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RE: Trailer too long for truck?
I towed a scaled 8300 lb 35ft Outback with a Chevy 1500 max tow 10 times a year for 6 years. Weight was never a problem but wind was. A couple trips I had to take secondary roads instead of the interstate. Ultimately it’s up to you and your set up. The hitch being dialed in is absolutely critical. Expect days when you won’t be able to relax. It’s certainly not for everyone. If you’re the type of person that gets nervous when your rig makes the slightest move then I would look for something smaller.
I'm similar. 8,200 lbs scaled (and GVW) and 34'4" length. I use a Equal-i-zer 4 pt hitch and spent a good chunk of time getting it set up. Biggest issue I have is porpoising on bad roads, Jasper to Banff or on the Oregon Coast. And no choice for secondary roads.
I'm good, but we are looking at bigger units so I'm looking at 1 ton trucks first.
Get Bilstein shocks, made a huge difference on cement roads for us, we just did the rears but the difference was so big the wife said we're doing the fronts too before we were 200 miles down the road.
As far as OP, my trailer is a few inches longer, no issues in the first 3k miles, I'll have a better idea after our next big trip to Utah and Colorado.
If I was keeping my setup, I'd do just this. Even had them in a Rock Auto cart at one point.
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gmckenzie
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01/25/21 01:01pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Travelling from Nevada to Alaska in the Middle of Winter
A good thing about packing your bearings is the bearing can be inspected to be sure it's not worn or needs replaced.
In 2019 we pulled a camping trailer on our trip to Alaska. 12,103 miles total. I inspected and packed my own bearings. Not a big job really. I've done it for years. All the bearing appeared fine.
Then a Saturday afternoon just north of Wasilla heading south a bearing came apart. Before I could get stopped it took off the castle nut, outer bearing came apart in pieces and the hub rubbing on the axle totaled the axle. When I jacked up the camper the wheel fell off. There was nothing any longer holding the wheel and tire in place. We were lucky we didn't lose it going down the road. That would have damaged the trailer and put other travelers at risk of a lose tire in the road.
Fortunately we were about 1/4 mile from a repair shop altho he did not have an axle. It was just a 6000 lbs axle, nothing special, but no one near Wasilla had one. We had a 2 axle trailer and were able to slowly limp it to the guy's shop on the 1 axle. Since it was Saturday afternoon we had to wait until Monday, drive to Anchorage, and luckily we found a place that carried axles. We were back on the road by Monday evening. It was not a cheap repair.
There's a lot of miles in Alaska and Canada where if we had that problem in other locations it could have been very bad time and a lot more expensive getting repairs.
Even a bearing that looks good can go bad. For that long of a trip and the remote places you'll be traveling if you don't want to do the inspection and repack yourself paying a few dollars before you leave can be a lot cheaper than losing a bearing in Alaska.
I don't even have 2k miles on the camper. I feel like I sound be good. I hear what you're saying though.
Then check them. The factories are notorious for being cheap with the grease.
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gmckenzie
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01/20/21 12:30pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Converting to 12v fridge Canada question
OP, what do you see as the advantage to a pure 12v reefer compared to a 2-way?
Currently have a 6 cu ft fridge that is not big enough for our needs. Going to a fridge of this type means I could put a 8 cu ft in without doing any cutting, and a little bit of work would get me a 10 cu ft unit.
We don't boondock a lot and it's mostly weekends so with 2 6v batteries and a small solar panel, I could run one. Other option (that's cheaper) is bringing a small second fridge along with us when not boondocking.
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gmckenzie
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01/16/21 12:12pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Converting to 12v fridge Canada question
Sorry, yes I mean the new absorption fridge. Current fridge is 2 way, so I'm thinking the 12v wiring is pretty light.
goducks10 What model GE did you go with? Haven't looked at them yet.
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gmckenzie
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01/16/21 11:49am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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Converting to 12v fridge Canada question
So I'm thinking hard about converting to a 12v fridge. My plan would be to remove the current 6 cu ft fridge, make some adjustments to the top section to give me more room and to put in a 12v fridge.
So, first question is who would be a good source for one in Canada. My Google didn't turn up any on-line suppliers, and I've no idea what it would cost to buy one from etrailer or the like in the US and have it shipped up, but I doubt it would be cheap.
Second is, would I have to upgrade the 12v wiring that is currently in place? I'm almost thinking of running wiring the length of the trailer and bypassing the panel. I'd put a breaker at the batteries, but it's 30+ ft between the fridge and the batteries so I'd run some pretty hefty wires for this. Could come up through the hole the current propane comes through as it wouldn't be needed anymore.
