Newbie, Too

[Raynardo]

For Christmas I purchased a used 2001 Thor Tahoe Lite (19DT), which I pull with my 2005 Ranger XLT 4x4 with the 4.0 liter engine and 4.10 gearing. I purchased it from a dealer about 120 miles from my home, so getting the unit home was my towing education, although I have towed a tiny trailer behind my Miata when I was still racing, and about 20 years ago I towed a PUP throughout the western US on a vacation (6000 miles).

A month ago my wife and I inaugurated the unit on an three-day weekend. We were at a full hook-up campground, and everything worked just fine. This coming weekend were doing another three day weeked in a partial hook-up campground (no sewer). And next, we will try dry camping, just batteries and the new Honda EU2000 generator.

This summer we hope to put about 7500 mile on the unit on a trip from our home in Southern California to Lake Louise in Canada, and then down into South Dakota where I grew up, for a high school reunion, and then back to SoCal.

Any tips, advice, or whatever will always be accepted.

[Raynardo]

For Christmas I purchased a used 2001 Thor Tahoe Lite (19DT), which I pull with my 2005 Ranger XLT 4x4 with the 4.0 liter engine and 4.10 gearing. I purchased it from a dealer about 120 miles from my home, so getting the unit home was my towing education, although I have towed a tiny trailer behind my Miata when I was still racing, and about 20 years ago I towed a PUP throughout the western US on a vacation (6000 miles).

A month ago my wife and I inaugurated the unit on an three-day weekend. We were at a full hook-up campground, and everything worked just fine. This coming weekend were doing another three day weeked in a partial hook-up campground (no sewer). And next, we will try dry camping, just batteries and the new Honda EU2000 generator.

This summer we hope to put about 7500 mile on the unit on a trip from our home in Southern California to Lake Louise in Canada, and then down into South Dakota where I grew up, for a high school reunion, and then back to SoCal.

Any tips, advice, or whatever will always be accepted.

[Bruce, wife, & pet rabbit Jett]

Sounds like you have a fun trip planned. The only hint I can pass on is to take it easy and enjoy the trip. Things will go wrong, but just take them as they come. It's not just the destination but the trip there that should be enjoyable.

Good Luck!

Bruce

[Raynardo]

Here's an update.

Well, ten days ago I returned from a big shakedown trip from my home in Oceanside, CA to Lone Pine. Just before I left I went to a public scale to have both the Ranger and trailer weighed; it came in at 9300 lbs., with both my wife and I, empty gray and black water, and about 1/3 full of fresh water. That's within 200 lbs. of the GVCWR. Too close for my comfort, especially if we get into a situation where we have to hold gray and/or black water until we find a dump station. Well, the trip to Lone Pine was uneventful, but as I mentioned earlier, I plan to take a 7500 mile trip this summer, which will include hot weather as well as an 11,000' mountain pass.

I loved my 2005 Ranger, but I think I did the right thing when I traded it in on a 2006 Ford F-250 XLT Turbo Diesel SuperDuty Crew Cab 4x4 (geez....that's a mouthful!).

Now I won't have an iota of difficulty towing the 2001 Tahoe Lite 19DT, and I'll be driving in style and comfort.

[rebelsbeach]

Now ya just have to update your profile...

[Bruce, wife, & pet rabbit Jett]

Thanks for the update. Glad the trip went well. You can always trade off weight by dumping some of the fresh water if you're towing with liquid in the gray/black tanks. Keep an eye on the fore/aft balance of the trailer.