Merlisk
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Re: need 1st time advice on a TT
Bill & Kate wrote: I would suggest that you decide on a basic floor plan that you think will work for, then make a list of make/models you see that seem to fit. Then look on the used market for late model one of those. Tons of people buy new, then figure out it wasn't what they wanted - make their loss your gain, and get a clean, depreciated unit with some after market stuff already installed, and most the bugs worked out. Some dealers will even give you a short warranty. Use that for a year or two to find out if it is what you really like, then upgrade when you decide what you really needed ..... I think this is great advice. Realize that you're not going to get the perfect camper on the first try. It sounds like you want a bunkhouse floor plan and a toy hauler (if you're not putting your ATV in you pickup's bed.) Find a used one close to that, buy it, and realize that you'll want to upgrade/change when you're a more informed consumer. What's important to me (a toilet, decent shower, and a place for a coffee pot) isn't necessarily important to you. I often tell my friends that I can only help them to not buy a bad trailer. A "good" trailer is the one that the wife wants. :)317Views0likes0CommentsRe: Heading to New Mexico
Thank you, both. Good advice. We've done extensive web searches on NM and have written to them and gotten the standard tourist documentation. We've also checked out books from the library that are pretty good. But, sometimes, it's hard to distinguish between what's worth doing and what the tourist bureau thinks is beneficial to the local businesses. :)378Views0likes0CommentsHeading to New Mexico
We live in Texas and are heading to New Mexico's Alberquerque/Sante Fe region, down to Carlsbad, then back to Dallas this summer. Does anyone have any advice on good places to see and hike? We've two sons - 13 & 9 (by the time we leave). Also, although we've been camping for a few years, all of our trips in our camper have only taken less than a day to get there. Do you have any suggestions on how to pack for a two week trip? I thinking more along the lines of tools, food, laundry advice, etc. Enjoy the spring weather!1.7KViews0likes9CommentsRe: WDH needed?
Ron Gratz wrote: Merlisk wrote: Assuming the TT is level after hooking up, do the numbers above warrant using a WDH? According to Hitch Receiver Weight Capacity (bottom of page 28), the tongue weight for your truck is limited to 850# without a WDH. If your loaded trailer weight is 7000#, its tongue weight might be in the range of 900-1050#. I would use a WDH. Ron Thank you, Ron. Good catch. I looked at that exact chart and only pulled out the 8500 lbs. I should've kept scanning to the right. :)430Views0likes0CommentsRe: WDH needed?
Sandia Man wrote: Although our truck can handle our 32' TT, our WDH has integrated sway control (SC) and I wouldn't get on the interstates without it with the kind of winds we have to deal with here in the four corner states where we camp most often. Just returned from a 2 week trip and had to drive home through 30+ mph winds with gusts higher than that and thankfully our WDH with integrated SC kept us straight and on the road throughout. Takes us just a couple of minutes to implement with our power tongue jack. The sway bar is separate on mine, and I agree, I wouldn't leave home without it. That should be in a commercial or something. :)430Views0likes0CommentsRe: WDH needed?
This link seems to say a WDH is needed: When Is Weight Distribution Needed? You would likely benefit from a weight-distribution system if: - Your trailer weight (GTW) is more than 50 percent of your vehicle's weight (GVWR) The GVWR of my TV is 10,000. I estimate my TT weight to be 6,500 max. That's more than half, though.431Views0likes0CommentsWDH needed?
Is a WDH always needed? I just recently changed out my TV from an F-150 to an F-250, 4x4 CC, 6.7L diesel. The GVWR of my TT is 7650 lbs. According to the Ford site, this TV can tow up to 8,500 lbs without a WDH. But, I know there's more to it than that. The unloaded front wheel fender: 40 5/8" The unloaded rear wheel fender: 41.125" The loaded front wheel fender: 41" The loaded rear wheel fender: 39.75" Assuming the TT is level after hooking up, do the numbers above warrant using a WDH? Thanks.2.4KViews0likes10CommentsRe: Flojet to Theford
mbopp wrote: I've used one of these to pump gray water. Use one of these and some recycled garden hose to get the gray water to your tank. It's not as fast as a Flojet but it's cheaper. I have a surplus 30-gallon barrel strapped in the truck bed to transport the gray water. Way cheaper than a tote. It was set up with a garden hose connector and 3/4" ball valve but is getting re-worked for an 1-1/2" RV waste valve & hose. That's a much cheaper alternative for sure. According to the manual, it says "Do not use the pump for other fluids, especially not fuels, cleaning fluids, or other chemical products." Have you had any issue with pumping the gray water since it has cleaning fluids? Thanks.338Views0likes0CommentsRe: Flojet to Theford
RJS3 wrote: I may be missing something here but, you should be able to tow the Thetford Portable Tank using your hitch and the handle on the portable tank. Of course what you suggested would work IMHO it would be time consuming. Well, I do that now, but the problem is that sometimes the dump is quite some distance away from the RV, and it seems like everyone's watching me drag it. :) Putting it in the back of the truck just seems easier to haul.339Views0likes0CommentsFlojet to Theford
I was thinking of using a Flojet and pumping my gray tank into a Thetford in the bed of my truck. This would allow me to easily tote the Tote to the dump station when we have a multi-day stay at a campground that doesn't have sewer connections at the site. Has anyone done this? Any suggestions or warnings? (Note: I don't plan on emptying the black tank this way since it's large enough for my family to use for a week+ without dumping.)4KViews0likes10Comments
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