On being not very close to GVWR (the emergency stop)
1st of all, apologies in advance for the length ... but being new to the whole RV thing & TC's & such - pop a beer - here we go.
2-weeks ago smacked a 3-pt coming down from Monte Cristo in Utah. Was going about 45 in my big red 1990 1500 that's loaded with a brand new Capri Sportsman Grande a few lbs over 6400# wet & loaded (800 over GVWR in case anyone is wondering) - full brakes & straight ahead eventually got me slowed to about 10mph & ... then bump to the rear of the buck, which ran off (undoubtably chuckling) & the Chevy got a small break in the grill ... no big deal.
This happened the day after I sort of over heated the brakes (10" things) coming down the backside of Emmigration pass - in 2d gear no less - I apparently scared the wife a little bit on that one as well.
Now the rest of the story ... my loving wife, who's simple comment back in June "wouldn't it be fun if we had one of those campers like we rode in when we were little ... looking out the front window over the cab ... we could just put it on Big Red ..." (the 1990 Chevy), started this whole TC adventure, was not at all amused with the overheated break smell & pretty upset with the deer bump; not to mention her "grrrr's" at having to turn off the A/C & roll down windows (even though they're electric ...) cause the engine is overheating going up hills. ... sheez - we didn't even have to turn on the heater - what's wrong with that, right? It's only about 102 outside.
So back to the topic - emergency stopping ... I did an emergency stop at our local Chevy dealer & take delivery of a new 2013 3500HD 4x4 long bed working truck (gas) tomorrow; getting Torklifts installed next week (cause the Happijacs for a 1990 long bed I bought 6-weeks ago don't fit a 2013); oh yeah, and the 2x4's & 1" plywood that need to get screwed to the camper bottom to get the sides (& overhang) raised up a bit cause the rail & cab heights of a 2013 are a few inches different from the 1990; plus a bit of electrical work.
The good news is I don't have to even worry about those Super Spring add-ons I bought fitting the 2013 - they don't anyway in case anyone is curious. & the load rated tires that I put on Big Red - nah, they're 15" & the 2013 has 18" - & if anyone thinks adding a new water pump, pully, thermostat, hoses, & flush to an older (but strong!) engine will help keep things cool pulling 6400#'s (I think I mentioned 800 over gross) up a hill in a 1/2 ton ... nope, not much ... but I just know that dam lucky deer is glad I had the brakes done all around.
So far, this emergency stop is running me a ways north of $30k (which does not include the north-of-$18k it cost for the camper & work to get Big Red ready to roll); but in the end, the money means next to nothing for a happy, secure, comfortable, smiling companion as we trudge the road to happy truck camping ... right?
2-weeks ago smacked a 3-pt coming down from Monte Cristo in Utah. Was going about 45 in my big red 1990 1500 that's loaded with a brand new Capri Sportsman Grande a few lbs over 6400# wet & loaded (800 over GVWR in case anyone is wondering) - full brakes & straight ahead eventually got me slowed to about 10mph & ... then bump to the rear of the buck, which ran off (undoubtably chuckling) & the Chevy got a small break in the grill ... no big deal.
This happened the day after I sort of over heated the brakes (10" things) coming down the backside of Emmigration pass - in 2d gear no less - I apparently scared the wife a little bit on that one as well.
Now the rest of the story ... my loving wife, who's simple comment back in June "wouldn't it be fun if we had one of those campers like we rode in when we were little ... looking out the front window over the cab ... we could just put it on Big Red ..." (the 1990 Chevy), started this whole TC adventure, was not at all amused with the overheated break smell & pretty upset with the deer bump; not to mention her "grrrr's" at having to turn off the A/C & roll down windows (even though they're electric ...) cause the engine is overheating going up hills. ... sheez - we didn't even have to turn on the heater - what's wrong with that, right? It's only about 102 outside.
So back to the topic - emergency stopping ... I did an emergency stop at our local Chevy dealer & take delivery of a new 2013 3500HD 4x4 long bed working truck (gas) tomorrow; getting Torklifts installed next week (cause the Happijacs for a 1990 long bed I bought 6-weeks ago don't fit a 2013); oh yeah, and the 2x4's & 1" plywood that need to get screwed to the camper bottom to get the sides (& overhang) raised up a bit cause the rail & cab heights of a 2013 are a few inches different from the 1990; plus a bit of electrical work.
The good news is I don't have to even worry about those Super Spring add-ons I bought fitting the 2013 - they don't anyway in case anyone is curious. & the load rated tires that I put on Big Red - nah, they're 15" & the 2013 has 18" - & if anyone thinks adding a new water pump, pully, thermostat, hoses, & flush to an older (but strong!) engine will help keep things cool pulling 6400#'s (I think I mentioned 800 over gross) up a hill in a 1/2 ton ... nope, not much ... but I just know that dam lucky deer is glad I had the brakes done all around.
So far, this emergency stop is running me a ways north of $30k (which does not include the north-of-$18k it cost for the camper & work to get Big Red ready to roll); but in the end, the money means next to nothing for a happy, secure, comfortable, smiling companion as we trudge the road to happy truck camping ... right?
