rtguy007

Amen. Cast iron and the Coleman stove go a long way.

Better yet....cast iron hanging over an open fire is even better.

Uh-Oh, Ranger Rick of the Fort patrol will come and throw water on your open fire!

And that is my only gripe with the fort. Love camping around an open fire. That and food over a fire taste so much better. We have mastered beef stew and pot roast in a dutch oven over a fire.

Me too.

Cute, but it's hard to beat a plain old cast iron skillet.

Amen. Cast iron and the Coleman stove go a long way.

Better yet....cast iron hanging over an open fire is even better.

We run 2 12v exide deep cycle marine batteries. Not the greatest but get the job done. I picked up my current set at menards for $100 for both on a sale. I have 1 failing cell in one that needs addressed.

I have had a few different brands and longevity comes with proper maintenance. Most rv and house chargers will boil a battery dry. Keep whatever you get on a smart charger/maintainer. Have a 5 year old interstate that still works as it did day 1 because of how we maintained it.

We will be there Nov 23 - Dec 4

People will give you all sorts of advice based on personal experience and good math. However, I can't remember anybody who tows anything, ever say " I wish I had a smaller truck I or less torque"

I tried to get by with a half ton, and all the math supported. But the trip wore me out. Sure, driving a 3/4 ton 15 miles to get a cup of coffee is not ideal, but my vacations are more stress free. Payback, mileage, fuel costs, blah blah blah. Vacation time is precious.

Its that balance of power and efficiency I am looking for with more storage in the TV for bikes/ gear

I have been on 1 trip with the pup, so that's why i posted the question as everyone has more experience than I do.

I live in south Florida, where our largest hill is a landfill and you cant drive up it, its mainly flat unless you cross a bridge.

I am about 3 hours from the fort, and I anticipate 3-4 trips a year ( 3 booked so far between 12/15 and 10/16) to the fort, and maybe 3-4 trips to other locations each year.

My wife has expressed interest in going to the Smokey mountains and Savannah GA on camping trips so that's why I want a truck, for the longer trips to haul more gear

I really do appreciate the feedback, to me bigger is better, and from my xterra to a newer midsize and some full size is an improvement most of the areas that concern me

in size( wheelbase and storage), Power more (HP and torque), Fuel economy, and tow ratings, reliability

Is there any thoughts of moving up to a TT within the next 5 to 7 years? If so, don't make the same mistake I did. The math did say my half ton could pull it but I was at every limit on the truck. Had the truck 2 years and traded for a 3/4 ton. Didn't have changed of a choice. At the limit I was wearing the old truck apart.

If you are going to look at any mountain type trips, you are gonna want something bigger with a diesel assuming you are going to upgrade. If you keep the PUP, a 1/2 ton or something like a Tahoe or Durango will suit you of it has the right equipment.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you plan for the future. A lot of us started with a PUP or small TT only to wind up moving up and also forcing us to move up in truck size. That really sucks when you haven't owned the tow vehicle long enough to justify it's purchase.

David Doss posted his fall schedule on FB today...

 

David E. Doss, Artist

2 hrs ·

 

Hello Friends,

 

We hope you all have had a Wonderful Summer! We are excited to post our Fall schedule at The Art of Disney locations, LBV, Florida

 

*October 1st-12th Art of Disney/Downtown Disney

*October 22nd-25th Art of Disney/Epcot

*October 28th-31st Art of Disney/Downtown Disney

*November 26th-28th Art of Disney/Downtown Disney

*December 11th-23rd Art of Disney/Downtown Disney

 

David is currently finishing up his Newest "Mouseterpiece". It is full of great nostalgic Florida imagery that will remind one of Magical Vacation Memories. We hope to see you soon.~ Best Robin & David

https://www.facebook.com/pages/David-E-Doss-Artist/287198306717?fref=nf

WOOHOO!!!! He is going to be there when we are. Gonna have to score a signed happy campers print.

I am there 10/28- 10/31 wife wont let me keep the kids out of school on Tuesday so were heading home on Halloween

I'd extended to 11/1 and keep hoping. How much class time will they even miss? If they are young enough they'd have a party which makes some of the day useless

We are lucky that our school has a pretry relaxed absence policy. We still are only keeping our oldest out a week though. My wife is going to fly home with him after the first week and I am keeping our youngest the second week.

All I can say is that I can't wait for our trip back in november. I wish we lived closer so we could visit more frequently. Next years trip for Halloween should be awesome.

I am there 10/28- 10/31 wife wont let me keep the kids out of school on Tuesday so were heading home on Halloween

That stinks.

