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HELP LEAVING TOMORROW-HITCH BROKEN!!!!
I am leaving tomorrow 0700 for Yellowstone 950 miles. Checking over my eq. I noticed my Draw-tite hitch has an issue. The "socket" that the bar snaps into had a ball bearing to hold the bar in place. The ball bearing went into a grove on the weight distribute bar. (Similar system to a ball on a socket wrench to hold the socket in place.) Problem is the ball bearing is missing. The tab holding the bearing got sprung somehow.
1. Is this a common replacement part I can pick up at camping world? I have to think that this is common as the metal tab does not appear to hold the unit to securely.
2. is it necessary to have the ball bearing at all? Is it's sole purpose to keep the bar from falling on my toes when hitching? I think the tension on the bar once hitched up will keep it in place. Am I wrong? critique my logic. Don't want to loose the bar on I-5 tomorrow and hurt someone in a Prius.
3. Trailer is a Jayco featherweight 19' (model 218) truck is a 94 F250. hitch weight is 445 lbs. If I can't use the weight bar will this be a problem?
HELP LEAVING IN 10 HOURS!!!
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beaverstaterich
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06/19/09 09:58pm |
Towing
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RE: How do I find out what size my tanks are?
Thanks for the tip about the HWH, I was shorting myself by 6 gal. I agree with the above post re: the overflow valve. I can't fill the fresh tank all the way to the top so I am only getting approx 22 gals. The smaller dump tank should work for my needs.
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beaverstaterich
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06/04/09 02:31pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: How do I find out what size my tanks are?
Thanks for the info. I run out of gray very quick but the black seems to be just fine. However I don't use the TT toilet except at night if I am in a real campground.
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beaverstaterich
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06/04/09 09:01am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Battery cable size? (Yes, I did read the suggested articles)
Thanks all for the replies. I didn't think it made much of a difference which pos or neg the outgoing cables were attached to but hey, one never knows there could have been a real difference. As my current cables will reach bat A I will go with the traditional setup to avoid a splice and corrosion point.
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beaverstaterich
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06/03/09 02:08pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Battery cable size? (Yes, I did read the suggested articles)
anyone have feedback on question 2?
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beaverstaterich
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06/02/09 08:38pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Grizzlies while boondocking near Yellowstone?
Black Bears are very aggressive and kill more people than grizz. Black bears will actually follow you in the woods if they are hungry. In N. Ca i.e. Yosemite the vehicle issues are all Black bears. Grizz are more lazy and don't break into vehicles nearly as often. However that being said that does not mean they can't. Keeping a clean camp is good advise. Forget bears ever seen what a pack of motivated raccoons can do? It is epic!
Most encounters with grizz are due to the bear being taken by surprise or you being between it and its cub or escape route. In grizz country put a small bell on your pack so the bear knows you are coming when hiking/biking.
(Bear spray and a .454 are always good insurance when in bear country!)
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beaverstaterich
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06/02/09 08:21pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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How do I find out what size my tanks are?
I have a 2007 Jayco Featherlite model 218. I can't find out what size gray and black tanks I have. The owners manual does not list how many gallons each holds. Anyone know? Anyone know how many gal the freshwater tank holds?
The gray is important as if I have to break down and buy a portable dump tank I want to get the right size.
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beaverstaterich
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06/02/09 08:06pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Home made portable dump tank?
I hope you have the pans labeled well!
Not a bad idea. However I would prefer something covered as even gray water has "t.p. floaties" from the 6" of shared line with the black water tank.
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beaverstaterich
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06/02/09 07:55pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Battery cable size? (Yes, I did read the suggested articles)
Batteries are not "identical" in that the original battery is 3 months old interstate. I cold tested it and it reads 12.95v. so it is basically new. The 2nd "new" battery is a different brand but is the same in regards to size, output amps etc.
Techs at Battery xchange and my dealer both said that this was OK. I know not optimum but should get me by for the next year or so by until I save up for the bank of 4 6v.
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beaverstaterich
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06/02/09 07:51pm |
Tech Issues
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Home made portable dump tank?
Anyone make a homemade portable gray water dump tank? I have a featherlight Jayco with a small gray water tank. The wheeled cart style tanks are $100. Anyone fab up their own? Only want one for gray. Black tank is used only at night so it takes forever to fill up.
I got the cap with the hose connector for the dump valve and have a piece of extra hose. Current thought is to just drain into a 7gal water container and go dump. However it will only fill 1/2 full on its side. (too tall to fill standing up as it is above valve) This is a lot of trips at 4 gal each load.
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beaverstaterich
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06/02/09 07:26pm |
Tech Issues
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Battery cable size? (Yes, I did read the suggested articles)
I printed and read the 12 volt side of life and other 12v links. However I still have a question about the wires for connecting 2 12v batteries in parallel.
