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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: tow with all wheel drive?
I think some of the confusion here is in what people are calling 'AWD'. My definition matches what is described on wikipedia:
"Particularly in North America for several decades, the designation AWD has been used and marketed - distinctly from "4X4" and "4WD" - to apply to vehicles with drive train systems that have permanent drive, a differential between the front and rear drive shafts, and active management of torque transfer, especially following the advent of ABS."
To me that means if you have a switch to select 2WD, you don't really have an "AWD" vehicle.
Since at least 1999, GM has offered an 'AUTO' mode which is really a conventional 4WD system with computer-controlled shift on the fly. Some vehicles like the Yukon I have offer 2WD,Auto,4WD and others have 2WD,Auto,Neutral,4HI,4LO. My '05 pickup has 2WD,Neutral,4HI,4LO like the old days which I assume is still available at least on the pickups.
There was also an actual full-time AWD option in 1998 called AutoTrac. Some version of that was likely still around in later years.
Any/all should be fine for towing if the vehicle is rated for it.
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wnjj
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05/31/23 12:12pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: When impatience hurts!
Anyone that thinks the big rig driver should have done something needs to reconsider.
Do you want a 80K pound load running across the median and killing himself and oncoming innocents?
The truck driver was correct in maintaining his lane or it would have been much worse.
Well there are couple things he could have done different that don't cause any drama:
1. Don't even be in the left lane passing and likely speeding to do so.
2. See the motorhome barreling alongside him and slow down before it does something stupid like cut you off.
I'm NOT saying he needed to do either of the above things, but they could have also prevented the problem. Yes, it's 100% the motorhome's fault but not being involved in an accident even when it's not your fault is still the best option.
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wnjj
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05/30/23 02:23pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Will Air bags make a big difference?
Ok for those still following this thread and offering advice - I went back to the Cat scale, hope I've got this right.
1st ticket -Steer Axle only 5,780 The truck on only one pad.
2nd ticket Steer Axle 3,260
Drive Axle 3,460
Trailer Axle 5,940
Combination 12,660
So I added the two truck axle weights, then subtracted the truck weight, and I get a difference of 940, divide by the truck actual weight of 5780, and I get 16.26% Am I doing that right?
If you are trying to calculate the percentage of tongue weight, you should divide by the trailer's total weight. So 940/(12660-5780) is about 13.7%. Still good though.
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wnjj
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05/26/23 06:27pm |
Towing
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RE: Will Air bags make a big difference?
To Grit dog, By the way, forgot to mention that the previous owner had flipped the axle on this trailer. Not sure why. Seems to me with adjustable hitches it really only makes sense to do it on 5th wheels, not TTs. In any case, could that be contributing to our issues?
Flipping TT axles helps with ground clearance. The previous owner may have had a parking space with a steep angled driveway to back into.
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wnjj
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05/26/23 10:35am |
Towing
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RE: tow with all wheel drive?
Our 94 Suburban cracked a head so were looking for a newer Suburban. Many of them seem to be all wheel drive, can you tow with those?
Our '14 Yukon XL has 2WD, "auto" and 4WD. The middle setting is computer-controlled clutching that drives the front when needed but can run on pavement.
There are other models with 4WD Lo + neutral as well.
I don't know of any other "AWD" configuration and either of the above should be fine for towing at least up to the rating.
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wnjj
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05/24/23 04:41pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Generac shutdown issues, help!
Does it run rough before it shuts down? If it does, maybe the circulation fans are pulling the outside exhaust and sending it back to the intake? If it just suddenly stops it’s more likely deciding to (I.e. heat sensor).
It may be a pain to haul and set up but could you instead use some kind of free standing (tethered) wall on the customer side?
I think you need to bring this trailer to my house so I can help with it. :D
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wnjj
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05/24/23 12:06pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Would You Caulk This Shower Tub?
Dallas Steve said: " That and when I try to unhook it the hitch won't let go until I have raised up the back bumper of the truck a few inches. Is that normal?"
Yes, that is normal, especially with new trailer coupler, and new ball. A lube will help. I've always used a Teflon based trailer ball lube on all my trailers. It is less greasy, but super slick, and lasts longer. I put a little on the under side of coupler, and light coat on the ball.
Like all things that fit tight, it will wear in with use.
Have a good evening,
Jerry
What Jerry said plus if you are in even a slight turn when you finish backing in the ball is more difficult to separate. Another thing I find helps is to chock the trailer then put the truck in neutral and let off the brakes for a second to reduce the fore-aft pressure. If you’re on a slope use just a second of drive or reverse (with no gas) instead as needed.
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wnjj
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05/23/23 10:27pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Should be simple WiFi question, but???
The best method may be to rename the 2 networks so you can identify them easier:
https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/wifi-change-admin-tool
Their example shows network 1 & 2 for the 5 and 2.4G.
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wnjj
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05/23/23 04:14pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: What happens when you overfill tanks.....
My gray tank is full when the shower no longer drains.
My black tank is full when the toilet burps when I flush.
My gray fills up long before the black. I put a valve on the main drain pipe where you connect the drain hose. With that valve closed I open the gray valve, wait a few second, then open the black valve to move some gray water to the black tank. Then close both valves. That gets me at least another shower before to the dump we go.
