Byrdman & Terry On The Road Again!!
- Thread starter Byrdman
- Start date
El and Bill
New member
What's the hurry heading east?? Lots of good water up here in the north to explore and just 'over the mountains' from you two. Sure a lot easier to cruise this country now, while your boat is west, than trailering all the way back here. Nice and cool. Come on up ...
It is 12:01 PM August 25 2007.
Byrdman and Terry have just pulled out our driveway headed East Via I-90 over the Cascade Mtns. to Ellensburg where they will head S.E. to TriCities and connect with I-84 in Oregon where they plan to spend the first night in Pendleton Oregon.
My prayers are for them to have a safe Journey and that there will be no troubles along the way.
It is a BIG BOAT they are pulling.....lol.....
Byrdman and Terry have just pulled out our driveway headed East Via I-90 over the Cascade Mtns. to Ellensburg where they will head S.E. to TriCities and connect with I-84 in Oregon where they plan to spend the first night in Pendleton Oregon.
My prayers are for them to have a safe Journey and that there will be no troubles along the way.
It is a BIG BOAT they are pulling.....lol.....
Pat Anderson
New member
OK, Patty and I just had a SHORT visit with Byrdman and Terry - they have a LOT of miles to make today and every day - at Exit 22 of I-90, which is about 4 miles from our home. We got the whirlwind tour, and sent them back on the road. Nice!
Slep in a bit this morning. Covered the 690 miles towing between Little America Wyoming and York Nebraska yesturday...and need to catch up on a few things prior to stricking out for Kansas City/St. Louis today. Did yall know they grow corn in NE??? One field....600 miles wide so far. :disgust
Got some intial performance numbers, got some initial weight numbers, got a bunch of miles behind me and a bit more in front of me, got most of these numbers out in the truck, and I got Terry reading me the hotel breakfast menue....so...I gotta go to breakfast.
Will post more later.
Byrdman
Got some intial performance numbers, got some initial weight numbers, got a bunch of miles behind me and a bit more in front of me, got most of these numbers out in the truck, and I got Terry reading me the hotel breakfast menue....so...I gotta go to breakfast.
Will post more later.
Byrdman
El and Bill
New member
Glad your trip is going well, but sure sorry you two didn't take the time out and come cruising on the northern lakes for a few days en route home.
Gonna stop at a truck stop and get a weight on the new boat? Now that she's finished, but not loaded up for cruising, it would be a good number for comparison. Bon voyage.
Gonna stop at a truck stop and get a weight on the new boat? Now that she's finished, but not loaded up for cruising, it would be a good number for comparison. Bon voyage.
:note ON THE ROAD AGAIN :note
Byrdman and Terry,
Good to know that all is going well with your journey. We wish we could have spent more time with you but we know there was 'boat work' to be done. Sure do appreciate you including us on one of the shake down cruises. We had a good time :thup
Take care.
Ruth and Joe/R-Matey
Byrdman and Terry,
Good to know that all is going well with your journey. We wish we could have spent more time with you but we know there was 'boat work' to be done. Sure do appreciate you including us on one of the shake down cruises. We had a good time :thup
Take care.
Ruth and Joe/R-Matey
They grow corn everywhere back there! We did a road trip 10 years ago from OR to MA, I-90 through Montana, ND, Niagra Falls, then south. For 'variety' we wanted to return via I-80. We were warned, but did it anyway. In western Pa we hit corn. It didn't end until we got to Yellowstone!
Thankfully we were in an SUV so we were up a little higher. When we hit a small rise at least we could see a farmhouse here and there. Back home a friend told me about a friend of hers that did this route on a bicycle!! Not only is this a long haul anyway -- you would literally be pedaling for 3-4 weeks in a corn tunnel! "Enjoy a 'scenic' bike ride across the U.S." (?)
iggy
Thankfully we were in an SUV so we were up a little higher. When we hit a small rise at least we could see a farmhouse here and there. Back home a friend told me about a friend of hers that did this route on a bicycle!! Not only is this a long haul anyway -- you would literally be pedaling for 3-4 weeks in a corn tunnel! "Enjoy a 'scenic' bike ride across the U.S." (?)
iggy
Sorry for the delay in posting. Been catching up on a few things from being gone so long....
Numbers:
Going out, 2676 miles, 669 avg per day, 993 the longest mileage day, the 376 shortest day, but did include the loop around the Cascade Mountain Range... A great drive. 156 gallons, generally had cruise set on 85 mph after St. Louis heaind W/NW. 3 nights hotel.
Boat was not finished and we knew this and the Johnson's even still smiled and fed us on our last morning there!!! More than likely says much more about them and their friendlyness than speaking for me and Terry as guest. We did our best to be good and for sure shared many great meals and many, many laughs.
Departed on 25Aug and arrived home on 29Aug, topped off and finished the haul/shuffle and fuel cycle on the the 30th.
