NOTE FROM SLIM: Here's the answers to repeat comments to save your typing fingers: 1. Yes the truck is sagging at the rear. I need new leaf springs eventually. 2. The armadillo did not bite very hard, however to be on the safe side I did seek medical advice. 3. I use AMERICAN gallons in my mpg calcs (what US gas station pumps Imperial gallons?!?) 4. The "HAUL" button was just a temporary test. It just increased the RPM, so do not use it. THANKS! SP
Small note, the haul button also increases the line pressure in the transmission to help with shifts/longevity, and thermal management. However, I doubt your little trailer needs any of that.
Thanks Slim, I always love a good reply, I like to keep my comments tongue in cheek, no malice ever intended, I think your videos are great a lot of thought and processing go into your video editing, is this the way to 🎤 Armadillo 🎵 sorry I am at it again, stay safe and happy travels 🇬🇧🇬🇧
Hi Slim. Try to turn off Tow Mode. That's for hauling 6000 lbs or more. Your transmission needs to let your torque converter drop into lock mode, which drops your RPMs by 300.
Thank you for not saying where that place is. We camped for several years in the “free” campgrounds all over Florida long before many TH-camrs blabbed about them and the rules got changed and some places got closed down because they became swamped with RVers who often did not obey the reservation rules. Such a pity. We are now off the road but still remember this awesome places. Instead here we are in the snow in Nova Scotia. Enjoy the winter in the warmth.
Here comes the sun 🌅 Snow and ice Chilly all around Frozen roads and streets Heading SOUTH BOUND Here comes the sun MPG not so grand Bouncing from park to park Slim's ONE MAN BAND A nip from an Arm-bite- dillo Scurring here and fro A true camp vagabond With a sharp middle toe The sun through the pines Florida COME AND STAY Brother Slim is our guide Enjoy the SUN AND PLAY ( it's alway a fun ride with brother Slim...and informative )
US states are beginning to take a closer look at where free camping occurs. Those places are becoming less about camping and more about homeless squatting. In Tennessee, there has been a crackdown on free "public" camping. The law is confusing, but with the uptick in homeless squatting vs recreational camping, a lot of places have been trashed. Even pay campgrounds are beginning to look like trailer parks. The high cost of rent has people buying cheap travel trailers and paying 500-900/month for a space. We've begun skirting some of our once-favorite parks because of the growing numbers of permanent campers. Management at those places isn't inclined to crack down on how well maintained those campers keep their spots.
OMG Slim! You certainly have been slammed with bad weather lately! This video kind of reminds of the cartoon character Chilly Willy. The penguin from Alaska who is always cold and constantly on a quest to stay warm. Loved the video. Thank you!
I live in central Florida and was raised in southern Florida, so I have never driven in your conditions, but I know I would never be able to do it. They say armadillos eat termites, grubs, cockroaches, and scorpions. So he was out of luck getting food from any camper. They dig big holes all over my yard and they are a pain. Thanks for sharing part 1 of your trip.
I lived the first half of my life in Illinois and then moved to Florida. Do not miss that at all! North Florida still gets really cold…(lived in Gainesville for 6 years and moved near Tampa in 1989 where temperatures are more moderate 😊)
Stay safe, and warm Slim. Another great video. Eat smart now.. got to stay healthy.. Cheryl from southern Michigan, small village near Toledo, Ohio. Fighting terminal cancer, but watching the weather and plan our trip south for a couple months to get that Vitamin D, power. Go see some family near port charlotte, and Estero.. I plan on doing what I can if I can and stay in the presence of the Almighty God and Father. We have a space in Englewood… praise the Lord. Got to love your content and your videos. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you someday out there. Until then Slim.. May the sunrises bring you happiness in this crazy world we are living in…peace out.
Yeah, I have a GMC Canyon with a 2.8L Turbo Diesel. I tow a Winnebago MicroMinnie 2106DS. Most trips from the Los Angeles area I get around 16MPG towing. If it's really flat a no headwinds, I've been able to get around 19MPG. This is keeping it at 60MPH though.
"Tow mode" may not be necessary with your lightweight trailer except in the mountains. Talk with a tech who is very familiar with your transmission about doing without 'tow mode'; it's heat that kills transmissions so they might recommend a transmission heat gauge. Many who tow large rigs use one to make their transmissions last. An extra transmission cooler might also be in order; you're good enough to DIY that or a shop can do it at a very reasonable price. Your driving at lower speeds also helps since the pressure of wind increases exponentially with added speed. Also, an open bed and closed tailgate on pickups costs you ~2-5 MPG, mesh tailgates do noticeably better as do covered beds. I doubt that you will reach the Jeeps fuel mileage but you should be able to get closer. Love the propane consumption numbers- that's fantastic as you know. And as tempting as it is, best to not get close to wild critters as they can carry many diseases and often do. Never thought I'd see another armadillo since I was last out west but they're in S. Carolina now and moving north. We get our first real winter temps here tonight; nothing like at your cabin but more than plenty to shake the state with our collective shivering. Be well and enjoy the journey.
Yup the sun in Florida is so nice in winter and I sincerely do miss it. I was forced out of Florida due to high rentals and with mu very limited budget I ended up in N. Georgia which is rainy and mostly cold here. I'm trying to arrange for next winter to stay in Florida, but with the limited housing available where my family lives I've not been able to find anything affordable. I'm glad you found a free campground. Happy trails and safe travels!
I live in South Carolina and I’ve been a subscriber of your for a number of years and I’ve always wanted to do what you do I think you life your life to the fullest!!! You rock slim!!
Those are about as good as you can expect with a full size truck when towing. Oddly, it seems to be mainly wind resistance that is the culprit. After years of towing I have found the weight towed only matters slightly to MPG (long trips on the highway are at a steady state). The size of the frontal area of the trailer as well as the cross section and wind velocity makes the most drastic changes. You could pull a camper twice the weight and likely see similar fuel economy on the highway.
