NOTE FROM SLIM: Here's the answers to repeat comments to save your typing fingers: 1. Yes the truck is sagging at the rear. I need new leaf springs eventually. 2. The armadillo did not bite very hard, however to be on the safe side I did seek medical advice. 3. I use AMERICAN gallons in my mpg calcs (what US gas station pumps Imperial gallons?!?) 4. The "HAUL" button was just a temporary test. It just increased the RPM, so do not use it. THANKS! SP

@wildlifeonwheels4236

6 ай бұрын

Great to hear the armadillo didn’t do any harm to you. Enjoy your USA adventures! Stay warm!

@sheputthelimeinthecoconut629

5 ай бұрын

Small note, the haul button also increases the line pressure in the transmission to help with shifts/longevity, and thermal management. However, I doubt your little trailer needs any of that.

@jimrodda

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Slim, I always love a good reply, I like to keep my comments tongue in cheek, no malice ever intended, I think your videos are great a lot of thought and processing go into your video editing, is this the way to 🎤 Armadillo 🎵 sorry I am at it again, stay safe and happy travels 🇬🇧🇬🇧

Hi Slim. Try to turn off Tow Mode. That's for hauling 6000 lbs or more. Your transmission needs to let your torque converter drop into lock mode, which drops your RPMs by 300.

Thank you for not saying where that place is. We camped for several years in the “free” campgrounds all over Florida long before many KZreadrs blabbed about them and the rules got changed and some places got closed down because they became swamped with RVers who often did not obey the reservation rules. Such a pity. We are now off the road but still remember this awesome places. Instead here we are in the snow in Nova Scotia. Enjoy the winter in the warmth.

@deekelley891

6 ай бұрын

So many are ruined by too many partiers-not people that love and respect nature-who just destroy them-and then nobody can go.

Hi Slim, After watching the video and seeing the armadillo bite at you I looked them up. They will and can bite and claw. And another thing I didn't know was they can carry rabies and leprosy along with other harmful diseases. Probably don't want to get that close again.

@alliw1276

6 ай бұрын

So glad you posted that. I’m from Texas where we also have a fare share of armadillos. Yes they are interesting but it is best to stay clear of them due to, as you said, carriers of rabies. Better to be safe than sorry plus they are wild animals in nature so we should respect that as well. 😊❤

@shandelebroyles1099

5 ай бұрын

My son lived in a camper beside me for awhile and he called me and told me to go look around his camper, something was out there. And it was an Armadillo. And it chased me. I thought it was nutts. I live in a small town and I have all kinds of critters roaming around here. I always take my dogs out in the middle of the night and there was 2 out there. One had ran into the road and I was trying to get a car to slow down and not hit it. It didn't and it went crunch. Turns out it was a trooper and he came back to get onto me because he said my tiny flashlight blinded him. And I mean tiny. It might have flashed, but I was motioning him, so I know he wasn't blinded that bad.

US states are beginning to take a closer look at where free camping occurs. Those places are becoming less about camping and more about homeless squatting. In Tennessee, there has been a crackdown on free "public" camping. The law is confusing, but with the uptick in homeless squatting vs recreational camping, a lot of places have been trashed. Even pay campgrounds are beginning to look like trailer parks. The high cost of rent has people buying cheap travel trailers and paying 500-900/month for a space. We've begun skirting some of our once-favorite parks because of the growing numbers of permanent campers. Management at those places isn't inclined to crack down on how well maintained those campers keep their spots.

Here comes the sun 🌅 Snow and ice Chilly all around Frozen roads and streets Heading SOUTH BOUND Here comes the sun MPG not so grand Bouncing from park to park Slim's ONE MAN BAND A nip from an Arm-bite- dillo Scurring here and fro A true camp vagabond With a sharp middle toe The sun through the pines Florida COME AND STAY Brother Slim is our guide Enjoy the SUN AND PLAY ( it's alway a fun ride with brother Slim...and informative )

@SlimPotatohead

6 ай бұрын

Beautiful as always. Thanks Dale!

