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RE: This is Driving me NUTS!!!
I agree on the whole 3.55 is 'bad' and 3.73 is 'good' is just plain BS..;)
The difference in rpms for a given speed with a given tire diameter is only going to be a little more then 100 rpms between a 3.55 and 3.73. Heck, even going to 4.10 is only a 350 rpm jump...
For the 3.73's to be 'better', you would want to be able to hold 3rd gear longer on the grades then you can with the 3.55's, right?
Well, unless your engine has one heck of a torque curve where an extra 100 rpms is going to keep you in third, then I'll give it to you...
I'll bet you take the same truck, towing the same trailer, going up the same grade and it'll be in 2nd gear regardless if it has 3.55's or 3.73's... 4.10's, you might pull that off......;)
I do just fine with my 3.55 equipped truck with a tad larger then stock tire too... (LT265/75/16) Tows my #5000 TT all day long in 3rd and even OD when the conditions are right.... When I'm in 3rd gear (1:1) and going 60 mph, I'm pulling a little over 2200 rpms. I can take gradual hills in 3rd and even hold it pretty good on the grades when I can get run at it....
All I would have to do is go a little shorter on my current tires to say a 255/70/16 and I would have basically the same ratio with my current tires and 3.73 gears... Oh wait.... That's what my truck came with originally! I never did tow with it with those tires, but I don't think it would have made that much of a difference either way...
Comparing a 3.73 equipped truck that has a 6 speed trans is not the same thing either... Those trans have very different gear ratios inside, so they can't compare to a 4 speed trans at all in terms of internal gear ratios...
I would tow a #7000 TT with a 2004 F150 with the 5.4 and 3.55 gears... Why not?? It'll work hard, but even a 3.73 equipped or even a dream 4.10 equipped one will work hard too....
You guys crack me up at times! ha, ha!! :)
Mitch
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MitchF150
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11/20/09 05:03pm |
Towing
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RE: need TT GVWR @ 5000 to sleep 6
I've got a #5000 GVWR TT and it's comfortable for 2 people.... We can sit 4 at the dinette, but it's cozy! When I was a kid, our family had a 26' and at least #6000 TT that had 4 bunks in the rear and the front dinette could sleep 2. If you wanted to squeeze a small person in the upper bunk, that was possible.... But, it was a pretty large trailer and built in 1976, so not very many modern amedities... (At the time, it was a 5 star hotel to us!!).
Keep looking... Something will 'pop up' or 'pop out' for you! wink, wink..;)
Mitch
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MitchF150
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11/12/09 10:52am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Catastrophic oil pump failure on my TV
I've swapped motors in a weekend, but then those were 1970's vintage Ford trucks so a couple of wires and a couple of bolts and those old 390's pop right out! Not so with todays engines I'd imagine!
My plan for my 1997 F150 if the engine ever goes south is to more then likely get a reman for it. Swap over whatever bolton parts from the original and call it good... Even if it cost $5000, I couldn't buy a truck for that and not know that it wouldn't do the same thing next week... 5 grand won't even get you a decent down payment on even a slightly used truck and then I'd have payments again! Having no car payments buys a lot of gas, so that's my plan...
Good luck in whatever you decide!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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10/27/09 01:02pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GCWR, GVWR Confusion
Another way to look at your 'tow rating' figure is to look at the 2 given ratings your truck has. The GCWR, GCWR and the magical 'tow rating'...
If you take your GCWR and subtract the 'tow rating', you get a figure of 5,500 left. That's what your truck can weigh if you expect to be able to hitch up that 'tow rating' figure..
Well, as you come to find out, when you hitch up only a #6500 trailer, it's putting your truck basically right at it's GVWR. So, taking it one step farther, if you subtract your GCWR from your GVWR you come up with a figure of #6000. In all real world numbers, this is really your trucks actual 'tow rating'.. I'll give it to ya if you can show me any 1500 series truck that can get anywhere near it's listed 'tow rating' and NOT exceed any other rating on the truck....
I'm kinda in the same boat with my truck, except that I have a pitifully low GVWR, so I am exceeding it by several hundred pounds when I hitch up my fully loaded #5000 TT... Yet, I'm way under it's GCWR and right at it's rear GAWR..
It tows well and I've got 203,000 miles on the truck, so I'm not tearing it apart either....;)
As long as you are satisfied with it's towing performance and the truck is not tearing itself apart or breaking down every time you tow with it, then enjoy and have a fun trip! IMO, if you don't enjoy towing your rig, then what's the point of doing it?? When I tow, the trip is a major part of the whole experience and I really do ENJOY towing my rig! I look forward to the trip each and every time and even going home is enjoyable, because I'm happy towing my rig..;)
Enjoy and happy camping!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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10/23/09 02:17pm |
Towing
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RE: Flatscreen TV mount
I just take the TV down off the shelf and put it on the bed for travel... I also like viewing the TV from different locations depending on what's going on, so having it 'mobile' is very convenient for me...;)
Mitch
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MitchF150
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10/13/09 02:22pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Need help choosing a new tow vehicle.
