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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Name that RV
Don't have a name for us yet, but really want one.... the best one I have seen was on one of those Bluebird motorhomes, which twenty years ago ran in the 400-500K range.... you know the ones.... I am guessing the owner was an attorney because the name painted on the front of that one said "The Defense Rests". That was cute.
I am still working on one for ours....
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kraushad
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08/09/08 05:31pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Sound while towing - A/C causes it
As I stated above I do not notice it without the AC on, which is what led me to guess what most of you are confirming. And no, not really a "roar" - that is too severe a term for what I am hearing. If I had the radio on, you wouldn't really hear it - but I am a music teacher, and my ears are really good at picking up slight sounds that most people don't even notice - occupational hazard :B
Rob NC - My truck didn't seem to mind too much - If I remember correctly, I would hold 2nd gear around 50-55MPH at around 3800 RPMs for the last part and 3rd at around 3000 RPMS for the more gradual beginnings of the hill. Of course I am coming from pulling the same weight with a Dakota and 4.7L, so everything feels good to me ;)
Thanks for all the advice, and the education - you put my mind at ease.
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kraushad
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07/20/08 06:15pm |
Tow Vehicles
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Sound while towing - A/C causes it
Hi all - first of all I should mention that I have a 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 that is still under warranty, so I plan to take it in and have it looked at regarding this issue, but I thought I would ask here first. I am pulling a trailer that weighs around 5600lbs.
I just got this truck used in the spring and have taken 4 trips with it so far this summer. On a recent trip to Florida we were pulling Fancy Gap mountain coming back home and I noticed that every few seconds (maybe 10 or so) I would hear something "kick in" under the hood, which almost sounded the the motor changing gears, but more soft that that. I would hear it more when I was in 3rd or 2nd gear, but it was still barely audible in Drive. At first I thought it was the torque converter locking/unlocking, but the RPMs never changed. I would hear it for 8-10 seconds then it would stop for about 8-10 seconds and then repeat.
I noticed that it stopped completely when the air conditioning was not on, so now I am wondering/guessing that it may have something to do with the AC compressor or clutch or something else (I am not really mechanically inclined).
What do you think it may be? and has anyone found this in their vehicle? Is it normal? etc... Like I said, I will probably take it to the dealer under warranty and let them look at it, but i haven't noticed that sound on any other GM product I have pulled with.
Thanks
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kraushad
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07/20/08 06:54am |
Tow Vehicles
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Sound while towing - A/C causes it
MODS PLEASE DELETE _ DOUBLE POST _ SORRY
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kraushad
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07/20/08 06:53am |
Tow Vehicles
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Potable Flat Hose
Hello all!
I recently picked up a section of hose at Camping World (first visit there - had to buy something :B). It is the flat hose (like fireman's hose) that collapses flat and rolls up when not in use. It was approved for potable water which is what caught my eye.
I have tried these style hoses at home on my hose reel, and didn't like them, mostly because of the fact that you have to unroll the whole hose in order to use it, and at home that is a pain.
However, when camping, I unroll my regular hose the whole way anyway since it is not on a mounted holder, and so I though this may be a perfect place to use this collapsible hose.
Normally I don't go for the useless gimmicks, but with a light-weight trailer with very limited outside storage, it saves me quite a bit of space and weight.
Am I going to like this? Anyone use it happily? Or did I just waste my money?
Thanks.
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kraushad
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07/18/08 05:37pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Northeast US - with a 3 year old
I would love to, but only can really afford one week.
I think we are going to throw a wrench in the works.... I am looking at Finger Lakes region - I think we are going to stay around Canandaigua (hope I spelled that right). It is still within a comfortable day's drive. I want to save NH for when we have more time... I really loved NH when we were up there, but I don't want to rush through there when we go to the time to make that trip.
I appreciate your suggestions... and if I had the time I would be up there in NH and Maine - or even Western Mass, but I don't want to hurry up there just to pack up and head home.
I am going to keep those places on my to do list for our next trip up there. I love that part of the country.
Thanks again.
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kraushad
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07/14/08 09:06pm |
Family Camping
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Northeast US - with a 3 year old
Hi all - my wife and I did a trip through New England before my 3 year old was born, and now we would like to get a break from the heat during the first two weeks of August and take one last summer trip before I have to go back to work...
Looking for someplace cool, with some neat attractions/activities in close proximity for a 3 year old.
We usually frequent KOAs but are not married to stay in one. We would reeally like this vacation to center on the little one..