I live in central Florida and was raised in southern Florida, so I have never driven in your conditions, but I know I would never be able to do it. They say armadillos eat termites, grubs, cockroaches, and scorpions. So he was out of luck getting food from any camper. They dig big holes all over my yard and they are a pain. Thanks for sharing part 1 of your trip.

@pdrey55

6 ай бұрын

I lived the first half of my life in Illinois and then moved to Florida. Do not miss that at all! North Florida still gets really cold…(lived in Gainesville for 6 years and moved near Tampa in 1989 where temperatures are more moderate 😊)

@MrLangDog

6 ай бұрын

@@pdrey55 But when we do go below 30, it's short lived thank goodness. I think 6 days last year.

OMG Slim! You certainly have been slammed with bad weather lately! This video kind of reminds of the cartoon character Chilly Willy. The penguin from Alaska who is always cold and constantly on a quest to stay warm. Loved the video. Thank you!

Stay safe, and warm Slim. Another great video. Eat smart now.. got to stay healthy.. Cheryl from southern Michigan, small village near Toledo, Ohio. Fighting terminal cancer, but watching the weather and plan our trip south for a couple months to get that Vitamin D, power. Go see some family near port charlotte, and Estero.. I plan on doing what I can if I can and stay in the presence of the Almighty God and Father. We have a space in Englewood… praise the Lord. Got to love your content and your videos. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you someday out there. Until then Slim.. May the sunrises bring you happiness in this crazy world we are living in…peace out.

@SlimPotatohead

6 ай бұрын

Hi Cheryl, It's brave and strong-willed people like you that give us all hope. The sun will shine on you! SP

My 1998 Tahoe with the 5.7 ltr V8 only gets 11 gallons per gallon towing a 16' Casita - consistently over the past 6 or 7 years.... 🌞

Hey Slim, for future reference I would steer clear of the armadillos. They do carry the bacteria that causes Hansen’s disease, used to be called Leprosy. Hope you enjoyed your Florida trip anyway.

@rebw420

6 ай бұрын

And possibly rabies.

@terria4698

6 ай бұрын

Those pests are moving north. We have them here in Middle Tennessee.

@sweeney944

6 ай бұрын

My buddy got leprosy from an armadillo. Be careful around them.

@baileydillion9331

6 ай бұрын

If it bit you you need to get to a doctor to be checked out. Please do some research on those fascinating creatures. Peace, Love and Freedom 🇺🇲

@hitmanhite8958

6 ай бұрын

Careful bud.

Slim, when you're driving on relatively flat land turn off the TOW/HAUL mode. It prevents your trans shifting into higher gears and reduces mileage. Saw the indicator light for it being on on your tachometer

@susanpremo8068

6 ай бұрын

Wow! I didn't know that, thanks!

@FrankBullitt390

6 ай бұрын

Keep it off unless in mountain ranges, going down hill it'll drop gears until the engine is screaming at 4000rpm

@SlimPotatohead

6 ай бұрын

Yes, I only tried it for a brief period and found no benefit, only higher RPMs. Thanks! SP

@thomaswilliams2273

6 ай бұрын

It can be useful for keeping your speed while going down a hill. It's almost like every time you touch the brake it downshifts for you.

@dorisshanks7295

5 ай бұрын

I use my tow haul on steeper uphill grades, hitting the button at about 55 as the grade begins and shutting it off at the crest of the hill. Using it this way, it holds the rpm’s at 2500-3000. Not using it allows the rpm’s to jump up to 4000-5000 screaming up the hill. Not good. It takes a little trial and error to get the best results but on a long trip with many rolling hills, it is great. However, cannot use the cruise control when using the tow haul.

Slim, steer clear of armadillos, they carry the leprosy bacteria and can infect you. Love the videos!

