Please search on 'Titan' or 'Armada' and find my frequent input on Titans. The TV's GVWR is between 1200-1600# depending on model. The 25' Safari FB empty is around 6200# if I remember correctly. Figuring 800+ pound tongue weight without weight distribution gear right at the ball, this gives me only 400 pounds to work with for passengers and anything else I want to put in my fully-equipped Titan.
'Tow capacity' of 9000# is realistic only with Eddie Arcaro riding and a quart of gasoline in the tank at most! The drive train may be up to it but not the suspension. I can definitely tell the difference between the Safari and my 3900#-empty Argosy! In some ways it seems like some of the GM & Ford HD offerings, then again it doesn't all add up...
I use the Tekonsha Sentinel. I can switch between a 5000# 2 axle trailer and a 9500# 3 axle trailer with a turn of the gain dial. The braking is smooth even and reliable. The installation was as easy wiring 4 color coded wires from the brake controller to the color coded pigtail supplied with my truck (2002 Chev) and plugging it into the fuse panel. The hardest part was selecting the best place to mount it. Calibration is easy and explained well in the directions. I used an inexpensive controller prior to the Tekonsha and it grabbed to hard in city traffic and not enough on the hiway. The install my be more complicated if your tow vehicle is older.
Again, not to get off the subject, but an empty 25' Safari FB weighs 6200#????? That thing weighs more than my 71 Sovereign!!!!! What the heck is Airstream putting in these new rigs to make them weigh so much? Airstream's claim to fame was the fact that its trailers were light. If I remember right, my Sovereign only weighs about 4950# empty, give or take.....that's a 1300# and 6' difference!
I spoke too hastily! I added 1200# and the sum was 1000 pounds overweight!! Sorry Airstream. The actual unloaded base weight of the FB SE is 5210 pounds. Recall that options are extra -- (I'm going to shoot from the hip again). The whole LS upgrade package includes the better Fantastic fan I believe. The LS package adds weight at the front of the trailer with the spare tire and the electric hitch jack. Then I went overboard and ordered the option of the front bow windows too -- and that is also a weight penalty at the very front of the trailer. I really feel I need to take all pieces of my Reese Dual Cam Hi-Performance and weigh them. I believe that'd weigh in at something approaching 150# -- again all at the front of the trailer.
I'd still stand by the statement that tongue weight approaches 800#. I don't feel I can really travel until I have a truck cap (200#?). I still can't put my bicycles and canoe on the truck without going over weight. To say nothing of carrying Aunt Duanna's traveling fruitcake to another unsuspecting relative for yet another year....
I really, really, really love the light and air provided by the window placement in this new trailer!!!
Okay, so it ain't 6200#....still 5210# is a lot of weight, if you think about the fact that mine is 6' longer than yours. I can only assume that the extra weight on yours is from the extra width and from the beefier frame? Have you thought about what your new tow vehicle is going to be then?
GM or Ford 3/4-ton no doubt, more'n likely diesel. I get excited and research it for a few nights but can not commit until the Safari SE financing runs a couple cycles. Wanting to see how this all settled out caused me to pull back from the sales on 2005s a month ago -- Sunday in Minnesota is a 'Blue Law' no car sales day and makes it easy to spend a lot of time on car lots without salesperson hassles.
I'd hope for a painless way to get a few extras I have in my Nissan -- navigation system, side air bags, 6 CD changer, rare Corinthian leathers...
My structuring the purchase of a new trailer was put together quite readily. I'm spending a few extra months on the job to afford a TV before retiring next Labor Day. Before Halloween I'll have to set aside time to winterize, so won't really see any use by buying this year anyway.
Okay, so it ain't 6200#....still 5210# is a lot of weight, if you think about the fact that mine is 6' longer than yours. I can only assume that the extra weight on yours is from the extra width and from the beefier frame?
Accessories, two sets of panoramic windows (front and back), larger tanks (in most cases), stainless steel rock guards, wide body coach, meatier frame, etc. That's where a good chunk of the "extra" weight comes from when comparing new with vintage. Now with the more robust axle systems installed, the 25' Six Sleeper for example had a max GVWR of 6300lbs, and now has a 7300lb GWVR (and I believe this is consistant across the models).
BTW, I didn't know that the emerg brakes would fry the Prodigy. However I stand by the comment that the Jordan, from what I've read here and elsewhere, will not work correctly with a HydroBoost equipped GM vehicle. The pedal travel can vary greatly.
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I installed the Jordan Ultra 2000, the one with the cable to the brake pedal. This unit gives true proportional braking as it is tied directly to the tow vehicle brake system. IT does not depend on a signal from a linear accelerarometer(yes I know that is mispelled) as modified by a micropressor, just how much you depress the brake pedal. Simple
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Hello everyone. The most I have towed is a 17 foot boat about four miles never using a brake system. So..............
The truck is a 2006 3/4 ton Ford Diesel with some sort of built in brake system with lights showing 8.8 and a little trailer light goes on when you first turn the engine on. This light goes out when the computer chip recognizes nothing is plugged in to tow.
The A/S will be delivered on November 26, 2005, and is the new Safari SE 28 footer LS package. No concern about truck and towing capacity, but not a clue about the braking combination.
Every one is talking about prodigy, but I presume the Ford built in system supercedes other braking systems???
I know my lack of experience illustrates itself here, so comments please.
These are supposed to be stand-alone brake controllers and you would not need any additional equipment. The 8.8 you mention seems to be analogous to the calibration function. You will not be able to calibrate the setting until you get your new Safari SE. (Exciting, isn't it!!) Read the manual and get ready...
For instance, I'm supposed to vary the power on my aftermarket Tekonsha Prodigy by running at about 25mph, throwing the activating lever on the panel full-over, and the trailer brakes should about bring both vehicles to a screeching stop. Anything more or less requires varying the calibration wheel. Just because 8.8 appeared when you got your truck does not mean that is the setting to use. Your manual should make it quite clear ... so does it?
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