My most significant farkle to date - yields 10 mpg

[78YZ]

Two weeks ago, I attended the FODS rally in WV. I rode there and it rained for half of the nine hours on the road. Next year, I anticipate staying in the campground, but not in a tent. The 500 mile ride to and from this event, especially DC traffic in the pouring rain, tipped the scales for me. I saw too many guys bring two bikes on a trailer, while I left my 250 home.

Two weeks earlier, I rode to the Adirondacks and got caught in the NY and North Jersey cluster in a torrential storm. I am not getting any younger and do not want to die in rush hour traffic. This should fix that. I know, I am officially announcing I am not hardcore anymore.. probably never was. I can live with that.

The S10 fits perfectly. Now, I need to get my 250 jammed in there and I am good to go.

3k lbs dry and my suv tows it loaded with a 1k lbs capacity buffer. ::021::

 

[tomatocity]

Jealous!!!

OK... links, specs, and reviews.

 

[78YZ]

Jealous!!!
OK... links, specs, and reviews.

2014 Forest River Wolf Pup 17rp
3k dry, 5400 GVWR
Wet bath, AC, heat, dual fuel refrig, gas hot water sleeps three in permanent front beds. In other words, you do not have to unload to sleep. This is important to me as I plan a west coast trip next summer with three to four days of mindless travel across the middle of the country.

Latest progress. Still deciding on wheel chock solutions. Any suggestions? First RV and I do not know much.

 

[hawk281]

as a wheel chuck, I ran a two by twelve across the width of the trailer and achored it to a middle cleat with a adjustable shackle. then a piece of two by four screwed in to the two by twelve to hold the wheel. then tie the rear wheel down so it will not slide sideways. used a tiedown looped around the rear wheel to the outside edge cleats. it won't move. ::021::

 

[Shovelhead]

Very nice! Like to hear more about your experience towing this rig. Is your SUV a 1/2 ton?, what engine?
I'd love to have another camp trailer with a toy box. My problem is I now have a 1/2 ton PU. Last PU was a 3/4 ton diesel.
Pulling my 20' bass boat or single axle 7x13 enclosed trailer with this 1/2 ton is driving me F'n nutts. If I hadn't owned a diesel for the last 11 years, I suppose I may not be as bothered. I'm used to setting the cruise control @ 70-75 and rolling, and getting 15-18 mpg.

Unless you stay around 65 mph you can just about forget cruise control with this 1/2 ton gas PU (Ford F150 5.0 V8).
It will also downshift from 6th to 5th with the slightest throttle input, so unless I'm just poking along I take 6th out of the picture all together, then the R's are up around 2300 or more and the gas mileage goes from shit to worse shit. 11-12 mpg on mostly flat ground.

On your Wolf Pup I like the idea of the bed in the front so you don't have to unload, but I see the entry door is in the back.. ??? Seems odd to me. Is there plenty room to walk in and out with supply's when the bikes loaded?

 

[78YZ]

Do you have any pictures? I am having trouble visualizing this. Thanks!

as a wheel chuck, I ran a two by twelve across the width of the trailer and achored it to a middle cleat with a adjustable shackle. then a piece of two by four screwed in to the two by twelve to hold the wheel. then tie the rear wheel down so it will not slide sideways. used a tiedown looped around the rear wheel to the outside edge cleats. it won't move. ::021::

 

[CentralCal]

Nice.
I wouldn't mind waking up to that! :-\

 

[78YZ]

Very nice! Like to hear more about your experience towing this rig. Is your SUV a 1/2 ton?, what engine?

I have a Mitsubishi Montero Sport with a 3.5L V6. It is not my daily driver so it has become my tow vehicle. I just towed this toy hauler 350 miles. Through the Adirondack Mountains, I got 9.4 mpg. When it got flat, I got 10.5. Two years ago, my dad died and left me a really nice car with 4k miles, which is my daily driver. Therefore, I am not too concerned about the wear and tear on the SUV. It has 104k miles and has served me well.

