turbodaddy
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17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
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Post by turbodaddy on Oct 6, 2020 18:38:04 GMT -8
Thanks Dan and Ron.
I've had a couple of people ask my advice regarding buying some sort of RV lately. Covid is making them crazy and they want to hit the road. Not sure if that really is a good idea, but I do understand, and share the desire to get a change of scenery.
To Rod's point, I tend to advise them to choose a trailer vs. motorhome, mostly because a motorhome often sits for months without any mechanical systems running. A tow vehicle, especially a pick up truck, is a versatile everyday driver...handy for all kinds of stuff. I do pay attention to the camper by periodically checking batteries, run the furnace,etc. But it is a much more simple thing with far fewer potential maintenance issues than a motorhome. Also, although I only get about 14.5 mpg with the GMC, my wife drives a Prius that gets 50 mpg. Other than camping trips the GMC goes about 20 miles a week so my gas guzzler isn't really so bad.
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Post by danrhodes on Oct 7, 2020 7:02:52 GMT -8
On a slightly related note, I live in a tourist town and have noticed a huge uptick in people driving converted sprinter vans with license plates like "dropout", etc. We went down to the beach last weekend and there were dozens of them.
I think a whole collection of young people lost their jobs, got stir crazy and became nomadic. Some can do their work on the road, a few make money posting their travels to instagram to inspire other van dwellers. I know families who just take off for weeks at a time now because the kids can do their schoolwork from the back seat. Weird times.
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John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Oct 7, 2020 9:59:14 GMT -8
Thanks Dan and Ron. I've had a couple of people ask my advice regarding buying some sort of RV lately. Covid is making them crazy and they want to hit the road. Not sure if that really is a good idea, but I do understand, and share the desire to get a change of scenery. To Rod's point, I tend to advise them to choose a trailer vs. motorhome, mostly because a motorhome often sits for months without any mechanical systems running. A tow vehicle, especially a pick up truck, is a versatile everyday driver...handy for all kinds of stuff. I do pay attention to the camper by periodically checking batteries, run the furnace,etc. But it is a much more simple thing with far fewer potential maintenance issues than a motorhome. Also, although I only get about 14.5 mpg with the GMC, my wife drives a Prius that gets 50 mpg. Other than camping trips the GMC goes about 20 miles a week so my gas guzzler isn't really so bad. On a slightly related note, I live in a tourist town and have noticed a huge uptick in people driving converted sprinter vans with license plates like "dropout", etc. We went down to the beach last weekend and there were dozens of them. I think a whole collection of young people lost their jobs, got stir crazy and became nomadic. Some can do their work on the road, a few make money posting their travels to instagram to inspire other van dwellers. I know families who just take off for weeks at a time now because the kids can do their schoolwork from the back seat. Weird times. Dan, I concur that these are really weird times. With all of the uncertainty you would expect people to pull back, but that's not the case. We have gone camping a few times since March. We have also seen lots of new RV rigs. I helped a young guy back his "brand new" 2020 Tommy Bahama edition Airstream into a space next to my 1948 Spartan. He was towing with a brand new Crew Cab, one ton, lifted, blacked out, tinted windows, Dodge Cummings diesel. The truck had to have cost over $100K, and the trailer was also $100K. He told me they purchased the Tommy Bahama edition because it will hold it's resale value longer! (yea, likely salesmen talk) They spend hours sitting in our "old trailer" asking basic questions about RV's, and how to travel with a RV. Really a nice couple, but so naïve. The parks today are completely sold out each night with new campers, motorhomes, travel trailers, and high roof van conversions. These are not low cost rigs, it's all high end. When we started camping it was a 1961 Dodge station wagon, two fold up cots, and a canvass tent. Over ten years ago I built a 5' by 10' Tear Drop trailer for my son. He towed that trailer all over Baja California and camped for years. His family finally out grew it, wanted a larger trailer, and he placed an ad in CL. He sold it to the first family that looked at it, for the $10K asking price. The family was "out of work" due to the motion picture industry virus cut backs. They plan to travel the entire country and camp for the next six months in the Tear Drop with two small kids ( yike's, just shoot me first). The virus has had a major impact on our country, our population, and our industry, but I see small things happening that show me hope that maybe we will recover and end up in a better place. I bet lots of new ideas and products will come out of this new nomadic population. Just an observation, sorry if we got off topic. John |
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turbodaddy
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Post by turbodaddy on Oct 7, 2020 18:38:01 GMT -8
Well said, John.
I've said it before, one of the things I like best about this forum is that we tread very carefully regarding "current events". I only hope our ability to travel freely will be restored soon. Last year, before Covid-19 we took an amazing 3 week trip to Newfoundland, Canada. We had planned a return trip this summer, but were not allowed entry to Canada.
There is a song by the B-52s that takes me back to pre-Covid. Now it just a sad memory of what used to be:
Roam if you want to, roam around the world
Roam if you want to, without wings without wheels
Roam if you want to, roam around the world
Roam if you want to, without anything but the love we feel
We can't "roam as we want at this time".
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cozwurth
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Post by cozwurth on Oct 10, 2020 3:38:52 GMT -8
I pull our tiny trailer with a Tacoma that's rated for 6500 lbs. Not only would I be nervous at half that, our little trailer wags the dog because of the soft suspension on the truck. I would always choose the larger v8 for towing.... My truck gets about 15mph around the city and a modern v8 would do better by far, so there's no incentive for the v6 other than the lower initial cost Dan, you really should look into adding "air bags", or they also call them "air springs" to your rear suspension. I'm not talking about air shocks, which are more of a Band-Aid repair. The air springs are made by Firestone and you can connect them in series, or run the individually. They hold 100# of air maximum, 5# minimum. They actually carry weight and transfer the weight directly to the axle. The advantage is you get the soft ride around town, and then when needed, you air them up to carry the trailer weight. Some have fancy systems with ride height valves and "on board" compressors. You do not need the fancy stuff. You can look on eTrailer to get an idea what parts your need. Buy some used air springs off of CL, search around for the correct mounting kit to adapt to your vehicle, your local industrial hardware store sells all of the air line tubing and fittings. In my case, I went used, and adapted a set onto my Spartan axle. My trailer is heavier on the right side (old original 1948 heavy Frigidaire Refrigerator). I run 50# of air on the right side, and 35# on the left side. The trailer tows much better, and rides level, the cost was less than I spent re-arching the leaf springs one time. Air springs work. John I'll second what John says about air bag 'helper' springs. My tow vehicle is a 1998 GMC 1500 extended cab, now with a 5.7 in it. It is now lowered 3" in front, 4" in rear. I lowered it knowing that I would have to do something to make up for the reduced suspension travel in the rear. I would love to go 6" down in the rear, but do not trust towing with a C-notched frame. I installed an AirSpring system with a manual onboard compressor with a gauge and controller in the cab. I made the decision to go with the onboard compressor after running stand-alone air shocks in the past. Was it a need? No, but it is really convenient. Having to carry a pump and get out to adjust pressure is a pain, especially if you need to do it on the move. I normally run with the minimum 10# in the system, and can then inflate/deflate the system with the push of a button from the driver seat. I also use a utility trailer to get gravel for my driveway, and the guys doing the loading are not always consistent in their placement of the load. The air bags make it pretty easy to compensate, at least to a point anyway. Works for me.
Dave
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