New to us SUNLINE

John and Deb · 05-06-2012, 05:28 PM

A couple weeks ago we traded our 1984 Sunline for a 2006 Sunline T-286-2R. What a roomy travel trailer. We had not planed on buying another TT for a couple years but this one is a one owner, low 'mileage' TT.
Next Sunday we will be using it for the first time this year and can't wait, it will be sooooooo nice.

I've learned a lot from this web site... keep up the good work!

EMD_Driver · 05-06-2012, 05:36 PM

Congratulations on your upgrade!

kanyonkitty · 05-06-2012, 06:02 PM

John & Deb,

Congrats on your Sunline upgrade. Next sunday won't be able to get here fast enought for you.

Now that you've upgraded, I bet your having fun deciding where you want to put stuff, and I bet some modifications will also be on the horizon.

Pictures, yep we love to see pictures, so if you get a chance to post some, we'd love to look at them.

Kitty

John and Deb · 05-06-2012, 06:07 PM

Pictures will be forthcoming. Like you said, Sunday can't come fast enough.

**Sunline Fan** · 05-06-2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John and Deb

Pictures will be forthcoming. Like you said, Sunday can't come fast enough.

You aren't planning to pull your 286SR with a 4.6L/3.55 F150, are you?

John and Deb · 05-07-2012, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunline Fan

You aren't planning to pull your 286SR with a 4.6L/3.55 F150, are you?

I'm going to try pulling it. I know the trailer GVW is over the Pick up's capability. We are using a WDH and my first stop is a wiegh station. I'll post the results of our first outing when we get back next week.

campin'dude · 05-07-2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John and Deb

I'm going to try pulling it. I know the trailer GVW is over the Pick up's capability. We are using a WDH and my first stop is a wiegh station. I'll post the results of our first outing when we get back next week.

I really wish you the best of luck pulling that trailer with a 4.6L and 3:55 gears but I am guessing you will not be happy with the results (and borderline unsafe). We have a 2007 267SR and pull it with a 2002 F-150 5.4L that we upgraded to 4:10s. It originally had 3:55s and, after pulling a 4500lb Starcraft hybrid, I didn't even attempt towing the 276SR until we upgraded the truck. The current setup with the low RPM torque of the 5.4L makes it a decent tow vehicle for that trailer but it won't win any races. I can't imagine towing it with 40 hp and 60 lbs of torque less than what I have now. Please let us know how it goes...

**Sunline Fan** · 05-07-2012, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John and Deb

I'm going to try pulling it. I know the trailer GVW is over the Pick up's capability. We are using a WDH and my first stop is a wiegh station. I'll post the results of our first outing when we get back next week.

Oh boy, this is what I was afraid of.

I'm not happy with the V10 Excursion trying to pull the 286SR on the highway, but it isn't too too bad on back roads. Most of the time I use my dad's F-450 when I can, not because it's an F-450, but because it's a V8 diesel (which could also come in a F-250 (Excursion size). I won't have to use that once I (start &) finish my diesel conversion.

I feel a 5.4 F-150, even with gearing like Greg has, is not enough for a 286SR. It's less about the engine and more that you have the slide room and kitchen up front that gives you a lot of weight. If I were you, take tools and drain the water heater before driving, because that will help take a lot of weight off the front there.

Also, the 286SR needs 1200# weight distribution equipment. With a lightly loaded rear compartment, my tongue weight was about 1250, but it was just under 1200 (I think 1175) with the rear compartment more loaded.

John and Deb · 05-18-2012, 06:07 AM

Well, I hooked up the camper on Saturday, May 12th. Got it ready to spend some time camping. Sunday came around and I took off, noticed one problem right away, I was "down by the stern" in the pickup. Got to the weigh station, found the weights were pretty close to max. Adjusted the WDH to even out the load and continued on to the campground. It is a little slow going up hill but doesn't cause any problem going down hill, being passed or braking. I am a little over on the GCVW, but have seen many set-ups much worse. Atleast, we are riding level.
One thing I learned from living in a motorhome for many years, don't be in a hurry, pull over to let traffic go by cause they are in more of hurry than we were in, and enjoy the ride...its part of the campout.
On our way to Rhode Island in June.