Coming back: 2612 miles, 522 avg per day towing, 694 longest mile day, 191 shortest day, and another safe nothing broke drive. Saw some corn. Increased fuel to 285 gallons towing, cruise set on 75mph...SEC football was approaching...and 5 nights hotel. About 9.16 mpg towing at those speeds cross country.
Over all averages for kicks and grins: Miles 5288, fuel $1364, hotels $551 w/military discount at several stops, for total cost of $1915 or about $.36 a mile...for fuel and hotel only on the trip. With beverages and meals a bit higher.
Opps..on edit I forgot weights: Weighed the 2005 Excursion w/6.0 diesel, full of cross country stuff and fuel # 8340 pounds. Total rig towing home, again, full of fuel in truck, 17,400 pounds. That makes the boat with about 35 gallons of water and 30 gallons of fuel on board around 9,060 as she towed. Weights on axles truck alone: 3980 front, 4360 rear. Weights on axles towing: 3920 front, 5140 rear, and 8340 on triple axle trailer/boat. INTERESTING NOTE TO BE POINTED OUT... I had missed the small print in Fords owners manual...and most all of us might want to take a peak particuarly if towning a 25 foot pilot house boat of anykind with stuff in it.... Mr. Ford recommends a weight distribution hitch when towing over 6,000 pounds on it's 2005 version trucks...not just the 2005 Excursion that is built on the exteded cab's F250 Heavy Duty Frame, with full towing package. Have not looked at other owners manuals...and even if they do not you should try it. Made a great level, smooth haul in the mountains up/down hills and really nice on down hill mountain runs where they just throw in real tight turns and bouncing bridges just for kicks and grins. Notice that my front wheel weights were only 60 pounds lighter than without the rig, and the more even weight distribution of the tonge weight. It was set up sweet! Thanks to Roger and Terry for their shop time in a bit of "Byrman My Weight Distribution Work" and improvements on the distribution set. What a differance having C-Brat friends with real tools and knowledge made here.
Bottom line, this was one great awesome trip to see a bunch of America and spending time with C-Brats the entire time to include the Bellingham gathering on the ealier flight out-n-back trip....and the boat is sweeeeeet.
Will post some more stuff in time...gotta get her cleaned up and ready for a little Cumberland River cruising next week. Meeting up with GYPSY some where enroute on the TN/Cumberland as they travel from Decatur, AL to Mt. Juliet, TN via da Rivva's.
Thanks for the many emails, calls, notes, post, visits,...and oh the laughs. What a great group of folks... Do yourself a favor...Call up a C-Brat hand hit the road/waters....winter is near for some of you folks...and when ya get all froze in...come on down!! We boat 12 months out of the year down here in the Heartlands.
Byrdman
Some over
Numbers:
Going out, 2676 miles, 669 avg per day, 993 the longest mileage day, the 376 shortest day, but did include the loop around the Cascade Mountain Range... A great drive. 156 gallons, generally had cruise set on 85 mph after St. Louis heaind W/NW. 3 nights hotel.
Boat was not finished and we knew this and the Johnson's even still smiled and fed us on our last morning there!!! More than likely says much more about them and their friendlyness than speaking for me and Terry as guest. We did our best to be good and for sure shared many great meals and many, many laughs.
Departed on 25Aug and arrived home on 29Aug, topped off and finished the haul/shuffle and fuel cycle on the the 30th.
Coming back: 2612 miles, 522 avg per day towing, 694 longest mile day, 191 shortest day, and another safe nothing broke drive. Saw some corn. Increased fuel to 285 gallons towing, cruise set on 75mph...SEC football was approaching...and 5 nights hotel. About 9.16 mpg towing at those speeds cross country.
Over all averages for kicks and grins: Miles 5288, fuel $1364, hotels $551 w/military discount at several stops, for total cost of $1915 or about $.36 a mile...for fuel and hotel only on the trip. With beverages and meals a bit higher.
Opps..on edit I forgot weights: Weighed the 2005 Excursion w/6.0 diesel, full of cross country stuff and fuel # 8340 pounds. Total rig towing home, again, full of fuel in truck, 17,400 pounds. That makes the boat with about 35 gallons of water and 30 gallons of fuel on board around 9,060 as she towed. Weights on axles truck alone: 3980 front, 4360 rear. Weights on axles towing: 3920 front, 5140 rear, and 8340 on triple axle trailer/boat. INTERESTING NOTE TO BE POINTED OUT... I had missed the small print in Fords owners manual...and most all of us might want to take a peak particuarly if towning a 25 foot pilot house boat of anykind with stuff in it.... Mr. Ford recommends a weight distribution hitch when towing over 6,000 pounds on it's 2005 version trucks...not just the 2005 Excursion that is built on the exteded cab's F250 Heavy Duty Frame, with full towing package. Have not looked at other owners manuals...and even if they do not you should try it. Made a great level, smooth haul in the mountains up/down hills and really nice on down hill mountain runs where they just throw in real tight turns and bouncing bridges just for kicks and grins. Notice that my front wheel weights were only 60 pounds lighter than without the rig, and the more even weight distribution of the tonge weight. It was set up sweet! Thanks to Roger and Terry for their shop time in a bit of "Byrman My Weight Distribution Work" and improvements on the distribution set. What a differance having C-Brat friends with real tools and knowledge made here.
