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Forum
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RE: anyone stay at Otter Lake near Munsing, Michigan

We stayed at Wandering Wheels about 4 years ago and we were very pleased. Lots of large shade trees and plenty of room between sites. I consider Wandering Wheels a campground instead of a RV park. No negative comment intended; just my opinion.
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BigT
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06/12/13 08:51pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: How do you hook up your 5th by yourself?

My truck has a sliding back window (that I never open) and the vertical bars in the window make a great gun sight. I use the outside mirrors to start lining up and when I get close I use the vertical bars and center the pin box. I usually get out to check the height once and then back into it and listen for the magic "Clunk" sound on the superglide. I have the BigFoot levelers that have the memory height function with the remote key fob, and I just have not gotten used to using them. Note to self: learn how and get used to the automatic easy way!
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BigT
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05/27/13 04:44pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Walmart overnighting with a 5th wheel

I've never found a Walmart (that allowed overnight parking) where I couldn't put all three slides out.
X2
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BigT
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05/26/13 09:39pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: What are most common greenhorn mistakes?

The most important rule for me is: If someone comes over and wants to talk or wants to "help" I just stop what I am doing and wait until they leave. Trying to talk to someone while I am hooking up or unhooking is a receipe for disaster. Everyone has their routine, and you will develop yours in time, and when some well meaning person comes by to be friendly we can all get distracted. The second most important rule for me is to stop and listen when DW says "Why is this ..........." It's best to pay attention when you hear those words, even if you're thinking you know better. Trust me!
When you are a newbie, just take you time and double check everthing and then check again. You will do fine!
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BigT
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05/25/13 06:32pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How best to get to Durango Colorado

Durango is a wonderful place but if mountain passes bother you it would be tough to get there coming from Kansas. Hiway 160 is the main east-west hiway in southern Colorado and it has 2 signifcant passes. Make that 1 significant pass and 1 bugger bear of a pass. LaVeta pass just west of Walsenburg is a high pass that is really not too bad, but Wolf Creek pass between South Fork and Pagosa Springs is plenty tough towing especially coming from the west. People tow over Wolf Creek all the time, but you sure better be on your game and pay attention. I my opinion the worst mountain passes approaching Durango is coming from the north via Ouray and Silverton. I have been towing for many years and grew up around a farm, and I would NOT want to tow from Ouray to Durango if there was any other option. The roads from the east and from the north are both real brake burners to say the least.
About the only alternative if you really want to avoid the high passes coming from Kansas would be to come from Santa Fe or Albuquerque and approach Durango from the south through Bloomfield. JMHO
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BigT
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05/20/13 12:26pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: 2002 F350 Lariat with 7.3L Diesel

As the others have said the 7.3 is strong but it doesn't have near the ponies of the newer diesels. It is also loud and smokes pretty badly. That's the bad news; the good news is that they are about has bullet proof as they come. I have a friend who got one really really hot when the water pump went out crossing LaVeta pass in Colorado last summer. He got that engine so hot I would not have given a plug nickel for the engine. I helped him get it to an excellent diesel shop and they replaced the water pump and decided they had better plane the heads to be sure. They checked the valves and they held vacuum so well that they went no further. The guy said there was almost no wear so they put it back together and it runs like a top. By the way the truck has 255,000 miles on it! I would say thats pretty bullet proof. My friend has turned down many offers of people wanting to buy it. If it has been maintained and it will handle the trailer ok from a power standpoint I would go for it. JMHO
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BigT
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05/19/13 08:46pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Inside Stairs

It would not take a good carpenter very long to take out those stairs and rebuild them to your specs. If you like your trailer that would be something to consider. It's just not that hard to rebuild a short staircase.
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BigT
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05/04/13 09:53pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Conversion of old tv to new HD system...

You might not want to tackle the work or the expense, but our last rig had a 87 lb. old style tube type TV. When HD TV came in I pulled out the old TV and gave it to my church for their children's department and replaced it with a much better HD ready 22 lb. flatscreen with a much better picture. One of the best things I did with that trailer.
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BigT
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04/21/13 03:04pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: St. Louis Mo camp ground

The only place we have stayed in St. Louis was at the Casino Queen RV Park that is part of the Casino just across the river from the Arch. We were just passing thru and were there for only one night. As I recall they advertise transportation across the river into the city, but I can't verify that because weren't there long enough to check it out. The park itself is on the casino property and it is very clean and secure. Of course they want you into the casino and we did go there, but only to enjoy a good meal! One word of caution; it's not in a very good part of town, and being unfamiliar with the area and the fact that it was after dark it was tough for us to figure out the right exit to actually get on the property, but once we go there it was a good deal and secure and very nice. JMHO
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BigT
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04/21/13 02:56pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Sunnybrook Raven

I think you will be alright, but you probably won't sit level. You might want to consider another leaf in the overload spring pack. That way it won't affect the ride because the overloads don't hit the frame mounted bumper until you have a substantial load. I had an '06 F-250 towing just a slightly larger 5er and had absolutely no issues in 7 years and 40,000 miles of townig. JMHO
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BigT
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03/20/13 05:37pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Can I put my super glide in a long bed?

