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Posted: 7/19/2021 9:30:49 AM EDT
I guess it's not all the way across the country, but Ohio to Colorado is close enough for me.
 Night 1 was in a Cracker Barrel parking lot, and it's hard to complain about a free night (my family didn't care for the trash truck emptying the dumpster at 5am). Multiple pics coming over the next few days. 
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Posted: 7/19/2021 12:07:36 PM EDT
[#1]
Hope you have reservations for CO, you're going to need them.
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Posted: 7/19/2021 12:10:31 PM EDT
[#2]
Tagging along.
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Posted: 7/19/2021 12:45:16 PM EDT
[#3]
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Posted: 7/19/2021 12:48:24 PM EDT
[#4]
Nice rig.
Toy hauler? |
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Posted: 7/19/2021 1:38:33 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Hope you have reservations for CO, you're going to need them. I've got reservations for CO Springs and Estes Park over the weekends but I've got a couple open days in the middle of the week we haven't planned or made reservations for. |
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Posted: 7/19/2021 2:42:46 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've got reservations for CO Springs and Estes Park over the weekends but I've got a couple open days in the middle of the week we haven't planned or made reservations for. You should be ok trying to find some spots in the middle of the week. Weekends on the other hand are pretty full everywhere. |
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Posted: 7/19/2021 3:13:47 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You should be ok trying to find some spots in the middle of the week. Weekends on the other hand are pretty full everywhere. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I've got reservations for CO Springs and Estes Park over the weekends but I've got a couple open days in the middle of the week we haven't planned or made reservations for. You should be ok trying to find some spots in the middle of the week. Weekends on the other hand are pretty full everywhere. That's what I thought going in.... 
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Posted: 7/19/2021 4:35:09 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That's what I thought going in.... https://www.adweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/main-qimg-fc2a4625d71783a9e7475fce1623ac43-c-450x270.jpg I've been in CO since April 29th. I've somehow found availability for this whole time. |
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Posted: 7/19/2021 6:01:23 PM EDT
[#9]
Settled for the night outside of Kansas City. Now going to jump in the pool and maybe check out the city in a little bit. My wife found there is a free tram around downtown.
 
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Posted: 7/20/2021 6:04:53 PM EDT
[#10]
I was really curious about this for awhile, to see exactly how much we weigh loaded up, with all our shit, both kids, the dog, and a full tank of gas and water.
Truck is a 2018 Chevy 2500 with the gas motor.  This is while using the equalizer hitch.  All good on here. Camper has two 4400lb axles and the water tank being full is 433lbs by itself. I didn't feel like messing with the hitch and re-weighing it without the spring bars, but may do that some other time. |
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Posted: 7/20/2021 6:23:01 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I was really curious about this for awhile, to see exactly how much we weigh loaded up, with all our shit, both kids, the dog, and a full tank of gas and water. Truck is a 2018 Chevy 2500 with the gas motor. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210720_212227961_2-2021732.jpg This is while using the equalizer hitch. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/Screenshot_20210720-162101-2021733.png All good on here. Camper has two 4400lb axles and the water tank being full is 433lbs by itself. I didn't feel like messing with the hitch and re-weighing it without the spring bars, but may do that some other time. This was my 2019 2500 diesel with my empty 5th wheel.  I never bothered to weigh it loaded because I didn't want to know how much I was over
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Posted: 7/20/2021 6:26:41 PM EDT
[#12]
I’m guessing you will be home in time to get to talladega in September
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Posted: 7/20/2021 6:33:18 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I’m guessing you will be home in time to get to talladega in September Yes, my buddy just won his first Matchmeister this weekend so I'll probably be there with him. |
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Posted: 7/20/2021 9:01:42 PM EDT
[#14]
Ellis, KS is a nice little town with a 20-some spot campground right off of I-70. It's way nicer than it should be for $20 a night for 50amp and water. Concrete pad and picnic tables.
