some care.
8K with a an Armada. I don't think I would enjoy it either.8K will have a 1200# TW what is the payload capacity of the Armada?
Put me in with those that bemoan the idea.
I understand where you are coming from with the P/L of the Armada but if we are talking payload, it is every bit as capable as the 3/4 ton Excursion everybody praises. I know I'm gonna get rained on now but you mentioned payload!
I've read that the Excursion has a 1400# - 1600# P/L depending on whether it's a V10 or PSD. The Armada has a payload of 1600+ lbs.
So I gotta ask, would you bemoan one who is doing the same with an EX or do they get a pass because it is a 3/4 ton? Pay load is payload right?
RE: If you've got 3 or more kids...
Maybe it's time for those that haul trailers..... Rvers, horse people, those who boat and compete in all the different sports out there band together and raise our voices to the automakers. If loud enough maybe they would realize there is a demand for a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton SUV w/ a strong enough payload and engine to handle a family of 5 or 6 and an 8000 or 9000 lb trailer.
My Armada does a fine job of pulling our 8K+ TT if you don't feel like you have to be going 80 mph up mountains!
Yeah, I know arno.., your wasn't the pleasant ride most of us Armada owners enjoy. There's always the exception.
I know a lot will bemoan the idea of a 1/2 ton SUV pulling 8K or a bit more but iT's doable with some care.
