> >> yes...and wait that you fill in the trailer with your stuff....
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> your towing capacity includes your gear inside the vehicle and the weight of
> your passengers.
> It is just me and a 10 pound dog in the truck. No other passengers.
Ten pound dog?
If you took this passenger, you might be pushing your weight limit a
little. <grin>
http://wideopenwest.com/~awesley5155/img/mischief_01.jpg
> I could toss 1000 pounds in the back of my truck and still be below
> its weight rating including the hitch weight of the trailer.
You have recently indicated that you plan to tow the new camper virtually
empty. Beware that Coleman/Fleetwood trailers, particularly those with
floorplans that have the entry door AFT of the axle, are more disposed to
trailer sway than others.
I am confident that, if this were put to a proper test, it would easily
surpass any anecdotal disregard.
If you load ANYTHING on the camper, put it as far forward as possible.
How far and how FAST did you go when you towed it home? Was there any sway
that you recall?
> I will also be towing dry.
> I will get my water at the campground.
I usually tow with my 30-gallon fresh water tank FULL of the water we are used
to from home. Although we USUALLY use the cheap gallons of W-M Drinking Water
for taking pills and making coffee, I always keep the on-board fresh water
system clean enough to drink from.
Also, the 6-gallon water heater is full as are the two, 5-gallon "shuttle"
casks I use. The casks, however, usually ride in the back of the pickup - as
far forward as possible. Occasionally, just the two of us make it through two
nights and almost three days with this amount of fresh water.
In my popup days, I once discovered almost a cup of SAND inside each of my
water casks. The old, state campgroundwe had visited was pumping a lot of
sand from its <ahem> "sandpoint" well. I spent a few hours cleaning-out the
water system on the camper. A word to the wise...
As you have said, your truck will barely be at 50% of its tow rating. Towing
the camper with a full water tank might even IMPROVE handling. It certainly
won't have much of an effect on MPG.
Have fun!
:)
JR

Signature
2000 Skamper Ultra 249 TT
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Vortec 8100 - Allison 1000
Mark Jones - 09 Mar 2005 18:06 GMT
> > I could toss 1000 pounds in the back of my truck and still be below
> > its weight rating including the hitch weight of the trailer.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> How far and how FAST did you go when you towed it home? Was there any sway
> that you recall?
There are two 20lb propane tanks and a large deep cycle battery
mounted on the tongue of the trailer. This should help improve
the percentage of the total trailer weight that is on the tongue.
On the way home, I had it up to just over 65mph for a brief period
on the interstate. I use an anti-sway hitch and didn't notice anything
at all, even when other vehicles would pass. I stayed in the right
lane and drove at 60 mph most of the way home.
> > I will also be towing dry.
> > I will get my water at the campground.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> far forward as possible. Occasionally, just the two of us make it through two
> nights and almost three days with this amount of fresh water.
I will probably keep some water in the system instead of totally draining
it. I will ask my dealer later in the week if they have any ideas about what
works best. I have to go back and pick up the final paperwork so I can
go get my license plates. The trailer will be stowed safely in my garage
until then. I have three 7 gallon casks for water and will fill at least one
of these before I leave home. That way I won't have to be looking
for water right away.
> In my popup days, I once discovered almost a cup of SAND inside each of my
> water casks. The old, state campgroundwe had visited was pumping a lot of
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> the camper with a full water tank might even IMPROVE handling. It certainly
> won't have much of an effect on MPG.
I reset my fuel computer coming down the interstate and averaged about
15mpg on the highway. That went down real fast when I spent a lot of time
trying to get it lined up properly in my driveway. I have forgotten most
of what I used to know about backing a trailer, but it is coming back
fairly quick.