Took Sunny for a spin today...

EMD_Driver · 02-27-2013, 03:52 PM

We finally got the foot pads for the B&W companion hitch. They are designed to keep the hitch from damaging the bed. Got them installed and hitched up Sunny, to check the bed rail clearance. I had 4-5 inches of clearance, which was nowhere near enough. We adjusted the hitch height and hitched up again. The bed rail clearance is much better now.

I decided to take Sunny for a spin, to see how the new truck would do. I also took a trip across the CAT scales, to see where we stand. I already weighed the truck, with us and a full tank of fuel in it. I wanted to get a base idea of where it was at. I'll post the weights below...

I forgot to take any pictures of the hitch adjustments... Oops... I did not, however, forget to take some pics of Sunny and the new truck all lashed up...

As you can see, the rear of the truck sags just a bit. I have not decided, if I'll add air bags.

The weather wasn't ideal for taking pictures, but you get the idea...

Now on to the weights...

With a full tank of fuel and both of us in the truck, here's what I got:

Front Axle: 5,000lbs

Rear axle: 3,360lbs

Total: 8,360lbs

With Sunny hitched up, full tank of fuel and both of us in the truck...

Front axle: 5,100lbs

Rear axle: 6,040lbs

Sunny axles: 9,540lbs

Total 20,680lbs

Here's the specs on the truck:

Front GAWR: 5,600lbs

Rear GAWR: 6,100lbs

GCWR: 23,500lbs

It looks as if Sunny is going to go on a bit of a diet.. I have plenty of "Stuff" in Sunny that can go... The truck, however, did an amazing job and was completely comfortable to tow Sunny with! The difference in power between this truck and the dually is amazing!

BTW: Sunny is almost fully loaded and ready to go camping. The only thing missing, is the fridge food... Other than that, it's fully loaded...

**JohnB** · 02-27-2013, 05:39 PM

Gary,

Look'in good!

That GVCWR rating, If I recall right Kitty's 2005 F350 had like a 23,000 or 22,500 in her 6.0 PDS.

How does this new 6.7 torque monster compare? The GVW rating is pretty close one would think the pulling woudl be close, that is unless there is number fudging going on back in 2005.

I somehow think air bags may be in your future. Not that what you have right now is bad, but your at the end of the suspension to hold the truck up. Here is where air bags works well.

Good luck. Nice looking rig.

John

OH and how is the new brake controller?

EMD_Driver · 02-27-2013, 05:51 PM

John,

This truck pulls Sunny, almost like it wasn't back there at all! The torque this engine puts out is impressive!

As for the air bags.... I already have a Viair compressor and a tank, so it may just be a future mod!

The new integrated brake controller is leaps and bounds better, than the buggy one in Kitty's F350! I even like it better, than the P3 I have in the dually! When I hit the brakes, it's as if there is no trailer attached. The synchronization between the truck and trailer is awesome!

mainah · 02-27-2013, 06:06 PM

I would have to use 4 wheel drive to get mine out of the drive way! Still snowing hard up here and they say it might stop some time Friday.

EMD_Driver · 02-27-2013, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainah

I would have to use 4 wheel drive to get mine out of the drive way! Still snowing hard up here and they say it might stop some time Friday.

You guys can keep all that snow...

I sometimes have to use 4 wheel drive, just to get the Sunline backed up the hill and into it's parking spot...

Trailblazer · 02-27-2013, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

I somehow think air bags may be in your future. Not that what you have right now is bad, but your at the end of the suspension to hold the truck up. Here is where air bags works well.

I agree on on the air bags. I put them on our F250 as it was squatting in the back as well when the 5'ver was hooked up. I took our truck and trailer to a CAT scale and our Rear axle weight was 5,886lbs. I am guessing yours is heavier due to the bedroom slide.

Other than leveling out the truck, I found another big advantage to them was the chucking I was experiencing from time to time pretty much disappeared. I am guessing this is because the air bags are acting similar to an Air Pin box. I am extremely happy with the air bags on our truck and highly recommend them.

Trailblazer · 02-27-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

I sometimes have to use 4 wheel drive, just to get the Sunline backed up the hill and into it's parking spot...

I have used 4X4 low when backing up our 5'ver when I have to push it up a hill. When doing this I have found I can just release the brake and the truck pretty much pushes the trailer up hill with no to very little pressure on the gas pedal.

