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RE: Trailer Tire Recomendation - ST205/75R15 Load Range C
I rteplaced a set of Carlisle ST205/75R15 load range C tires with a set of Michelin LT215/75R15 Load Range C tires. The difference was astounding! There was greatly reduced crosswind sensitivity, as well as reduced sensitivity to an overtaking truck's bow wave. They also run cooler, and I suspect that they will be less likely to fly apart.
Which model of Michelin tire is that? I can't seem to track down that size of LT tire; I keep coming up with STs.
I currently have Duro ST radials in that size. They've been fine, but I'd really prefer LT Michelins as replacements in the future. Load Range C is fine for my purposes.
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AlbertF
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11/19/08 04:08pm |
Towing
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RE: American Cars, trucks, vans
How old is the basic design of the Crown Vic... something like 20 years or so?
Actually, it's 30 years old now! The downsized 1979 full-size LTD was re-styled dramatically in 1991, but the chassis is the same.
My father had a 1986 Crown Vic, and I found I had to use the cruise control because the accelerator was so poorly positioned and holding a steady speed was very uncomfortable. I drove an early '90s police interceptor once that had the exact same problem, but there was no cruise control because it was previously a city police car.
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AlbertF
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10/20/08 10:18pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Driving from Ontario to Florida
You won't find speed traps like those on the interstate highways - it's the small towns that may be a problem. It happens in Canada too. Longview, Alberta has a bad reputation for making money from an abrupt speed limit drop without adequate warning.
However, you are likely to see plenty of state police cars on I-75 in Georgia, especially as you get closer to Florida. Also, traffic in Ohio sticks very closely to the low 65 mph limit there.
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AlbertF
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10/20/08 10:06pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: A/C Not Blowing Cold Air
Sounds like the fan is blowing, but the compressor is not engaging. I would start by checking the thermostat carefully.
A recharge would be fairly unusual, but not unheard of. Trailer ACs are kind of like home window units - they seem to go a long time with no service beyond basic cleaning.
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AlbertF
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10/15/08 09:24pm |
Tech Issues
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USA/Canada maps in signatures
Are there any standard practices on how to use these? Do you select all states/provinces that you've physically been to, stayed overnight in, or actually RV'd in?
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AlbertF
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10/15/08 09:21pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Towing, speed, safety
I can appreciate the desire for fuel efficiency as much as anyone, and four cylinder tow vehicles can work well, but I suspect that the OP's four-cylinder Tacoma is struggling with aerodynamic drag, or he's simply not willing to run it hard enough. After all, a Chalet Aspen is a hard-sided popup, not a full height trailer.
Or is it a matter of perception? I tow relatively slowly on hills myself and only 60 to 65 otherwise, and have never had a problem. Maybe I'm not smart enough to notice those maniac truckers bearing down on me . . . :B
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AlbertF
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10/15/08 09:13pm |
Towing
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RE: Brake controller question
You should do a bit of research into how brake controllers work. As someone has already noted, your's seems to be a "ramp-time" type that increase current to the brakes based on the amount of time the brake pedal is depressed - a makeshift solution at best. I read a comment once that you will get full braking power shortly after the accident is over.
Others base braking current on the amount that the tow vehicle is slowing - some of this type use pendulums. Voyagers seem OK, Prodigy (now replaced by P3, I believe) seems to be the msot sophisticated of this type and will be much smoother than what you have.
The best controllers deliver "proportional" braking current consistent with the tow vehicle. BrakeSmart and Hensley TruControl seem to be the best choices currently.
I have a Jordan, which uses a small cable attached to the tow vehicle's brake pedal arm. When adjusted right, it is perfectly smooth and seamless in its operation (and it doesn't take much fiddling at all to get it right). Unfortunately, Jordans are not being produced right now, and they were a lot less expensive than the BrakeSmart and TruControl controllers.
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AlbertF
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10/09/08 05:44pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: What Hitch and sway control does everyone use?
Eaz-Lift with a pair of friction sway controls towing a 27' Airstream. The "push-pull" effect is negligible if the hitch is adjusted precisely.
I am entirely happy with the Eaz-Lift; installing the sway controls is not an issue for me. I have figured out that backing the sway controls off a bit before driving at relatively low speeds, e.g. 35-55 mph, on a winding road helps the steering to return to centre more readily.
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AlbertF
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10/08/08 05:55pm |
Towing
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RE: A/C Blowing Hot
Another possibility, related to the compressor - the compressor clutch won't stay locked after the coil heats up.
It is possible to replace the clutches, and sometimes re-shimming to reduce the clutch clearance will do the trick, but it may be most cost-effective to replace the entire compressor.
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AlbertF
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10/06/08 04:30pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: towing
Is the transmission electronically controlled, or is there a traditional kickdown linkage? If it's the latter, the linkage may need repair or adjustment.