We had a diesel suv and I know what you mean about towing with gas after that experience. I had to keep looking in the rear view mirror to make sure the trailer was still connected.

I agree about the side door. It would not fit up front because of the kitchen, bathroom and bunks.

 

[True Grip]

Sweet set up! Maybe we can find some single track in WV next year. I plan on bringing 2 bikes also.

 

[GOF]

I use chocks I built similar to this offering from Horrible Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=motorcycle+chock I built these before there was an inexpensive version commercially available. Having a chock that will hold the bike up while putting the tie downs on makes loading so much easier.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Two weeks ago, I attended the FODS rally in WV.

Funny, after you rode away that Sunday morning I jumped in my tow vehicle and drove home. For the first couple of hours I was thinking how much loved doing this stuff, and wondering how can I invest to make it easier and more common. Getting some type of toy hauler was definitely one of my thoughts that morning. May have been some contagion emanating from our parking spot since we both had similar ideas around the same time.

Congrats. Do you think you could fit two Teneres in that one? I like the overall size the new trailer, but looks a little tight for 2 big bikes. Is there enough room to stagger them one farther forward than the other?

The current thought I have is a truck to put the two dirt bikes in the bed, then a toy hauler for the Teneres. I want all the bikes. I'm greedy like that.

 

[78YZ]

Congrats. Do you think you could fit two Teneres in that one? I like the overall size the new trailer, but looks a little tight for 2 big bikes. Is there enough room to stagger them one farther forward than the other?

Hi John,

I could definitely get two S10s in there. The toy hauler has a 2400 lb cargo capacity so that is no problem.

 

[snakebitten]

Most fellas here know I highly approve of your new strategy.

While inclement weather IS a great incentive for doing so, I would like to add that getting good rest easily, as well as conveniently eating well, allow much longer and extended adventures!

Not to mention the low burn rate$ while on-the-road.

Congrats. I really like it!

 

[spklbuk]

Geez Bill can we still hang out with you next year? Nice rig!




True Grip, I'm thinking that single track ye seek is called the H&M Trail System...start saving your pennies, there is a fee. Or if you are really good you can find single track or more likely side-by-side trails on your own. Get after TrikePs azz to show up (i.e. if he can get permission ) and you will have all you wish for.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Hi John,

I could definitely get two S10s in there. The toy hauler has a 2400 lb cargo capacity so that is no problem.

Good to know, Bill. Not sure what we'll end up doing. Please keep us posted on how you like it.

 

[True Grip]

Geez Bill can we still hang out with you next year? Nice rig!




True Grip, I'm thinking that single track ye seek is called the H&M Trail System...start saving your pennies, there is a fee. Or if you are really good you can find single track or more likely side-by-side trails on your own. Get after TrikePs azz to show up (i.e. if he can get permission ) and you will have all you wish for.

Bill said that rig sleeps 3. I can't imagine you snore. I've never heard myself snoring ever!

Trike will eventually get done courting, it's just a phase

I'm off to google toy haulers. Thanks Bill

 

[78YZ]

Bill said that rig sleeps 3. I can't imagine you snore. I've never heard myself snoring ever.

My wife snores so she'll be the only one of those three sleeping. ???

 

[78YZ]

Geez Bill can we still hang out with you next year? Nice rig!

Affirmative. I can supply cold beer to the Saturday dinner next year. ::008::

 

[shrekonwheels]

2014 Forest River Wolf Pup 17rp
3k dry, 5400 GVWR
Wet bath, AC, heat, dual fuel refrig, gas hot water sleeps three in permanent front beds. In other words, you do not have to unload to sleep. This is important to me as I plan a west coast trip next summer with three to four days of mindless travel across the middle of the country.

Plastic Wheel chocks are light, more than sufficient and cheap.
A couple 4x4s cut about eight inches long and attached by a cord work wonderfully as well.

 

[TNWalker]

Very nice! Now y'all got me to thinking again..... Dangit, off to google toy haulers.




::022:: ::26::