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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Fairbank AK -- Northern Lights ????
I travel to Alaska for work (at least in normal years). I've made several winter trips. Add me to the list of folks that haven't seen the lights.
I was there last year around the winter solstice. 4 hours of "daylight". Temps were around -15*F, and never got above 0*.
Just my opinion, but Fairbanks in December is miserable.
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Bionic Man
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10/25/20 02:44pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Dutchman Grand Junction vs DRV Mobile Suitea
It's been a LONG time, but our first RV was a Dutchman. Anytime my wife talks about it, to this day she calls it "the POS Dutchman". We'd never buy another.
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Bionic Man
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10/23/20 05:11pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: bugs on the front
I've thought about adding a clear bra. I have one on my sports car, and it works great.
But I haven't gone that way yet. Late this season, we did the ceramic coating (did it ourself), and it makes bugs much easier to get off.
Before we did the ceramic coating, we used this product from Amazon. It really is a true spray on, wash off solution, but I'm sure it can't be easy on the wax.
bug remover
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Bionic Man
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10/22/20 07:37pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Regular or premium
I can't speak on the new engines, but my 2011 Yukon Denali would ping if I didn't run premium.
The 6.2 LS3 on my wakeboat will run rough enough to throw a service engine code with low octane fuel (it's done it to me three times now - I hate marina fuel).
I would say that there is a reason the owners manual says to use premium.
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Bionic Man
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10/21/20 08:24pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Ford 6L diesel in the news again
I'm no fan of the 6.0, but stuff like this is one of the reasons that new trucks are so expensive. The original award was over 10 times the truck's value.
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Bionic Man
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10/14/20 10:33am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 3.5 eco boost w/ 10 speed
2019 Expedition MAX, towing a 7000 pound boat. Tow/Haul, and let the auto tranny decide what gears are appropriate. It isn;'t in 10th very often. Usually 8th or 9th.
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Bionic Man
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10/11/20 09:18pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Spendy used tow vehicle
When my parents had their 05 Duramax truck my dad said the last fear years they owned it every once in a while someone would approach him and asked if he wanted to sell his truck. Fast forward and they now have a much nicer truck a '16 Duramax for ~ 4 years now and no one has asked if he would sell it.
https://i.imgur.com/BPyJdPvl.jpg
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Bionic Man
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10/08/20 07:24pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Spendy used tow vehicle
I just don't get the love affair with the old diesels (of every flavor). Sure, they were impressive when they were made - but that was 20 years ago.
In both performance and economy, the 3.5 EcoBoost (or Hemi or 6.2 for that matter) are just flat out better engines than a old 5.9 or 7.3.
And that doesn't even scratch the surface of the upgrades inside the vehicles - touchscreen radios, adaptive cruise, park assist, lane assist, CarPlay......that are included on the new vehicles. Sure some you can add, but not all of them.
Sorry. Hard pass on something like this. Especially at this price.
As I mentioned, financially, it doesn't make a lot of sense.
But, they don't offer the 3.5Ecoboost in a 3/4 ton platform but even then, the 7.3 actually is better for efficiency (Our F250 with 7.3 got low 20's MPG with 13 MPG towing a 5th wheel) and they are proven to last pretty much...forever.
Only place the newer engines really win is peak horse power. Load up the ecoboost with a big trailer and expect 8-9mpg towing if you are lucky.
As far as other upgrades beyond the engine...that's why I suggested a transplant and suspension upgrade. Of course touchscreens and parking assist aren't high priorities in a tow vehicle for many.
Sorry, but your position is hard to justify. The only real place the diesel Excursion has an advantage is tow rating (11,000 vs 9,200 in the current Expedition). Payload is the same. It probably would get better MPG towing, but it wouldn’t even be close in no towing MPG. The current full size SUVs would be MUCH more pleasurable to drive towing or not.
And if you don’t think the upgraded electronics are an advantage in a tow vehicle, I’d be curious if you ever really have experienced them.
Even if this was only a dedicated tow vehicle, I’d still go with one of the more modern Expeditions or Burbs. Especially when it wouldn’t take much more $ to get into one vs this Excursion.
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Bionic Man
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10/07/20 12:41pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Spendy used tow vehicle
proof that a new 3/4ton or 1ton SUV would sell well imo. Ford, GM , Ram are you listening?
Yeah, no...you get weird things happening with small volume specialty vehicles. By this logic, Ford, GM and Ram should start mass producing Ferrari knock offs because the prices are high.
Likely wouldn't make financial sense but for $35k, could you pick up a more recent model 1/2 ton Expedition (maybe 10yr old with good body...maybe with a blown engine) and an old F250 with a good 7.3 and transplant the engine. You could also swap out axle/suspension to beef up the capability.
