Let's see your Tow rigs with your boat!

[NautiGirl]

You win. Although we do see turtles that find the Neighbors pool instead of the Delta this time of year .

Your F150 is great, along with its GM and Ram buddies.
BBP Durango works.

The discussion will be how we go past the MFG design in angles that create shudders and unknown vibrations.
As the truck goes down in the rear.
The angle or direction of pinion stays in a close setting ( iE 2 degrees down).

But only to a point as leaf springs have determined pre angle to follow the angle as the truck sags.

Then it gets a launch shudder or slight vibration that is usually ignored at freeway speeds.
The loaded vibration is an issue on most light trucks as pinion bearings without a front housing support suffer.

Transmission output shafts are absorbing the vibration and creating wear and shortening shelf life on support bearings.

They days of burnt rear end covers aren’t there with synthetic fluids but the gear noise and movement in thrust is there.

We have a lot of hills here in the San Joaquin valley and the 1/2 ton is awesome in towing.
But the overloaded tongue drop combined with a 4-5 percent grade kills a lot of things no matter what they say it can pull.
5000 lb boat is 10,000 pounds on a 5 percent grade.

Ok so tomorrow we discuss how HD trucks rule in braking as the sensitivity of a 1/2 ton will abs engage you in most max loaded stops and send you in the worst possible moment.

I would also like to discuss Scotch vs Whiskey and why the blend????

Scotch vs Bourbon vs Whisky or Whiskey if you prefer.

Solid Topic.

Almost like Ford vs Dodge, or IFS vs Solid Axle, not really....but almost....and in some ways easier...let me explain....

You see unlike the truck wars its really pretty straight forward. All Bourbon and Scotch are Whisky but not all Whisky is Bourbon or Scotch. Like all Fords and Doges are trucks but not all trucks are Fords? Ok Maybe the analogy broke down there.

Confused yet?

Look at Jack Daniels - its a whisky but its not bourbon. Why you ask? Not because its made in TN - common rookie mistake - but because its charcoal filtered.

To quality as Bourbon Whisky we need:

A Mash Bill that is at least 51% Corn. The other 49% is generally a combo of Malted Barley / Rye / Wheat. Rye results in a spicier whiskey - think Knob Creek - Wheat produces a sweeter product think Makers or Weller.

It needs to age in a new charred oak barrel. Such a important requirement that Buffalo Trace is actually planting an oak tree forest. Most of the flavor comes from the oak and its where it gets its brown color so wood is important. Some distilleries are experimenting with oak varieties - the requirements are oak not a specific type of oak. For example Makers 46 is Makers Mark aged in French Oak barrels. Most stick to White Oak however.

It must be distilled to a max of 160 proof

It must be Barreled at a max of 125 proof

It must be bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.

Bourbon does not need to be made in Kentucky - however most is. It does have to be made in the US. The reason for Kentucky is our water. Since Bourbon cant be filtered you need to start with very clean water. Kentucky sits on a limestone aquifer - which produces great race horses with strong bones, and also very clean naturally filtered water.

It also must be aged for a minimum of 2 years. 2 years is super short - even the Beam White label I drank as a poor college kid is aged 4, most good bourbon's are 6 minimum to 10 - 12 maximum.

Finally, it can't be filtered and nothing can be added to it. So sorry, fireball, screwball peanut butter bourbon and even angels evny - which is very popular - are not really bourbon.

Now why the blend? Consistency. Aging bourbon is a science, so much so that some distilleries heat and cool the rick houses they age the barrels in. Others rely on natural temperature swings of the seasons. As the liquid heats and cools it is forced in and out of the oak barrels which is how it gets its flavor.

It's a natural process, so after 6 years a barrel at the top of the rick house will taste different than one at the bottom. Some distilleries rotate barrels, which is a huge PITA as each is holding 55 gallons of bourbon. Others dump say 25 barrels together some from the top some from the bottom and get a consistent flavor profile.

This is why things like small batch or single barrel bourbon are more expensive, its legit just one barrel that was aged to a flavor profile the master distiller liked.

I cant speak to Scotch, thats a YT thing, I will let him Chime in.

Wow that was a wonderful story line.... as I felt I was touring a Distillery factory with you! I even pictured two guys named Melvin and Bubba mixing barrels. Awesome!


