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RE: TT stolen
Stinks about the theft.
I am also confused about the ball lock, though. I have one on my HA. Not that it would make a huge difference to a VERY determined thief, but it certainly will slow someone down or force them to make a bunch of noise.
And like Mr. BarneyS, there aren't many 'common' thieves that have a HA stinger laying around.
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keithinspace
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04/16/12 11:21am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Question about possible TT/TV combo
I assume you have the HD towing package with you Expy...if you don't, you're a little out of luck. If you do, then you're barking up the right tree.
You have one of the 260 hp engines in your car. Less, but not terrible.
The weights you're looking at are similar to the weights on my 28.5' long AmeriLite.
My truck pulls my trailer OK, but I generally go over hills to get anywhere. My truck sucks wind on hills.
Also, when you get 25' long and greater, I can honestly say that you'll start to notice the real and sincere need for a Hensley/ProPride hitch. I did.
So, in a nutshell, you can probably get away with a trailer that lists the 'dry' weight under, say, 4,600# and it be tolerable. Once you pull it for a year, you'll decide to get a $2,200 articulating hitch system. Then, the year after that, you'll get tired of struggling with your Expy and get a 3/4 ton pickup. That's what my crystal ball says...because that's exactly where my furtunes turned out!
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keithinspace
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02/28/12 09:42am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: New RV'r-looking for answers regarding dry and gross weight
I agree with "dry" weights being pretty useless other than comparing one trailer to another. The "dry" weight does not include "options" like the A/C unit, a microwave, battery, or propane tanks. Count on the "titled" weight to be a solid 400# above the manufacturer's "dry" weight.
And remember, you don't have any water in the lines yet, much less the tanks. Or have any of the absolute basics of living, which add up QUICK.
Personally, if I had a truck that could tow 7,900#, I would be looking at trailers with a "dry" weight of ~4,000#. The titled weight will be closer to 4,400# and you'll load it to something around 5,500#...maybe a little less.
Put another way, my truck is rated at 9,000#. My "dry" weight is 4,880#, my "titled" weight is 5,150#, and I load it to ~6,200#. This is as much trailer as my truck can handle. Period.
Tow any more than 6,000# and you will be very, very, very, very unhappy.
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keithinspace
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01/23/12 11:55am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: SUV needed
THe new Dodge Durango can tow 7600# no problem....
I hope you're kidding.
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keithinspace
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01/23/12 09:37am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Any Ultra-Lite makers/brands/lines to avoid?
My Gulf Stream only came with a 1 year warranty which was VERY well honored. Wonderful experience.
I will say that mine has an "ultralight" sticker on the side, but have a different experience from Mr. Fordsooperdooty on what that means...
My frame is a full-length 6"x2" full-box (not c-channel) steel deal. Full steel cross-members.
My floor is 3/4" tongue-and-groove plywood. No give.
My walls are 2"x3" studs on 12" and 16" centers.
My floor, wall, and ceiling insulation is sufficient to keep us cozy on 10 degree nights and cool...with the AC cycling normally...on 100+ degree days.
The only major concession to weight I've seen is the slide. It is an "over slide" with the mechanism INSIDE the trailer, requiring a 6 inch step up into the dinette. It is a superslide, though, and is 2 feet deep, so it isn't small.
No, I don't have granite counters, enamel sinks, or porcelin toilets. But my family of 4 enjoys 30 nights a year in it and it is our home away from home.
My trailer is 28.5 feet long, weighed 5,100# from the factory, and I tow it (grudingly) with my 1/2 ton SUV at about 6,200# wet and loaded.
Point being, to paint all "Ultra Lights" into the corner of being "de-contented" to the point of being junk, that just is NOT an accurate assessment.
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keithinspace
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01/18/12 07:06am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Slide out question
Unfortunately, the silly tape job looks a lot like mine, except for mine is stuck down and yours is not.
I would pull up the old eternabond, inspect, slop some dicor in there, and reapply new eternabond.
I check mine every time I remove/replace my cover. Still looks OK, but it is one of those places that I inspect regularly and closely.
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keithinspace
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01/16/12 08:24pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: First time TT owner
From an Expedition owner:
GET A HENSLEY OR PRO-PRIDE. Yes, I am yelling. Imperative. Not optional. Not with a 33' trailer. Period.
You will be able to tow the trailer, but you won't like it. 90% chance that something major will happen to your transmission at 90k to 110k miles, just like mine. You won't like your performance up hills. You won't like your performance when merging onto interstates. Other than that, you will feel OK. Just OK. Not happy. OK.
Then about 10k miles after you replace your transmission, you'll be looking at 3/4 or 1 ton pickups, just like me.
I'm just using my ESPN and telling you your future, that's all...
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keithinspace
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01/16/12 12:59pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Most Livable Travel Trailer?
Toyota lists the absolute highest GCVWR for the Sequoia as 13,600#.
