RE: ***Wind*****
Wind...one of my favourite subjects. Since losing a 5er to a blowover on I80 west of Laramie a few years ago I have alot of respect for wind.
On breezy days we pay attention to tree branches moving, grass moving, the direction of flags flying, ripples on ponds, anything that gives an indication of direction & velocity of wind.
We are also concious of weight & where it is in the trailer. The side that the fridge is on is much heavier so we load other stuff as much as possible to compensate.
One thing we load up on if we know we will have a windy travel day is water. We can carry 100gal so over 800# down low between the wheels is a good thing. The extra fuel burned is cheap compared to the consequences of a blowover.
If there is the slightest doubt about safety we stay put for the day, or get off the road if we get caught out. Seeing big rigs wobble is a good reason to get off the road.
RE: rv shows
We went when we were looking, just to look. Did more research & went again with just a few models in mind, just to be sure. Went a third time with intentions of buying, if everything was right. It wasn't.
Eventually bought an almost new, 6 month old trailer, private sale.
Have been to a show a couple of times since. Happily, we have not seen anything that we like better than what we have. Fun to look though.
RE: This is the end of May, Memorial Day weekend, Right?
We had plans of Crater Lake next week & driving the rim. Looking at the forecast, change of plans. We will head for the coast. Record cold has been with us ever since we started 6 weeks ago in MD.
The importance of stability
We pulled into a CG, well, a concrete carpark yesterday. Finished getting set & was exchanging pleasantries with the DH of the TT next door. His DW was inside doing something when there is an almighty CRASH as the TT rolls forward & the tongue jack slides off the block of wood & plastic wheel blocks he has put under it.
He had not chocked the wheels properly, had not put rear jacks down, nor put down front jacks. It was a one nighter so it was disconnect the TV & that was that.
Luckily there was no damage & a simple matter of jacking up, transfering weight temporarily to blocks under the tongue then getting just a block of wood under the jack again. This time the DW put the corner jacks down as well.
A good laugh about the blunder & reason for an extra strong drink or two afterward.
RE: Claiming a first come campsite
First, I'm looking for a tag proving payment. No tag, check CG host if available. No CG host, no ranger & no evidence of recent occupation like fresh tire marks, footprints, used firepit, in other words, it is midweek & somebody is trying to make a claim, without paying, for the weekend, then I feel the site is fair game especially if other suitable sites are few or unavailable. I'll pay, keep my receipt. The site is mine. If the owner of the cones, chairs, pup tent, whatever comes along with proof otherwise, I'll move with apologies gladly.
RE: Memorial Day weekend, where will you be?
Grants Pass, OR for the Boatnik Festival, whatever that is. Always try to hole up somewhere for the busy weekends then get back to exploring when everyone goes home.
RE: ~Post your campsite photos here~
All by our lonesomes, Martinak SP, Denton, MD
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/Veebyes/Trailer%20Travels/RV%20Trips%202013/IMG_254_zps63e9dabc.jpg
RE: Grills that hang on the side wall of the trailer
After watching so many people grilling on the ground or destroying picnic tables by putting hot grills ontop of tables I vowed never to become one of those people.
The answer is not available in any RV supply store. The answer is a marine grill with mounts, two of them self made so the grill can be used clamped to a table, inserted into a holder in the basement slideout tray or stuck into a block which fits the truck hitch receiver. Any of them give cooking at a convenient height.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/Veebyes/Trailer%20Travels/Campsites/IMG_4683_zps978c4345.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/Veebyes/Trailer%20Travels/Campsites/DSC02463_zpse987f4e5.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/Veebyes/Trailer%20Travels/RV%20trips%202011/IMG_97773.jpg
RE: Boat or RV ?
I take it that when you say BOAT you mean a real boat, one that can be cruised, perhaps even to places like the Bahamas, not a dinky trailer boat that does not live on the water & is not for cruising.
Boats are waay more expensive to buy & operate than any RV. $200,000 really does not buy much of a boat, even a used 38-40' trawler. Most boats big enough to live on measure fuel in how many gallons are burned per mile rather than miles per gallon.
