Trailering and other things

journey on · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:33 pm Post subject: Trailering and other things

For the first time this year, we took Journey On out, to San Diego Bay. Beautiful day, actually spent the night anchored in Glorietta Bay with the big boys. Went to dinner and then sat on the back porch and watched the sun go down. Got the autopilot working, the trim tabs leak was fixed, everything worked out. Nice sunrise and the Wallas stove got rid of the cold. Just being on the water is great.

On the drive down, we were on 2 lane, 4 lane and freeways. Everyone hated to be behind me (and I don't blame them,) but they all seemed to show their determination by passing me and then seeing how close they could cut me off and then slow down. A lot of 3 lane passes on the freeway to get to an off ramp, they just had to go in front. I guess no one is worried about my stopping distance. And there were people getting on the on ramps who never looked to their left, I guess they just assumed I wasn't there. When I honked, they just got mad or really surprised.

I haven't towed for a couple of months so it must just be my imagination that it's getting worse. I bet those guys driving those semis get really frustrated.

We may have good tow vehicles but those boats do weigh something so I thought I'd make a comment on automatic transmissions. . The one in the Ford is working well, but I remember someone posting that they had blown one. You know, automatic transmissions need to be manually shifted when towing a heavy load, they aren't programmed to keep that engine running in the right range automatically. If you wait for them to shift down you lug the engine, and they always want to shift up early. That low engine speed and high torque will wipe out any transmission. So grab hold of that lever and yank. That tranny will be happier and so will the engine.

Anyway, a C-Dory is a great way to spend a day on the water. Even got the old gps puck to work with the new computer (finally.)

Boris

jennykatz · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:33 am Post subject: trailering

Boris thats why I keep my boat in the water .It's a lot more maintenance but I don't have to put up with the idiot drivers I try only to trailer if I'm going to use my boat for awhile like last summer to tennessee

boris what kind of puck do you use I have a toshiba notebook thanks Jim

localboy · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:38 am Post subject:

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:13 am Post subject:

We see this behavior regularly when towing the boat or our 5th wheel (we are about 65' long with the 5th wheel and cargo trailer). I used to think people were rude or overly-aggressive, but now I think it's more that they are simply oblivious. Especially when going through big cities, they seem to drive with "blinders on." I am generally driving a bit slower than the traffic flow when towing, just to be able to allow some space in front of us. We try to time our passing through urban areas to avoid rush hours.

Just like when on the motorcycle, I assume they are all out to kill me and try to drive defensively... as opposed to offensively. Wink

Take care out there.

Best wishes,
Jim

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:31 am Post subject:

Jeanie P · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:43 pm Post subject:

I drove 18 wheelers for ten years - 5 cross country and 5 years making local deliveries in metropolitan NY. What I did then and still do today when I get in congested traffic is turn my radio to a classical station. It seems to have a calming effect on me -takes away any return aggression.

I stay in the right lane and drive just as fast what that lane of traffic is doing. I give enough room in front, that if anyone pulls in, all I do is let off the gas a little and I have my stopping distance back. If its really congested I drive a hair slower, so that anyone passing me and pulling in front will be going faster and help getting my stopping didance back.

Going a little slower does not add greatly to a days drive but makes it more relaxing.

By keeping to the right, it gives me the shoulder to work with if needed to control and stop in an emergency..

Allan

localboy · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:55 pm Post subject:

While we're at it: Just because there are 2 or more of you in your car, doesn't mean you NEED to be in the HOV lane, especially if you're in that lane and driving <55. Evil or Very Mad

It's "slower traffic move right" for a reason!

I feel better now. Laughing

Levitation · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:08 pm Post subject:

On the issue of towing with an automatic transmission - it depends on how new the truck is... The newer trucks believe that Mother (the computer) knows best and if you want something different you are going to have to fight Mother for it... Makes one long for my youth and the days of double clutching of non synchro transmissions with a Georgia overdrive and 10 forward gears (not!)...

starcrafttom · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:07 pm Post subject:

The in ability of the general public to pilot a car down the road in a responsible and safe manner is directly linked to the lack of teaching physics in our school systems. I truly believe that is we made basic physics a required course from the 6th grade on we would see better drives and less youtube videos.

after driving for a living for 8 years, delivery concrete and propane, I came to the conclusion that the only way to survive was to ignore the traffic. If you are getting on the highway i am not slowing down or changing lanes for you. You better pull your head out and merge ( which is a pro active endeavor) . if not your going into the rail, and several have. If you want to come around me and then take a exit you better be moving quick or you will be when I hit you. If I'm in the fast lane doing the max speed limit and you want to break the law by speeding you can go the f(*&k around me because I am not taking it off cruise control for anybody. Its not a speeding lane. and if you have Canadian plates= go home ( unless you are towing a boat). and that's the way I roll..

journey on · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:20 pm Post subject:

jennykatz, I have a Delugo GPS puck. They're out of business now and Windoze 7 doesn't have COM ports. Since the gps/computer interface was serial to USB, and the NAV software wanted a COM port I thought I was SOL.

However, I found this free driver:Serial to USB . Downloaded it and worked well. DeLorme has a straight USB puck. Found it for $50.

