My "new" BBQ van and window decals

[Jeff_in_KC]

Finally got the weather to warm up enough where I could get my window decals on my Q-mobile. Problem is on one side, I lined the sucker up all nice and such and failed to take into account I was on an inclined driveway! Fark! Anyway, I was more careful with the other side... thinking about re-ordering the one side and starting over. Didn't post a photo here of that mess. :roll:

 

[chad]

Nice van! It won't be long before the bumper hitch is going to go bye-bye! Can you say Class-III with weight distribution. :shock:

 

[Jeff_in_KC]

I don't know much about that stuff, Dave... I don't know for sure but I wasn't guessing Jay's smokers are too awful heavy. Will I need something different?

 

[Sledneck]

Dont sweat it . I use that bumper hitch for 10 years with my van. I pull a boat and a 4 place snowmobile trailer(300 miles each way) never a problem

 

[HoDeDo]

Your bumper is probably rated to 1500lbs. You can go to any hitch shop and get a class III reciever mounted, to take a reciever good for lots more poundage. I'm sure the van will tow your single axle fine... now you just have to get wheels on the van that will be as nice as the ones on your smoker.

 

[Jeff_in_KC]

Holy crap, I've spent enough! :shock: I'll make do with it for this year.

 

[icemn62]

Come on and show us the other side. We won't laugh or make fun of ya, we are your brothers.:roll:

Nice looking ride. Good long competing this year.

 

[chad]

Guys! I was kidding!! :-D

Sort of - I tow our travel trailer and/or the cooker and/or other setups all the time -- I don't use a bumper mount and see an awful lot of trucks and SUVs with distorted bumpers --- every try to pull a 5500# trailer out of the mud with a bumper hitch!!! Good luck! Check the tongue weight on the cooker and verify the capacity of the bumper -- you think losing bits and pieces from your cooking equipment was bad, try losing your hitch and rig out on the interstate!!

Anyway - it's a great looking van and if all you are ever going to tow is a cooker - it'll be ok. Maybe! :shock:

 

[kickassbbq]

Hey Buddy, that's OUR name and you stole it. We are getting a lawyer today!!!!
Just kidding. Nice looking ride for the comps.
PARTY!!!!!!! Van!!!!!!!
Smoke On!!!!!
ed

 

[scottyd]

nice ride to the comps Jeff, and yes you must have spent a crap load this year. good luck.

 

[jt]

Very nice, Jeff. I, too, would consider the hitch. They're aroun $150 installed generally and the peace of mind is worth it. I've seen many a bumper bent in half from dropping a trailer wheel off a shoulder and that's sometimes all the twist it takes. Bumpers generally aren't connected all that well. At the very least have someone make sure the bolts that hold it on are tight.

Jay can tell you how much tongue weight you'll be dealing with. But once again, it's more the "twist" factor you should consider.

 

[Jorge]

Go with the Class III receiver. Worth every penny. You have enough invested in the pit to justify it, for the reasons that JT pointed out. I'm a firm believer in having more than needed for the job when it comes to towing.

 

[Doorbusters]

Jeff, you are not far from County Line Auto parts out on 50 hwy East of Lees Summit. Picked up my Class III there for my truck for $50 and installed it myself. I would definitely go with the hitch. My rig weighs a fraction of what yours will, always err on the side of caution.

 

[jgh1204]

And it's tax deductible as a business expense!

 

[Arlin_MacRae]

Nice rig/sticker, Jeff!

I wasn't going to say anything about the OTHER sticker, but...it sounds so like ME!

 

[Jeff_in_KC]

Thanks DB... do they not install the hitch? Don't know much about installing hitches.

Arlin, it's not completely horrible but my wife and neighbor each noticed it. Mentioned the crookedness before anything else so... May take the window scraper blade to it and order a replacement for one side (only $25 plus shipping).

 

[spicewine]

You will need a class III hitch installed. The smoker is very heavy!!

 

[Jeff_in_KC]

Thanks Jay! Decision made!

 

[The_Kapn]

You will need a class III hitch installed. The smoker is very heavy!!

I kinda figured that, was waiting on the expert to chime in :lol:

Jeff, just to stress ya some more--you will probably need "overload" or "coil-over" shocks on the rear of the van.
I have owned the GMC Safari version for '92, '96, and now the 2000 model.
The OEM shocks, especially with some miles on them, will have your butt dragging the ground with only a few hundred pounds of tounge weight.

Add in all the supplies stacked on the trailer and in the back of the van and you have some serious weight back there. :lol:

I paid about $140 for my current set of overloads-worth every penny!

Good looking decals.

TIM

Moderator's Note--this thread evolved quickly into a good thread about towing and is not Comp specific.
I am moving to Q-Talk to let it grow and hopefully stay on topic.
TIM

 

[Doorbusters]

Jay, it is a salvage yard. Got mine off a totaled 2005 F-150. I am pretty handy with the tools so I saved the $100. Can help if you need it. $100 will buy lots of stuff!