I'm so glad to see you again. This segment was really interesting with your analysis of mileage. I drive a 97 4Runner and have over 270,000 miles on it. I monitor my fuel use at each fillup and am pleased with its almost steady 20 miles per gallon. It only drops when I visit too many Starbucks😅
Slim, I checked my mileage for the best leg on my trip to Florida and it was 14.32 mpg (from South Carolina to Georgia) 265 miles with 18.5 gallons of gas. Best mileage I ever got, but for the whole trip 1300 miles, I got 11.8 mpg. Keeping the speed under 57 mph was the key (between 1350 and 1450 rpm). Good luck in your goal!
yeah those larger tires are going to hurt your mpg but I think you;ll be surprised by hhowe much it improves at 100kph or even 90kph. All the wiundtunnel testing and best engine efficiencies are based on 55 mph. Try driving that and see how you mpg improves. That engine and transmission is designed to be most efficient at 55mph. You should see a 2 to 4 mpg improvement at least at that speed. minus what ever those larger tires are doing to your mpg. Also you should take your truck into the shop and get you speedometer adjusted for your tires and an emissions test done. Things like a wonky o2 sensor can hurt your mpg. And who knows what the previous owner of your truck might have done to wipe codes or hide them. I also noticed your truck is squatting a bit. @1:42 Have you checked your shocks and have you though about an adjustable hitch to help prevent squat? Your truck nose pointing up like that can hurt your mpg cause its exposing more of your undercarriage to the wind. ESPECIALLY with that chin spoiler removed. The trucks chin spoiler can add 1 to 2 mpg on its own. Its why the manufactures install them. Maybe find a used one at a wrecking yard?
As a Pensacola native, I greatly appreciate your discretion on the campsite. Although we have lost the beach, it is nice to still have our little spot in the woods,
I always feel bad and guilty when i watch your clips as I'm the one sitting on a warm sofa with a hot cup of ginger lemon tea with toffee candy or a hot tomato soup with toast and you're out there in the bush in the cold in the dangers of travel giving us for free your adventures, may the powers that be, bless you and Keep you safe!
2 things on the propane tanks 1. the plastic cover around it keeps in water which rots out the tank. razor blade removes it to inspect for bad seam rust. 2. on 4 of my 11 tanks the OPD overfill protection device dont work so during refill it can get filled to the valve & start to leak out of the vent. over 40lbs this can happen & leak more if the tank is warm & moved around lots. i hook mine up to a bbq grill let run till the regulator stops freezing up. just a heads up on a defect i found.
Did you install bigger tires? That would account for the difference. Ironically when I tow my trailer with my Jeep I usually get considerably better mileage than when I use the Jeep alone as a daily driver. Sure, there's the short drive vs long drive loss, but normally I don't see better than 15mpg and with my trailer I get just over 20mpg. I think it has to do with aerodynamics - a Jeep Wrangler is a brick in the wind and I think my teardrop shaped trailer - which is the same height as the Jeep - somehow prevents that vortex behind the vehicle from forming and the wind goes over the entire rig more smoothly. Otherwise I can't explain a up to 5mpg better gas mileage for a vehicle with 2000lbs on the hitch.
My husband and I were in Pensacola Jan. 15-19 and it was incredibly windy and cold!! I’m not sure when you were around there, but you sure looked warmer in your t-shirt. 😊 Sorry about that hungry armadillo! Glad you weren’t seriously hurt!
I love your heater. I've seen wood-burning stoves used inside RV's but the propane ones sure are more convenient. I'm glad you have little places like the one in FL that you can return to and enjoy in the colder months. Still not "south enough", though. Hard to imagine, coming from as far north as you do.
It's a shame that SOME people have to ruin camp / RV sites for everyone else... So, I don't blame you for NOT giving out the exact location.... As always, i enjoy tagging along with you on your road trips. California use to be my winter destination, (San Diego).. The coldest it ever got while staying in Seal beach (Los Angles area) was 45 degree's F
I noticed you had the truck in tow/haul mode. This will reduce your fuel economy because it keeps the transmission in lower gears for a longer period of time. It is designed for hauling heavy loads and isn't neccessary for a light trailer like yours. I have a fifth wheel toy hauler and only use tow/haul mode when I am decsending steep hills.
Hi Slim, After watching the video and seeing the armadillo bite at you I looked them up. They will and can bite and claw. And another thing I didn't know was they can carry rabies and leprosy along with other harmful diseases. Probably don't want to get that close again.
So glad you posted that. I’m from Texas where we also have a fare share of armadillos. Yes they are interesting but it is best to stay clear of them due to, as you said, carriers of rabies. Better to be safe than sorry plus they are wild animals in nature so we should respect that as well. 😊❤
My son lived in a camper beside me for awhile and he called me and told me to go look around his camper, something was out there. And it was an Armadillo. And it chased me. I thought it was nutts. I live in a small town and I have all kinds of critters roaming around here. I always take my dogs out in the middle of the night and there was 2 out there. One had ran into the road and I was trying to get a car to slow down and not hit it. It didn't and it went crunch. Turns out it was a trooper and he came back to get onto me because he said my tiny flashlight blinded him. And I mean tiny. It might have flashed, but I was motioning him, so I know he wasn't blinded that bad.
Glad to see you back on the road! I have a GMC 2500 HD with the 6.0 gas engine. I carry a truck camper in it. My overall MPG during summer travel is 11.0. With the camper off I can get around 15 with highway travel. I don't think you'll ever get anywhere close to 15 towing the trailer, but hope you do, :) All the best in 2024 and safe travels!
Slim, when you're driving on relatively flat land turn off the TOW/HAUL mode. It prevents your trans shifting into higher gears and reduces mileage. Saw the indicator light for it being on on your tachometer
I use my tow haul on steeper uphill grades, hitting the button at about 55 as the grade begins and shutting it off at the crest of the hill. Using it this way, it holds the rpm’s at 2500-3000. Not using it allows the rpm’s to jump up to 4000-5000 screaming up the hill. Not good. It takes a little trial and error to get the best results but on a long trip with many rolling hills, it is great. However, cannot use the cruise control when using the tow haul.
Another smidgen of gas milage improvement might be to add a wind deflector to the tail of your bed cover on the truck. It will help with the wind drag from the trailer.
