Freebird

Well all went according to plan. We arrived at the dealer at 8:30 this morning. First thing we did was inspect the trailer and they did a great walk through to explain all the features. They suggested that we add an automatic canopy that extends out with the slideout and it seemed like a good idea so we had them install that also. The tech took my truck keys and by the time we got all the paperwork completed, he had the hitch installed and set up for my truck and trailer and had it pulled around and ready to go. We left Grand Rapids around 11:00 and headed home. There was some light snow falling when we left and it stayed with us for an hour or so and then just occasional mixed but light rain and snow all the way home. We pulled into the driveway at 3:30 so 4 1/2 hours. About the same time that it took us to get there yesterday. The trailer pulled much better than I expected. I was a bit concerned that we had bought too much trailer for the truck but it quickly became apparent that all was fine. Heck, once I got on the turnpike, I honestly forgot it was behind us a few times. There was a bit of wind and some small hills but I never felt the trailer sway at all. The Tundra has ample power and only occasionally downshifted to a lower gear on a couple of longer inclines. The combination of the Tundra and the hitch that we selected just did a fantastic job. Far exceeded my expectations. I was mistaken about it having the power tongue jack. It does have the power levelers but did not have the power tongue jack. They had the same one that was linked above in stock so I went ahead and picked it up while there even though it was slightly higher than listed on Amazon. Weather permitting, I'll likely install it tomorrow before I even unhook the truck. Overall, we couldn't be happier with things at this point. They had it winterized already so I really don't have anything else to do to it until Spring. Here it is just after arriving home. Truck and trailer are both covered with road grime but I'll deal with that later. Right now, it feels like nap time.

We got to the hotel in Grand Rapids about 9:00 last night. Had hoped to get away earlier but had a stairlift install that I didn't finish until about 3:00 yesterday. So we are here, the weather is cooperating so far, and we are ready to go. The dealership is only about 15 minutes from the hotel so we will be heading that way in about 20 minutes. Get everything setup and headed back home. It took about 4 1/2 hours to get here. I figure 5 1/2 to get back home with the trailer in tow. It was mentioned that I should put some water in the fresh water tank but the dealer told me on the phone that they would have the trailer winterized so I won't be doing that. It's something that I don't have to worry about when I get home though so that's good.

It came with the power jack and power levelers.

Ended up going with this hitch. Primarily because the dealer had it in stock and will set it all up tomorrow.

As I posted in another thread, we bought a new truck with the intention of probably buying a travel trailer in the spring. We started doing our research which was a mistake becuase it led exactly to what I figured would happen, buy now and take advantage of winter pricing. So, Eileen found several but she had a hard time with the concept of "IT'S TOO BIG". She finally found the one that she really liked. I did a lot of research and found that the reviews were about as good as most of the others in this class/price range. There were many positive reviews and the usual horror stories so you just take your chance I suppose. I had planned on buying used but once she found what she wanted, I started shopping in earnest and found a new 2018 model that was drastically reduced in price. The dealer is already receiving his 2019 models and with winter here, had really cut the price on the 2018. I found a few used ones of the same model and some were asking even more than I paid for this one. The nicest one that I found was 3 years old and he wanted $1500.00 more for it than I bought the new 2018 for. A couple of pretty big negatives. I ended up pushing the envelope on what I wanted to keep the weight and etc. down to behind the 1/2 ton truck. The truck is rated to pull 8800 lbs. and this trailer comes in at 6500. I know that I needed to stay down around 5500 but it is what it is. It is also closer to the GCVR than I had targeted but still under by about a thousand pounds after adding about a thousand for gear and etc. More that I had wanted but hopefully it will be ok. The second negative is that it is a 4 1/2 hour drive to go get it. I tried to get a local dealer to match the price but the closest anybody came was close to $3,000.00 higher. So, this afternoon we will head to Grand Rapids, MI to pick it up. Got a hotel for tonight and will get to the dealer at 8:30 tomorrow morning, get things situtated and then head home. By the time I drive 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours home, I will have a good idea of how bad I screwed up on the larger size. Anyway, it is a Keystone Hideout 27DBS. My wife chose it because she loved the floorplan and decor. It is pretty loaded with 32" TV, Stereo, Central Vac, additional outside kitchen, etc. Another feature that we liked is that the TV rotates to face either the living area or the bedroom area. Hopefully it will all go well.