Bottom line, this was one great awesome trip to see a bunch of America and spending time with C-Brats the entire time to include the Bellingham gathering on the ealier flight out-n-back trip....and the boat is sweeeeeet.
Will post some more stuff in time...gotta get her cleaned up and ready for a little Cumberland River cruising next week. Meeting up with GYPSY some where enroute on the TN/Cumberland as they travel from Decatur, AL to Mt. Juliet, TN via da Rivva's.
Thanks for the many emails, calls, notes, post, visits,...and oh the laughs. What a great group of folks... Do yourself a favor...Call up a C-Brat hand hit the road/waters....winter is near for some of you folks...and when ya get all froze in...come on down!! We boat 12 months out of the year down here in the Heartlands.
Byrdman
Some over
Most light trucks when they get up around 10,000 lbs require a weight disptribution hitch, as Pat points out--in the fine print. Most folks don't go with the weight equalization, but I agree that it is a geat idea. We have towed the CD 25 without one--and the Tom Cat 255 without one--but if I was going to tow the Tom Cat a lot, I woud put on a weight distribution hitch, and electric over hyraulic brakes. (Surge brakes will work with "Equal-i-zer" brand hitches.) (We also tow with a diesel Excursion--but a 7.3 diesel).
Wayne McCown
New member
Pat:
How/where did you get all the specific info on weights?
Wayne
How/where did you get all the specific info on weights?
Wayne
Yes Bob I too have towed a RF246 without the distribution hitch with a single 275hp motor and it was fine for short hauls, but the wt distribution hitch really improves things. I bet my TC24 would have towed "better" with one too.
On this weight boat, I felt electric over hydralics was the only way to go simply due to the fact that coming down a long, steep grade and hitting your brakes with a surge brake trailer (all my other trailers have been surge brakes only)....that the only way to "un-surge"...or get the brakes to release...would be to kick down hard on the gas peddle....which would increase the speed.....which is the exact opposite of what I would have been attempting to accomplish with putting the breaks on in the first place. Several real long steep hills between me and any coast line to enjoy a little blue water times.
Wayne: I used Flying J truck stops certified scales. Any of the major truck stops (some of the new modern ones are very clean and set up for both commercial 18 wheeler traffic...and the RV boom traffic in other areas)....have the scales.
Just top off good with fuel. Go weigh the whole rig and when on the phone with the little lady in tennis shoes at the weight scales, just request two weight tickets. Most time, you get one weight, pull off into the parking area, unhook the boat, pull right back around and call back for the second weight, with tow vehicle only. Then, go pay $7.50 for each weight. The weights show up in 3 boxes on the lower portion of the tickets for each load area/axle, and a box with total weight about mid page.
I always kinda watch to make sure no 18 wheelers are using the scales or lined up waiting....but then....if you are in a hurry....you should just get a job or go back to work. It is just another part of the fun and enjoyment of it all.
Then...like I have just added a bunch of weight to my boat for "stuff"...I'll just go do it again to get me a "this is how I load my boat for river travel" weight....and will be worth about 30 minutes, and another $15.
Byrdman
On this weight boat, I felt electric over hydralics was the only way to go simply due to the fact that coming down a long, steep grade and hitting your brakes with a surge brake trailer (all my other trailers have been surge brakes only)....that the only way to "un-surge"...or get the brakes to release...would be to kick down hard on the gas peddle....which would increase the speed.....which is the exact opposite of what I would have been attempting to accomplish with putting the breaks on in the first place. Several real long steep hills between me and any coast line to enjoy a little blue water times.
Wayne: I used Flying J truck stops certified scales. Any of the major truck stops (some of the new modern ones are very clean and set up for both commercial 18 wheeler traffic...and the RV boom traffic in other areas)....have the scales.
Just top off good with fuel. Go weigh the whole rig and when on the phone with the little lady in tennis shoes at the weight scales, just request two weight tickets. Most time, you get one weight, pull off into the parking area, unhook the boat, pull right back around and call back for the second weight, with tow vehicle only. Then, go pay $7.50 for each weight. The weights show up in 3 boxes on the lower portion of the tickets for each load area/axle, and a box with total weight about mid page.
I always kinda watch to make sure no 18 wheelers are using the scales or lined up waiting....but then....if you are in a hurry....you should just get a job or go back to work. It is just another part of the fun and enjoyment of it all.
Then...like I have just added a bunch of weight to my boat for "stuff"...I'll just go do it again to get me a "this is how I load my boat for river travel" weight....and will be worth about 30 minutes, and another $15.
Byrdman