Maintenance is much higher than any RV class. Marina fees are charged on the per foot basis. You had better be pretty handy at fixing things yourself when out on a boat. There is no roadside assistance & the consequences of a breakdown can be catastrophic not simply inconvenient as it is with a RV.
Yes, I do own a boat. Only a 32'er, single diesel powered, but it has all the systems of a RV & more to take care of.
My view is, if you get somewhere where there is water & you get the boating itch, rent one. Much cheaper.
RE: Alpenlite Seville Questions
I happen to be parked right next to the former leaders of the former Alpenlite Club at this very moment.
The club, formally, with corporate sponsorship, is no more, though owners do stay in contact.
As already stated, 05 & earlier are NOT Lippert frames so the unit you are looking at is one of the last of the really good Alpenlites.
if you are talking about Bob and Claudia Smith they have the lippert frame alpenlite. tell them Larry and Linda Barnhart said Howdy. 5978 is our alpenlite number.
chevman
They just left our unit. We will be passing through your area later in June.
RE: Alpenlite Seville Questions
I happen to be parked right next to the former leaders of the former Alpenlite Club at this very moment.
The club, formally, with corporate sponsorship, is no more, though owners do stay in contact.
As already stated, 05 & earlier are NOT Lippert frames so the unit you are looking at is one of the last of the really good Alpenlites.
RE: Lube slide-outs?
There is not alot that can be done. Spray a bit of dry lube, like a teflon product on the gear teeth. Use an Amour All type product on the rubber seals to keep them soft. Wax the sides of the slides to keep them slippery. 15-20 minutes work twice a year at best.
RE: Sewer Flush ??
You might also want to get into the habit of closing the dump valve, letting a few gallons of water go into the tank, then finally disconnect the hose. This will leave water to slosh around & prevent any solid buildup as you merrily drive along.
Oh yeah, also don't leave the valve open at a CG. Dump at least after a few days.
RE: How much to budget for RV repairs ?
There are a lot of variables to your equation:
For instance, if you are handy and can do most of your repairs, cost goes down.
If you full time and have no place to do maintenance/repairs the cost goes up.
Generally, the older the RV the more repairs needed.
The more you use it, the more parts will break.
The more it sits, the more you will have to replace rubber and gaskets.
Buying an RV is sort of a pay me now/pay me later scheme. Newer costs more upfront but older costs more in repairs. But older does not mean it will cost as much in repairs as a newer unit does upfront. Both of our RVs were high mileage when bought but for both of them, the cost of the RV plus all needed repairs is a great deal less than the price of a similar RV that wasn't used as much. But you have to have a ready reserve of funds because you never know when something is going to break.
DING, DING, DING!!! We have a winner.
RE: Battery charge
Also, what size battery. Marine does not tell much. Is it a group 24, 27, 31, larger? Understanding 12V is important especially if you plan on dry camping.
RE: I'm a retired salesman
No, not all sales people are bad. I was one. Nothing automotive.
Whoever sold the original owner my rig & truck did a good job. Of course the owner was not trying to get champagne on a beer budget either so customers also take some blame trying to get something for nothing.
The toughest customer is the knowledgeable customer, somebody who has done the research before walking onto the lot.
RE: Your Mission Should You Choose to Accept It...
So I take it that they want to do a fair amount of dry camping. If so has anyone considered the importance of a large water tank? Has anyone considered the importance of space for a decent amount of battery amperage?
$30-40 should buy a very nice lightly used 5er in the upper market group. Builders like Mobile Suite or Carriage, even pre 2005 Alpenlites come to mind. Used quality trumps new blingy junk everytime.
RE: Pin box or airbags?
Have the Airborne pinbox. Not especially impressed with it. Had Trailair on previous trailer, same model. Thought that one rode better.
Air pinboxes don't do anything for the chucking. The reduce the verticsl pounding on the truck.
Airbags, IMO, try to make a SRW do what a DRW does without any aftermarket stuff. Better to buy the DRW & be done with it.
RE: Beachfront Camping
Keep in mind that RVs are not made of materials that stand up well being near salt water. Being next to the beach is fine for a few days but one day of onshore wind carrying salt spray will do damage in places you can't see, that you will be dealing with for years to come.
Best to find a CG at least a block or so from the beach.
