New Camper Advice

[SeabeckS]

Originally Posted by NFlcamper

What we see isn't always the right thing to do. Too many variables that can fail. Only needs to fail once to cause an accident. P series tires overloaded, too much bounce from too light of a suspension, too light duty shocks, metal fatigue from supporting too much for too long flexing ever so slightly going down the highway. Is your family worth the risk?

Use a truck at its rating or below, especially if you don't have much experience. Experience teaches us if we can exceed ratings, and how much and how long. If your here asking, don't take offence at advise given. If you give advice, take into consideration a possible lack of experience and don't say "I do it, so you can too" - it may be your family the new Guy meets by accident!

+1, thanks...

[rubberduckie]

Made it back from North Carolina. We packed very light. Bedding clothes, that's it. The truck performance was unbelievable considering the trailer weight and the truck has a six cylinder engine. When we crossed into North Carolina from Tennessee on I 40 the transmission temp rose to 223 degrees. It was at that temp for a short period of time maybe 1/16 of a mile. It was at the end of a climb and we started the down hill decent and it dropped back down. The trans temp average was 195 F.

We started in Asheville and finished in Outer Banks up by Elizabeth City. I decided to shoot up to Chesapeake Virginia and take 58 across Virginia to I 77 into Ohio, what a mistake. I should have dropped back down and taken I 40 across NC to I 77. the last section of 58 from Stuart to Hillsville was straight up with 90 degree dog legs back and forth, barley a two lane. The outside air temp was 57 degrees and the trans temp rose to 233 degrees. Thank God they had an sight seeing overlook near the top. I pulled over and allowed the temp to fall.

Like I said the truck performed awesome but I now know I need a bigger truck, I could never cross the Rockies. I followed this post while on the road from my I phone. Smokey Wren I read your post after crossing into NC thanks for the tranny temp info, I stared at that gauge the whole trip. I tried to respond to the post on my I phone but I could not log in, WHY? Thanks for all the help this is a awesome forum. I have 1.5 years to go on the F-150 then its a new truck, 3/4 ton. Any recommendations for a 3/4 ton package?