Newbie needs advice

[gritsngravy]

OhhWell, We will be replacing the tires, as well as replacing or repacking the bearings and doing a brake job before taking our first trip.
It could have been tire bounce, but it felt more like the back of the Merc bouncing, and this was empty. Can only imagine it'll get worse loaded, but due to lack of sway I'm going to wait on the WD hitch a few trips ...... also prolly get someone to ride along side to see where the bounce is really happening.

Thanks for the encouragement!

[OhhWell]

I'm sure John will pop in and probably have a good answer for you on that bounce. It is possible that more toungue weight will help with that.

The one thing that I would be extrermely worried about with the bounce is if it is effecting the front of your vehicle. If the trailer is bouncing up and down on your hitch, the back wheels become the fulcrum. When it comes down on the hitch (If that is what it is doing), the front of your car will raise.

If that happens enough and your front tires lose traction, then that would be disaterous. I watched something like that happen on a bridge with a good size 1/2 ton pickup pulling a small single axle travel tralier. The bouncing seemeed to get worse and worse till I saw the front tires almost leave the ground. Luckly the driver finaly cought on and slowed way down.

I would have someone drive along side you in another vehicle and tell you what they observe while it is bouncing.

[gritsngravy]

The first 10 miles of the trip home was on Va county roads, narrow, winding and uneven. The "bounce" was more like that land yacht feeling that the older luxury cars were famous for. Like when your shocks are gone ........ that hump in the road translates to 4-5 "waves" even after you're back on the smooth. It really never felt like the front end was getting light.
After getting on the hwy it didn't happen as much and was just a slow front to back rolling more that a bounce, if that makes sense.

[mtsav8or]

I've got a T1550 and I've towed it with a Blazer and a TrailBlazer. Regardless of what your Mountaineer is rated for, I'd recommend installing an auxiliary transmission cooler if you plan to tow a Travel Trailer camper with it. I have also towed much larger loads with a Blazer and keeping the transmission fluid cool, having a proper WD Hitch, and auxiliary brake controller are all critical to safe towing. If you want to extend the life of your tow vehicle, take care of the rear end and the transmission!

[gritsngravy]

Thanks mtsav8or.
As it turns out the Merc had the trans cooler from the factory. We've made a couple trips into the NC mountains and it behaves quite well. Once we got far enough into the hills to turn off the AC we managed about 15mpg. This was on winding secondary roads and I stayed around 45mph. The Prodigy II controller we had installed worked great and by upping the boost to the mid level there was no trouble with down hills or snap adjustments in speed when needed.
All in all it has so far been a pleasure to tow, and with the trailer loaded the bounce is almost gone.

[soudabaycr1]

Hi! I am new to TT camping. I just bought a 1996 Solaris. I have a question about the (gas) hot water heater. All of the books mention a switch. Where is the switch? It is a Direct ignition model.

[Gene]

Usually the switch for the gas portion of the water heater is near the sink ... depending on the model coach you have.