Hopefully this doesn't become true for you, but RAMS's do rule

 

...

That is exactly what my Siberian would say. She is a hyper and snotty little.....you get the point. :D

Kelly, NaCole told me that you have some ugly looking golf cart. I bet my new truck and gorgeous license plate will run over that thing and make it look better.   Tom

Well I can tell someone is getting use to riding around in a big truck.

Thinking the same thing.

Can not plan for this yet as we left our camper in Indiana at the factory for some repairs and not sure when we will get it  back.

What we're you having fixed that the factory had to keep it?

Interesting that a larger tank, will fit the same space....thanks for passing along the info! :)

yea, they make it happen. I researched this also, but found the stock 28 gallon tank works out very well when towing. With the 35 foot trailer I still need to stop regularly and hit the head or stretch my legs. I love my toys, but found I didn't need this one.

Are you a Good Sams member? If so you can sign up,for a Flying J/Pilot RV card. It gives you 6 cents off the cash price at almost all Pilot/Flying J locations, but the biggest benefit is that it starts the pump at the truck islands without going inside and leaving a credit card. The only downside to the card is that it has to be tied to a bank account and paid each month via funds transfer. I just set it up tied to,an old credit union account I had and leave very little money in that account.

https://www.rvpluscard.com/ProgramDetails/

I just used a pilot right north of Lexington KY. The truck lanes took my visa and my good sam card (not the rv card) and gave me the discount. I was dreading having to go in but this one worked out well.

So I bit the bullet and booked Oct 29-Nov 12 2016. We may change it around some but that is what we have as of now.

OK so I am looking at 2 weeks. Is it better to stay the week before or the week after the 31st? Going to do the week of but not sure the week before or after.

What days do you have planned Oct 2016? I am probably booking tonight for the last week of October and the first week of november. Still trying to figure out how my son's school schedule comes into play.

 

We're scheduled for 10/8 - 10/16... looks like we'll just miss you

Again?

Yeah I caught myself at 75 a few times and thinking holy %*#!. I ended up setting it on cruise and turning on the tow mode and engine brake. I let the truck do the work.

26 gallon is pretty small. I would see if there is an option to put a larger tank in there.

Glad everything worked out for you guys. Maybe one of these days we will get to see the truck in person if we are ever at the fort at the same time.

Yes... our tank is small It would be nice to get a larger one, but can they do this without taking up space in the back of your truck (we saw a Ford for sale that had an extra gas tank in the bed of his truck)?

Hopefully we will meet up at the Fort one of these days! We'll start the 12 month period of our annual pass at halloween and (with that trip) we have 6 trips planned for the "year" (Oct, Christmas, April, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Oct) so hopefully it will happen! :)

What days do you have planned Oct 2016? I am probably booking tonight for the last week of October and the first week of november. Still trying to figure out how my son's school schedule comes into play.

Is there any control over the freeloaders for ToT?

Halloween is one of the largest Fiend gatherings at the Fort! There is usually a big party one or two nights around Halloween. The Fort is super decorated by the campers. There is a golf cart parade, decorating contest, and the trick or treating is insane!!  Lots of fun for all!

How often or what night is trick or treat normally held? What about the fiend gatherings? Hoping to get in on all the action but not sure how we are going to pull it off yet.

Thinking about booking some time at the end of October 2016 at the fort. Curious if there is anything special that goes on on the 31st for halloween. I know about the MNSSHP but was curious what else goes on around that time. I have been at the end of November more times than I can count and love the week of thanksgiving and the week after. Since my son will be in first grade next year, I want to take him out as little as possible. He gets 3 days off the end of the third week for a local festival (which we don't attend but school is out anyway). I was thinking about heading down for maybe 2 to 2 1/2 weeks. Can you seasoned fiends for this time of the year provide any input? Is there a possible fiend party during this time (I think there was an unofficial one last year if I remember the forums correctly)?

Nacole/Tom,

Congrats on finally finding something. Don't worry to much about those reatraints for the long twrm. Before you know it, the kiddos will be in boosters and those won't be needed anymore.

I second the 65 mph deal. I searched my tires sidewalls and couldn't find my rating. I think it is 65 though. We just got back from a similar distance trip with some Appalachian mountains. The power is great but the speed limit due to tire rating sucks.

On the other hand....did you get to try out the truck side of any truck stop. Did for my first time and it is a night and day difference. So much more comfortable pulling into the truck side of the station. Lots of room to work with. We only stopped 2 times, once down and once back. We were averaging about 14mph with the 6.7 cummins. I was shocked to see it that high. Get further on a single tank than the hemi.