Lastly, how loud are these things? Again it's 20+ ft from the fridge to the bedroom (front bedroom and fridge on the back wall).
Thanks.
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gmckenzie
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01/16/21 10:13am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Trailer too long for truck?
I towed a scaled 8300 lb 35ft Outback with a Chevy 1500 max tow 10 times a year for 6 years. Weight was never a problem but wind was. A couple trips I had to take secondary roads instead of the interstate. Ultimately it’s up to you and your set up. The hitch being dialed in is absolutely critical. Expect days when you won’t be able to relax. It’s certainly not for everyone. If you’re the type of person that gets nervous when your rig makes the slightest move then I would look for something smaller.
I'm similar. 8,200 lbs scaled (and GVW) and 34'4" length. I use a Equal-i-zer 4 pt hitch and spent a good chunk of time getting it set up. Biggest issue I have is porpoising on bad roads, Jasper to Banff or on the Oregon Coast. And no choice for secondary roads.
I'm good, but we are looking at bigger units so I'm looking at 1 ton trucks first.
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gmckenzie
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01/14/21 03:02pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 6.6 Chevy gas engine
With most everyone at 8-10 gears. Ridiculously good power output across most all gas and diesel trucks, what is the next “big thing?” I’m running out of ideas to improve these trucks that don’t involve modifying the laws of physics!
IMHO The next big thing will be working electric vehicles. Without range anxiety and with fast charging. But this will be far enough away that the current trucks are still good to buy.
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gmckenzie
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12/15/20 12:03pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 6.6 Chevy gas engine
Very interested in the 6.6 gas 3/4 ton. Yes we are all spoiled these days, I remember the family of eight going up to the Sierras in my 54 Carryall/Suburban (that I still have) in the 60s, towing an 18 ft Aljo trailer and a Honda 90 on the front and rack on the roof. Dad was dancing between Granny and second all the way up and had to pull over a couple of times to cool her down and we ended up putting the motorcycle inside the trailer but what a journey that was.
My 2019 RST Silverado tows great with alot of power with the 5.3 and that 8 speed but once you tow with a 3/4 ton,it's hard to go back to a half ton.
I would like a ten speed but the couple people that I've talked to say its a non issue pretty much.
I'm skipping the 3/4 and going 1 ton. But that's more because of stupid tax rules in BC than what I need. Looking at Ford/GM, the 3500/350 is between $800 and $1,000 more than a comparable 2500/250, and gives around 800 lbs more payload. But in BC the 3/4 ton attracts a 3% luxury tax that is not applied to a 1 ton, so the 1 ton ends up cheaper out the door.
I like my Sierra, but with an 8,200 lbs trailer I am right at the limit according to the scale I went over last summer. But I do not want a diesel.
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gmckenzie
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12/14/20 02:52pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 6.6 Chevy gas engine
on a somewhat related subject... I have often wondered why the 6.6gas is compared to the Ford F250 7.3 gas 10speed? wouldnt a more aligned comparison be with the Ford F250 6.2 6 speed? That is Ford's gas entry level in the F250 and is much closer in engine displacement than 7.3 vs 6.6 It would be apples to apples and yes, I realize you can get the 10 speed in the 6.2 gas version but it's only in the top trim level.
Because they are both new engines for 2020 model year?
Been a GM guy for years, but between the 10 sp, choice of rear axle ratios and the e-locker, I'm probably buying a 7.3L F350 in the spring.
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gmckenzie
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12/14/20 11:08am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Parks Canada (reservations date chnage)
Thank you for posting this.
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gmckenzie
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12/02/20 01:32pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: 1500 curb weights
My 2015 has a GVWR of 7,600 lbs and a payload of 2015, so I assume the curb weight is the difference? But I'm never sure what they take into consideration for the payload numbers.
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gmckenzie
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11/16/20 11:59am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Prince George BC to Eureka Mt.
Fort Steele is a great place. I really like SE British Columbia. If I could get into Canada I would have already moved there.
Fort Steele is cool. Kimberly can be a fun stop as well.
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gmckenzie
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11/10/20 04:04pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: GM's Max Trailering Package
I've got a 2015 with the max trailering package. I tow 8,200 lbs and wouldn't go any heavier with this truck. Even with a payload of 2,015 lbs, I've maxed the GVW with my setup and no water in the trailer.
