RE: Mouse Urine smell
How long can hantavirus remain infectious in the environment?
The length of time hantaviruses can remain infectious in the environment is variable and depends on environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, whether the virus is indoors or outdoors or exposed to the sun, and even on the rodent’s diet (which would affect the chemistry of its urine). Viability for 2 or 3 days has been shown at normal room temperature. Exposure to sunlight will decrease the time of viability, and freezing temperatures will actually increase the time that the virus remains viable. Since the survival of infectious virus is measured in terms of hours or days, only active infestations of infected rodents result in conditions that are likely to lead to human hantavirus infection.
RE: Crowded Page
Posted: 11/04/09 12:12pm Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator
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The below is a message I'm posting on behalf of Mike Schneider, CEO, Affinity
To all Open Roads Forum members:
I’d like to take a moment and express my deep appreciation for your participation on these forums. As an avid reader of these pages, I am constantly inspired by the depth and breadth of knowledge so many of you express here, and by the generous ways in which you share your insights. The commitment you show to the RV community encourages me, my staff, and our many fine moderators, to continue to invest time and effort towards making sure these forums are superior.
As you know, the RV marketplace has been faced with multiple challenges during the past year, some of which are ongoing. I want to clearly state that Affinity is committed as ever to responding to and overcoming these challenges. By listening, learning, focusing, and putting our members’ needs first, we know that we can continue to serve the RV community in the manner in which it deserves.
Affinity has proudly served the RV community for many, many years with the utmost in integrity and quality. Some of our products, in fact, have been around for decades, such as the Good Sam Club at 40+ years, Trailer Life at 60+ years and our granddaddy, Woodall’s, about to celebrate its 75th anniversary. During that time we’ve learned that we must constantly keep up with the changing marketplace and listen to you as we keep our offerings relevant and current.
As we strive to improve and innovate in the upcoming months you may have noticed and will continue to find some minor changes or additions to some of the portals of the forum. Please know that these upcoming changes are intended to both maximize the quality of content on the forums while balancing our need to cover our costs of operation. We endeavor to continue to provide you free access to these forums, and we are able to do so thanks to your patronage of the RV.net family of products and services such as Good Sam Club, Trailer Life Directory, Trailer Life Magazine, MotorHome Magazine, Camp Club USA, and Woodall's to name just a few.
Again, I personally thank you for your patronage of these fine brands. I am proud we are able to provide you with such forums to express your wisdom, wit, and passion for all things RV, and I anticipate a bright future for RVing.
Mike Schneider,
CEO, Affinity
RE: Crossing the country!
Did anyone else notice the guy who didn't want his pic taken at the vendors booths? Think he might have been an elegal or wanted by the law?
Keep up the good reports PJ.
If you look a little farther you'll see quite a few more vendors shading their eyes from the sun
RE: 2004 Bigfoot 1500C9.5FS - need information
7-Way Molded Trailer Cable
Description
This high quality 8' long trailer-end cordset features a 7-blade plastic trailer connector molded to a heavy duty 7-way cable.
It is made with self-cleaning contacts and molded to encapsulate terminals and wires to form one weather-tight, non-corrosive assembly. This is far superior to the type with a separate connector clamped to the cable.
Other brands use undersized 18 gauge wires on most or all of the lines. This Bargman model uses heavy gauge 10, 12 and 14 gauge wire.
The primary wire gauges within the insulated cable are:
Black (battery charge) and White (common ground) are 10 gauge
Blue (electric brake) is 12 gauge
Brown (right stop/turn), Red (left stop/turn), Green (tail/license) and Yellow (center aux.) are all 14 gauge
The molded connector can be connected to either plastic or metal 7-way car end connectors.
7-Pin Trailer Connector
your going to need a cable 9' to 10' long with a trailer plug on each end .
If possible do it like oklamtnbkr suggests you will end up with a much better (shorter) connection for the battery charging circuit
bargman 7 pin LINK
RE: aluminum siding problem
Quote:
"for some goofy reason the siding buldged out and came loose on both sides of the camper"
If it was my camper I'd be looking for the- cause- of the two sides buldging at the same time!!
RE: 3 days in Death Valley, what to see?
