That thought had started to creep into my brain as well...sure is nice to be able to apply a little bit of trailer brake instead of all or nothing.

 

Taken directly from the controller's description:

"The Tow-Pro Elite gives you easy access to manually apply the trailer brakes without using the tow vehicle's brakes. To engage the manual override, just push down on the control ****. This will activate the trailer's brakes, helping you to control its momentum.

The manual override will activate your trailer's brakes differently depending on the mode you have selected. While in user-controlled mode it will apply the brakes at the power level set on the control **** to ensure a predictable braking response. When in proportional mode the manual override will activate the trailer brakes in a light manner, which is great for limiting trailer movement while you're cruising."

What I get from that is that yes, you can ofc activate the trailer brakes w/o touching the tow vehicle brakes. And it will brake the trailer in 1 of 2 ways, either in the amount you have the **** set to or in the other mode it will just lightly drag them.

What I don't see is a way to activate only the trailer brakes just as if you had the old slider-style brake controller, where you can change the amount of braking just by moving the slider. Unless it works like you can turn the **** while you press it to dynamically change trailer braking and are in that certain manual mode. Other than that, that thing looks pretty sweet.

-zeke

 

Anyone got a good setup for hauling a canoe on top of the Ex? ...something other than the factory roof bars, and a method of getting it up there and back down on a mildy lifted 4x4 Ex?

 

We just have a set of Thule cross bars and stands, with 2 or 3 J cradles for our kayaks. Getting them on and off is a circus act that is a little less exciting to perform with the help of a step ladder, but probably not as much fun to watch!

 

Did you find a good priced vendor for the Thule bars Tom?

 

Ours came from etrailer.com, the stands are Inno brand (and needed modification to work correctly) and the bars are Thule with generic Amazon J cradles. Once I made new in-track plates for the towers/stands everything works well for what it is. But it's still a circus act getting the boats up there and back down. I have a few ideas for a side sliding rack that would allow for easier loading/unloading, just need to get out in the shop and make it happen.

 

Thanks Tom.

 

Anyone have an opinion on Coachmen travel trailers? Wife and I are headed to an RV show in Columbus next weekend. Just wanting to confirm what we want which is the Catalina 323BHDS. Any pros cons in the brand would be helpful.

 

Are you shopping at Camping World???


When you go to a show concentrate on the size you want and the towing capacity of your truck. Look objectively and the use you want out of it also think about a few years down the road. Bunkhouse beds are great for small kids but teens are often cramped and the beds are short. Kids grow fast. Look at grey and fresh capacity, bathroom size and ability to dress in the bathroom. Sit on the toilet and check knee space. Look at refrigerator space and pantry space.


Mechanically look at the tires, plan on replacing the new tires. Look at exterior features, ladders, racks etc. Are you carrying bikes? How do you carry them? Look for your black water flush, is it on the same side as the dump valves? What amp is the camper, 30 or 50? If you are planning on camping in the South in July can you add a second a/c? Fireplaces are nice for fall weather, they are basically space heaters.


Look objectively. I bought a 2015 Puma Bunkhouse and traded (at a loss) 1 1/2 years later for the 2017 Surveyor, the Puma just did not suit us after we stayed in it a while.

 

Normally every year I seal up the camper for winter. But the last couple springs now I have been getting a musty smell. So this year is the first year I left windows open and I bought a couple of those port window covers so you can leave them open in rain.

I have a the camper plugged in on a timer that comes on for an hour every day just to keep the batteries up. I was thinking of installing a fan in one of the ports that would come on with the timer and run that hour every day as well.

Anyone have something similar? What kind of fan? Not worth it?

 

So we are in Texas for Christmas and New Year's but we only brought the truck. Our Toy Hauler stays in Texas now but our big trailer is still back in Maryland. It won't get above freezing there until the 7th or 9th. Hopefully we don't come back to everything being frozen solid...

We drained the tanks, fresh water was pretty low and we ran the water out of the lines inside, refilled both 30lb tanks and set the heat to 45��°. We get back the 4th. Damn, it is going to be cold.

 

I would be concerned about the toilet valve and water pump. This cold weather is going to drain your propane fast.

 

The water pump is off and empty. Hopefully it won't drain to fast with it being set so low. I have a buddy stopping by to look at the gauge to see where it is at today.

 

A small electric space heater and leaving the cabinet doors open will go a long way to save propane and the water lines.
The only time I have ever run the propane furnace in the current TT was when it was brand new just to test it, other than that it's been electric heat from 1 or 2 small space heaters and mostly the fireplace and its been pretty cold (not quite as cold as right now) for many of those trips.
Our fireplace runs all the time when we are using the TT, even when the AC is on during the Summer, my wife loves the look of the thing.

 

When we are there, we have a few small space heaters going to help with the propane. We don't leave the space heaters going if we are not there.