As to auto trans, I have an "old" one and one in a 2005 Ford (is that new?) They both work the same way, just yank the lever down into a lower gear, or push it up into a higher gear. Don't wait for that thing to shift down when the electronics tell it to, it's too hard on it. My son has a new Toyota truck, you have to push the lever sideways to get it to shift, but it shifts when you tell it to.

And I will agree with the rest of the comments, particularly with the ones to just take it easy.

Boris

Two Bears · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 1:57 am Post subject:

I must live in a charmed world. Twice a year for the past 10 years I've trailer-ed current CD22 and before that a 24 foot Tri from northern Idaho to Bellingham- about 500 miles each way. The turn from I-90 to 405 in Seattle bothers me because 1) speed is down due to turn, and 2) of the need to get out of the right lane quick or it becomes an off ramp. Every time I flip on my turn signals a space opens up and people give me room to move over. One one mid week day returning home I got caught in the evening rush in Seattle and got lots of courtesy getting through Seattle to I-90 & east.
I trailer-ed to Lk Powell through Salt Lake last year and everyone was good. I set cruise, stay in the right lane, relaxed but with an eye for idiots, but have found few.
My tow rig is a 2003 Chev 3/4 ton. It has a tow/haul mode which helps with the transmission shifting. I did 750 miles one day, 500 the next and was in good shape at the end of the drive (better than if I driven our puddle jumper car), so I must find the truck easy to drive. When I took our Tri to San Fran to sell it took two days down and two days back empty-but 3 hrs less driving. The drive down with the trailer was an easier drive because I wasn't pushing as hard.

If I knew what I'm doing right I'd can it and sell it.

Chuck on Two Bears

JamesTXSD · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:34 am Post subject:

Hi Chuck,

Location, location, location. In the past, I've said the same thing about the courteous drivers out in Washington State. And having trailered/RVed through Utah a couple dozen times, same goes there. Haul your boat to Texas some time... drive through Dallas or Houston... you'll think you took a wrong turn and got on a NASCAR track! Or head for Florida... where all the lanes are the slow lane. Mr. Green

Or Minnesota, Land of 10,000 lakes and infinite turn signals while driving in the left lane.

Our experience has been: most of the time, people are decent when you need to maneuver in traffic. There are regional differences in how aggressive drivers are (and no intention to stereotype), and you need to stay aware of other drivers around you... there are a LOT of distracted drivers out there. I have no problem with using my horn - not long (get out of my way) blasts, but short toots to let someone know we're here... especially when I see them coming off an entrance ramp and they haven't looked in their mirror or glanced over their shoulder (the most frequent problem).

When someone gives me a break while switching lanes, I let them know I appreciate it, with a wave or a flash of my running lights.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Levitation · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:09 am Post subject:

Worst drivers I have seen - recently - has been Houston (Used to drive a semi in my younger days)...
We left downtown Houston at 10AM on a Saturday morning with a brand new truck... I am trying to hold it to 55-58 in the right lane (way to the right) to at least attempt to stay within the manufacturers guidelines for breaking the truck in... A few miles later I had been continually cringing at squealiing tires as they locked up the brakes behind me, honked at, flipped off, cursed, fist waving out the window, so many times I became actually worried that one of those nutbags would have a gun... I decided the 'break in' could wait till we got home...

Will-C · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:20 am Post subject: Trailering and other things

Boris,
My two cents and this rant is not directed at you ,here goes ,Attitude is everything. My guess is most of the driving public hate us to start with because you have a boat to start with and appear to being heading for a fun time or returning from having one. It’s like eating a steak dinner at a homeless shelter where ever one else is starving to death. Their lives maybe filled with turmoil, divorce, foreclosure, wife cheating on them etc. Face to face the driving public are different then when they are driving a car for some reason. I relieve tension by various hand signals (not the finger) but things like two hands palms up and saying WTF, or the international whack job\ depiction (fist rapid vertical up and down movement) for the worst offenders. As far as the phases I use (windows up of course) some are "drive the freakin car b*%ch", or my personal favorite u piece of sh#@ or p.o.s. for short. At about 400 miles I get off the highway before I start getting seriously pissed off and start to not have fun anymore. For me having a powerful tow vehicle and good disc brakes on your tandem axle trailer are key to being able to deal with the morons who you have to share America’s roadways. People that use marginal tow vehicles that get pushed around with trailers with no brakes make towing a scarey experience for all concerned. I try to do serious long hauls leaving early am and avoiding rush hours at any costs. Full moons and Friday nights we also avoid as all bets are off in your search for finding happiness while sharing the road with the other accidental tourists. As for manual shifting automatic transmissions, I used to do that, but fixed the problem right with the purchase of a 2009 Chevy with a DuraMax diesel and it's good friend the Allison six speed automatic transmission. Just hit the tow /haul button on the end of the shifter and use the gas pedal do what ever your little heart desires all the while getting 14 or 15mpg. Having the power to dispense with the losers going across the flats, uphills or downhills has helped keep a smile on my face while dealing with the Dukes of Hazard.
That’s my story and I do have one more tidbit of information; if you go thru Massachusetts keep a sharp eye out for the growing population of pinheaded massholes who are the worst of the bunch at least on the east coast in imho. As you might have surmised these species mostly resides in the fore mentioned state but due to having no known predators they are spreading to other states as we speak. Those folks are giving bad drivers a really bad name. Happy motoring!
D.D.

Doryman · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:45 pm Post subject: Re: Trailering and other things