I like the 9 mpg and no car payment option over 11 mpg and another monthly bill too!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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10/13/09 01:44pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: How should we pump fresh water into our fresh water tank?
I have a funnel and a 5 gallon water jug... I would have to make about 6 trips from the spigot to the trailer to fill it up!
I have never had to do this since I've had the trailer, and that was even for a 5 day stint with no water hookup! Most other times, I don't even bother hooking up to the camp water source, since I'm only there for 2-3 days...
Your water use may vary, but we skimped and saved every drop of water to avoid the dreaded 'water fillup' trips!
Failing that, maybe just a simple pond pump will do the trick? Yes, you will have to plug and unplug it, but I have been doing that with my actual pond pumps for 11 years and wet hands and all, so I guess I've been lucky?
Good luck!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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10/13/09 01:38pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Is this TT ok?
Good luck with only adding #500 of stuff to the trailer... ;) Not even considering water, you'll get that much weight in just stocking the kitchen... Add in your extra camp stuff, like a chair or two, table, leveling stuff, hoses for the water hookup and sewer....
It might be sounding like we are all ganging up on you, but we really do have your best interest at heart! What Skip and the others are saying is that as long as you can keep ALL your weight ratings within the limits, then you 'could' get away with it... Besides that wonderful looking on paper, 'tow rating', your vehicle also has a GVWR and a front and rear GAWR. Exceed any ONE of those first, and all bets are off for you being able to get to that wonderful 'tow rating'...
I'll bet if you load up the Jeep as you would before leaving on a trip and roll it across a scale, I'll give it to ya if you have any more then #600 of Jeep GVWR (payload) left...
A lot of new TT buyers only focus on the tow vehicles "tow rating" and the trailers "dry weight". Put the two together and you think you have it made... Well, unfortunately, the 'real world' steps up and tosses in all the 'fine print' stuff to burst your bubble and you are either getting a larger tow vehicle, or looking at smaller trailers...
We all have our stories for having great 'tow ratings', but not coming close to it because of exceeding ONE of the other tow vehicles first...
I've got a 22', #5000 GVWR TT and I'm over my trucks GVWR by several hundred pounds! I'm a full #2200 UNDER my trucks wonderful "tow rating", yet I've already exceeded my trucks GVWR.. And that's only with my Wife and me on board with our usual assortment of additional camping stuff in the truck and trailer...
Take heart and don't be discouraged yet... You may have to go a little smaller on your TT choice, but in the long run it'll be much more enjoyable of a trip when you aren't fighting a TT that is too big for your vehicle...
Good luck!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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10/13/09 01:16pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Trying to figure out my tow rating and need help
I can tell you right now, you will more then likely be over your trucks GVWR with nothing more then a #5000 GVWR TT... How do I know... That's what I have and I'm over my trucks GVWR of #6250 by a couple hundred pounds.. And, that's only with me and the wife in the cab!
Your ol' 94 with the 5.8 has less HP/TQ then my ol' 5.4 has... The 3.55 gears are not that big of a deal in your case if you still have the OEM size wheel/tire combo (more then likely a 255/75/15 size) so your effective gear ratio with the shorter tire won't be that bad (I've got 3.55 gears and 265/75/16 tires and I do just fine with a #5000 GVWR TT..)
I see full timers, or at least State Park Camp Hosts using nothing more then a Class B size RV.. It's all about what YOU feel you'll be able to live in. Sure, it's a very, very small # of those that I've seen, but I've seen 'em!!
My last experience with the 5.8 engine was in a E250 van in 1989 when it was brand new and we towed a #6000, 16' "Wells Cargo" utility trailer loaded to the gills with construction equipment and that 5.8 was working it's guts out on the grades... I mean, I was in 1st gear, foot to the floor and going 25 mph... I could see the gas gauge moving! I was lucky to get 150 miles per tank too!
Anyway, can it be done in a 5-6,000 TT? Sure. Will your truck work hard? Yes. Will it be the adventure of a liftetime? You bet! I'd do it with my rig if I had the chance! My wife may not agree, but I think it would be a blast! I don't think I'd sell the house right away, however, just in case!!
