shasta63
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1963 Shasta Compact
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Post by shasta63 on Apr 14, 2019 8:18:40 GMT -8
Hi, I just purchase a restored from the frame up 1963 Shasta Compact. Super excited to have found this one! Was rebuilt by a gentleman in Boise ID from the frame up! I'm currently towing with my Honda Element which can handle 1500#s. Since I've been a tent camper for a long time .. I'm a pretty minimalist packer Is there a way to tell how much weight is distributed front to back and side to side? I don't want to carry water on board because of the weight. Is there a way to use my hand pump to access a water jug I'll carry in the car? Do I need trailer brakes and where should i have it done? thanks for your help!! Patty 1963 Shasta Compact Photos
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Apr 14, 2019 10:42:57 GMT -8
Welcome!
I'd check with Honda about towing with the Element. My sister has an Element and Honda said it could tow locally but a long trip may be too much for the car to handle.
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shasta63
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1963 Shasta Compact
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Post by shasta63 on Apr 14, 2019 14:05:58 GMT -8
Hi. Thank you!! I towed from eastern oregon to western washington with no problem in about 4.5 hrs. 58 seemed like a comfortable speed and the rpms barely went over 3 except on 2 passes and I dropped my speed to bring the rpms back to around 3. No signs of overheating. Mpg was about 18 but no significant wind. I'm considering replacing the full size propane with the smallest I can find and carry water in the car. Will probably only carry bedding and clothing in the trailer for now. Need to see how they both handle.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Apr 14, 2019 15:47:34 GMT -8
I owned a 1962 Compact and loved the shape.
Have fun with it.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Apr 14, 2019 21:09:55 GMT -8
We have a Compact as well. Not sure I know what you mean by “full size” propane tank. Ours is the standard size, not the ones that are about two feet tall. When I was living in it four nights a week for 2.5 years, I only filled the tank a couple times, but we are also very conservative with using it. Our Compact weighs about 1300 pounds fully loaded with food, ice, bedding, clothing. We don’t carry water either.
As far as towing capacity, it’s only partly how much a vehicle can pull. It’s also how well it stops when pulling that weight. The rule of thumb seems to be towing no more than about half the manufacturer’s capacity. Hamlet wasn’t equipped with brakes and since we are well under our 50%, we didn’t add them. You might want to consider this since you’re closer to the real towing capacity. Not sure where to get this done, though.
Good luck and enjoy your beautiful little trailer.
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jukebox
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1961 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by jukebox on Apr 15, 2019 6:25:39 GMT -8
Hi, I just purchase a restored from the frame up 1963 Shasta Compact. Super excited to have found this one! Was rebuilt by a gentleman in Boise ID from the frame up! I'm currently towing with my Honda Element which can handle 1500#s. Since I've been a tent camper for a long time .. I'm a pretty minimalist packer Is there a way to tell how much weight is distributed front to back and side to side? I don't want to carry water on board because of the weight. Is there a way to use my hand pump to access a water jug I'll carry in the car? Do I need trailer brakes and where should i have it done? thanks for your help!! Patty 1963 Shasta Compact Photos
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jukebox
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1961 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by jukebox on Apr 15, 2019 6:39:08 GMT -8
That's a good distance to see how it feels and how your vehicle will handle the tow. A trailer having brakes is determined by the Gross Vehicle Weight ( GVW) of the trailer in your area. Here in Canada, the Motor Vehicle Branch sets laws about brakes and GVW. Currently its 1999 lbs GVW and under with single axle does not require brakes. Remember this is basic safety and you will always be safer with brakes. I don't think there is a downside to having brakes but sometimes just not as necessary. Your vehicle has a low tow capacity as compared to other vehicles. Part of the tow capacity is the size of the brakes on the tow vehicle. Yours will have standard duty brakes. Lots of other factors too but we are talking brakes.
You need to check with your local authorities and see what the law is. Also remember that each State and Province may have different laws. If you travel out of your State or Province you should check with where you are travelling as well.
Vehicle manufacturers determine towing capacity of the tow vehicle but there are other factors that they don't include or tell you. Weight distribution and wind are the biggest factors. Ideally you want to be level as possible with the trailer and tow vehicle when loaded. Stand back and look at it side view. Also more then half of you load in the trailer should be forward of the axle. Unless you are packing tons of stuff in your trailer, this is generally not too much of a concern. A heavy cooler and such should go forward. You get the idea.
Wind and wind drag are HUGE factors in towing. Every trailer has wind drag that significantly contributes to towing. It essentially has the effect of adding weight while towing. This is not included in vehicle towing capacity. Head wind, side wind and tail wind all effect differently and also hills. I have been in a head wind for hours and it feels like you trailer has fattened up by twice the size. So is the gas bill.
Its all experience of towing. Ask questions so you don't learn the hard way. Hope this helps.
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jeremiah
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Post by jeremiah on Apr 15, 2019 7:02:32 GMT -8
You are a minimalist. I was too. I can travel for 6 months with a backpack (full) but then I got married. She needs 3 pieces of luggage and 3 backpacks and then every possible cooking and sleeping accessory in a 16 ft camper . For a week trip.
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lovnvintage
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Post by lovnvintage on Apr 15, 2019 7:07:40 GMT -8
I am a Honda owner too. I drove mine 10 years with no problems but last year was driving rpm's went crazy. Come to find out the tranny shop told me many Honda's do not have transmission coolers. I was lucky that I had a place to pull in right away and towed to the transmission shop. make sure yours has one and it is in working condition.
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