BaliMawr
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Josh
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2022
- Threads
- 11
- Messages
- 345
- Reaction score
- 324
- Location
- Fredericksburg, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- 2022 JTMT, 2004 R1150GS, 1979 R100
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- Occupation
- Art Teacher, Blacksmith
- Thread starter
- #1
Holy crap, am I ever impressed! I didn't expect it to handle so well!
I did my first real tow this weekend, all Virginia hill country up into the mountains between Fredericksburg and Waynesboro. There engine did get a workout going up Afton mountain, but that was expected; this post is about handling.
I'm towing a Rockwood Roo 21 DB, with a dry weight of 4891 lbs, so probably 5400 loaded, with a tongue weight of 633lbs, using an 8K lb Fastway E2 WDH. The Rocinante (JT) is a '22 Max Tow, gas, with Firestone coil-rite air bags running 40 lbs of pressure, and a redarc pro brake controller (set to 5.5-6). Stock sport wheels and A/T tires. Previous tow vehicle was a '14 Ram 1500, for comparison.
Out of an abundance of caution, I'm following the manual's recommended 500 mile 50 mph towing break-in recommendation, which kept me off the highways, but that really let me put this rig to the test in terms of suspension and braking. Dealing with narrow roads, hills, and on- and off-camber turns, with 25-35 mph suggested cornering speeds, these are spirited driving roads that we enjoy in the Mini and on the Motorcycles, if that gives you a sense of the terrain. Pulling the trailer, I was able to easily maintain road max limit through the turns (not suggested curve limit), and I noticed ZERO understeer or sway- she cornered like she was on rails. I leterally can't imagine any way to improve the handling.
Full disclosure: ambient temp in low to mid 60s, trans temp 199-204, max rpm 5k going up the long grade of Afton mountain, but I knew to expect that, and the truck never felt unsettled. 11 mpg for the trip, but this is definitely more varied "city" driving, not highway cruising. I went into this not wanting a full sized truck, and knowing that the engine would get a workout 6-8 times a year when towing. I was concerned about handling. I shouldn't have been. It's rock solid. There is a lot to read about the drawbacks of the engine, so be realistic, but I felt the need to balance that out with a little gushing about the ride. I'd rather drive something that handles great that might be a little lighter on power, than something that pulls like an ox but handles like a pig.
I did my first real tow this weekend, all Virginia hill country up into the mountains between Fredericksburg and Waynesboro. There engine did get a workout going up Afton mountain, but that was expected; this post is about handling.
I'm towing a Rockwood Roo 21 DB, with a dry weight of 4891 lbs, so probably 5400 loaded, with a tongue weight of 633lbs, using an 8K lb Fastway E2 WDH. The Rocinante (JT) is a '22 Max Tow, gas, with Firestone coil-rite air bags running 40 lbs of pressure, and a redarc pro brake controller (set to 5.5-6). Stock sport wheels and A/T tires. Previous tow vehicle was a '14 Ram 1500, for comparison.
Out of an abundance of caution, I'm following the manual's recommended 500 mile 50 mph towing break-in recommendation, which kept me off the highways, but that really let me put this rig to the test in terms of suspension and braking. Dealing with narrow roads, hills, and on- and off-camber turns, with 25-35 mph suggested cornering speeds, these are spirited driving roads that we enjoy in the Mini and on the Motorcycles, if that gives you a sense of the terrain. Pulling the trailer, I was able to easily maintain road max limit through the turns (not suggested curve limit), and I noticed ZERO understeer or sway- she cornered like she was on rails. I leterally can't imagine any way to improve the handling.
Full disclosure: ambient temp in low to mid 60s, trans temp 199-204, max rpm 5k going up the long grade of Afton mountain, but I knew to expect that, and the truck never felt unsettled. 11 mpg for the trip, but this is definitely more varied "city" driving, not highway cruising. I went into this not wanting a full sized truck, and knowing that the engine would get a workout 6-8 times a year when towing. I was concerned about handling. I shouldn't have been. It's rock solid. There is a lot to read about the drawbacks of the engine, so be realistic, but I felt the need to balance that out with a little gushing about the ride. I'd rather drive something that handles great that might be a little lighter on power, than something that pulls like an ox but handles like a pig.
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