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**moosetags** · 06-17-2011, 09:45 PM

Well, we did it. Earlier this evening, we stopped at the Chevrolet dealer in Jasper, Florida. We ordered, and placed a deposit on, Lucy's new tow vehicle and traveling partner. SuEllyn refers to him as Towzilla, but we will cal him Fred.

Fred will be a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, Duramax/Allison, 4x4, crew cab, long bed, single rear wheel pick up.

We are hoping for delivery by mid August. This will give us time to break him in and get him used to towing Lucy before we get the pop-up truck camper that Fred will carry while towing Lucy. We are expecting to get Ethel, the truck camper, in mid September.

Brian

Wsmith · 06-17-2011, 10:18 PM

Sounds nice. I really like my one ton truck. I would have thought they would be getting the line ready for 2012 very soon.

**moosetags** · 06-17-2011, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wsmith

Sounds nice. I really like my one ton truck. I would have thought they would be getting the line ready for 2012 very soon.

Your are correct, there is less than two weeks left to order a 2011. We were going to wait for a 2012, but production won't start until August. We're afraid that we would get it in time to pick up the truck camper.

Brian

ROBERTSUNRUS · 06-17-2011, 11:10 PM

Hi, can't wait to see Fred; Do you have any previews of him showing things like color and wheels?

dwightdi · 06-18-2011, 04:53 AM

Was there a particular reason you decided not to have dual wheels? I see people with large slide in campers decide on dual wheels for increased wheel width causing less rocking going down the bumpy roads.

ROBERT CROSS · 06-18-2011, 04:54 AM

Brian...

Congrat's on capturing Fred....nice truck.

You a mod...right?

Better figure a way to ban I.L. Andy from this thread!!

wheel interested · 06-18-2011, 05:59 AM

Interesting prospects, the pop-up truck camper will be used for expeditions away from Airstream main camp and comfort station for day trips? That sounds fabulous, not to mention traveling with a two unit condo.

And me too, I want to see a picture of Towzilla.

**moosetags** · 06-18-2011, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, can't wait to see Fred; Do you have any previews of him showing things like color and wheels?

We don't have any previews, as such. Fred was ordered in the bright red color so that he will be easily identifiable in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Although, when your hooked to an Airstream, your not hard to pick out.

Brian

**moosetags** · 06-18-2011, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwightdi

Was there a particular reason you decided not to have dual wheels? I see people with large slide in campers decide on dual wheels for increased wheel width causing less rocking going down the bumpy roads.

Yes there is a reason we decided against a dually. The truck camper that we are getting is a pop-up, and not one of the big hard sides. This truck camper extends only 2" wider than the truck on each side, and weighs about 2500#. This truck will make it down the Forest Roads. A dually would be really close, and is just not as capable a 4wd vehicle.

Brian

**moosetags** · 06-18-2011, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel interested

Interesting prospects, the pop-up truck camper will be used for expeditions away from Airstream main camp and comfort station for day trips? That sounds fabulous, not to mention traveling with a two unit condo.

And me too, I want to see a picture of Towzilla.

Yes and yes. The truck camper will be used for overnight back country side trips away from Lucy at the base camp. SuEllyn does like the idea of having adequate facilities with us at all times. When we get this all put together, we will be traveling with two bedrooms, two baths. I realize that this may seem a bit extreme, but we think that this will really work well for our traveling style.

Brian

wheel interested · 06-18-2011, 07:00 AM

For as much travel as you two do and the kind of travel you do it sounds perfect! I have never heard of the combination before, I have seen bvans towing but I think I like the truck camper idea even more and ever so versatile. Congratulations. Love red.

Now about that name Fred...

**moosetags** · 06-18-2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel interested

For as much travel as you two do and the kind of travel you do it sounds perfect! I have never heard of the combination before, I have seen bvans towing but I think I like the truck camper idea even more and ever so versatile. Congratulations. Love red.

