Trailer thrash

[greatbear]

This morning, Jeff and I brought home our new toy:




The ol' Dodge grunted the thing home with no drama. There is no doubt that there is some serious weight being bandied around behind the bed. This is the biggest 'toad' I have hauled with the truck to date. Prior to that the largest had been car trailers. 18 years ago I bought the truck knowing full well I would beat the hell out of it. To this day it's still doing it's thing, albeit quite a bit more bashed and crusty than the day I brought it home. We'll see how things go. Sadly, it would appear that if I plan on doing serious traveling with this trailer, a new truck is in order. In the nearly two decades since the '89 Dodge shattered the status quo on diesel pickup power, durability and efficiency with the Cummins engine, things have only gotten better on all the aforementioned counts. As well as more expensive. I might have to treat myself next year.

Comments

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

First of all, that ol' Dodge still looks halfway decent despite being nearly 20 years old. Hell, my 92 Ranger truck still looks remarkably well for it's age and I've seen much worse looking trucks my vintage or there about, certainly that version anyway.

That is one mother fuckin huge trailer you got yerself. I bet it's a beauty.

You don't need a new truck...

[sfmini.livejournal.com]

Can't you just take the antenna off the MINI and screw in a ball hitch instead and take it out on the open road? I suppose not, you would probably not make it past the end of the driveway...assuming that is downhill.

Fancy new digs. Looking at the picture one wonders where you are going to park it? Kinda eats up the driveway.

Re: You don't need a new truck...

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

The trailer is in this driveway teporarily as we load and 'personalize' it, check things out, etc. What you cant see is the second driveway and detached garage behind the house. The rest of the 'fleet' is parked there, and there is a nice spot alongside the garage where the trailer will take up residence when not being used. Nice thing about all of that is, everything is mostly hidden from view up front, making the place look less like an industrial lot.

As an aside, didja know that (before my tweaks and tunes on both of them) that the truck has less horsepower than the MINI? Torque is another matter though. From the factory, the Cummins came with 160hp and 400lb/ft of torque.

Re: You don't need a new truck...

[sfmini.livejournal.com]

Still, I have this image of hooking the trailer to the back of the MINI and having the front end lift off the ground. I know things are better balanced than that, but the image is fun nonetheless.

I love to toy with cars, especially old ones I'd find on eBay. I also loved to buy and sell them. I was always like a little kid, I'd get a new toy and after a short while I was off to the new toy. I did so much of that one year the state made me get a used car sales permit, which I found out subsequently was a great way to insure them, I insured my "inventory" for less than half of what I was insuring them individually. I wasn't so lucky to have an extra driveway and garage. I ended up once squeezing three cars into a two car garage and three cars out front in the driveway. The homeowner's prohibited parking cars on the street, so that kept my toy collection to a minimum.

[bygbrat.livejournal.com]

wow, that is nice!

[rockybear02.livejournal.com]

That's great Phil that you got that baby home. Just think of all the fun you'll have in it over the years! Hmmn 1989 was the year I graduated High School - when I saw your truck last - looked only a little ruff on the edges....

[johanb.livejournal.com]

Love it, have fun you guys.

[fattastic.livejournal.com]

Your new toy is very nice. I hope you enjoy it.

[britbear.livejournal.com]

spooky, Jeff and I decided to get a camper just like yours !

Can I ask what research you did and how you decided to purchase what you did ?

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

The research was 'backwards'. We decided not to buy brand new, rather get something a couple years old (this is a 2005, and unchanged from the model selling now Except it's practically half price.). We found a couple local RV dealers via website and browsed the inventory from home. I looked up particulars on models they had available that we were interested in. I had a preference for aluminum framed units rather than wood, since they hold up better and are much stronger and stable. The Komfort had a nice layout, enough room, lots of extras and was practically new. And Jeff liked it the most. So, we went for it. I believe we made the best choice.

There were other models that had slide-outs and more apparent room, but this one made the best of available space. I really didnt want a slide-out since over time they have problems with structures and leaking. The big outside storage space in the back (the 'garage') was fairly unique as well.

What are you pulling your trailer with?

diesel envy

[badgerpdx.livejournal.com]

I have the 90 gas version with a 318 2bl... 325k and counting. (mostly hauling rock, trees, compost, moving X-country. Pulling car trailers, etc. It's on it's 3rd tranny (upgraded to heavy duty) but aside from looking like shit and leaky rear sliding window, it's still a great truck. Rides like a dream. Only my Citroens are better.

Re: diesel envy

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I almost dread getting something new. This old truck is simple, durable, cheap to keep and dependable.. The paint held up really well up until the last five years, I cannot complain. I've had all the lumber and plywood for a two-car garage piled in a huge stack in the bed to about two-and-a-half tons of 2'x3' slate pavers back there without a whimper. I rebuilt the trans in'03, adding kevlar bands, heavy duty clutches and a huge finned trans pan that itself weighs over 15 pounds in an effort to make the trans take the load. I tweaked the pump a bit and added a free flow exhaust several years ago. It scoots, gets reasonable mileage and has been with me through a lot.

If I get a new one, I'd probably still have this one. That would make three trucks, four cars and two people here.

Re: diesel envy

[badgerpdx.livejournal.com]

Ah, a man after my own heart...

two trucks, 5 citroens... (what was I thinking? I think they breed behind the barn like rabbits).