Ok finally an answer that I can paint in my head. The fact you did not need an engineer to console with gives me doubts, but I can see the path you made in the explanation.
I feel you disapprove of flavored whiskeys. I would understand

Retirement plan is to either drive the golf cart at the airport or to be a distillery tour guide.

Of course I would only drive a golf cart equipped with a torsion bar suspension. Coil spring golf carts would ride like crap and I want the old people that I am taking around the airport to have only the best experience. We would need to of course replace the torsion bars after a set number of rides, maybe base it on total passenger weight?

[cmattj]

The other thing I’m wondering about GM, if they’ve settled out the premature rusting issue?. Especially the frames. The frame under my gmc is looking suspect enough that I took it to Ziebart..I wash top and power wash under the frame a lot. I can’t imagine how bad it could be if I didn’t take care of it..

Hey T. The old days of cast iron rear ends " seasoning them in with road grime are over.
GM makes an attempt at painting and undercoating to give the 6yr ,100,000 mile warranty on "Rust through" ( We don't see that in Marvy California as Salt is taboo )

We haven't added undercoating since the mid 90s but the coating does come off super easy.

[bruceb58]

GM makes an attempt at painting and undercoating to give the 6yr ,100,000 mile warranty on "Rust through" ( We don't see that in Marvy California as Salt is taboo )

We haven't added undercoating since the mid 90s but the coating does come off super easy.

We have a 2006 Honda element and they typically do not do well on the east coast. In CA, it basically doesn't have one spot of rust anywhere and it was used in the snow a lot since we have a home in lake Tahoe

The 2018 F-150 I just sold looked brand new underneath.

The 2024 GMC Denalic has some sort of rubbery paraffin type coating all over the frame.

[AsLan7]

As someone who has overloaded their F150 towing I am here for this!

Let me know when class starts.

As always Matt you have demonstrated you have forgotten more about many items that I could ever hope to know.

Unless we are talking Computers / IT / Bourbon or Turtles, then I may win? Maybe?

You win. Although we do see turtles that find the Neighbors pool instead of the Delta this time of year .

Your F150 is great, along with its GM and Ram buddies.
BBP Durango works.

The discussion will be how we go past the MFG design in angles that create shudders and unknown vibrations.
As the truck goes down in the rear.
The angle or direction of pinion stays in a close setting ( iE 2 degrees down).

But only to a point as leaf springs have determined pre angle to follow the angle as the truck sags.

Then it gets a launch shudder or slight vibration that is usually ignored at freeway speeds.
The loaded vibration is an issue on most light trucks as pinion bearings without a front housing support suffer.

Transmission output shafts are absorbing the vibration and creating wear and shortening shelf life on support bearings.

They days of burnt rear end covers aren’t there with synthetic fluids but the gear noise and movement in thrust is there.

We have a lot of hills here in the San Joaquin valley and the 1/2 ton is awesome in towing.
But the overloaded tongue drop combined with a 4-5 percent grade kills a lot of things no matter what they say it can pull.
5000 lb boat is 10,000 pounds on a 5 percent grade.

Ok so tomorrow we discuss how HD trucks rule in braking as the sensitivity of a 1/2 ton will abs engage you in most max loaded stops and send you in the worst possible moment.

I would also like to discuss Scotch vs Whiskey and why the blend????

Scotch vs Bourbon vs Whisky or Whiskey if you prefer.

Solid Topic.

Almost like Ford vs Dodge, or IFS vs Solid Axle, not really....but almost....and in some ways easier...let me explain....

You see unlike the truck wars its really pretty straight forward. All Bourbon and Scotch are Whisky but not all Whisky is Bourbon or Scotch. Like all Fords and Doges are trucks but not all trucks are Fords? Ok Maybe the analogy broke down there.

Confused yet?

Look at Jack Daniels - its a whisky but its not bourbon. Why you ask? Not because its made in TN - common rookie mistake - but because its charcoal filtered.

To quality as Bourbon Whisky we need:

A Mash Bill that is at least 51% Corn. The other 49% is generally a combo of Malted Barley / Rye / Wheat. Rye results in a spicier whiskey - think Knob Creek - Wheat produces a sweeter product think Makers or Weller.

