travelnman
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Re: Big truck dealer in Idaho?
OK so the world changed it did for me also, shocked at first. Thought those old people were never going to be me. Here is my take, do you get tired easily just tying your shoes, walking, lifting and need to rest. If yes you need to sit down and accept your end or you can pop up hit the trail, turn off the TV (especially the news programs) and show folks how its done. This activity is pure fun with new trails and sites to see. Gas now is cheap your living in a era we will never see again but keep your investment moderate unless you just hit the lottery or have a pension most of us only dream off. You will make friends that last for ever and learn about places to visit that can make you a happy camper for ever. Some of our state parks have nice cabins that are fun if pulling a RV is too nerve racking. Hit the national parks to they are almost free for seniors, vets, etc. Stay a while relax you earned it and you and I own it.475Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing with a Tahoe
Thanks for those replies to Suburban vs Tahoe. Some of you talked about porposing or I call it a pogo stick ride. Very familiar with that but only in Wisconsin around Madison. It is not tolerable makes you dizzy sick leaving a evening of oamping the worst ever. I suppse the tahoe would be the same or worse for this again due to wheel base. I have been hashing this over for a year or two, enjoy the Tahoes length which fits my garage pickups don't. Your answers convinced me to stay with a suburban maybe even jump to the 6.3liter. Good luck this summer should be interesting with everyone suspecting everyone else of having the bug and wearing those masks. Taking the RV thru the drive thru could prove to be interesting since we can not go in. Dennis698Views0likes0CommentsTowing with a Tahoe
Anyone tow with a Tahoe vs Suburban? Considering buying a 2014 Tahoe in beautiful shape just like granny used to drive. Wonder if the shorter wheel base will give me trouble with sway. With the suburban I have none at all. The suburban has the 3.73 axel with the 5.3 engine and handles the job but could use a little more power which the Tahoe has. It also has the 3.42 axel, 5.3 engine, newer six speed transmission. My suburban has the older four speed trany. The TT is a Keystone Spingdale 2008 coming in at 6,200 dry. Both vehicles have all the heavy duty cooling, larger radiators, etc. Any experience with a Tahoe towing would be helpful before I spend my life savings on one.7.1KViews0likes31CommentsRe: Sticker shock
Have seen worse but the trend is higher and higher. The more folks strike, hold their services, protest, ask for higher wages for unskilled jobs, demand more because the neighbor got a raise the higher things go. Except for milk and eggs what have you seen get cheaper? Its a never ending circle until the dollar is worth what a penny is now. Then the government reaches out for more with higher gas taxes. My state just doubled the gas tax, the county added more and so did the city while the feds can't wait for their chance. My grandfather said during a poker game that when he runs our of money he just goes and gets some more. I think that's how our government works I know the cable company works this way. So when you see labor rates like this instead of going into shock take note for your next salary review, this is the way the system works. I had my wheel bearings greased this year on the RV and a brake inspection. The bill was $400.00 and I don't think the dealer really wanted to do the job.778Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sequoia Can't Really Tow Anything (Family of 6). Am I Right?
