So, what is everybody towing?

[capercrew02]

Capercrew02, Your set up looks great and very similar to what I have in mind. I mentioned this above, I have the extreme off-road on order. I have a few questions for you if you don't mind. Did Hiker recommend you lift your JT to better pull the trailer level? Are you running stock 33"s? Are you using a Max Coupler hitch? That awning looks like the 23Zero, the one Hiker prefers to use. I was considering getting the wall kits for mine but I like the annex you have on yours. Would you be able share the details of the annex? Sorry for the barrage of questions but seeing your pictures has me excited to get my rig and setup going. Thanks.

I’ve had my hiker for 4 years now, so much longer than my gladiator, but I’m on stock rubicon suspension and tires, and it rides great. I have the max coupler and absolutely love that hitch. My awning is the 23 zero batwing, and the side “room” is an oztent RV-5. They put together perfect with the oztent awning connector. I slide the tend in through the rear door since my galley doesn’t go all the way to the floor. We have evolved our setup a lot since initial purchase. We first had a square awning and enclosed room off that. The batwing and oztent offers much better simplicity and a quicker setup. Not to mention they have significantly better build quality than my previous ARB awning.

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[nabegg]

I’ve had my hiker for 4 years now, so much longer than my gladiator, but I’m on stock rubicon suspension and tires, and it rides great. I have the max coupler and absolutely love that hitch. My awning is the 23 zero batwing, and the side “room” is an oztent RV-5. They put together perfect with the oztent awning connector. I slide the tend in through the rear door since my galley doesn’t go all the way to the floor. We have evolved our setup a lot since initial purchase. We first had a square awning and enclosed room off that. The batwing and oztent offers much better simplicity and a quicker setup. Not to mention they have significantly better build quality than my previous ARB awning.

Thank you for your reply. I will look into the Oztent for sure.

Now that you have 4 years under your belt with your Hiker. Any changes you would make? If you could go back and order it again, anything you would change? Anything you recommend before we finalize our build?

Thanks again.

 

[capercrew02]

Thank you for your reply. I will look into the Oztent for sure.

Now that you have 4 years under your belt with your Hiker. Any changes you would make? If you could go back and order it again, anything you would change? Anything you recommend before we finalize our build?

Thanks again.

most features I’ve since added, in my own way,because they weren’t available 4 years ago. But air suspension, and Large front box have added huge flexibility to camp comfort and backroad capability. Things I wouldon’t change at all would be double doors and max fan. Large side swing rear door, and open bottom galley.

 

[Riccochet]

This. Once my JT arrives.

 

[azeeb]

Just got back from a 12 day 1500 mile trip. North from central Michigan to Mackinaw. Across the Mackinaw bridge and west across the UP to Marquette and then the Porcupine Mountains. South to central Wisconsin. Back across the UP on the way home with stops in Manistique and Petoskey. I got to swim in three different Great Lakes (Huron, Michigan and Superior). The gladiator handled the trip great.

 

[danielspivey]

Just got back from a 12 day 1500 mile trip. North from central Michigan to Mackinaw. Across the Mackinaw bridge and west across the UP to Marquette and then the Porcupine Mountains. South to central Wisconsin. Back across the UP on the way home with stops in Manistique and Petoskey. I got to swim in three different Great Lakes (Huron, Michigan and Superior). The gladiator handled the trip great.

what’s the weight on that?

 

[azeeb]

what’s the weight on that?

I was probably around 6500 for this trip. Had a bit more stuff than usual since it was a longer trip.

 

[danielspivey]

I was probably around 6500 for this trip. Had a bit more stuff than usual since it was a longer trip.

that’s about the weight I am towing. Did you go through any tunnels or high bridges? If so, how was it?

 

[danielspivey]

I was probably around 6500 for this trip. Had a bit more stuff than usual since it was a longer trip.

also what brake controller do you use? Any recommendations on settings (manual vs auto etc). Btw your trailer and gladiator look nice and level with the WDH.

 

[Gladiator in my dreams]

Is that a 25' or 27' Airstream?

 

[azeeb]

that’s about the weight I am towing. Did you go through any tunnels or high bridges? If so, how was it?

I went over the Mackinac bridge twice. It's about 5 miles long and 200 feet above the water. It was perfectly fine, but the weather was nice and I stayed in the slow lane at about 25 mph with the semi trucks.

also what brake controller do you use? Any recommendations on settings (manual vs auto etc). Btw your trailer and gladiator look nice and level with the WDH.

I have a Curt Spectrum. It's OK. I don't like that you have to be parked to change the settings. There were times I wanted to adjust the gain / sensitivity while on the road and couldn't.

Is that a 25' or 27' Airstream?

25FB

 

[nabegg]

most features I’ve since added, in my own way,because they weren’t available 4 years ago. But air suspension, and Large front box have added huge flexibility to camp comfort and backroad capability. Things I wouldon’t change at all would be double doors and max fan. Large side swing rear door, and open bottom galley.

Great. Thank you. Will look again at the air suspension. It's a pretty hefty upgrade price wise but it sounds like one you recommend. As for the large toolbox, Hiker does not make it available on their extreme off-road models.

 

[KVJ]

Shenango Lake Recreation Area western PA.

Taken with my flip phone.

 

[capercrew02]

Great. Thank you. Will look again at the air suspension. It's a pretty hefty upgrade price wise but it sounds like one you recommend. As for the large toolbox, Hiker does not make it available on their extreme off-road models.

The large box designed for the fridge slide out is ONLY available on the extreme offroad. Only substitution would be if your ordering through Wes and either doing a large 5x10 on a short frame or otherwise. Randy or the guys in Denver can for sure get that large box with side swinging doors. And the air suspension is a HUGE bonus. Being able to level at camp, lower the trailer so ingress and egress isn’t as high, etc are all well worth it. Tack on how much better it tows and rides on and Offroad And it’s a no brainer to me.

 

[nabegg]

The large box designed for the fridge slide out is ONLY available on the extreme offroad. Only substitution would be if your ordering through Wes and either doing a large 5x10 on a short frame or otherwise. Randy or the guys in Denver can for sure get that large box with side swinging doors. And the air suspension is a HUGE bonus. Being able to level at camp, lower the trailer so ingress and egress isn’t as high, etc are all well worth it. Tack on how much better it tows and rides on and Offroad And it’s a no brainer to me.

Sorry, I was thinking of the large tool box on the tongue, not one for the fridge. I am working with Rob out of the Denver store. Now you have me rethinking the suspension. I am talking with Rob today. I'm glad I asked. Thanks for the help.

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