It needs to age in a new charred oak barrel. Such a important requirement that Buffalo Trace is actually planting an oak tree forest. Most of the flavor comes from the oak and its where it gets its brown color so wood is important. Some distilleries are experimenting with oak varieties - the requirements are oak not a specific type of oak. For example Makers 46 is Makers Mark aged in French Oak barrels. Most stick to White Oak however.

It must be distilled to a max of 160 proof

It must be Barreled at a max of 125 proof

It must be bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.

Bourbon does not need to be made in Kentucky - however most is. It does have to be made in the US. The reason for Kentucky is our water. Since Bourbon cant be filtered you need to start with very clean water. Kentucky sits on a limestone aquifer - which produces great race horses with strong bones, and also very clean naturally filtered water.

It also must be aged for a minimum of 2 years. 2 years is super short - even the Beam White label I drank as a poor college kid is aged 4, most good bourbon's are 6 minimum to 10 - 12 maximum.

Finally, it can't be filtered and nothing can be added to it. So sorry, fireball, screwball peanut butter bourbon and even angels evny - which is very popular - are not really bourbon.

Now why the blend? Consistency. Aging bourbon is a science, so much so that some distilleries heat and cool the rick houses they age the barrels in. Others rely on natural temperature swings of the seasons. As the liquid heats and cools it is forced in and out of the oak barrels which is how it gets its flavor.

It's a natural process, so after 6 years a barrel at the top of the rick house will taste different than one at the bottom. Some distilleries rotate barrels, which is a huge PITA as each is holding 55 gallons of bourbon. Others dump say 25 barrels together some from the top some from the bottom and get a consistent flavor profile.

This is why things like small batch or single barrel bourbon are more expensive, its legit just one barrel that was aged to a flavor profile the master distiller liked.

I cant speak to Scotch, thats a YT thing, I will let him Chime in.

.
Awesome education NG.
Appreciate the info.

Love seeing the gang together as we go deeper down off topic rabbit holes. Now we just need bbp to throw out some hieroglyphics for us to translate. Good stuff.

.

[cmattj]

GM makes an attempt at painting and undercoating to give the 6yr ,100,000 mile warranty on "Rust through" ( We don't see that in Marvy California as Salt is taboo )

We haven't added undercoating since the mid 90s but the coating does come off super easy.

We have a 2006 Honda element and they typically do not do well on the east coast. In CA, it basically doesn't have one spot of rust anywhere and it was used in the snow a lot since we have a home in lake Tahoe

The 2018 F-150 I just sold looked brand new underneath.

The 2024 GMC Denalic has some sort of rubbery paraffin type coating all over the frame.

Okay then you know the enviro sand mix creation that’s here. Hint of salt!?! Another engineering marvel.

Tahoe is all about keeping it clean. “Keep Tahoe Blue” is the tag line for you salt your road guys
I’m sure the road crew wear collared golf shirts.

Your Denali is safe although it’s a semi soft coated barrier as you described that does get brown with road grime it cleans with light rinsing.

[liquid]

Scotch vs Bourbon vs Whisky or Whiskey if you prefer.

Solid Topic.

Almost like Ford vs Dodge, or IFS vs Solid Axle, not really....but almost....and in some ways easier...let me explain....

You see unlike the truck wars its really pretty straight forward. All Bourbon and Scotch are Whisky but not all Whisky is Bourbon or Scotch. Like all Fords and Doges are trucks but not all trucks are Fords? Ok Maybe the analogy broke down there.

Confused yet?

Look at Jack Daniels - its a whisky but its not bourbon. Why you ask? Not because its made in TN - common rookie mistake - but because its charcoal filtered.

To quality as Bourbon Whisky we need:

A Mash Bill that is at least 51% Corn. The other 49% is generally a combo of Malted Barley / Rye / Wheat. Rye results in a spicier whiskey - think Knob Creek - Wheat produces a sweeter product think Makers or Weller.

It needs to age in a new charred oak barrel. Such a important requirement that Buffalo Trace is actually planting an oak tree forest. Most of the flavor comes from the oak and its where it gets its brown color so wood is important. Some distilleries are experimenting with oak varieties - the requirements are oak not a specific type of oak. For example Makers 46 is Makers Mark aged in French Oak barrels. Most stick to White Oak however.

It must be distilled to a max of 160 proof

It must be Barreled at a max of 125 proof

It must be bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.

