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06-18-2013, 08:53 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Eden Prairie, MN
Posts: 121
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We have an 06 3327 King as well and happen to have a 4Runner V8 with Weight Distribution Hitch which came with the unit when we bought it from the private owner.
We just finished a 4500 mile trek from Minneapolis down across OK, the Texas Panhandle, New Mexico (up to Santa Fe). Then over to the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest in AZ up past Flagstaff (took Scenic 29A ) and into Southern Utah to visit the five National Parks and then home via Denver meaning a 12,000 ft climb over the mountains. Plenty of under the speed limit climbing with the "8" and the cross wind across OK and the Panhandle was unbelievable. Once while the wife was at the wheel we began to fishtail and without the extra power of the "8" to pull us out of it when I told her to "step on it" who knows what might have happened.
The 8 is listed at 5000 lbs towing but with WDH 6500 and I would say that is none too much but just right.
Even on the flats you can experience a sudden need for control and loaded to the max is just not worth losing your life or serious injury. "Move up or move out."
Ha, Ha. Just kidding, but I would think long and hard before skimping on power.
Mpg was between 11 in OK with the cross winds to around 14 plus on good days but was a great trip.
Enjoy your "new" rig. We are enjoying ours as we sit in a beautiful, full hookup and quite campground at Baileys Harbor, Door County, WI.
Good Luck and Happy Trails.
Norman
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06-18-2013, 09:02 AM
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#2
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
Posts: 919
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FujiPedaler
We have an 06 3327 King as well and happen to have a 4Runner V8 with Weight Distribution Hitch which came with the unit when we bought it from the private owner.
We just finished a 4500 mile trek from Minneapolis down across OK, the Texas Panhandle, New Mexico (up to Santa Fe). Then over to the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest in AZ up past Flagstaff (took Scenic 29A ) and into Southern Utah to visit the five National Parks and then home via Denver meaning a 12,000 ft climb over the mountains. Plenty of under the speed limit climbing with the "8" and the cross wind across OK and the Panhandle was unbelievable. Once while the wife was at the wheel we began to fishtail and without the extra power of the "8" to pull us out of it when I told her to "step on it" who knows what might have happened.
The 8 is listed at 5000 lbs towing but with WDH 6500 and I would say that is none too much but just right.
Even on the flats you can experience a sudden need for control and loaded to the max is just not worth losing your life or serious injury. "Move up or move out."
Ha, Ha. Just kidding, but I would think long and hard before skimping on power.
Mpg was between 11 in OK with the cross winds to around 14 plus on good days but was a great trip.
Enjoy your "new" rig. We are enjoying ours as we sit in a beautiful, full hookup and quite campground at Baileys Harbor, Door County, WI.
Good Luck and Happy Trails.
Norman
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Thats a great trip report and should be well noted for what to expect "out there". I pulled my 3124KB with the Tundra V8 to Sedona, and also experienced Scenic 29A on the down hill. Did not want to pull it up hill to Flagstaff on 29A. Chose IH-17 to Flagstaff, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Meteor Crater, Santa Fe, NM and back to Houston. I definitely needed the V8 over many areas of the west.
__________________
rvcycleguy
TM-2002 3124KB
TV-2003 Toyota Tundra V8 4.7L. Fact. Tow Pkg, air bags
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50c Motorcycle- crashed- parted out
1956 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Motorcycle-sold
2006 Harley Road King
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06-18-2013, 09:26 AM
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#3
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Guest
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Those who tow or intend to should read the tow rating descriptions on the Reese site at http://www.reese-hitches.com/learnin...towing-classes.
The most important words they use are "up to" for load capacity. Any class hitch can be load rated at LESS than design capacity due to vehicle frame design or axle capacity. I had a Ford F350 DRW with a class 4 hitch, but it was labeled at less than published class 4 limits by Ford, for reasons I never investigated. With a weight distributing hitch, it had a capacity well above what I needed to tow a 3326.
Also, there are weight carrying receivers, and there are weight distributing capable receivers. Frame design or mounting point strengths for a particular vehicle may make a specific receiver unusable for weight distribution, since the stress points are quite different when you load up a WDH.
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06-18-2013, 09:44 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Evergreen, Colorado. Halfway between Heaven and Paradise at 8,100 ft altitude.
Posts: 111
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I know what might have happened...
Quote:
Originally Posted by FujiPedaler
the cross wind across OK and the Panhandle was unbelievable. Once while the wife was at the wheel we began to fishtail and without the extra power of the "8" to pull us out of it when I told her to "step on it" who knows what might have happened.
Norman
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First, I'm really surprised that you experienced fishtail. Has anybody else had this with a TM? I've been through some brutal side winds and never felt anything, I have WDH with built-in anti-sway, did you?
Second, I do know "what might have happened". After I found out, I bought a Class C motorhome, then my current TM.
