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Cruiser Sighting

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Pejibaye

Cruiser Sighting
« on: July 17, 2019, 09:14:52 pm »
A first for us: today we saw a Cruiser pulling a tan/beige car heading south on Route 162 in Knoxville TN at the intersection with Hardin Valley Road.  We thought we probably had the only PC in Knoxville, so were happy to see we're not alone. 
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Joseph

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Re: Cruiser Sighting
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2019, 04:40:33 pm »
Not in Knoxville but I saw one in pigeon forge this week.......No wait, that’s me.
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Pejibaye

Re: Cruiser Sighting
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2019, 04:09:12 pm »
We'll have to look for you next weekend when we're over that way to paddle the Pigeon River.  This one was the lighter brown/tan swirly pattern, and based on where we saw it, probably headed for I-40.  Enjoy east TN!
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GHS

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Re: Cruiser Sighting
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2019, 05:18:15 pm »
Actually there is at least one more. We live right off 162 not far from Hardin Valley.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Cruiser Sighting
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2019, 06:02:15 pm »
Quote from: GHS on July 19, 2019, 05:18:15 pm
Actually there is at least one more. We live right off 162 not far from Hardin Valley.
Now that's "Determination".
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GHS

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Re: Cruiser Sighting
« Reply #5 on: July 19, 2019, 09:21:36 pm »
Quote from: Ron Dittmer on July 19, 2019, 06:02:15 pm
Quote from: GHS on July 19, 2019, 05:18:15 pm
Actually there is at least one more. We live right off 162 not far from Hardin Valley.
Now that's "Determination".

This PC is my third rig and the best. I've been towing this 28' trailer over ten years now with E450's with the trailer toad. The last one was a C model E450 with 7.3 diesel with a five speed. The V10 and six speed tranny out performs the diesel and gets the same milage with lower fuel and maintenance costs. I hesitated to even post this picture because towing a trailer this size is not something that can be done without several upgrades to the coach frame and extra equipment. It's not for everyone. There is no tongue load because of the trailer toad but tractor loads and side forces are increased and must be compensated. Handling is very good with the extra axle between the trailer and coach. Best cruise is around 65 mph and passing vehicles hardly cause a bobble. In fact towing a car dolly handles worse and creates more side load in turns.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Cruiser Sighting
« Reply #6 on: July 19, 2019, 09:57:55 pm »
I did immediately notice the mini-tow-dolly thing supporting the tongue of the trailer and thought that was a smart idea.

You stated..........
"I hesitated to even post this picture because towing a trailer this size is not something that can be done without several upgrades to the coach frame and extra equipment. It's not for everyone. There is no tongue load because of the trailer toad but tractor loads and side forces are increased and must be compensated."

Did you special order your PC with a thicker frame extension?  Or did you have it beefed up after purchase?  What was strengthened and how was it accomplished?  What is your hitch rated at?

Do you full-time?

You opened Pandora's box by posting your picture.  Now you have to follow through with all the details, ha, ha.
« Last Edit: July 19, 2019, 10:01:55 pm by Ron Dittmer »
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Pejibaye

Re: Cruiser Sighting
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2019, 09:46:25 am »
Back to GHS:  Surprised we haven't seen you before.  We live at the far west end of Hardin Valley, so are on 162 more often than we like.  The Cruiser lives inside at Phoenix Conversions, so we are double-Phoenixed.
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GHS

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Re: Cruiser Sighting
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2019, 03:00:24 pm »
About the frame mods, I would never ask a manufacturer to do something like that as it is too specialized and for my use only. That is a liability they (IMO) couldn't and shouldn't deal with. I did much research and testing on a used C class with more overhang than this PC has and made it work without damage to the coach.Look around enough and you may find or see some C's and A' that were used for trailer towing and how the coach's have been damaged from excessive tongue and side loads. I still see RV's towing trailers that shouldn't be. Tongue loads can be doubled or possibly tripled by pounding on some interstates. The original hitch was rated at 500 and 5000 and I think that was pushing it but I'm no engineer. Some C class now have 750 and 7500 rated hitches but I would never do it. I've seen super C's with 10k hitches. Every pound of tongue weight detracts from front axle weight and coach balance which is a hazard in itself by losing steering control. Adding tongue load adds more weight to the rear axle of the coach and too many are already maxed out without the addition of a trailer. Since I don't have a vertical tongue load to deal with I added to and doubled the receiver mount  and added longitudinal and cross bracing to the frame. No welding. The tow load is also spread out over two more dolly to PC frame connections (extensions) in addition to the hitch connection by a slider insert to the receiver. The trailer toad axle swivels in turns to match the direction the rear of the coach moves. There have been several units marketed over the years but I went with the TrailerToad unit as the best setup directed to RV use. I think they even supply some to the armed forces now. Maybe the frame would have been strong enough as delivered using the trailer toad but I didn't want to chance it after seeing how much a car dolly can distort a RV frame side to side years ago. So, after all my overkill on hitch and frame strengthening my main concern is with stopping and steering control. I did have PC add a steering control unit for blowouts. Trailer brakes and tires are replaced on a regular basis. Here is a picture of our last coach taken at the end of 2016 after 7 years of towing a trailer with the dolly.
« Last Edit: July 21, 2019, 03:02:15 pm by GHS »
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GHS

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Re: Cruiser Sighting
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2019, 03:47:00 pm »
""Do you full-time?""

No, not full timers. Mostly used on the weekends and some 3-4 day races in TN,  Alabama and Georgia through the summer months. Pulled a 32" trailer with a dragster to the IHRA finals last fall to Memphis for 4 days. Seldom ever have hookups so have to travel with a full freshwater tank. We have made a couple of trips to Ft Lauderdale and other area's of Florida but were pulling a car & dolly and not the trailer. (Drove a 40' class A to Key West once (down town even), not the best of decisions!) Some  trips are 150 to 300 miles but usually less.   Several years ago we decided an RV would be a better convenience than a motel room when visiting/ staying over at various race tracks.  If you have not figured it out yet I have a bad habit I've not been able to kick. Pushing my mid 70's now and still wrenching and driving.
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CalCruiser

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Re: Cruiser Sighting
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2019, 04:57:46 pm »
Quote from: GHS on July 21, 2019, 03:47:00 pm
Several years ago we decided an RV would be a better convenience than a motel room when visiting/ staying over at various race tracks.  If you have not figured it out yet I have a bad habit I've not been able to kick. Pushing my mid 70's now and still wrenching and driving.

Can’t  quite make out your bracket numbers in that photo.
Richard Hammond came up with an ingenious alternative for weekend warriors.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ohkAxbeMxVo
« Last Edit: July 21, 2019, 05:18:19 pm by CalCruiser »
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Goin' where the wind goes...
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