What kind of camper do you have?

How do you like the hiker? Looking at the EOR

 

Wasps building nests in the bumper no more mod

 

Anyone using these?

Power Stop K137-36 Front Z36 Truck & Tow Brake Kit, Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads and Drilled and Slotted Brake Rotors For Toyota 4Runner FJ Cruiser Tacoma 6 Lug

$216 Power Stop K137-36 Front Z36 Truck & Tow Brake Kit, Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads and Drilled and Slotted Brake Rotors For Toyota 4Runner FJ Cruiser Tacoma 6 Lug

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UB8X94

 

Yes. I love them.

 

We've been using my dad's RPod 171 for the last year, but it's proved to be far too cramped for me, my, wife, my kiddo, and our dog. Been looking at options that the Taco can handle. Right now the Salem FSK 178BHSK is at the top of our list (based on math for payload, hitch weights, etc). Good to know folks have successfully pulled similar campers!

 

The layout in that Salem looks really nice. We have a RPod 193, which has a similar layout, and it's taken us to a lot of fun places.

 

That really is a great layout and I'll add that to my list of potential campers.

Any issues with the GVRW or payload? Looking at the Forest River site, looks like the UVW is 4,169 and hitch weight is 431. Based on my Excel math, it looks like we'd have about 200lbs of payload left over once we add in the WHD, batteries, propane, organic items (family), etc. Did you add air bags to the suspension? How's it tow?

(sorry, lots of questions, but just trying to crunch all the right numbers!)

 

It tows good, but you're correct about tongue weight and payload capacity not leaving much room. We only have one battery, but do bring a small Honda generator when we're boondocking. I have stock TRD OR suspension with the addition of black sumo springs and a weight distribution hitch / friction anti sway bars. I tow in S4 and stay in the right lane on hills and mountain passes (Snoqualmie Pass and Chinook Pass in Washington State). I usually get 10 - 11 MPG when towing. I just added a bed rack and some kayak racks, but haven't towed with them yet.

 

Realized I have never cleaned the fresh water tank and lines. Any good tips for cleaning the system out? Is bleach the best way?

 

First outing with my new Tab. Loving it so far.

 

My buddy has one of those, they love it

 

Here's the method that I use. I usually do it right after I de-winterize.

Put the water heater in bypass if it isn't already
Fill the fresh water tank to 1/3
Dilute 1/2 a cup of bleach and add to the fresh water tank through the potable water hose
Fill fresh water tank to capacity
Turn water pump on
Run all faucets and the toilet until no air comes out (hot and cold)
Turn off water pump
Empty toilet bowl and add toilet seal conditioner or fresh water to the toilet bowl (do not let bleach water sit on the seal)
Leave the bleach water in the lines and tank for at least 6 hours
Check the water line connections to make sure they are tight and there are no leaks
Dump the fresh water tank
Fill the fresh water tank with fresh water
Turn water pump on
Run all faucets and the toilet to flush out bleach until no air comes out (hot and cold)
Turn off water pump
Dump the fresh water tank
Connect water to city connector
Run the water on all the lines
Add toilet seal conditioner the toilet bowl
Dump gray water tank

 

That is a great method.

I'll add to not put any bleach solution in your water heater. Just flush it out with fresh water, via the drain hole.

 

Good point. My water heater is still in bypass when I do this because I just de-winterized. I edited my post above.

 

I have them and have no complaints at all.

 

We just picked up this 17BH model. Super stocked to get the family out this year. Got a trip from home (Michigan to Missouri) planned the end of July.

Even at just over 2k lbs this trailer pulls like a cinder block behind the taco. It’ll be a slow relaxed trip lol.

 

We've pulled our little OGT (OffGrid Trailers) all over the country, and so far have about 5,000 miles with the Taco.
Well be towing it to Leadville/Turquoise Lake where the wife and I got married, for our 5 year anniversary at the end of June.

 

Will adding a bike rack to the rear bumper of a 3700lb tandem axle pop up cause any issues with sway or tongue weight? I’m thinking no, but am willing to listen.

 

I'd say on a tandom axle if it's only a bicycle or two I'd say not a whole lot, but anything heavier and it will start lightening the tounge weight up considerably.

I know on our single axle square drop, it takes 236lbs of water at the very rear of the trailer to take 40 lbs off of our dry 300-ish lb tounge weight.