Recent content by johnd393

I'm still here. I started this thread 16 months ago. I'm still fixing some things on my 2004 Chevy trailblazer but at least it's on the road and I'm using it some. I have a problem with the front brakes heating up so I can't go too far. There's some new parts in there but something ain't right...

After 10 months in the garage while I leisurely rebuild the front suspension of my 04 Trailblazer, it has finally come out of the garage, got insured and is getting some road time. I still need a wheel alignment, so that might be the problem, but this thing has sway without towing anything. I...

Always shopping. Within the price range of the small campers my Trailblazer might be able to tow is a Class A diesel pusher. 1995 Safari Sahara. They want too much for it at $15k but it's an easy drive to go take a look. NADA value is $8550 to $10300. Says he's owned it 12 years and previous...

Just bought a used Anderson WDH. Trailblazer passenger side front suspension is going together. Been fighting for days with a frozen brake bleeder screw.

I'm trying to tow with a marginally capable tow vehicle so I am absolutely going to load the trailer up to it's maximum possible weight, right?

1 axle vs 2 axle If I focus on GVWR many campers get eliminated as too heavy but I notice that sometime when you compare similar sized floor plans, sometimes the unloaded 2 axle weight is only a little heavier than a similar 1 axle. The difference being the 2 axle has much greater cargo...

So what you're saying is 150 lb driver weigh is already figured into the specs. I can reduce my occupant weight by 150 lbs. I now have 150lb more unused cargo payload capacity.

I passed on a nicer newer Suburban for less money a couple years ago because I had just bought a Chrysler minivan. Wife said we gotta get rid of one vehicle if we get another one. I think I got away with buying the Trailblazer because it was really cheap and my everyday Chevy Malibu is nearing...

Always shopping. A Suburban 2500 RWD, 159k with a 8.1l engine and 10400 towing capacity has showed up. Too expensive $9995, too big & heavy for any other purpose but towing, but it sure would open up travel trailer possibilities. Can't do it.

My trailblazer project has suffered a lot of neglect due to cold weather, lack of motivation, and time spent trying to help a ailing self neglecting family member. I've read a bunch of towing posts on various forums. There are some interesting calculators and spreadsheets. One spreadsheet...

The long wheelbase v8 XUV Envoy is sold. The guy was supposed to msg me when he could show it. Somebody else got there first.

Well, it's a compromise. I like the Trailblazer size. The long wheelbase Trailblazer/Envoy is 8" longer than the Tahoe wheelbase and the 5.3l V8 is the same engine, so it ought to good enough. The XUV is a unique multipurpose vehicle. There are many reasons to disqualify a cheap car for...

Work is progressing slowly on my Trailblazer. I'm treating like a hobby project so I don't put a lot of time in each day. I'm always shopping. A low price 2004 Envoy XUV RWD with a V8 has come up for sale. I don't see V8 RWD ones often. With 7100 lbs towing capacity and long wheelbase it's a...

I grew up about a mile from Lake Michigan. As a kid I was all over those sand dunes and up and down the beach. I still own the property which is just a decaying shack on a overgrown lot. I'm thinking about UP Michigan, and maybe circle Lake Superior sometime.

One thing I'll be sure to do is install the brake controller where it will be easily reached. I haven't given a lot of thought to rear suspension. I put some new rear shocks on it but might eventually switch to shock with spring helpers.  The idea here is to dip out toes into the rv waters...