I used to have a Tahoe with the 5.3 V8. My camper was bigger than yours and weighed +/-5k lbs loaded. 9mpg was the norm sadly. I would be elated with 12+
I used to travel a lot up and down I-81 to and through PA. I've learned that 1- there's always heavy rain or snow in P.A. and 2- 90% of the time (lately) there's an accident on 81. Never used to be that way. used to be smooth sailing . now I ride route 11. nice scenic country rode that follows 81. Florida sounds so nice right now. Thanks for this posting. I always enjoy your videos.
Ditto on the US 11 suggestion. Traveling through the small towns (many historic) adds travel time, but the stress is a LOT less. I personally do not understand why travelers who have the time use interstates. *shudder*
Traveling on 11 is a crap shoot of course. If you did a scientificic study and had a Buddy do the same trip on I 81 at speed limit at the same time over multiple trips the results might be interesting. 😮 I’ve done both. I prefer 11 in bad weather. 81 is notorious for danger related to 18 wheelers.
Slim you can get helper springs for the truck and save some money. The gas mpg is another thing all together. There are things you can do to save on gas but it will be minimal, but like beauty it's all in the eye of the beholder. If I got 10 in my truck I'd be thrilled!! I hover between 6 and 7 that's at subsonic.
Yikes, on that armadillo. I was happy you saw a dr. Nice lil campground. Yes, El Nino making the weather a lil crazy for everyone this yr supposedly until April. Be safe. 🙂👍
As an introvert I read my truck owner manual looking for information first. My gas engine Fordor F-350 burns all the gas I put in it but I haven’t had one diesel emissions system sniffle to fix on it yet. That is a very nice installation of your heater.
The Ice Man has settled in my area for the next 7 days or so - bitter cold here for sure. Glad you were able to find some warmth even if cold nights are mixed in, but it certainly took a long drive to do so. Wishing you safe travels. Be well.
Hi Slim! I have enjoyed your videos for several years now. I am glad to see you made it to northern Florida even if the weather has been unseasonable cold of late. I live in Pensacola and Blackwater River is great for camping and hiking. Another location you wish to check out is the Fort Blakeley State Park in Spanish Fort, Alabama - its not free, but has camping and good hiking with lots of wildlife. I would also point out there are plenty of local brew opportunities for you in the Florida Panhandle and L.A. (Lower Alabama). If you make it to Alabama, Rouse's grocery store (which is based in Louisiana) has good deals on local foods and beverages. Enjoy your stay!
Wow! Amazing to me how I am fraid that armadillo was. Great experience for you to be so up close and personal to the local wildlife. 💜 Always love your postings.
Good to see you on the road again. We have been to that campground. It is very nice but , like you mentioned it has been somewhat closed down. If you plan on passing thru Syracuse, NY on your travels, you can certainly stay at our place. No generators, away from the road, quiet. About a good days drive from NB. CAMEA
Sorry, Slim, but good mileage or bad, the Slimarado will never replace the Jeep. In my not-so-humble opinion, of course. Safe travels! Stay warm! Avoid snowstorms, tornados, and brutal temperatures.
With the bigger tires and rims you should go have your speedometer recalibrated to avoid any unnecessary speeding tickets. I had it done on my truck when I had one that I lifted and put bigger rims and tires.
Good morning Slim. You had the noisy generator neighbours, I have the noisy wild burros braying non-stop. I can see my RV neighbours in the distance but can't hear them. It did get down to 34F here overnight too, near Yuma. Cheers, Steve
I feel your pain on that drive down. We come down from New Hampshire. I always feel like I need to see two good weather days in a row before I start out. Most times it works out, sometimes not. We're in Florida now and the weather has been awful. Chilly days and the only time it warms up is when it rains. For both our sakes I hope we see some improvement!
Hey Slim, for future reference I would steer clear of the armadillos. They do carry the bacteria that causes Hansen’s disease, used to be called Leprosy. Hope you enjoyed your Florida trip anyway.
Might I suggest that the fact you were in the tow haul mode be part of your gas mileage challenge, tires make a difference but driving in that mode changes shifts and RPM ranges, try not using it and see what the affect is, you aren’t even close to the towing capacity of the truck so it may have little or no effect if you choose not to ….also consider looking into the exhaust system, at that mileage your catalytic converters may be plugging up, and that will make an absolutely huge difference in your performance… Just food for thought, looking forward to seeing how your trip goes
If you put a roof rack on your cap you can reuse your snowboard deflector or use a car topper if need be. I had a cap on my old truck and put a roof rack on it for a car topper. My puppies had more room in the back but I never tried a wind deflector when towing. Your dicreperancy was probably due to your tires, they may not be factory.
Add some air springs to the rear to help with mpg....it looks to me like you have a little rear sag going on so you need to get the rear end up to get the truck level or the rear slightly higher to improve your aerodynamics....with the front end pointing up it's catching wind and like ur going up hill all the time...stick your hand out the window level at speed ...and then tilt it ever so slightly up in the front
Nice video Slim, was looking forward to hearing from you, it's so enjoyable to watch your videos, hope you will be putting out some more and more frequently if possible, they are relaxing and informative as well as well done. Thank you, Thomas
I don’t know if they have it in those areas you are traveling through but out west here they have a winter blend fuel for a few months and fuel mileage can drop a few mpgs from summer time. The cold doesn’t help either with getting the engine up to temperature and whatnot.
Slim i'm really hoping you have good weather down here in Florida! This is the Cloudiest, coldest and rainiest winter In the 30 years I've lived here..... It is usually so much better! Love your videos, Slim!!!😊👍👏🏻☀️🌊🐊🐊🐊🐊
Great to be on the road again, despite the weather. I’m not sure if anyone has commented about the back end of the ute sagging a bit with the caravan on? The only thing is that takes some of the weight off the front wheels and might make it harder to stop in hurry in certain conditions. Is there a possibility of either load levelling kit to push the weight back onto the front, or beef up the rear springs just a little. There is a third option too, I’ve used rubber inserts or spring savers to stop rear end sag whilst towing. That was the cheapest option and easily removed when not towing to give back that nice ride comfort.
