Hi Beau,
They are correct that if it doesn’t have the tow package, it can’t handle the high range towing capacity. You need a hitch reciever that is welded securely to the frame, a brake controller, and often heavier suspension.

I can’t say I’m too familiar with aftermarket towing packages. I know you can add a tow package aftermarket. It won’t be the same one the vehicle manufacturer installs so it won’t be exactly the same capacity. As above, the key factors are the hitch reciever, brake controller and suspension upgrade. Sometimes tow packages include a transmission with more gears to increase torque. That’s something that’s harder to install aftermarket.

Hi Daniel, and hi Judy,

We do have a post about the litter box if you want all the “gritty details.” But here is the short of it. We got a litter box that has a kind of urine pad in the bottom and special pellets that don’t absorb moisture. This keeps the urine smell down considerably and is easy to maintain. For the kitty poo, we just tried to clean that up the moment it hits the litter and put it in a small ziplock bag to seal away the aroma. A little Fabreez after and things were generally not too bad. Here is a link to the litter box: https://amzn.to/2DJzhTj

We kept with it the 2.5 years we were on the road and were happy with it. We had the litter at the front of the trailer rather than under the bed so it was easy to clean up quickly at night. During the day we’d often move it under the table or anywhere out of the way. We used the “under-bed” as the cat bed area. That way they could hide there if strangers were in the trailer. We put their cat carriers on the front window sill and that was their favorite place to hang out.

Kia and Kekovar send their regards and wish your kitties safe journeys!

I’m not a mechanical expert by any means, so when I did my Truck research for our own purchase, I had to rely on doing using the internet to read the opinions of others. I looked at various truck reviews for the three major US brands and Toyota. The consensus seemed to be that all the American brands had really solid reputations on their modern truck lines. Consumer reports and auto magazines gave them all pretty stellar marks in the last 10 years. Different years show a small difference in which is ranked at the top but basically, they are all very well respected.

The Tundra also gets good marks, but tends to be seen as a small step down from Ford, Dodge, and Chevy. Where they got 95 / 100 marks, the Toyotas would get 85 / 100. Part of the issue is there is a long-standing tariff on imported trucks which limits competition in the US market and foreign truck makers just don’t have as much incentive to compete in the market. They also have to find ways to cut costs more to be competitive in price. It’s called the “chicken-tax” because it originated as a retaliation to chicken tariffs in Germany.

Every truck brand has its fans and you can find truck folks arguing why a dodge is best or a ford etc… Since that passion seems to be found among owners of all of them, I’d say they are all good. I have a Dodge, I really like it, but I didn’t set out only to look at Ram trucks, it was just the one I found at the right price and condition when I went to buy one used. We have had zero problems with ours so far.

We have a Gas engine. A lot of folks who are die hard haulers like Deisel, but my reading on the subject convinced me that the differences were not significant with modern engines. Diesel engines may last a little longer overall, but they have a somewhat higher maintenance cost. Again, I ultimately just decided to get the Truck we found at the right price and with the right towing capacity rather than hold out on the specifics of the engine type. At the time, I might have preferred a Diesel, but in hindsight, I’m glad we got the Gas engine as its easier to fill it up and less hassle. It has had no problems with power for us when towing through mountain passes.

I hope that helps some. Basically, there are a lot of good options and not many bad ones when it comes to mid-sized trucks.

Thank you for the kind words Dean. One think I have found with the other RVers we have talked to is they all seem to savor lives pleasures, both great and small. A lot of conversations revolve around all the great things to do and see in various parts of the country. It really is a unique community of people in RV parks. Not all the same of course, but there are many common bonds.

Great fortune in your travels and adventures,
Sig

Hi there Peter,

Congratulations! We are still amazed every day by how incredible the journey has been.

I’m actually just working on some articles about outfitting in terms of tools, safety equipment and the like based on our experiences so far. Happy to talk to you about it as it should help me reflect on what people want to know. I’ll send an email shortly. 🙂

Thanks Dale,

Ya, that one has bitten me a couple of times. Thanks for the heads up, I’ll hunt them down. 🙂

Howdy! I remember we had brief phone conversations when I was a wee one, and I think you sent me a helicopter part once, I can still picture it in my mind believe it or not, though probably wrongly. Glad you liked the blog. Looking forward to your sense of humor in my facebook feed. 🙂