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RE: NM 518 - Mora, Tres Ritos vs. Sante Fe
Just double checked on Google Earth and looks like you gain almost 2,000' of elevation coming out of Holman in just over 6 miles! That's steep! I don't think I want any part of that either coming or going.
I double checked where I climb out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming and it is a 2,000' elevation gain, but it's spread out over 35 miles or so. The last 10 miles is what I would consider pretty steep and my truck was working hard at about 45mph and it only gains 1,000' over that last 10 miles.
The nice thing is that the extra 35 miles is going to end up being almost all interstate as I'll just stick on I-40 a little longer and that pretty much makes up the difference in the mileage. According to mapquest it is only 15 minutes longer going through Santa Fe even though it is 35 miles farther.
Thanks for helping me make up my mind.
Nathan
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npaden
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09/29/11 10:39am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: NM 518 - Mora, Tres Ritos vs. Sante Fe
Thanks for the input.
It looks like the biggest problem with that route from Mora to Taos is that it isn't just one up and then one down, but several ups and several downs throughout the drive. Looking at the maps it looks like you are pretty much back down and then it turns north just before Vadito and you go back up and over again.
I think I'll play it safe and go the Santa Fe route.
Is there a good place to fill your fresh water tanks in Taos? That will save me nearly 400lbs of weight if I can wait until Taos to fill my 50g fresh water tank.
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npaden
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09/29/11 10:18am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: NM 518 - Mora, Tres Ritos vs. Sante Fe
P.S. - I've upgraded trailers this summer and am now pulling a 2012 V-Cross 26VBH. It is about 1,000lbs heavier than my previous trailer. It pulls nice, but you can tell it is heavier on the steep uphill climbs.
Here's a picture.
http://padens.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album06/2012_v_cross_trailer.jpg
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npaden
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09/27/11 04:08pm |
Roads and Routes
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NM 518 - Mora, Tres Ritos vs. Sante Fe
Okay, I'll be headed to Questa, NM from Lubbock, TX in a month or so and trying to figure out the best route. I'm not looking for anything scenic, just the best route pulling my trailer.
Looking at the map, the shortest route is highway 518 through Mora and Tres Ritos, but it looks pretty much up and down and curvy. Going through Sante Fe adds 35 miles, but looks like it nearly eliminates the ups and downs.
Anyone with input on how bad Highway 518 is through Tres Ritos?
I just got back from a 2,500 mile round trip to Wyoming and back, but I try to avoid the worst ups and downs if possible.
Thanks in advance.
Nathan
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npaden
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09/27/11 04:02pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Thinking of upgrading to V-Cross 26VBH
First long trip with the new trailer. Pulled it to Wyoming and back on our annual elk hunt. Got 9.9 mpg on the way up and 10.8 mpg on the way back home averaging right at 65mph. Rubbed the bump stops on the rear a couple times going in and out on 35 miles of very rough gravel/dirt roads but overall I was VERY happy with it. SO nice to sleep on a queen sized bed instead of a jacknife couch!
Here's a picture of us rigged up and ready to go.
http://padens.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album06/2012_v_cross_trailer.jpg
Didn't get any good pictures of us camped out, I always mean to take more pictures and then never get it done!
I didn't end up with an elk, but my friend shot a nice 6x6. Here's a picture of me with his elk. I didn't shoot it, but I ended up hauling most of it out for him. We ended up hauling 341 lbs out on our backs.
http://padens.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album07/mike_elk_nathan.jpg
Pretty smooth for the maiden voyage. One piece of window trim needs fixed and they forgot the hose from the freshwater tank to the vent where you fill it. Everything else worked great.
I guess I need to update my signature now.
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npaden
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09/27/11 03:49pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Thinking of upgrading to V-Cross 26VBH
Well, I've been thinking about it for almost a month now and gone back and forth a dozen times, but I just put a deposit down on a V-Cross 26vbh with FunTownRV in Cleburne, Texas. They gave me a great price on the unit and on my trade. They are throwing in an equalizer hitch specifically for the V-Cross and a spare tire that wasn't included. $13,495 for the V-Cross and $5,750 for my trade for a net trade of $7,745.
I have my trailer listed on craigslist for $6,750 right now as my rock bottom price, and they said if I sold my trailer in the next couple days that was fine, their price would still stand. Looks like I will be picking it up this weekend.
The salesman said that made the 100th unit they sold this month and that would make them the #1 volume dealer in the country. Not sure if that is true or not, but I couldn't pass up the deal.
It's the trailer I wanted all along, I'm still just a little worried about the length, but it is only 15" longer than the Layton 243 that I was trying to decide between and I really think the V front is cool even if it is a gimick.
This will be my 3rd travel trailer but my first brand new one.
Nathan
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npaden
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06/29/11 03:43pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Time to pickup my New TT
Any updates? How are you liking it so far?
You going to have it out for the 4th of July weekend?
I sent you a PM with some specific questions.
Thanks, Nathan
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npaden
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06/27/11 03:17pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Thinking of upgrading to V-Cross 26VBH
Thanks for the input everyone. Still thinking this all through.
One question, I use an extra battery dry camping, is there room for it in the front of the trailer with the propane tanks and stuff or will I have to pull it out and hook it up everytime I setup?
Thanks, Nathan
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npaden
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06/10/11 10:37pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Why I have a hard time buying used.....
The Australia link is pretty amazing. Like pulling an anchor through the sand and over the rocks!
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npaden
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06/10/11 10:14pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: How much more trouble is a longer trailer?
Thanks for the input so far.
