2014 21BHS - Weighty Matters!

[gnies]

[quote source="/post/4895/thread" timestamp="1415394482" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]She was referring to both the total and my additions. The total is a bunch; the additions are insignificant. BTW, I have no idea how John(icq102) is towing a 28BHS with a Flex! He must have ordered the Helium option from LL  .
[/font][/quote]We don't hear from him anymore I wonder if he got is rig weighted

[pinstriper]

[quote source="/post/4898/thread" timestamp="1415402567" author="@paul"][quote source="/post/4895/thread" timestamp="1415394482" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]She was referring to both the total and my additions. The total is a bunch; the additions are insignificant. BTW, I have no idea how John(icq102) is towing a 28BHS with a Flex! He must have ordered the Helium option from LL  .
[/font][/quote]We don't hear from him anymore I wonder if he got is rig weighted
[/quote][p]Probably should check the crash reports. He'll show up sooner or later.[/p][p]
[/p]

[fasteddieb]

[quote source="/post/4895/thread" timestamp="1415394482" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]BTW, I have no idea how John(icq102) is towing a 28BHS with a Flex! He must have ordered the Helium option from LL  .
[/font][/quote]Funny, just yesterday I mentioned to Karen we could always just fill the pass-through storage with helium balloons!

[fasteddieb]

Spoke with Andy at CanAm RV this morning.

He said the tongue weights I'm getting are appropriate to the trailer weight and within the abilities of the Flex.

He did recommend reinforcing the factory hitch. He said they've done a whole bunch of Flex's, and it's fairly straightforward, but it helps to have experience.

Anyway, contemplating a trip up to see him. Have to go to Indiana soon, so it's not that much farther!

Road trip!!!

[leslie]

Where in Indiana are you going?

[fasteddieb]

Peru.

[tinkeringtechie]

Spoke with Andy at CanAm RV this morning.

He said the tongue weights I'm getting are appropriate to the trailer weight and within the abilities of the Flex.

He did recommend reinforcing the factory hitch. He said they've done a whole bunch of Flex's, and it's fairly straightforward, but it helps to have experience.

If it's straightforward then why didn't Ford sell it that way? Adding some reinforcement to gain a couple hundred pounds of tongue weight capacity seems like a no-brainer for Ford.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Eddie,

I'm still surprised at the high weights you're getting, but it's not beyond reason for a TT of this size, just beyond expectation for one that began at 3500# dry. I can't speak directly to the Flex, but I'm suspicious. Is it unibody? While you're at CanAm you might show Andy the thread on the bent coupler and see what he suggests. You will still need the WDH and should look at beefing up the coupler. I really like the way mine came out. [/font]

[fasteddieb]

Andy writes for RVLife magazine.

From the CanAm site there's links to his column, "Hitch Hints".

I found a relevant one called "Hitching Your Wagon".

In part:

The Flex and the V/6 Charger have almost identical towing capability. The Charger has a little longer wheelbase and a little more overhang so they are about equal there. Both have independent suspension all around and pretty good tire and wheel combinations. The Charger benefits from a lower centre of gravity and less aerodynamic and drivetrain drag, but the Flex has 6 speeds as opposed to 5. Bottom line - the towing capability is almost identical. As for interior space there is no contest.
The Flex is a very safe and stable tow vehicle, it is much better than many vehicles with considerably higher tow ratings. It has two limiting factors. The first limiting factor is the factory hitch receiver. Although the Flex has a 4500 lb. tow rating, many trailers in that weight class will be too much for the standard receiver. This hitch is fastened to the extreme ends of the subframe. The receiver will just twist instead of properly transferring weight to the front wheels. Fortunately, it is one of the easiest vehicles to strengthen the hitch on. The hitch receiver tube just needs to be extended above the spare tire to the structure for the rear suspension. Then it can handle substantial hitch weights without a problem. I believe there is a shop in Edmonton capable of doing this modification.
The Flex also has a great engine. The 3.5 litre produces plenty of power and it is mated to the same 6-speed automatic that is used in the Buick Enclave etc. Where it is limited is in overcoming aerodynamic drag. The lower gears will easily pull weight over hills or get weight moving, but you need to be able to shift up to a taller gear and slow the engine down when cruising at highway speed. When you are looking for a larger trailer, do not be overly concerned about its weight or length - what you want to find is the most aerodynamic shape and the lowest profile that suits your needs. I would also suggest that you try towing any trailer you select before you finalize the purchase.
Feel free to send any follow up questions and thanks for writing.
   Andy

[leslie]

Andy writes for RVLife magazine.

