Are Dually Extension Brackets Unsafe?
When I thought I had it figured out, now this... Everyone is saying to get the biggest truck you can. Because even if you don't need it now you may want to upgrade to a heavier truck camper in the ...
Forum Discussion
One of the main reasons we bought the TC was for winter camping and skiing. We have used the TC 40 to 70 days per year in winter for the past 9 years. Five in the Sierra and and the last four years in NW Montana.
The following increases the odds of making it up a grade or to get going (unless you love putting on chains) and make it down in a controlled fashion.
Weight over the drive tires
Ground clearance
Real winter tires on all wheels (studded, if allowed in your state)
As can be seen below the center or gravity for my truck (fueled and with people in the cab is just under the steering wheel. When it is slick out there isn't much weight over the rear axle vs the front axle (3,161 vs 4,601).
Without the TC in the bed and RWD only, my truck doesn't get very far, even around town in the flats. However engage 4WD and the dually handles the drive up to the local ski hill just fine.
My 4,200 lb TC sits 2" back in the bed and it's center of gravity is about an inch forward of the rear axle center line. With the TC in the bed in RWD only the truck has lots of traction with the winter tires. With it in 4WD it has even better traction. Depending on how much snow falls in a day, the ground clearance of a 4x4 will allow you to go through deeper snow without having to put chains on.
If it is really deep (>12" wetter snow), I'm chained up on all 6 wheels and I'd rather float / paddle with the cross bar reinforced (v-bar) chains on the dually, cable chains won't give you enough bite. While tire width is important to avoid floating on slush in my 2,200 lb sports car with my 9" wide summer tires vs. 6.0" winter tires, I'd submit that if you can float your tires, with your TC in the truck you are going too fast for the conditions.
My 12,000 lb combined weight doesn't float anywhere. Drifting into a snowy curve, correcting for the skid and then accelerating in a car can be fun. Going sideways with a top heavy TC in the back, even an empty 4x4, is a prescription for tipping over.
Finally with your TC in the back, you have lots of momentum, so going back down the hill requires technique and judgement, in addition to good equipment. Witness all the 4x4 vehicles with bad equipment, bad technique, or both. You can see them spinning on the way back down from the ski hill, or in the ditch or bank. Manage your speed by choosing a lower gear and if you need to brake, do so while the road is straight and has minimal camber.
One advantage you have with the TC in the back is you can wait comfortably another day(s) while the highway department or the resort regains control of the road or parking lot.
The following increases the odds of making it up a grade or to get going (unless you love putting on chains) and make it down in a controlled fashion.
Weight over the drive tires
Ground clearance
Real winter tires on all wheels (studded, if allowed in your state)
As can be seen below the center or gravity for my truck (fueled and with people in the cab is just under the steering wheel. When it is slick out there isn't much weight over the rear axle vs the front axle (3,161 vs 4,601).
Without the TC in the bed and RWD only, my truck doesn't get very far, even around town in the flats. However engage 4WD and the dually handles the drive up to the local ski hill just fine.
My 4,200 lb TC sits 2" back in the bed and it's center of gravity is about an inch forward of the rear axle center line. With the TC in the bed in RWD only the truck has lots of traction with the winter tires. With it in 4WD it has even better traction. Depending on how much snow falls in a day, the ground clearance of a 4x4 will allow you to go through deeper snow without having to put chains on.
If it is really deep (>12" wetter snow), I'm chained up on all 6 wheels and I'd rather float / paddle with the cross bar reinforced (v-bar) chains on the dually, cable chains won't give you enough bite. While tire width is important to avoid floating on slush in my 2,200 lb sports car with my 9" wide summer tires vs. 6.0" winter tires, I'd submit that if you can float your tires, with your TC in the truck you are going too fast for the conditions.
My 12,000 lb combined weight doesn't float anywhere. Drifting into a snowy curve, correcting for the skid and then accelerating in a car can be fun. Going sideways with a top heavy TC in the back, even an empty 4x4, is a prescription for tipping over.
Finally with your TC in the back, you have lots of momentum, so going back down the hill requires technique and judgement, in addition to good equipment. Witness all the 4x4 vehicles with bad equipment, bad technique, or both. You can see them spinning on the way back down from the ski hill, or in the ditch or bank. Manage your speed by choosing a lower gear and if you need to brake, do so while the road is straight and has minimal camber.
One advantage you have with the TC in the back is you can wait comfortably another day(s) while the highway department or the resort regains control of the road or parking lot.
