RE: Anybody ever seen one of these? (Shadow Cruiser)

[SactoCampers]

 Gone-Camping
Cliff,
 
 I know the 4.0 liter Jeep GC is a good motor. That thing is time tested. But it s power output specifications are very similar to my minivan. (It has 10 more horsepower but 5 lb-ft less torque with similar gearing according to the specs) so I m trying understand why you wouldn t have problem holding highway speed and I would. As I ve mentioned in a previous post, I have lots of reserve power in 3rd gear towing my similar-weight popup, so it s the wind resistance I m trying to qualify. As I ve always noted, higher towing capacity doesn t ensure better peformance. Performance is mainly a function of power-versus-weight, with gearing and wind resistance also factored in....assuming all other systems are functioning properly.
 
 In this fictitious scenario I would use weight distribution on the combo, which I m not currently doing with my popup. So traction would be less of an issue than the non-issue it is now, considering the shadow cruiser has a lower base hitch weight than my Tracker. I have AWD and it has never kicked in while towing.
 
 I was just lurking on the Shadow Cruiser Yahoo group and, while there aren t that many members there, but one owner pulls a T-160 with a Toyota Sienna and says it tows fine even in mountainous areas. He claims 13 mpg too, which is a 3 mpg  drop from what I would be, but not a deal breaker. He has a wee bit more horsepower, but much less torque than me.
 
 My minivan has the tow package and still has 20k miles less on my bumper to bumper extended warranty (already made a $3200 claim for new engine) so if the transmission goes out, I m out $75, $150 if I have to repair it at a non-AAA facility). No big deal there. Once the warranty is up, we ll be looking at a new minivan, one with a higher GCWR, so presumably the T-160 would be well within its limits, assuming there is no frontal area restriction. I don t know if the Sienna has those restrictions, but the owner in the yahoo group appears to be having no problems towing.

[Gone-Camping]

 SactoCampers
Well, I m now a firm believer in WDH and anti-sway bars!!! I never used them on the PU either, and never really had any problems, the only time I encountered anything close to scary was on down hill runs in excess of 65-70 mph when the trailer would try and over run the Jeep. I never experienced anything like that with the new trailer. The dual axle set-up also helps in those matters too, and I was advised so by the dealers " delivery"  driver, an older fellow that does nothing else except deliver new RV units around the country...
 
 I still don t know why my Jeep can hold speed, even up hills but it does! So I m not going to complain about one little bit [] The good news there is, I don t have to run right out and buy a new T/V, this one will suffice for the time being. A new T/V is still in the planning stages, and will be a V8 powered something, looking at F-150/F-250 but also considering Dodge 1500/2500 and also looking into the idea of a bigger SUV like the Expedition or a Durango....

[sniffid]

 SactoCampers

 I towed our Trail Cruiser C-19  home, 500 miles,  from RV Wholesalers with our Nissan Quest Minivan through the mountains of western Pa with no problems except when I forgot to turn off overdrive. It guzzled gas but I had no problem maintaining 60+ mph.
 
 The talk of frontal area limitations and references to Honda made me check my manual thinking I missed something. I didn t as there is no mention of frontal area limitations on the Passport. We bought the Passport knowing that a minivan is not a suitable vehicle for regular towing although I wasn t concerned about towing it home.

[SactoCampers]

 Gone-Camping

I still don t know why my Jeep can hold speed, even up hills but it does! So I m not going to complain about one little bit <image/s4.gif> The good news there is, I don t have to run right out and buy a new T/V, this one will suffice for the time being.

 That s great. To be honest, when you said you were going to get a big Trail Cruiser I wasn t sure how well your GC would do.
 
 In my case, my 2300 lb popup is a ridiculously easy tow. Only sign of the weight is all the junk we have to carry in the minivan and I can feel the motions are heavier on the rear suspension. A hardside allows the minivan to pull the weight of that junk by putting it inside the trailer rather than carry it. Fully loaded acceleration is spirited.  I can hold highway speed up just about any grade in 3rd gear, only occasionally dropping it into 2nd to easily hold 50-55 mph with power to accelerate even at high altitude, but I don t I just take it easy and hold my speed. I don t doubt a hardside like the Shadow Cruiser would create additional strain, but I just can t imagine it would be an enormous burden. But Mike s experience definitely makes me think. So that s why I went over to the Yahoo Shadow Cruiser board to see other minivan owners  experiences. Their stories are a little different. Who s right? Who knows!  [8D] Someday I may have to find out myself [].

[Gone-Camping]

 SactoCampers
There is one factor that hasn t been mentioned here, but don t think that would relate to Mike s experience, but might make a difference with you. California emmissions on the motor may create more of the HP drain than those of us back east that don t have motors bogged down with the  Extra  smog controls. Just a thought really, I don t have a clue how much difference it would really make, if at all...