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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Adding a Toy Hauler Extension
That's kinda cool for a Toy hauler. Most of the them have high tongue weights so balance will will be acceptable. Most of the toy haulers since the original weekend warrior have small garages in favor of larger living areas.
I suspect that might not be the case on a cargo trailer, unless it's a triple axle. Plus, for the cost of that kit, it's likely cheaper to just trade for a longer trailer.
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carringb
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03/28/20 06:09am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Larger replacement fuel tanks for gas trucks
Interesting. I have never had an insurance company ask me if I had an aftermarket gas tank.
I would not expect them to ask about it, but if you ask them, they'd have to disclose any applicable exclusions. You hopefully have been sent your full policy details including all exclusions, and should find it in there, if it exists.
Exclusions vary widely by carrier and state. I picked my current carrier because it had hardly any exclusions, other than "ride-share" (uber/lyft etc) or other passenger hauling for hire. But I had another carrier previously that had a blanket exclusions for "suspension modifications". I asked them about airbags, and when they couldn't give me a straightforward acceptance, I figured I could be in for trouble if I ever had a claim especially since I've basically done a whole E450 axle and suspension swap front and rear.
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carringb
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03/27/20 04:27pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Truck overheating towing on long steep grades.
That climb is probably the worst you can do. The speeds are low enough to don't get as much cooling as regular highway passes. Mine also hits 230F on that climb, but that's nothing to worry about for short durations.
What I did pull over for was my rear diff temp. I finally pulled over when the gauge maxed out. I good the diff once before, so I'm a little more careful now. But that's the only pull that gets that hot so soon.
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carringb
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03/22/20 10:08am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Passenger Side Air Bags on 1998 Ford E-350 Chassis
The pre-'09 E-series did not have a factory switch available, but if you've been in any moving truck, they had them. I'm not sure who made them. For a while, you could buy them through Ryder parts, but I doubt it anymore since the '09+ vans have a factory switch. Might have to find a used U-haul somewhere and try to buy the switch off them.
Other than that, you can disable the airbag (I'm pretty sure all '97+ with the RV prep package had both) by buying a dummy resistor. This will keep the airbag light off, and keep the driver side functioning. You'll have to DIY. In order to get a shop to do it, you have to request a waiver from the NHTSA. Or find one that doesn't know the rule.
https://www.automotivecircuitsolutions.com/products/bypass-simulate-srs-airbag-emulator-simulator-resistor-diagnostic-tool
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carringb
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03/22/20 10:04am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Something about having 4 wheel drive
Monday night, I had nearly 100 miles of black ice from Chemult to Burns, Oregon. Sure was glad I didn't swap out the snow tires last weekend when it was sunny and 60!
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carringb
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03/18/20 10:56am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: TOW VEHICLE RECCOMENDATION
Easy. Ford Transit EcoBoost, 148" wheelbase medium or high roof. Plenty of payload, flexible seating (but use a helper... they're heavy!), nice driving in town and on the highway, LOTS of power. AWD is available, and it's AWD system can fully lock the transfer case. Do hold out for a 2020 model. There's quite a few upgrades over the '19 model.
https://inventory-dmg.assets-cdk.com/2/8/7/21696944782x640.jpg
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carringb
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03/18/20 09:25am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Towing issues with short wheel base motorhome
Ok that helps.
The goods news, is there is hope for the front end.
1) Try front tire pressure to 50 psi
2) get a full alignment with camber correction, and max out Caster to at least 5-degrees. Ford will cover the initial motorhome alignment.
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carringb
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03/17/20 10:40am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Larger replacement fuel tanks for gas trucks
Aftermarket aux gasoline tanks still have meet all EPA (and CARB in affected states) evaporative emissions standard which usually requires installing a larger Evap system. Not all trucks have the ability to be expanded, wether hardware constrained or software constrained. So... it's a lot of work to make fullly compliant system, limiting availability. Aux gas tanks also have a stricter drop test requirement, and anternatice placements on under 8500# trucks also require crash testing.