Forgot to mention that Keane Wonder Mine has been closed for a year or so now. Too bad, it was a great hike and amazing to see. Apparently they found some nasty chemicals in the area.
I agree that it's a nice hike and a great view, but recommending a place that has "nasty chemicals" there?? :? :B
Wow!!! I hope you guys don't ever look at the chemicals stored under your bathroom sink:h
RE: Looking under the vinyl trim on a Bigfoot
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/suds54/rv%20posted/nlCF0117.jpg
This is a pix /edge on/ of the wall ,joint seam of a NorthernLite. The Bigfoot is very similar.
Picture is from the Natco- factory tour
RE: Rollover
54 suds
I am very glad to hear that you are OK and walked away with out to much damage to you. Stuff can be replaced. It also takes a a big man to admit that the accident could have been his fault through inexperience, In this day where everyone wants to point fingers at someone else I applaud your sense of responsibility for your actions.
get back on the horse get your new toys or what ever and go back out and hit er again not really hit er but you know what i mean take it slow find your envelope with your rig.
good luck
chris
Thanks for the concern & thoughts but the post was a copy of Georgew6 "s posts. originally posted here on 12/22/03 . I went back and edited the posts first sentence to try to make the the fact it was his story not mine clearer ,sorry for the confusion.
RE: Rollover
EDITED
This is a copy of the Georgew6 's story from 12/22/03 posted here on Rv.net
Horrible Disaster on the Blue Ridge Pkwy ends my RV experience
Any of you who read my previous posts know that I was having a hard time getting out in my truck camper for more than a few days. Finally, on Sunday, October 5, I left home for what I expected to be a nice three week, leisurely trip to Florida and return. The only sure spot on my agenda was Disney World where I had always admired their RV resort. For $350 I was able to book a space for 3 days and have all park admissions for the full three days. I first I went to the Chesepeake Bay area during 70 degree weather and enjoyed some RV camping, but as I forgot some of my more important belongings, I returned home for one night to pick them up. Then it was off again the next morning with plans to stop in a Virginia State Campground in Clifton Forge, VA. and then to go on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville, NC. After one more stop, I started out on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 1 PM going right onto the Parkway. The day was as beautiful as you could want it and I was enjoying the scenery. In about two hours I crossed into North Carolina, giving a whoop of joy at my success of having at least gotten out of Virginia after a week of traveling. Within minutes my own shock and awe campaign was upon me. As best as I remember, I was going around a right bearing curve on the narrow parkway when my right tire(s) went onto the grass shoulder that apparently was mostly mud. After getting back on the road the truck/camper started to violently skid from side to side down the road and my best efforts would not bring it under control. I may have hit the brakes, unwittingly, because I could not see if anyone was coming or not. The view out the windshield was simply a blur. Finally, I felt the truck make at least a 360 turn around and then it fell over on the left, driver's side. I was told that it continued down the highway on its side another 300 feet. Fortunately, no other car was coming from the other direction as I blocked two thirds of the two lane road. I was scrunched down in a corner, but found my cell phone and called into 911. All that I could tell them when the dispatcher asked for my location was that I was on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the last close place I know I saw was the North Carolina Border sign and I was going South. Then we were cut off. Eventually a motorist came along and found me. With great effort I was able to untangle myself and found that I was actually standing on the road since the window was smashed out on the driver's side. I climbed up and out the passenger window using the dashboard and seat for foot holds. On top of the truck I waited for professional help to come and get me down out of there as it as still a long drop. Finally, a volunteer fire department came and put a ladder up and I got to solid ground and they had me sit on the side of the road. An ambulance showed up and I was taken to Sparta NC where there is the Allegany Memorial Hospital and ER. After some x-rays and examinations they discharged me with pain killers. My injuries seem to be to my neck, shoulders, collar bone and tail bone, with other assorted bruises and a very unhappy disposition. The next days were spent in the small, out-of-the-way town of Sparta, NC,trying to deal with the insurance company and getting a rental car. Both were at least 100 miles away. I at least found a taxi to take me to Greensboro, NC for $100 to get the Budget Rental Car I reserved. The truck will take at least a month to repair and the camper is a total loss even though it costs $30K a few months ago. The camper's inside and outside was torn up very badly and probably took the brunt of the crash. I took all my personal belongings that were ok and would fit in the rental car, packed them in and went home three days after the accident. One thing I know now is that the camper was really too big for me to handle well. While I am a good driver, I have almost always had small to medium sized cars, never a truck. Certainly never a truck with a huge camper on the back that was so big it overhung the truck bed on the sides and back and still had a roof about 15 from the ground. Perhaps, unknowingly, that unease was the reason I never took it out very far away. My intention was to drive around the country, off and on, during the next two years, in the truck/camper as I wanted to visit outside the Interstate Highways, into parks and forests, and to small towns. The longest trip was to be the one to Alaska and back that so many RVers dream about. Not now, folks. While I am the only crash victim in a truck/camper that I know, it would take a lot to get me back into any type of RV. I will be researching good, solid, super handling cars to replace the truck when it is fixed up. That is a 2003 Silverado that I should be able to trade in despite its crash history. Questions or comments are welcome. I hope this does not scare off other newcomers, only give you a heads up to drive carefully. Extra carefully! Bye for now, George.
