My next vehicle - Fiberglass RV
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Old 01-23-2003, 05:28 PM   #1
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My next vehicle

Jana,

Everyday considerations for next vehicle: Good gas mileage, low repair history, good saftey record, refined appointments. (I don't want it to look like a work vehicle.)

Tow vehicle considerations: Enough power to pull effortlessly, enough ballast to stop efficiently, enough back area space to haul a bicycle on the interior of the vehicle. I don't care what happens to the knees of anyone in the rear seats. An SUV is preferred but a truck is OK if its not a monster.

The trailer weighs roughly 2000 pounds and has 4000 pounds axle capacity. It is most unlikely that it will ever be weighted to exceed 3000 pounds. The previous owners traveled with loaded tanks and 4 persons and all their gear and didn't exceed 3,000 pounds.

If I had my druthers and it could be done safely, I'd be perfectly happy towing with a Mini-Cooper. I'm a SINK (Single Income NO Kids) person. I do not want a vehicle that even looks like it might accomodate me if I, in an irrational moment, took a notion to haul children. The last vehicle I seriously considered buying was a Ford Mustang convertible - no trunk space or other passenger considerations at all.

The trailer is more than I was looking for but the availability and price presented an opportunity that I decided not to let pass me by. Honestly, I was just going to take a look at it to see what a Fiber Stream looked like when my shopping gene kicked in. The Morse's, the sellers, live 9 miles down the road, no turns, from my grandmother.

The Chinook is OK because it is not an everyday vehicle. Whatever tows the tt has to be an everyday vehicle.

Is this the list you had in mind?



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Old 01-23-2003, 05:39 PM   #2
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moed over here

Mary will be so proud of you Benita. I always get off subject, and don't think about it. I'll try to do better.

That is exacty what I was talking about on the wants. whats a Mini-Cooper?
I'm hoping people will come tell us how theirs fits here or here on your list so we can find direction.
example. my Escape. drop the back seats and you have room to spare. high rating on safety. lowest was front corner hit, so I added a brush guard. talked to two people who had wrecks and each had a guard and very little damage to Escape and none to self. Now we will see what others have to say.



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Old 01-23-2003, 05:47 PM   #3
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Mini - The smallest car in America?

BMW is distributing these in the US. It is a retro-60s car. Think glorified golf cart. The original is rumored to be the source of the name - mini as in mini-skirt.

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e307ee0d67bbmini.jpg/>

Engines
1.6L 115 hp I4
1.6L 163 hp I4

Transmissions
1-Speed Automatic
5-Speed Manual Overdrive
6-Speed Manual



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Old 01-23-2003, 06:07 PM   #4
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Mini-Cooper

:banana I'm with you, Benita. I love those cars. We kind of discussed them in another thread the first part of December. Here's part of what I said:

...and the mini Cooper. But, alas, not willing to give up my Fiberglass for one yet.

Maybe I could just strap one onto the side of my Trailer like some people do there boats''


If you figure out a way to have both, let me know, okay? BTW, I want one with a sunroof. Got to have a sunroof for my dog.:yep



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Old 01-23-2003, 06:20 PM   #5
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vehicles

:o Suz :o you were supose to tell us if your vehicle met any of Benitas wish list items. Well, If you want to that is.



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Old 01-23-2003, 06:33 PM   #6
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Okay

Sorry, the mini Cooper won't tow anything. I have an Envoy. It has a six, but it is a straight six w/270 HP. They do not recommend a WDH until you hit 4,000 lbs. You can get a higher rating with a different trans/axle ratio, but not necessary. It drives and tows like a dream. Drives more like a sports car than an SUV. You can deck it out as far as you want to go. Same platform, different interior and exterior, is a Trail Blazer which, I believe has a lower MSRP. They are fun and easy to drive and handle.

I was at the GM dealer today getting my oil changed and saw a Rendevous. They are nice on the inside. Don't know about towing with them, but maybe we can get some feedback on it.

I think something you might also want to consider, Benita, is the length of your tow vehicle. That is also a very important factor.



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Old 01-23-2003, 06:55 PM   #7
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Mini Austin

I just have to tell you I owned a 1960 Austin Mini brand new in London,
it was chartreuse,what was I thinking? It was the most fun vehicle you could own!
Thats it :wave



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Old 01-23-2003, 06:59 PM   #8
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Benita------I tow with a GMC sonoma 4.3 liter motor.The weights you mentioned are a little lower than my Boler.I am able to pull and STOP with ease.I think with double axle you could pull better with my type vehical.:)



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Old 01-23-2003, 07:47 PM   #9
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all right!!

Benita, we now have two to look at and compare. throw in the Rendevous and we have three. but isn't that sonoma a pickup? maybe they make car types, I'm not sure.
need to go to http://www.edmunds.com/ (I spelled it wrong before) and compare them. size, price, engines and what
are you haveing fun, Benita? I am. :wave



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Old 01-23-2003, 11:37 PM   #10
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GM vehicles

Jana,

I think the Envoy, Trailblazer and Sonoma are all on the same platform. Although none of them are as economical as I wanted to go, they are on the short list along with the Blazer and Jimmy, two vehicles that are being obsoleted (I think.) Others non-GM on the list include: Isuzu Axiom, Dodge Dakota or Durango. :conf

Well, Rome wasn't built in a day. It will be a while before a tow vehicle materializes. I'll have time to think about it.



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Old 01-24-2003, 08:20 AM   #11
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GMs and others

I'm just thinking out loud here. This is based on a little knowledge and some logic thrown in. Could be wrong, but this is kinda how I see it.

I think once you get it narrowed down, driving them will give you the answer you're looking for. The Sonoma/S-10 is on the old Blazer/Jimmy Platform...at least I always beleived it was. The Envoy and Trail Blazer are totally different than the old ones.