I went from a 2006 F-250 to a 2011 F-350 and I have a 16K Pullrite super glide with super rail mounts. I ran into the same story (you need to buy a new set of rail frame mounts) from Pullrite, and you are right; the DEF tank brackets are the problem. I can understand Pullrites position, because the old mounts won't bolt right on, and they rightly so don't want the liability issues of telling someone to modify their product. However if you do like the earlier post said and just hold up the old frame mounts up and look, you can see that with a very minor modification they will fit. Your choice: Modify the old frame mounts, or fork over the dough for new ones. JMHO
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BigT
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02/24/13 01:59pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Propane detector

NEVER assume the propane detector is faulty. That is a recipe for a disaster. That pesky alarm is going off for a reason and that reason is to protect the occupants. The very first thing to do is do not turn anything on that create a spark, then open the windows and door and get out of the RV and then turn off the propane and after it has aired out then start the elimination process. If the alarm is still beeping after considerable ventalation, then you know it's faulty. Above all be safe.
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BigT
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02/18/13 07:35am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Pullrite super 5th wheel hitch

I have never had any other hitch than a Pullrite so I can't objectively comment on other brands, but I will say that I wouldn't be without a slider and I have the same truck and bed size that you do. The advertising you see about rounded nose fifth wheels makes me nervous. If all you ever do is drive on flat ground under idea conditions, you might not need that expensive slider, but in the real world on uneven terrain and sloping driveways and hard to get in to campsites I would be concerned. I really like my Pullrite, but, as I said I haven't owned any other brand. IMHO get a good brand brand of AUTOMATIC slider and have one less thing to think about while towing. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
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BigT
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02/16/13 09:48am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 2007 Ford F350

You are going to get the normal "run don't walk" comments. BUT.
I had an '04 F350 and an '07 F350, both Lariat CC FX4 6.0. EGR valve bad on the '04 at 35,000 replaced under warranty. '07 had a cam sensor go bad at about 53,000 repaired under warranty. Nothing other than those two things. Towed the 5er great.
If it had a clean oasis report and well maintained with regular maintenance and a good price, it might well be worth a look.I think you are one of the lucky ones, I just hate to see someone pay thousands for a truck with more documented problems than any truck before or since.I am not a person just saying that I know someone that had problems I am the one that had problems and maint was performed by ford before time and they were just not good engines.
I had an '06 6.0 litre and it had a problem with the high pressure oil pump that was covered by warranty. It ran fine for several years after that without any issues. It is true that the the early ones were NOT good, but the later ones were OK. That being said, why take a chance?
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BigT
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01/10/13 09:23am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th wheel auto leveling

What are people's thoughts on running the Bigfoot 4pt system on a large 42'/19k GVWR 5'er?
I would prefer the bigfoot system but don't want to run into frame damage issues.
I belive a call to the manufactuerer would be in order. They probably know their unit better than anyone else does. By the way our 36.5' HH has the bigfoot on it and it works really well.
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BigT
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01/08/13 02:28pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Time to head South...

Yep, we're leaving tomorrow for Rockport, TX. Safe Travels!
Don't do it!!!!! It is freezing here!!! Tornadoes every where!!!! We're full plumb up!!! No place at the inn!!!!
Okay... Just kidding! Come on down, Safe travels!!!
You may be kidding, but in reality it is unseasonably cold. Been in Rockport a week and it is jacket and umbrella weather most every day. We are ready for warmer weather!
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BigT
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01/02/13 08:29am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: new fiver

Thanks for the congratulations and back at all of you that recently purchased a new rig.
On another note I was disapponted that a manufacturer like Winnebago would sit their beautiful rigs on China made tires. It seems stupid that in an effort to save a couple of hundred bucks they would jeopardize their reputation on china tires. FYI I had Maxxis tires on my last rig and they were great.
Those tire decisions must be made strictly by the pencil pushers. No real world RV users would do that. Their argument is always about cost, when any clear thinking person would gladly pay a few bucks more for quality, especially when their are safety issues involved.
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BigT
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12/25/12 01:27pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: new fiver

Anytime you get a new rig there are always surprises; some large and some small. Wheter it is a sticks and bricks house or an RV It takes a little while to "make it your own".
What a wonderful way to start the new year. Hope you get all the bugs out and enjoy traveling while you can. Congratulations!
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BigT
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12/25/12 08:41am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Tailgater Questions

I can't help you on the power cumsumption question, but I can answer the question about how long it takes to power up. The first time you turn it on it may very well take the 15 minutes or more because you have to download the programming information and set up your account. Once all that is set up it only takes about 5 minutes to power up after a move. We have had ours about six months and so far we are well pleased.
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BigT
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12/19/12 03:48pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: 6 point leveling question?

I don't know who makes the decision but it might be interesting to contact the folks who make the leveling system and ask them what they consider to be the minimum height for their rear levelers .... we have the 4 pt Bigfoot system where the rear levelers are right behind the camper's rear tires .... when first installed I had the same concern about them being so low but have never had a problem
Jim
I have the Lippert 6 point system where the rear levelers are also right behind the camper's rear tires. Have never had a problem with the levelers dragging.
I think that would be basic geometry. My Bigfoot rear jacks are also right behind the rear axle and even though they look pretty low it would be extremely diffucult (if not impossible) for them to drag unless there was a very sharp dropoff, like dropping off a tall curb or backing into something, but the further back they are mounted the more likley there are to drag.
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BigT
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12/07/12 08:42am |
Fifth-Wheels
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