RE: Horrible Disaster on the Blue Ridge Pkwy ends my RV experience
Hello Everyone, Thank you all for your sympathy and comments. Reading your emails does help me think about this accident. Exactly where and what I will do in the future will take a little time to figure out. Maybe my experience will alert others to take the turns really slow. In answer to some, the truck is a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado HD with a four door cab and short bed. The camper is a 2003 Lance 821 that was designed to fit on a short bed truck, according to their literature. The dealer, I still believe, is reputable and did feel that the truck and camper were a good match. I had airbags installed under the truck and all the torsion bars suggested to hold truck and camper together safely. I really don't think they were deliberately trying to mislead me, as I bought the truck and camper simultaneously so I could check to make sure they matched. At one point I had a Silverado 3500 duelly under contract to buy, but the Lance salesman said it wasn't required for the Lance 821 although they require the larger truck for their even larger campers. Despite having done the research on RVs including on weights, I really had to rely on the dealerships and their sales people to set me straight on the type of truck and the camper. Yes, I did have insurance and the truck damage of $8000 is being taken care of by GEICO as I write. The Lance was also covered by GEICO, but they use a policy that is for trailers. I hope that does not make any difference. The adjuster had to call for help from another source to deal with the camper as he did not have the expertise, but had still determined it to be a total loss. I would guess the only way to fix it would have been to ship it to Californian for the factory to repair. Right now I am wonder if my digital hearing aids that were in the camper and lost are going to be covered. I had accident insurance on my DELL laptop computer and DELL was supposed to repair that, but managed to return it to me with a scratch in the cover, nonetheless. Whether I, the truck or camper or whatever was responsible for the accident, I really don't know. On a trip to New Orleans from Northern Virginia I drove a car with my wife and young daughter all the way down the parkway for days and the only trouble was a very bored little girl as we looked at what to her were just a lot of tres. I felt that in the truck camper I was driving ok and there was little traffic on the road. If there seemed to be a few cars trailing me I simply pulled onto a lookout and let them go their way. Sometimes they just followed me in though. No deer visible and not even many motorcycles. (Actually I felt the motorcycles were in more danger than me) After writing my account and telling it a few times I realize that many of the details were picked up from others, ie: the fire fighters and the tow truck driver. The fire fighters and tow truck guy said they saw tire marks where I went on to and came back off the shoulder that was muddy from heavy rains a couple days before. Only the tow truck driver told me about the skid marks and perhaps he meant that the total of tire and camper skidding was 300 feet, not an additional 300 for the camper and truck on its side. I might ask him when I see him again. I only remember the skidding, the 270 or more spinning and the feel of the whole rig falling over to the left side. I don't recall that it went any further. The day and road were clear. Thank God there was nobody coming from the opposite direction as that is the one think I did think about during this short time. The propane never entered my head until I was in the ambulance and told them to warn the fire fighters that there was propane. From my recollection, I sure did some heavy skidding and reacted properly with trying to correct the skid. This was a downhill stretch and I think that the ABS brakes should have worked except that they probably were no match for the added weight of the camper body. There certainly was little reaction to my trying to steer into the skid. I guess I was like those 18 wheelers we have all seen rolled over on Interstates. There were a couple of RVs on the Parkway that I recall and there are campgrounds for RVs on the Parkway so I doubt if the National Park Service feels they should not use the Parkway. Cars drive slow too, so I would say that for short trips the Parkway is ok in an RV, although it surely is narrow and winding so it is probably not much fun in a really big RV or towing anything very big. I did do lots of research (and have a library of RV books to show for it) before buying this rig and still did not come out with exactly what I