HarmsWay
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Joined 16 years ago
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Re: Rear View Camera
Bought a 2nd Ram camera and installed it in the fixed part of the upper step of our Northern Lite. So unplug the tailgate camera, remove the tailgate, load the camper and plug in the camper camera. If I was building a camper I'd pre-wire for a camera somewhere higher but this location has worked very well. It would also be nice to get a camera view other than whilst in reverse (we usually flat tow a Jeep) but I haven't gotten around to making that happen. It's a nice feature that I'm glad I have and it was an easy DIY.612Views0likes0CommentsRe: How useful is a Toad?
My Ram has 2-1/2” receiver as well. Rather than cut up the Curt 24/36” extension I bought an 18” long 2” receiver tube and cut it down to a 12” extension. The 2” receiver tube gives a 2-1/2” outside dimension that the truck hitch needs. Unfortunately with the drop needed as well I have 3 joints - truck to extension, extension to drop and drop to Ready Brute. I use three NSA de-rattlers on those joints. Now that I’m happy with the extension length I may get a welder to permanently join the extension and drop. Or build one from scratch. Just measured: extension and drop gives total extension of 19” with a 6” drop. Extension tube alone is 11”.763Views0likes0CommentsRe: How useful is a Toad?
I flat-towed a Jeep behind our truck camper for the first time last year and it was definitely worth the expense and effort. For me it’s an off-road vehicle while we’re in Utah and Arizona. For my wife who is less enthusiastic about off-roading it was more convenient for in town driving and touring about in general. I was concerned about the no backup because it was probably a 5-10 minute job to disconnect and hook up but in 6,000 km it was never an issue. I did have to plan fuel stops more than I did prior to towing though. Nice to know I had a spare vehicle in case of a break down. Didn’t need that though. Same as Norm, if the distance is close and we still want the Jeep my wife will just drive it especially if the trip involves a ferry (we live on an island). The down sides? It makes for a long rig. I needed about an 18” extension and 6” drop (BTW, I originally tried the Curt extension but it was way longer that I needed). The fuel consumption goes up - minor on flat roads, more on the twisty lumpy more interesting back roads I prefer to travel on. I installed the Ready Brute Elite, Ready Stop ebrake, Hopkins tail light kit and a brake light relay. It’s a 2 door Jeep and a Ram dually diesel.764Views0likes0CommentsRe: Hitch Extenders
Different truck and camper but I installed an extension that was too long then in a parking lot did full crank turns each way to determine clearance. Keep in mind that if you go with the surge brake that clearance should be reduced by the compression of the brake mechanism which 3” or so.413Views0likes0CommentsRe: Hitch Extenders
First trip with our Ready Brake. So far about 2500 miles from BC down through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Arizona. I think I picked the steepest roads. No issues with the tow other than I use more diesel on the hilly roads. I wired up a monitor that lights up an LED on the dash when the Jeep’s brake switch is activated. I saw it come on briefly once on a steep downhill when I downshifted aggressively with the exhaust brake on. The surge brake does exactly what it should do once adjusted. Having the LED monitor makes the adjustment easier. It comes with a monitor switch on the surge brake to drive an LED but I wanted to know what the Jeep brake pedal was doing so I drive it from the brake switch. I use a 12” 2.5” to 2” extension plus a 4” hitch riser (which has an additional 7” of extension) and I don’t have any lateral chains as that won’t work with the riser. If I can do some suspension work to eliminate the need for the riser then I may get a 16” or so extension made up with provision for lateral chains. Right now there is no way to anchor the chains on my 2014 Ram either. It doesn’t feel like the Jeep is wiggling back there but who knows. Well I guess the people following me know. I bought a clamp to attach my GoPro to the back of the camper ladder so I’ll know what’s going on when I start back to BC. I also use an NSA De-Rattler at every hitch transion to stiffen the vertical play.255Views0likes0CommentsRe: Readybrute elite
We’re about 10 days and 1500 miles into our first trip towing with a RBE. Ours is behind a truck and camper. The center mount stairs cannot be folded down with the tow bar on so ours comes off whenever we’re using the Jeep and is just stored in the back. Not a big deal but it does take longer. I plan to do some suspension mods that will let me get rid of the hitch riser then I can fold the tow bar to the side and the stairs will clear.599Views0likes0Comments
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Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Apr 19, 201944,027 Posts