The 4.3L V6 engine would have given you better MPG. Without trailer towing I get 22 to 24 MPG & around 16 to 18 MPG towing 3,000 lbs. But mine isn't a 4x4 either. So.... Tire/wheel size will affect the speedometer. I used commercial tires on my truck (265R70-17 versus 245R70-17). It altered the speedometer by 3 mph slower than what is was actually going.
Looks like my old stomping grounds. The pines and the sandy roads bring back memories. Have a wonderful time. Armadillos eat mostly insects, but they'll happily eat a large variety of other things as well. Fruit, eggs, carrion, table scraps, dog food, pretty much anything they can find. They are almost blind but hear really well. Usually they take off at the sound of a voice so that one is obviously a camp ground regular.
Good morning from Godley Texas, first love yhe new facial hair. What a mess driving through the snow and rain. Soaking up yhe rays in Florida, life is good. Glad the truck is working out. Running water is always provides a peaceful backdrop. Extremely friendly armadillo. We're in our third day of below freezing temps. Live life to the fullest. Stay safe and happy travels 😎
Wow. The campsite in Florida looked like a postcard. The trees against blue sky looked awesome. The weather app on your phone showed a bit warmer temps out west. Might be worth heading that direction? The Mojave and Arizona deserts in spring are beautiful. As for mps’s, tires like those can sometimes hurt mileage. Good for on and off-road - just not as good for highway-only mpg’s. Just throwing that out. Another good one. Cheers! 👍
I was born and raised in PA. In the north and west mountains you will always have ice and snow more then in the southern part but you also get Nor’easters where the system goes around d in circles and hits over and over. The temperature really is not all that different in the north from the south overall. God bless!
Hi Slim, we have been in Florida since December 10th and the weather has not been great. I’ve been wearing my coat almost every day. Looking forward to warmer days 😊
Armadillos can carry leprosy. I wouldn’t get close to them! We have one who lives under our porch. He roots and digs holes, which we do not like! I’m a Florida girl and, believe me, we don’t have any summer night temperatures tat are 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I’m freezing when it’s in the fifties!
As a wearer of more beard styles than I can count (I think I even invented a few) I think you found the sweet spot. For me, it’s a short full beard, but you look good, Slim. It needed to be said. I wait patiently for your videos. I wish you safe travels and warmth. Chase that sunshine brother!
What Slim is missing on his adventures is a travel companion whether it be a dog or a cat.🤣 And based on your overall attitude and affable personality, I am actually surprised that you don't have one.
Stuck with the trucks. But at least the rain washed the salt off. Glad you finally made it safely to Florida. I hear from son and DIL that the chilly weather followed you down into Florida, but it should pass quickly. Lots of places have changed and lots of campsites have been lost completely. People are pigs. Those campsites have been over used and abused. More and more people are using the sites still available. It will get worse before it gets better.
I drove a 2003 Z71 Tahoe 5.3 for 12 years almost always towing a bass boat. I found for best mileage use 2H, tow mode off, keep it below 65 mph, a clean air filter and inflate your tires a few pounds higher than normal. I sold it to my neighbor and he uses it to pull a T@b 320 and he claims to get 14-15 MPG.
NOTE FROM SLIM: Here's the answers to repeat comments to save your typing fingers:
1. Yes the truck is sagging at the rear. I need new leaf springs eventually.
2. The armadillo did not bite very hard, however to be on the safe side I did seek medical advice.
3. I use AMERICAN gallons in my mpg calcs (what US gas station pumps Imperial gallons?!?)
4. The "HAUL" button was just a temporary test. It just increased the RPM, so do not use it.
THANKS! SP
Great to hear the armadillo didn’t do any harm to you. Enjoy your USA adventures! Stay warm!
Small note, the haul button also increases the line pressure in the transmission to help with shifts/longevity, and thermal management. However, I doubt your little trailer needs any of that.
Thanks Slim, I always love a good reply, I like to keep my comments tongue in cheek, no malice ever intended, I think your videos are great a lot of thought and processing go into your video editing, is this the way to 🎤 Armadillo 🎵 sorry I am at it again, stay safe and happy travels 🇬🇧🇬🇧
Hi Slim. Try to turn off Tow Mode. That's for hauling 6000 lbs or more. Your transmission needs to let your torque converter drop into lock mode, which drops your RPMs by 300.
Thank you for not saying where that place is. We camped for several years in the “free” campgrounds all over Florida long before many TH-camrs blabbed about them and the rules got changed and some places got closed down because they became swamped with RVers who often did not obey the reservation rules. Such a pity. We are now off the road but still remember this awesome places. Instead here we are in the snow in Nova Scotia. Enjoy the winter in the warmth.
So many are ruined by too many partiers-not people that love and respect nature-who just destroy them-and then nobody can go.
Here comes the sun
🌅
Snow and ice
Chilly all around
Frozen roads and streets
Heading SOUTH BOUND
Here comes the sun
MPG not so grand
Bouncing from park to park
Slim's ONE MAN BAND
A nip from an Arm-bite- dillo
Scurring here and fro
A true camp vagabond
With a sharp middle toe
The sun through the pines
Florida COME AND STAY
Brother Slim is our guide
Enjoy the SUN AND PLAY
( it's alway a fun ride with brother Slim...and informative )
Beautiful as always. Thanks Dale!
US states are beginning to take a closer look at where free camping occurs. Those places are becoming less about camping and more about homeless squatting. In Tennessee, there has been a crackdown on free "public" camping. The law is confusing, but with the uptick in homeless squatting vs recreational camping, a lot of places have been trashed.
Even pay campgrounds are beginning to look like trailer parks. The high cost of rent has people buying cheap travel trailers and paying 500-900/month for a space. We've begun skirting some of our once-favorite parks because of the growing numbers of permanent campers. Management at those places isn't inclined to crack down on how well maintained those campers keep their spots.