wanted. Interestingly enough I looked at all types and was considering the RoadTrek and looking carefully at both campers and this van type. I believe that I gave up on the RoadTrek after trying it out and finding that I had to stoop over inside as I am 6'0". I looked at others too, but do not recall their brands. Anyone who thinks it was my fault will be glad to know that the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, Blue Ridge Pkwy mailed me a ticket for "failure to maintain control of vehicle." The Ranger was nowhere to be seen at the accident site and had me fill out a statement hours and miles later in the Hospital ER in which I pretty much repeated what people had told me as to what happened and what I knew. Probably should have just put down that I had an accident that ruined my day. I have to mail them $150 collateral or say I am not guilty and then be told to appear in court some unknow day in the future or face arrest. I guess they get the $150 and hope they stop there as I don't really want to go to NC to see a Federal judge or magistrate as they said I could. Just hope to put this all behind me asap. Well again thanks for the feedback and help. You all helped me and I hope that I did not stop anyone from getting into an RV. Unlikely, I suspect, as so many of us are determined that it is the way to go. Bye now, George
RE: Horrible Disaster on the Blue Ridge Pkwy ends my RV experience
Hi Again Everyone, My daughter and I had to make a trip to Graham, NC, this time, so I could look at the camper in a insurance salvage yard. I wanted to see if a box with my digital hearing aids were in there. Sure enough, opened the door and my daughter spoted them right away where I carefully placed the box when I was cleaning out the camper. That saved me about $4400 as they are terribly expensive although very efficient. The insurance salvage yard will auction off the remains if anyone wants to get some. WWW.iaai-bid.com and email auctionadmin@iaai.com for bidding forms. Unfortunately, the original recovery and then the moving from tow company yard to the insurance salvage yard took more of a toll on the camper than the accident. Originally, I thought someone good with fibreglass repair and other tools could put the camper back together. Now I am not too sure. There are some nice parts to canalbalize, however. Refrigerator, generator, stove, microwave, two tank propane with meter setup, solar panels, ac/heater, water heater, and lots of other stuff. I suppose someone could even make a nice little cabin out of it with some duct tape. For me, I am evaluating the situation. My neck still hurts and I will not see the truck until next week. The body shop owner says it looks like new. GEICO has been pretty good with the payoff. All but $200 on the truck and all but 10% on the camper (depreciation before the accident they said). Incidently I read an interesting article on the Internet by a fellow who wanted a completly equipped camper to use on his F-350 duelly for use in Baja California and off road besides. His opinion was that he was afraid everytime he saw a camper coming towards him because he always felt they looked so ungainly and ready to roll over. He finally had a camper custom made with most of what I had, but it weighed in at 1500 pounds and was a popup so the center of gravity was lower still. That is half the weight of the Lance 821 and about $4-5,000 less expensive. Yes, I am feeling that the camper was not made for the truck and that Lance was stretching it to say that it was. Too bad, but too late that I did have the opportunatity to buy the regular size HD Silverado 3500 diesel duelly that I liked with its leather seats, GPS, and DVD for the rear passengers. Not much more at all, as one email said. As to speed, if I was going way under the speed limit there would have been little likelihood of going on the shoulder. If I did anyway, I would have had more than a single choice of getting out of that, even if one was to just slowly roll along to a stop and then use four wheel drive to get carefully back on the hardtop. Trouble is if you ease around every turn on the Blue Ridge Parkway it is going to be a very long ride. One more ride down to North Caroline in a rental car then back in the pickup. I will probably continue to stick to Interstates with the PU for now. Yes, I still would like to see more of small town America, go into National Parks and Forests and be able to go to the South in January/February. I will look around again as I think I can now throw out one type of RV for me, narrowing the field some. Bye for now. Thanks again for advice and condolances. Bye, George
RE: Packing peanuts as insulation in the nooks and crannys?
