New to campers/forums etc

[uraveli]

I am new to the forum and to campers, Just saying Hello , was reading this forum for quite some time before pulling a trigger on a used QS 8.0 or 8.1, still not too sure what I purchased. 
Very helpful forum, thank you everybody for your explanations and suggestions, I learned a lot.

I tried finding a QS for sale on the forum, as I was open to 6.x or the Jeep version or 8.x model, but couldn't find anything local enough at decent price.  Finally after many hours found one in San Diego, so I decided to go for it.  It is a 2015, cost me $4.5k. 
I live in SoCal, my tow car is an 07 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (JKUR).  I was able to tow QS home just fine, but already think I need about a 2" drop for towing with my Jeep as the trailer seems to be tilted back a bit much.  I read threads on that, but I saw few members towing with Jeeps, maybe somebody has an exact number that would work perfect?  My Rubi has no lift on it, and stock Mud Terrain tires.

Things I'd like to do and am in process of figuring out how, are first and foremost electricity (battery/generator/solar...learning and deciding) and then some type of stereo setup perhaps and theeeeen maybe getting bigger wheels which will probably involve a lift or a different axle.  That's the plan!


Thank you!

[peislander]

Welcome! 

You can tell if you have a 8.0 vs. an 8.1 by looking at the sizes of the beds. In the 8.0 both beds are 48" wide whereas the 8.1 model has one 60" wide bed and one 36" bed. As far as I know in every other respect they are the same.

Bigger wheels would require a lift kit that puts a spacer between your existing axle and the frame. It would not require a new axle. I have an 'offroad' Camplite model where the factory included such a lift. My understanding is LivinLite used a 2" lift spacer (an aluminum tube) and larger wheels that add about another 1 1/2" of clearance. I think the total increase in clearance was about 3 1/2" and on my model I think it used the same wheelwell size. It does change the look. Mine has nice BF Goodrich A/T tires that give it a great take-it-anywhere look.

I attach the only closeup pic of I have showing the relationship of the offroad setup on my trailer vs. the wheelwell clearance. The pic shows the use of a BAL Leveler which is a really great piece of kit. It lifts one wheel so you can level the trailer from side-to-side.


[img style="max-width:100%;" style="" src="http://s33.postimg.org/9nbn0ztkf/IMG_1647.jpg"]

[mjmoore17]

Uraveli Welcome to the group. As you can tell from PEIslander, this is the place to get excellent information. I just purchased a QS 6.0 and also use a Jeep as a TV. Since I have an off-road model, mine tows fairly level with tires similar to yours. There are some really helpful messages here regarding solar. They helped me when I was deciding what I needed.

Again, welcome and enjoy.

Michael

[chuck893]

Hi, Uraveli, and Welcome!

I had the bad luck to skid out on some ice in early March and totaled our old tow vehicle. 8 mph crash into a tree, I'm fine, but the damage was enough to total our 2007 Escape so I now have a 2015 Escape with a new hitch. I needed to determine what coupler I needed. 

To get our Quicksilver 8.1 trailer to ride level here's what I did:

[ol type="decimal"][li]I measured from the ground to the top inside of the hitch receiver tube.
[/li][li]I leveled the trailer with a torpedo bubble level on the tongue.[/li][li]I measured from the ground to the top of the ball socket.[/li][li]The difference between the measurement to the top of the receiver tube and the top of the ball socket was minus 2-inches.[/li][li]I bought a ball mount with a 2" drop.[/li][li]When hitched the trailer rides dead level.[/li][/ol]
I am really pretty maintenance-ly challenged so I was happy this method worked.  

[daplumbr]

Good to have another Jeep (oops, I mean member (rofl) ) active on the forum. That JKUR will take you anywhere; where's the first trip going? 

[uraveli]

Thank you!  First trip will be Upper Kern River / Isabella Lake.  I am still researching places within 2-3 hours from LA that have lake/river and far away from pavement etc.
I get the measuring concept, will get it done soon, seems easy enough.

Good to know about spacers, makes it easier to get some bigger wheels and tires on it eventually.

Thanks for the welcoming.