Uh Slim if that armadillo bit you please get checked out. Rabies is real in this area. They also carry leprosy and usually stay away from people.

It's a shame that SOME people have to ruin camp / RV sites for everyone else... So, I don't blame you for NOT giving out the exact location.... As always, i enjoy tagging along with you on your road trips. California use to be my winter destination, (San Diego).. The coldest it ever got while staying in Seal beach (Los Angles area) was 45 degree's F

I noticed you had the truck in tow/haul mode. This will reduce your fuel economy because it keeps the transmission in lower gears for a longer period of time. It is designed for hauling heavy loads and isn't neccessary for a light trailer like yours. I have a fifth wheel toy hauler and only use tow/haul mode when I am decsending steep hills.

As a resident of South Alabama and an amateur meteorologist, it is now apparent to me you did bring the cold down with you. 😂

@samdevallance1527

6 ай бұрын

😂

Those are about as good as you can expect with a full size truck when towing. Oddly, it seems to be mainly wind resistance that is the culprit. After years of towing I have found the weight towed only matters slightly to MPG (long trips on the highway are at a steady state). The size of the frontal area of the trailer as well as the cross section and wind velocity makes the most drastic changes. You could pull a camper twice the weight and likely see similar fuel economy on the highway.

"Tow mode" may not be necessary with your lightweight trailer except in the mountains. Talk with a tech who is very familiar with your transmission about doing without 'tow mode'; it's heat that kills transmissions so they might recommend a transmission heat gauge. Many who tow large rigs use one to make their transmissions last. An extra transmission cooler might also be in order; you're good enough to DIY that or a shop can do it at a very reasonable price. Your driving at lower speeds also helps since the pressure of wind increases exponentially with added speed. Also, an open bed and closed tailgate on pickups costs you ~2-5 MPG, mesh tailgates do noticeably better as do covered beds. I doubt that you will reach the Jeeps fuel mileage but you should be able to get closer. Love the propane consumption numbers- that's fantastic as you know. And as tempting as it is, best to not get close to wild critters as they can carry many diseases and often do. Never thought I'd see another armadillo since I was last out west but they're in S. Carolina now and moving north. We get our first real winter temps here tonight; nothing like at your cabin but more than plenty to shake the state with our collective shivering. Be well and enjoy the journey.

Sorry, Slim, but good mileage or bad, the Slimarado will never replace the Jeep. In my not-so-humble opinion, of course. Safe travels! Stay warm! Avoid snowstorms, tornados, and brutal temperatures.

I used to have a Tahoe with the 5.3 V8. My camper was bigger than yours and weighed +/-5k lbs loaded. 9mpg was the norm sadly. I would be elated with 12+

Slim! I'm glad you're back on the road. You may want to have a couple simple things done that are fairly cheap in price and you could do it yourself... Using a fuel additive i.e. marvels mystery oil will make big improvements, it helps clean out your fuel system and cleans your engine. Also having the throttle body cleaned along with replacing the mass airflow sensor. All that should make a difference in your gas mileage. I hope that will help out.

Did you install bigger tires? That would account for the difference. Ironically when I tow my trailer with my Jeep I usually get considerably better mileage than when I use the Jeep alone as a daily driver. Sure, there's the short drive vs long drive loss, but normally I don't see better than 15mpg and with my trailer I get just over 20mpg. I think it has to do with aerodynamics - a Jeep Wrangler is a brick in the wind and I think my teardrop shaped trailer - which is the same height as the Jeep - somehow prevents that vortex behind the vehicle from forming and the wind goes over the entire rig more smoothly. Otherwise I can't explain a up to 5mpg better gas mileage for a vehicle with 2000lbs on the hitch.

As a wearer of more beard styles than I can count (I think I even invented a few) I think you found the sweet spot. For me, it’s a short full beard, but you look good, Slim. It needed to be said. I wait patiently for your videos. I wish you safe travels and warmth. Chase that sunshine brother!

Awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

Yup the sun in Florida is so nice in winter and I sincerely do miss it. I was forced out of Florida due to high rentals and with mu very limited budget I ended up in N. Georgia which is rainy and mostly cold here. I'm trying to arrange for next winter to stay in Florida, but with the limited housing available where my family lives I've not been able to find anything affordable. I'm glad you found a free campground. Happy trails and safe travels!

I live in South Carolina and I’ve been a subscriber of your for a number of years and I’ve always wanted to do what you do I think you life your life to the fullest!!! You rock slim!!

Great video, safe and healthy travels

Thanks, Slim!

great stuff Slim thanks

Thanks for the video, Slim. Safe travels and God bless.

Thanks for the video !

Looking forward to more adventures… love your vlogs 😁

Awesome info. Thanks

Happy Travels!

I’m glad you found some warmer weather! Thanks for the video.

stay safe and thank you for the video

Yay! So glad your beautiful travel vids are back!!!

Happy travelsy friend.

A Slim video !! Can't wait to get home to watch it!!!

Love your videos, your so descriptive of your surroundings

Living vicariously here... 'feeling' those warm rays right thru my screen. 🌞 🌅

Glad you had a safe drive, Enjoy the warmth down there!

It's cool the cooler stays cooler

Great yo see you out on the road again. Safe travels.

Thank you Slim for delivering a new video . Great as always

Love the goatee Slim !

Safe travels Slim… see you next time.

Drive safe and keep warm .

Good to see another video from you. Take good care and stay warm out there.💞🥶

Love this Channel!

Perfect nice little heater you got there.

Great video, it's cold in Groesbeck, Texas

Glad to have you back in USA! I always appreciate your videos.

I could empathize with you as you sat out enjoying the sun!

Always great to catch up with slim. Florida is a great spot for videos this time of year.

Safe travels Slim.

LOVE the NEW LOOK

Thank you

Great to see You on the road again.😊 Happy Travels ❤ STAY SAFE !!

I always feel bad and guilty when i watch your clips as I'm the one sitting on a warm sofa with a hot cup of ginger lemon tea with toffee candy or a hot tomato soup with toast and you're out there in the bush in the cold in the dangers of travel giving us for free your adventures, may the powers that be, bless you and Keep you safe!

Happy you’re travelling again! Even the west coast of BC has been cold! Enjoy the sunshine!

My word what a beautiful sunset that was

Thanks for the new wallpaper for my desktop Slim! that sunset was amazing.

Glad you got out of the cold. Have safe travels ahead .Slim.

I'm so glad to see you again. This segment was really interesting with your analysis of mileage. I drive a 97 4Runner and have over 270,000 miles on it. I monitor my fuel use at each fillup and am pleased with its almost steady 20 miles per gallon. It only drops when I visit too many Starbucks😅

Thanks for the video, Slim! I'm happy to see you back on the road. I wish i was on the road too. As it is, I'm stuck in Pennsylvania and the weather here now looks like it did in your video - terrible 😢 Take care! Ill be watching for updates.

Thanks Slim! Enjoyed your latest adventure, looking forward to more! Stay safe, nasty weather for awhile, even in the south!

What Slim is missing on his adventures is a travel companion whether it be a dog or a cat.🤣 And based on your overall attitude and affable personality, I am actually surprised that you don't have one.

@SlimPotatohead

6 ай бұрын

What Richard is missing is I do not want to travel with a dog. Should be quite obvious. I prefer my animal friends wild. SP

@RichardArnold151

6 ай бұрын

I figured so. Just a suggestion. 😁

@progKansas

6 ай бұрын

​@@SlimPotatoheadmany camp sites don't allow pets.

@k9khodi363

6 ай бұрын

@@SlimPotatoheadmany people equate being alone to being lonely. It's lovely you enjoy your solo adventures and share that with us.💛 There is freedom in traveling without dependents or partners if one is traveling for pleasure. Thanks for modeling that. 🦋🐢🦉🐿🦔

Regular over here in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 love these videos 😊

Happy you made it to Florida, looking forward to seeing your other videos ❤

Glad you got to Florida. We are freezing in NC

Thank you.