EMD_Driver · 02-27-2013, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailblazer

I have used 4X4 low when backing up our 5'ver when I have to push it up a hill. When doing this I have found I can just release the brake and the truck pretty much pushes the trailer up hill with no to very little pressure on the gas pedal.

You will have to come see my hill sometime!

**JohnB** · 02-27-2013, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

You will have to come see my hill sometime!

A hill....

! Now we have hills in Ohio.... They are called exit ramps

.

Ski slope more comes to mind when describing a WV, hill....

Jay · 02-28-2013, 04:25 AM

Looks good! I would do the air bags. Haha I have to use 4wd almost everything I drive my truck now, seems everytime I start it I have to go out plowing. Seeing some recent pics makes me want to dig out the sunny and head out for the weekend.

**Sunline Fan** · 02-28-2013, 10:19 AM

+1 on air bags. Have them and they are very convenient to have, though not as nice as a full rear air suspension.

Sent from my iPhone on the Tapatalk app.

ihsolutions · 02-28-2013, 12:14 PM

+1 more on the airbags. I put them on my 2500HD when I was pulling our F-293SR and it made a HUGE difference in ride quality, especially chucking. It's nice to have them adjustable from inside the cab as sometimes changing road conditions required different pressures. But for the most part I kept them right around the same level (55psi).

Congrats on the new truck BTW!

EMD_Driver · 02-28-2013, 07:54 PM

Thanks to all, for suggesting the air bags. I just ordered a set of Firestone Ride-Rite bags. I'll wait a while, before fooling with the compressor kit...

**Sunline Fan** · 02-28-2013, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

Thanks to all, for suggesting the air bags. I just ordered a set of Firestone Ride-Rite bags. I'll wait a while, before fooling with the compressor kit...

I honestly haven't looked underneath of the '08+ bumpers, but the '99-'07 rear bumper has two tabs with holes in them underneath, one on each end. I've got my air line fittings mounted in those. Metal washers with small rubber ones inside up against the bumper. That way they're easy to access to add air, if need be. I've got the on board compressor though.

Jay · 03-01-2013, 04:26 AM

If you have the room to... In one of my old 3/4 ton trucks I had helper bags in, I mounted a tank for my rear bags and put a quick disconnect on the tank. I kept a air hose and some air fittings. Thinking about doing that again for on board air. Makes it nice camping if you have a bike, camper tire that needs a little air. Or just need to clean something up with a little air blast.

spatcher1070 · 03-01-2013, 01:21 PM

So, we picked up Sunny #19 today from getting the new roof. Truck pulled it very nicely. My only issue is that once again, EMD_Driver has taken me and a Sunny for a ride and we have yet to go camping. There really should be some kind of law against this kind of teasing.

**Sunline Fan** · 03-01-2013, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spatcher1070

So, we picked up Sunny #19 today from getting the new roof. Truck pulled it very nicely. My only issue is that once again, EMD_Driver has taken me and a Sunny for a ride and we have yet to go camping. There really should be some kind of law against this kind of teasing.

I think one of you two has a little 'splainin' to do here...

ihsolutions · 03-01-2013, 03:35 PM

Yeah Gary... the references to "we" in the last couple posts have not gone unnoticed. Now there's a new Sunline Club member here? What gives?

**Sunline Fan** · 03-01-2013, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihsolutions

Yeah Gary... the references to "we" in the last couple posts have not gone unnoticed. Now there's a new Sunline Club member here? What gives?

Yeah, I caught that too, but I just figured he meant Phillip. This adds a new dimension.

Welcome Angie!

EMD_Driver · 03-01-2013, 04:50 PM

Angie is a lady I met, late in December. She lost her husband to cancer, so she knew exactly what I have been through and what I'm going through now. In the last two months we have spent uncounted hours, just talking about her husband, as well as Kitty.

The fact that she lost a spouse to cancer, is in fire/EMS and an avid camper means we have a lot in common.

I cannot thank her enough, for helping me understand why I am feeling what I am and also helping me dealing with those feelings. Her experiences allow her to have a unique perspective and she is a lot of fun to be around too.

She has a Keystone Passport Ultra-Lite that she is trying to sell. I now have her hooked on Sunline..

BTW: Here is Sunny #19.. All cleaned up and sporting a new roof!