What kind of camper do you have???

Living near the arctic circle and having an opinion on whether someone does or doesn’t need AC for their needs is laughable. There are a variety of climates on earth.

 

I see nothing wrong with what he's doing. Here's a pic of our Riverstone 39FKTH with my Tundra.




Disclaimer: insinuating I pull that pig with a Tundra was meant to be a joke. The nearly 4k pin weight would crush the back of this truck - I mean, the Tundra is awesome but it ain't no FORD F***ING RANGER!!

 

Are you further south than Texas? I don’t think the member you quoted lives as far north as you. And yes the arctic circle comment was hyperbole, I’ve been to Canada including numerous cities in Ontario. AC is not a must have, but people literally die from overheating in many of the climates further south than you that exist in the US. I would not buy a camper without AC where I live and camp with temps that exceed 100° and nights that won’t get below the mid 80s at times. Humidity here is also a huge factor in that. May be able to get away with it in more arid climates out west, here the humidity alone would stifle you. AC removes that humidity too, greatly increasing comfort when sleeping.

 

Everyone says this and I suspect it's just a repeat. You see all sort of people pulling trailers that have tow vehicles over payload. It seems very rare if at all that there is any enforcement going on. If this was such a problem on our roads, police would be pulling campers over and weighing them consistently. I'm not saying that doesn't happen but it's extremely rare. There is a youtube channel called "Grand Adventure" and the guy was using a Tundra to pull a large Durango 5th wheel for about five years. He traveled throughout the United States and racked up alot of tow miles on his Tundra. I even asked him his numbers and he truly believed he was within his payload number but he wasn't. He never had one issue with law inforcement. Was never pulled over and inspected. The channel is extremely popular and you would think someone in enforcement would have noticed and pulled him over.

I'm not saying it's the smartest thing to do by being over your payload but the reality is no one seems to be having a problem with the law doing it.

https://youtu.be/uQrufn1w8ek?si=o88TILmx-eK7xY_J

 

Guess we’ll leave it at that.

 

To provide context to that response regarding the A/C and tent camping, where you are right that the Gazelle does not come with one (I know that's said in jest), our camping went through stages. I started out ground sleeping with just a sleeping bag on the bare floor growing up. Wanted a tent once I got into a relationship due to both her needs and mine. Bought a cheap one, Coleman, I think. When I heard about the Gazelle, we made the purchase on that a few years back. Thought this was the glamour lifestyle with how quick the setup was. Now, mind you, camping was secluded to certain times of the year and what @KNABORES is saying is true. Texas gets fkn hot and cold. Probably the only state where you can legit experience all 4 seasons in one day if you can get around the state quick enough and at the right time. This is where I upped my game to buy a portable A/C for those days where it was necessary to take care of my family. I thought it would allow us to expand into more uncomfortable temperatures. After trying it for a couple of rounds, and in the process, getting older, we've gotten to the point of trying out our first travel trailer. I'm only going to try it around areas near me for the first couple rounds to get the feel for it and minimize the dangers that are unforeseen or I haven't taken into account yet. I just knew I had to hit that goldilocks zone with the missus while hitting as much of my wants in the process.

I do appreciate yours and everyone's insight to help me make my decision. Trust me, even if it doesn't seem like it, I will take it into consideration once I dip my toes, so to speak, and if and when the next trailer comes to mind. I hope it won't come to that but am glad this thread exists with people who have so much knowledge. I'm already overwhelmed and sometimes second guess myself going this route.

 

I'm sure many here are overloaded. I'm pretty sure Toyota knew we were gonna be overloaded. Why else would we need adjustable headlights.

I have no idea of my numbers. All I do know is my previous bumper pull RV was half the size but, sucked a 100% worse towing.

If you haven't towed both, it's hard to truely give an honest opinion.

I don't want to have an accident any more than anyone else.

Towing anything is stressful. Watch your mirrors, keep your speed down don't spend more than 5 hours towing. It is work towing.

 

Some good points, but none of this will save your rear wheel bearings. Or you and those around you in an emergency maneuvering or stopping situation. The limits are set for the safety factor involved. Be careful out there people.

 

I wouldn't be able to survive in my house without AC. Probably wouldn't need it in the trailer if we didn't have kids and a dog.

 

Just because you won't be pulled over and ticketed for it doesn't mean it's safe.

 

we also use ice blocks instead of bricks to build houses. We never, ever, like ever need air con.

 

Not a whole lot I can do about it now. I will be driving north the middle of March.

I'll be sure to update the thread and remind you all. Wouldn't want any of you to experience any more risk than you can stand.

 

That is awesome haha!
i had a 2001 Jetta TDI manual. What a great car to drive
It had a sunroof that I used to pour $$ into it.

 

I do worry about my rear bearings - I tow a 7,500lb TT a few thousand miles each summer. I know I am right up to the limit on payload.

It'd be less of a worry if the things could be easily replaced. I've considered buying one of those Toyota rear bearing press kits off eBay.

 

Removing the axles is pretty simple but removing the bearing of the axle is the hard part. Do you have a link to the bearing press on Ebay?

 

If I were serious I'd reach out to this guy and ask him exactly what I need and he will build a package for me. He is the OG of these tools. The rest are knockoffs of his design.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1961250991...NM16bqdQeO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

He makes his stuff to work with a harbor freight press.

 

I've done quite a few Tundra and Tacoma rear bearings. I was curious what tool you were considering and how it would compare to the Toyota tool. That tool does look substantial.
Thanks for the link.

 

I lost my right rear wheel bearing 8 years ago.

It's easy to remove the axle and bearing assemblies.

I had both changed even tho only one was bad.

Took the axles down to my local machine shop. They pressed on new bearings/seals.

$750 for both axles, new disks and pads.

I thought that was a decent price for having the truck on the hoist for 28 hours.

FWIW, it always the passenger rear that goes on a second Gen Tundra. I don't know why.

 

With that being 8 years ago, I'd expect the price to be at least double in today's world.

 

The dealer wanted $1200 for just the 1 side back then.

I researched it myself and did most of the work at home.

The press work at the machine shop was $75/side. The bearings and brakes was the rest of the cost for both side.

The point is, you can save a lot of money doing some wrenching yourself.

The dealer doesn't replace the bearings. They take the axles to a machine shop just like I did. The dealer gets their money because your truck is on their hoist for 2 days.

I have no issues with paying dealer costs, just want to point out that you aren't always getting genuine Toyota service when you take your truck to the dealer. Obviously, some dealers have a press and can do this job, but their techs are encouraged to get to the easy repairs first so the most money can be made for the shop.

 

100% true if you've got the ability/skills/knowledge and the space and tools.

My comment was just that everything is way more expensive now than it was 8 years ago. It wasn't an attack on your statement or anything.

 

Is it our trucks where you can press something on too far? Or is that different Toyotas?

 

I know it wasn't.

Just felt like writing about my experience. Didn't think anyone would mind.

 

I think you are referring to the tone ring.

Yes, that needs to be pressed on/placed correctly or the speed sensor will react abnormally.

4 wheel drive and anti lock brakes will not function correctly as well as you will have a bunch of dash lights.

 

Lots of ruffled feathers in this thread.

I appreciate the discussion.

 

Nah, this is nothing compared to some sites.

Just regular cats expressing their opinions.

 

Agreed. It's just friendly discussions, and friendly disagreements. Nobody is getting bent out of shape.

 

You should check out the oil threads

 

...or "can I tow a 5th wheel" thread.

 

People confuse “can” with “should”. And that’s ok. Don’t come on the internet and expect everyone to support your questionable or poor decisions.