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RE: Tires for single axle trailer- 185/14 van tires?
Sorry for confusing info- The trailer started out with Duro ST185/80D13 bias ply load range D (1660 lbs @ 65 PSI). They lasted 4 years before one was starting to go and both had odd wear patterns. I replaced them 3 years ago(including spare) with Goodyear Marathon ST185/80R13 radial load range C (1480 lbs at 50 PSI). The Goodyears provide a much smoother ride across concrete expansion joints- with lower pressure and softer sidewalls.
I would like a somewhat compliant sidewall that's still tough enough to handle bad roads. My wheels are rusting a bit so I was sort of thinking of replacing them anyhow, so I thought of going to 14" size.
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JimQPublic2
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10/12/09 12:05pm |
Towing
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RE: Nickle and diming at Campgrounds
I have kids and sometimes pitch a tent... But we don't have AC, electric heat, or pets. I think it's fair to pay reasonable a la carte fees, but it can seem like they're nickle and diming us. If the fees are reasonably related to the increased cost to the park it makes sense.
Normally though the parks with all the little fees are also the ones with hundreds of "NO" signs and over-the-top rules. Not usually my favorite sort of place.
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JimQPublic2
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10/11/09 11:18am |
Class A Motorhomes
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Tires for single axle trailer- 185/14 van tires?
My trailer is single axle, GAWR of 2900. Springs are 1450 rated each, axle is 3500. Loaded weight is approx 2000-2200 on the pair of tires.
In 8 years and probably 12,000 miles I've had two tires go bad with torn belts or bulging lumps- First the 1660 pound rated Duro bias ply 185/80D13 and now a 1480 pound rated Goodyear Marathon Radial 185/80R13. Unfortunately Goodyear likes to make the smaller Marathon in China and I suspect their QC may lack.
I'm considering switching to 14" rims. For wheel well clearance without going spring-over-axle I'll need to keep the new tires close to the current 25" diameter.
A type that has caught my eye is the 185R14 size. It's the size that VW Vanagons use. Diameter is only about 25.7", and all models have stiff sidewalls and more weight capacity than I need. Speed ratings are much higher than ST tires which should also indicate that they will handle hot desert heat well. With my low profile, single axle trailer I don't see what advantage ST tires offer.
Options from TireRack:
-Continental Vanco 2: 1874 lbs @ 65 PSI; $69 each; Made in Brazil or South Africa; Speed rating Q= 100 mph.
-Yokohama 'Super Van' Y356, load range C: 1600 lbs @ 50 PSI; $69 each; Made in Japan.
-Yokohama Y356 load range D: 1850 lbs @ 65 PSI; $82 each; Made in Japan.
Kuhmo Radial 857 (Trailer Service): 1874 lbs @ 65 PSI; $88 each; Made in Korea; speed rating Q=100 mph.
I'm inclined to go with the Vanco 2's. It's a fairly new model introduced in 2007 so I would hope it uses any technological innovations and might be available for a while if I need a single replacement.
Of course that means 3 new rims and 3 new tires vs. just replacing 1 tire and no rims if I keep with the 13" Goodyears.
Thoughts, opinions, suggestions?
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JimQPublic2
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10/09/09 11:44pm |
Towing
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RE: Fulltiming & collecting unemployment
I don't think it matters whether you live in a house or RV, the critical thing is you are meant to be diligently searching for- and available for- employment. You should find out if you can go to other states to look for work while still drawing unemployment in your home state.
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JimQPublic2
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10/08/09 09:41am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: DIY Hydronic Heating System - discussion
I had considered a hydronic system in our trailer. It might make more sense for a van.
My thought was use the water heater, ElSid circulating pump, Heatercraft blower unit, possibly non-fan finned tube baseboard units.
With 130F water you won't get nearly the heat transfer that normal 170F hydronic systems put out.