I wouldn't put expanding foam in anywhere without alot of thought. You can make a really problem for yourself. Also, most foam absorbs water. That's a problem with boats and I imagine it is as well for TCs over time. Moisture with heat might equal mold reservoir.
no moisture problems using this foam .............link
:E COST
RE: Possible overstressing tiedowns on 1997 Bigfoot 1500 Series
From the Tl site
FAQ - TieDowns
Question: The chain/turnbuckle that connects from my anchor point to my tie-down is passing right across my fuel door and now I can't open it. Is there anything that I can do to correct this?
Answer: There are two ways that you can try to help clear your fuel door. The first option is to use the FastGun Lever Action, Springloaded Turnbuckle. When using the FastGun, simply lift the lever to disconnect the fast gun that is blocking your fuel door, fuel up your truck and reconnect the fast gun to your tie down and camper anchor point. The second option is the welded on triangular bullet plate, you will notice that there are two holes on the triangular plate - one at the pointed end of the plate and one above the insert arm on the tiedown. Simply move your chain/turnbuckle from the hole at the pointed end of the triangular plate to the hole located above the insert arm.
Question: Can I install TorkLift products myself?
Answer: All of TorkLift's tie downs, SuperHitches, and extensions come with complete and detailed instruction booklets. Inside, along with step-by-step written instructions to guide you, you will find pictures from actual installations showing you exactly what needs to be done in order for you to enjoy your TorkLift product quickly, safely and efficiently.
Question: What does a Springload do?
Answer: Our Springload system will act as a shock absorber for your camper and help reduce stress to your camper's anchor points. By raising the eye bolt the recommended 1/4", enough tension will be put on the spring located inside the springload unit to provide adequate support for your camper, no matter what type of terrain that you encounter.
Question: Is Springloading my system really necessary? Can I use only two of them?
Answer: While our Springload units are not a necessity with our frame-mounted tie down system, we do recommend that you use our our Springloads on all four corners to assist in preserving the anchor points on your camper. If you don't springload all 4 tiedowns, it will void our exclusive camper anchor warranty for our products.
Question: I am buying a new truck and already have TorkLift tie-downs/SuperHitch on my old truck. Will the tie-downs/SuperHitch work on my new truck, as well?
Answer: All of TorkLift's tie-downs and SuperHitches are made make and model specific in order to try to utilize holes that are already in the frame from the factory and the specific frame style of your truck. While there is a possibility that your older tie-downs/SuperHitch may work, it is more likely that they will not. Check the application guide or have your local dealer contact TorkLift for the correct application information for your vehicle.
Problem:My camper tiedown anchor eyes on my camper are pulling out.
Answer: Spring loads- you need spring loaded tie downs in order to prevent camper damage at the attachment points. It relieves stress between the truck and camper and has just enough give to prevent damage.
Problem: Your Brand-X tie downs are damaging your bed/bumper.
Answer: Torklift True Frame mounted camper tiedowns-they provide camper stability, maintain truck bed integrity, and are available with or without spring loads. Receivers are mounted to the vehicle, inserts removable, and are practically hidden when inserts are removed
RE: Possible overstressing tiedowns on 1997 Bigfoot 1500 Series
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/suds54/8172007-032-1.jpg
the white rectangle ( aprox 6"x4") in the lower left of the pix is the inside rear plate of the tie down brackets on a Bigfoot 25c10.5 this plate sits on top of the lauan plywood , under ,that is usually insulating foam ,then the fiber glass skin . There was a post several years ago on fixing this .
RE: Photo Thread - Post a Photo of Your Truck Camper Here
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/suds54/rv%20posted/IMG_0165.jpg
Lake George,N.Y. 10/19/09
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/suds54/rv%20posted/IMG_0191.jpg
RE: Columbia River byBigfoot.
they are" wood framed"/ multi flat panel & fiber glass sections / epdm type rubber roof, three thousand series style assembly/ and were made in the usa for one and maybe two years . Also the insulation and wall thickness is way less than the three thousand series
sales link
