| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: 2005 Ford F250 advice needed
Lots of Dodges available in the sub-$20k range. Looked into any of those?
I've got a 04.5 Dodge 2500 Cummins, and it's been wonderful. Hauls much better than my 5.4L Ford did and the cost difference used isn't much different (people seem awfully proud of their used Fords here).
|
SRockwood
|
02/11/10 09:54am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Remodel Toy Hauler?
Stay away from laminate flooring. Stuff is HEAVY!
For a decent look that's still pretty resistant spill, etc, Home Depot has some pretty cool linoleum that looks almost as good as laminate flooring (which looks almost as good as real hardwood :B) or ceramic tile and is reasonably light and easy to work with.
Also, check the floors for rot, no time like when you're replacing flooring to replace the plywood as well!
|
SRockwood
|
01/28/10 04:57pm |
Toy Haulers
|
|
RE: Adding a second grey tank Need help
It's only legal on BLM land to dump grey water that never hit the tank, once it does, game over. We use wash basins in every sink and dump them outside in a small latrine (which we cover up when the water starts to stand) when we're done. In the shower, I get those 6-8" deep grey plastic bins you can get a Food 4 Less to collect a decent amount of the shower water and dump it outside. When showering, I try to only use up enough water to not fill up the basin by turning the water off except for rinsing and scraping the soap off before rinsing (cuts down on rinse time). Since the water never hits the grey tank, it doesn't stink at all.
This last trip out, we had 6 adults (4 of them women) and 1 15 month old in the TH and made it through 4 days of camping without filling up the 50 gallon grey tank and everyone took daily showers.
|
SRockwood
|
01/28/10 04:52pm |
Toy Haulers
|
|
RE: 1st RV Trip - 1200 Miles w/ 07 Expedition EL - Few Thoughts
BTW, if your trailer is swaying, engage the manual slide on the trailer brakes to get it back in line. Don't get on the truck's brakes unless you have to.
|
SRockwood
|
01/28/10 04:20pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Lock up your spare tire on TV
Oh the irony. I was almost defeated by the previous owner's lock and cable that I didn't have a key for. Luckily, I discovered this at home when I went to install my 5th wheel hitch rails as opposed to when I needed it on the side of the road. 4" angle grinder with a flap disc wheel (couldn't find my cutoff wheel, but didn't matter), and about 20 seconds later it was off.
As my father-in-law says: "locks keep the honest people honest."
|
SRockwood
|
01/28/10 03:40pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
 |
RE: Things just keep getting worse....
I think the problem is with the CAN system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controller_area_network for an explanation) and not with an actual physical part. The problem is it's easier for the average consumer to accept a fix or replacement of a physical part than it is a software glitch, and Toyota is likely blaming the physical part until it can track down the glitch.
This is why I hate the throttle-by-wire systems that are so prevalent now. Back in the old days of the late 90s, if your throttle stuck, you could put your toe under the pedal and make it return. If the cable broke, you had this device known as a spring to close the throttle for you. Automakers have replaced a cable and a spring with a potentiometer, a host processor, a wire shared with a dozen other devices, and an electric motor. Why? What if the pedal returns, but the sensor still reads WOT? What if the sensor stops reading WOT, but the host processor fails to send the signal reflecting this? What if the signal for the power windows (which might be on the same circuit) and the throttle get crossed? What we're seeing here is equivalent to the blue screen of death with Windows 95.
In addition, it is getting incredibly difficult to diagnose and repair a CAN-system problem because everything is done through a network. Sure, you can instantly diagnose problems that the sensor detects immediately and easily, but if that sensor is malfunctioning, you're in the dark. Ask anyone who has had an intermittent problem with their car how aggravating it is to diagnose. My neighbor lemoned his F-150 because it idled like a small-block with a cam in it. Whenever he took it to Ford, they would acknowledge the lope, but say that there was nothing stored in the computer and send him on his way until he finally called an attorney.
Death to throttle by wire! These aren't hydraulics for an 8g fighter jet's ailerons, this is a couple of gram throttle plate.
|
SRockwood
|
01/27/10 01:50pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: A theoretical question on GVRW
It looks like the 2500HD comes standard with 17" tires, where the 3500 comes with 16" tires. Likely, the 17" tires are rated for more weight.
|
SRockwood
|
01/27/10 11:52am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Suburban Towing 10000+lbs?
The inlaws have a 2500 8.1L Suburban, nice rig, and it's towed a 10k+ toy hauler in high winds without much drama (not much you can do about 40+mph crosswinds and that much weight). Only problem is it doesn't come with the 5 speed allison like the trucks do, but comes with the 4L80E instead. Tranny doesn't overheat or have any problems, it's just a little lacking in the ratio selection.
|
SRockwood
|
01/26/10 03:02pm |
Toy Haulers
|
|
RE: need help with a type 4 vw power sand rail
With valve adjustment, I've always adjusted them until I can't turn the pushrod by hand, then back it off until I can.