Do you have a picture of that setup?
Both of mine go to one main drain with drain valves for both tanks.
You can do this trick by just leaving the cap on the end but you will have to deal with the “extras” when you pull the cap to connect the hose at the dump.
DO NOT TRY THIS WITH JUST THE CAP IN PLACE!!!
People really should think before they post this stuff. If you want to use this method get yourself one of the twist on valves for the end of your drain line. That way you can attach the hose before you let the c r a p fly.
Thanks for the warning but it should be obvious I was “thinking” about it. This is why I suggested there would be extras to deal with. It’s just gray water left in there and won’t instantly kill you either. Many dump stations have a sloped pit that runs to the drain so it’s easy enough to deal with. I’ve known a couple different people who had use this method in a pinch. It’s not like you can “just install a valve” when you already are at a camp spot, late at night and your family cannot use the sink. Relax a little.
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wnjj
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05/23/23 10:56am |
Tech Issues
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RE: What happens when you overfill tanks.....
Actually there is this add-on valve you can use. Then once your tanks are empty you can always remove it.
Amazon link
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wnjj
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05/23/23 12:48am |
Tech Issues
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RE: What happens when you overfill tanks.....
My gray tank is full when the shower no longer drains.
My black tank is full when the toilet burps when I flush.
My gray fills up long before the black. I put a valve on the main drain pipe where you connect the drain hose. With that valve closed I open the gray valve, wait a few second, then open the black valve to move some gray water to the black tank. Then close both valves. That gets me at least another shower before to the dump we go.
Do you have a picture of that setup?
Both of mine go to one main drain with drain valves for both tanks.
You can do this trick by just leaving the cap on the end but you will have to deal with the “extras” when you pull the cap to connect the hose at the dump.
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wnjj
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05/22/23 08:40pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: No more training wheels
It settles 2 1/4” with the RV on the truck. It is enough that some oncoming drivers were flashing their lights. Would have got the air suspension if I ordered the truck.
Bigger tires are for aesthetics. They won’t be huge but I’ve never been a fan of stock size.
You want the truck to set "LEVEL" and ride on the overloads. Yes I get flashed at times but oh well! I set 55" top rear bed to ground with factory rear air. LOVE it!!!
You all realize headlights are adjustable, right?
Congrats on the new ride!
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wnjj
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05/16/23 04:42pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Priming the water pump
A few years ago I found the water pump had been left on in storage. Once the tank level had evaporated enough it was running continuously for days/weeks/months. While diaphragm pumps can be run dry for at least a while, it never was the same. It would no longer prime unless the tank (located below it) was almost full. It would lose prime when traveling.
I cheated for a couple years when I found you could put the winterizing valve half way between settings and suck tank water up into the winterizing tube with your mouth. Then I could get the pump to prime if I opened a faucet, ran the pump while on winterizing mode AND while blowing as hard as I could into that tube. Once it started to take I could switch back to tank and it would prime up. Once primed, it would last the whole time we stayed in that spot and didn’t leak down or run unless a faucet was open.
I took the pump apart 2x looking for issues or debris in the diaphragm but it always looked and felt fine. Finally I decided to swap the pump and it all works just fine again. This was with the same inlet pipe and filter so it wasn’t an air leak. Obviously the diaphragm just couldn’t pull enough of a vacuum when dry.
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wnjj
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05/14/23 09:56pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Rooftop AC Unit Not Cooling Well
If it was working well last season and doesn't this one, it's likely not going to be helped with a cleaning. There's little to be lost in trying though.
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wnjj
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05/11/23 12:02pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Air Bags Necessary?
Did you have someone measure the lean while you were in the driver's seat? That may help offset it some. I know I outweigh my wife enough to help balance our EC950 a bit more.
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wnjj
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05/08/23 10:37pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Fresh water tank taking too long to fill...any suggestions?
On our gravity fill (non-threaded) setup, you can easily feel air blowing out of the small screened vent next to it, even with only a moderate flow from the hose.
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wnjj
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05/05/23 12:45pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Steep Off-Road Grade with Truck Camper
The friction in the bed isn't going to help, particularly without a rubber mat. What will cause the camper to move is the vibration and/or bumps. The only thing that will really make sure it stays are good tie downs.
Even with a rubber mat and Torklift tie downs, our camper has crept forward enough to make the front tie downs completely loosen up after driving several miles down a fairly steep, washboard gravel road. I dropped the jacks and repositioned it once we were back on the pavement.
Make sure your front tie downs are angled and not pulling only straight down if you want to minimize rearward movement.
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wnjj
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05/05/23 12:38pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: House Battery Disconnect Not Working
The fuse for the solenoid probably blew before and someone just grabbed the one from the LED indicator (the right side missing one) to replace the blown one. Adding the one back probably will not help, but the obvious question is: Is the existing fuse still good?
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wnjj
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05/01/23 09:10am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Ford Lightning Fire
We’re going to need “social distancing” for parked EV’s. :D
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wnjj
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04/22/23 01:33pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2 outlets in GFCI path not working
Pull the outside panel of the fridge and check if it’s another GFCI.
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wnjj
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04/18/23 12:53am |
Travel Trailers
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