Bourbon does not need to be made in Kentucky - however most is. It does have to be made in the US. The reason for Kentucky is our water. Since Bourbon cant be filtered you need to start with very clean water. Kentucky sits on a limestone aquifer - which produces great race horses with strong bones, and also very clean naturally filtered water.

It also must be aged for a minimum of 2 years. 2 years is super short - even the Beam White label I drank as a poor college kid is aged 4, most good bourbon's are 6 minimum to 10 - 12 maximum.

Finally, it can't be filtered and nothing can be added to it. So sorry, fireball, screwball peanut butter bourbon and even angels evny - which is very popular - are not really bourbon.

Now why the blend? Consistency. Aging bourbon is a science, so much so that some distilleries heat and cool the rick houses they age the barrels in. Others rely on natural temperature swings of the seasons. As the liquid heats and cools it is forced in and out of the oak barrels which is how it gets its flavor.

It's a natural process, so after 6 years a barrel at the top of the rick house will taste different than one at the bottom. Some distilleries rotate barrels, which is a huge PITA as each is holding 55 gallons of bourbon. Others dump say 25 barrels together some from the top some from the bottom and get a consistent flavor profile.

This is why things like small batch or single barrel bourbon are more expensive, its legit just one barrel that was aged to a flavor profile the master distiller liked.

I cant speak to Scotch, thats a YT thing, I will let him Chime in.

Wow that was a wonderful story line.... as I felt I was touring a Distillery factory with you! I even pictured two guys named Melvin and Bubba mixing barrels. Awesome!


Ok finally an answer that I can paint in my head. The fact you did not need an engineer to console with gives me doubts, but I can see the path you made in the explanation.
I feel you disapprove of flavored whiskeys. I would understand

Retirement plan is to either drive the golf cart at the airport or to be a distillery tour guide.

Of course I would only drive a golf cart equipped with a torsion bar suspension. Coil spring golf carts would ride like crap and I want the old people that I am taking around the airport to have only the best experience. We would need to of course replace the torsion bars after a set number of rides, maybe base it on total passenger weight?

Did you say retirement plan?!? Wtf nautis? That’s my area of expertise.

As your financial advisor I’d have to take a look at your short and long-term goals to determine your time horizon and risk appetite before we can even consider an airport golf-cart driving retirement strategy.

[Tuscany]

The other thing I’m wondering about GM, if they’ve settled out the premature rusting issue?. Especially the frames. The frame under my gmc is looking suspect enough that I took it to Ziebart..I wash top and power wash under the frame a lot. I can’t imagine how bad it could be if I didn’t take care of it..

Hey T. The old days of cast iron rear ends " seasoning them in with road grime are over.
GM makes an attempt at painting and undercoating to give the 6yr ,100,000 mile warranty on "Rust through" ( We don't see that in Marvy California as Salt is taboo )

We haven't added undercoating since the mid 90s but the coating does come off super easy.

Thanks Matt. The GMC is basically a winter / work truck , so most of its road life is in the salt. I did take it to have it cleaned and undercoat this fall because the frame was starting to worry me. The body is excellent because it gets the hose treatment along and above the inside wheelwells with hot water after every use to flush out the crap that could sit in a spot and rust.
I never understood the rust through warranty. And ironically “or not” rust issues start to happen right after six years. And as we all know, if someone spots a rusted frame, the truck is basically worthless. It’s really ugly, And needed to be treated. A friend of mine who is in the body shop says severe GM frame rust is quite normal in our NE area and the worst of the big three. I almost traded it off last fall , But since I’m not home for winter anymore, I really sits at the store and Plows when needed.

[NautiGirl]

Retirement plan is to either drive the golf cart at the airport or to be a distillery tour guide.

Of course I would only drive a golf cart equipped with a torsion bar suspension. Coil spring golf carts would ride like crap and I want the old people that I am taking around the airport to have only the best experience. We would need to of course replace the torsion bars after a set number of rides, maybe base it on total passenger weight?

Did you say retirement plan?!? Wtf nautis? That’s my area of expertise.

As your financial advisor I’d have to take a look at your short and long-term goals to determine your time horizon and risk appetite before we can even consider an airport golf-cart driving retirement strategy.

