Alberta_Born
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Re: Pulling with half ton!
So, I've been out 3 times pulling the 29' jayco featherlight with my Dodge 3500 cummins diesel. Pulls like a dream, went to the trailer hitch specialist shop where I live since I already had the WD system. He looked at my set up and said there is no sink whatsoever and told me it would save me the money not having him weld the reese weight distribution system on, as the 1 ton carried the TT with no drop and all was level. I've not found any sway while pulling the trailer so far. But it's funny what you worry about at night. Does anyone ever worry about the stock receiver system on the truck that you attach your ball to in order to pull? I'm running on the assumption that Dodge designed it well since it's a 1 ton. Am I correct? My trailer is not heavy, but I am going to pull it to the west coast this August over the Rockies and the Coquihalla..654Views0likes0CommentsBlack water tank light says 2/3 full after draining
2007 Jayco jayflight 29 foot travel trailer. Gone out twice so far and after use I drain the tanks but the light on the black water tank shows 2/3 full and after hearing the sewage water go down the hose it seems empty but the light shows 2/3 full I'm afraid to go out this weekend and get set up to find a nearly full tank.. Anyone have that problem?14KViews0likes33CommentsRe: Pulling with half ton!
SoundGuy wrote: JCR-1 wrote: I have a 2008 Avalanche 5.3 and no way should you should tow that weight. Did you not read the previous posts in this discussion? :h The OP said 3 weeks ago - "Well, I caved and we traded in the half ton Avalanche. I now have a Dodge 3500 with the 6.7 Cummins Diesel." I don't think he's going to have a problem towing anything. :W Yeah, so I did decide to get away from the half ton Avalanche. Got a Dodge Ram 3500 with the Cummins 6.7. Pulled the TT around a little to get a feel for it. Pretty sure I heard the Cummins sigh and say b!tch please!652Views0likes0CommentsRe: Pulling with half ton!
So, took the Dodge Cummins 3500 and the weight distribution system I got and hooked up my trailer to it to go get the hitch system installed. The hitch expert took one look at my trailer and truck together and said I didn't need the weight distribution. In fact, the truck could have been lower with more weight and be fine. It sat very nicely on that 1 ton truck. I sold the weight distribution hitch. While pulling the trailer I noticed it pulled just fine with absolutely no sway. The way the trailer is built and where the axles are it looks like I wont need a system now with the 1 ton. The trailer's previous owner pulled it with a 3/4 ton and just on the ball hitch with no system, and he had no problems at all. So I'm thinking I will be fine with the 1 ton as is with this trailer.652Views0likes0CommentsRe: Pulling with half ton!
Well, I caved and we traded in the half ton Avalanche. I now have a Dodge 3500 with the 6.7 Cummins Diesel. Really happy with it, I have always loved the Cummins engine, and now it sits in front of me for towing my TT. I have more towing ability and weight capability than I will ever need (the most available), but the peace of mind is now priceless. Before the trade in, I bought a second hand Reese 14,000lb equalizer and dual anti sway bar system, so I will go ahead and use that anyway with the 1 ton Cummins. So now, instead of limiting to slowly towing to nearby campgrounds this summer, we're planning a trip to the Coast. I think the many threads and messages here on this board brought the reality of this home for me. I would have put too much expectation on my half ton. So, here's to hoping for a good camping season... Thanks for the guidance and advice everyone!403Views0likes0CommentsRe: Painting interior of brand new camper
tlieder wrote: We just purchased a Coleman 1805RB and the first modification we are doing is to paint the interior cabinets and walls white. First, I would love advise on everything from technique to supplies to the name of a great white color paint. Second, is the paint process for this any different since it is a brand new camper and not a used one? Finally, do I just paint right over the wall, and if so, will there be a texture that shows through? thanks for all the advise! Nuvo Cabinet paint. www.nuvocabinetpaint.com713Views0likes0CommentsRe: Pulling with half ton!
SoundGuy wrote: Alberta Born wrote: Either option allows me to keep the Avalanche 1500 for what it's meant for which is GM's claim to fame for trucks as a good vehicle for a date night and little more. Ha Ha! I guess for me that means "date night" at Home Depot, for which I find my Av invaluable! :W Ha! Soundguy, I'm with you. How many times I've come from Home Depot with 6 2x6's 14 foot length in the Avalanche with the back window out and the girlfriend in the front seat! It's the only time I am not embarrassed around my friends or my Dad who are ardent Ford and Dodge guys.403Views0likes0CommentsRe: Pulling with half ton!
Thank you everyone for the input. behind the scenes of all this I had long been wanting to do a restoration project and now with towing a TT in mind I have found myself wondering. I have two projects I have been fantasizing about... The first is I have a line on a 1969 Ford F250 2WD camper special with a blown engine sitting on a farm. It has a 1 ton rear end. I want to put a Cummins 5.9L 24 valve in it and pull with that, or just show it off. The second fantasy is to take my 2003 Ford f150 King Ranch I have sitting with the 5.4 triton blown, and apparently I can put a Cummins 3.9 (called a 4bt) into it as it makes for a nice fit. This will give me better towing, mileage, etc, and allow me to keep my beloved king ranch which other than a blown engine is a great truck. Either option allows me to keep the Avalanche 1500 for what it's meant for which is GM's claim to fame for trucks as a good vehicle for a date night and little more. (that's my GM opinion sneaking out). All the above of course costs money, but I have wanted to do a project for some time, and I also have my f150 king ranch just sitting there... Guess I'm back to square 1405Views0likes0CommentsRe: Pulling with half ton!
SoundGuy wrote: rickm wrote: I used to drive Avalanches for Demos ..... pulled up to a 32' Jayco, but staying mainly in SW Ontario, where the landscape is flat, the Avalanche had no problems towing. Only time i could remember one struggling was getting up the hill going into Algonquin Park. Personally, i think the AV is one of the best camping vehicles out there, the hard 3 piece tonneau cover made storage a snap, keeping things safe n dry, while being able to move 2 adults, 2 kids, and a dog in Suburban fashion comfort! ...... and lets not forget, reliable as anything out there! No way I'd tow anything that long or anything more than 6000 lbs loaded with my own 2005 Avalanche. That aside, I'd agree it's one of the most versatile vehicles one could own ... mine's now 12 yrs old and although the body is really starting to deteriorate in spots I'm really reluctant to let it go as it's been the best vehicle we've owned for towing up to a mid-size trailer and for general use around town. :B Thanks Soundguy. Just yesterday I called the local Jayco dealership here in Calgary and explained this all to a technician. He recommended a standard Reese Pro-Series Equalizer, and then later if I felt it was needed to add anti-sway. He thought the Avalanche would do okay with that. I picked up my trailer on Tuesday and borrowed a friends 3/4 ton GMC. Since I don't yet have a sway system I pulled the trailer out of Calgary to my storage place with just the ball hitch. It pulled really well, no sway, handled bumps nicely all with just a ball hitch. But that's with the 3/4 ton. Haven't hooked up to my avalanche yet but will have to in order to take it to the dealership to install sway bar system or equalizer... Not sure about how happy I am with that little trip. Thoughts?226Views0likes0Comments
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