Quote Originally Posted by BryanL View Post
Best shower on the circuit is outdoors at Hallett. Loud gens are annoying but then again almost any gen is loud enough to keep me awake. Depending on the track I bring all my fuel especially for Hallett.

Don't see how you could put all that into a 20' trailer and have room for the car either. I prefer staying in the track in the trailer. Hallett has some electric plugs you can find that you pay for but not sure how many are around that aren't a part of a raceport.

I'm not a fan of using a half ton vehicle with an enclosed trailer though I have only used a 3/4 truck/suburban. I know tow capacity's are claimed pretty high on some new half tons but have to wonder how they really handle a trailer under braking, in wind, etc. Plenty of people do it but I question the safety and durability of it. But I understand the compromise of not wanting a 3/4 ton truck to drive everyday and not want to pull a 40' bumper pull triple axle.
I'll throw out considering selling both trailers and the yukon then using the Excursion to pull a 24 or 28 depending how much stuff you want to bring or if you want some living quarters. Take the Yukon for a 100 mile test in the wind/heat towing the trailer loaded with all the junk we bring to see how it does before making a big change. See if you can monitor trans temps in overdrive if you have the 4l60 which I assume you do.

Lots of variable and what you want will change so doing a test run before a huge change is my suggestion. I wouldn't worry about being hobo-ish no matter what you do either.

Does one need to have a co2 monitor if running the truck all night and sleeping in it? I'm told motorcycle guys rent diesel vans and leave them running all weekend.
Bryan, thanks for the advice. Agreed on all. 1/2 tons are not the best for what we pull.


The Trailer:
I agree a 20ft enclosed isnt much room for it all. While I still think I "could" cram everything in there with some high class ingenuity, I would never be happy with it. So I will hold off on spending any money on it now and wait until I have the trailer that fits me the best. This 20ft is my starter trailer for now.

The Yukon (1999 Denali)
I agree towing with a half ton SUV is not ideal. The 4l60e is not the best transmission for towing, and I have no idea what rearend gears are in the Yukon. Right now it doesnt even have an engine in it. I bought it for $500 a couple months ago. My dad had his engine in his Tahoe rebuilt right before it was totaled so he gave it to me and I decided to use it as a donor vehicle to bring this Yukon back to life (same year models). I was told the trans was good....praying that is the truth.....If not, then the 2wd 4l60e out of the Tahoe will be used as replacement and the Yukon will no longer be a 4WD. Either way, a trans temp sender and gauge will be added to monitor the temps. I've towed a lot of various stuff with vehicles ranging from small pickups to 1 tons gas and diesel. I agree a 1/2 ton Yukon will suck. But I believe that it "can" do the job.....barely. I just need it to live through the 2019 calendar year. It too is a temporary starter vehicle to get me by for now. And yes, before I sell the Excursion, I will do a fair amount of testing to make sure it is a sound tow vehicle.

The Financial Status:
The downsizing from a 40 footer and a Diesel Excursion to a 20 footer 1/2 ton Yukon is not a trade most would approve of. But I need to liquidate the Excursion and 40 footer to raise some cash for other things. My wife's flight school is close to $90,000 and as much as I can I am trying to pay it out of pocket as she progresses. So as long as I can safely downgrade, and still support my hobbies then I am ok with the sacrifice. When I get back from deployment in July 2020, my financial situation will be 200% better. July 2020 rolls around, she'll be flying airlines commercially with her ATP, we will have a dual income, all debts far and wide will be paid in full with a good nest egg of savings, and I'll be just getting back from hopefully my last deployment. We can really spread our wings then. In my mind, I imagine it to be glorious!! I plan on a new-ish 3/4 ton diesel, 28ft trailer, a nice generator, ect ect, the list goes on. But thats still a ways away, and Im not counting the chickens before they hatch.

For now, Im gonna try and live and operate as frugal as I safely can while still participating in our hobbies. KEY WORD "SAFELY". Normally I'd go out and buy two Honda generators, new trailer, get some 17" CTW wheels and tires, and show up ready to rock. But this is just one phase of my life that I have some other financial obligations to handle.

I will mature in this hobby slowly but surely.