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09-28-2004, 09:58 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 66
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New Guy Questions
Just bought a new '04 19 foot Bambi. Tow it with an '04 F 150 with 5.4 liter V8 with tow package. Is the Ford big and strong enough to get me up and over So. Cal mountain areas such as the Cajon Pass, elevation about 4000 feet? Also just got a Reece friction anti-sway bar is that over kill or will it help out. I'm new to this as I have never been an RV'er before. Thanks for the help.
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09-28-2004, 10:23 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1959 22' Caravanner
Atlanta
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,197
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ardenrj
Just bought a new '04 19 foot Bambi. Tow it with an '04 F 150 with 5.4 liter V8 with tow package. Is the Ford big and strong enough to get me up and over So. Cal mountain areas such as the Cajon Pass, elevation about 4000 feet? Also just got a Reece friction anti-sway bar is that over kill or will it help out. I'm new to this as I have never been an RV'er before. Thanks for the help.
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Not going to find anybody here that will think that sway is over kill. Everbody here errors strongly on the side of safety to the point of over kill has no meaning here. Somebody is going ot have more.
Engine is the same. Can never have enough with most.
What size tires and whats the final drive on the rear axle? Ford is pretty partial to 3.54 on trucks. 3.54 and 31 inch or less high tires and it should do fine. Just stay out of overdrive in the hills. Concider a AUX transmission cooler if it doesn't have one.
Welcome to the Forums!
__________________
1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
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09-28-2004, 10:38 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 541
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ardenrj
Also just got a Reece friction anti-sway bar is that over kill or will it help out. I'm new to this as I have never been an RV'er before. Thanks for the help.
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It is much better to have that little bit extra when you need it then not to have it.
__________________
Just adding my 2¢ worth
John G
___________________________
1975 31ft Sovereign International
........Rear Bath Double Bed Model
Tow Vehicle:1999 GMC Serria SLE Classic 1500 5.7Ltr
System: Jordon 2020 Ultima Brake Controller
Hook-Up: Equalizing Hitch and Sway Bar
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09-28-2004, 10:47 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 66
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Tires are 17", 3.73 limited slip rear axle, 130 amp alternator, also has transmission cooler and something called a fail safe cooling system. Thanks for the replys. Also how long does it take to getting over the sinking feeling in your stomach when look in the rear view mirror?
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09-29-2004, 06:45 AM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,718
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New Guy Questions
Greetings Ardenrj!
Welcome to the Forums and the world of Airstream ownership!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ardenrj
Also how long does it take to getting over the sinking feeling in your stomach when look in the rear view mirror?
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One quick remedy to that feeling, is to realize that nearly every novice RVer experiences it initially - - and for some it can recurr to a lesser degree on the first trip of each season when there is a long Winter of non-travel. My favorite preventative is laughter - - and if you haven't seen it, I would suggest finding a copy of one of my favorite classic movies - - The Long, Long, Trailer. It is a Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz comedy from 1954 that takes a humorous look at "novice trailerites" who take a honeymoon trip in their New Moon travel trailer.
Good luck with your new Bambi!
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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09-29-2004, 07:17 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ardenrj
Also how long does it take to getting over the sinking feeling in your stomach when look in the rear view mirror?
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RJ,
Sounds like a really nice tow vehicle! The sinking feeling can be cured with a little training.
Step one: Cover the rear view mirrors with masking tape. Tow the trailer about 500 miles with this set-up.
Step two: Remove the masking tape. Coat the rear view mirror with a thin layer of Vaseline. Tow the trailer another 500 miles.
Step three: Remove the Vaseline. You are now totally cured.
My father used this method to teach me how to drive and it worked great!
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09-29-2004, 09:29 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic
San Jose
, California
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,664
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The two best piece of advice an old RVer gave me as I was just starting out towing, "you can handle anything if you just GO SLOW." Good advice. And the other is when backing up, "hand at bottom of steering wheel and turn the wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go." Backing up not a big deal with that advice.
__________________
"It's the journey."
NorCal Fall Rally, Jackson Rancheria, October 7-9 2011 Click here for more info
Come rally with us.
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09-29-2004, 09:05 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 66
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Thanks for all the advice.It's great to be an airstreamer.
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09-29-2004, 09:22 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Sunnyvale
, California
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,894
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Plenty of tow vehicle
Ardenrj-
Other than some likely good natured conflcit between Chevy/GMC and Ford and Dodge loyalists, the F-150 with tow package and that V-8 is plenty of power and suspension.. We tow larger trailer with roughly equivalent engine (10 year old 200hp Chevy 5.7l V-8), and have towed ours over Grapevine, Sierra's at Donner Pass north of Lake Tahoe, Canadian Rockies and Wasatch mountains east of Salt Lake.. Didn't always fly uphill at 65mph+, but never in doubt... Even with long wheelbase Suburban, we use friction bar anti- sway system for peace of mind, and it's one of those items that is most "missed" when you need it and can't do much about it if you aren't using it...
John McG
__________________
Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
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09-29-2004, 10:24 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2002 19' Bambi
1989 29' Excella
1980 28' International
Avon
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: 1989 29' Excella
Posts: 282
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ardenrj
Just bought a new '04 19 foot Bambi. Tow it with an '04 F 150 with 5.4 liter V8 with tow package. Is the Ford big and strong enough to get me up and over So. Cal mountain areas such as the Cajon Pass, elevation about 4000 feet?
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I have the same truck, same engine, and the same trailer ('01 truck and '02 A/S, though). It's plenty of truck for towing in the middle of the Rockies (11,000 foot passes), and it'll be fine for your area. Good luck, Roy
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09-29-2004, 10:40 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 66
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Roy what type of hitch do you use? Do you have any anti sway stuff? How is the sway with this setup of TV and TT. Thanks for your input. Rick
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09-30-2004, 07:10 AM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
2002 19' Bambi
1989 29' Excella
1980 28' International
Avon
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: 1989 29' Excella
Posts: 282
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I use a standard hitch and with a normal dose of common sense, it tows great. On some of the steeper high passes I might only hit 50 mph or so, but my last F150 with the smaller V8 was like that WITHOUT towing a trailer. I do have a Reese W/D hitch with my Excella though, and it does increase the comfort level. It certainly wouldn't be overkill with the Bambi.
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