Basecamp!
- Thread starter GroupSe7en
- Start date
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
Any plans on elimination one rear axle and shortening the frame...or using the left over space on the "cat walk" for storage?
I have a plan for one in my head where I keep the rear most axle, and use the space on the cat walk for my bike and other toys.
I have a plan for one in my head where I keep the rear most axle, and use the space on the cat walk for my bike and other toys.
GroupSe7en
Adventurer
We're going to leave it a tandem.
The debate rages over which is better.
Our feeling was that the nominal decrease in turning radius, saved weight, small mileage gain, and storage space were more than offset by having more tire on the road - just in case.
It'll never be a 4x4 but I'll take 6x4 over 4x2.
Plus it cost about $1500 to drop the axle and shorten it - even more if you want to leave it long.
We mounted a pair of old fiberglass dock boxes on the back along with the Stand Up Board, mountain bike, her commuting bike, and the tandem.
I'm going to keep my tools and other heavy stuff in the back over the rear axles. When we've got the trailer hooked up it should give us about 25-30 lbs in the airbags. Should soften out the ride a bunch.
I'll post some more pics when I get a minute.
Cheers,
Mark
The debate rages over which is better.
Our feeling was that the nominal decrease in turning radius, saved weight, small mileage gain, and storage space were more than offset by having more tire on the road - just in case.
It'll never be a 4x4 but I'll take 6x4 over 4x2.
Plus it cost about $1500 to drop the axle and shorten it - even more if you want to leave it long.
We mounted a pair of old fiberglass dock boxes on the back along with the Stand Up Board, mountain bike, her commuting bike, and the tandem.
I'm going to keep my tools and other heavy stuff in the back over the rear axles. When we've got the trailer hooked up it should give us about 25-30 lbs in the airbags. Should soften out the ride a bunch.
I'll post some more pics when I get a minute.
Cheers,
Mark
rain76king
Adventurer
How long before you head out? I may need to head south to see this thing before it departs!
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
I don't know how it will effect it with such a light load, but they usually chew and cup the tires on the read axle since they get drug around the corner. But, since you dont' have that much weight pressing down it might not effect it.
One thing about keeping to tandem.... it just looks cooler!
GroupSe7en
Adventurer
Bob - We're leaving Monday!!!!!
we're here all weekend if you want to take a trip down...
Jnich77 - you're right, we think that the tandem looks cool too ;-)
we're here all weekend if you want to take a trip down...
Jnich77 - you're right, we think that the tandem looks cool too ;-)
GroupSe7en
Adventurer
Thanks,
Yeah, you can get these older trucks for short money. Ours really does have over 1million miles on the clock but it runs great. All told, we've got about $15k into the truck and another $5k worth of hutch, lights, trailer brake controller. Not bad given that rather than spending $15k on the truck it would have been more like $30k for a dually. You can buy a lot of diesel for $15k!
Also, I've got the 400 HP Cummins which is giving me about 14mpg bobtail and 9-11mpg towing. Haven't pulled the trailer all that much yet so I don't have a real accurate mpg number. You wouldn't do better than that with a dually. Maybe worse.
Work in progress...
Yeah, you can get these older trucks for short money. Ours really does have over 1million miles on the clock but it runs great. All told, we've got about $15k into the truck and another $5k worth of hutch, lights, trailer brake controller. Not bad given that rather than spending $15k on the truck it would have been more like $30k for a dually. You can buy a lot of diesel for $15k!
Also, I've got the 400 HP Cummins which is giving me about 14mpg bobtail and 9-11mpg towing. Haven't pulled the trailer all that much yet so I don't have a real accurate mpg number. You wouldn't do better than that with a dually. Maybe worse.
Work in progress...
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
I bet the 5th wheel won't really effect your fuel economy.
What tranny do you have?
What tranny do you have?
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
BTW: I really like the way you have the rear set up... ya know a rack over the storage boxes would give ya 2 x the storage space.
GroupSe7en
Adventurer
Hahahahaha. Funny you say that, we strap a bike rack onto that silver bar and put 2 more bikes up there!
I'm trying to figure out a way to get the kayak back there, but it's too long.
I should invest in a couple of shorty boats but I'm saving up for a Robby Gordon Razor RZR-4! Don't tell my wife ;-)
I'm trying to figure out a way to get the kayak back there, but it's too long.
I should invest in a couple of shorty boats but I'm saving up for a Robby Gordon Razor RZR-4! Don't tell my wife ;-)
rain76king
Adventurer
Would love to but I have a "Yankee Toyota" wheeling weekend called "The Fall Gathering". Been working on my rig all week to get it ready for the trip. It has taken quite the transformation since you last saw it in it's infancy!
GroupSe7en
Adventurer
Anybody can talk - real men POST PICS! :drool:
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
Mount the diagonally from the top of the sleeper to the rear of the storage boxes?