serpa4
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Re: Fiver Guy Seeking Help With 1st TC (Need TC Education)
Hello everyone, this is my second post on the TC forum. My previous one was getting info on how to make my F450 with a 5th wheel bed work for a TC. Thanks to folks here I think I got that figured out. Now I need help in trying to choose the right TC for my needs. I have a lot of experience with 5th wheels but zero with TCs. I have a 2004 F450 with a heavy duty bed and airbags so I think I can handle most any TC but I need help with a TC education. The closest dealer is over 200 miles from me so I'm hoping to get basics from you guys. I want a TC mainly for solo use with my dog and my Harley. I'm planning a 4-6 week trip out west pulling a trailer with my bike and I will also use it locally for similar outings. I will continue to use the Fiver when my DW wants to go and she or my grandkids may join me on occasion in the TC. So here are some newbie questions I need help with. 1. What are the positives and negatives to a side entrance? Do all side entrance TC extend well beyond the truck bed? I'm sure all side entrance will extend well beyond the bed due to the door. I'd like a side entrance next. I'd like a larger awning that can come with a side entrance. Side is more conventional like other RVs. Also, nice when you park in circles with others. Side entrance will likely have more stairs to get in and out for entry. 2. What are the positives and negatives of a wet bath vs a dry bath. Based on reading here the wet bath allows more space for other area with the downside being you have to dry it manually after each use. Anything else? I've had both. Only dry bath for me. Hate the water on the walls, sink, floor, etc. Drying doesn't take too long, but is a pain. 3. I plan to tow a trailer with a motorcycle, about 2K. How should that impact my choice and do I need any additional hardware for that? No, you can tow what ever you want with the proper hitch and hitch extension. Torklift super hitch or reese titan. 4. Do most folks have a built in generator? Currently I have a Honda 2000 to charge fiver batteries. Will it run the AC in a TC? I don't use a generator much, but will never be without one. Completely optional depending on who you talk to. A 2000 honda will generally power a 9000btu ac at sea level. Bigger ac or higher, it's a gamble. Went to Florida last week, no ac=no trip. EVen in Walmart parking lot in route, ac is a must. 5. Is backing under the TC and hooking up easily done by yourself? I've never seen this done. Backing up is always by myself. No issues. 6. How much clearance (inches) between your truck fenders and the TC jacks is normal? I think with my bed I will have about 1.5" on either side. 1.5 on each side is pretty narrow. I like about 2.5-3 inches. 7. What are good tie downs and how much should I expect to pay for them and installation. Frame mounted are best for large side entry TC. Small popup can be with bed mounted. 8. What's the difference in mileage and handling with a TC wight of 4K vs 5K? Current pin weight is about 3K with my fiver. I would think my mpg would be better since I want have the huge fiver drag, is that correct? I've had both 4K and 5K. If your truck is rated for it, suspension wise, not much difference. Pulling hills, 1000 lbs is nothing. Wind resistance and mpg will be the same. Wind drag is about frontal area and speed unless you hit the hills then a TC will be less weight. With my 33' toyhauler to a large TC didn't result in much gain in MPG. 9. Lastly, since I don't want to start a brand war. I want a quality unit that I hopefully will not have to drive hundreds of miles to return for repairs. After reading much here it sounds like Arctic Fox and Lance are among the better quality units. What is the major differences between the two brands other than AF is heavier? That is a can of worms. lance sells more than anyone, but personally have never liked the quality (fit/finish) of lance. AF is usually a pretty good quality of TC. I've had two and although very heavy, very good quality TC. I have a Host TC and it's pretty good quality, but the AF was better. Thank you for your help. I know this is kind of long.175Views0likes0CommentsWhich Timberens?
