*Truck and Towing thread........ask your questions here.*

[bama_ed]

I got to test the brakes on my new truck and TT for our July 4 trip when someone decided they needed to make an exit from the middle lane of the interstate by coming to a full stop and taking a right turn. Cars on either side of me.

Happy to say it was a successful test and everything looked ok after.

Your ability to post here is PROOF of a test A-OK, WeLovePluto.

There will always be those kind of folks out there.

Glad you made it to this Sunday (today) after 7/4 to tell us about it.

Bama Ed

 

[Sjm9911]

Thanks. I was planning on changing the front brakes and getting the coolant serviced.

Only other thing would be the battery depending on the age. And the rear shocks( did you have them changed yet?) I have the same truck but a gmc.

 

[peg110]

I got to test the brakes on my new truck and TT for our July 4 trip when someone decided they needed to make an exit from the middle lane of the interstate by coming to a full stop and taking a right turn. Cars on either side of me.

Happy to say it was a successful test and everything looked ok after.

I had a similar incident on my way home last Sunday from the Fort. I was in the Driving (left) lane and they were in the far Right lane (2 over from me) and decided at the last minute to cross all lanes and get of an exit (Rest Stop) and about near ran me off the road.

Sadly, I almost expected him to do what he did, so I was prepared, but it amazes me on what some people do when they drive.

 

[Gino USMC]

Only other thing would be the battery depending on the age. And the rear shocks( did you have them changed yet?) I have the same truck but a gmc.

Changing the brakes today. Havent changed the rear shocks yet. Battery doesn't look to old.

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

Some of @tiggerdad kin folk in central Mississippi

 

[tiggerdad]

View attachment 426627

Some of @tiggerdad kin folk in central Mississippi

Cousin Delbert.

That's the limo for his daughter's wedding. She's marrying a sophisticated sort. He just got his middle school diploma. Pretty impressive for a 21 year old around here.

 

[sirenia88]

OMG @tiggerdad Too funny....

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Thats the kind of rugged get it done attitude that will have the rednecks running things if it ever gets bad in America

 

[tripleb]

Although we have had to curtail our glamping adventures for several months (minor health reasons), including canceling our September reservations at the Fort, we have upgraded our tow vehicle to accommodate our future adventures. "Upgraded" to a new Silverado 3500HD, SRW, LTZ, Duramax, 4WD, 8' bed. Had a Silverado 2500HD gasser. NIGHT and DAY difference in the towing experience and quite a bit better fuel economy. I realize the maintenance cost will be higher with the diesel but the towing experience is phenomenal.

 

[tiggerdad]

Although we have had to curtail our glamping adventures for several months (minor health reasons), including canceling our September reservations at the Fort, we have upgraded our tow vehicle to accommodate our future adventures. "Upgraded" to a new Silverado 3500HD, SRW, LTZ, Duramax, 4WD, 8' bed. Had a Silverado 2500HD gasser. NIGHT and DAY difference in the towing experience and quite a bit better fuel economy. I realize the maintenance cost will be higher with the diesel but the towing experience is phenomenal.View attachment 435252

The maintenance cost will be higher, but the experience pulling will make up for it. Your Jayco looks similar to mine, so likely the weight is close. My f250 diesel pulls it effortlessly so you should have similar experience.

 

[Teamubr]

Looks like a great combo.

j

 

[bama_ed]

Although we have had to curtail our glamping adventures for several months (minor health reasons), including canceling our September reservations at the Fort, we have upgraded our tow vehicle to accommodate our future adventures. "Upgraded" to a new Silverado 3500HD, SRW, LTZ, Duramax, 4WD, 8' bed. Had a Silverado 2500HD gasser. NIGHT and DAY difference in the towing experience and quite a bit better fuel economy. I realize the maintenance cost will be higher with the diesel but the towing experience is phenomenal.View attachment 435252

That's a good looking combo, tripleb.

I hope there are MANY miles and lot of adventures in your future with it.

Bama Ed

 

[Sluf]

MDT/HDT question.

I'm currently trying to decide whether to buy an F650/F750 (probably F750), or to buy an F450. The 650/750 is about half the price of a 4WD crew cab long bed diesel F450, so I'm definitely leaning that direction. The obvious safety factor of the F650/F750 is also a consideration. I intend to put air ride suspension on the truck, so an F750 is a better choice since it will already have an on board compressor. It's not commercial, so no CDL, and Tennessee doesn't require anything special regarding licensing or registration.

