Prepping vehicles for recreational ‘stay-cations’
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Recreation season is fast approaching, making it time to prepare vehicles for the many activities that make time away from work so memorable.
“Camping is affordable. It’s what keeps us (McCluskey’s) alive.”
Gary McCluskey, owner McCluskey’s Trailer Sales
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
INSTALLING THE PROPER HITCH is important when planning to haul any type of trailer, whether it’s to transport an ATV or the family’s camper. Pictured from left preparing to attach a hitch to a Jeep Grand Cherokee are employees at Mike Cowett’s Auto Body and Towing Service are: Jerry Klein and Ricky Bagley.
Despite Friday’s snowstorm that dumped nearly a foot more snow throughout the region and the rising cost of gas, spring and summer are opportune times to plan a ‘stay-cation,’ making the most of what Maine has to offer, including many miles of recreational trails and numerous campsites throughout the state, including the many state parks.
Whether your into ATVing and plan to haul your machine to trails in another part of Maine or prefer taking the family for an extended stay in the family camper, take time to make sure the vehicle you use to haul with is properly prepared.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
CAMPERS COME IN A WIDE SELECTION, as pictured here at McCluskey’s Trailer Sales in Presque Isle. From traditional trailers that attach to a hitch at the bumper of a vehicle to the larger fifth-wheel variety that require a mount in the bed of a pickup, McCluskey’s has something to suit any camper’s dreams.
“A tow package gives you weight distribution. The hitch, weight controls, exterior mirrors — all are necessary for proper safety when pulling a load of any kind. Electrical harnesses typically include brake control,” said Gary McCluskey, owner of McCluskey’s Garage & Trailer Sales on the Houlton Road in Presque Isle.
McCluskey said all these are features his company puts into safety packages referred to as “tow packages.”
In addition to selling a wide variety of campers in several different sizes, McCluskey’s business sells and installs numerous accessories to meet your hauling needs.
“We do installations — about 100 a year,” he said.
He said this is the beginning of his “busy season.”
“We’re in full camping mode — have been since the first of March, when our season starts,” McCluskey said.
While some campers visit different sites throughout the summer, McCluskey said its common for owners to park their recreational vehicles at a particular location and leave it there for the season.
“A large portion of our customer base parks seasonally. They like to be in the campgrounds by Memorial Day. Customers who are traveling need to make reservations in advance in most cases. If they’re looking to book for Memorial Day, they need to do that now,” he said. “Some campgrounds are already booked.”
McCluskey said units come in two forms: fifth-wheel and those that hitch to the bumper.
“Fifth-wheels hitch in the body/bed of a truck; travel trailers connect to a vehicle using a ball at the bumper,” he said.
He said as the cost of traveling has gone up, with rising gas prices, he’s seen more people looking for ways to enjoy vacations more cost-effectively, with more looking at camping as a way to have fun with the family and save money.
“Destination campers are more elaborate and tend not to travel as well. As the price of gas goes up, people still vacation but seem to be staying closer to home — often parking seasonally. There are several campsites right in our area that have been popular with my customers: Arndt’s on Parkhurst Siding Road, Michaud’s Campground on the Houlton Road and Aroostook State Park. People go with their friends and family, enjoying bonfires and other fun activites,” said McCluskey.
The most popular-sized camper for customers has been 30-foot varieties, large enough for families to enjoy time away from home with the needed room for all involved.
“Our most popular camper is the 30-foot unit, which requires at least a half-ton pickup with a V-8. We’ve also taken on a new line of ultra-lightweight — 20-30 percent lighter, that can be towed with an intermediate-sized vehicle, such as Jeeps and Ford Explorers,” said McCluskey.
For those looking for a bargain, McCluskey said he also sells 30 or so affordable used models a year.
“Camping is affordable. It’s what keeps us (McCluskey’s) alive,” said McCluskey.
McCluskey’s isn’t the only garage capable of installing equipment used for hauling. Mike Cowett’s Auto Body and Towing Service has the experience to set up vehicles to tow just about anything.
Between running a towing company and having a family history of towing race cars, Mike Cowett and his staff can line up customers with just the right attachments to meet any need.
“We put on 10-15 hitches a year. Installation takes, on average, about an hour and a half. Hitches have to be bolted to the frame,” said Mike Cowett.
The business can also do the necessary wiring to ensure lights work properly on whatever is hauled.
“Some systems have to be hardwired, others are a simpler process of plugging into an existing wiring system,” Cowett said.
Customers are asked what they’ll be hauling, so the proper hitch can be installed.
“Weight makes all the difference. A Class 1 is meant for lightweight purposes — bike racks are an example of what would require a Class 1 hitch. A Class 2 would be used for light trailers hauling ATVs or small campers. A Class 3 is designed to haul larger loads, such as a car carrier and heavier equipment, boats and horse trailers,” he said.
Fifth-wheel installations take a bit longer to install.
“Fifth-wheel plates are installed in the bed of a pickup and take about six hours to install. You have to drill through the bed to the frame, then install with six bolts and a pivot pin,” said Cowett, noting that “long and heavy loads work best with fifth-wheel systems.”
In addition to hitches, Cowett said other items need to be installed to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
“Any time you go to big campers, install a transmission cooler to prevent transmission problems far from home,” he said.
Cowett said it’s important to remember the difference in classes and not to haul over the recommended weight limit for the hitch installed.
“I see a lot of things like golf carts being towed. I see a lot of people hauling things that are too big for their particular hitch. People think it’s OK, since they have safety chains. Safety chains are required for towing in Maine, regardless of the hitch capacity, but they’re not foolproof,” said Cowett. “But it only takes one mishap to cause an accident. I’ve seen bumpers torn off because a load was too heavy, horse trailers flipped because the hitch wasn’t fastened properly.”
“It just takes a minute to double check connections and make sure everything is secure before heading out on a trip,” Cowett said.
For more information on McCluskey’s, call 762-1721; for Cowett’s, call 764-8009.
