RE: [SilverStreak] Re: Silver Streak Digest V1 #512

["Ken Wilson" <ke5dfr@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

We had a 5.7L Suburban, 2500 with a 4.10 axle.  It would pull our 28.5' SS,
but it was a chore.  Had to use 3rd gear, and got 7 MPG running 60 MPH.  It
would loose speed on the small hils of central Texas and I would wind up in
second gear.

Luckly I had not sold my 1 ton diesel truck, so went went back to it for
towing.  With the F350, 7.3L pulling a 13,500# 5er, we could get 11 mpg
running 65 to 70 mph and never came out or OD until it was a steeper hill.
I had been spoiled with a diesel for towing and I could not go back to a gas
powered truck.

The Burb would pull the trailer, but it had to work at it and I did not want
to have to work at towing.  I don't know how you will do with a 3.73 axle,
you may want to go ahea and get it changed to a 4.10 gear set.  Do not
expect to get more than about 8 mpg towing.

I use a Jordan 2020 Ultima brake controller which is a big step above the
Prodigy.  Jordan was bought out and they are supposed to have an improved
one on the market now.  I had a Prodigy and did not like it...sold it at a
garage sale for $20.00 and it was about 3 months old.  It was not enough
controller for a 13000# plus trailer.

Ken



-----Original Message-----
From: sslist-admin@tompatterson.com
[mailto:sslist-admin@tompatterson.com]On Behalf Of Ralph Cooke
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 4:09 PM
To: sslist@tompatterson.com
Subject: RE: [SilverStreak] Re: Silver Streak Digest V1 #512


Sounds as though you are well equipped for the 26 ft. Silver Streak.
So you have to take the hills a little slower in a low gear, no bid
deal.  Your brake controller is a very good one, so no problems there.
I would not be afraid to take off on a cross country 30+ day trip with
your Tow Vehicle and Trailer, once you get everything sorted out in
the trailer.

Be sure to repack the wheel bearings when you get it.  Clean out ALL
of the grease from the center of the hub.  My trailer had old roller
bearings in the center of one hub, apparently many years ago a wheel
bearing let go and the hub was never completely cleaned out by anyone
repacking the bearings in subsequent years.

If you need to replace the magnets in the brakes, you can replace the
entire assembly that bolts on to the axle and have modern easy to
obtain parts.  The bolt pattern is "Standard" and a good trailer
supply, that services farm and industrial trailer brakes, should have
them.  There is a good source here in Bakersfield CA.  Bud's Brake &
Wheel Parts, 305 E 19th. St. Bakersfield, CA.  Their phone number is
(661) 322-7061.  Try to call mid-morning Pacific Time to have a better
chance of getting the Owner, who is an older gentleman with tremendous
knowledge of trailer brake systems, parts, what will fit what, and how
to change over obsolete axles to modern brakes and drums.

Ralph

-----Original Message-----
From: sslist-admin@tompatterson.com
[mailto:sslist-admin@tompatterson.com] On Behalf Of
JerryLynWinfield@comcast.net
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 11:06 AM
To: sslist@tompatterson.com
Subject: [SilverStreak] Re: Silver Streak Digest V1 #512

Thank you Ralph,

I have helper springs that need to be installed on the Sub, which
should help my situation dramatically.  As for my brake controller I
use a Tekonsha PRODIGY Brake Controller, which is supposed to be one
of the best around.  I know it has a lifetime warranty.  I also
currently use sway bars and stabilizer bars with my Streamline, which
I would continue to do with any other trailer I purchased.

I have consulted others who have used SUBS similar to mine for towing
and the only real issue is getting up hills.  My wife and I both work
full time both kids are in school so we don't have time to take long
range trips of more than 600 or so miles .  So basically this will be
an extended weekend use trailer for us.

I will use your email to hopefully convince my wife that we can pull
the SS with our Sub.