    Only 4 more hours to go tomorrow
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Posted: 7/20/2021 9:26:45 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Ellis, KS is a nice little town with a 20-some spot campground right off of I-70. It's way nicer than it should be for $20 a night for 50amp and water. Concrete pad and picnic tables. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_001525351-2021985.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_001714745-2021984.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_004345199-2021983.jpg Only 4 more hours to go tomorrow 300 miles is pretty much my limit on a day if I can help it. I hate stopping for fuel and I don’t like being rushed trying to setup and immediately start cooking. I ordered an auxiliary tank today. Going to increase that to 600 miles. |
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Posted: 7/20/2021 9:37:30 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 300 miles is pretty much my limit on a day if I can help it. I hate stopping for fuel and I don’t like being rushed trying to setup and immediately start cooking. I ordered an auxiliary tank today. Going to increase that to 600 miles. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Ellis, KS is a nice little town with a 20-some spot campground right off of I-70. It's way nicer than it should be for $20 a night for 50amp and water. Concrete pad and picnic tables. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_001525351-2021985.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_001714745-2021984.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_004345199-2021983.jpg Only 4 more hours to go tomorrow 300 miles is pretty much my limit on a day if I can help it. I hate stopping for fuel and I don’t like being rushed trying to setup and immediately start cooking. I ordered an auxiliary tank today. Going to increase that to 600 miles. We've done 850 before, towing a trailer, not a camper. I like the flexibility being able to sleep at a rest stop if we need to. I wasn't trying to push it to get there, but I'm betting on the way home we'll try to go with less stops. |
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Posted: 7/22/2021 12:58:12 AM EDT
[#17]
Love that black stone griddle. Having the exterior LP hose is very handy. Going to be using mine this weekend at the lake. Safe travels Sir.
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Posted: 7/22/2021 1:54:26 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Ellis, KS is a nice little town with a 20-some spot campground right off of I-70. It's way nicer than it should be for $20 a night for 50amp and water. Concrete pad and picnic tables. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_001525351-2021985.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_015408182-2022069.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_001714745-2021984.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_004345199-2021983.jpg Only 4 more hours to go tomorrow We stay at Ellis each year on our way to CO too, but have always stayed at the Days Inn for efficiency sake. Enjoy the Kansas gas prices while you can before you get to Colorado. |
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Posted: 7/22/2021 7:50:38 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 300 miles is pretty much my limit on a day if I can help it. I hate stopping for fuel and I don’t like being rushed trying to setup and immediately start cooking. I ordered an auxiliary tank today. Going to increase that to 600 miles. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Ellis, KS is a nice little town with a 20-some spot campground right off of I-70. It's way nicer than it should be for $20 a night for 50amp and water. Concrete pad and picnic tables. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_001525351-2021985.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_001714745-2021984.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210721_004345199-2021983.jpg Only 4 more hours to go tomorrow 300 miles is pretty much my limit on a day if I can help it. I hate stopping for fuel and I don’t like being rushed trying to setup and immediately start cooking. I ordered an auxiliary tank today. Going to increase that to 600 miles. What tank are you getting? I've been toying with a Transfer Flow replacement for my 2500HD. 55 gal of diesel gives me more range than I care to drive in a day. |
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Posted: 7/22/2021 8:55:27 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What tank are you getting? I've been toying with a Transfer Flow replacement for my 2500HD. 55 gal of diesel gives me more range than I care to drive in a day. 39gal DeeZee For simple math that gives me 70gal @ 9mpg = 630 mile range. I'm not driving further than that in a day if I have a choice. |
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Posted: 7/22/2021 9:45:03 AM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: We stay at Ellis each year on our way to CO too, but have always stayed at the Days Inn for efficiency sake. Enjoy the Kansas gas prices while you can before you get to Colorado. The town seemed pretty cool, I guess they were having a youth fair this weekend, and there were a lot of activities. We filled up right before crossing into CO. Didn't know there would be a 50 cent jump. Bastards 
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Posted: 7/22/2021 9:46:51 AM EDT
[#22]
We are set up in CO Springs and are making the trek up Pikes Peak this morning
  
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Posted: 7/22/2021 12:33:56 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: We are set up in CO Springs and are making the trek up Pikes Peak this morning https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210722_003403517-2023124.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210722_133737060-2023658.jpg I suggest driving up Pike's Peak. It's a pretty brutal hike. |
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Posted: 7/22/2021 6:01:28 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I suggest driving up Pike's Peak. It's a pretty brutal hike. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: We are set up in CO Springs and are making the trek up Pikes Peak this morning https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210722_003403517-2023124.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210722_133737060-2023658.jpg I suggest driving up Pike's Peak. It's a pretty brutal hike. We never planned on hiking, poor choice of words. Internal combustion engines got us all the way up and all the way down |
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Posted: 7/23/2021 9:01:18 AM EDT
[#25]
Pike’s Peak
The altitude and diesel fumes (and some other smell in the visitors center, not sure if the food or what) had us all feeling off so we didn’t stay at the top very long. The views were amazing though. I liked the drive but I don’t think my family did      Garden of the Gods    The deer gave no shits, they stood 20’ from the sidewalk while a crowd stood there and videoed them.  Garden of the Gods was much bigger than I thought so were going back again today. |
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Posted: 7/23/2021 10:46:07 AM EDT
[#26]
Cave of the Winds isn't a bad to kill some time if need to.
