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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Towing with gasoline Class C
I have an older V10 powered "C", and it does fine. Pulling a 3K toad it will still pass gas powered As of the same vintage. Newer ones have a bit more power so will do slightly better.
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rjstractor
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09/04/10 05:25pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: What engine would a 1998 Safari Trek Diesel have?
Too bad you can't get a smaller class A with the more modern version of the Isuzu 4 cylinder. Today's version I beleive is 5.2 liter, with 205 hp/440 ft./lbs. of torque.
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rjstractor
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09/04/10 05:20pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: How long would you keep an unused spare tire?
I don't see the need to replace a spare after 6 or even 10 years. Think of it as a temporary tire just to get you to a tire shop. If your spare is stored up under the truck or otherwise covered it's not exposed to the UV radiation that breaks tires down and makes them fail.
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rjstractor
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09/03/10 06:16pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Ford 7.3 or Chevy 6.5
except it was never put in a light duty pick up. neight was the cummings.
I think he meant a light duty truck. In the grand scheme of trucks, all pickups are light duty. A "heavy duty pickup" is sort of an oxymoron, kind of like "jumbo shrimp".
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rjstractor
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09/02/10 06:48pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Automatic Traction control
I imagine your ATC works similarly to that on our fire engines. It works in conjunction with ABS and will apply braking to an individual wheel that is spinning. If both wheels are spinning it will reduce engine power, similar to ATC in cars.
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rjstractor
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09/01/10 08:07pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Double Decker Motorhomes?
One pictured has a height of 13'6". That is getting pretty high for some locations, tunnels, and overpasses.
13'6" is a standard height for semi trucks and many tour and charter motorcoaches. Virtually all main thoroughfares can accomodate vehicles of this height. Many luxury motorhomes are already nearly this tall. One possible problem with a coach having a body this tall is the inability to add A/C units, antennas or other accessories to the roof.
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rjstractor
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08/27/10 09:49pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD
I was thinking the same thing. I don't think I've ever seen a 2WD sit that high. My Sierra sure doesn't.
That's been a GM thing for several years. Per the published dimensions, my 2WD 2500HD is the same height as the 4WD model. It's probably the only thing I don't like about the truck, it really is taller than it needs to be.
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rjstractor
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08/26/10 08:04am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2Wd-No Positraction, Slippage on Steep gravel Roads ?
If you do have a G80 like others have said there is a problem with it. Being a true locker you should not have to fool into locking by applying brakes. Mine has always worked perfectly.
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rjstractor
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08/26/10 08:00am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM truck trailer brake light not working
Very interesting, I had EXACTLY the same problem with my 2005 2500HD and it was the same part. Fortunately it was still under warranty. The really odd this was that the hazard lights and turn signals still worked, just not the one brake light on the trailer.
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rjstractor
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08/23/10 10:56pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Smart Car Piggybacking
I wonder if anyone who hauls a Smart sideways has issues with being overwidth by 4 inches.
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rjstractor
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08/22/10 04:17pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Supplemental brake systems
All this has brought up the question (again) of just how reliable these systems are. I realize any product can have a problem sometime.
But being a guy who researches the daylights out of things (especially expensive things such as this) and checks with more experienced people to get user reviews, I'm of the opinion that supplemental brake systems and the ever popular blathering about how many states have laws requiring them (this alone is hard to nail down...seems every RV "expert" has a different idea)is a double edge sword.
There seems to be a lot of misleading and often times downright incorrect information thrown about. The manufacturers of these systems often use scare tactics in their advertising (I'm a columnist, writer and have been in advertising so I know how this works) which in and of itself is often misleading and incorrect.
I'm of the same opinion myself. I've said this before-something I find troubling about supplemental braking systems is that unlike virtually every other automotive component (such as brakes and brake parts) has to be manufactured and tested to DOT standards. As far as I know there are no standards for supplemental braking systems, yet the manufacturers claim these are required by law. How can something be required by law if there is nothing that defines what that thing even is.
Also, I would like to see some objective, independent testing of supplemental braking devices.
I am not at all opposed to supplemental braking. I think they can make driving safer as well as save wear on motorhome brakes. The problem is that the consumer has to rely entirely on manufacturer claims (biased) or comments from other users, which are very subjective.
What I would like to see is an add-on servo motor that attaches to the towed vehicle brake pedal that receives its input signal from a standard Prodigy-type brake controller, (Tekonsha, are you listening??)and I would like to see standards written and independent, objective testing to make sure these things actually work as advertised. Better yet, how about a factory "toad package", with tow bar mounts and an integrated braking system designed, built and warranted by the manufacturer of the vehicle. I know, wishful thinking.....