You are right, I am not using the resources at my disposal. Thats on me Liquid

The golf cart driving job at the airport is highly competitive. I believe there is a medical exam required as well as a driving test. You may have to also prove you can perform basic maintenance on the golf cart itself. Change a tire, replace a torsion bar, who knows? As I mentioned my cart would be maintained to a high standard. No poor stiff rides for my passengers!

Its a dream but its going to take more than just money liquid, its going to take blood sweat tears and some luck.

I still have a few years, I dont think you can qualify to drive until you reach retirement age, I have never seen anyone under 65 hold the position. I have plenty of time to get in shape and get this done.

Fall back plan is walmart greater, but man that is a serious step down in both title and prestige. I don't want to help people with their walmart returns I want to make sure they get to their flights on time! Really making a difference you know? You get it. I know you do.

[Tuscany]

I can see why a golf cart company would build them extra cheap, but torsion bar?
Wear your back support..

[Tuscany]

Nauti , if you are willing to move to WNY for retirement, and become a Bills fan, we can offer you a job as manager of theft, and removed appendage procurement. Your choice. Saw, multi tool, dull hatchet, tablespoon.. Or, whatever else you may prefer. Lots of theft lately and I think a new set of rules and store reparations are in order.

[JDboater]

We don’t trailer our boat as it stays in the slip all summer and winters in the marina’s storage building.

This little rig makes the 3 hour drive to the lake through the mountains of WV awfully fun, though.

2023 X5 M50i. Those twisty mountain roads make the painted calipers a PIA to keep clean.

[NautiGirl]

Nauti , if you are willing to move to WNY for retirement, and become a Bills fan, we can offer you a job as manager of theft, and removed appendage procurement. Your choice. Saw, multi tool, dull hatchet, tablespoon.. Or, whatever else you may prefer. Lots of theft lately and I think a new set of rules and store reparations are in order.

A tempting offer - who doesn't want to retire to the frigid WNY - with the added bonus of being a bills fan? I will have to start stepping up my tailgate game, I have to learn to be thrown through a table correct?

Sorry to hear about the theft, I don't want to get into politics, we are talking trailers and trucks here, but a lot of folks are struggling. Nothing gives anyone the right to steal, I hate a theif, but as long as wages remain stagnant and inflation continues people are going to do what they have to do to eat even if that hurts honest people. Of course there are also other people who are just assholes and steal b/c they dont think rules apply to them. We for sure should find a dull hatchet to deal with those people.

As far as actual enforcement I think you want Mrs Nauti in that role. She is stronger than I am, I wouldnt mess with her. She would need a benefits package, solid front axle F350 /w the PowerStroke - She is a Ford Girl - and some time on your R7 should do it. Talk to HR and see if we can make that happen

[NautiGirl]

We don’t trailer our boat as it stays in the slip all summer and winters in the marina’s storage building.

This little rig makes the 3 hour drive to the lake through the mountains of WV awfully fun, though.

2023 X5 M50i. Those twisty mountain roads make the painted calipers a PIA to keep clean.

Really Good Looking M. I had a M235 that I loved. When we sold the 190 and purchased the 222 I was presented with the opportunity to sell the M to purchase an F150. We were towing the 190 with a Chevy Colorado, and with the upgrade to a 222 decided it was time to go 1/2 Ton. The BMW was my daily driver, and when I started working remotely due to COVID I couldnt justify insurance taxes and tags to watch it collect dust in the garage. But man it was fun and I miss it.

Fun trip down memory lane. My 330ZHP, which was replaced by the M235 which was replaced by the F150 in the picture.

[cvx16]

Here's a couple shots of our 2019 Expedition with the 2019 25SC. The picture parked on the road makes it look like it has a bit more sag than it does. But I do run it with a pair of Sumosprings in the rear coilovers to prevent it from sagging further and bouncing down the road. Pretty satisfied with them.

[Krob1114]

So I have towed 11hrs to TRL 5 times and never a issue for my hemi in the Durango I love the power. To me it out pulls the 6.2 in the GM vehicles.
But what the small SUV lacks is a frame which Dodge is addressing in the next generation models. When a truck passes you or you pass a truck the vehicle moves around. I really am not fond of that.
The brakes are fine they are large and can stop on a dime. I have a 7200lbs tow rating and I'm at around 6000 and it handles it just fine. Here's a picture on the day that I just went to TRL

I see you were able to frame the picture with the undamaged garage.
Way to go.