TriciaR1970
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Re: Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky, Ohio
luvztheoutdoorz1 wrote: We camped at Crystal Rock Campground when we went this past summer. It is fairly close and well-managed. We were there for two days as it takes that long to get on all of the rider. We also used the pet kennels as we had two dogs with us. There were 4 adults, 3 teenagers, and the two dogs. Having spent my youth in Michigan, I remember Cedar Point from the old days. It just gets better and better. Where was the kennel right on the campground? I was considering using the Lighthouse campground because I could walk out and check the dogs mid day without having to drive somewhere and pay for parking again but an onsite kennel would be good too.381Views0likes0CommentsRe: Weight Distributing Hitches
So considering ways to reduce my payload to make this work and I just chatted with my husband. For our trip in June we will take the heavy wheelchair out of the truck and travel with the lightweight one in the camper instead. This takes 300-350lbs of payload off the truck. I am also tossing the idea of bringing crates and securing them in the camper and letting the dogs ride back there as well but I don't feel right about that. I'm not sure why I used to show farm animals and they all rode in a trailer and I never thought twice about that. But the dogs are more of my family I guess. Anyway 2 dogs out of the truck and in the camper gives me 200lbs more of payload. This would give me the 500 or so I was short on tongue weight. Or could find someone to watch the dogs for this trip and leave them home. And we discussed trading the vehicle in for an F250 or perhaps a full size van that can handle the cargo and the camper. Lots to think about, thanks for forcing me into this exercise. :)474Views0likes0CommentsRe: Weight Distributing Hitches
handye9 wrote: I think some of the posters are missing your unique payload situation. The wheel chair and lift are taking a big bite out of your available payload. About thirty percent. And, it is weight that you have no choice in wether or not to load it, or, where you load it. I have been considering options here, having the wheelchair ride inside the camper rather than inside the truck for these trips could take care of the problem as it would not change the overall GCWV but would change the cargo weight on the truck. Have been wanting to install a lift and a wider door for our rear entrance so I may look into what that would take. Another option is we have a much lighter chair that could be used for these trips. It weighs 75lbs and could ride in the camper without any modifications at all. But first job is to find the window sticker again and see what it says. Considering we have had this truck for almost a year I doubt that the dealer would do anything at all.474Views0likes0CommentsRe: Weight Distributing Hitches
TomG2 wrote: I am sure some Ford expert will share their expertise, but I don't think it is practical to bump a regular F-150 up to HD specs. Seems like it would require a change of frame and axles as well as the rest of the suspension. The HD is really a rebadged light duty F-250 as I recall. I am supposed to have the HD towing package. I may have to go back to the dealer to figure this out. I thought 8200 was my GVWR but the door says 7200. So which is right because if I paid for the HD package and my truck doesn't have it I think I will be demanding a refund for that cost.321Views0likes0CommentsRe: Weight Distributing Hitches
wrvond wrote: No, they may increase the safety of towing the weight you have, but they are not going to increase your payload capacity. Even if they could, there's no way you could possibly know how much the capacity was increased. It'd be a shot in the dark, at best. To be completely fair, there are folks with lots of towing miles that maintain that the manufacturers tow ratings are more guidelines, rather than absolute values. I'm not one of them, but, at the same time I can't dismiss their experience out of hand. Your original question concerned sway elimination. Your experience apparently indicated that the truck easily towed the weight of the new camper. So, assuming that your choice is to continue to use the F150 to tow, the Hensley is a good choice for weight distribution and sway control. BTW, no system is going to eliminate sway completely. Yes my truck towed the weight without any hesitation even going up and down quite steep hills I did not lag or lose speed. I know I am okay on weight of the camper and weight for the combined truck and camper but I am concerned about the cargo weight on the truck now. My max tow is 9600 or 9700 depending on which page you look at (website or truck sticker) and my tow weight is approx 7500 loaded. My GCVW is 15400 and I believe I am fine there too but the troubling number is the 1580 Cargo weight with 2 adults, 2 large dogs and 400lbs of wheelchair and lift. Still okay until you add in tongue weight.321Views0likes0CommentsRe: Weight Distributing Hitches
TomG2 wrote: Be aware that the Hensley (or any other hitch) is going to further reduce your payload capacity. If you can borrow or rent a F-250 other 2500 series pickup, you will be amazed at the improvement in stability. I am aware of that and it is included in the calculations. Is there anything that can be done to increase payload? Someone mentioned stronger springs, better tires. I'm sure those are good ideas but they won't really increase payload will they? :(322Views0likes0CommentsRe: Weight Distributing Hitches
Okay so I have actual numbers from my door which does NOT match the window sticker and I find that super annoying GRRRRR. GVWR - 7200 Max Cargo - 1580 GCWR - 15400 So I am okay on GCWR but am going to be over on Max Cargo unless my tongue weight is less than 500 which I am sure it is NOT. So what do I do now? I have towed this camper 4 times less than 40 miles each way without incident and my issue had to do with sway at higher speeds. I know some of you will say get a smaller camper or a bigger truck. The bigger truck could be an option as my trade in value is very high on this one BUT I am wondering about those who are towing something close to my configuration (the guy with the Tundra comes to mind)? I know I can reduce tongue weight by putting more weight in the back of the camper but assume that having the weight uneven in the camper is not safe either. I AM going to invest in the Henley remanufactured hitch I'm sure of that because whether I get a new truck or stick with this one I WANT sway elimination not just sway control. I also want the ease of not having to heft a 50+lb hitch into place every time I use the camper. As of right now the camper is not moving until the first weekend in May and that is a short trip of 35 miles one way. I have time to figure out my plan of action. But I am going to SC for approx 3 weeks in the end of May/June so I really do need to make some decisions.321Views0likes0CommentsRe: Weight Distributing Hitches
lbrjet wrote: Are you getting these numbers from your door pillar or a brochure? "Truck GVWR - 8200 Max Payload - 2390" I don't think Ford makes the above configuration with a 9,600lb tow rating and 15,400 gross combined rating. Was getting it from the Ford Website based on the window sticker from the truck. F150 Super Cap 4x4 3.5L V6 Ecoboost 3:73 gearing ratio with HD Tow package181Views0likes0CommentsRe: Weight Distributing Hitches
BarneyS wrote: In my opinion, you can hardly go wrong with a used Hensley hitch and that would give you an excellent towing system for your truck/trailer combination. Barney Thank you Barney! I appreciate your input. I really am leaning toward the remanufactured from Hensley now as I like what I see and what I'm hearing about them. Will see what kind of pricing they come up with and I may have to find a way to make it work. Adding the safety and the ease of hitching together it seems like a huge win. I am hoping that my dad would be able to install for me. He moved my current WD hitch from my old camper to this one. He's pretty handy but I don't want to buy the used one and have to ask him to recondition it so I'll get one that has that already done. :)181Views0likes0Comments
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