Timberen has two options: Severe Service-Slide-In Camper Or Salt Spreader (single), 8,000lbs Standard, 8,600lbs (numbers not reversed). The Severe get stiffer very fast and contact even when empty. The standard are softer and compress more to reach max capacity. My TC is under my trucks rating, 4,100 lbs, but when loaded and then insert the hitch extension, my boat tongue of 200lbs is sort of low. I think the standard should be fine and I'd like the smooth ride when empty. However, the Severe service says slide in. Your thoughts please.2.8KViews0likes9CommentsRe: Toyota Diesel
sleepy wrote: serpa4 wrote: I'll look at it. My GMC can kiss my butt. Vibrations in the drive line. Paint wearing off the dash. Dually fenders cracking and never hit/dinged. 1/3 dash lights burned out. 3/4 steering wheel lights burnt out. Cheap stuff like no glove box or hood lights. Front turn signal lights falling out. Speakers not working. Steering clunks Transfer case rub through. And more. I baby my truck, keep it covered, and frequent oil changes. All this at only 70,000 miles. I've had better luck with my previous 3 F350. All smaller stuff, but dealing with it daily and I think this $40,000 truck from 2007 is a pretty poor quality thing. However, it makes life simple on choices, no GM products for me, cars or trucks. Wow! Things have gone downhill from Oct 16, 2013 when you wrote... Diesels are just as good as gas for daily drivers. I've had three F350 chipped and no engine issues. one daily driver diesel Jetta at 280000 with only the water pump going out. It was chipped since day one. And, now a 2nd Jetta that is tuned and at 100000 with no issues. My 2007 GMC 3500 Duramax blew a hole I two pistons.... After I tuned it to 598 hp and 1300 torque. It's been stock since the rebuild and totally reliable. Diesels are great and make great hp and fuel economy. However if you easily hop them up, they can and will fail if you go too far. P. S. If diesel doesn't make a good daily driver then why are there so many diesel cars; vw, mercedes, BMW, ford cars, and a new 1500 dodge? Ya, the truck is not holding up well. Engine is doing fine, but quality of the truck is crappy. Dodge used to be in the same boat, good engines, but crapy bodies. I detuned my truck to factory after breaking the motor year and years ago. My jetta is doing great. When it dies, probably will get another.499Views0likes0CommentsRe: Toyota Diesel
I'll look at it. My GMC can kiss my butt. Vibrations in the drive line. Paint wearing off the dash. Dually fenders cracking and never hit/dinged. 1/3 dash lights burned out. 3/4 steering wheel lights burnt out. Cheap stuff like no glove box or hood lights. Front turn signal lights falling out. Speakers not working. Steering clunks Transfer case rub through. And more. I baby my truck, keep it covered, and frequent oil changes. All this at only 70,000 miles. I've had better luck with my previous 3 F350. All smaller stuff, but dealing with it daily and I think this $40,000 truck from 2007 is a pretty poor quality thing. However, it makes life simple on choices, no GM products for me, cars or trucks.439Views0likes0CommentsRe: How long did it take to find the perfect camper?
4 TC later, still looking. Think it might be a slightly modified Host Cascade with double slide. 1) Want dual slides 2) want couch 3) Want floor above bed rails 4) Want large holding tanks 5) Want to be underwight with my 3500 Dually. 6) Dry bath (thank my current TC for that requirement) Don't want 1) too big/long578Views0likes0CommentsRe: Diesels Hassle
Diesels are just as good as gas for daily drivers. I've had three F350 chipped and no engine issues. one daily driver diesel Jetta at 280000 with only the water pump going out. It was chipped since day one. And, now a 2nd Jetta that is tuned and at 100000 with no issues. My 2007 GMC 3500 Duramax blew a hole I two pistons.... After I tuned it to 598 hp and 1300 torque. It's been stock since the rebuild and totally reliable. Diesels are great and make great hp and fuel economy. However if you easily hop them up, they can and will fail if you go too far. P. S. If diesel doesn't make a good daily driver then why are there so many diesel cars; vw, mercedes, BMW, ford cars, and a new 1500 dodge?203Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tork Lift Stableloads?
I'd have to vote against the StableLoad Quick Disconnect. They are sort of a pain to engage/disengage. I should have gone with my old trusty timberins. StableLoad Quick Disconnect: 1) lay on the ground (dirt/mud/wet) 2) have ratchet and extension handy 3) Pull carter pin with fingers or pliers if required. 4) Tap pin out since it doesn't always slide out. 5) Insert ratchet and turn into position aligning hole 6) drop in pin and hope hole is aligned. 7) Insert carter pin 8) repeat climbing on the ground 3 MORE TIMES for each StableLoad Quick Disconnect. Last time I needed to engage them, it was wet and dirty out. Sort of sucked. You cannot engage while the TC is on the truck also. I've loaded and then forgot and had to take the weight off the truck and engage them. They suck enough for me to probably sell and get timberins next summer.368Views0likes0Comments
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