We were all OK, but I'll never feel safe towing a full upright without a Kenworth for a TV!
wayne
EDIT: I'M SO INTERESTED IN FUJI'S SWAY THAT I STARTED A SEPARATE THREAD TO ANSWER MY QUESTION
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ad.php?t=14208
__________________
2006 2619, with REAL Flush Toilet (Sealand), NEVER ANY HOOKUPS!!!
Five-inch lift, Goodyear Marathon 15" Made in USA!
2005 Ford Explorer V8 -- WDH w/active sway
1973 Moto Guzzi V-twin
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06-18-2013, 11:56 AM
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#5
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Guest
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wow! thanks for all the good replies. So I'm looking at this 3326 trying to decide if it's going to be the right thing for me to get. My brother is going halves with me and he drives the 4Runner V6. I have a Chevy Tahoe 5.3l V8. So the obvious dilemma is the 4Runner. Since this will be a mutual ownership I'm looking out for the best interest of both parties.
I believe the 4Runner V6 is right on the edge in terms of safety which should always be considered first.
This would be my first TT. Another concern I have is living in California I've read that some of the recreational camp sites cap the total length of an RV somewhere in the range of 24-28', so now I'm a little leery about that as well.
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06-18-2013, 12:17 PM
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#6
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Guest
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Well that's easy. Put him on your insurance and swap vehicles when he wants to use the trailer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by salmartinez
wow! thanks for all the good replies. So I'm looking at this 3326 trying to decide if it's going to be the right thing for me to get. My brother is going halves with me and he drives the 4Runner V6. I have a Chevy Tahoe 5.3l V8. So the obvious dilemma is the 4Runner. Since this will be a mutual ownership I'm looking out for the best interest of both parties.
I believe the 4Runner V6 is right on the edge in terms of safety which should always be considered first.
This would be my first TT. Another concern I have is living in California I've read that some of the recreational camp sites cap the total length of an RV somewhere in the range of 24-28', so now I'm a little leery about that as well.
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06-18-2013, 01:21 PM
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#7
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
Posts: 919
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Quote:
Originally Posted by salmartinez
wow! thanks for all the good replies. So I'm looking at this 3326 trying to decide if it's going to be the right thing for me to get. My brother is going halves with me and he drives the 4Runner V6. I have a Chevy Tahoe 5.3l V8. So the obvious dilemma is the 4Runner. Since this will be a mutual ownership I'm looking out for the best interest of both parties.
I believe the 4Runner V6 is right on the edge in terms of safety which should always be considered first.
This would be my first TT. Another concern I have is living in California I've read that some of the recreational camp sites cap the total length of an RV somewhere in the range of 24-28', so now I'm a little leery about that as well.
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Sounds like your brother will have to borrow your half of the TM and your Tahoe and when you make a reservation, tell them its a 26ft pop-up.
__________________
rvcycleguy
TM-2002 3124KB
TV-2003 Toyota Tundra V8 4.7L. Fact. Tow Pkg, air bags
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50c Motorcycle- crashed- parted out
1956 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Motorcycle-sold
2006 Harley Road King
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06-18-2013, 02:09 PM
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#8
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Guest
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so is that the trick? Tell them it's a 26' popup? How strict are these campsites? Are there rangers going around with measuring tapes or if it fits do they just leave you alone?
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06-18-2013, 04:13 PM
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#9
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
Posts: 919
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most of the time, their checking to make sure a Class A MH or 5th wheel does not try and slip in to the campsites reserved for smaller set ups. This specific discussion was going this week on whether to call it like it is or fudge a little to get a good spot. I think its always better to be upfront with the "host". Online nowadays, the reservations group has no understanding or inclination to care. When you try to explain the difference in pop vs folding, they just ask how big is it? Your going to park it at the smaller length and then open it up. The front does not open beyond the tongue and the rear only overhangs 3ft or so.
__________________
rvcycleguy
TM-2002 3124KB
TV-2003 Toyota Tundra V8 4.7L. Fact. Tow Pkg, air bags
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50c Motorcycle- crashed- parted out
1956 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Motorcycle-sold
2006 Harley Road King
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06-19-2013, 08:17 AM
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#10
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Guest
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I went through this decision process, ie TV engine vs Trailer weight a few years back with a purchase of a "box" trailer. My TV at that time had a small V8 but the weight of that trailer was on the borderline - but the salesman said it would do just fine.
Right. In one respect, the salesman was correct. You have probably seen the Ad in which a Toyota (I think) truck pulls a big airliner down the road? That's because all the weight of the airliner is matched by the road, ie the weight is straight down . All the force needed by the truck is just to overcome the friction of the tires - if the airline was a hovercraft, then all that would be needed would be a push of your little finger to push it along.
I incorrectly made my decision and bought the "box". I found that I could start out and pull the trailer on a level stretch up to 55mph without much trouble although it took a while to accomplish. But then, I found that I could not pass a vehicle, even at slower speeds, without a really long, gradual acceleration (if at all). Steep hills? Forget about it!
Just my experience. Love my TM.
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