I don't remember which year but there was one year when Yamaha had an issue. My memory isn't clear on it but I think it was a head gasket issue. It may have been the 2010 model but I'm not 100% sure. I do remember that there was a service bulletin or a recall on it. Just did some searching and it was the 2007 that had the issue. Some bolts were not tightened properly and there was a TSB issued.

That actually looks good. It looks like a good match if that is your stock seat. I'll have to look into that.

The no ground plain models would probably be a better choice for bikes due to obvious reasons. That being said, I don't know of anybody using that type. Most of us just use the CB for close range communication when on group rides and the standard antennas seem to do fine for our needs.

Very nice bike. First thing I would do is to make sure a brake switch is not activated, or the clutch switch. With your hand, see if it will engage if you put some outward pressure on the brake and clutch levers.

It was on the bike when I bought it but I got lucky and they previous owner, who did have it custom built, was about an inch taller than me and within 5 or 10 lbs of my weight. It was a good fit. I'm only around 6'2 or 6'3 but the seat along with the leveling links made it almost impossible for anybody shorter to flat foot the bike.

I think you'll love them. It took me all of about 15 minutes to install and adjust them to my liking. One word of caution, I've read a couple of reports where people dropped the handlebars on their gas tank when loosening the screws. Just be careful and make sure you hold them with one hand before loosening them. Just to make sure, I laid a thick blanket on my gas tank. I removed the screws, let the bars rotate down and sit on the thick blanket on the tank, Installed the risers and then simply lifted the bars into the risers and put a camp on snugly enough to hold the bars but still let me move them until I had them where I liked it.

Yea, it's a strange list. Mobil 1 isn't listed except in Mexico. Amsoil and Royal Purple are neither mentioned. Doesn't seem to be very applicable to North America. At least not north of Mexico.

Great information. That is very likely what I will go with when the time comes.

I put the ROX Risers on mine and the cables worked just fine. Not binging in any way at full lock in either direction. Fantastic difference.

hmmmm....I think I prefer my '18.

Very nice. I often wished I had bought that instead of the Murano. It just has more towing capacity and looks more rugged. The Murano was nice but more in a car type way. If I had gone with another SUV instead of the truck, that is what I would have bought. I went with the '18 Tundra instead of the '19 because I saved several thousand dollars and they didn't change anything.

Done.

No problem. Glad it arrived. You know you have to replace something before you find the old one.

Great job. They look good. Do they fold back? Not sure that they really need to but just wondering.

I don't plan to buy a travel trailer until the spring at the very earliest but have been trying to do some research about the quality of the various brands. Learning that many are made by the same companies. What I've found so far is that they all seem to be hit or miss. I've read reports that the exact same units, parked side by side, can exhibit huge differences in quality. Every brand I look at, I read horror stories. I guess that Coleman is made by Dutchmen? I see a lot of favorable reports but also the same horror stories that I've mentioned. Same thing with Forest River and most of the others. I suppose Airstream is touted as one of the best but I'm not spending that kind of money when I buy one. Haven't really found a good comprehensive rating site. When I purchase one, it will likely be a late model used one so that I can get the highest end unit for the money that I want to spend. Of course, that leads to more issues that will require a detailed inspection for any water damage, past leaks, etc.

I haven't even looked into it. I'm sure that somewhere, somebody has done so. I tell you, the stereo system is about as good as I've ever seen on a motorcycle. Much better than the first or second gen systems. I'm pretty content with it as is but I know that some folks are much more demanding about the stereos than I am.

Thanks. Haven't seen that before. We'll see if it starts to be a regular issue.

Eck, you know that I've owned two Avalanches, the 1500 and a 2500. I like them a lot. The problem with them here is that they are prone to rust easier than some other trucks on these salt-covered winter roads.

That trailer is about the size that we will likely purchase at some point and was the primary reason for buying the truck.

First let me say, I was incorrect about the towing capacity. The 10,100 is for the 4X2 model. Mine is a 4X4 and the towing capacity is 8800 lbs. Payload capacity on the 4X4 is 1530.