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carringb
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03/15/20 12:58pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Towing issues with short wheel base motorhome
Is there any possibility the ignition was left on in the Equinox? I ask because this enables electric power steering assist, which you DON'T want while it's being towed.
My van is the same chassis and wheelbase as your motorhome. I flat-towed a 14,000 school bus once from Utah to Portland. It did wander a little, but still less than when you were just driving the bus on its own.
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carringb
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03/12/20 11:27am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: 4-way Flashers not working
When I step on the brakes, both turn signals on the dash illuminate and stay illuminated as long as I stay on the brakes.
This is the normal function for the GM multi-function switch in your coach. All GM trucks with combined stop/turn lights over-ride the 4-ways with the brake light. This made sense prior to center-mount brake lights becoming prevalent.
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carringb
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03/12/20 10:50am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 05 Ford Escape
The first gen Escape was actually on the Mondeo/Contour platform rather than the Focus platform. So besides the suspension being decently robust it also got the Mazda developed 4-speed originally in the 626, rather than the ford designed units in the Focus and Taurus. The only common issue I've seen is very neglected fluid. Like 150,000 miles on the factory fill. Remains run about $1,100 and used takeouts are under $500, and generally cheap prices suggest there's not much demand for replacements.
That all said, if I were buying used and towing with it, if change the fluid first thing, and plug in a data monitor and keep an eye on temps.
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carringb
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03/10/20 09:05pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 05 Ford Escape
Just remember that the 3500lbs rating is ONLY if it has the full factory tow package. If not, the rating is 2000lbs, I think.
This is correct. The Class 3 tow package had an engine oil cooler in addition to the hitch receiver and 4-way wiring.
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carringb
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03/10/20 01:00pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 05 Ford Escape
Would it be possible to trade for a used truck? It might be cheaper in the long run to upgrade to truck and look for used trailer that wouldn't limit your choice to a pop up. Short wheelbase is not conducive to a good tow vehicle.
We're talking about a popup here... I wouldn't hesitate to tow one with my Focus...
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carringb
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03/10/20 12:12pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: killer air conditioner
Pedesatl appears to be ok, good power, grounded.
Do you measure any voltage at the pedestal between Neutral and ground? The neutral leg is what would cause your issue, not bad grounding or a weak hot leg. It's also the most likely to have heat damage if they are splitting 4-wire/240 circuits and didn't balance the legs.
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carringb
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03/10/20 12:10pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Sumo super springs for 2019 F150
curious, how do sumo springs take out the sag? they don't engage until the truck squats. so how can truck still be level? i've been thinking about putting them on, but also thinking if i go airbags i can maintain level on truck while hooked up.
Unless the truck has a front levelling kit installed, it'll squat some and still be level. These are just overload springs, but the benefit of Sumo springs is they are self-damping, and don't add harshness because they don't transmit high frequency vibration like a steel spring will. Airbags increase rebound, so to maintain the same ride quality, you have to also upgrade your shocks.
FWIW - I have both Sumo Spring and airbags. Airbags alone didn't always keep the overload leaf from engaging. I though about going to Deaver springs to get away from the overload leaf, but adding the sumos did work for keeping me off the overloads, while also reducing rebound when hitting big bumps with a heavy load. And they're far superior as a jounce stop compared to the stock ones. It's a soft cushion, rather than feeling it bottom out on a rubber hockey puck.
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carringb
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03/08/20 11:13pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM/Chevy Is Coming Out With A New 6.6 Ltr/ V-8
That would make a sporty drive train for a 25’ class C, but like carringb said I wonder if it will be derrated like the Ford.