I got altitude sickness on Mt. Evans a couple of weeks ago. Couldn't even enjoy the peak. 
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Posted: 7/23/2021 12:19:44 PM EDT
[#27]
 looking forward to the next installment.
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Posted: 7/23/2021 2:46:50 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The deer gave no shits, they stood 20’ from the sidewalk while a crowd stood there and videoed them. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210723_012307709-2024743.jpg Just wait till you get to Estes Park... |
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Posted: 7/23/2021 9:49:47 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Just wait till you get to Estes Park... Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: The deer gave no shits, they stood 20’ from the sidewalk while a crowd stood there and videoed them. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210723_012307709-2024743.jpg Just wait till you get to Estes Park... I've been following one of the RMNP pages, and I can't wait. CO Springs is a bit... Too city-ish. We explored the city a bit tonight and we found about the most hipster place I've ever eaten at. I'm not getting this view anywhere in Ohio 
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Posted: 7/25/2021 6:02:25 PM EDT
[#30]
Started the day at Red Rock Open Canyon
    Then hooked up and left Colorado Springs for Salida. The drive on US 50 is awesome. I was annoying my wife as I kept telling her to take pictures, but of course they don't do it justice.    Now we're all setup for a couple more days, with quite a bit to do tomorrow. Here's the only family member that hasn't complained yet 
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Posted: 7/25/2021 11:08:08 PM EDT
[#31]
Salida and Monarch Pass
     And a little game action in the camper to round out the day 
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Posted: 7/26/2021 9:06:01 AM EDT
[#32]
Monarch is fun with a trailer eh?
Give it a go in the winter towing a wrecked Peterbilt  Looks like a great trip. |
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Posted: 7/26/2021 9:13:16 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Salida and Monarch Pass https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210725_225746087-2028214.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210726_010938631-2028212.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210726_011220372-2028211.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210726_020903814-2028210.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210726_021231468-2028209.jpg And a little game action in the camper to round out the day https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210726_031230050-2028223.jpg We play a lot of rumicube and uno. |
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Posted: 7/27/2021 11:03:22 AM EDT
[#34]
Explored the Salida area, and O'Haver Lake and we went Zip lining.
       On to the next leg! |
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Posted: 7/28/2021 8:44:55 PM EDT
[#35]
Our next stop was supposed to be an RV park on the west loop of Denver. The plan was to drop the camper off and explore the city before moving onto Estes Park.
On the way, I wanted to check out Twin Lakes due to the recommendation of another arfcommer, @TT4life. Just before arriving there, I got a message from the RV park letting me know there was a medical emergency with the person in my spot, which left the fifth wheel in my spot. The lady on the phone seemed pretty frantic that I was going to be upset with her, and she was making a reservation for me at another (and quite a bit more expensive park). She was pretty relieved that I wasn't upset. So we pulled into Twin Lakes and saw this:  I said, fuck Denver, I'd rather stay here anyway. $20 for a fed.gov campsite. The only trouble was I dumped most of the water tank to save weight before, and it was dry camping. It was only one night so we rolled with it. Explored the area and decided I'm coming back to Twin Lakes next time, with a kayak and a better plan for dry camping.    |
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Posted: 7/28/2021 8:55:58 PM EDT
[#36]
Today we left there and made it to Estes, at first glance seemed way too touristy. The streets were packed with people.
We managed to get two timed entry passes for the park. If anyone is familiar with the Fast Lane Truck channel, I towed up the "Ike Gauntlet" on the way here. Damn. The videos don't do it justice  . It's the stretch of I-70 leading into the Eisenhower tunnel.  This for about 8 miles (and notice the factory warranty ran out 11 miles before I took this picture lol)  
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Posted: 7/28/2021 9:54:01 PM EDT
[#37]
That looks like a great trip. Glad y’all are having a great time.