From the CanAm site there's links to his column, "Hitch Hints".

I found a relevant one called "Hitching Your Wagon".

In part:

what you want to find is the most aerodynamic shape and the lowest profile that suits your needs. I would also suggest that you try towing any trailer you select before you finalize the purchase.
Feel free to send any follow up questions and thanks for writing.
   Andy

The Camplite line has a lower profile than the vast majority of hard-sided travel trailers, yet there is plenty of head room inside. This was a major factor for us in deciding to buy the Camplite. Using a Jeep Grand Cherokee rather than one of the larger pickups as a tow vehicle, we knew that wind resistance would be greater for us.

[tinkeringtechie]

[quote timestamp="1415678358" source="/post/4987/thread" author="@fasteddieb"]Andy writes for RVLife magazine.

From the CanAm site there's links to his column, "Hitch Hints".

I found a relevant one called "Hitching Your Wagon".

In part:

The Flex and the V/6 Charger have almost identical towing capability. The Charger has a little longer wheelbase and a little more overhang so they are about equal there. Both have independent suspension all around and pretty good tire and wheel combinations. The Charger benefits from a lower centre of gravity and less aerodynamic and drivetrain drag, but the Flex has 6 speeds as opposed to 5. Bottom line - the towing capability is almost identical. As for interior space there is no contest.
The Flex is a very safe and stable tow vehicle, it is much better than many vehicles with considerably higher tow ratings. It has two limiting factors. The first limiting factor is the factory hitch receiver. Although the Flex has a 4500 lb. tow rating, many trailers in that weight class will be too much for the standard receiver. This hitch is fastened to the extreme ends of the subframe. The receiver will just twist instead of properly transferring weight to the front wheels. Fortunately, it is one of the easiest vehicles to strengthen the hitch on. The hitch receiver tube just needs to be extended above the spare tire to the structure for the rear suspension. Then it can handle substantial hitch weights without a problem. I believe there is a shop in Edmonton capable of doing this modification.
The Flex also has a great engine. The 3.5 litre produces plenty of power and it is mated to the same 6-speed automatic that is used in the Buick Enclave etc. Where it is limited is in overcoming aerodynamic drag. The lower gears will easily pull weight over hills or get weight moving, but you need to be able to shift up to a taller gear and slow the engine down when cruising at highway speed. When you are looking for a larger trailer, do not be overly concerned about its weight or length - what you want to find is the most aerodynamic shape and the lowest profile that suits your needs. I would also suggest that you try towing any trailer you select before you finalize the purchase.
Feel free to send any follow up questions and thanks for writing.
   Andy




[/quote]I would talk to your insurance agent before going too far down this path. If an accident happened on a modified overweight vehicle they might not cover the claim. Better to find out now than after an accident.

[kodabear]

[quote timestamp="1415749178" source="/post/5002/thread" author="@tinkeringtechie"]

[/quote]Not to worry. Your insurance policy cannot decline coverage for a loss just because you do something stupid. I don't mean to address the issue of whether this practice may be stupid. I'm only addressing the insurance coverage issue. The ONLY reasons for which they can decline coverage for a loss that would otherwise be covered are listed in your policy. 

[tinkeringtechie]

[quote source="/post/5002/thread" timestamp="1415749178" author="@tinkeringtechie"]

Not to worry. Your insurance policy cannot decline coverage for a loss just because you do something stupid. I don't mean to address the issue of whether this practice may be stupid. I'm only addressing the insurance coverage issue. The ONLY reasons for which they can decline coverage for a loss that would otherwise be covered are listed in your policy. [/quote]
I think "avoidable accidents" are one of the top reasons claims get denied. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

[fasteddieb]

Thanks for the head's up re: insurance coverage. 

Pretty far from my mind as a concern.

I do think insurance usually covers all sorts of reckless behavior - overloaded vehicles, bald tires, worn brakes, speeding - even DUI!

I guess there'd be a liability concern in a lawsuit exceeding one's liability limits, but again I don't tend to spend a lot of time worrying about this sort of thing.

Anyway, still trying to assess the feasibility of a road trip to Canada! Weather will start to be a consideration soon.

[leslie]

Weather in Chicago today - wind chill made it feel like 15 outside. My beagle was shivering on the afternoon walk. North of here - snow. You notice snow is a four-letter word.