I'm looking at ultralite trailers that are well within the towing capacity of my truck. The odd thing is that all of the longer trailers that I'm looking at have a gross weight that is less than the gross weight on my currenty trailer. They all have a higher dry weight though, but only 500 - 900 lbs depending on the model and they are all much more aerodynamic than my current trailer if that counts for anything.
I've been reading some other threads on the subject and my tow vehicle is right at 19' long so add the hitch and we are probably right around 20' there.
I've been thinking through the spots where I've had the trailer and can think of 2 spots where I probably couldn't have gotten anything longer in them than my current trailer. On one I had to back into a campsite in an S to miss a tree then miss a covered picnic area. I had maybe 6" of clearance on either side going back in. I might could have gotten at 24' total length trailer in there but it would have been VERY tight. No way I could have gotten my existing trailer in there without using a spotter and still getting out and having a look about 4 or 5 times.
The other spot was on a hill that had a very short flat spot on the top of it. I had my tongue jack extended to the max to get the trailer level and it was sitting on a 8" cinder block with 2 - 2"X6"s on top of that. Anything longer would have required too much height on the front to be safe. I was probably higher than what most would be considered safe, almost had to have a ladder to get in the front door.
The other 6 or 7 spots that I can think of that I've dry camped in would have all been okay with anything up to a 30 footer probably. Towing down some windy gravel roads gets tight, but I really don't think the length is going to matter much there.
The spot with both of the really tight spots I've used is a national forest campground that only has about 3 spots that are actually made for travel trailers and those are always full so I've been able to cram my existing trailer into spots that technically aren't designed for a trailer.
I doubt I will draw an elk tag for that area again for a long long time so maybe I should just not worry about the length and get the trailer I want.
Just bouncing ideas around in my head.
Thanks for listening.
Nathan
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npaden
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06/10/11 09:37pm |
Travel Trailers
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How much more trouble is a longer trailer?
Okay, I do primarily dry camping. I'm selling my current Forest River Cherokee Lite 18DD because after spending 20 nights in it over the last 2 years I have decided I have slept on the too short jackknife couch for the last time.
With that said, I'm really concerned about upgrading to a longer trailer.
My current trailer total length is 21'10".
I'm really wanting a floorplan with a queen bed and bunks and right now the shortest version that I've been able to find is a Skyline Nomad Joey 246 with the triple bunks in the back and the queen in the front. It changed to a 249 for 2012. It is 26'4" total length.
If I wasn't so concerned about length I would probably prefer the V-Cross 26VBH. It is a little heavier but has a sofa in addition to the double bunks and the queen bed. It is 29'1" total length though.
A compromise between the two would be the Skyline Nomad 243 that is the same layout as the V-Cross but shortened up a little bit. It is 27'11" total length.
So am I paying way too much attention to the length here? I've been able to get my 22 footer into some pretty tight and uneven spots. Is 4 feet or 7 feet more going to make that much difference? Is a 26 footer that much different than a 29 footer?
I haven't ever had my current trailer in a traditional RV campground so that's not the concern, getting it backed into tight uneven spots is the concern.
I'm getting really close to pulling the trigger on this. If overall length really doesn't matter then I'll probably pull the trigger on the V-Cross 26 VBH.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Nathan
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npaden
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06/10/11 09:00pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Thinking of upgrading to V-Cross 26VBH
Well, looking like I might have a buyer for my trailer so I need to start shopping in earnest.
Right now the V-Cross is still really tempting. Still leaning toward the 26 VBH. 4,900lbs dry weight, 50g fresh water tank, 29' total length. Current price $13,700 for a 2012. I would have to drive 5 hours to pick this one up.
http://www.uvsconsole.com/clients/acce/watermark.php?src=5937
Other serious contender is the Skyline Nomad 243. Basically the same layout but it is 2 feet shorter. Instead of the V front it has a very rounded front that would probably do just about as well on mileage and wind resistance? It only weighs 4,300lbs and is 27' total length. Current price is $15,000 and I would pick it up locally.
http://holidaytraveltrailers.interactrv.netdna-cdn.com/src/rv.ashx?bg=LightGray&height=243&width=335&img=/images/inventory/125593_1.JPG
Other option is the Skyline Joey 246. It has a different layout than the 243 and had triple bunks in the back and doesn't have a jackknife couch. It's 4,300lbs dry and 27' long as well. Should be around the same price as the 243 and available locally as well.
Decisions, decisions....
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npaden
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06/09/11 08:33pm |
Travel Trailers
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Thinking of upgrading to V-Cross 26VBH
I'm thinking of upgrading to a V-Cross 26VBH from our 2007 Cherokee Lite 18DD. It is basically the same exact floorplan except adding a queen sized bed to the front of it.
I'm a little worried about how much harder it will pull than the 18DD. Our 1/2 ton truck does fine with the 3,800lb 18DD, not sure how much more work it will take to pull the 4,900lb 26VBH. Not sure if the V front will make any difference or not. Kind of odd that the GVWR on the 26VBH is actually less than the 18DD though, I don't think I would ever get close to the GVWR ont he 18DD, but it will be close on the 26VBH with a GVWR of only 6,900lbs.
Next thought is why are the V-Cross's so cheap right now. I'm getting quoted $14,500 for a brand new 2012 V-Cross 26VBH. Are they lower quality or just really wanting to sell them or what?
Last worry is about the length. I can just about squeeze the 18DD into anywhere even on some hilly ground because it is so short. How much more of a pain would it be to get the 26 footer into spots with trees and some hilly ground and things like that?
Thanks in advance for any input or advice.
Nathan
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npaden
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06/03/11 04:28pm |
Travel Trailers
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