| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: keystone passport one soft spot on floor
You'll never know unless you pull up the flooring or pull down the underbelly to look at the floor. Neither an easy task.
If your gut tells you no, move on to the next unit.
Looking at used campers is like used cars, there's no perfect unit and they all have gotten wet in on way or another. It's not a bad thing always, just wear and tear.
My 02 TrailCruiser was a great camper. Used it for four years. Bought it used. It had a water leak, fixed it. Had another, fixed it, had another, fixed it. Traded it in, it was still a great camper without leaks. Next owner loves it too.
|
eric james
|
03/20/10 07:12am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Comfort-often overlooked in tow vehicle
1976 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham "sofa 50/50 seats" 7.2L and wheelbase the size of Texas. :)
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/images/a/2009/04/07/63911989/90439921_1239137731037.jpg
|
eric james
|
03/19/10 09:55pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: New to weight bearing & Sway Control
Well, the trailer finally arrived at the dealer after being ordered from the manufacturer. It's new UVW is 4,880 lbs and Gross is 7310. Looks like I'll truly be at my maximum.
I'll begin researching tow vehicles. Need something between $10k and $12k that can hold 5 people comfortably and tow this vehicle safely. Any suggestions? My first ideas are Dodge Durango (2004/2005) and the Ford Expedition (2003/2004).
For the time being, I'll use my vehicle knowing that I'll keep it off the expressway and keep everything extra in the 2nd vehicle following us to our destination.
Expedition with Class IV towing would do the job safely. A very comfortable rig for the family too. If you can squeeze the budget and get a 2005 you'll get a more powerful motor and upgraded transmission mechanics.
Even with the 2003-04 models you'll be ok. Like all full size SUVs, the payload is limited and watch the tongue weight max of 860 lbs.
Another great option is the Suburban/Yukon XL if it will fit in your garage. 6.0L preferred or 5.3L w/4.10 gears.
|
eric james
|
03/19/10 04:29pm |
Towing
|
|
RE: WD Adjustments
Read THIS STICKY located at the top of this forum...
Les
If you can't read, watch this video WD Hitch set up
|
eric james
|
03/19/10 04:15pm |
Towing
|
|
RE: ANTI SWAY BARS
Personally, I think your 150 will be struggling.
:R
|
eric james
|
03/19/10 04:09pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: New to weight bearing & Sway Control
Not only is the dealer ripping you by selling you too much trailer for the Pathfinder, he's also soaking you on the Reese SC. $400 for installation? What five hours to do it? Two hours tops.
Check this out.Etrailer
|
eric james
|
03/19/10 11:34am |
Towing
|
|
RE: ANTI SWAY BARS
I would order the Equal-i-zer from rvwholesalers.com and do it yourself for less than $500.
|
eric james
|
03/19/10 11:14am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Equal-i-zer bar ratings
You can swap the 1200 and 1400 bars if needed. You can't swap the 1000 bars with the 1200 or 1400.
You cannot swap the bars. I just moved up from a 12K to a 14K. The 14K bars have a offset notch and only go on one way. The 12K bars have a centered notch and can be installed upside down.
I stand corrected! Thank you. Those manufacturers sure keep it straight forward.
|
eric james
|
03/19/10 07:28am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: KZ Spree
Quality product. Great reputation. Super floorplans. Not a bad decision at all.
|
eric james
|
03/17/10 09:33pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Lost weight distribution bar (one of them)
ebay or etrailer.com
|
eric james
|
03/17/10 09:32pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Equal-i-zer bar ratings
By the specs it's running 11% tongue weight to dry weight.
If you add say 1000 lbs of gear to it, you could be at 9100 lbs.
9100 x 11% = 1001
You really want more than 11%, 13% would be better.
9100 x 13% = 1183
The tech at Equal-i-zer was pretty dead on.
If you maxed out the 10000 gvwr rating for the Tango, you'd be at 1300 lbs and need the 1400 bars.
