TM sightings 2016 - Page 5

tentcamper · 08-17-2016, 08:49 PM

Skip sorry I missed sighting you. That section i-80, a few miles before i-76 always has me over concentrating on the road.

robertrael · 08-22-2016, 12:13 PM

Hello Gonzo,

Yes, 3326 then. Top of the roof mounted release. Sounds not-fun.

My frontier does pretty good. We camped in Mexico this last time, and my truck really bogged down going up a steep hill in Mexico. As I recall I did not get enough speed and had to down shift all the way to 1st gear. Other than that, it's been great.

Looks like you have a mini van of sorts.. a Toyota Previa maybe? Same question for you, how is that for towing your TM?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo628

Hey Robert.

3326 was the tandem-axle trailer.. (I believe it is the only one like that). Also, as discovered in another thread, it has the unique claim to a top-of-roof mounted roof release...

How's your Frontier do pulling the TM?

gonzo628 · 08-23-2016, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertrael

Hello Gonzo,

Yes, 3326 then. Top of the roof mounted release. Sounds not-fun.

My frontier does pretty good. We camped in Mexico this last time, and my truck really bogged down going up a steep hill in Mexico. As I recall I did not get enough speed and had to down shift all the way to 1st gear. Other than that, it's been great.

Looks like you have a mini van of sorts.. a Toyota Previa maybe? Same question for you, how is that for towing your TM?

We used to pull the TM (or that is to say that we pulled our 3124kb 2 times) with our 06 Toyota Sienna (pictured). It has the factory tow package and did just fine (once I put weight distribution on to restore the van's rear-end ride height. Now, for what it's worth, we've never pulled it up anything that could even be remotely construed as a steep hill. (Steepest that rig ever saw was where the Loop 202 (in Phoenix) goes over an arterial street, or perhaps in Parker (where you climb the bridge to enter California)... (very minor grade).

I hope to (someday) take better trips with my new TV (16 Durango R/T).

rvcycleguy · 08-23-2016, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo628

We used to pull the TM (or that is to say that we pulled our 3124kb 2 times) with our 06 Toyota Sienna (pictured). It has the factory tow package and did just fine (once I put weight distribution on to restore the van's rear-end ride height. Now, for what it's worth, we've never pulled it up anything that could even be remotely construed as a steep hill. (Steepest that rig ever saw was where the Loop 202 (in Phoenix) goes over an arterial street, or perhaps in Parker (where you climb the bridge to enter California)... (very minor grade).

I hope to (someday) take better trips with my new TV (16 Durango R/T).

Just FYI... When you say restore the vans rear end ride height, you are more importantly correcting the weight on the front wheels which is a more important aspect.

tentcamper · 08-23-2016, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvcycleguy

Just FYI... When you say restore the vans rear end ride height, you are more importantly correcting the weight on the front wheels which is a more important aspect.

I think gonzo628 is right in what he said. With those sienna vans, almost all the engine and transmission is ahead of the front axle. This makes for a very front heavy van and you don't get much rise when attaching 400 - 500 lbs to the hitch. My sienna, I saw less then 1/2 inch rise with my loaded TM, but without the additional springs in the rear I saw about 6" drop with my old popup.

The real issue is how light the rear end is and the factory not putting much springs back there because they want a soft ride.

gonzo628 · 08-24-2016, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tentcamper

I think gonzo628 is right in what he said. With those sienna vans, almost all the engine and transmission is ahead of the front axle. This makes for a very front heavy van and you don't get much rise when attaching 400 - 500 lbs to the hitch. My sienna, I saw less then 1/2 inch rise with my loaded TM, but without the additional springs in the rear I saw about 6" drop with my old popup.

The real issue is how light the rear end is and the factory not putting much springs back there because they want a soft ride.

biggest problem with the sienna was its ridiculously low rear hitch-height and soft rear suspension. The harbor freight WDH that I bought had to have the bar inverted and the hitch head put in the upper-most position on the inversion. That same hitch (without change) installed in my durango is now about 7 inches too high (or about 28in to the top of the ball).

Oh, and did I mention that I am unable to break the top bolt loose (the one that has those massive convex washers with teeth). My friend and I tried a large breaker bar, an impact wrench, the same large breaker bar with a cheater bar... nothing. the flex on the breaker bar was incredible... I thought it was going to break.

tentcamper · 08-24-2016, 11:03 AM

I went to air bags along with a secondary rubber spring for my 2001 (first gen). Second gen, was the worst for ground/hitch clearance. 3rd gen, much better with factory followed by curt hitch. With the TM I added a WDH only because on tongue weight limits.

SirDrake · 08-24-2016, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Folkie

It was headed North on Rt 6 near Wellfleet, MA on July 8th. Didn't get a good look as we were headed in the opposite direction. Looked like a pre 2010 towed by a black SUV.

That was us!

Arriving for our annual vacation on the Cape.
We stay at Horton's Campground in Truro.
Had to make a trip to the TM dealer in Hyannis this year to pick up a new corner latch.
I sheared one off crossing the Bourne Bridge onto the Cape that day. The lanes are narrow on those bridges and I got a little too close to the absurdly high curb.
Were you towing your TM? I didn't even notice.
I will usually spot them on the highway and I always look for them in the campgrounds but have yet to see one.

BrucePerens · 08-24-2016, 11:41 AM

We met this very old 2619 and its owner at a trailer park in Chico, California. It has a motorcycle carrier on the front A-frame! It looks like it's been garaged all of its life. It's got a dent or two but is otherwise perfect.

gonzo628 · 08-24-2016, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tentcamper

I went to air bags along with a secondary rubber spring for my 2001 (first gen). Second gen, was the worst for ground/hitch clearance. 3rd gen, much better with factory followed by curt hitch. With the TM I added a WDH only because on tongue weight limits.

I, also, have airbags (the Air-Lift 1000s) on the Sienna, but they do little but restore ride height. (that is, until you break a bag).