Safe, and sound. That's the main thing. Fun video, and enjoyed. Thanks for sharing.

Love the new pushbroom. Good look Fer ya!

Hey there, its good to see you enjoying the sun in short sleeves...you stay safe and happy out there..enjoy and be blessed

I hope you keep ahead of the weather! We are having weird weather this winter!

Thanks Slim, glad you are taking some of this cold out of Canada. If it matters, it’s fricking freezing in BC right now, even down on the south coast. Stay warm.

Armadillos keep digging little holes in my backyard. Enjoy it down there. thanks for sharing the great video.

Slim, I checked my mileage for the best leg on my trip to Florida and it was 14.32 mpg (from South Carolina to Georgia) 265 miles with 18.5 gallons of gas. Best mileage I ever got, but for the whole trip 1300 miles, I got 11.8 mpg. Keeping the speed under 57 mph was the key (between 1350 and 1450 rpm). Good luck in your goal!

Keep rocking the stash and chin fur…looks good on ya!

That opening shot was stunning! We missed you! Glad you got some sun, it sure helps the mood. Stay safe.

I love to see that tilting panel working

Nice video Slim, was looking forward to hearing from you, it's so enjoyable to watch your videos, hope you will be putting out some more and more frequently if possible, they are relaxing and informative as well as well done. Thank you, Thomas

Loved the first leg of your trip 👍looking into a 17 ft. Escape travel trailer in the next year or two and plan on tripping westward into the north west region of the country as well as north west Canada 🇨🇦 , thank you for all the great information pertaining to Traveling with a tow behind trailer it all will come in handy very soon 👌

I used to live in Navarre, Florida, and I recognized that campground as you were driving into it! Love it! I am sorry they closed off parts of it, but glad to see it still there.

Good to see you Slim! Keep on keeping on. Hugs from FREEZING COLORADO

It would be nice to travel the way you do,, and to get out of the cold,, is even better.. I am in Oklahoma,, we are being hit with that artic blast.. snow is pretty but it is too cold,, wish I was there!!! great video slim and thank you...

The 4.3L V6 engine would have given you better MPG. Without trailer towing I get 22 to 24 MPG & around 16 to 18 MPG towing 3,000 lbs. But mine isn't a 4x4 either. So.... Tire/wheel size will affect the speedometer. I used commercial tires on my truck (265R70-17 versus 245R70-17). It altered the speedometer by 3 mph slower than what is was actually going.

A few more years and I hope to go on solo travel adventures like this! I love your storytelling and videos!

In the meantime here, in New-Brunswick, we still have lots of snow, and it remains very cold with plenty of winds. Happy travels!

A ef4 TORANDO JUST HIT PANAMA CITY FL 2 WEEKS AGO .. GOOD TO SEE ANOTHER VIDEO SLIM WORKING OVER TIME.

Nice.

You passed by my state! Sweet Home Alabama!!

Beautiful sunrise, sunset and crescent moon. A few other videos I watch of folks who live in their campers are also traveling around to find the warmest places to stay till weather gets a bit warmer. Here in Wisconsin, it's double digits below zero. But as you said, we're used to it here.

Good to see you on the road again, how ever I love your cabin video also. Keep on trucabin...... ?

This is the coldest winter we have had in Georgia in a while. Safe travels to you Slim. Watch out for those armadillo's. Little snapper 😅 🙏🙏🙏❤️✌️☕

Wow! Amazing to me how I am fraid that armadillo was. Great experience for you to be so up close and personal to the local wildlife. 💜 Always love your postings.

You're in my neck of the woods now!! Welcome!

Skiing in 6 degrees F on 6" of fresh powder today, in lovely Petoskey, Michigan.