RE: Aftermarket stabilizers and Camping World
Ken,
It is easy to forget about the little shops. When in Las Cruces we had a heck of a time with the bigger dealers. Finally found a little shop just off the interstate. They did decent work and wer priced right, but, there was always something missing in the job. When truck tow package installed they forgot the ground wire to the frame. When genset repaired they failed to plug in the remote start cable. Just little stuff, but, enough that I checked everything after I got my rig back.
I also agree that you can fix most of the stuff on your own with just a few simple tools. The appliances were the parts that always got me. Seemed like a control board was always going out. Wish they were easier to troubleshoot.
For the OP, I agree with others that just about any good shop should be able to do the job. Am glad CW gave you something for your troubles and hope you get your rig fixed properly.
charlie
RE: Aftermarket stabilizers and Camping World
Ken,
Have you tried Holiday Trailer Sales out on Central? They have a really small shop area but they seem to do good work. Family owned.
charlie
RE: fifth wheel that can be pulled by 1/2 ton pickup
My fifth wheel claimed to be 1/2 ton towable. That being said, weight-wise it could be possible, my unit only weighs about #9500. The problem is that about #2000 of it is pin weight. That could be pretty tight for a 1/2 ton truck.
"pretty tight" is a nice way of saying it is just not good. I tried putting 2000lb in the bed of my truck once. Just once. Bottomed out the springs, then the front end came off the ground. And, no I did not drive it that way. :)
I'd just say that someone lied about it being 1/2T towable. There are a lot of salesmen who will look at the GCWR and use that to say if it can be towed or not, ignoring the pin weights. Some folks look at their TT and figure the same size fiver should be OK.
There are those trailers that 'claim' to be 1/2T towable, dealers who say they are fine for your 'little' truck, and then there are those that are really OK. Check weights!! Every truck and every model of every truck is a bit different.
And, remember that the mfg trailer weight is unloaded, so figure on what you will put in it. Same with truck ratings. It can be very enlightening at how fast 100lbs of stuff adds up. A long weekend worth of food is usually over 100lb. Fiver hitch is over 100lb. 40gal of water is about 300lb. Some folks tool boxes can be over 100lb. etc. etc.
charlie
RE: fifth wheel that can be pulled by 1/2 ton pickup
Ok, so me towing trailers that are less than 1000lb don't count nor does towing a 4000lb trailer with a 5T truck. I guess 30 years of towing all kinds of rigs isn't good enough experience.
The two things I notice with a heavier rig. You can't 'swerve' as fast (doesn't matter how big the TV is) and you accelerate slower. The size of the TV can affect the latter, but, usually not by a lot. I actually can stop faster with some larger trailers because they have larger brakes and there are more wheels on the ground per unit mass.
Yes, it is OK to go close to the GVWR.
And, yes, it is OK to have a truck larger than what you need.
Like I said, if I towed a rig a lot, it would be a larger trailer and I wouldn't fool around with a beefed up pickup, it'd be an HDT.
charlie
RE: fifth wheel that can be pulled by 1/2 ton pickup
The distance you go makes little difference. You can have an accident before going half a mile.
Sorry, that doesn't make sense to me. The mfg's ratings are based on the lifetime of the mechanical components, not surviving an accident.
If everything is working correctly I don't see a safety difference towing a max load in my 1/2T vs one that is 2000lb less. The trailer will stop itself and the truck will stop itself.
As I said, if you feel safer with a bigger truck, then go ahead. I am fine with what the mfg says.
charlie
RE: Please calm my nerves, first UT-OH! on new 5'ver
My brother-in law always takes his new trucks home and puts a small ding in one of the rocker panels with a ball peen hammer just to get it over with.
ROFL!
RE: Gadgets and neccessities
3-convert it to propane, but, then it means refueling the propane tanks more.
5-number of panels and sizes depends on how much power you use and how much sun you get. You would be best off with one of the power manager systems.
charlie
RE: what do you tow with this Ford?
Having a 'smaller' engine isn't as bad as some make it out to be. You might want to look at the lighter trailers if you plan on much mountain travel. I found that our 6000lb fiver is OK on grades, but, probably would not want heavier. Height of the trailer is low enough that flat speed is good. Our mileage on the flats at 70mph is just over 10mpg.
Ours does have a living room slide and we really like it. The only thing I'd look for different is a full length bed. On these shorter trailers that's one area where the mfg's go cheap.
Since you have more payload you'll have more options in your search than we did. 1/2T limits pin weight. And, I'd not consider a TT.
Good luck in your search.
charlie
RE: 5er For the long haul
I'll be interested in what you find. We also use ours as a mobile hotel room. Not sure how long it will last, especially since it has to survive I40 through Ok City twice a year :)
Does anyone tow theirs over dirt roads on a regular basis?
charlie
RE: 5er. Olympics...?
