|
|
04-15-2015, 01:49 PM
|
#21
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Penney Farms, FL
Posts: 42
|
Mike, The one thing I wished I had done during the PDI was to either video tape or take a quality camera and take photos throughout the PDI process. If you can have another person taking the pictures or video while you lead the questioning and pointing (in the picture/film), then you will be able to go back and relearn from the "firehose" demonstration that you received. WW gave you a great outline and script to follow. Take pictures and have the photo person maintain a log of pictures or order of events as you conduct the PDI. Best of luck and enjoy the ride....vr/ Mac
__________________
Mac & Joyce
___________________
2012 Ford F-350 Lariat DRW
2015 Sanibel 3901
OK-3 Wire...Living the dream
|
|
|
04-15-2015, 01:51 PM
|
#22
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,253
|
UVW of 6400 will most likely weigh around 6800 per the yellow sticker. Figure another 1000 for stuff, putting you at 7800. I would still do it with a 5.4, but I'd probably go to a good synthetic oil, run a synthetic trans fluid and possibly add an aux trans cooler. You are still running an old 4 speed in the 03 model, so that will be a limiting factor. I would hesitate to travel into mountainous areas- that 5.4 is going to be working really hard pulling the load. I had an 05 with the 5.4 and it pulled well, but a camper is notoriously difficult to pull because of the amount of wind it catches. I would definitely make sure you are getting a REALLY good hitch, too. I'd want either an Equalizer BRAND or maybe a Blue Ox. Do NOT let them give you a standard chain type with a friction bar. You will NOT be happy towing with that. I'd also go with the Prodigy P3 brake controller. I would also suggest LT tires if you currently have P tires, upgraded shocks, and possibly a set of air bags for the truck.
|
|
|
04-15-2015, 01:52 PM
|
#23
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,253
|
You aren't by any chance getting your camper from RV-Max in Sherman, are you???
|
|
|
04-15-2015, 02:37 PM
|
#24
|
Professional Texan
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 366
|
I had a great dealer and they did a great walk through. They even found something wrong before I got there and had ordered the part that I had changed out a few weeks later. That said they didn't know squat about setting up my equalizer hitch. Before I left I knew it was wrong so I pulled out, drove it a few miles, found a flat parking lot and did a proper set up. Its been great ever since.
I tell this story to let you realize you may have to do something like that and you may have to take it back. In this case I didn't want take the time to teach a course on equalizer hitch set up. Even if the set up had felt good I still would have walked through the set up to double check the measurements.
__________________
Texas Bob
2015 Chevrolet Silverado HD2500 Z71
2013 Prime Time Tracer Executive 2640 RLS
|
|
|
04-15-2015, 03:41 PM
|
#25
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Posts: 150
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dustman_stx
You aren't by any chance getting your camper from RV-Max in Sherman, are you???
|
Yes I am, why do you ask? Do tell
__________________
Mike and Susan
Cavalier King Charles - Jack (4) and Sadie (3)
2015 Columbus 320 RS
2017 Ram 3500 6.7 Diesel
|
|
|
04-15-2015, 03:44 PM
|
#26
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
|
Welcome to the Forums from Huntsville AL! Annnnd...welcome to the RV Lifestyle!
Don't forget to post some picts of your new Rig!
__________________
Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 • 2014 - 42 • 2015 - 56 • Jul 2016 - Fulltime •
|
|
|
04-16-2015, 07:45 AM
|
#27
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,253
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bowhnter
Yes I am, why do you ask? Do tell
|
I know they carry the Vibe line and when you said North Texas I put 2 and 2 together.
|
|
|
04-16-2015, 12:45 PM
|
#28
|
Boss Ox & Drovergirl
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: N.E. Ohio Snow Belt
Posts: 1,341
|
Write back and let us know how it goes with your PDI!
__________________
Mark, Vicki, & Scout THE dog
2015 Hemisphere 282RK
2016 GMC 3500HD Duramax dually
1992 Goldwing Aspencade
|
|
|
04-16-2015, 01:30 PM
|
#29
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Posts: 150
|
Will do and I am getting some excellent advice from you all, Thank you
__________________
Mike and Susan
Cavalier King Charles - Jack (4) and Sadie (3)
2015 Columbus 320 RS
2017 Ram 3500 6.7 Diesel
|
|
|
04-16-2015, 01:54 PM
|
#30
|
Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,499
|
Look, I was so new at it on my first one that I asked the pdi guy if the wall plugs were 12 v or 110 v. You can only absorb so much in the pdi so ask, go home and read, tinker with the bells and whistles, ie radio, TV, a/c etc. Read the forum and pick these guy's brains. Call a friend with an RV to come see yours then pick his/her brain. You'll be amazed at how much you pick up. Enjoy.