Any ideas while I search the forums???
Thanks.
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kraushad
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07/13/08 08:16pm |
Family Camping
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RE: I'm new here and I jumped in feet first
WELCOME!
Also check to see if Jayco has it's own trailer specific forum on the net somewhere - I am sure if it does someone will post it here. I found a forum specifically for my make of trailer, and the help there can be very specific and detailed from others who own your exact model.
ENJOY!
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kraushad
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06/12/08 09:16am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: leaving this morning
Four days for us, until a two-weeker to FLorida.
Who goes to Florida in June? :h
A son-IN-LAW :S
Stopping off in Fancy Gap VA on the way back for a few days - should be GREAT!
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kraushad
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06/12/08 09:10am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: handling question..thinking out loud
Regardless of the tow vehicle (BUT assuming you are not overtaxing the tow vehicle) the longer trailer by design will always tow more smoothly and back up easier.
The shorter the trailer, the harder it is to back up (but the more spaces it will fit into :)).
Theoretically, the closer the trailer axles are to the back of the coach the less chance for sway (although there are disadvantages to having them too far back as well = heavier tongue weight). This is really an academic point, however, as I think most coaches are designed for optimal balance - my point being that the more rear overhang on the TT, the more tail you have to wag the dog).
Dual axles on the towed unit is always more steady, and less bouncy than single axle.
The important is just making sure that you are within the safe margins of whatever the tow vehicle is, regardless of whther anyone here calls it substantial or not
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kraushad
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06/12/08 06:28am |
Towing
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RE: 5 most important things to bring with ya
We don't pack our bees, or bugs from home when we go camping, so we never have a problem with that stuff. We don't figure those pests deserve to go on vacation with us ;)
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kraushad
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06/12/08 06:14am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Purchace price haggling?
Ohhhh, this is yet another subject you always get lots of discussion on. People love to 'brag' how they 'stuck it' to the dealer, and talk about how they got all kinds of discounts, so you should, also.
Oh come now.... brag?
I don't consider it bragging to tell you that I just bought a 35 foot TT with every option available at 75% off MSRP. I mean after all, we only agreed to that price after the owner of the dealership bought me lunch at the nearby Marriott. I'd tell you more about how I am not bragging, except that I have to cut this post short, as the dealer's son is just arriving to mow my lawn ;) :B
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kraushad
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06/12/08 06:11am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Purchace price haggling?
I think the timing indicates what your chances are. Once you haven't heard from them in a few days, you are more likely to have to compromise or look elsewhere.
The only disadvantage to asking for too much is the poosibility that you might have to give in to get the coach you want. No real long term harm in trying.
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kraushad
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06/11/08 07:30am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Best way to brake down a hill?
Did you then ask him how often they had to swap out the transmission? :B
That is a road, no doubt, with a HUGE penalty for losing brakes (running off the edge).
Funny story about that road - when we drove up, I was a little concerned about the weight in my loaded pickup (we were tenting then). Every so often on the way up, I heard this sizzling sound coming from under the dash - I thought for sure I was frying something. I would stop at the emergency pull-offs and after a few minutes it would stop.
Long story short - eventually I figured out it was the pressure leaking out of a water bottle on the floorboard and not my truck burning up. It was a tense few miles :)
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kraushad
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06/11/08 06:45am |
Towing
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RE: Toilet repair
Mine is different.
BUT, does your second handle always trigger the first? In other does the way yours is currently setup mean that you cannot add water without also opening the flapper?
If not, I wouldn't worry about which did what.
If so, I wouldn't have a clue how to reverse it as a DIY project.
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kraushad
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06/11/08 06:23am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 5 most important things to bring with ya
SPARE KEYS (haven't needed them yet, but I am sure one day....)
TOYS for the little one
TOOLKIT
CAMERA to document the memories
JOURNAL - I like to write down trip info like gas costs and what we do each day, sort of a trip diary. It is great fun to read through them year after year. Got the idea from my Grandparents when they used to travel - great reading about your own family history of vacations!
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kraushad
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06/10/08 05:37am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Tale of the Tape - feedback?
Love the trailer! Found it quite by accident. Looking for something new, and the dealer had just traded it in. They hadn't even cleaned it up yet. Dad and I looked through it first and even under the range cover was spotless, which indicated to me that the previous owners didn't use it much and/or took great care of it. All the cabinets were labeled with little stick-on labels which was another indication of someone was tried to be organized/orderly.
