dpark
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Joined 17 years ago
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Re: New rig with Washer/dryer hookups
We bought a Galaxy from Sams's Club (online) and added the three year warranty. This was a great purchase for our last trip and it is priceless to not have to go to a laundromat and build in time out of your vacation. We have a Coachman Chaparelle as well and it fit in the front perfectly. If yours hooks up there, be prepared to drill through the bottom of the cabinet and also through the bottom floor into the pin box opening.526Views0likes0CommentsRe: 5th wheel for Tundra
I know I am a little late on the conversation and you said you already made up your mind, but after three pages, I feel I need to respond...lol. I towed the trailer listed in my signature and it specd. out fine for my 2013 Rock Warrior Tundra. However, after putting it across our truck scales and seeing actual numbers and always driving with two hands firmly on the wheel, I upgraded to a 2014 2500HD Duramax and WOW!!! the difference was not comparable. I have since moved to a 3500HD Duramax because it was a sweet looking truck and with both of the Chevy's I can drive with ease and no stress. So, will it do it, yes and with plenty of power, but you can tell a huge difference. To do a comparison you will understand, I started in a commercial truck with a 290 Cummins with a 13 speed. Last truck I ran had a 600 Cat with an 18 speed. Not quite that dramatic of a difference, but you get the point. Both got the job done, but one with much more ease.868Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tundra Crewmax shortbed pull a 5th wheel?
I towed my current rig with a 2013 Tundra Rock Warrior. It was a double cab, but I will tell you my experience. The truck seemed to to handle the 5er alright, but when I pulled it across the scales, my heart sank. I had done all of the things that you said to get it to handle good, mainly the air bags, but you cannot get around the specs of the truck. I loved that truck, but traded it with under 5000 miles on a 2500 Duramax. I will be the first to tell you I am not the weight patrol and hate those debates, but when I thought about my wife and two children being in there and if I would have an accident and knew I was over limits, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I have since bought a 3500 Duramax, but so you know, the only difference between 2500 and 3500 is a set of helper springs. I have never seen a Crewmax towing a 5er, but not saying it can't be done.251Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help! First DO Main Dish
My favorite recipe that I make in my DO is 40 clove chicken. It is really simple to make and only requires a few ingredients. I buy a whole chicken and separate into parts. Heat the coals and place dutch oven on to brown chicken. After chicken is browned, place 40 +/- cloves of garlic over the chicken Sprinkle top with parsley flakes and salt/pepper to taste. Place lid on DO and using chart cook at 350 until done. This smells great when cooking and always has neighbors or passers by commenting on the good smell. The garlic roasts and is great spread on crusty bread to make roasted garlic butter bread. This is foolproof and really turns out great.500Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2015 2500 Chevy Silverado Diesel
The ONLY difference in the two trucks mechanically is the added helper spring. They run the same frame, drivetrain, tires/wheels...I understand that some of you are trying to paint the picture that they are a different animal, but they are EXACTLY the same with the exception of the helper spring and the sticker inside the door. The 2500's even have the holes in the frame to add the helper springs. I would have purchased a 3500 if it were available for the small added cost, but was well in specs with the 2500 I bought.297Views0likes0CommentsRe: Open Range RVs
I owned an OR and it was by far the most inferior camper I owned. It was nice, but the build quality was terrible. First year, the roof decking came up and had to have the dealer pull the roof back and fix that...consequently, they screwed the termination moulding down too tight and damaged the front cap of the unit...After many weeks trying to get it fixed right and them not willing to work with me, I unloaded the unit and bought a new fiver. Also the dealer said open range would give me $2500 towards a new camper, but the trade price with money added on and the trade I got at another dealer was exactly the same...Lerch RV in central PA is a shady dealership. As stated above, they look great, but lack in the craftsmanship needed to be a great unit.306Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2012 Tundra..any reason not to buy it
I just traded my third Tundra yesterday for a bigger truck to pull my new fifth wheel. I will tell you I pulled the 5er in my sig with my 2013 TRD Rock Warrior with no problems. The problem arose when I pulled it over our truck scales and saw the actual weights vs. the advertised weights of my new unit. I had a 2007 Limited CrewMax, a 2011 SR5 CrewMax and just traded a 2013 double cab SR5 Rock Warrior (with 6k miles). If Toyota would get into the HD game, I would have bought one of those, but they just don't offer what I need now. Good luck in your decision, but I hands down loved every one of those trucks I owned.304Views0likes0CommentsRe: 5th Wheel Pin Weight on 2500HD Chevy HELP!!!
UPDATE: I gave them the go ahead to get the truck to their dealership. (had to do a dealer trade) and it will be detailed and ready for me on Saturday to pick up at their dealership. I am extremely excited to be getting this unit. Thanks for the good conversation and giving me your real world experiences with similar units.942Views0likes0CommentsRe: 5th Wheel Pin Weight on 2500HD Chevy HELP!!!
NC Hauler, I appreciate your input. I have done my homework. The truck I currently pull it with is over. I also have the benefit of having a set of 35' platform scales at our family coal yard/truck storage facility that are state certified to 110,000# (don't think I need to max them out...lol) and my actual pin was 1800 and change loaded on return from a trip last fall when I really wanted to weigh the truck's axle weight, pin weight and trailer axles. It really is nice being able to go up there on a Sunday when we are closed and take as much time on the scales as you want to get your numbers. As many have stated, and I know this all too well, I don't plan to buy a bigger camper any time in the future. It is a 2014 model we searched long and hard for and didn't "settle" for anything but exactly what we wanted. Great advice from everyone so far!!! Thanks.942Views0likes0CommentsRe: 5th Wheel Pin Weight on 2500HD Chevy HELP!!!
shadoow wrote: you mentioned a truck spec of 2706# for payload. Is that based on the actual wt. of the truck or somewhere else? Your room for pin wt. would be the difference between the truck GVWR and the actual wt. of the truck loaded as if you were going camping (i.e. you, wife, dog, kid/s, hitch, tools, full fuel tank, etc, etc.). Just guess-timating from when i had a 2009 GMC 2500HD D/A (GVWR of 9200#) i would say you should be ok. My actual truck wt. loaded up for camping came to a little less that 7200# leaving me 2000# for pin wt. The weights are from the Chevrolet website for that style truck on the specs secion.358Views0likes0Comments
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