Awning take down races(letting it freewheel up is ok), you must start from your bed, in pj's or underware or whatever you sleep in. No automatic electric jobbers allowed.
Forgot the 50mph wind and/or rain/hail :)
Or don't sleep in :E
But then we'd have to have bonus points for scaring the judges :D
charlie
RE: fifth wheel that can be pulled by 1/2 ton pickup
Same as my Father-in-law. He had one of those Rampage pickups. You know, the ones that were front wheel drive cars with the back chopped off. 2.2L with a 5sp manual tranny. He did a lot of research on weights and aerodynamic loads. Figured out the frontal area he could get away with, torque curves of the motor and speeds he could reasonably expect. Determined max loads for his tires, wheels and axle (kinda simple cause it was basically a straight beam).
Had the dealer weld in a custom mount for a fiver. Coachman Lite. One of the first Lite's that I heard of. 19ft. Don't remember what it weighed, but, at least 3000lb (which was about 2000lb more than the little TV was rated for. He installed air shocks to level the load.
He towed with that rig all over the Southwest. Put about 10,000mi on it over a 5 year period before the trailer 'gave up' (too many window leaks and rotted door sill).
He used to like to 'out drag' larger fiver rigs, especially the 1T trucks.
FWIW, he also used to drive HDT's when he was younger. He was also a mechanical engineer.
charlie
PS I do not recommend this approach. For most people it is a recipe for disaster. Keep within the mfg's ratings.
RE: 5er. Olympics...?
me too :)
7) hook up and pull away, time trial
8) hook up and pull away handicapped, ie, DW advising
9) extend and retract slides, penalties for bending things
10) beer consumption while aligning TV dish, max beer/min time wins
11)
12)
charlie
RE: Are summers still HOT???
This summer for us has not been as hot as we've seen in the past. But, not as cool as we've seen in the past. Less rain than some years, more than others.
So, I guess you could call it pretty average. Or, as a "Gore-ist" would say, 'The Global Climate change has affected the local environment by making it warmer or cooler, depending on how much profit the big, bad oil companies are making today.'
:)
RE: Deal or No Deal,Buying a 5'er w/ a trade
Unless something else is really affecting this, then why upgrade after only 7 months of ownership? Is the trailer way too small? Is it defective? Really bad layout?
It isn't a great deal that is being offered. It is reasonable in this market. You will take a beating from the sale of your old unit, which will need to be considered when buying a new unit, whether trade in or private sale.
It sounds like the dealer is 'trolling' for deals. If he can 'churn' buyers he can still make money, even in a down market.
RE: Are summers still HOT???
your getting older and generating less BTU's !! :W:WThats funny - loved it!
And here I thought the sweat on the bald spot meant I was generating more BTU's :)
I do love the climatologists (is that like scientology?). In the 70's we were going to run out of oil in ten years. The ozone layer would disappear. And we'd have a new ice age.
Since that didn't happen, then they blamed their failed predictions on greenhouse gases and global warming. Obviously, since we didn't freeze it was because of the big bad oil burners, not because they were wrong.
Now, since enough folks still won't abide by this nonsense science they have changed to global climate change. That way they can't be wrong! If it heats up, it's because of us. If it cools down, it's because of us.
I guess I'd believe Al and his cronies if they were leaders instead of preachers. When Al (and the rest of the Hollywood idiots) stops flying around the world, makes his own home(s) more efficient, and stops driving around in limos, then I might listen to his drivel. I probably still won't believe it, but, I'd listen.
charlie
RE: fifth wheel that can be pulled by 1/2 ton pickup
...the weakest part of any truck is the nut behind the steering wheel... Some people aren't safe with an empty one ton dually.
Well said! I think that should be plastered on every truck visor made, if not tattooed on foreheads.
charlie
RE: fifth wheel that can be pulled by 1/2 ton pickup
Rvndave,
Thanks. That was a well put statement.
I agree. If I were towing a lot then I too would get a truck with a capacity well above my load.
But, as I said before (and like the two above and others before), when towing a relatively small amount of time I am happy staying within the mfg's guidelines of my small truck and small fiver.
charlie
RE: fifth wheel that can be pulled by 1/2 ton pickup
"...should be 15-25%..."
"...usually around 20 percent..."
The average of 15-25 is 20. Equal statements. The operative words are 'usually around'. It does not say that it must be 20% or more.
Heck, I don't know if I should be happy or sad to have the state of California agree with me. :)
FWIW, there are trailers that are not happy with pin weights on the lighter side of the range. And some are happier that way. Mine is happy at 18% and I did have it down to 17% at one time without any 'complaints' from the rig. One thing I did learn long ago is that bumper pull trailers really don't like being less than 10% on the tongue. They can even get dangerous.
charlie