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AlbertF
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10/02/08 09:53pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Towing a 2001 cub 23
I'm new to the camping world. and was wondering if I will be able to tow my Cub 23 with a 2008 Sante Fe 6cyc. with a trailer brake? Any suggestions will be helpful
First of all, you need to educate yourself. Towing can be complex, and there's plenty to know. I'd suggest starting by reading all of the Hitch Hints pieces (http://www.rvlifemag.com/hitchhints.html).
In Europe, a Santa Fe with a 2.2 litre turbodiesel or 2.7 litre gas V6 is rated to tow 2000 kg (4400 lbs). You have enough power to tow the Cub. I'm guessing it weights about 2800 lbs empty, and will weight no more than 4000 loaded if you pack sensibly. The challenge is to understand what you need in the way of a hitch receiver (Class 3) and a weight distributing hitch with sway control.
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AlbertF
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10/02/08 09:51pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Anyone Going Camping for (Canadian) Thanksgiving ?
When is Thanksgiving celebrated in Canada?
The 2nd Monday in October. Here's a review of some of the reasons for this: http://palc.sd40.bc.ca/palc/feature/2006/canadianthanksgiving.htm
Thanks for posting the link! I learned something new.
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AlbertF
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09/26/08 11:58pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have
Ford Crown Vics, full size GM sedans with 3.8 V6s, I've got a '07 Buick LaCrosse (Allure) with the 3800 Buick V6 (GM discontinued the engine in the summer)and although it's a good sized car, it's low and check out the front end....very slippery...good aerodynamics as you say.and similar cars can get very impressive mileage at modest highway speeds. On the other hand, tall vehicles with large frontal areas like vans, pickups, and SUVs push more air and use a lot more fuel.
Yes, the Allure is another one. I remember Transport Canada rating the Impala with the 3.8 at 38 mpg (imperial), which is over 31 mpg US. Parents of a friend of mine had a 1988 Park Avenue that got 29 mpg US at 80 mph. And I had a personal experience with a 1991 Crown Vic (a former police car without cruise control) that got 25 mpg US despite my best efforts to the contrary. A car does not have to be small to get good highway mileage.
I think it's interesting to see that GM cars can get the same highway economy as European and Japanese cars with smaller engines . . . and I'm a fan of European vehicles (for reasons other than outright reliability).
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AlbertF
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09/26/08 11:52pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have
Hey, this is going to sound sexist, but some of you guys need to just quit procrastinating and teach your wife to drive stick. The main reason automatics are now the dominant transmission is because so many people, mostly women, haven't learned how to drive manual transmission. They CAN learn, and SHOULD learn. It makes them a better driver. Anyway, off that soapbox.
LOL! My wife's first car was a 5-speed Chevette. A (female) friend of her's spent a Saturday afternoon teaching her how to drive it. I buy manual transmission vehicles whenever I can, and she has never once stated a preference for an automatic (even though her present car has one), and has never complained about having to shift for herself. I hate to admit it, but she generally shifts more smoothly than I do. She is a capable, confident driver, and will happily tow our old Airstream too. (She lets me back it up though.)
I enjoy shifting gears for my self. Someone once compared it to running a metal lathe, something else I enjoy but haven't had the chance to do for over 15 years.
I agree that small engines are emasculated by automatic transmissions, and I believe that generally anything under 2 litres displacement really needs a manual to perform well. Small high torque turbodiesels may be an exception. For small gasoline engines especially I think there is great potential for automated "manual" transmissions with electrically operated/electronically controlled clutching and shifting. Minimum heat, maximum efficiency, maximum clutch life, and the option of full manual control with paddle shifters on the steering column.
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AlbertF
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09/26/08 11:34pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Sway bar installation
Hitch manufacturers normally recommend two friction bars for trailers 25' or longer. This makes for smoother steering/better control than having one bar adjusted really tight. If the steering wheel doesn't return to centre after making a turn on dry pavement, you need to back off the tension on friction bars until every works normally. They should be as tight as possible without causing steering issues.
Am I correct in assuming you don't have a weight distributing hitch. It is entirely possible to use friction sway controls without the WDH, but unusual. You are likely to have at least 500 lbs of tongue weight when fully loaded, and your F150 will definitely tow better with a correctly set up WDH of any brand.
In my experience an ordinary WDH with friction controls can work very well if properly set up. The "push-pull" from passing trucks is barely perceptible with my combination, but I know from experience that having the WDH spring bars only one-half chain link out of optimum adjustment will have a noticeable effect on stability and on ride and handling.
Many people will recommend a Reese Dual Cam or Equal-i-zer system. As noted by another poster, the Dual Cam requires a certain amount of tongue weight to work properly, but I believe the minimum is only about 400 lbs, so I think you would be fine if you choose to go that route.
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AlbertF
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09/26/08 10:46pm |
Towing
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RE: The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have
I would jump at the chance to get one of the Subaru diesel boxers, but sadly it isn't available here.