What were you getting in the f250? Really curious.

 

 

Hey...

 

Yes, we did use the truck side of the truck stops.  SO much easier!!  I'm pretty sure the truckers were laughing at me, but I don't care :)   We were at 12 mpg this trip.  I'm not surprised that your RAM got 14 mpg, we almost went with a RAM for that reason (research Tom had done showed better gas mileage).   I think your tank is also larger... I want to say that ours is only 26, which stinks. 

 

I agree about the tire rating being a bummer however... probably not a bad thing as you get feeling too comfortable and have to remind yourself, "oh yeah... I'm pulling something" 

Yeah I caught myself at 75 a few times and thinking holy %*#!. I ended up setting it on cruise and turning on the tow mode and engine brake. I let the truck do the work.

26 gallon is pretty small. I would see if there is an option to put a larger tank in there.

Glad everything worked out for you guys. Maybe one of these days we will get to see the truck in person if we are ever at the fort at the same time.

We made our maiden voyage this past weekend to SC (around 400 miles each way); I found the ride to be a bit bouncy, but that may be because we need to adjust our WDH a little more. Plus a good portion of the rode was very bumpy cement But as for towing, all I have to say is... yes, boys... size DOES make a difference! It was AWESOME to step on the gas and truck actually pulled! Getting on the freeway on-ramp and then up to speeds of 60mph?? NO problem!! Going up hills was nothing for this beast... the cruise control was set to 68 and it stayed there (without strain). So yes, we're doing our happy dance

Congrats! So glad you guys were able to find something that suits you. Now you can start looking at bigger campers!

Now, I'll be the party pooper.. your tires on the camper are likely only rated for 65mph. It can be tough, but I stick to 62-64mph because of that.

Nacole/Tom,

Congrats on finally finding something. Don't worry to much about those reatraints for the long twrm. Before you know it, the kiddos will be in boosters and those won't be needed anymore.

I second the 65 mph deal. I searched my tires sidewalls and couldn't find my rating. I think it is 65 though. We just got back from a similar distance trip with some Appalachian mountains. The power is great but the speed limit due to tire rating sucks.

On the other hand....did you get to try out the truck side of any truck stop. Did for my first time and it is a night and day difference. So much more comfortable pulling into the truck side of the station. Lots of room to work with. We only stopped 2 times, once down and once back. We were averaging about 14mph with the 6.7 cummins. I was shocked to see it that high. Get further on a single tank than the hemi.

What were you getting in the f250? Really curious.

Took us darn near 8 weeks but... purchase finally made!!  We opted for the higher mileage truck above (2011 F250 Lariat), but got them to give us a deal on an extended 2 year warranty; even with that, we were a good $7k less than the next option and the monthly payment was a huge factor in our purchase.  These trucks are pricey... and a pain to find here in GA!  Now, if we lived in TX...we could have bought the thing 5x over    Unfortunately, we had to pass on a couple of local offers (private sellers) early on because we hadn't sold Tom's car yet and needed to do so before buying the truck however... Praise God, the search is now over!

 

We made our maiden voyage this past weekend to SC (around 400 miles each way); I found the ride to be a bit bouncy, but that may be because we need to adjust our WDH a little more.  Plus a good portion of the rode was very bumpy cement    But as for towing, all I have to say is... yes, boys... size DOES make a difference!     It was AWESOME to step on the gas and truck actually pulled!  Getting on the freeway on-ramp and then up to speeds of 60mph??  NO problem!!  Going up hills was nothing for this beast... the cruise control was set to 68 and it stayed there (without strain).  So yes, we're doing our happy dance  :bf-birddancingsmiley:

 

Thanks for all the help Fiends!!

 

Congrats. Glad you finally found what you were looking for.

We used to eat there all the time. Really sad if it is going down hill.

That awning is awesome. Wish it would fit on my TT. Jealous.

Me personally, anything past 40k in that year and I would start looking at new. Your first one looks great. My neighbor has a very similar tire on his 04 f250. They are noisy and ride like crap. You won't like them for long trips.

Be careful with the leveling. Depending on how it was done, your extra weight from the trailer could cause you issues with getting your hitch adjusted correctly. I have not seen issues personally but have heard that you could run into them.

Sounds like you are getting close. We are getting ready to take the TT and the 2500 on it's first trip tuesday. Going about 400 miles and over Jelico mountain. Should be a good trial run. Will let you know how it goes.