Lots of decisions and lots of choices. Best of luck to whatever you decide and thanks for your service to the FD.. My brother in law retired from the FD after 20+ years of service and saved quite a few lives during that time!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/30/09 04:57pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: All these numbers in my head
Get some 3.73 gears or even 4.10's and that would 'pep' it up some... I'd still not go for anything more then a #6000 GVWR TT however...
I tow a #5000 GVWR TT with a 97 F150 with a 5.4, 3.55 gears and taller then stock tires and it does very well with it.
Your 4.6 is probably on par with the power of my old 5.4!
Even with your current gears, I'd bet you'd do okay with a #5000 GVWR TT... You'd just be in 2nd gear on the hills (as I am) and 3rd on the flats (as I am)... Nothing wrong with that IMO...
You will want to make sure you have an aux trans cooler (factory or otherwise) and don't get any taller tires! ;)
Good luck with all the decisions!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/30/09 04:32pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Peanut Butter Not Working
Traps placed along the wall or corners work best. They don't see too well, so I hear, and they tend to stay close to the walls as they move around. They don't even have to be attracted to the trap... They just walk right onto it.
I too have used those traps with the big yellow 'cheese' trigger and don't put anything on it.. Get 'em every time.. Well, in my house anyway... I haven't had any in the trailer yet... (knock on wood)..
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/30/09 03:36pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Covering TT during winter storage outside
I'd either not cover it at all or go with a form fitting RV cover that is breathable over the 'tarp' option....
I have an ADCO cover and it's been used every Winter for the last 5 years with no problems what so ever...
My RV is parked on my side yard with trees overhanging it, so a cover is a must for me. Since the trees shelter it from direct wind, it's done very well on that aspect. You do still need to be mindful of sharp corners and pad them accordingly and make sure you secure the cover properly.
Since the whole cover is 'breathable', mold or mildew has never been an issue. After a rain, the cover is basically dry in about an hour.. Even if it's cold outside!
For me, it's been the best investment I have made so far! Wash it in the Fall and it's clean and ready to roll in the Spring! The cover is a mess, but that cleans up pretty easy on the driveway...
Good luck!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/30/09 01:26pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Tow weight for a 1975 Chevy 4 x 4
My Dad's 1971 F250 has the door jamb sticker with the GVWR and F/R GAWR listed..
I don't recall the axle ratings, but I was rather surprised at the GVWR being only #7200!
But, it is only a reg cab "CUSTOM" Camper Special.. No power steering, no AC, no carpet, a 390 with a C6 auto and he still owns it to this day!
It worked hard in it's life... We put on a full slide in camper (not a cab over) and towed a 1977 Taurus travel trailer that had to weigh some #6000 or so...
I know he never had the thing weighed or even cared what it did weigh! We just loaded up the family, hitched up and went! Worked fine and we always made it safely to our destination and back home again each time...
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/25/09 05:23pm |
Towing
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RE: Newbie Towing with Ford Expedition
Yeah, I was being very 'general' in my scale procedure and didn't feel the OP needed the full explaination, nor did I feel like typing that much for something that probably isn't going to happen anyway!;)
I've only been to a scale with my rig one time and that was on it's first trip! I simply wanted to know the truck weight and the trailer weight with it all hitched up and ready to roll. Unfortunatly, I didn't get steer axle and drive axle weights, just the truck and the trailer.... (rookie!) But, it was enough to tell me where I was at and now some 7 years later, I know I'm heavier, but with the little bit of 'wiggle room' I had on that first weigh in, I know I'm over a bit on the GVWR of both the truck and the trailer, but since I didn't START maxed out 7 years ago, I'm still fine and comfortable with my setup.... With over 200,000 miles on the truck with no mechanical trouble or towing issues, I think I'm okay! ;)
The OP on the other hand... Well, IMO, he's going to be pretty much maxed out right from the get-go and the whole "I plan on packing light" is fine for the first trip or two, but it's amazing how much stuff finds it's way into a rig and stays there! I know this first hand!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/25/09 04:41pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Mod to use 20 amp power?
Thanks for the tip Lantley! That's not a bad idea. The 'project' for me would be adding the second access hatch to the outside of the trailer. Yours looks like a really 'clean' install!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/25/09 04:24pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Level gauges, un-stick or replace?
I simply use a cheapie round bubble level and place it on the tongue. This level gives me the front to back and side to side level in one place with one level and you don't have to move it or go in and out of the rig or walk from front to back of the rig, check, adjust, go back and check again...... AARRRGGG!
This levels my trailer more then accurately enough to maintain comfort and the dreaded 'fridge' operation and takes nothing to do and cost me less then $3...
Just leave the stick on levels where they are, as if you try to remove them, you'll still be able to see 'where' they were and over time, the sticky residue will just turn darker and darker....
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/25/09 03:35pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Mod to use 20 amp power?