I am adding a 2nd series 24 to my Jayco. I know that 2 6 volts etc. would be better but the series 24 that came with my rig is new and a 2nd deep cell at Bi-mart is only $70. When these batteries die I will consider the switch to a better bank but I really can't spend the $500 for 4 6v batts prior to vacation the end of the month. My goal is to make it a couple of days between charges if I don't get back to camp in time to run the generator during "noise hours" at Yellowstone.
Question 1.
What size wire can I use to connect the 2 batteries together? The line from the current battery to the rest of the trailer appears to be 6 gauge with crimp on connectors. + line has a 30 amp in line fuse.
Current options are:
1. 4 gauge multi strand copper I have approx 10' of this left over from a prior project and connectors in the garage. Cost free.
2. go to autozone and buy a set of regular battery cables with auto style clamps to go between the batteries. $20-$30
3. Home Depot has 2 ga. multi strand copper for 1.29 a foot. 2 ga connectors should run $5.
I don't have time to have a set custom made prior to the trip as suggested in some of the articles.
As I understand it I just have to keep the +/- lines the same length between the two batteries.
Question 2:
Plan is to hook bat A + to bat B +; and bat A - to bat B - as illustrated in all the articles. The articles show the connections to the trailer coming off of the first battery + and -.
My dealer suggested hooking the output + to battery A and the output - to the neg terminal on batt B. He states this drains both batteries at the same time vs. draining battery A than B. Is this correct?
THANKS FOR ANY ASSISTANCE!! :B
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beaverstaterich
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06/02/09 07:18pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Advise for newbies
Beverly Beach is nice, beware of the raccoons they will get into anything left outside. That section of the coast has a lot of campgrounds. Honeyman in Florence has a neat little lake/lodge and is on the Dunes, it is the 2nd biggest state park in OR. South Beach just south of Newport is also fairly large and normally has room. If you can find a space, Beachside has the best ocean views on the coast. Tillicum Beach a mile away from Beachside near Waldport is a USFS park equally nice views and has multiple pull through spaces.
Cape Blanco is nice but be warned it is VERY windy. It is the westernmost point in the mainland US and is on a bluff. 40mph+ winds are common.
If you are planning on spending a night in N. CA drive up the coast a bit farther into OR, spend a day at Gold Beach and take the jet boats up the Rogue River. If time is an issue they have a 1/2 day trip up to Agness. I guarantee that would be the highlight of the trip. Jerrys Rogue Jets is my favorite.
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beaverstaterich
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05/25/09 08:37pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: 1 night in Boise, ID
Thanks for the replies. I will research the parks, mentioned. An extra hour is not too bad for a better night's stay.
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beaverstaterich
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05/18/09 02:54pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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1 night in Boise, ID
We are traveling from OR to yellowstone in June, Boise is going to be the first nights stop. Any suggestions? we want to stay in a park vs. the wal-mart thing. Something not too far from the hwy would be great.
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beaverstaterich
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05/17/09 10:35pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: $300 42db 2000w Gen
In response to the comment that the Honda purchase for $1000 was "not to smart" considering the purchase was when they were first on the market 7+ years ago $999 was the lowest you could find one. They have come down a bit over time.
I know lots of people that run their campers or trailers with 2k units. My pop has run his Eagle cap for years with his Honda 2K unit. The hitch is you can't run everything at once. You have to turn off the AC to cook your bacon in the AM.
I was wrong about the 42DB, sticker on the box said 72db. It is still alot less noise than some. I can have a conversation right next to it with no problem. We sat my pops Honda next to it for comparison, they were approx the same noise output.
This is the same unit that Home Depot now has on sale for 199. I will ask my wife again how much she paid for it as it was a gift. IF what I stated earlier is correct it seems like HD has a better deal.
And yes, it ran approx 6 hours running my hedge pruner on only one tank. Admitted not a large load but it still was running for what seems a small amount of gas. I am almost positive this is not Champion.
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beaverstaterich
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05/01/09 03:20pm |
Tech Issues
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$300 42db 2000w Gen
OK first off I know its not a Honda or the other brands with preferred inverter technology. My pop has the 2K watt Honda and it is hard to beat however it is still $1000. I found a generator at the GI JOES sale for $275. It is green, name is "SPORTSMAN" made by buffalo tools. It is 4 stroke made in China. It is very quiet and is 2000K surge watts, 1500 operating watts. Hooked it up to my 07 Jay co, it runs the AC and Microwave fine-just not at the same time. It has a DC output for battery charging. Top mounted tank holds approx 1.5 gal of fuel and ran for all day before I shut it off, still seems to have a bit of fuel in it. Rating on the box says it is 42db, I believe it. It is very close to the noise level of the Honda. It is small, approx 13" high, 20" wide and 24" long. Weight is approx 35-40 lbs.