Neither is the diesel Chrysler T&C, or the diesel Ford Mondeo (Contour) or Focus...etc. The list goes on and on.
And then consider that just about every vehicle sold outside these borders (including the Chrysler minivan!) is still available with a manual transmission, automatics being optional.
No, what we get over here are the cars that American market research says people want. People want 250+ HP Toyota Camry look-alikes and 300+ HP pickup trucks to commute in. We don't want a car with the right amount of power we want a grossly over-powered vehicle that guzzles gas at unbelievable rates. We want a pickup truck that pulls trailers up hills without slowing down or downshifting, and a 4-door sedan that blows the doors of a 69 GTO Judge. Because of all these things, we will NOT get the fuel-saving vehicles that the rest of the world drives anytime soon. Too many Americans vote against economical cars every time they go car shopping, and for that reason alone the US car dealers will continue to carry the cars that sell rather than the vehicles we really need.
In contrast, the average UK citizen looks at fuel economy FIRST, and everything else second. Yes, their cars still perform reasonably well, but are not terribly over-powered like ours. When fuel is $8-9 a gallon, you quickly re prioritize and economy NEEDS to be the most important selling feature of a vehicle. Sooo, THOSE are the cars that get sold in THAT country.
And yes, I've been to the UK several times and driven more than my share of rental cars. A few of the smaller economy cars were capable of 50+mpg (imperial) and still able to comfortably merge onto the motorway and travel at 80+ mph. The secret? MANUAL TRANSMISSION with correctly speced ratios! Yes, adding an automatic transmission to a tiny 1.2 liter or smaller motor KILLS economy because it takes 25-30 HP just to operate the automatic tranny. Remove that giant waste of metal and replace with a nicely, close-ratio 5 or 6 speed manual trans and suddenly 95 HP is plenty to get around!
So we made our bed, and now we lay in it. Most of us...
I once rented a Fiat Punto in Europe, and was very surprised to discover it had only a 1.1 litre engine! Performance was quite adequate, even at 75 mph, and the engine revved very happily (and efficiently) to 6000 rpm.
Apart from the greater efficiency of diesel engines, the most significant factor in highway fuel economy is aerodynamics. A Corolla gets much better economy in the city than a Camry, but on the highway the difference is only about 5% (in my experience, ignoring official estimates). Ford Crown Vics, full size GM sedans with 3.8 V6s, and similar cars can get very impressive mileage at modest highway speeds. On the other hand, tall vehicles with large frontal areas like vans, pickups, and SUVs push more air and use a lot more fuel.
If fuel economy is important to you, and you do a lot of highway driving, a mid-size sedan is probably the most logical choice as a balance between comfort and efficiency. If you do mostly city driving, the lightest car you can find, with a manual transmission, is best.
We really need the manufacturers to ensure good payload capacities (to be able to carry, e.g. 600 lbs of trailer tongue weights with weight distributing hitches) and to establish realistic tow ratings for travel trailers for new cars. And turbodiesels in the 3 litre displacement range have the ability to offer incredible towing power combined with excellent economy in day to day driving.
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AlbertF
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09/25/08 06:41pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Tabbert Paganini--would it sell in the US?
Impressive interior design. In some ways it rivals what Airstream has done with the International CCD series trailers. Also, it appears that Tabbert has worked very hard on aerodynamic detailing.
These trailers are among the largest Euro-spec trailers - maximum of just over 25 feet long, with a GVWR of about 4,800 lbs.
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AlbertF
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09/24/08 02:59pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Small tow-behind trailers
If you buy one new, re-pack the bearings. They seem to come from the factory with minimum grease. Also, if you store the trailer outside in damp weather, re-pack every year. Otherwise, every other year is probably just fine.
Inflate the tires to the maximum pressure shown on the sidewalls, and you will be just fine. Even the little 8" tires do fine at 70 mph or more, in my experience, and I've towed utility trailers across the country.
While I still check tire and bearing temperatures at every stop, I've never had a problem.
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AlbertF
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09/24/08 02:47pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Maneuverability 21.7" or 24.7" TT
It's my impression that the wheelbase of the tow vehicle affects overall maneuverability more than the length of the trailer. I'd much rather have a short wheelbase tow vehicle with a minimal rear overhang than a long wheelbase tow vehicle with a long rear overhang.
When you're going down the road, you won't care whether the trailer's 19 feet or 30.
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AlbertF
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09/19/08 10:27pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Diesel MPG in the South vs North?
Possibly, Based on four years of driving, I see a 8-9% reduction in winter driving mpg. The shift coincides with the change from summer to winter blends and doesn't seem to depend on actual temperatures.
This would explain the difference if winter blends have less cetane or contain an ingredient that doesn't combust well. I assume the South doesn't use winter blends. When do the Northern states switch to winter blends?
The switch seems to start mid-September when the weather cools.
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AlbertF
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09/19/08 10:04pm |
Tow Vehicles
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