By the sound of it, the more 'convenient' you make it, the more install work you have to do, so determine how much work you are willing to deal with and go from there...
This post has actually got me thinking a bit more on this too... While I've not really had to deal with overloading the 30a setup, it probably would not hurt to simply have a dedicated outlet in the kitchen area that plugs into the 20a outlet on the pedestal, as I normally run an electric space heater for keeping the chill out during cooler weather camping... In the morning, it's not uncommon to have the microwave, fridge and space heater going at the same time... By at least having the space heater on the dedicated 20a would just keep the higher load off the 30a.. Humm.... This might be a good 'winter' project!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/25/09 03:20pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Newbie Towing with Ford Expedition
Well, since the Expy and the trailer are already in your possession, what I would do is hitch it all up and take it to a scale and get it weighed... I know it's tough to find a scale that's not combing with Semis and all, but it's the only way you are going to know where you stand weight wise... I know the Flying J truck stops usually have scales for a nominal fee.. They also have individual axle scales, so you can get the trucks front, rear and the trailer axles on 3 individual scales at the same time. The weight ticket will have your individual axle weights and then you can see where you stand. There are other methods to get your tongue weight and all, but I'll you to the "search" feature for that! ;)
Brochure numbers are fine when comparing models and such, but not for figuring out where you will be at your MAX ratings...
As you've read so far, both of those figures are based on "perfect world" situations and both are mis leading to say the least when it comes to "your world"!
All the dealers are going to do is quote from those brochures and tell you "you'll be fine...".
If you never get to a scale, then it'll be how the truck feels to you and how it tows... Unfortunately, that means 'road time' and hope for the best! You should be able to tell if your truck is struggling or not pretty fast. If it constantly downshifts and has a hard time holding speed, that's a pretty good indication that it's too much for the truck.
Also, saying you are not going to pack much before each trip might sound good the first couple of times, but I know the last thing I want to do when I get to the camp ground is go back out and go shopping for food to stock in the fridge! I want to have it all loaded and ready to camp before I leave the house.. A couple bags of groceries is not going to make or break your weight at all, so why bother? Running with an empty FW tank is fine, but it sure is nice to have in case the camp ground has 'unknown' water quality! I've been to some camp grounds where the supplied water was awful. I was so glad I had a full tank of my own water that I know the quality of....
Anyway, I know this is a lot to take in all at once, so WELCOME TO RVING! :) We all learned one way or the other, so you are not alone!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/25/09 02:40pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: "How to back up a trailer without filing for divorce"
One thing I've observed others do is that they usually don't have a problem with getting the trailer to initially backup in the right direction, it's keeping it from going in that direction too far..
In other words, they wait too long before turning the truck wheels the other way to start 'following' the trailer as it's on it's initial turning arc.
When I was a kid, my Dad usually had me help him back in and I was only 14 years old.... I would get him to get the trailer going in the right direction, then I would say "follow it" and then he would turn the truck wheels back to 'follow' the trailer in.. As adjustments were needed, I would say "left" or "right" and "follow it" as it adjusted..
Today, I do the same thing, except, the wife is there to just stop me if I'm going to hit something. We too decide where we want it to go and then I put it there. She might have me straighten it out as it goes in, but the big key is the "following" the trailer as soon as it starts going where you want it..
Hope that helps! My folks are still married after 45+ years of marriage because my Mom learned how to direct Dad by watching me as a kid!
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/25/09 02:02pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Do you use overdrive when towing?
How many gears does your tranny have?? If it's a 5 or 6 speed, I'd say that you can just let the trans/computer decide what gear it wants to be in, as there are some extras there!
If it's just a standard 4 speed, then you might find that running with OD off eliminates a lot of shifts during a 'normal' hwy run...
I don't believe that you will necessarily 'save' more fuel by using OD compared to only running in 1:1. In my case, when my truck goes into OD, I find I have to give it a tad bit more pedal to maintain speed (60-65 mph). If the road is flat and no head wind, it'll usually hold OD and speed okay, but that little bit of extra pedal to hold that speed basically nullifies any 'savings' in gas.... Why, because I'm simply dumping more fuel into the cylinders as opposed to running less pedal, and higher rpms, which the engine likes anyway (2500 rpms gets me about 62 mph in 1:1).. My engine has very little torque at the 1500 rpms it turns in OD going that speed....
I seem to get 9-10 mpgs no matter using OD or 100% in 1:1... Wear and tear on the engine?? Well, I've got over 200,000 miles on my rig now and will tow it anywhere and not feel the least bit concerned about it!
Just my thoughts on it...;)
Mitch
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MitchF150
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09/14/09 05:43pm |
Towing
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