RE: Progressive insurance discussion
my TT ins i a rider added to my TV ins. Was explained to me this way-if it's hooked up to the TV it's under the auto ins, if it's parked(at home or the CG-or any where else i suppose) it's under the home owners. did lose an awning while it was at home-told me to have camping world(or any repair place) fax em a copy of the cost for parts and labor to install which i did and a few days later i had a check. no deductable, no nothing but 2 phone calls-1 to the ins co, one to CW.
was also involved in a multi vehicle accident(i was sitting at a stop sign-TV had less than 4K miles on it) kid that caused it had progressive. called them and got the 'well have to see if the insured has enough coverage' line. called my ins, had to pay deductable(which came off the top of the settlement-back to me) and let the 2 ins companies deal with it. took TV to shop of my choice, my ins cut the shop an inital check and if more was found they'd cover it. got my TV fixed(w/GM parts),a free loaner, deductable back and i was happy. don't know if they settled 100% or not and i was only out the lights i replaced(to be legal) until it got into the shop.
RE: CDL = cheaper insurance!!!
I will never understand what your credit score has to do with insurance.
me either-always was you paid you had coverage-you didn't pay, no coverage. i made the mistake of checking with a bunch of different ins companies on line-be damned if it didn't lower my credit score due to too many inquries. alot of things just make you :h and walk away.
RE: Shocked at the $$ spent on food during a trip
When you all stop to eat in the TT if you have slides do you open them?
we usually use the rest area tables-most are quite nice now a days-cement slabs, sidewalks leading to them and covers-not like the ole days with a beat up wooden table under a tree. b4 i ordered mine that was one of the things i looked at-can get into refer, stove, some cabinets(guess where we keep the needed stuff) and the bathroom w/o opening up-and yes this would have been a deal breaker. mine come in and up so i try to stay off of them but you'll read both opinions here. personally i don't as it's not really necessary, probably put lunch together and eat in the truck 1st if need be.
RE: Mega Levelers?
i haven't used em but i'd have a few ?? right off the bat about them. they look like it would take 2 ppl to set em-1 to drive and the other to let you know when level(to stop) and put the wedges in. think i'd still want to use the between wheel chocks. be hard to do by yourself (i usually setup myself) because at least with my combo the second you put it in park it rolls some. also have to wonder about sinking into the ground(4.5' wide) i camp alot in sandy/softer soil and the bigger the footprint the better-that looks like it would sink just as my tires do. interesting idea, just wonder how it would work in real life.
RE: Shocked at the $$ spent on food during a trip
We probably eat out more while at home, and since I've been 'between jobs' it's less now. The closest we come to a fast food burger place is steak & shake or culvers-neither cook ahead of time(like wendies used to be). fancy for us is chillies or applebees and they always seem to have some sort of deal going on.
we love to do breakfast at golden correl(buffet style) and have found their food to always be good and fairly reasonable(all meals)
Since i've had so much free time as of late one of my jobs has been chief(actually i am the better cook) and 'miss picky (DW) has really broaden her food horizons. of couurse i never tell her the ingreadience :)
actually the spring before last i had been getting tired of eating out or burgers and hot dogs-both at home and camping that i finally started using the big home grill and bought the 2 burner road trip(on purpose-toaster oven sized pans work good)-both gas which to us at one time was a big no-no. now i've started slow cooking alot of things(some cheaper cuts-some not) now it's not unusal to have a pork roast while camping, or slow cooked baby back ribs-for thanksgiving i slow roasted a pork roast and a turkey breast-family(immediat/extended) loved it and now think they will expect every yr.
point being, i'm not cheap(yet) but i am frugel and enjoy GOOD food. to me the 'fast food joints are like every other business around-quanity not quality. I also rem when it was cheap to eat at mickey d's back in the days before frozen fries(rem watching the guys arm go up/dn while he made the fries from real potatoes) and real 'normal' ground beef and they didn't make 3 days worth in advance and nuke em as you ordered(hate micro waves-good for water and left overs)
we frequent 3 st parks and i even joined the local grocery store(got their savings card-only shop there when we camp) and have found some really good, cheap mom/pop places where they actually cook when you order and are cheaper than the chain joints. i really do hate no taste, plastic fast food.
I'm such a fresh nut that on longer trips we will pack up the deli meat(frugel-not cheap) and fixings for lunch and make it at the rest stop. won't even allow the DW to make em ahead of time(yes-i'm strange that way) but we stop(usually with B-S/I/L) sit at a picnic table, relax for a bit, let the 4 legged kids do their thing etc.
there are many other ways i save on the food bill-point is, you can eat very well with a little planning and if you are willing to learn and take the time. i love to cook and i really do not care for processed, boxed, processed food-i like the real deal.
