Community Forums

CecilD · 03-14-2021, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xc-mark

I agree , add the disk brakes if you can afford both at the same time. I did our redwood back in 2018 , rides much more stable and stops much better then our old 7000 lb drum brakes. We are about 17,000 lbs so We decide to get 8K rated IS and brakes. It does reduce the cargo weight carrying compacity by about 500~600 lbs because of the weight of the added steel but it is beefy and should never have any problems. The rubber spring need inspections that you can do and may need replacing around the ten year old window , I can live with that .

I'm curious. I always assumed the Carrying Capacity limitations were because of the axles. If this is the case, converting to an 8K IS from 7K axles should increase the CCC, not reduce it. I guess MorRyde feels the limitations are frame related.

ArtJoyce · 03-14-2021, 04:29 PM

Not sure were the previous post came from.

40+ if I was full time or headed to a resort for the winter. I would not even think about anything less then 40+'. But we are on the road for up to 2-3 months. Normaly spending 2 or 3 nights at each CG. We like our 35' MH for being nimble, but we still have had some issues with it being to long. In CA it's hard to find a SP or national Park that has sites longer then 32'

Dieselguy4 · 03-15-2021, 05:47 AM

My 41 foot Sierra 375RKS is very roomy and we love it but we can't fit in most state parks . We have been in some city parks and it was fine. You just have to do your research before you go. I have been in some tight places and just took my time and used my cameras and my wife's directions to get through it.

Triangle Drifter · 03-15-2021, 07:33 PM

You figured it out for yourself purdy quick. Size does indeed matter.

For the most part all that you get over 36' LOA is more floor space which might be handy to have if you want to hold a square dance inside but for the rest of the time it is more cubic air to heat & chill. The fridge is the same, the storage about the same, the furniture about the same, maybe room for that 72" TV which is an absolute necessity.

As you have figured out those National Park CGs are no longer available to you, some state park CGs are closed to you & there are severe limitations anywhere else.

We came into the activity with the plan for our first 5er to be our last 5er. 14 years later we have stuck to it. We came from boating doing an awful lot of 'gunk holing'. This is the boaters version of being well off the grid anchoring in places most won't dare to go. 6" between our keel & bottom was about 5" more than needed.

We carried that attitude with us into the 34' 5er. We call it roughing it in comfort.

traveldawg · 03-17-2021, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowCruising

Thank you all very much. I think after shopping around today, we will be staying with what currently have. We have decided to put some money into the Vilano by putting on
an independent suspension, a generator and new tires. We will be minimizing our stuff to fit the Vilano, not a new rig to fit our stuff. I think this will be beneficial spiritually and fiscally.

Good choice. That way you know what you have and don't have to "break in" a new rig. Someone else mentioned it - get disc brakes when you do the independent suspension.

Maybe just consider carrying dual Honda 2000i generators for flexibility and weight savings. That was our choice.