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rjstractor
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08/22/10 04:05pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Class C towing a truck
I'll start by suggesting you won't be happy. Yes, you are pushing your rv's limits and I hope you have lots of room on your c/c for the extra fuel
I'll start by pointing out that your total weight is increasing by less than 5%, so in turn your performance will drop by less than 5%. As pointed out before, you'll probably see a negligible mileage drop because of no increase in frontal area.
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rjstractor
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08/22/10 03:51pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Primary Hauler
If anything a diesel is less complicated. No spark plugs or ignition system.
This is definitely true of the "older" diesels. The 7.3 Powerstroke is a gem of an engine, as are the older B series Cummins. The new diesels, IMO are a nightmare by comparison and depend on computers and magic smoke to run properly as much or more than gas engines. With the addition of all the emission requirements fuel mileage has gone down along with the legendary reliability diesels used to have. To make a new diesel run economically and reliably one has to violate the warranty (and the law) to change engine programming and remove emission control systems. As these trucks get older, it will really be a nightmare to keep them running if they are left stock. Most users will probably have to remove the emission systems just to keep the truck out of the shop.
Now the perfect truck would be one will all the comfort and features of a new one, with a mildly "bombed" 12 valve B series Cummins to give it power comparable to the new trucks with the reliability diesels used to have.
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rjstractor
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08/21/10 09:08pm |
Towing
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RE: Improving handling with a toad -UPDATE on changes
I don't have much in the way of options to move weight forward. All of my tanks are aft of the rear axle, my generator is just behind the drivers seat.
Goofy engineering. Interesting how Jayco's engineers feel they know more about the Ford chassis than the Ford engineers who wrote the recommendations concerning weight and balance.
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rjstractor
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08/21/10 08:55pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Saturn Toad
Like I said, it really looks cool and drives like a dream especially in the mountains and off the road. You all can get your good mileage and I will be passin' you all up on the road! LOL!
I'd love to have a Wrangler for the off road ability and traction, but my little old Saturn handles like it's on rails and will leave your Wrangler in the dust on paved twisty roads. :)
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rjstractor
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08/20/10 09:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Old F-150, New to RVing?
According to the trailer weight ratings for a '96, the 5-speed, 5 liter, 4x4, supercab is only able to handle a trailer weight of 0 - 3100 pounds! Same truck with an auto transmission can take a trailer weight between 0 - 6800 pounds. I would assume my rig is similar enough that the numbers should be the same. So much for thinking the manual trans would be stronger.
The issue with the much lower towing capacity is the relatively tall 1st gear ratio of the manual transmission. Launching on a hill with a trailer is pretty hard on the clutch with those tall gear ratios. I used to have a '93 Explorer with a 5-speed, (which ironically shared the transmission and rear differential with the F-150), and I occasionally towed a 3800 pound trailer. Once the clutch was out and I was rolling it was fine but starting on hills was difficult. The little V6 Explorer actually pulled the trailer up hills faster than my mid-80s 5.0 V8 powered full size Chevy pickup.
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rjstractor
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08/19/10 08:06pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Beware of Forest Fires in BC!
I know it's not you, but can you stop throwing your cigarette butts out the window on the highway.
Valid commentary, but most of the B.C. fires, as well as the largest fire currently burning in our state (Washington), were started by lightning.
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rjstractor
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08/18/10 06:11pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Chrysler 300 cadilac CTS
When we start fulltiming my wife would like a chrysler 300 or CTS. I would prefer more like a Jeep.
Tell her that we said that there was no way you could tow a 300 or a CTS, and you need a Jeep, period. ;)
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rjstractor
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08/17/10 10:20pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Here is the link to Pickup.com shoot out results
The thing that struck me is that the Dodge diesel and gas engines had virtually the same performance numbers towing 10,000 lbs. Kudos to Dodge for making the little gasser run wheel-to-wheel with the "mighty" Cummins.
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rjstractor
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08/17/10 07:34pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Improving handling with a toad -UPDATE on changes
IMO you are too light on the front end. You only have about 27% of your total weight on the front, and IIRC Ford recommends at least 32% on the front axle. Flat towing a toad should not affect your handling at all. I run with about 4200 lbs. on the front axle with my 30' E450. I've pulled toads from 2500 to nearly 4000 lbs. and none of them affected my handling.
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rjstractor
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08/17/10 07:01pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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