This is the total number...the whole enchilada...the great equalizer...the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating. This is the number you can't/shouldn't exceed under any circumstances with your truck, gas, drinks, people, pets, trailer, hitch, propane, poopie, whatever.
In other words, the tow rating is all well and good, but it isn't much help if you can't have anyone else in the car or have ANY cargo ANYWHERE to stay under the GCVWR.
The GCVWR for my Expedition, without checking again, is 14,400#. The new Expedition's is 15k#.
3/4 and 1 ton trucks are well over 20k# and bust into 30k#, as a matter of comparison.
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keithinspace
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01/16/12 10:58am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Most Livable Travel Trailer?
Towing with an Expedition rated at 9,000#, I can say that your requirements/desires are a little 'out there' for being towed by the Sequoia.
Some folks tout the "20% suggestion" regarding towing...that being the thought that you should not actively tow more than 80% of your tow rating.
I can tell you that after pulling a number of different trailers, that isn't too far of from being true.
I HAVE pulled my full rated tow capacity of 9,000# for short distances before (5 miles from quarry to the house) and I'm here to tell you that it is a TOUGH TOW.
I pull my trailer at 6,200# (or so) all trimmed out and this will be the last year for my Expedition. I've already added the Hensley Arrow, which helped my stability greatly, but it just isn't enough truck for trips over 100 miles. Plain and simple.
You can get your perfect trailer...I really hope you find it...but if it is a pound over 6,500# or an inch over 30 feet, you will be VERY disappointed in your tow vehicle. Just coming from someone who has lived the dream. And have seen other's live the dream and come to the EXACT same conclusion.
My Expedition has served me very well, but I am now in the market for a F350 w/ diesel.
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keithinspace
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01/16/12 10:10am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: thinking about buying, new to this all
I have to agree with others. If you aren't familiar with the whole 'camper scene', you would be well suited to find a nice, clean, used camper that you THINK fits the bill.
There is a 93.6% chance that you'll take it out 4 times and wish for this, that, and the other thing to be different. More slide. Less slide. Different bathroom. Walk around bed. No couch. More tank. Shorter. Longer. Whatever.
Point is, you don't want to take a HUGE hit financially to flush through those decisions.
We bought a HTT that seemed to fit the bill for us. It had some issues, but we bought it for a song. 18 months later, we traded it in for $1,000 than we bought it for and got "our" camper...the one we FOUND OUT we wanted after we went through the learning process on the used camper.
Had we bought new first, that process would have cost us VASTLY more money...probably to the point that we wouldn't have any choice but to keep a camper that, in the end, we learned wasn't what we wanted at all.
Our second camper was new and we plan on keeping it until the kids get shipped off to school. We camp about 30 nights a year in it.
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keithinspace
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01/10/12 11:12am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: how many miles in a day's trip? (first time out)
If something is 400 miles away, I MAY try to run for it. That alone is a long day.
If it is 401 miles, in the past I have broken it up into 2 relaxed days. Kids get to play on the playground, etc.
Case in point: I went to Myrtle Beach last year. It was 387 miles.
On the way out, I was working my butt off and it was more relaxed to leave later in the morning after a good night's sleep. Broke it into two stints with a stop-over at a campground where I didn't even hook up or unhitch. Kids played, we ate, nice time.
We drove straight through on the way back. Long-ish day, but not horrible. At least we were home.
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keithinspace
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01/09/12 11:08am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Lance 2185 Trailer Reviews and Hitch Recommend Please!
That's a lot of trailer in a little box...a real find.
I could say a few things about the narrow bunks and the lack of a 'bedroom' that could cut down on your privacy while sleeping...that could get a little old...but this trailer is a solid 1,000# less than mine, and a few feet shorter, so that has merit, too.
You'll be quite comfortable with that trailer behind your truck.
I'm a Hensley owner and can't say a single bad thing about it. Love it. Don't know enough about PP so say it is better or worse...probably some things that are good about that unit that are bad about the Hensley and vice-versa. I can't say that you NEED it, but there is no WAY it would hurt.
I've spoken off-line with a guy that has a diesel F250 pulling a 33' camper and he's had some 'white knuckle' moments. I certainly had my share with my rig (pre-Hensley), but my wheelbase is shorter than yours.
I'd say that you'd be OK with a 'regular' hitch, but with the Hensley, it makes the trailer all but invisible to the truck. Just feels like I'm towing an anchor. Before my Hensley, it felt like the trailer was driving the truck at times...which is very bad in certain situations. I plan on getting a F250/350 in the next year or so and have every intention of continuing to use my Hensley.
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keithinspace
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01/05/12 02:57pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Conflicting Tow Ratings and more info needed
At first glance, I didn't come up with either of those two numbers.
But the next-nearest best guess is that the 5th wheel towing capacity is 12,400# and the 'regular' towing capacity is 9,900#. I found this on cars.com guessing your trim level and picking the crew cab with short bed.
Agree that the owner's manual is the best place to find this. Especially since any "generalized" spec isn't going to pick up on little nuggets like your 3.73 gears with I presume to be optional.
