Paranoid
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Re: Maiden Voyage, Brake Wiring Harness Problems
Seems like cleaning and reattaching the ground and putting in a longer umbilical cord are the winners, which is what I was hoping to avoid. We're at the hottest time in Arizona and the last thing I want to be doing is laying on my back on a blacktop under a trailer attaching a cable that my life depends on. Gotta love the RVing lifestyle. :D Thanks everyone for the quick responses, even if they confirmed my worst-case scenario.228Views0likes0CommentsMaiden Voyage, Brake Wiring Harness Problems
We took our new tow vehicle up to Payson Arizona and the Rim this weekend and it towed fantastic as expected. I had problems several times with the onboard computer warning me that the trailer brake had momentarily become disconnected. It would chime and flash an alarm that the trailer brake had disconnected, then reconnect almost immediately thereafter. I foresaw the possibility of this problem before the trip. Our previous tow vehicle the trailer brake adapter was down low next to the hitch receiver, next to the safety chains. This was always a concern to me as I almost had too much play in the brake wiring from the travel trailer. On the GMC SLT, the brake wiring is up above the bumper, next to the license plate. This is the opposite problem - now the cable is right at its maximum length. The brake adapter on the Sierra is also kind of cheap and feels poorly secured to the truck compared to the Escalade. This combination means that if I am making a sharp turn or the trailer bounces, I think it is just enough play that the cable momentarily loses connection with the 7 pin connector. What are my options? I can't seem to find an extension cable that increases the length - it seems like my only option is to remove the cable equipped on the trailer and wire a new one that is maybe 6-8" longer. That seems like a hassle. Has anyone ran into a similar problem? What was your solution?1.6KViews0likes6CommentsRe: Escalade/Tahoe/Suburban suspension upgrades
BenK... I had the rear shocks replaced at Firestone before I drove out from Ohio to Arizona. I recall they had to get the shocks from the dealer, and they weren't cheap. The whole "Air Ride" self leveling system has always been dubious to me. My back end sinks considerably, even with load balancing, with a ~600 tongue weight. On my way out I saw another Escalade towing a much smaller travel trailer than mine, also with load balancing bars, that was bottomed out even worse. I pointed it out to my passenger. Mine really isn't bad. I sink a little less than 2" in back and rise about half an inch in front. But I have never noticed the air leveling that is supposed to be a feature on the Escalade do anything practical for me.467Views0likes0CommentsRe: Freshwater Drain on Coachman 291 QBS Freedom Express
Photos of my RV and the drains can be found here: Google RV Album link. https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107642603707591706308/albums/6026082156928680337 Basically, I see a hot and cold drain near the hot water tank, and another on the opposite side under the bathroom sink/tub... And one at the very back near the bumper on the left side. But the one at the back just has this grey nut that spins, and no spigot or other mechanism to open the tank to drain.600Views0likes0CommentsRe: Freshwater Drain on Coachman 291 QBS Freedom Express
I get it, Aftermath. That isn't on the Coachmen from what I can find. My cousin has a valve on his 30' trailer. I had one on my 24' Tahoe I owned prior to this, and on the 76 Jamboree I owned before that. But I can't find anything like it on this trailer. I'm not the only one who has noted this. I'm going to drive over and get some pictures - figure out what year my trailer is. I'll post the pics here... or links to them.600Views0likes0CommentsRe: Freshwater Drain on Coachman 291 QBS Freedom Express
Well, that sounds about right then, Mr. Fish. I've got 4 drains - but three of them have plastic hex-bolt caps. Maybe I'll get some pictures later. I was surprised how little water came out when I opened the valves - and that the gauge still read 2/3rds full. But I know you can't trust the gauges.600Views0likes0CommentsFreshwater Drain on Coachman 291 QBS Freedom Express
So, we just boondocked with our freshwater holding tank full for the first time since we purchased our Coachman. At the end of the trip I went to open the drain for the tank, and I couldn't find it. There are two drains on the left side, near the water heater, one white and one red. There is one near the very back of the trailer, to the left side, and one on the right side just in front of the bunk-garage door. None of them where letting as much water out as I would have expected. The one at the very back I couldn't figure out how to open at all? It may be an overflow drain? Normally I would expect a small plastic spigot - but these just had threaded nuts that could be opened up. Anyone have any experience with this model of Coachman? It has a sealed floor and that is where the holding tank is - so you can't visually inspect it to see if it is empty or not. My gauge never read empty. I'm at home now without any of my documentation - not sure what year this model is.3.3KViews0likes6CommentsRe: Escalade/Tahoe/Suburban suspension upgrades
Some great info here, guys. Thanks. Just took it up to Mogollon Rim, Arizona. The Escalade is starting to show its age, and of course, the heat out here is worse than anything we've ever subjected it to either further North through the Rockies or along the East Coast all the way down through the Appalachians into Florida. At times both the engine and the transmission were running hotter than I would have liked to see them... I just can't push the limits like I was able to do when it only had 50k miles on it. The suspension and stability was fine, though - descending and climbing some long steep 6% grades in fairly strong cross winds and I wasn't feeling any more white knuckled than I would have in a C or A class.467Views0likes0CommentsRe: Escalade/Tahoe/Suburban suspension upgrades
Yeah, I've stayed stock to make sure I don't accidentally alter the factory tow ratings (which is 8400 pounds max). I'm not looking to increase the tow rating - in fact, I've never been anywhere near the max rating with my trailer (which is an aluminum frame ultra-lite with a single half-slide and other weight conscious design elements). I'm looking for aftermarket solutions that will improve the experience within the factory specifications I'm already operating within. Anything that will improve ride, stability, sway. I know they sell springs, stabilizers, air spring and airbag systems and other aftermarket solutions. I'm just not familiar with any of them and I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience and what their thoughts are. The 2006 Escalade has a 6l V8 engine. It is plenty powerful enough. When I first started driving with this rig I was worried about the short wheelbase of the Tahoe chassis, but I've been through serious storms, insane wind in Wyoming, and other sketchy weather and it has never been a challenge. But if I can purchase some extra peace of mind - I'm not opposed to after market upgrades that will provide this.467Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 20, 202544,030 Posts