unfortunatly i seem to like to 'rattle' on just as much, but there are so many ways to eat alot better and cheaper than the chains although i do like em occasionally but usually have things i don't or won't make at home(DW hates fish-i love a good fish fry)
any comments/questions feel free to message me and if anyone has a favorite crock pot meal-send it, that's my next adventure. did slow cook a chuck roast and family loved it(DW unless it's ground on a bun not too crazy bout beef-went back for 2nds and finished off the left overs)
RE: Dinette table leaning
i've had 3 types so far and the most stable one was the wall mounted hinge type with the folding leg. also pretty stable was the wall brackets with the folding leg. have the pedestal type now and hate(ed) it. still in the 'testing' stage but i seated the table as tight as i could(with help of a block of wood/rubber mallet), got as level/even as possible and measured at the corners by the wall on both sides and divided by 2. cut 2 equal lengths of a 2x2(hair long is better than short) and put them against the wall at the table corners. now you can lean on the table and it doesn't wobble at all and the 2x2's are out of the way and barely noticeable. wanted to keep them removable in case the bed is ever needed but found that during travel they fell down. fixed that with a small piece of velcro at the top. between that and being a very snug fit they seem to be working and haven't spilled my coffee sitting down yet
RE: Anyone switch to a TT from a 5ver??
have pretty much the same setup ad tankerdude and would have no problem living in it-summer, pretty much do between CG and drive way. over all is 35'6, pulls fine with dual cam, and have no problems finding sites i fit in(do mostly st parks)
storage-after 3 yrs still have un/under used space and we carry way too much stuff(boy scout training as a youth-always be prepared :) ) and stuff i can use for either camping or day trips i keep in the truck bed-don't have to move it back and forth.
BIL has a 5'er and works for him. his only complaints are the stairs and the temp difference between the bed room and the rest of the camper(warmer in bed-as much as 10 deg and he's one of those thats always hot) also the height can be a problem at times. don't think he ever takes out the hitch so his truck bed is pretty much useless(no cover) to keep anything else in it.
for now, me, my knees, and DW are very happy with the TT but a 5'er could be in my future-ya never know. so far 1 jayco 5'er has come close(341) but we'd lose room in the bedroom
RE: Trailer rocking
the 2 things that helped alot(but didn't eliminate) the movement was adding the 3rd set of jacks(for up/dn bounce) and the between wheel chocks for front/back movement. also depending on what type of surface you are set up on, check the jacks every now and then. i camp alot on sandy soil and my non slide jacks usually loosen up. i also set the slide side 1/4 to 1/2 bubble high on the level and the TT usually settles pretty flat. i usually check the jacks the 1st nite before turning in, the next am and any time the TT doesn't seem stable. all ya gotta do is put your foot on the jacks adj nut and if it moves it's time to give it a few turns.
you will never eliminate all movement, just the nature of the beast.
RE: water pump
did the old pump ever work correctly? i'd check the connections on the new pump. if you have a winterizing valve installed, make sure it's set correctly and the anti-freeze inlet is capped(if it has one). i'd also make sure the check valve in the city water inlet is seating completely. I gave up on mine and just added a regular garden hose cap to close it.
RE: how much cribbing?
6 hunks of 4x4, asst boards for leveling tires, 1 set of legos. once front to rear was so bad, front needed nothing(not even jack block(6x6) ) and everything on the rear. front door bottom step on the ground and couldn't use rear door, but most are fairly good. have noticed most prvt. CG pretty good, but the public ones are from great(most) to 'you gotta be kidding me'. army corp usually the better(and least used-or so it seems around here) and st parks can be good to bad (mostly good to fair)but usually larger sites so it's a trade off.
RE: Awning
do you need to use the verticle support? have the support for when rolled up but looks like i may be getting a slight bow in the awning tube, but really don't want the ground support in the way-awning tube not bowing that way.
RE: Satellites for TT
there are several way to do this. Youi can be like my BIL and level, get the az/el and try to set it and hope every thing is perfect, or the easy(imo)way. I use the meter like LAdams showed along with the built in receiver one. the meter will find a sat(all of them) and the sat box tells you if it's the right one. I have a 3 lnb dish with a short tripod so i have 3 adjustments, not 2(az/el/slew) the slew, once set is fairly forgiving, have to be somewhat level but not perfect. i loosen the el nuts, aim somewhat south, tilt dish up/dn, rotate tripod a few degrees toward SW (right)and repeat till i get a tone with the portable meter. I'll tighten 1 el nut to hold dish(and keep signal noise) and check the tv screen to see if i got the right sat. if not i'll loosen nut and repeat the process. if it's the right sat i'll adj az/ev for strongest signal, turn down sensitivity on meter and get highest reading(fine tune signal), tighten both ele nuts, stake down tripod and remove meter(sidenote-signal will raise 3-5 points when meter taken out of line)
like said in previous post, have yet to use batwing on present TT and have both a reg and HD receiver(HD pickier on signal) and have no problem getting both.
for you pureists out there that will do the leveling, reading compass(yes i have one and sometimes glance at it to get general direction if someplace new) and set ele, my BIL can start before i do and usually gives up and hooks up to my dish(have 4 connections)-come to think of it, can't rem the last time he even tried. have used this method over 6 yrs and assorted locations-even the middle of a forrest(LBL) with no problems. sometimes it takes longer and may have to move the tripod to a different location but it works and with practice you can get pretty good/quick at it.
