Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-11-2013, 01:17 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Leander, Texas
Posts: 53
New Vibe Owners from Texas

Hey everyone!
We've been campers all our lives, but have just recently purchased our first camper, the Vibe! We love it and just wish we had more time to enjoy it - and for the weather to cool off a bit! We currently have a Kia Sorento to pull it, but are looking into a truck so we can pull it out to the Grand Tetons. We purchased it "used" from a consignemt dealer. It's "used' because the original owner tried pulling it off the lot with a Ford Escape and was instead pulled into the ditch. So, it's hadn't ever been used until our first trip. We have found one glitch. Whenever we use the slide, that flimsy wood panel along the inside catches on the floor and we're concerned it may pull off. The floor is level and we just can't figure out the cause. Any ideas? Has anyone else dealt with this issue? We're also reluctant to cut it down any since it's really, really thin wood/veneer.
Our first "big" trip is scheduled in September when we head out to Arkansas for our anniversary trip - I can hardly wait!!
__________________
Jackie, Paul & Zyriah
Wybdgrl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2013, 04:02 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
bradnailer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 215
That's fantastic. Congrats!
__________________
2016 Ford F150 Platinum
2013 Coachmen Freedom Express 233RBS
Prior: Jayco Pop Up, Shasta Bunkhouse, Rockwood 2560G Pop Up
bradnailer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2013, 07:55 PM   #3
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,604
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wybdgrl View Post
Hey everyone!
It's "used' because the original owner tried pulling it off the lot with a Ford Escape and was instead pulled into the ditch.
sure would love to hear the story behind that one!!
i'll bet the dealer told them, "sure you can tow that!!!"
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
bikendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2013, 08:57 AM   #4
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Leander, Texas
Posts: 53
Yeah, it's a sad story for them but lucky for us. Our salesman called the guy and he was told that as they were driving away from the dealer the weight of the trailer just pulled them over toward the ditch. It didn't cause any damage that we could see, but maybe that's why the skirting is dragging on the slide out.
__________________
Jackie, Paul & Zyriah
Wybdgrl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2013, 09:50 AM   #5
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,604
well, that dealership should be ashamed of themselves, allowing such a sale.
they should have refused to sell that size of a trailer to them.
they're lucky they didn't get sued.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
bikendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2013, 08:31 PM   #6
Now a "Top Member"
 
EdJunior's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Roman Forest, TX
Posts: 4,322
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wybdgrl View Post
Hey everyone!
We have found one glitch. Whenever we use the slide, that flimsy wood panel along the inside catches on the floor and we're concerned it may pull off. The floor is level and we just can't figure out the cause. Any ideas? Has anyone else dealt with this issue? We're also reluctant to cut it down any since it's really, really thin wood/veneer.
A picture here would be worth a thousand words. If we could see what you are referring to, it would help.

Congrats on the purchase and welcome!
__________________
Ed and Sharon
2010 Wildcat 28RKBS
2019 Ford F-250 XLT - AWESOME Truck!
Retired AF MSgt

I thought I was wrong once, but I was wrong!
EdJunior is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2013, 08:36 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
tanddc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Cincinnati Ohio
Posts: 464
Just curious what model number is this (on a "smart" phone and can't see your profile). Our friends pull a 6502 with no trouble with an escape.
tanddc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2013, 09:09 PM   #8
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,604
Quote:
Originally Posted by tanddc View Post
Just curious what model number is this (on a "smart" phone and can't see your profile). Our friends pull a 6502 with no trouble with an escape.
tell me how an Escape is fine pulling the 6502?
it's GVWR is over the Escape's 3500lbs. MAX tow amount, which is rated with only a 150lbs. driver in the car.
with a CCC of only 646lbs., which part of that is taken up by the weights of the awning, oven, spare tire, microwave, battery and a/c, they'll easily have to be at or over the trailer's GVWR when it's loaded for camping.
which will put the actual weight of the trailer around 3500lbs. before they add water, propane and cargo.

just cause they currently have "no trouble" with it so far, doesn't mean that they won't in the wrong conditions.

they are easily over the max of the Escape. heck you can tow a trailer like that with a riding lawnmower but doesn't mean you should.
why don't you suggest they go and actually have the loaded trailer weighed at a CAT scale and see what they're actually towing.

and don't get me started about such a short wheelbase vehicle towing a trailer over 20' long or that they're probably over the Escape's payload or max hitch weight.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
bikendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2013, 09:46 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
tanddc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Cincinnati Ohio
Posts: 464
Actually I was surprised myself as they were running right at the max weight when you run the numbers but some people are not afraid of their own shadow and have the ability to succeed at tasks requiring a minimal amount of skill. All though you and I may not be as skillfully as other alpha males in that endeavor, I am willing to admit it and not over compensate by purchasing an oversize Vehicle to compensate for an inadequacy. Bottom line is they guy has never towed anything in his life and he is doing this now with no problem. Its reality. Get over it.
tanddc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2013, 09:24 AM   #10
2011 Forest River Stealth
 
rwtdct's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Paso Robles, Ca
Posts: 356
Welcome from the central coast of California
__________________
2011 Stealth CSFCK3214
2003 Ford F250 Crew Cab 4X4 7.3
2011 Polaris RZR 4
rwtdct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2013, 09:44 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 13,709
Welcome to the forum!
Wiscampsin is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:29 PM.