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**Stefrobrts** · 12-20-2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cameront120

That's great, Steph! Can't wait to hear how it works out for you. Did you get the eco-boost or regular engine?

This one has the regular engine. We had a choice between this one and a Limited which had a bunch of fancy features, and decided to go with the simpler model. Even at that it has a TON of features our 20 year old cars didn't even dream of

It's only a foot or so shorter than our van, and a foot or so shorter in height, which is nice because I always have to climb up in the van, and this I can just sit in like a regular car. And of course it has all the airbags, side curtain airbags, traction control - safety features that will be nice to have 'just in case'.

mutcth · 12-21-2013, 06:17 AM

Congrats! It will have no problems with the Caravel, and will be so much more comfy than the van (I've done lots of towing with Ford vans in my past.)

Tom

mstephens · 12-21-2013, 07:30 AM

Nice choice. Congrats. We had the Flex in our sights ever since we decided to replace the Suburban. We drove them twice, and liked most everything but the price. Of the few cars on our list, it was the most expensive. At the time, we were going to go with the eco-boost, which added almost $5k to the prices because they came only in the Limited model. Very nice car!

We ended up going with the Chrysler 300S, after a final duel with not the Flex, but rather the Edge. Nice to see someone has gone with the Flex so we can gather reports on it! I am sure it will be a great tow car for you. I can't wait to hear about your experience with it. Good luck!

Aage · 12-22-2013, 08:34 PM

Way to go, Steph! I LOVE that car, it looks sooo cool, and rides like a limo (a good limo).

Did yours come with the two glass roof openings? I thought from the beginning that those would be fantastic on a long trip, seeing almost 360* around the car.

It's white, right? Nice.

**Stefrobrts** · 12-22-2013, 11:05 PM

Silver, actually, so it will match the trailer

It doesn't have the big roof openings, I think those would have been pretty cool too, but you know how it is when you buy used you have to take what you get!

andreasduess · 12-23-2013, 06:32 AM

I recently had the opportunity to drive a Flex as a rental car. I loved it. Powerful, smooth and well put together.

Let us know how you like the towing experience.

**Stefrobrts** · 12-26-2013, 10:34 PM

We are still figuring out all the goodies on this car. Heated seats, TPMS, keyless entry, it's just loaded. Here's a picture of it in the driveway next to the soon to be retired van. The Flex is about a foot shorter in length, and in height, and It must be at least 8 inches shorter in width, at least it feels that way inside. I'm really happy with the size.

mstephens · 12-27-2013, 08:19 AM

Nice comparison photos. Tells a story!

**Stefrobrts** · 05-21-2014, 06:44 PM

We just got our rig back from RV Pro in Vancouver, WA, and they set us up with a nice WD hitch, got it all leveled out, and showed us how to hitch up. Because of the unusual arrangement of propane tanks and spare tire on our tongue they had to weld a plate on and fasten the snap up hooks to that. We got 550 lb bars which was the lightest they could get.

Dave drove it home and I followed him in the van. It looked good, and he said it felt good except he felt like he was more connected than he had been in the van. That might be because of the softer suspension, the van had a very stiff rear suspension. Might just be because of the connection through the new hitch. Either way it seemed to do just fine on the road and highway and neighborhood speedbumps, so I guess we're ready for our first trip this weekend.

Edit: Oh, and we can open the rear door with the trailer hitched up, which was a nice surprise.

Andrew T · 05-22-2014, 08:14 AM

Hi Stephanie

I am surprised how much your receiver has twisted up. It is not likely a problem but just check the attachement points and make sure they are not stressing.

It would be good to take your shank to a machine shop and have a new hole drilled in it so you can slide it in the rest of the way. This will reduce strain on the receiver and make it more stable. You should still be able to open the tailgate. Your ball mount could use some additional reward angle. If it has washers on a pin just add a couple more.

I hope this helps.

Andy

Aage · 05-22-2014, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew T

Your ball mount could use some additional reward angle.

Andy, did you mean "rearward"? Just checking.

**Stefrobrts** · 05-22-2014, 12:49 PM

Thanks for the tips Andy, I'll check it out. I believe they drilled a hole to get it closer to the car by about two inches, but still clear the crank. I'll check it out when we get it hooked up tonight.

Question about the friction sway control - previously I had been told to just tighten it a bit, and then tighten it more if it sways. Of course it's never swayed. Well with this install they told me to crank it down as tight as I can get it. They had it damn tight, I had to use a pipe on the handle to get enough leverage to turn it down and remove it. Any advice there?

Edit: No, I was totally wrong, they did not add another hole to the move the ball closer, I'll definitely look into that after this trip.

**Stefrobrts** · 07-07-2014, 02:37 PM

Took a longer trip with the Flex this weekend, finally hit some freeways with semi trucks blasting by occasionally, it towed perfectly. Had a really comfortable trip. Absolutely no complaints. After such a long and daunting search for a tow vehicle, I think we really got the perfect one for our little trailer. This is at Ocean Breeze RV Resort in Ocean City, WA, and at the abandoned Satsop Nuclear Power Plant in Elma, WA, and of course one on the road because I needed a new avatar pic

BoldAdventure · 07-07-2014, 04:36 PM

Not to thread hijack, but I love your photo in front of the coolant tower.

**Stefrobrts** · 07-07-2014, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikekey

Not to thread hijack, but I love your photo in front of the coolant tower.

Thanks, if you ever get out here, the site is fairly open to visit and explore. Not a destination, but certainly worth seeing if you're nearby. It is a plant that was never completed, and turned into a business park. It's quite a sight!

goshawks00 · 07-07-2014, 05:00 PM

Just a bit more evidence, spent 2 weeks going through ND, SD including Rushmore and Custer and Neb,Ks. etc, 3800mi. in all w/o a blip from the '12 Flex or the '66 Safari... averaged 12.8 mph while towing.

Bluemoon64 · 07-11-2014, 05:02 PM

I was very pleased how my flex performed as well. Just got back from a 500 mile trip. Averaged 12.4 mpg.

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