Keystone State Thread

Nice! I've most likely seen you around then. Grew up in Red Lion and my parents are still there. I'm over in Spry.

 

Thanks Ken.

 

Will wave when I drive through on way to my sons football practice tonight

 

Super happy to be back in PA with the family after spending the last two years as a geobachelor in Bahrain. Had my change of command on Thursday morning and after two days of flight delays (gotta' love MILAIR) I started the journey home Saturday night. After stops in Sigonella, Rota, Norfolk and Charlotte I finally made it into Philly Monday at 0100. It stunk to be away from my wife and son the past two years but it was worth it to keep them in one spot since my next assignment is also in Philly. That will give them six straight years here and my son will graduate from high school at the end of this next tour.

 

Welcome home!!!

 

Welcome home!!


....and good morning fellow Pennsyltuckyvanians!!!

 

Good morning PA. Another great weather day is forthcoming.

 

Morning Pennsylvania

 

Welcome home and thank you for your service

 

Morning Pennsylvania.

 

Anyone driven a corolla cross?

Gonna go to the stealership this weekend probably to have a look between one and a rav4.

 

Two vehicles so far today. Total of 13 miles driven, 1 hour 22 minutes time= $220. Plenty of time in the day for more hauls. Hauled them cheap, car is my nephews and the suv was a guy that needed his towed to another shop 1 1/4 mile down the road from where I was picking up my nephews car.

 

So how is that 4.0 at towing a car hauler loaded ? I dolly towed my leaf home from Ohio but thought a car hauler would over do it?

 

is that Rochester Rd or am i in the wrong area?

 

The 4.0 doesn't have any issues towing within rated specs. The 7x18 Lamar car hauler is rated for 7k lbs, empty with the add-ons I did (12k lb Badlands APEX winch, spare tire carrier, E-tracks, toolbox with battery and straps, clamps and clips) it's sitting right around 2,340lbs so I'm still good with anything under 4,660lbs. The trailer does have electric brakes on both axles ( per Pa. state law and because I wanted more braking power).
The truck is rated for 7,500lbs so still good. I built up the front suspension with OME 887's on 5100's set at zero, Poly Performance Taco Tabs to help keep the alignment in check, upgraded swaybar endings as well as Polyurethaneswaybar bushings. Rear I built my own leafspring packs using two stock leafpacks and adding a Torch offroad lift/overload spring, 5100's, Firestone ride rite airbags with daystar cradles. Brakes are all Powerstop Z36 towing/ lifted truck brake rotors/ pads, drums/shoes. I use a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 brake controller (highly recommended over most others).

I've used a loaner 3rd gen Tacoma and been in others and I have to agree with most when they say the 2nd 4.0 auto is far superior than the 3rd gen 3.5 auto when it comes to towing/ hauling. Don't hate me for saying that but it's been proven.

I mainly drive like you should with a trailer on back. (35 years of tractor-trailer driving experience helps alot along with tons of common sense). As you know Pittsburgh is mostly steep windy hills with tons of obstacles like manhole covers (6-8" lower than the street level) potholes galore, shitty parking jobs and worse drivers. On hills if I have loads on I drive the auto like a manual and start out in 1st gear moving up to 4th, rarely am I ever in "D drive 5th gear" unless I'm on the highway where it's flat enough so it's not over working the transmission by constantly searching for 5th gear. Usually stay in 4th gear when empty. Honestly you'd be perfectly fine with a decent car trailer hauling the Leaf, would really feel it back there even with the weight of the trailer. I went with an 18' trailer for two reasons, 1. I can adjust the vehicle/load easier for better load weight distribution 2. It was only $100 more for the 18' over the 16'.

 

Close, I picked up my nephews car (and the SUV next door to that and took the suv down to Hi-Tec Auto on Babcock Blvd, you can see 3 degree rad in the background) up at Jimber towing impound lot across from the Advanced Auto on Perry Highway behind Pizza Roma. No too far off though. Hauled my nephews car down to Troy Hill next to Most Holy Name Church, it's actually sitting in their rear lot now.

 

good ole Troy Hill, went to HS there a couple decades ago

Pizza Roma...memories from olden days (still liked Sir Pizza better when the old man used to put a little beer in the sauce )

 

Home from work and playing fetch with the shepherd. The boxer is lazy he's laying by my feet. He's totally polar opposite from my old boxer.

 

This dog is non stop. The head movements still make me chuckle

 

My wife has a 2019 RAV4 Adventure and we love it. She had the previous generation of Rav before this one.