Note: The new 7.3L V8 is not "de-rated", which implies power output has been reduced. That WAS the case for both the 6.7L diesel and the V10 in the F-series, with the diesel having some different parts even. But Ford has made it clear that the 7.3L uses the same programming across the board, and that was part of the rational for introducing the motor. This means a 350hp rated E450 (or F53/59 or F450/550/600/650/750) actually outputs the same power as the 430hp F250/350. It's just tested differently (worst case vs best case essentially).
Whether the new GM 6.6L gas motor can meet the current MDT Greenhouse Gas restrictions, without detuning, is TBD. But even if they can maintain the same programming across the board, the 14,200 chassis will have a lower number published since it will also requires the dyno certification being over 14,000 GVW. Current 6.0 and the outgoing V10 maintained the former chassis certifications because they were carryover powertrains. Or GM could simply revised the chassis to 14,000 and then could still publish the higher chassis-cert number. So... we'll have to wait and see. At least the true body-on-frame cutaway segment is still getting better!
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carringb
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03/08/20 04:58pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Sumo super springs for 2019 F150
I'd suggest going blue. This way you won't feel them engage when you are unloaded. I have black ones on my van, and even well beyond their rated levellng-capacity, they still function as an effective jounce stop. I'd only put black ones on an F150 if the truck were built out with a full-time heavy load (heavy toolbox, slideout tray etc).
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carringb
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03/08/20 01:43pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: killer air conditioner
Test the pedestal power first, before attempting to diagnosis potential trailer problems.
Your pedestal might have an open or weak neutral, causing all current to though ground instead. 30 and 50 amp power is not GFCI protected (but if you plug in something to your bathroom outlet, it should trip that receptacle).
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carringb
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03/08/20 11:03am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: AAA changes RV towing benefits
I just pulled up the actual coverages and limitations for OR/ID and this has not been implemented. It might be only in the OP's region.
For states where the limit applies, it should be noted at AAA provider rates are about half of what most retail row rates are. Often even less. AAA rates always apply for member when they exceed their coverage limits. The $500 cap will cover about 200 miles of towing, so for a an RV+ plus member, this would be 2x 100 mile tows. This is important because some smaller providers will default to sending 2 trucks for a truck/trailer combination, while many of the larger providers have the equipment to haul a combination as a unit. So it may be worth it for a member to request a truck if this new limit applies to them or if they will exceed the miles covered in their plan.
As for other coverage options... It's difficult to compare coverages because most of the other plans advertise "unlimited" towing, but when you get the contract, the "unlimited" miles only cover miles back to the service provider or the nearest preferred repair shop. This is their preferred repair shop, not yours. If you want to be towed in a different direction than the service provider came from, then those plans have coverage limitations as well. This includes GS plans.
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carringb
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03/08/20 09:31am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM/Chevy Is Coming Out With A New 6.6 Ltr/ V-8
And it will be the standard engine in the Chevy Cutaway RV chassis. Just very curious if GM/Chevy will upgrade the GVWR so that Chevy can compete with the larger Class C's, which presently FORD dominated that particular segment. The new 6.6 V-8 will make 401 HP & 464 ft. lbs. of Torque. Bags
I assume what you mean by "Chevy Cutaway RV chassis" is the chassis under their good old 3500 and 4500 series delivery van chassis?
If so ... isn't the Chevy 4500 cutaway chassis used under RVs about equal in GVWR to the more popular good old Ford E450 cutaway van chassis used under RVs?
I've always figured that the Chevy 4500 about equaled the Ford E450.
While the Chevy Express 4500 comes close, the lower FAWR (4600 vs 5,000 Ford) limits the longest wheelbases, so anything longer than 28' is Ford only since those usually get a 220-223" wheelbase. Chevy chassis are typically only stretched to 208" max.
Also, the 401 hp figure is likely chassis-rated. The Ford 7.3L is in sub-14,000 flavor is chassis rated at 430 hp but the MDT dyno certification is 350 hp. Ford says they maintain the same programming, and only the test methods differ. So buys should be aware of these rating changes in the new MDT motors.
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carringb
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03/07/20 01:25pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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