The camper thread! Pulling, using, equipment, maintenance!
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
My TT is all winterized and put away. I noticed my pink stuff smelled a bit funny when I was dumping it in. I don't remember if it smelled funny before when it was new. I may get new stuff next year.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Sterling KY
One last trip this weekend to the KY Horse Park before putting the camper away for the winter. This is my rig, and my brother (identical twin) has a similar Outback with a lifted '03 excursion. We get lots of looks when pulling and camping together. I'll try to get a picture of both rigs.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54415118@N03/8144763838/" title="IMAG0067[1] by ilovetrainskc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8053/8144763838_6676703290.jpg" width="500" height="282" alt="IMAG0067[1]"></a>
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington, IL
So last weekend on my last camping trip of the season I made a pretty boneheaded move and luckily I didn't hurt myself.
When packing up to go home I remember them telling me when I bought the camper to remove the drain plug from the water heater and switching a couple valves before pumping in the antifreeze.
So I shut off the water pump (the water heater had been off for 10 hrs or so) and unscrewed the water heater drain plug. Boy, that sucker shot out and landed in the next campsite. (I'll be sure to release the pressure next time!) and gave me a bath of luke warm gritty water.
What was all this white grit that came out of my 1 yr. old camper water heater? Do I need to clean all that out somehow?
Thanks in advance for the help
When packing up to go home I remember them telling me when I bought the camper to remove the drain plug from the water heater and switching a couple valves before pumping in the antifreeze.
So I shut off the water pump (the water heater had been off for 10 hrs or so) and unscrewed the water heater drain plug. Boy, that sucker shot out and landed in the next campsite. (I'll be sure to release the pressure next time!) and gave me a bath of luke warm gritty water.
What was all this white grit that came out of my 1 yr. old camper water heater? Do I need to clean all that out somehow?
Thanks in advance for the help
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 495
From: NC
My wife and I are interested in a TT. it is 39', 1300 lb tongue weight, 9225 lbs unloaded with a GVWR of 11,455. Will the Ex be able to handle that? A 40' seems awfully long but we love the layout, any thoughts?
Joe28443
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Hampstead NC
So last weekend on my last camping trip of the season I made a pretty boneheaded move and luckily I didn't hurt myself.
When packing up to go home I remember them telling me when I bought the camper to remove the drain plug from the water heater and switching a couple valves before pumping in the antifreeze.
So I shut off the water pump (the water heater had been off for 10 hrs or so) and unscrewed the water heater drain plug. Boy, that sucker shot out and landed in the next campsite. (I'll be sure to release the pressure next time!) and gave me a bath of luke warm gritty water.
What was all this white grit that came out of my 1 yr. old camper water heater? Do I need to clean all that out somehow?
Thanks in advance for the help
When packing up to go home I remember them telling me when I bought the camper to remove the drain plug from the water heater and switching a couple valves before pumping in the antifreeze.
So I shut off the water pump (the water heater had been off for 10 hrs or so) and unscrewed the water heater drain plug. Boy, that sucker shot out and landed in the next campsite. (I'll be sure to release the pressure next time!) and gave me a bath of luke warm gritty water.
What was all this white grit that came out of my 1 yr. old camper water heater? Do I need to clean all that out somehow?
Thanks in advance for the help
Joe28443
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Hampstead NC
It will pull it, may have to mod your suspension and get your hitch set up right . Some on here will say no, but then again a lot will say go ahead.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
. I KNOW these will help, but expect I'll still need a change of undies from time to time. 
The Hensley or ProPride could be the answer to that though. 
The physics of the relatively short wheelbase Excursion is the real problem. I don't even bother with the WD hitch when towing this camper with my dually. The dually is a little heavier, but has like 3ft more wheelbase and of course MUCH stiffer suspension (especially since it is a cab-chassis model).
Can you do it? Yep. Will you be comfortable? Maybe not.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 495
From: NC
Thanks for the info. I understand about the change of undies, the first time I pulled my car hauler was for 1000 miles round trip to Nashville from Central NC and I did not have proper sway control, after that trip I bought a Pro Pride and it fixed the sway, now I don't even know it is back there. My wife insists a Pro Pride is a must.
My Ex is stock, I know I will be looking at rear springs (mine is a 2wd) and some engine mods.
My Ex is stock, I know I will be looking at rear springs (mine is a 2wd) and some engine mods.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
Mine is 37 from bumper to ball, and GVWR is 10K, so not far off.
I have x/c code springs, no real engine mods, exhaust and guages.
My only weak link is the hitch, running el cheapo Reece pro that the dealer sent me home with, need an upgrade on that.
you should be fine
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte, NC
The truck already had a 5" MBRE exhaust; I've upgraded a few of the "easier" mods, still run the stock headgaskets and head bolts.
It's definately a heavy set-up and I keep an eye on temps (ECT, EOT, EGT) and use two hands when the big trucks go by. Having said that, I feel good about towing this rig with the X. In fact, we're about to embark on a 2500 mile road trip to TX and back to NC over Thanksgiving. Good luck.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
I use about 1.5 gallons of pink stuff to winterize and it takes about 10min.
I'm also a tight wad and 'recycle' antifreeze. When I turn everything on in the beginning of the season, I collect it from each faucet until it gets diluted. This is what I dump in the holding tanks next season.
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Dumping it in? You mean you don't have valves to bypass the water heater and also to allow you to suck pink stuff thru 12v pump straight out of the jug???
I use about 1.5 gallons of pink stuff to winterize and it takes about 10min.
I'm also a tight wad and 'recycle' antifreeze. When I turn everything on in the beginning of the season, I collect it from each faucet until it gets diluted. This is what I dump in the holding tanks next season.
I use about 1.5 gallons of pink stuff to winterize and it takes about 10min.
I'm also a tight wad and 'recycle' antifreeze. When I turn everything on in the beginning of the season, I collect it from each faucet until it gets diluted. This is what I dump in the holding tanks next season.
I do have bypass valves for the water heater but I have yet to even open those up ever since I bought the TT. You want warm water go cook it over the fire outside.
I am sure I could set up a deal to suck right out of the jug but really dumping in 4 gallons doesn't take that long or bother me much.
I dump 4 gallons into the tank, turn the pump on and run it threw all the lines and done for winter. Come spring I do the same as you and drain the antifreeze back into their jugs and put them back on the shelf till next winter. Over the last 3 years I have only lost about a gallon total (goes down the sink, toilet, and bathtub drains), the water traps need antifreeze too.
But when dumping in the stuff this year I noticed it had a funny smell that I didn't notice (I don't think) other years. This spring I also had to clean my tank and lines because of algae which I think is why the pink stuff smells. When I was thinking about the smell and algae I thought that the alcohol in the antifreeze would kill all that stuff?