I'd go with the 1400s. They match the 10000 lb max for the trailer and have the guts to level your one ton.
You can swap the 1200 and 1400 bars if needed. You can't swap the 1000 bars with the 1200 or 1400.
|
eric james
|
03/17/10 09:25pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: what type of hitch and sway to use
You'll never know until you try. I am certain the Durango will not explode into billions of firey pieces the moment you drop the trailer on it. If it's withn spec in every way, try it. You may hate it and end up trading in the same day, you may love it and end up with thousands of miles and years of towing with it.
I completely agree.
|
eric james
|
03/17/10 04:14pm |
Towing
|
|
RE: Price negotiation
I just Ordered a 2010 passpor 2910 bh ...msrp is 30,000.00 I am locked in for 18,250.00 out the door..... Is that good? any advice.... I would like to know if this is a good price also...
Thanks
ps this is a great looking bunkhouse tt.
Yeah man, you cleaned up on that one. Killer deal.
|
eric james
|
03/17/10 10:56am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Forest River FlagStaff 831FLSS or Jayco 256RKS
Hello, 2007 toyota tundra double cab, 4x4, 10;300 tow capacity.
I am not to concerned with that. The dealer has worked out with 3 other dealers for that. They would be foolish not to do warranty work and get paid for it. What if I moved to another state. Same situarion. People can't deny warranty work.
Thanks for your input, also, the have a husky or equalizer tow package? Thoughts? I already have a tekonsha p3.
I checked out the specs for the 831LFSS and empty its running about 14% tongue weight. So if you loaded it up to 7500 lbs you'd still be under the 80% limit of your Tundra. The tongue weight could be around 1100 so if your payload isn't maxed out (as previously mentioned)you should be good to go. Looks like an awesome trailer floorplan.
I'd go for the Equal-i-zer - 1400 lb model
|
eric james
|
03/17/10 10:52am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: what type of hitch and sway to use
We are not new campers. We currently have a 25ft camper that we tow with the Durango no problems.
Then I'd say go for it and get a really good sway controlling hitch set up.
I went from a 26' to the 33' last year. That 26' wasn't even a challenge for my Expy with the standard friction bar sway control.
Running the Dual Cam now.
|
eric james
|
03/17/10 10:44am |
Towing
|
|
RE: what type of hitch and sway to use
Thank-you you for your info! I really do appreciate the post! I will be keeping my combo right now but within the next 5 years I am hoping to upgrade my TV. I am only planning on going local(within 2-4 hours) with this set up. We were maybee thinkin doin a Virginia beach run in the summer (from CT) Not sure yet though.. Would you recomend the equalizer WDH or another brand?
I'm using a standard fare trunion WD hitch with the HP Dual Cam for sway control. It works great. I've traveled across the state of SD with 40 mph cross winds and kept everything under control. Crappy experience but sometimes you have to plow through it. You know your sway is under control when you have to pass other travel trailers and you're only going 50-55mph. A lot of folks pulled over for the night. I had to be to work the next day. Sigh.
Normal conditions, the Passport is hardly detectable.
If I didn't have a WD already, I'd probably go with the Equal-i-zer just because it's a lot less parts and adjustments.
Prepare to drop $500 on either the Eqaulizer or Reese Strait-Line w/Dual Cam.
If I had plenty of money and towed extensively I'd get the Hensley Arrow.
Finally, neither hitch will work well until it is set up correctly and you have 11-15% tongue weight on it.
|
eric james
|
03/17/10 10:42am |
Towing
|
|
RE: what type of hitch and sway to use
Both parties...
If I was in your shoes and this is a first camper I'd really consider the 2590BH instead. Two kids, it will be fine. Four kids a little crowded but that deep slide is a great advantage in these Passports.
The weight is really better match for the Durango, Tahoe and yes Expedition.