The only other variable is whether your truck had an optional "towing package" which generally includes an auxilliary transmission radiator. This is optional in most 1/2 ton trucks but may be standard on 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. I don't know enough to say.
In any case, I would NOT trust either Trailer Life or the Dealer in this case as they have no vested interest in your safety.
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keithinspace
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01/03/12 12:48pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: fan noise under breaker panal
Definitely control panel fan.
I will say, though, that I bought my trailer new and the fan had always made a 'squeaking' sound when starting up. Sounded like when you pull the trigger just a little bit on a cordless drill, if you know that sound. Not loud, and not awful, just a little irritating when it happens regularly...like every 45 seconds all day long.
Mentioned it off-hand to my dealer when I did my 1-year warranty service and he said that it sounded strange and that he'd take a look at it.
Came back for my trailer and I had a BRAND NEW CONVERTER PANEL...apparently, that was the 'fix' for the fan. And fix the fan, it did. Now I can't say when the converter fan turns on or off...quiet as a tomb.
Point is: I don't think you're supposed to hear it. If your trailer is new, see if you can do what I did. If your trailer is old, maybe it's time to replace a widget.
But honestly, if it is working and you don't mind whatever sound it is, then I'd just keep rolling until you DON'T hear the sound when you SHOULD hear the sound. Then you know it's broke.
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keithinspace
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12/23/11 06:59am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Flo Jet Waste Pump System
Agreed. I use the regular hose when it is possible, but sometimes it isn't possible.
I liken this to having 2 or 3 sets of Lynx-Levelers. Or a couple different styles of wheel chock. Or a roll of EternaBond. Or several lengths of co-ax cable. Or a 50 to 30 amp conversion cable. Or extra power cable. Or more than one length of sewer hose. Or a few different lengths/types of water hose.
You move your house to a bunch of different parking spots and things are going to be different in each. This is a matter of being prepared for YET ANOTHER contingency.
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keithinspace
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12/15/11 12:08pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Flo Jet Waste Pump System
I am a fan of having a solution before I have the problem.
When I got my first RV, a HTT, this was an imperative purchase since it was on torsion-style axles and had the sewer discharge not even 6 inches off the ground.
I used this device time and time again in spots where I otherwise would NOT have been able to drain by stinky-slinky...not without a huge mess, at least. And don't even get me into how to get the poopie into a blue tote without this.
Now my discharge is a smidge higher, but I still find myself pulling this pump out sometimes just to make my life easier.
Suffice it to say, my FloJet has a permenant place on-board my camper and when I need it, it is indispensible. Small investment to have such a wonderful and clean arrow in your quiver. It should be a standard purchase.
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keithinspace
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12/15/11 11:44am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Where to get wirng harness extension (hensley arrow)
Yes, I'm confused because that was one of the first questions Hensley asked me. They're happy to give or sell you one, depending on the deal you strike with them.
And there are numerous outlets, both brick and mortar and on-line, that sell this widget. Not sure what the crisis is.
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keithinspace
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12/14/11 06:39am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 1999 Dutchmen 1001XS
Pop-up?
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keithinspace
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12/13/11 01:10pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: pumping out a black tank to a tote..dumb, but I'm gonna ask
It is a bit of a bite, but I LOOOOOVE my mascerator pump.
I live on a couple of acres and the D-Box for my drainfield is about 60 feet away from where I park my camper.
My old HTT which went for about 3,500#, I would pull around with my little Kubota without a problem. I'd trolley it over to the D-Box and 'direct dump' during my flushes, no problem.
My new trailer, closer to 6,000# makes me think a bit more. Just more to go wrong. I started hooking my mascerator pump up to a 3/4" garden hose and get the waste into the drainfield that way. Works like a DREAM. Just put a 6" clear fitting in there and you can see when you get it really clean inside. No more trolley for me! (but I keep it around, just in case.)
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keithinspace
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12/07/11 08:31pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Anyone Wash TT Using Fresh Water Tank?
I really take issue with using pressure washers on trailers.
Trailers were made to have water splash ON them and mist by as they are being pulled. No matter what you do, a person inevitably will be shooting a pressure washer hose from a relatively low position on the trailer and UP, into places in the trailer that weren't necessarily to resist water from that direction. Think about the drain holes in the bottom of the windows. Or the downward facing vents at the back of the fridge. Decals or not, a bunch of water from an unintended direction can do a bunch of internal damage, especially if you do it repeatedly.
And heaven help you if you're actually "blasting" anything off your trailer. Please tell me you did that before you try to sell it to me...
When I wash my trailer, I do it in 10' sections from the top down using the 'shower' setting on my spray nozzle. By the time the water reaches the trailer, it has very little pressure/energy behind it and is moving in generally the same direction as a normal rainfall.
Pressure washers are great for a variety of things, but I DO NOT see washing travel trailers and RVs as one of them.
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keithinspace
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12/05/11 11:56am |
Travel Trailers
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