aarond76
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Re: 2500 HD 6.0 Gas vs a Diesel
bobsbbq wrote: My DW thinks I'm crazy for wanting to give up a brand new truck we bought new on an older used one. We put a lot down so we are not in a losing situation but about even. Still it is hard for her to understand it is a needed move. The longer you wait the more the vehicle will depreciate as both mileage and age build up. I too tend to think you are a bit crazy. The time to make this decision was before you bought the half ton. What are the tow ratings (payload, max tow, rear axle weight rating) on the current truck and can you not find an ultralight (look at Keystone Passport, Keystone Bullet, etc...) that will give you the room you need and a weight you can pull? I agree that 3/4 or 1 ton would have been the way to go, but before I took such a bath on the truck I would be looking to see if their were camper options at the right weight. I don't agree with the diesel hype either. I would love to have one, cannot afford one. For me its not the yearly maintenance but the initial purchase price. I have an E350 with V10 and 3.73 rear end. The rear gear is not great for towing. Pulling a 9,200 lb camper over the mountains in Western Maryland on I70 (Pretty much the steepest and longest Interstate climbs in the Eastern US) I can maintain 45 mph (barely) in 2nd gear with my foot on the floor. That is still 5 - 10 mph faster than the tractor trailers can do it and we have it to do maybe twice a year. Just think of yourself like a tractor trailer, get in the right lane, and let cars go around, its not that big of a deal. Everyone says that the diesel engine will last longer but I have yet to see anyone wear out a gas engine aside from lack of maintenance. In my own experience, the rest of the vehicle falls apart around the engine. Good luck.581Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2500 HD 6.0 Gas vs a Diesel
What are you planning on pulling with it? I believe I have seen previous posts where you are upgrading campers but I do not remember to what? 2011 will have the 6 spd transmission correct? I believe the 6.0 with 6 spd will be a very capable tow vehicle.233Views0likes0CommentsRe: Need help with finding certain floor plan on a TT
1/2 ton tow ratings are a complete farce anymore. While they may be rated to pull 11,000 pounds, it would have to be on a 4 wheel farm wagon in order not to exceed the payload and rear axle capacity of the truck. Any half ton truck made will be over payload and/or rear axle capacity on an 8,700 lb dry weight travel trailer. They don't come much heavier than this one except for park models.399Views0likes0CommentsRe: My exhaustive TT search
At a recent RV show, the Jayco's really stood out to me as being more substantial and felt better built than they others. The Jayco on your list is an Ultra Light, no need for that with the F-250. Have you looked at the Jayco Jay Flight and the Jayco Eagle to see if they have a floor plan you like?260Views0likes0CommentsRe: My exhaustive TT search
If you are already questioning the Jayco floorplan then stay away from it. The sour taste of not having the floor plan you really want will stay with you long after the joy of getting a good deal has worn off. I have no experience but general consensus seems that RV pricing in California is quite high compared to the rest of the county. Many people have driven to the Midwest to buy from RV Wholesalers, Holman, and others and saved upwards of $5k doing so after travel expenses.260Views0likes0CommentsRe: Essential for a TT buying 1st one
If you have cash in hand I would look to private sale. Used campers in your price range are sittin at the dealer many times because they are rotten trade ins that the past owner did not want to sell out of their yard. A private seller can get more money on a good condition unit than they can on trade in. Check Craigslist. With a diesel Excursion you do not have to concern yourself so much with weight. 7 - 10 year old, single slide, quad bunk houses in reasonable condition should be findable in your price range. They were all over the place in December / January. Now that camping season is approaching asking prices will creep up but you can still find what you are looking for. I wouldn't get too hung up on being under 30'. Over 30', traditionally built (meaning heavy) travel trailers are going to be easier to negotiate on. Reason is the 3/4 ton and up vehicle required to tow them. Most people that invest in such a vehicle are going to be spending more money and going newer than what you are looking at. I would use that to my advantage.318Views0likes0CommentsSlide Topper Rail Height
After replacing my slide floor due to leaks, I am taking every precaution I can to prevent this from happening again. One of the things I would like to do is to install a slide topper awning. My slide is 12' long. My concern is water ponding on top of the awning when the slide is extended. I have 6-1/4" between the bottom of the gutter on the camper, and the top of the slide out flange. I would like to install the awning rail on the side of the camper as high as possible to promote water runoff. Assuming the slide roller will stick up about an inch higher than the slide flange, and the receiver for the awning fabric will be about an inch below the bottom of the gutter, about 4-1/4" of slope is about the best I can hope to accomplish. Any issues with this? My only concern is when going down the road I am leaving a bigger pocket for air to get between the camper and awning and try to unroll it.3.1KViews0likes9CommentsRe: DIY slide out seal replacement
I just replaced my seals. Bought replacements from factoryrvsurplus.com. My seals are two piece, a wiper seal with a track that a separate bulb seal attaches to. The wiper seal was fine but the bulb seal needed to be replaced. The bulb seal was $3.50/lf and I needed 27' so not the end of the world $$$ wise. The wiper seal is much more expensive at $6/lf and a much bigger hassle to replace.366Views0likes0Comments
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