OMG Slim! You certainly have been slammed with bad weather lately! This video kind of reminds of the cartoon character Chilly Willy. The penguin from Alaska who is always cold and constantly on a quest to stay warm. Loved the video. Thank you!
I live in central Florida and was raised in southern Florida, so I have never driven in your conditions, but I know I would never be able to do it. They say armadillos eat termites, grubs, cockroaches, and scorpions. So he was out of luck getting food from any camper. They dig big holes all over my yard and they are a pain. Thanks for sharing part 1 of your trip.
I lived the first half of my life in Illinois and then moved to Florida. Do not miss that at all!
North Florida still gets really cold…(lived in Gainesville for 6 years and moved near Tampa in 1989 where temperatures are more moderate 😊)
@@pdrey55 But when we do go below 30, it's short lived thank goodness. I think 6 days last year.
Stay safe, and warm Slim. Another great video. Eat smart now.. got to stay healthy.. Cheryl from southern Michigan, small village near Toledo, Ohio. Fighting terminal cancer, but watching the weather and plan our trip south for a couple months to get that Vitamin D, power. Go see some family near port charlotte, and Estero.. I plan on doing what I can if I can and stay in the presence of the Almighty God and Father. We have a space in Englewood… praise the Lord. Got to love your content and your videos. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you someday out there. Until then Slim.. May the sunrises bring you happiness in this crazy world we are living in…peace out.
Hi Cheryl, It's brave and strong-willed people like you that give us all hope. The sun will shine on you! SP
Yeah, I have a GMC Canyon with a 2.8L Turbo Diesel. I tow a Winnebago MicroMinnie 2106DS. Most trips from the Los Angeles area I get around 16MPG towing. If it's really flat a no headwinds, I've been able to get around 19MPG. This is keeping it at 60MPH though.
"Tow mode" may not be necessary with your lightweight trailer except in the mountains. Talk with a tech who is very familiar with your transmission about doing without 'tow mode'; it's heat that kills transmissions so they might recommend a transmission heat gauge. Many who tow large rigs use one to make their transmissions last. An extra transmission cooler might also be in order; you're good enough to DIY that or a shop can do it at a very reasonable price. Your driving at lower speeds also helps since the pressure of wind increases exponentially with added speed. Also, an open bed and closed tailgate on pickups costs you ~2-5 MPG, mesh tailgates do noticeably better as do covered beds. I doubt that you will reach the Jeeps fuel mileage but you should be able to get closer. Love the propane consumption numbers- that's fantastic as you know. And as tempting as it is, best to not get close to wild critters as they can carry many diseases and often do. Never thought I'd see another armadillo since I was last out west but they're in S. Carolina now and moving north. We get our first real winter temps here tonight; nothing like at your cabin but more than plenty to shake the state with our collective shivering. Be well and enjoy the journey.
Yup the sun in Florida is so nice in winter and I sincerely do miss it. I was forced out of Florida due to high rentals and with mu very limited budget I ended up in N. Georgia which is rainy and mostly cold here. I'm trying to arrange for next winter to stay in Florida, but with the limited housing available where my family lives I've not been able to find anything affordable. I'm glad you found a free campground. Happy trails and safe travels!
I live in South Carolina and I’ve been a subscriber of your for a number of years and I’ve always wanted to do what you do I think you life your life to the fullest!!! You rock slim!!
Those are about as good as you can expect with a full size truck when towing. Oddly, it seems to be mainly wind resistance that is the culprit. After years of towing I have found the weight towed only matters slightly to MPG (long trips on the highway are at a steady state). The size of the frontal area of the trailer as well as the cross section and wind velocity makes the most drastic changes. You could pull a camper twice the weight and likely see similar fuel economy on the highway.
I'm so glad to see you again. This segment was really interesting with your analysis of mileage. I drive a 97 4Runner and have over 270,000 miles on it. I monitor my fuel use at each fillup and am pleased with its almost steady 20 miles per gallon. It only drops when I visit too many Starbucks😅
Slim, I checked my mileage for the best leg on my trip to Florida and it was 14.32 mpg (from South Carolina to Georgia) 265 miles with 18.5 gallons of gas. Best mileage I ever got, but for the whole trip 1300 miles, I got 11.8 mpg. Keeping the speed under 57 mph was the key (between 1350 and 1450 rpm). Good luck in your goal!
My 1998 Tahoe with the 5.7 ltr V8 only gets 11 gallons per gallon towing a 16' Casita - consistently over the past 6 or 7 years.... 🌞
Living vicariously here... 'feeling' those warm rays right thru my screen. 🌞 🌅
Beard and stash are looking good! Wish I could get out of the Minnesota weather! Safe journeys Slim!
yeah those larger tires are going to hurt your mpg but I think you;ll be surprised by hhowe much it improves at 100kph or even 90kph. All the wiundtunnel testing and best engine efficiencies are based on 55 mph. Try driving that and see how you mpg improves. That engine and transmission is designed to be most efficient at 55mph. You should see a 2 to 4 mpg improvement at least at that speed. minus what ever those larger tires are doing to your mpg.
Also you should take your truck into the shop and get you speedometer adjusted for your tires and an emissions test done. Things like a wonky o2 sensor can hurt your mpg. And who knows what the previous owner of your truck might have done to wipe codes or hide them.
I also noticed your truck is squatting a bit. @1:42 Have you checked your shocks and have you though about an adjustable hitch to help prevent squat? Your truck nose pointing up like that can hurt your mpg cause its exposing more of your undercarriage to the wind.
ESPECIALLY with that chin spoiler removed. The trucks chin spoiler can add 1 to 2 mpg on its own. Its why the manufactures install them. Maybe find a used one at a wrecking yard?
As a Pensacola native, I greatly appreciate your discretion on the campsite. Although we have lost the beach, it is nice to still have our little spot in the woods,
I always feel bad and guilty when i watch your clips as I'm the one sitting on a warm sofa with a hot cup of ginger lemon tea with toffee candy or a hot tomato soup with toast and you're out there in the bush in the cold in the dangers of travel giving us for free your adventures, may the powers that be, bless you and Keep you safe!