It does not have the warranty and is not as "clean" power, but for almost 1/4th the price of the Honda I figure I couldn't go wrong.
My plan for dry camping is to plug my battery charger (craftsman standard battery charger with + & - clamps) into the generator and then use the charger to charge the batteries during the day. I think I should be able to put a full charge on the batteries in a couple of hours. My theory is this should work better than plugging the trailer directly into the generator. Direct Charger should charge faster than running through inverter on trailer. When batteries are charged I can plug trailer into generator and run AC to cool house off.
All suggestions or comments are welcome.
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beaverstaterich
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04/30/09 07:59pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Mattress question
mikem1945 Where did you get a custom made mattress for $300?
The "bed" on our Jay co has a clipped corner and can't take a standard mattress. It is approx 4" foam in a fabric cover. OK for the first 15 min until it compresses-than you are lying on plywood. After the 1st night we went out and purchased a piece of 4" foam and an egg crate topper. Currently we have approx 10-12" of combined foam to sleep on. (original 4-5" mattress, 4" foam, 2 egg crates) It is OK, but I would prefer a real mattress if I could find one. My issue is that I sink into the foam and have to use a crane to get out of bed in the AM. I am also concerned that the foam will be hot in the summer.
One thought we have had is getting a futon made but a queen size with the custom corner is $900-1000 bucks!!
My folks new trailer (queen also with clipped corner) has a inner spring mattress that is even worse than the foam mattress ours came with.
FYI: memory foam toppers were 1-200. The 4" foam pads were 19.99 each for twin size, we purchased 2,trimmed them down put them under the original mattress. The foam pads were more dense than the memory foam and MUCH less expensive.
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beaverstaterich
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04/20/09 06:11pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: HI, How did I do with the purchase?
Thanks, I think I did well considering the trailer is like new and was at low book with all the extras. For my area this was a smoking deal. I was curious what the market is in other areas of the country.
The big deal with financing lately is that you have to have 20% down regardless of how good your credit score is. However if you have the score and cash the world is yours right now. We were looking at new units but when we found this guy we couldn't pass up the chance to pay half price!
I gather from reading the various posts that the Jayfeather is leaky, I don't see any signs of leaks so far. Dealer pressure tested unit as part of their prep. But I guess they all leak at some point, If I keep an eye on it I hope I will be OK. I have ordered the cover from camping world to keep the rain/mold/UV off of the roof.
Plan is to keep unit until it dies. I figure I need to camp 100 nights to have it pay for itself. Plan is to camp at least 30 days a year between vacations and weekends during the summer. Wife and I work 4 10's so we have long weekends!
It is scary how some of the dealerships treat folks. One had a good deal but wanted to charge $300 for a walk through on a new unit. I handed the salesman my card and told him when he wanted to get real give me a call, never heard back guess he was selling enough to not need my business. Another actually had removed all of the spare tires (you could see where the mounts were originally) and wanted to charge extra for it-not going to happen.
Happy Trails!
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beaverstaterich
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04/10/09 07:09pm |
Beginning RVing
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HI, How did I do with the purchase?
Hi all, nice forum. I decided to quick lurking and jump in.
We just purchased a 2007 Jayco Featherlight 218 end of Feb. We purchased it from a dealer for 10K. Manf. date was April 2007. Original sales invoice shows 1st owner purchased in June 2007. Original owner traded unit in on a motorhome in Dec 2008. It looks brand new with only 3 differences, it has a 2nd propane tank, added vent cover and came with a Drawtite hitch and weight distributing bar. Tires still have little "nubbies" on them, trailer has "new vehicle smell". All owners manuals and original bill of sale were with unit.
Dealer threw in starting kit with new dumptank hoses (red kit with bayonet mount approx $40 at camping world) Freshwater hose, pressure regulator (brass,) 2 plug adapters, 2-1lb tubs of happy camper, jug of antifreeze, case of RV TP, bubble level, plastic wheel chocks, etc. I also got a free hat and wife got a fancy candle (dealer name on both).
So, question is how did I do? I don't think I did half bad as this seems to be lower side of book value and condition is just like new. I actually thought it was a new model as it was sitting next to the 2009 and the only way to tell was the extra tank and mount for the ez lift. The exact same 09 was approx 12K higher in price and did not include the extras installed on this used model.
We took it out for spring break for a shake down. I could hardly tell it was behind my truck until it came time to fill it up, (dropped MPG 2 miles) layout is great for my wife and I and our 7yo daughter.
After tent camping last Aug in 104 temp we decided that a TT was a must!
Looking forward to getting some tips and hopefully seeing some of you on the road!
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beaverstaterich
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04/09/09 07:44pm |
Beginning RVing
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