[A/S] First Experience Towing the Bambi

["George Butler" <gbb132000@xxxxxxxxx>]

This does not relate to any recent post, it is just my experience in
towing, for comparative purposes.  We just got our Airstream, and it
is the first travel trailer we have owned.

My tow vehicle is a 2005 GMC Sierra, short bed, short cab, with 5.3
litre V8, auto transmission, and 3.23 axel.  Unloaded, this truck is
smooth, powerful, and with horsepower in the high two-hundreds, quite
fun to drive.  The remarkable thing about it is that it gets 18.5 mpg
in mixed driving around metro Atlanta.

The camper is a 2006, 19ft Bambi International.  Gross weight is 4500
pounds.  I did not weigh the rig, but I'm guessing actual weight was
not much more than 4000.

We purchased an Equalizer hitch with four point sway control.

Sway was not a problem in any driving; lane changes, passing / being
passed by tractor trailers, lousy uneven pavement, speeds up to 75 mph
but not much over.  No prolems at all.  I certainly could feel the rig
back there (much more so than the apx. 1500 pound boat that has been
my only other towing experience), but I never felt the least bit of
instability.

I am not sure that the hitch is adjusted just right; the truck squats
quite a bit when hitched up.  I've been reviewing the hitch
instructions, and will probably experiment with the spring bar
adjustments.

The hitch is quite noisy; popping and squeaking noises when turning. 
The instructions indicate that lubrication may help with that.  They
make it sound like lubrication is optional, which seems strange. 
You'd think they would recommend strongly one way or the other.  I
need to re-read that part and make sure I understand it.

QUESTION;  The Equalizer instructions call for Equalizer lubricant. 
Anyone know what sort of lubricant this is?  I don't want to go to a
bunch of trouble buying their brand of grease if it is just something
common that I already have.

The truck ran OK with the rig.  Power was not exactly ample, but
acceleration from a stop was fine, and with the transmission set to
"tow/haul", we were able to maintain 65 - 70 mph without too much
drama.  Our trip was from Atlanta to Homosassa Springs FL and back. 
Not exactly rough terrain - just rolling hills.  We got 12.5 MPG when
towing.

(While in Homosassa Springs we saw an excellent wildlife refuge, and
my wife snorkled with the Manatees.  Fine destination if you are into
that sort of thing.  Stayed at the Wagon Wheel RV park on highway 19
South of town.  Enjoyed it.)

I can see why people like a lot of power in their tow vehicles.  The
Sierra handled the load OK, but if we were in honest to goodness
mountains, I might be wanting more juice.  Wouldn't want to feed a 6.0
or larger on a routine basis, though.  Not being retired, I will be
driving the truck without the camper mare than with, so I am happy
with the compromise.

Again, I just wanted to share the experience... people are always
asking about towing this trailer with that truck, so here is a bit
more data to throw into the mix.

gbb