2 things on the propane tanks
1. the plastic cover around it keeps in water which rots out the tank. razor blade removes it to inspect for bad seam rust.
2. on 4 of my 11 tanks the OPD overfill protection device dont work so during refill it can get filled to the valve & start to leak out of the vent. over 40lbs this can happen & leak more if the tank is warm & moved around lots. i hook mine up to a bbq grill let run till the regulator stops freezing up. just a heads up on a defect i found.
Good to see another video from you. Take good care and stay warm out there.💞🥶
Red sky at night, Slim's delight. Red sky in the morning, Slim's warning! Safe travels. Glad you got out of the cold and into Florida.
Did you install bigger tires? That would account for the difference. Ironically when I tow my trailer with my Jeep I usually get considerably better mileage than when I use the Jeep alone as a daily driver. Sure, there's the short drive vs long drive loss, but normally I don't see better than 15mpg and with my trailer I get just over 20mpg. I think it has to do with aerodynamics - a Jeep Wrangler is a brick in the wind and I think my teardrop shaped trailer - which is the same height as the Jeep - somehow prevents that vortex behind the vehicle from forming and the wind goes over the entire rig more smoothly. Otherwise I can't explain a up to 5mpg better gas mileage for a vehicle with 2000lbs on the hitch.
My husband and I were in Pensacola Jan. 15-19 and it was incredibly windy and cold!! I’m not sure when you were around there, but you sure looked warmer in your t-shirt. 😊 Sorry about that hungry armadillo! Glad you weren’t seriously hurt!
I love your heater. I've seen wood-burning stoves used inside RV's but the propane ones sure are more convenient. I'm glad you have little places like the one in FL that you can return to and enjoy in the colder months. Still not "south enough", though. Hard to imagine, coming from as far north as you do.
Yay! So glad your beautiful travel vids are back!!!
Looks like you'd benefit from a set Airlift leveler bags on your rear axle.
Good morning, Slim. The opening photo is very cool, so much red. Now back to the video.
Morning!
Little did Slim know, that armadillo bit would eventually transform him into "Armadillo Man!”😂
Thank you Slim for delivering a new video . Great as always
It's a shame that SOME people have to ruin camp / RV sites for everyone else... So, I don't blame you for NOT giving out the exact location.... As always, i enjoy tagging along with you on your road trips.
California use to be my winter destination, (San Diego).. The coldest it ever got while staying in Seal beach (Los Angles area) was 45 degree's F
Glad you got out of the cold. Have safe travels ahead .Slim.
I noticed you had the truck in tow/haul mode. This will reduce your fuel economy because it keeps the transmission in lower gears for a longer period of time. It is designed for hauling heavy loads and isn't neccessary for a light trailer like yours. I have a fifth wheel toy hauler and only use tow/haul mode when I am decsending steep hills.
Hi Slim,
After watching the video and seeing the armadillo bite at you I looked them up.
They will and can bite and claw. And another thing I didn't know was they can carry rabies and leprosy along with other harmful diseases. Probably don't want to get that close again.
So glad you posted that. I’m from Texas where we also have a fare share of armadillos. Yes they are interesting but it is best to stay clear of them due to, as you said, carriers of rabies. Better to be safe than sorry plus they are wild animals in nature so we should respect that as well. 😊❤
My son lived in a camper beside me for awhile and he called me and told me to go look around his camper, something was out there. And it was an Armadillo. And it chased me. I thought it was nutts. I live in a small town and I have all kinds of critters roaming around here. I always take my dogs out in the middle of the night and there was 2 out there. One had ran into the road and I was trying to get a car to slow down and not hit it. It didn't and it went crunch. Turns out it was a trooper and he came back to get onto me because he said my tiny flashlight blinded him. And I mean tiny. It might have flashed, but I was motioning him, so I know he wasn't blinded that bad.
Glad to see you back on the road! I have a GMC 2500 HD with the 6.0 gas engine. I carry a truck camper in it. My overall MPG during summer travel is 11.0. With the camper off I can get around 15 with highway travel. I don't think you'll ever get anywhere close to 15 towing the trailer, but hope you do, :)
All the best in 2024 and safe travels!
Slim, when you're driving on relatively flat land turn off the TOW/HAUL mode. It prevents your trans shifting into higher gears and reduces mileage. Saw the indicator light for it being on on your tachometer
Wow! I didn't know that, thanks!
Keep it off unless in mountain ranges, going down hill it'll drop gears until the engine is screaming at 4000rpm
Yes, I only tried it for a brief period and found no benefit, only higher RPMs. Thanks! SP
It can be useful for keeping your speed while going down a hill. It's almost like every time you touch the brake it downshifts for you.
I use my tow haul on steeper uphill grades, hitting the button at about 55 as the grade begins and shutting it off at the crest of the hill.
Using it this way, it holds the rpm’s at 2500-3000. Not using it allows the rpm’s to jump up to 4000-5000 screaming up the hill. Not good.
It takes a little trial and error to get the best results but on a long trip with many rolling hills, it is great.
However, cannot use the cruise control when using the tow haul.
Another smidgen of gas milage improvement might be to add a wind deflector to the tail of your bed cover on the truck. It will help with the wind drag from the trailer.
I used to have a Tahoe with the 5.3 V8. My camper was bigger than yours and weighed +/-5k lbs loaded. 9mpg was the norm sadly. I would be elated with 12+
Slim, steer clear of armadillos, they carry the leprosy bacteria and can infect you. Love the videos!
I used to travel a lot up and down I-81 to and through PA. I've learned that 1- there's always heavy rain or snow in P.A. and 2- 90% of the time (lately) there's an accident on 81. Never used to be that way. used to be smooth sailing . now I ride route 11. nice scenic country rode that follows 81. Florida sounds so nice right now. Thanks for this posting. I always enjoy your videos.
Ditto on the US 11 suggestion. Traveling through the small towns (many historic) adds travel time, but the stress is a LOT less. I personally do not understand why travelers who have the time use interstates. *shudder*
Slim's audience has great stories tooo....❤
Traveling on 11 is a crap shoot of course. If you did a scientificic study and had a Buddy do the same trip on I 81 at speed limit at the same time over multiple trips the results might be interesting. 😮 I’ve done both. I prefer 11 in bad weather. 81 is notorious for danger related to 18 wheelers.