I like my truck but am thinking I will have a 350/3500 next. Just waffling between the 6.6 gas and the 7.3 gas.
Also wondering what a 2015 GMC Sierra with NHT and ~45,000 kms is worth.....
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gmckenzie
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10/29/20 04:22pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: alaska 2021 ???
Orion, Thanks for the info; yes, I'll PM you if I need further information; just need to read about it first; yes, Canada's form of government is so interesting.
SideHill, thanks for your information and funny too!!
Bear in mind, this is the equivalent of a state election. We just don't have those all at one time.
Still a chance for a fall federal election. My preference is to not have one.
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gmckenzie
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09/30/20 09:11pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Out the door....
Gary, I hope that you are well north of the smoke from the wildfires. Safe travels!
Was just wondering how far north the smoke is. Getting away from Penticton seems like a good thing right now.
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gmckenzie
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09/19/20 09:10am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Border closure extended
I have a neighbor who is Canadian with dual citizenship. His two sisters live in the Toronto area. The word on the street up there is that the border won't open until after the new year sometime. I can't confirm any of that. It's just what my neighbors sisters told him they were hearing. Take it for what it's worth.
My opinion as well. They keep bumping it a month at a time, but that seems to be more procedure than anything. We will be into the spring before we see it opened.
And this sits well with most Canadians. Based on current cases and deaths per capita in both countries, there is no real desire up here to see it opened. See https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-u-s-border-closure-support-mayors-tourism-trump-1.5722974
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gmckenzie
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09/19/20 09:08am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: GM 6.6 gas
I would wait for the 8/10 speed and 4.10 gears, then GM will have a nice gas truck.
Partly why I'm thinking Ford. Downside is I think the 7.3 is dumbed down a bit too much.
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gmckenzie
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09/10/20 02:07pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM 6.6 gas
I just picked one up about 2 weeks ago. Double Cab loaded up LT.
While I do wish it had an 8 or 10 speed, the 6 doesn't seem to do a bad job. And historically the 6L90 has been a pretty reliable tranny.
I have only towed with it 1 time. My fiver is about 9600lbs ready to camp. It did a good job by my expectations. It's not a diesel, which have had in the past, and didn't want to go that route. RPM's towing run from 2k up to pushing 4k in the hills. This is expected with a normally aspirated V8. Got about 9mpg according to the meter. Power was good at that weight. I don't think I'd want to tow the 17k it is rated for though.
Under normal driving it's showing about 15mpg. I haven't checked it since I'm still one the first tank. I don't expect it to get much better.
Curious. What would you think is a max weight that you'd be comfortable with? Would say 14K be more than you think it could handle?
My guess is it would be fine at 14k as long as you don't live in the Rockies. It's pretty hilly in our area of western PA and it seemed to have no issues at all towing 10k. Just have to tune out the high rpm's on the big pulls. I pulled 1 hill that's about 8% for a little over a mile. Held 60 mpd @ 3600 with out loosing any speed.
LOL. Central BC here so yeah, might be an issue :)
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gmckenzie
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09/10/20 11:53am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM 6.6 gas
I just picked one up about 2 weeks ago. Double Cab loaded up LT.
While I do wish it had an 8 or 10 speed, the 6 doesn't seem to do a bad job. And historically the 6L90 has been a pretty reliable tranny.
I have only towed with it 1 time. My fiver is about 9600lbs ready to camp. It did a good job by my expectations. It's not a diesel, which have had in the past, and didn't want to go that route. RPM's towing run from 2k up to pushing 4k in the hills. This is expected with a normally aspirated V8. Got about 9mpg according to the meter. Power was good at that weight. I don't think I'd want to tow the 17k it is rated for though.
Under normal driving it's showing about 15mpg. I haven't checked it since I'm still one the first tank. I don't expect it to get much better.
Curious. What would you think is a max weight that you'd be comfortable with? Would say 14K be more than you think it could handle?
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gmckenzie
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09/10/20 11:39am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM 6.6 gas
I don't have one, but have been looking at them.
I would not expect a 10 speed until 2022 at the earliest. This is my biggest disappointment and one reason I may end up with Ford and the 7.3L.
I know the GM factories had a strike early in the year and then Covid hit, so dealerships where I am don't even have the **** things to look at or test. And they have stopped taking 2020 orders and are not taking 2021 orders yet. Applies to both Ford and GM.
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gmckenzie
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09/10/20 10:59am |
Tow Vehicles
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