As for it running rich, probably a clogged idle jet. Make sure to grease the edges of the air filter and the wing nut, and run outerwears to help keep the sand out. K&N filters are generally junk for anything offroad.
As for the torsion tube, some people rotated them when they installed them to change the static ride height without running into spring plate clearance problems, so this could by why it's not lining up. I'd buy a weld on solid kit for the 091 from one of the offroad air cooled shops (like Chirco).
|
SRockwood
|
01/26/10 02:09pm |
Toy Haulers
|
|
RE: Triple axle vs tandem, tire failure
We're running 16" LTs on a tandem trailer weighing in at 15k gross (12k on the axles). If you're running ST tires, keep it below 65mph, since that's all they're rated for.
Had a tread separation on one tire last trip out, but the tires were going on 6 or so years old.
|
SRockwood
|
01/20/10 09:31am |
Toy Haulers
|
|
RE: Pismo sand is now considered "polution"
Yep, there's a reason this toyhauler:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/SheepDog2/Dec28-30th0861.jpg?t=1231057099 height=600 width=480
Has plywood to keep the sand from collecting under it, and it's not because ATVs are driving by...
|
SRockwood
|
12/11/09 01:23pm |
Toy Haulers
|
|
RE: Non Commercial A Test - Help
Here's a pretty good write-up on another forum by a guy down here in San Diego:
http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=117419
|
SRockwood
|
11/18/09 03:54pm |
Toy Haulers
|
|
RE: Differences between RAM2500 and RAM3500
Some say it is one spring leaf and the sticker on the door but I would hope it is more than that. :@
I don't think so!
Nope. That's it. Spring pack and badges. Some 3500s have running lights on the roof.
|
SRockwood
|
11/05/09 04:15pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: 09 Ram 2500 rail install
As long as they're tight, the brackets should not slip, since the clamp load is what should always support the item, not the hole.
Maybe those of us with the clamp on kits should check them every once in a while to make sure they don't loosen up?
With an HD Dodge, Reese says you need the custom brackets. I would just get the whole kit (#50062). I just bought the kit sans rails for $109 from American RV:
http://www.americanrvcompany.com/search.asp?keyword=50062&search=GO
This link has the kit with and without rails (nice for those who bought their hitch used). Do it yourself and save a lot of money.
|
SRockwood
|
11/04/09 02:18pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Pulling the trigger on a Ram 5.9L mega cab
Just made almost the exact same switch (2002 Ford, 2005 Dodge) and love it.
However, I would sell the F150 and get some sort of commuter car if you've got a longer commute (over 30 miles one way) or keep it as a winter vehicle (keep your shiny truck off the salt and not worry at all about fuel gelling) and give it to one of your kids in a couple of years (4 years will come pretty fast).
Otherwise, just drive the CTD every day. It'll get better mileage than your F150 did (mine gets the same mileage towing the racecar on a flatbed as the F150 did empty).
|
SRockwood
|
11/03/09 02:04pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Hurricane output announced
I can understand turbocharging in a diesel tow vehicle. I'm scratching my head at turbocharging in a gasoline tow vehicle.
Seems to me that the powerband would be too narrow for towing if you TCd a gasser.
I could see supercharging but I'm unsure about turbocharging.
Actually, a diesel has a MUCH narrower powerband than a gas engine would. A gas engine would require less boost to reach the same torque and would be able to rev higher. If you can get a turbo to spool up by 1500rpm on a diesel, you can do it on a gasser as well, except the gasser would rev to 5-6000rpm instead of 3-3500.
The biggest hurdles on a gas engine would be controlling knock, coolant temps and fuel consumption.
|
SRockwood
|
11/03/09 01:24pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: TV Big problems need some help
Buy-back. Though, with the modifications, I would say you're out of luck. Have they ever been found/documented?
|
SRockwood
|
10/22/09 03:10pm |
Toy Haulers
|
|
RE: CPSC: Eyes off-road recreational vehicles
So, out of about 1 million side by sides sold, with countless passengers and drivers, 116 people died and they need to make legislation for it?
Don't they have better things to do?
|
SRockwood
|
10/22/09 12:06pm |
Toy Haulers
|
|
RE: TV Big problems need some help
Truck rental:
http://rvcentral.com/f-350.htm
Decently close to you, but it's in the 909, and I know how you OC folks look down on the 909... :B
|
SRockwood
|
10/21/09 03:32pm |
Toy Haulers
|
|
RE: FAO Weight Police
It's a great car- I own a 4 cyl/5-speed stick and I've test driven the 6-cyl automatics....they all have very little extra power.
Going to have to disagree there. The V6 has 269hp, does 0-60 in 7.2 seconds and runs in the lower 15s in the 1/4 mile. Not bad for a 7 passenger mini-ute.
Granted, I'd never tow anything with it, but other than the last generation Forester 2.5XT, the RAV4 is a rocket ship.
|
SRockwood
|
10/15/09 04:23pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
