wincrasher
11-30-2011, 06:48 AM
Just wanted to post an update on my new trailer. And a few questions.
I picked up my new Outback 298RET a few weeks ago. Had an extensive walk-thru and everything was perfect - no repairs needed, which was quite a surprise. They had filled all the tanks to nearly overflow to prove no leaks and then dumped them. They set up a wd hitch with sway and sent me on my way.
When I got home, I unhooked the friction bar and backed the trailer into it's spot at the house. To my dismay, the tow head where the ball for the friction bar attaches was all bent up. I went back to the dealer, and after much protesting, they agree to replace it. They say it's impossible to damage other than backing up with the friction bar attached. I know they didn't believe that I had the friction bar unattached, but they replaced it anyways. Left happy, but disappointed everyone thought I was a lying scumbag.
Spent the next couple weekends loading my stuff and getting ready for my trip to Maryland. I was surprised I had so much stuff! I did thin it down quite a bit, but the "essentials" are still quite alot. I did replace the crappy TV in the living area with a nice 37" LG, and put a 24" samsung on the wall in the bedroom area. I bought and set up a rig for a DirectTV slimline travler satellite dish. It's kinda heavy and a bit of a pain to set up, but I didn't have to have my roof drilled into and figure out out to get all the wiring to the entertainment cabinet.
I was happy with the tow to Maryland. I only managed 12mpg with my Silverado. You can definately tell there is a heavy load back there when you hit bouncy sections of highway, but other than that, it was no problem cruising at 68 mph. Unloaded my truck is getting 22 mpg, so I was hoping for a bit better economy. But I can deal with 12.
When I got to my destination, I was given a back in space. Again, unhooked the friction bar, and proceeded to back in. When I was done I discovered I tore up another tow head. I suspect the ball for the friction bar is making contact with toungue or frame of the trailer. I see no paint scraps or other evidence. So my first question is what the hell am I doing wrong? Frustrating!
Another thing I noticed when I got to Maryland was a squeek, squeek, squeek from the trailer wheels. I noticed because I had the truck window down while we were proceeding to our camp space. At the dealership, I had asked about the "easy lube" fittings for the bearings. The tech said they don't recommend that I do anything with them (it just makes an awful mess), that I should be good for a year, and just to bring it back for re-packing each year. That sounds screwy to me. Now I'm wondering if they checked them at all during the prep. Do most of you lube your bearings periodically? Or is the tech right? Or maybe it's not the bearings at all and is a brake dragging? Need advice on this one.
So even though these minor issues, I'm very satisfied with my trailer and the new truck.
I picked up my new Outback 298RET a few weeks ago. Had an extensive walk-thru and everything was perfect - no repairs needed, which was quite a surprise. They had filled all the tanks to nearly overflow to prove no leaks and then dumped them. They set up a wd hitch with sway and sent me on my way.
When I got home, I unhooked the friction bar and backed the trailer into it's spot at the house. To my dismay, the tow head where the ball for the friction bar attaches was all bent up. I went back to the dealer, and after much protesting, they agree to replace it. They say it's impossible to damage other than backing up with the friction bar attached. I know they didn't believe that I had the friction bar unattached, but they replaced it anyways. Left happy, but disappointed everyone thought I was a lying scumbag.
Spent the next couple weekends loading my stuff and getting ready for my trip to Maryland. I was surprised I had so much stuff! I did thin it down quite a bit, but the "essentials" are still quite alot. I did replace the crappy TV in the living area with a nice 37" LG, and put a 24" samsung on the wall in the bedroom area. I bought and set up a rig for a DirectTV slimline travler satellite dish. It's kinda heavy and a bit of a pain to set up, but I didn't have to have my roof drilled into and figure out out to get all the wiring to the entertainment cabinet.
I was happy with the tow to Maryland. I only managed 12mpg with my Silverado. You can definately tell there is a heavy load back there when you hit bouncy sections of highway, but other than that, it was no problem cruising at 68 mph. Unloaded my truck is getting 22 mpg, so I was hoping for a bit better economy. But I can deal with 12.
When I got to my destination, I was given a back in space. Again, unhooked the friction bar, and proceeded to back in. When I was done I discovered I tore up another tow head. I suspect the ball for the friction bar is making contact with toungue or frame of the trailer. I see no paint scraps or other evidence. So my first question is what the hell am I doing wrong? Frustrating!
Another thing I noticed when I got to Maryland was a squeek, squeek, squeek from the trailer wheels. I noticed because I had the truck window down while we were proceeding to our camp space. At the dealership, I had asked about the "easy lube" fittings for the bearings. The tech said they don't recommend that I do anything with them (it just makes an awful mess), that I should be good for a year, and just to bring it back for re-packing each year. That sounds screwy to me. Now I'm wondering if they checked them at all during the prep. Do most of you lube your bearings periodically? Or is the tech right? Or maybe it's not the bearings at all and is a brake dragging? Need advice on this one.
So even though these minor issues, I'm very satisfied with my trailer and the new truck.