Slim you can get helper springs for the truck and save some money. The gas mpg is another thing all together. There are things you can do to save on gas but it will be minimal, but like beauty it's all in the eye of the beholder. If I got 10 in my truck I'd be thrilled!! I hover between 6 and 7 that's at subsonic.
I love to see that tilting panel working
Yikes, on that armadillo. I was happy you saw a dr. Nice lil campground. Yes, El Nino making the weather a lil crazy for everyone this yr supposedly until April. Be safe. 🙂👍
Not trying to be a know it all , looks like your truck is in need of some springs or air bags when towing. Enjoy your channel. Thanks for posting.
Please read the pinned comment
As an introvert I read my truck owner manual looking for information first.
My gas engine Fordor F-350 burns all the gas I put in it but I haven’t had one diesel emissions system sniffle to fix on it yet.
That is a very nice installation of your heater.
The Ice Man has settled in my area for the next 7 days or so - bitter cold here for sure. Glad you were able to find some warmth even if cold nights are mixed in, but it certainly took a long drive to do so. Wishing you safe travels. Be well.
Hi Slim! I have enjoyed your videos for several years now. I am glad to see you made it to northern Florida even if the weather has been unseasonable cold of late. I live in Pensacola and Blackwater River is great for camping and hiking. Another location you wish to check out is the Fort Blakeley State Park in Spanish Fort, Alabama - its not free, but has camping and good hiking with lots of wildlife. I would also point out there are plenty of local brew opportunities for you in the Florida Panhandle and L.A. (Lower Alabama). If you make it to Alabama, Rouse's grocery store (which is based in Louisiana) has good deals on local foods and beverages. Enjoy your stay!
Wow! Amazing to me how I am fraid that armadillo was. Great experience for you to be so up close and personal to the local wildlife. 💜 Always love your postings.
A few more years and I hope to go on solo travel adventures like this! I love your storytelling and videos!
Thanks Slim! Enjoyed your latest adventure, looking forward to more! Stay safe, nasty weather for awhile, even in the south!
Good to see you on the road again. We have been to that campground. It is very nice but , like you mentioned it has been somewhat closed down. If you plan on passing thru Syracuse, NY on your travels, you can certainly stay at our place. No generators, away from the road, quiet. About a good days drive from NB. CAMEA
That opening shot was stunning! We missed you! Glad you got some sun, it sure helps the mood. Stay safe.
As a resident of South Alabama and an amateur meteorologist, it is now apparent to me you did bring the cold down with you. 😂
😂
Welcome to the Black Forest area … my buddies are there too ( Van Camping Woody & Mr Cotton) many places but they told me it’s busy .. enjoy
Sorry, Slim, but good mileage or bad, the Slimarado will never replace the Jeep. In my not-so-humble opinion, of course. Safe travels! Stay warm! Avoid snowstorms, tornados, and brutal temperatures.
With the bigger tires and rims you should go have your speedometer recalibrated to avoid any unnecessary speeding tickets. I had it done on my truck when I had one that I lifted and put bigger rims and tires.
Good morning Slim. You had the noisy generator neighbours, I have the noisy wild burros braying non-stop. I can see my RV neighbours in the distance but can't hear them. It did get down to 34F here overnight too, near Yuma. Cheers, Steve
I feel your pain on that drive down. We come down from New Hampshire. I always feel like I need to see two good weather days in a row before I start out. Most times it works out, sometimes not. We're in Florida now and the weather has been awful. Chilly days and the only time it warms up is when it rains. For both our sakes I hope we see some improvement!
Keep heading south, the panhandle has been cold since the first week of December, its nice down by Miami
When you say chilly, how cold does it get?? (Please forgive my dumb question)
Hey Slim, for future reference I would steer clear of the armadillos. They do carry the bacteria that causes Hansen’s disease, used to be called Leprosy. Hope you enjoyed your Florida trip anyway.
And possibly rabies.
Those pests are moving north. We have them here in Middle Tennessee.
My buddy got leprosy from an armadillo. Be careful around them.
If it bit you you need to get to a doctor to be checked out. Please do some research on those fascinating creatures.
Peace, Love and Freedom 🇺🇲
Careful bud.
Might I suggest that the fact you were in the tow haul mode be part of your gas mileage challenge, tires make a difference but driving in that mode changes shifts and RPM ranges, try not using it and see what the affect is, you aren’t even close to the towing capacity of the truck so it may have little or no effect if you choose not to ….also consider looking into the exhaust system, at that mileage your catalytic converters may be plugging up, and that will make an absolutely huge difference in your performance… Just food for thought, looking forward to seeing how your trip goes
I always put a silver blanket on my cooler. It insulates it to stay cool.
I live in south Carolina Slim,today is 0/16/2024,our low tonight is going to be 17 f. Be safe Slim on your travels.
If you put a roof rack on your cap you can reuse your snowboard deflector or use a car topper if need be. I had a cap on my old truck and put a roof rack on it for a car topper. My puppies had more room in the back but I never tried a wind deflector when towing.
Your dicreperancy was probably due to your tires, they may not be factory.
Add some air springs to the rear to help with mpg....it looks to me like you have a little rear sag going on so you need to get the rear end up to get the truck level or the rear slightly higher to improve your aerodynamics....with the front end pointing up it's catching wind and like ur going up hill all the time...stick your hand out the window level at speed ...and then tilt it ever so slightly up in the front
Happy you made it to Florida, looking forward to seeing your other videos ❤
Nice video Slim, was looking forward to hearing from you, it's so enjoyable to watch your videos, hope you will be putting out some more and more frequently if possible, they are relaxing and informative as well as well done. Thank you, Thomas
I don’t know if they have it in those areas you are traveling through but out west here they have a winter blend fuel for a few months and fuel mileage can drop a few mpgs from summer time. The cold doesn’t help either with getting the engine up to temperature and whatnot.