I didn't realize that the Axiom would allow 4k lbs. I think that sounds very promising, just not sure of the weight/wheelbase of the vehicle itself.

Many things will work, but your statement about being able to tow with ease, raises the category a tad. I think the closer you are to your limit, the more you will realize it is back there. I would also think that the more it strains (higher RPM to pull) the lower your gas mileage will be while towing which would offset much of the savings during regular driving.

Something else to consider: the area you live in is anything but flat. If you decide to go north...even only as far as the north Georgia mountains...you'll want some power. You don't need overkill that will always give you bad gas mileage, but I think a good mid-size will do the trick and allow you have the amenities you would like, so when you're not towing, you won't feel like your in a truck.

Cars are as personal as RVs. You'll get as many opinions as there are vehicles. I think you are doing it the right way. Finding what can do the trick, then finding what you want from there.

Like with your trailer: someday the right one will come along for you and you will know it.



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Old 01-24-2003, 08:47 AM   #12
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Chacun a son gout

To each his own, I guess. Personally, I *like* the feeing that I'm "in a truck." I like the high vantage point, the solidity, and the room. I particularly like the terrific brakes on my truck. I tow with a Ford F150 with a king cab and a capped 8' bed and that's a LOT of room. Can't say I am happy with the gas mileage, but you can't have everything, sadly. Other needs have to go into the equation for each of us. I also hunt, so my 8' bed gives me plenty room for birddogs (and don't they love it!) and gear. And the 4WD has gotten me out of plenty of tight spots. It fits my needs just fine.



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Old 01-24-2003, 09:47 AM   #13
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Ieder zijn smaak

I like this:
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e315fc5f3558v480.jpg/>

For Robert:
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e315eeff07c6schapenveer.jpg/>



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Old 01-24-2003, 10:03 AM   #14
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Tow vehicle

Benita,

If you don't want a large truck, look at the Ford Sport Trac. Bernice likes it because she can see everything around her easy, has lots of room inside and a small truck bed. The four doors and back seat really comes in handy for trips to the store or friends. Ours has all options including leather, sunroof, 6 disc CD, automatic, and all power. It comes standard with a large V6 and setup to tow 350 lbs hitch weight on the bumper and 3500 trailer weight. With a frame hitch the towing goes up to 5300 lbs trailer weight and hitch weight according to the hitch used. It has a standard 4 prong electrical plug which is OK for most trailers.

We looked at everything and this came the closest to our needs and wants.

Ron and Bernice <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e316360c3022airplane.gif/>



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Old 01-24-2003, 10:34 AM   #15
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Lex!

How did you know??? (Have we met?)

That's my home village! Dún Chaoin, at the very tip of the Dingle Peninsula. The westernmost village in Ireland.

The house is up on the hill, to the right of those crags (Miannán Mór-- the big crown). In fact, there's a car in the drive. Now who could that be? (No caravan, it must not be Lex.)

Down below is the little harbour, from which you can take the ferry to Great Blasket Island. Have you done that?

When were there? We could have had had a pint down at Kruger's.

Thanks so much for this! I am amazed.



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Old 01-24-2003, 04:43 PM   #16
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Dingle

>> How did you know??? (Have we met?)

In one of your posts you mentioned Dingle. That triggered me to post the photo. What a coincidence the choice is! We liked the spot very much.
We made an Ireland tour in 1998, from Dublin to Dublin. We visited the beautiful Wicklow Mountains, Kilkenny, Killarney (Ring of Kerry), Doolin (Cliffs of Moher, Burren).
From Killarney we did a one day Dingle tour. Starting in pouring rain, slowly clearing to bright sun.

>> The house is up on the hill, to the right of those crags (Miannán Mór-- the big crown).
>> In fact, there's a car in the drive.
>> Now who could that be? (No caravan, it must not be Lex.)

Uhhh...??? :conf

>> Down below is the little harbour, from which you can take the ferry to Great Blasket Island.
>> Have you done that?

I thought it was just a ferry for sheep. We didn't take the ferry, but have walked down (and up).

>> Thanks so much for this! I am amazed.

You're welcome. :cheers
I have a question: where do you live now? In the US and/or in Ireland?



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Old 01-24-2003, 05:04 PM   #17
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Hi again, Lex

Just joking about you being the car in the driveway! But I can see that there is a car parked in front of the house. If you can tell me the date of the photo I can tell you if I was there then--not that it's important. To answer your question, I go back and forth between Ireland and the US, spending two to three months a year in Ireland.



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Old 01-25-2003, 12:39 AM   #18
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Dingle

Robert,
The date: july 22, 1998 (thanks to Rita's little diary).

So your house is the one at the entrance of the 'harbour road'?

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e3239776237dhuisrob.jpg/>



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Old 01-25-2003, 06:57 AM   #19
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Lex...

Actually there are two houses there across from the laneway that goes down to the harbour. The house I am referring to is further up, on the hill above the village.

No, I wasn't there when you visited. I try to be well away from Ireland in late July and throughout August. There are just too many visitors at those times. I'm around in May, June, sometimes early July, September and sometimes into October. Feel free to ring me if you are ever in the area. 086-353-7601. The first pint is on me!



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Old 01-25-2003, 08:39 AM   #20
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Trac

Ford Sport Trac. I've been meaning to tell you Ron, My son has one of those. he fell in love with it when he took me to pickup my Escape. we had just pulled his little front wheel up and out the drive during one of the big snows. in fact, the same snow that made me decide on a 4x4 Escape and not a front wheel PT. (for which my Tom is ever so grateful) It took him 8 months thinking about it, but he got it and he is very happy with it. Never thought about it as a tow vehicle. I'll have to watch him around my TT. He'll want to borrow it.:wak



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