Read on the internet yesterday about full size pickups getting a new diesel six will be on the market in the fall. 4x4 rated at 29 highway mpg. Much higher without the 4 x 4. Seems like waiting for especially with feds new gas tax hike and we have the county drewling over a gas tax hike, Illinois just doubled their gas tax. That should put us back to four bucks gal for regular. Our premium is a dollar gal more than regular. Gas prices could put us back into reccession very soon, but politicians ignore all that. I liked our tent camper also but like the safety of a hard sided RV more. To many idiots running around shooting people.4.8KViews0likes0CommentsRe: 3.5 Ecoboost Feels Like a V6
I wish they would come out with a SUV with luxury interiors which could pull 6-8,000lbs and get ten mpg. Is that asking to much? Maybe keep the price some where your average work alocholic could afford to use with the family. Pickups are OK but have that tailgate which gets in the way when your loading/unloading. Then getting to stuff is a chore after it has slid around, not bad if your under 80yrs but after that its a nursing home count down if you slip. Maybe its time to end it all but we don't feel like it. I have seen camping go from family tenting over the weekend to luxury hotels on wheels and now it seems to be returning to tents. Saw more tents than RV this weekend in Northern Il and a guy who caught a 11 lb bass. Some how the cost of our RV adventure seemed minor in deed. Don't think I will trade it for a tent just yet.627Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie with general tow questions
I have found most dealers don't know about the mechanics of towing, with exceptions. The season is so short that techs they hire don't have a foggy clue what you can tow or can not. The salesmen we wish knew but they don't, there primary interest is to transfer your money from you to there pocket and hope you don't have an accident. I met a guy with five passengers towing a 28foot TT with a ford explorer. The rig was almost touching the road at the hitch but the dealer told him that is the way they all ride. He was fine, no he was greatly over loaded. He would move the TT every day to empty the tanks and almost ripped a hole in the roof with the TV antenna if it had not been for another camper. He traveled 1100 miles that way and had to get back. It was a accident ready to happen. Personally I have trouble getting parts for my RV and service is so backed up you can wait all summer to get something looked at, then hope the tech is trained or he could destroy what he is trying to adjust or repair. Just getting the wheel bearings greased takes time to interview the tech to see if he has ever done it before. My manual warns against using the axel to lift the trailer but they all do it against the manufacturers warnings. Just the plastic nuts covering the lug nuts have to be removed carefully or you will shred them into little pieces. Finding a tow vehicle requires a "MAX" tow package the others are called towing packages and don't add to the vehicles ability to tow anymore weight just give you lights and a hitch. Your dad is right on. This is already to long so I will end but get plenty of advice before you let anyone touch your camper, and check Trailer Lifes weight chart on this site to see what you can tow.426Views0likes0Commentstowing with a esclade
Anyone use a Escalade to tow with? See almost all pickups now towing. I came from the age when station wagons could pull 5,000 or more. Then you could use them as a family hauler also three kids, dog and the wife and pull a RV. That's all changed but wondering why suburbans and escalades seem to be fading out of the picture now like they were related to the station wagon or something. Considering buying a used escalade with the 6.2 liter, 3.42 axel, 6 speed trans, and heavy cooling but would not have much company in the camp ground. Anyone have a clue as to why, RV (TT) weighs about 8,000 loaded?2.1KViews0likes15CommentsRe: 2001 GMC Yukon 1500 as TV
Sounds like you have the Tahoe version of the suburban or I call it the Stubby version. Not good wheel base is to short result you will experience sway. That's not fun because you can get stressed out and your partner will wake up and say "are we there yet" Go with the regular Yukon or Suburban I think over all length is 220 inches. The 5.3 liter and 3.73 Rear End and higher is OK but 3.08 axel will not move anything larger than a tent camper. I know I have the 5.3/3.73 axel and pull dry weight of 6,200lbs with a suburban 04. Very steep inclines can be a problem with the air conditioning running, I usually turn it off in Branson, Mo for example. Flat ground it is a great combination. Gas MPG is 8-9 depending on wind. Change the transmission oil often and flush the radiator it will save in the end. I'm looking for a tow vehicle but prices have put me on the side lines my old burbon is still running but with over 200,000 on it pulling 8,000 lbs it is time. If I can not find another vehicle in my budget we are going to quit. Looks like this administration wants another 15 cents a gallon and the states are all licking their chops. It won't be long before we see four bucks again like it or not thats the future. Everyone wants electric. Premium gas is 80 cents more than regular so I ruled out the 6.2 liter Yokun which is really the best SUV to tow with. Best for trucks but Premium gas is recommended. Good luck with your search I will need it also but this camping is getting to be expensive fun and we used to look at it as the best least expensive venture for our family. Times are changing.1.1KViews0likes0CommentsTowing with a Tahoe
Anyone pulling with a Tahoe with the 5.3/3.42 axel? Would like to have feedback regarding sway since it has a shorter wheel base is this a problem or does it pull the same as a Suburban or Expedition? Weight ratings seem the same as well as other considerations but proof is in actual towing experience. I have seen guys towing with Tahoes all though most are using pickups these days. Sure would appreciate some reaction to this ASAP, looking at a nice 2014 Chevy Tahoe for a good price with low miles. I'm pulling a 28 foot Keystone Springdale TT with a empty weight of 6.200lbs with a old Suburban which has seen its best days. Thanks for your help or reaction to this.3.9KViews0likes17Comments
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