My insurance company (Progressive) however, requires commercial insurance on an F650/F750, regardless of its use. Who do you guys carry your insurance thru, and do they require commercial insurance? Is there a "trick" to getting around paying for commercial insurance for a vehicle that is 100% not commercial? Thanks!

 

[PaHunter]

MDT/HDT question.

I'm currently trying to decide whether to buy an F650/F750 (probably F750), or to buy an F450. The 650/750 is about half the price of a 4WD crew cab long bed diesel F450, so I'm definitely leaning that direction. The obvious safety factor of the F650/F750 is also a consideration. I intend to put air ride suspension on the truck, so an F750 is a better choice since it will already have an on board compressor. It's not commercial, so no CDL, and Tennessee doesn't require anything special regarding licensing or registration.

My insurance company (Progressive) however, requires commercial insurance on an F650/F750, regardless of its use. Who do you guys carry your insurance thru, and do they require commercial insurance? Is there a "trick" to getting around paying for commercial insurance for a vehicle that is 100% not commercial? Thanks!

PM being sent.

 

[epcotfortmama]

Hi,

After years of wanting a camper, we have bought our first one. It is a converted cargo trailer and is 6 by 10. We will also bring our tent. We are very excited to have our first tip to the Fort booked for Spring Break! I booked a tent/pop up site-will this be fine?

This thread has been very helpful and since this is our first camper we have towing questions. Currently we have a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT (and a Prius but not helpful for towing lol). Our van does not have a towing hitch installed and we are considering either adding it on or buying a used SUV like a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander. I have read that vans are not always great with towing, especially on the transmission. We will mostly be camping around Michigan, but will do a long trip about once a year. The camper weighs 1,000 pounds dry and we are a family of 5 (3 young kids).

Any input appreciated!

 

[Sjm9911]

The site should be fine. Some people tow with vans, not ideal , but it can be done. Others say tou cant do it. I would just try to see what the towing capacity of the van is. Im not entirely sure what your camper is, so you have to add in all the weight you put in it. Additionally, you need to check your tires for age and weight and speed. Lastly, you will probably need some kind of smallish sway bar. Some also like air bags, or spacer things for the springs, helps keep the end of the van from dragging, it will not help with tow capacity. I dont know if vans come with tow packages, but if they do it includes things like a bigger cooling system etc. Things that are big money to add in later. Good luck. I never attempted it.

 

[PaHunter]

First even a small trailer like a 6x10 will be subject to winds pushing it around, think semi's passing you. There is a little yellow sticker on the door of your van, it says cargo capacity. Every vehicle has one, this is how much you can put in weight wise, people, stuff, tongue weight of your trailer. Weight balance in a trailer is very important, if it is too heavy in the rear, it will take weight off of the tow vehicle and can make it tow squirrely.
Congratulations.

 

[Sjm9911]

Ok, time for my question, just relized, that i still have the oem p rated tires on my 1500 gmc sierra. Not a problem with the pop up, ut now with the TT i feel a bit of the sidewall sway when towing. So , i need LT tires, now how much of a weight should i go. Ive been reading 10 ply tires, but i think thats overkill for a 4500 lb trailor, maybe 5000 loaded up. What say you , the wize and all knowing tow gurus?

 

[Teamubr]

I've been reading 10 ply tires, but i think that's overkill for a 4500 lb trailer, maybe 5000 loaded up. What say you , the size and all knowing tow gurus?

Take a look at the door tag that shows your GVWR. It should also have an axle rating (front and rear). Use that to determine the load range tire you need. Going to an LT tire will definitely help the "squishy" feel. I just looked on Tire Rack and it seems that all the "LT" tires listed for a Sierra 1500 are load range E (10 ply). That will effect the ride quite a bit on a lighter truck. The same tire in a non-LT size isn't listed as a "P" tire, so that may be a nice alternative. Here is a screen shot of the various tire sizes available for a Michelin Defender LTX M/S.




This shows the specs for the 265/70R17 tires. You can see the difference in the LT vs non-LT for the same size. The red dot indicates a size that was an option on a 2016 Sierra 1500 crew cab. Double the Max Load number and that will give you the max axle load.




Post up the details on your 1500 (model year, style- crew cab/regular cab/, and the current tire size) and I can help with tire specs. Also, see what the axle rating is on the door tag.

j

 

[Sjm9911]

2012 Gmc sierra, crew cab, tow package. Ipl post up the axel stuff tomorow, i dont get out of work untill then and i took my jeep to work. Mid size engine and better gearing for the towing. Tow capacity is 8k or higher.