New owner of an (old!) Fiberstream!!

[gailanneM]

Just had hitch installed: $450
will attempt posting a photo....

[gailanneM]

Good to know about Les Schwab:

I am trying to decide between the two.....

[Francesca Knowles]

Great shots of the hitch, Gail! What's the tug it's mounted on? (I looked back through the thread and didn't find any mention of your tow vehicle)

Per the ballmount (I thought I'd bring this up while it's still unused):
I hope you asked the present trailer owner about coupler height before you bought the mount- the trailer needs to ride at least close to level when under tow.

Francesca

[luvrOlife]

Look at you Gurl!!! You're getting all ready for the Prom....i like it!

Did you get wired for a 4 pin or 7 pin?

[luvrOlife]

Francesca brings up a good point about the ball mount being close to level. You may want to have a large Ford or crescent wrench on hand. I bought my ball mount from u-haul & the rep installed it like yours. I ended up having to flip the thing over and reinstall the ball when I picked up trailer.

Francesca: Gailanne tug
....it's a beast!

I drive a V-8 SUV.

It's a Lexus GX w a tow rating of 6200lbs.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by luvrOlife

Francesca: Gailanne tug
....it's a beast!

[QUOTE\] I drive a V-8 SUV.

It's a Lexus GX w a tow rating of 6200lbs.

Thanks -don't know how I missed that...

But do you think it's big enough since it's not a "truck"?????

Francesca

[gailanneM]

Well, I certainly hope my truck is big enough....

and I don't really know what I can do about the height of the ball/hitch.
I just need to actually SEE the trailer & go from there, I guess! I will go up to redding Tuesday evening after my agility lesson in Sacramento & stAy the nite with an agility girlfriend. She has a motor home, worked for the forest service @ is very capable. Hopefully, between the seller, my friend & I, we will be able to figure something out so I can get home or to the rv guy.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by gailanneM

Well, I certainly hope my truck is big enough....

and I don't really know what I can do about the height of the ball/hitch.
I just need to actually SEE the trailer & go from there, I guess! I will go up to redding Tuesday evening after my agility lesson in Sacramento & stAy the nite with an agility girlfriend. She has a motor home, worked for the forest service @ is very capable. Hopefully, between the seller, my friend & I, we will be able to figure something out so I can get home or to the rv guy.

It's gonna work out fine.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by gailanneM

I don't really know what I can do about the height of the ball/hitch.

I just took some measurements under my Fiber Stream. I had to do some calculations since mine is raised due to the axle being flipped to spring-over mount and an additional 2" of frame height. Your Fiber Stream looks to be at the factory height; spring-under mount to the original frame.

Bottom line is that by my calculations the top of your hitch ball should be 16" above the pavement for your Fiber Stream to tow level. I've been told that many hitch installers assume a ball height of 18" if not told otherwise. It is more important to get as close to level as you can with a double axle trailer than a single axle trailer, but avoid towing "nose-up". Your trailer's brakes are on the forward axle only, NOT on all 4 wheels. Also, contrary to the rule-of-thumb, the builders of the Fiber Stream brand were so confident of the double axle stability, that they placed the axle mounts forward of the optimum position, resulting in the tongue weight being only 8% of total weight instead of the recommended 10% - 12%.

[gailanneM]

going out to measure ball/ hitch now......

[gailanneM]

going put to measure now.....

[gailanneM]

It appears I am WAY OVER.

[Donna D.]

That ball mount can be flipped over and the ball reinstalled. I had to do that exact thing when I changed the axle on my trailer.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by luvrOlife

You may want to have a large Ford or crescent wrench on hand. I bought my ball mount from u-haul & the rep installed it like yours. I ended up having to flip the thing over and reinstall the ball when I picked up trailer.

I think Vanessa has the right idea. I would have the ball mount turned around before you leave.

[gailanneM]

Okay.

I will attempt to do that ( turn it all over)
But I am going to wait until tomorrow to try...
Just too tired & not feeling very patient!!

<<does it ever get easy & FUN? or should I just expect everything to be uphill from now on?>>

[gailanneM]

Just want to get to the cleaning-with-barkeepers-friend-&-red-max-application to make it all shiny & pretty! Then clean everything inside & make new curtains out of appropriate vintage print fabric & have new cushions made or recovered & put shelves up & refinish cabinet doors..........etc.,etc.,...
.I know, "patience, grasshopper." !!!

[gailanneM]

okay; hitch turned over & ball switched....

now it's at 16".
Hope I am ready to go & pick it up on Wednesday.

[Francesca Knowles]

Perfect!

Now about the brake/running lights etc...has the P.O. said they're in working order?

It looks from the pics like you have a brand-new seven pin (flat?) connector- have you verified with the P.O. that the trailer plug will fit whatever you've got installed there?

If it doesn't, there are adapters available...

Francesca

[gailanneM]

Seller says stuff works. (?)

He had it in "a shop" to be "inspected" -- they weren't done with it and so our meet date was pushed from last Tuesday to this coming Wednesday.

He said his truck(tow) had a flat 7 & he had an adapter to make it work w the trailer. I guess I am just HOPING things will all work out and/or I can purchase anything I might need up in redding when we meet to make the deal.

I have printed pages of forms & checklists & advice & suggestions.....
This may be way more if a fixer project than I am capable of doing.
Too late to back out now & I won't really know until I try.
<sorry; just a bit discouraged, at this point...>

[Donna D.]

Oh pooo gailanne. You'll be fine. Remember when you get out and go camping it will be worth everything you THINK you're going through

I think the Fiberstreams are neato. Remind me of toasters!