__________________
2018 Forester 3011 DS
|
|
|
04-16-2015, 06:35 PM
|
#31
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,275
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcheatwood
Look, I was so new at it on my first one that I asked the pdi guy if the wall plugs were 12 v or 110 v....
|
Funny! But this was not a dumb question, DC. My first trailer was a tiny popup and the only electrical feature was tail lights!
__________________
Hyper Lite was sold
2017 F-250 4x4 6.2L Gas
I can't fix everything, but I can make it so nobody else can
|
|
|
04-16-2015, 08:59 PM
|
#32
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,587
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bowhnter
Yes I am, why do you ask? Do tell
|
Welcome from the countryside of Grayson county.
I live about 10 miles from RV-Max. ("Don't forget the dash!")
__________________
2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra
Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
|
|
|
04-16-2015, 09:07 PM
|
#33
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Posts: 150
|
I'm only about 15-18. Van Alstyne...I like having a real local dealer
__________________
Mike and Susan
Cavalier King Charles - Jack (4) and Sadie (3)
2015 Columbus 320 RS
2017 Ram 3500 6.7 Diesel
|
|
|
04-17-2015, 07:42 AM
|
#34
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,253
|
Sounds like we need to have a Lake Texoma rally! We are actually staying at West Burns Run in July. That's assuming you guys would let someone from Fannin Co. into your Grayson Co. club.
|
|
|
04-17-2015, 08:33 AM
|
#35
|
Boss Ox & Drovergirl
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: N.E. Ohio Snow Belt
Posts: 1,341
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by WolfWhistle
Funny! But this was not a dumb question, DC. My first trailer was a tiny popup and the only electrical feature was tail lights!
|
Just proves that "you don't know what you don't know".
I asked the same question my first time around too.
__________________
Mark, Vicki, & Scout THE dog
2015 Hemisphere 282RK
2016 GMC 3500HD Duramax dually
1992 Goldwing Aspencade
|
|
|
04-17-2015, 08:42 AM
|
#36
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: United States
Posts: 54
|
Hello from Round Rock, TX. I pull our 35 foot Forest River Wildwood with a 1/2 ton as well…just make sure to have a good stabilizer system and sway control bar. We took right at 3 hours on our PDI…enjoy the new camper!
|
|
|
04-18-2015, 07:08 PM
|
#37
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Posts: 150
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by oxcamper
Write back and let us know how it goes with your PDI!
|
Well, it's a done deal! When it was sitting there not next to any other trailers, I almost said, this is too big! My truck looked pretty small and was almost intimidating.
We did about a 2 1/2 hr PDI, found some things that need fixed. Took a test drive and until I really get into some bigger hills , will never know. It seemed fine to me now. I know I need some mirror extenders.
Anyway, we signed on the dotted lines and hope to bring it home next weekend if my parking spot can be finished next week.
I think I need to see how to upload pics to this forum...
__________________
Mike and Susan
Cavalier King Charles - Jack (4) and Sadie (3)
2015 Columbus 320 RS
2017 Ram 3500 6.7 Diesel
|
|
|
04-18-2015, 07:10 PM
|
#38
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Posts: 150
|
Another view
__________________
Mike and Susan
Cavalier King Charles - Jack (4) and Sadie (3)
2015 Columbus 320 RS
2017 Ram 3500 6.7 Diesel
|
|
|
04-18-2015, 07:15 PM
|
#39
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Posts: 150
|
Oh, and I think I zoned out when he tried to explain the trailer brakes...what I heard with all the red light, level, more, less, was brahhh, wahhh, Charlie brown type comments.
__________________
Mike and Susan
Cavalier King Charles - Jack (4) and Sadie (3)
2015 Columbus 320 RS
2017 Ram 3500 6.7 Diesel
|
|
|
04-18-2015, 11:28 PM
|
#40
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,587
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dustman_stx
Sounds like we need to have a Lake Texoma rally! We are actually staying at West Burns Run in July. That's assuming you guys would let someone from Fannin Co. into your Grayson Co. club.
|
We'll be at West Burns Run May 7-21.
Sure... Fannin Co. folks are accepted.
__________________
2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra
Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|