Grand Cherokee Diesel and 22 ft feather lite



jeff

 

For excess strap length, I usually just loop it around something and then tie a knot to itself to keep it from flapping around.

--Ian

 

Velcro cable management ties work great as well.

 

+1

I just got a pack of 100 for something like $6 off amazon.

 

Oh man. This is ballertastic.

 

Not me. the trailer is a '98 model.

 

So, Emilio posting about his baller camera system got me looking into it, because I was tired of being divebombed by idiots I couldn't see when towing. Since I'm basically a cheap bastard, and would rather spend the $$ on the car, I picked up a cheapo eRapta system off Amazon. I thought I'd post a review of it here.
Here's the setup I bought:


First one I got, one of the video channels didn't work. After a week of no response from customer service, I sent it back and started researching alternatives. After reading a lot of reviews, I came to the conclusion I might as well just reorder the same unit, since the reviews for the high dollar units weren't any better than the cheapos, and they're probably all made in the same factory anyway. The replacement unit worked fine.

I went with a wired unit because of mixed reviews on the wireless. They just didn't seem to be consistent on their performance, and my massive camper being in the way wasn't going to help. Of course, installation was a little more involved because of the cables, and I had to order some additional cables to get it done. I placed a camera on the rear of the trailer, above the door, and high up, forward on each side. I put the fourth camera on a magnetic base, which I can attach to the camper, or to the truck as desired. It's really handy to put on the hitch for hooking up. Cables terminate at the hitch, so I can hook them up when hooking up the trailer.

I just got home from a 3700 mile trip pulling the trailer, and I can say this setup works really well. My only real complaint is when multiple camera views are displayed, they are very small on the 7" monitor, and it takes some getting used to... my old eyes don't really help. I'm looking into a 9" monitor as a replacement.

Crappy cell video of system in use on I94 in Minneapolis...
So, if you're interested in this kind of system but want it on a budget, this one works pretty well.

 

My friend does audio and video installs in boats and cars at the local hi-end car audio shop in town. He has been pricing out a DIY setup for me and I am thinking it will be in the $100-$150 range for 4/5 wired cameras. Once I actually plunk down all the money for it and get it installed, I will be posting some reviews and links to all the parts.

 

Here is my current tow pig, the white one, which will embark on it's first pull of the miata this weekend. I have towed before in the past, with a different truck and trailer but cant remember the specifics of a Uhaul car hauler. Any advice with towing with a Uhaul car hauler? If I remember it has straps built in? Do I need more? Any insight is appreciated.

 

No additional straps needed with the u-haul trailer. Make sure to pull the front wheel straps forward or off to the side before you drive the car up, so that way you are not on top of them. I have used a u-haul trailer more then any other trailers and never had any sort of issues with them.

 

Thanks, I thought they had everything. What about adapters for lights? I'll have to check to see what type of connector I currently have though.

 

I think they use the 3/4 pin rectangle connection for lights.

 

Shuiend nailed it. 4 pin flat, your Chev should already have an outlet for it, and 7 pin as well.

The U Haul floats strap the front wheels on well. There's chains on the frame that they want you to wrap around the subframe as a 'just in case'. There are D-Loops along the trailer frame as well, I like to use two at the rear to cross to the rear OEM tow hooks for more stability.

 

Our new tow rig with the camper in the bed. It is a 99 Ford F350 2WD dually and the 7.3 Powerstroke. I have it set up with a Timbren load helper setup and a Super Hitch for the trailer.

 

You need to use the 'IMG' link from photobucket...



Nice rig! Good choice on the Superhitch... that was the only thing I found that was rated for decent tongue weights with an extension. We were just through your neck of the woods in our rig... the wind was brutal!

 

​​​​​​​Every time I start looking at campers like that I start to cry when I get to the price.

 

Yeah I grabbed the wrong link. I was in a bit of a rush.

I fought a head wind going into Rapid City last year pulling a trailer, I could only do 65 to keep the engine out of 3rd gear and off the 3k mark on the tach. So yes it can get pretty bad up here.

 

Yes. We bought ours 10 years old (looked like it had never been used), but it was still $$. Prices are absurd for new ones... of course the same can be said of the trucks.

 

But they are so nice when you have them. We take it to the autocrosses here in town and its great having a place out of the sun.

 

+1

And the convenience when racing is only half the equation. Part of the trip we just took was parking the rig in an RV park south of Rapid City for 5 days, and enjoying our NC around the Black Hills. Then on to visit family in WI for another week. It's like a motel room you can take anywhere.