I talking first time users - don't got nuts with the first camper.
|
eric james
|
03/16/10 09:30pm |
Towing
|
|
RE: what type of hitch and sway to use
I am buying that same 2910 bh also. I have a 2003 tahoe z71 with the 5.3.. I read somewhere on here that as long as you have 1000, to 1500 lbs to your max you should be ok? Is that right? I thought I was all set, but after reading this post I am now questioning my own set up. I was also looking at purchasing the equalizer brand WDH is there one better????
Thanks
any advice would be greatly appreciated
See above detail.
Tahoe's towing capacity is 7500lbs??
7500 x 80% = 6000lbs
You're really pushing it in my opinion.
Here's what happens with my Expedition. It works harder, takes longer to get around, roars, drinks fuel. Runs the speed limit (65 max btw for TTs) with overdrive off all the time. 45 mph in 2nd on mountain grades.
Why do i use it? It's stable platform, designed to work hard sometimes and it's paid for! I've been towing everything from car trailers to combine trailers to park model TT behind super dutys since I've had a license so I'm a little thick skinned with the whole experience.
Would a V10 Excursion be better, heck yeah. But the X won't fit in my garage and would suck as a daily driver (I'm a sales rep).
Anyway, i read your previous post and you will be ok, not ideal but ok. Don't cut corners on the WD hitch/sway contol combo and you're planning a new TV soon. The 6.0L Burb is the way to go with the 2910 if you're a bowtie guy.
|
eric james
|
03/16/10 09:26pm |
Towing
|
|
RE: what type of hitch and sway to use
Wow you are all giving my husband and I things to think about. I have been reading everything I can find. I did find an article where Mark Polk says that a good rule of thumb is that the TV should be able to tow more than the GVWR of the trailer. In this case it is 7200lbs and the Durango can pull 9000. Also, if part of the problem is the suspension on the Durango, is there a way to beef up the suspension?
I am glad that we did not make a purchase yet!! I decided on the Durango because I knew we would want to upgrade and I thought the D was a great choice due to the tow rating. I wish I had known that there were other things that had to be taken into account about the truck and trailer besides just weight.
Rule of thumb is you want a loaded travel trailer to be no more than 80% of your tow vehicles capacity.
In this case, add 1000 lbs to the unloade Passport weights.
The 2910 has a shipping(dry) weight of 5500 (always round up)
You'll probably be loaded around 6500.
Durango 5.7L 4wd towing capacity it 8700.
8700 x80% = 7000lbs
You're pretty close.
Now the final bugger, tongue weight.
You want a range of 11-14% of the loaded weight to be tongue weight.
6500 x 13% = 845 lbs.
Is that within the Durango's tongue weight capacity? That 845 lbs will also add/subtract to the Durango's payload capacity too.
As mentioned earlier, some people think the Expedition is a better tow vehicle but it's just as borderline on the stats as your Durango.
Can you beef up the suspension? Not really. You already have Ram boxed frame but you don't have heavier duty springs to steal from anything but a Dakota.
That is why the weight distribution hitch is used.
Same thing with an Expedition, F-150 frame but silly independent suspension with no upgrade option. (I suppose custom coils can be made to do the job)
It really does come down to what your gut tells you. No one will tell you unanimously you can do it. It's just a close call.
|
eric james
|
03/16/10 09:20pm |
Towing
|
|
RE: what type of hitch and sway to use
Wow, I never expected such conflicting opinions. How do I find out what is the right thing to do. I really want to buy this new camper, but I don't want to risk my kids safety in the process. I am really confused now. We can't buy a new trailer and run out and buy a new TV. Plus I really need the seating capacity of the Durango on a daily basis. ANyone have any suggestions on how I find the right information and not just opinions?
How many kids do you have?
If I was in your shoes and this is a first camper I'd really consider the 2590BH instead. Two kids, it will be fine. Four kids a little crowded but that deep slide is a great advantage in these Passports.
Much better match for the Durango too.
The responses are so strong because you are really at the limit for either a Expy or Durango. Not the best choice for a first time camper.
|
eric james
|
03/16/10 07:41am |
Towing
|
