Ram 1500 with starcraft 289bhs
Hi all. Forgive me, but I have read a lot of threads and I just can't seem yo understand the formulas. My 2012 1500 has the trailer package and the 3.92back end. It says I can yow 9500 lbs. The...
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Hi all.
Sorry for the long post. But here is how it went down today.
Got to the dealership, and I gotta say, I am in love with this trailer.
I took all advice and made the decision that was best for me.
So with my Ram 1500 with trailer tow package, I got the Starcraft Autumn Ridge 289bhs.
Distribution hitch: I picked up an E2 E2 link Please post any commnets on this hitch. It took a while to set it up. I spoke with a guy who really knew his stuff. Explained everything to me. Of course with my luck, he had to leave for lunch and I had someone else hook it up. I told him I wanted him to do it and he said if there were any problems to let him know. It was hooked up and I saw what was too much sag so I had the first guy paged, and he left his lunch and worked on it for an hour and a half until I was happy. I measured before and after and it looked good. I took with my my hockey gear in the box, some other heavier items to simulate some load on the truck too.
I have Air Lift 1000 bags, but did not get a chance to install them.
Driving: The dealership was 1.5 hours away from my house. And I think I had the best test route in I could find. The whole way on the 401..."Canada's most dangerous highway". It was also pretty windy. The truck did just fine. At first while I got used to it, I did sway a little bit. But I did the speed limit, took my time and got used to it at my own pace. I was passed by TONS of 18 wheelers and didn't notice much. For you fellow Canadians, on the way to the dealership, I got 23 liters per 100kms with my 4500lb trade in. On the way back I got 22 liters per 100kms on the 7000lb trailer. I understand this could be a due to geography and bit, but the 401 is very flat. So even if loaded, doesn't appear my mileage will be much worse with the new rig. I actually think this new set up is a good thing, because it has forced me to be a more responsible driver. I have driven a dump truck with a 25 foot hydro seeder fully loaded in my previous career and I think with my old trailer, I may have been a little over confident and maybe driving faster than I should have at times. Speed limit from here out!!
So all in all, so far a VERY positive experience. I will post pictures in the TT pictures thread if you want to have a look or I can attach some here too.
I also want to thank EVERYONE who contributed GOOD and BAD comments. Actually, there were no BAD comments, just different opinions which we are all entitled too. I was impressed with how thorough everyone was.
Lastly, I want to say a special thank you to jerem0621. He has been EXTREMELY HELPFUL.
Long day, so now time for a couple of beers and watch my favorite movie, Donnie Darko....Maybe I will see some of you on the road North of the Boarder some time??
Chuck
Sorry for the long post. But here is how it went down today.
Got to the dealership, and I gotta say, I am in love with this trailer.
I took all advice and made the decision that was best for me.
So with my Ram 1500 with trailer tow package, I got the Starcraft Autumn Ridge 289bhs.
Distribution hitch: I picked up an E2 E2 link Please post any commnets on this hitch. It took a while to set it up. I spoke with a guy who really knew his stuff. Explained everything to me. Of course with my luck, he had to leave for lunch and I had someone else hook it up. I told him I wanted him to do it and he said if there were any problems to let him know. It was hooked up and I saw what was too much sag so I had the first guy paged, and he left his lunch and worked on it for an hour and a half until I was happy. I measured before and after and it looked good. I took with my my hockey gear in the box, some other heavier items to simulate some load on the truck too.
I have Air Lift 1000 bags, but did not get a chance to install them.
Driving: The dealership was 1.5 hours away from my house. And I think I had the best test route in I could find. The whole way on the 401..."Canada's most dangerous highway". It was also pretty windy. The truck did just fine. At first while I got used to it, I did sway a little bit. But I did the speed limit, took my time and got used to it at my own pace. I was passed by TONS of 18 wheelers and didn't notice much. For you fellow Canadians, on the way to the dealership, I got 23 liters per 100kms with my 4500lb trade in. On the way back I got 22 liters per 100kms on the 7000lb trailer. I understand this could be a due to geography and bit, but the 401 is very flat. So even if loaded, doesn't appear my mileage will be much worse with the new rig. I actually think this new set up is a good thing, because it has forced me to be a more responsible driver. I have driven a dump truck with a 25 foot hydro seeder fully loaded in my previous career and I think with my old trailer, I may have been a little over confident and maybe driving faster than I should have at times. Speed limit from here out!!
So all in all, so far a VERY positive experience. I will post pictures in the TT pictures thread if you want to have a look or I can attach some here too.
I also want to thank EVERYONE who contributed GOOD and BAD comments. Actually, there were no BAD comments, just different opinions which we are all entitled too. I was impressed with how thorough everyone was.
Lastly, I want to say a special thank you to jerem0621. He has been EXTREMELY HELPFUL.
Long day, so now time for a couple of beers and watch my favorite movie, Donnie Darko....Maybe I will see some of you on the road North of the Boarder some time??
Chuck