RE: Satellites for TT
On a good day with clear line of sight I can get a signal in 10 min(sometimes a little more-sometimes a little less) I used to just use the signal meter from the receiver but with age it's harder to hear all the time. I now also use a sat finder(the cheap one) and it does work-too good, it will find any and all sats out there, but if you start out in the general direction it's not bad. The dish i got free when mine was updated(ask the guy, usually have no problem giving/selling one to you) the tripod from radio shack. I also added 2 dedicated connections to the TT-you can get these from most RV type stores. I have 2 receivers for the TT and shut them off in the fall and back on in the spring.
Have had this TT 3 yrs now and have yet to use the bat wing, sofar have always been able to get a signal-granted some took alot longer than normal but beat listening to the DW (happened once-never again)
RE: Every hose I get leaks at the connections!!!
As has been mentioned... Pick up a 90 degree elbow at an RV store. If the hose hangs straight down from the side of the TT it takes all the stress off of the connectors. Have always used one and never had a leak...
That and a good set of pliers.
these 2 and a good washer-preferable the softer rubber, not the hard plastic ones. the better it compresses/forms to the hose end, the better the seal.
RE: Pays to NOT assume (LP sales)
I never fill anything BUT an empty tank and TEND to find a specialty place that JUST sells LP gas for my fills. Usually they're lower priced than places that sell LP as one of hundreds or thousands of items.
I normally only fill empty tanks. I'm one of those that does not use my regulator in the auto mode. i empty 1 tank, switch over and know sometime soon it's time to fill the empty. May be more of a pain at times but i've never been surprized with 2 empty tanks and since i do not check the regulator on a reg basis this method works for me.
prices for 30# lp fill
do it best(closeing) $30.49
Ace $38.51
CW @$3.59 LB $26.89
these are all totals, tax included
Pays to NOT assume (LP sales)
Had a sad and a pleasant surprize yestersay. The local hardware store that I usually buy my needed hardware stuff and LP is closeing down. Was just in there a few days ago had no idea till i showed up with a couple of tanks to get filled. Not only were they the cheapest(that i knew of) but the mngr is an old friend-hate to see it happen. Figured I'd have to start going to ACE which for a 30 pounder was $8+ more(ouch). Well since I had to go past CW/Crystal valley rv i'd stop and see what they charged. Being CW, I just ASSUMED they'd be high. SURPRIZE, they were $4 cheaper than my buddie and $12 less than ACE. Not only that, but they sell it by the pound not a flat fee for a fill like the 2 hardware stores did it.
I'm old, I'm a cynic, and not too much surprizes me anymore-especially the prices at CW but my hats off to them. Just a reminder to NOT assume-take the time to find out for sure.
RE: Life without an air compressor.....don't get it
Can't beleive this hasn't been mentioned, re-charging the pressure tank on the well. Must not be that many "rural" people here.
Have always had one for that reason-first. even in the old days before most had one, the country people always did. most used to get their air at the (full)service stations when it was free. as a kid, was a 'townie' and we never had one, on the other hand, my in-laws always had one(50+yrs ago) and when we bought the house we got it, used it(for the well) and have since replaced it.
extra handy now, more tires and no free air anymore-hell no more full service stations either. also added a few nailers and impacts so it does get used. But when i was growing up and until after i was married, it was a rareity for someone to own one unless you had a real need, not a want for one, and most of those were the farm families in the surrounding area, or the guys that were in construction. Not until fairly recently have they become so common, and you'd be surprized how many people still don't own one-but they all seem to know who does :)
RE: shower
we use a little plastic milk crate looking thing maybe 8"x10" and 6" high to hold soap(in travel container) and shampoo, conditioner, and squeege(for walls)
don't even use the goofey, useless, built in cubbies. this just sits on the floor and has done so for 3 yrs-so far-so good. usually find these little things at the 'Mart stores and the 'Dollar stores.
RE: Balky Slider
definatly agree with checking the batt. had a slide several TT's ago that kept getting slower and slower-batt was old, tired and ready to die.
This is a gear drive slider..........I guess that's what you would call it. Looks like a rack and pinion set-up under there. I cleaned all the gear teeth and sprayed it with an aerosol white grease, including the slide tubes.
bad news-if you used what i think you did, you'll more than likely have to remove it(is there grease build up?-if so it'll collect dust, and dirt)
if it's a lippert slide (sounds like it is) you may want to refer to this Lip Sheet and give that a shot. i also did the rear roller axels and did wonders for my slides
RE: Faulty Tank Sensors ??
i bought the black tank ones then figured out it will be more of a mod than i planned. can't get to the original sensors(right up against the frame) so i need to extend the scensor leads and measure/drill new holes on opposite side of tank. that will end up being the 1st project of the spring.
after all this time of using the 'visual down the hole' method, don't know weather i'd really use it all that much-but the DW does--knew i should have never taught her how to use the monitor system :)