Slim i'm really hoping you have good weather down here in Florida! This is the Cloudiest, coldest and rainiest winter In the 30 years I've lived here..... It is usually so much better! Love your videos, Slim!!!😊👍👏🏻☀️🌊🐊🐊🐊🐊
🥶
Great to be on the road again, despite the weather.
I’m not sure if anyone has commented about the back end of the ute sagging a bit with the caravan on? The only thing is that takes some of the weight off the front wheels and might make it harder to stop in hurry in certain conditions. Is there a possibility of either load levelling kit to push the weight back onto the front, or beef up the rear springs just a little. There is a third option too, I’ve used rubber inserts or spring savers to stop rear end sag whilst towing. That was the cheapest option and easily removed when not towing to give back that nice ride comfort.
Please read the pinned comment before posting. It may save you writing. Thanks!
Hey there I'm about 45 miles from Nashville....I hope you enjoyed u r stay even it was cold and snowing..Stay safe ..🙂🙂
Thanks alot buddy! Bringing the cold with ya!
My pleasure, I like to share!
😅
The 4.3L V6 engine would have given you better MPG. Without trailer towing I get 22 to 24 MPG & around 16 to 18 MPG towing 3,000 lbs. But mine isn't a 4x4 either. So....
Tire/wheel size will affect the speedometer. I used commercial tires on my truck (265R70-17 versus 245R70-17). It altered the speedometer by 3 mph slower than what is was actually going.
Looks like my old stomping grounds. The pines and the sandy roads bring back memories. Have a wonderful time.
Armadillos eat mostly insects, but they'll happily eat a large variety of other things as well. Fruit, eggs, carrion, table scraps, dog food, pretty much anything they can find. They are almost blind but hear really well. Usually they take off at the sound of a voice so that one is obviously a camp ground regular.
We are getting sleet near Asheboro North Carolina. We have a back up Generator, but a lot of the time Our Power will go off due to ice storms.
In regards to your fuel economy. Check what your rear axle ratio is, that will affect your mpg
My word what a beautiful sunset that was
Good morning from Godley Texas, first love yhe new facial hair. What a mess driving through the snow and rain. Soaking up yhe rays in Florida, life is good. Glad the truck is working out. Running water is always provides a peaceful backdrop. Extremely friendly armadillo. We're in our third day of below freezing temps. Live life to the fullest. Stay safe and happy travels 😎
Good Morning Texas. Let me know when it warms up there!
@@SlimPotatohead should be above freezing Wednesday afternoon, then rain in my area next week.
Good to see you Slim! Keep on keeping on. Hugs from FREEZING COLORADO
You're in my neck of the woods now!! Welcome!
Great to see You on the road again.😊 Happy Travels ❤ STAY SAFE !!
Pa person just south west of Harrisburg...got 4 inches of snow and 4 degrees F this morning 1 17.24. Safe travels, 81 famous for accidents here.😊
Wow. The campsite in Florida looked like a postcard. The trees against blue sky looked awesome. The weather app on your phone showed a bit warmer temps out west. Might be worth heading that direction? The Mojave and Arizona deserts in spring are beautiful. As for mps’s, tires like those can sometimes hurt mileage. Good for on and off-road - just not as good for highway-only mpg’s. Just throwing that out. Another good one. Cheers! 👍
Safe travels Slim.
A ef4 TORANDO JUST HIT PANAMA CITY FL 2 WEEKS AGO .. GOOD TO SEE ANOTHER VIDEO SLIM WORKING OVER TIME.
I was born and raised in PA. In the north and west mountains you will always have ice and snow more then in the southern part but you also get Nor’easters where the system goes around d in circles and hits over and over. The temperature really is not all that different in the north from the south overall. God bless!
Hi Slim, we have been in Florida since December 10th and the weather has not been great. I’ve been wearing my coat almost every day. Looking forward to warmer days 😊
Glad to have you back in USA! I always appreciate your videos.
Armadillos can carry leprosy. I wouldn’t get close to them! We have one who lives under our porch. He roots and digs holes, which we do not like! I’m a Florida girl and, believe me, we don’t have any summer night temperatures tat are 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I’m freezing when it’s in the fifties!
Great yo see you out on the road again. Safe travels.
As a wearer of more beard styles than I can count (I think I even invented a few) I think you found the sweet spot. For me, it’s a short full beard, but you look good, Slim. It needed to be said. I wait patiently for your videos. I wish you safe travels and warmth. Chase that sunshine brother!
Safe, and sound. That's the main thing. Fun video, and enjoyed. Thanks for sharing.
Life and Gators :) Isnt it nice to be out in the Sunshine after days of grey clouds.
Always great to catch up with slim. Florida is a great spot for videos this time of year.
The "ticking noise" is usually the gasket leaking on the exhaust manifold.
This is the coldest winter we have had in Georgia in a while. Safe travels to you Slim. Watch out for those armadillo's. Little snapper 😅 🙏🙏🙏❤️✌️☕
Welcome to your big block Chevy 😊...11 mpg is great 👍 🏕✌🏿
What Slim is missing on his adventures is a travel companion whether it be a dog or a cat.🤣 And based on your overall attitude and affable personality, I am actually surprised that you don't have one.
What Richard is missing is I do not want to travel with a dog. Should be quite obvious. I prefer my animal friends wild. SP
I figured so. Just a suggestion. 😁
@@SlimPotatoheadmany camp sites don't allow pets.
Stuck with the trucks. But at least the rain washed the salt off. Glad you finally made it safely to Florida. I hear from son and DIL that the chilly weather followed you down into Florida, but it should pass quickly.
Lots of places have changed and lots of campsites have been lost completely. People are pigs. Those campsites have been over used and abused. More and more people are using the sites still available. It will get worse before it gets better.
I drove a 2003 Z71 Tahoe 5.3 for 12 years almost always towing a bass boat. I found for best mileage use 2H, tow mode off, keep it below 65 mph, a clean air filter and inflate your tires a few pounds higher than normal. I sold it to my neighbor and he uses it to pull a T@b 320 and he claims to get 14-15 MPG.