If you spent $20k on doner vehicles, that would leave you $15k for the transplant and suspension upgrades. Just a question of if you can squeeze the 7.3 in without major surgery on the engine bay.
I just don't get the love affair with the old diesels (of every flavor). Sure, they were impressive when they were made - but that was 20 years ago.
In both performance and economy, the 3.5 EcoBoost (or Hemi or 6.2 for that matter) are just flat out better engines than a old 5.9 or 7.3.
And that doesn't even scratch the surface of the upgrades inside the vehicles - touchscreen radios, adaptive cruise, park assist, lane assist, CarPlay......that are included on the new vehicles. Sure some you can add, but not all of them.
Sorry. Hard pass on something like this. Especially at this price.
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Bionic Man
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10/07/20 08:29am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Spendy used tow vehicle
When I was looking for a 2500 SUV a few years back I saw similar Excursions posted. Same price as this one, but at least, unlike this one, they were mostly low miles And they seemed to sit forever.
People can put any price they want on a something for sale. Certainly doesn't mean they will get it.
That said, what was that old saying from PT Barnum?......
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Bionic Man
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10/06/20 08:41pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Propane generator..
I have a propane generator in my 5er. I love it for the convince of not needing another fuel source, and that the fuel doesn't go bad/I don't have to worry about carb issues.
I don't like it because it is a propane HOG. This summer, we ran it while dry camping at a lake so the dogs could stay inside in the air conditioning. I basically went through a 30 pound bottle in one day (read that as about 12 hours of run time). And swapping out propane bottles can be a pain.
As others have said, if you need something that is automatic and you already have a propane tank. that might work. Natural gas would be my first choice. But I am one that would go with gas over propane. Where I am at, it would be easy to grab a couple gas cans and head to the station a few miles down the road when the power goes out.
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Bionic Man
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10/06/20 07:44pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 75 Speed Limit - How Fast
Everyone doesn't have the same vacation/travel time schedule so some can drive at a leisure pace and others will need to push it for various reasons.
Of course there is no "need" to plan a trip that you can't do at a reasonable pace.
Sorry but you’re not qualified to make any judgments about what an individual “needs” to do for a trip. Let me guess. You’re retired?
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Bionic Man
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09/30/20 10:12am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Fitness Watch??
The problem with a fit bit is that the display is way too dim. I’ve had one for a while. I can’t even read it if I am outside in the sun. Very common complaint if you do much research.
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Bionic Man
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09/25/20 09:46pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: To Upgrade TV or Not
Going from that anemic 5.4 V8 to a modern V8 (or turbo V6) would absolutely make a considerable difference.
I think the cooling would be better on the newer vehicles as well.
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Bionic Man
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09/22/20 07:29am |
Towing
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RE: Towing vehicle Ford vs GMC Dually Super Duty (used)
Look for deals like this on cars.com, can do a huge search, This is only 6k over your top end.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/822989765/overview/
Usually the new designs grow on me. That new Chevy isn't. Especially in the lower level trim levels. I don't know what they were thinking.
:?
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Bionic Man
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09/17/20 05:05pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: New tow vehicle!
I prefer a Malibu for surfing.
https://i.imgur.com/SAaiU5bl.jpg
Awesome!
Nice wave from the goofy side of a ‘Bu! And the scenery....Powell?
Btw, I can’t surf RF fwd, yet.
Did manage to surf heel side on the starboard side though. Want to feel like you’re learning all over again and drunk? try heel side!
Do you get good push on the starboard side?
Friends are looking at a Nautique but all are L foot forward riders. Told him better check it out. Nautis are rh rotation.
Here is regular side. I'd buy a Bu again. Great boat. Rider is about 6'4" for comparison.
https://i.imgur.com/9DVRZQSl.jpg
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Bionic Man
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09/16/20 02:20pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: New tow vehicle!
I prefer a Malibu for surfing.
https://i.imgur.com/SAaiU5bl.jpg
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Bionic Man
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09/15/20 06:28pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Considering a '17 3500 Ram
Sounds like a great truck. Not sure you will make that 10 - 12 MPG average towing an RV at 65 though.......
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Bionic Man
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09/13/20 08:15pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: New tow vehicle!
I tried to use my folks Wrangler to put my old sterndrive into the garage. It absolutely buried the rear end of it, and that boat was 1000 pounds less than that Mastercraft.
Honestly can't imagine towing it down the road at 55 MPH. Or even using it to launch the boat. Asking for trouble.
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Bionic Man
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09/13/20 08:13pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Your Rig
riltri,
Use this to add photos here. Yours don't show up.
here
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Bionic Man
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09/13/20 08:08pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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