They had to check on the price and get back with me the next day as the salesman who had just traded it wasn't there, and the owner didn't know how much they put in it. THe price ended up being right, and the weight was great!
It really is built solidly, especially for a light-weight unit. I have no complaints about the quality.
Thanks for your suggestions everyone. We are leaving for Florida in week. We will be hauling minimal water, and I will load a little heavier in the front. But I don't think I am going to change anything until I see how it feels on this long trip.
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kraushad
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06/09/08 04:48pm |
Towing
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RE: Tale of the Tape - feedback?
Kraushad,
Also, you mentioned that on this particular trip you towed with 30 gallons of fresh water, where is the tank located in relation to the TT axles? Depending on the location of the tank you may be experiencing some weight displacement effect that may influence the porpoising, and may also contribute to a lighter loaded tongue weight.
Turk2500
The tank is just in front of the rear axle on the passenger's side of the TT, so I doubt it takes any weight off the tongue. I do usually tow without much water (a few gallons for pit stops) but we were going to a campground without facilities so I had the fresh water full up. Since the water sits between the axles I am doubting it affects tongue weight that much.
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kraushad
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06/06/08 03:39pm |
Towing
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RE: Tale of the Tape - feedback?
Skip, I am not sure if you missed this in my post, but those numbers are CAT SCALE numbers not brouchure numbers.
The 30 footer is a light-weight model. Its empty weight is 4400 and its sticker max GVWR is 5850.
And as far as tongue weight goes, I appreciate the fact that the best way to weigh the tongue, is simoply to weigh the tongue alone. But, if the truck weighs a certain amount by itself, and weighs a certain amount more with the trailer attached, the difference has to be the tongue weight, doesn't it?
I used a three scale Cat scale truck stop to measure - three weights back to back, with the same exact load including passengers. So without the w/d bars hooked up, the difference in weight between the truck alone(6060 lbs.) and the truck & trailer without w/d bars (6620 lbs.) HAS to be the added weight of the tongue (in this case 560 lbs.)
I am not sure I understand how this math is not accurate. If I am missing something please help me understand what it is.
The real numbers I have show me to be a little light in the tongue, so the real questions I have revolve about whether to change anything in the setup or just load the nose a little heavier.
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kraushad
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06/06/08 09:18am |
Towing
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Tale of the Tape - feedback?
Okay here is the tale of the tape.
2005 Trail-Cruiser 30QBSS - GVWR of 5850lbs., loaded for camping with 30 gallons of fresh water (which we normally don't take, but this trip was to a water-less site), and a little less food (short trip) then we might normally have which will make up a little of that water weight.
2006 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 with a tow capactiy of 7400lbs., GCWR of 13000lbs., full tank of gas, and me, my wife, and our son.
Hitch is Reese HP Dual Cam, ball tilted back a bit, with 6 links under tension.
Truck & Trailer WITH WD bars:
Front Axle 3440
Drive Axle 3100
Trailer Axle 5160
Truck & Trailer WITHOUT WD bars:
Front Axle 3240
Drive Axle 3380
Trailer Axle 5100
Truck Alone:
Front Axle 3500
Drive Axle 2560
Total weight of truck 6060 lbs.
Total weight of rig 11700 lbs.
Based on this I am estimating my trailer GVW at 5640 lbs.(total weight minus truck)
The tongue weight is only around 540-560 lbs, though, depending on which way you calculate it. One way is to take the total weight of the camper and subtract the axle weight, the other is to add the weight of the truck axles with and without the trailer hooked up and find the difference. Either way the weight comes in between 540-560 lbs., which seems a bit low at right around 10%.
The trailer rode dead level (my father followed us on this trip) and he said it looked great. I didn't feel the rigs passing me at all, and I did not feel any sway at all (which was a nice switch from the Dakota :D ).
I occasionally felt a LITTLE bit of the front back rocking (porpoising), but not too much. Do you think besides the road surface the light tongue weight would have anything do with this?
I am currently running the hitch at it's lowest position on the shank, the ball is tilted back a reasonable amount and I am running 6 links under tension which gives me a good amount of clearance from the cams. On the Dakota I ran 5 links under tension and hated the fact that the bars were so close to the cams, but it did work.
Do you think loading the trailer more nose heavy is good enough, or do you think I should mess with the setup (ball tilt & links under tension)? I hate to argue with success.
Thanks for your comments, and BOY do I like the additional safety margin this GMC provides over the Dakota. I couldn't help but smile after every rig passed me!
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kraushad
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06/06/08 07:18am |
Towing
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