First Time Towing Part II, Success!

[BDMiller]

So in my last post I went to pick up my Airstream & had a blow out. Well after new wheels, new tires, & a whole lot of $$ I went & picked it up. I hitched it up by myself so that there was no rear end sag on the truck & drove it about 100 miles home. I had no problems. I noticed the truck didn't accelerate as quickly & I really felt the bumps, both of which I expected. I left it in 4th gear the whole way & never got above 60mph. It felt great & I became a lot more confident quickly. I have never towed before so my question is what are some signs that I am doing something either right or wrong.

Thanks a lot,

 

[desertryder]

If everyone driving around you is flipping you off I am just guessing you did something wrong. . LOL



Now for a few lessons .

1. Just remember it's the biggest thing you ever drove.

It takes a bit longer to slow it down so be prepared.

Take your half out of the middle when making turns on city streets.

Remember there will always be someone who is ****** your not going fast enuff F*6k -em. As long as your in front your still better than them.



Just have fun and keep the credit card handy. .



wurty

Master tower

 

[Sarge]

Brian, if you haven't yet, GET AN EXHAUST BRAKE!!! It makes a huge difference when desending that 6% grade, and really enhances the RV experience. Several are good, just pick one you like, and do it. The peace of mind it will give you is worth many times over what you spend for it... ..... Sarge

 

[BDMiller]

"If everyone driving around you is flipping you off I am just guessing you did something wrong. . LOL"



Yeah, that's how I learned that I had a blow out.

But this time I didn't get the finger even once. Thanks Wurty.



Sarge, I don't have an exhaust brake yet, mostly because I live on the east coast & our mountains are small. I do see one in my future but at what grade, weight does one become manditory?

Thanks guys,

Brian

 

[Jefff929]

Hey BD,



Oo. Congrats on the new toy. For towing questions not related to the dodge or CTD you may try the forum at rv.net. They have been real helpful to us and I have learned a ton of stuff.

 

[Gene Arnold]

I've towed Airstreams for 22 years, a '69 thirty-one ft. International for sixteen years, and my thirty-four ft. Limited since 1999. Two absolutes are, a weight distributing hitch (the Dodge suspension doesn't demand this on a smaller trailer, but it makes for a better all around set-up), and a good anti-sway bar. I had a Reese Dual-cam on my old rig, but now use a friction type anti-sway bar. I liked the Reese set up much better except for the very low clearance on the tension/cam device. What I have now came with the trailer when I bought it.



I pulled the old trailer with three different trucks. A '79 GMC 350 gas burner, an '83 Chevy 6. 3 Diesel (pretty gutless but no big complaints for twelve years of use), and a '94 Chevy 5. 7 gas burner. When I bought the Limited I knew the '94 Chev wouldn't have enough ponies to do the job, but I used it for three years until I got my Cummins in 2001. When I got my first trailer I'd never pulled before so I took it to a big empty parking lot and did a lot of experimenting with turning, backing, and braking. That helped a bunch. Also, except for watching to warn of "pending doom," I don't have my wife offer instructions when parking (makes for better marital harmony).



I came across this site the other day. It will help with Airstream related issues. http://www.airstreamforums.com/



Enjoy the silver bullet!



Gene