First major trip of 1,300 miles under my belt, and I was pleased, and really impressed by how this lightweight handled itself.
I decided to tow with a full freshwater tank of 43 gallons even though the tank is behind the axles, because I wanted to know what this truck can do. I boondocked the entire trip in a vacant parking lot near a mall, because I didn't want to drive to and from the beach every day.
One of my biggest test was driving eastbound State Route 35 on a one lane road with big rig coming the opposite direction, but that proved to be a none issue.
As for stability, I could feel the rig back there and I could feel some buffering going on, but the rig wasn't bouncin me all over the lane or road. I just kept both hands on the wheel, but I wasn't fighting with the trailer.
As for pulling the grades in the mountains of WV, the EB just downshift's and keeps pulling. Going down the 7% grades were none issues, because the engine/transmission does help help out by revving up to 4,000 rpm, and very little braking is needed. The big rigs seem to have braking issue with smoking brakes, but not me.
I used up all my water, so on the return trip, I carried all that water half my trip in the gray and black tanks that are located forward of the axles.
I could feel the water in the tank, because after I dumped my tanks at a gas station, a sensation from the trailer disappeared, along with some extra bounce on concrete bridge joints, and the setup actually felt better.
The lightweight of the truck does show up when some tandem big rigs come zooming by, and I can feel a slight pushing sensation as the cab come up along side the truck, but there is no pull as it passes.
That push isn't the trailer wobbling, but the truck feeling pushed a bit, but placing a bit of resistance against the pressure is all that is needed. Passing pickups, cars, box trucks and most regular big rigs can hardly be felt.
From following other trailers, I can see what others were saying about sway and trailers tracking all over the lanes, because I observed trailers half the size of mines struggling.
My only surprise was how long driving 65mph took for the same trip, versus my car at higher speeds, and it took the same time when the speeds were 55mph...11 hours for a 9 hours trip. Sloooow going.
The next time, I'm limiting my driving time to approximately 8 hours.
I'm pleased with this truck (not gassing up though...lol), and I'm definitely looking forward to the next trip.
My towing fuel mpg was 8.8 mpg.