Now about that name Fred...

The name Fred for the new truck came from one of the members here on the Forums. He suggested that since the truck camper is Ethel to go with Lucy, the truck has to be Fred. After all, Ethel was always on Fred's back. So, Fred it has become. SuEllyn started calling Fred Towzilla as he is a one ton and has the wheel base of an aircraft carrier.

Brian

CanoeStream · 06-18-2011, 07:17 PM

Break-in on my GMC IIRC -- 500 miles at no more than 50mph. And then the first 500 miles of towing -- no more than 50mph. Slowest __ 500 __ miles __ in __ my __ life __ ! But the mileage was fabulous.

JFScheck · 06-19-2011, 07:30 PM

Congrats Brian! I know you have done lot's of research - can't wait to see pictures with Fred's camper and Lucy in tow!

SafariSS · 06-19-2011, 08:41 PM

So, gonna sell a suburban!?! How many miles are on your two?

**moosetags** · 06-19-2011, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafariSS

So, gonna sell a suburban!?! How many miles are on your two?

Olivia (the '05 Quadrasteer 4wd) now has 104,000 miles on her. Daisy (the '04 Quadrasteer 2wd) has 76,000n on her.We're going to keep Olivia as our compact "run around" vehicle which can also tow Lucy if needed.

Our son, who is currently in Afghanistan, wants to buy Daisy for his 19 Bambi. That would probably be a good fit for him.

Brian

Scott J-24 · 06-19-2011, 10:51 PM

Can't wait to see the whole family hooked up!

BillTex · 06-21-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

Your are correct, there is less than two weeks left to order a 2011. We were going to wait for a 2012, but production won't start until August. We're afraid that we would get it in time to pick up the truck camper.

Brian

Congrats Brian...were you still able to get all the options you wanted on a 11 or did you have to take what was available?
IIRC you wanted plow pkg, etc...

I did 500 miles last weekend with the TC, ~ 100 miles on logging roads in northern NH. Averaged just over 14 mpg...not bad for that kind of trip. I was doing over 15 mpg on the highway on the way up north, the logging roads brought the average mpg down a bit. I was travelling VERY heavy also...it was a backpacking trip, with 5 people...lots of gear. (3 in the TC, 2 slept in tent)
The TC was used as a base camp.
You will love the new deezul...

Bill

**moosetags** · 06-21-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

Congrats Brian...were you still able to get all the options you wanted on a 11 or did you have to take what was available?
IIRC you wanted plow pkg, etc...

I did 500 miles last weekend with the TC, ~ 100 miles on logging roads in northern NH. Averaged just over 14 mpg...not bad for that kind of trip. I was doing over 15 mpg on the highway on the way up north, the logging roads brought the average mpg down a bit. I was travelling VERY heavy also...it was a backpacking trip, with 5 people...lots of gear. (3 in the TC, 2 slept in tent)
The TC was used as a base camp.
You will love the new deezul...

Bill

Thanx, Bill. We got the '11 ordered exactly the way we want it, snow plow prep package and all. We decided to go with the LT trim level to get some of the options that we really wanted like the electronic 4wd control. We were surprised that we could get the rubber flooring in the LT. We were also able to get the leather front bench seat without the console. We were told it will take 6 to 8 weeks to get it.

Brian

BillTex · 06-22-2011, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

Thanx, Bill. We got the '11 ordered exactly the way we want it, snow plow prep package and all. We decided to go with the LT trim level to get some of the options that we really wanted like the electronic 4wd control. We were surprised that we could get the rubber flooring in the LT. We were also able to get the leather front bench seat without the console. We were told it will take 6 to 8 weeks to get it.

Brian

Nice...good idea on the bench seat. I have had both bench and buckets. While all the GM truck seats are comfy...I think I prefer the bench by a small margin..a little bit more wiggle room, and if you ever need to seat 6...
Good luck, ;et me know if you need any help with the TC set-up.

Bill