Did y’all do any hikes in RMNP? |
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Posted: 7/28/2021 11:22:44 PM EDT
[#38]
Great pics, OP. Keep them coming! The Ike gauntlet always makes me a nervous wreck, even when I'm not towing anything. All it takes is 1 idiot to screw up and ruin the flow of traffic for everyone.
Denver sucks ass to drive through. Seems like it takes forever and the interstate is in shit condition. I really enjoy Monarch pass. Slow going but amazingly scenic. |
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Posted: 7/28/2021 11:48:35 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That looks like a gray trip. Glad y’all are having a great time. Did y’all do any hikes in RMNP? Not yet, we drove down to Bear Lake this evening. We only have timed entry passes for the afternoons, so we may drive up there just before that starts (5am for Bear Lake Rd)
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Posted: 7/29/2021 8:37:44 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Today we left there and made it to Estes, at first glance seemed way too touristy. The streets were packed with people. We managed to get two timed entry passes for the park. If anyone is familiar with the Fast Lane Truck channel, I towed up the "Ike Gauntlet" on the way here. Damn. The videos don't do it justice . It's the stretch of I-70 leading into the Eisenhower tunnel.https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210728_171455229-2031230.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210728_171235391-2031231.jpg This for about 8 miles (and notice the factory warranty ran out 11 miles before I took this picture lol)https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210728_172931818-2031229.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210728_173134706-2031228.jpghttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84914/PXL_20210728_173408748-2031227.jpg I remember driving that stretch a couple of months ago. My biggest issue was trying to remember how tall I am and if I was going to fit
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Posted: 7/29/2021 10:38:07 AM EDT
[#41]
Looks like a great trip! I would recommend looking into Harvest Host for places to overnight on travel days. We have been members for three years now and have had some great experiences with Harvest Host. It is a network of Breweries, Wineries, Farms, and Museums that have space for RV’s and let you overnight on their property. I just stayed at a Brewery in Delaware last week in my way up to NY and it was awesome. Pulled in, leveled ( didn’t unhook) , grabbed a beer and listened to a band outdoors before it was time to hit the rack.
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Posted: 7/29/2021 2:14:08 PM EDT
[#42]
Gem Lake. 4 mile, >1,000’gain (screen cap was on the way back)
    
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Posted: 7/29/2021 2:51:10 PM EDT
[#43]
Beautiful. What a wonderful trip OP!
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Posted: 7/29/2021 10:03:35 PM EDT
[#44]
Sounds like a great trip AJE, nice pics!
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Posted: 7/30/2021 11:57:46 PM EDT
[#45]
Took it easy this morning, with a timed entry to the park at 2pm, we headed straight to Bear Lake.
(After the Bison burgers for lunch)  FYI, there's a sign that says the parking lot is full that hasn't changed all three times we saw it. All three times the parking lot had at least 1/4 of the spots open. Anyway, we make the hike to Bear Lake, Nymph lake, Dream Lake and Emerald Lake. Pictures don't do it justice, it is just awesome.   Dream Lake      Emerald Lake  And on the way back along Bear Lake Rd  |
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Posted: 7/31/2021 3:34:04 PM EDT
[#46]
Weather was looking bad today so we took a morning drive through Trail Ridge Road. The clouds were awesome, even if they ruined the views.
     Lunch time 
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Posted: 8/1/2021 4:49:32 PM EDT
[#47]
Time to get back home.
Made it through Denver, was hoping I'd leave with a good impression. I did not    |
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Posted: 8/1/2021 5:34:25 PM EDT
[#48]
Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
The ol' nail in the tire eh? Always a pain for sure. Hope you get it fixed soon. |
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Posted: 8/1/2021 7:24:13 PM EDT
[#49]
I was back on the road in about 30 minutes. I need a better compressor, the one I have is slow.
 Thankful for TPMS on the trailer and truck, even though the truck only gives me pressure and not temperature. I noticed I was losing about 1psi every other minute or so  Keep an eye on all your gauges! Made it about 150 miles since then, the plug is holding ok. |
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Posted: 8/2/2021 7:02:36 AM EDT
[#50]
Viair is what you seek for a pump. I need to upgrade the one I have. I have the 300 which will fill a LT truck tire but it takes a little longer than I like. I got the 300 back when I had a 1500.
The 400 pump is better for LT tires. |
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