Electrical use is not insignificant even with the ultra-efficient ElSid and Heatercraft you'll use 2 amps to probably pass about 4,000 BTU. If you have a DSI (electronic ignition) water heater be advised that my Atwood uses almost 1 amp whenever the burner is on to power the selenoid and electronics. In comparison my Suburban NT20SE furnace uses 3.5 amps to put out 16,000 BTU.
Consider the Dickinson Newport Propane Boat Heater for vented heat with no electricity needed. (The built-in 0.17 amp fan doesn't have to be used on lower settings). Spec Sheet Here
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JimQPublic2
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10/07/09 03:10pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: So-Cal pre-christmas dry camping ideas sought.
Seems like Jawbone is busy with offroad enthusiasts. Lodgepole only if there's snow. Desert (Death Valley, Joshua Tree, etc) only if wife doesn't come- she doesn't appreciate the eastern half of California. Maybe because I grew up there- my folks live in Independence!
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JimQPublic2
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10/06/09 08:43pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: 5 lb Propane bottles
Camping World, OSH Hardware, propane dealers.
They're expensive- $50 or $60. I'd suggest a 10 pound cylinder instead. Empty it's only about 2 pounds more. Being so small, the 5 pound models are hard to get very full. Mine usually only takes about 3 or 4 pounds.
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JimQPublic2
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10/06/09 05:58pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Emergency Tire Replacement- advice please
...Anyone want a couple of barely used 185r14 Continental tires....?
If it's worth it to ship them cross country please pop me a message (link in my profile).
I'm thinking of upgrading to that very size- a search for 185r14 brought me to this message thread.
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JimQPublic2
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10/05/09 10:56pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Choosing the right size travel trailer.
How about the Airstream Sport 22? It's longer, narrower, and lighter than the Bambi 19.
http://www.bambidealer.com/airstream-sale/8676.html
We camp three or four in an 11' inside dimension trailer. It would be nice to have at least one bed that doesn't have to be made and unmade each day.
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JimQPublic2
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10/05/09 10:45pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Converter-Battery wiring: direct wire neg or use frame?
I think the fuse holder is rated for 100. Now just to decide whether Progressive Dynamics or Xantrex; 40 or 60 amp.
For trips this winter I'll borrow a Honda EU2000i. In the future I might buy a generator and that might be a 1000. I was thinking the XADC 40 might be a good bet because of its claimed efficiency, and 6 amp max draw. OTOH the 60 could pump more amps in especially if I upgrade to AGM batteries.
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JimQPublic2
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10/01/09 10:41pm |
Tech Issues
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Converter-Battery wiring: direct wire neg or use frame?
Planning for winter camping I'm going to replace my 20 amp Centurion (which has a bad diode) probably with a 40-60 amp Progressive Dynamics or Xantrex XADC converter. This will let me run a 2000 watt inverter generator short periods to keep the batteries up. I have a pair of U2200 6 volt batteries.
The cable from current converter to batteries is about 16 feet. I replaced the original 10 AWG wire with 4 AWG. Terminals are nice soldered/crimped copper lugs. There's a 60 amp inline fuse which is a fancy car stereo model. I ran both positive and negative cables from batteries to the converter.
I'd like to put the new converter in the same location. Will the 16' cable run significantly reduce charging performance? Would I be better off using both #4 conductors for the positive side and using the trailer frame for the negative?
This desire for quick discharge is really only a couple times per year on longer winter trips. Normally the batteries being recharged at home or while driving is plenty for our camping style of weekends to no more than 5 nights in any one spot.
Thanks
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JimQPublic2
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10/01/09 09:52pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: So-Cal pre-christmas dry camping ideas sought.
Tiger-
Thanks for the Anza suggestion. I always think it's a long drive (only been twice), but mileage wise it's right about the same as Joshua Tree at ~130 miles.
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JimQPublic2
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10/01/09 09:34am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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So-Cal pre-christmas dry camping ideas sought.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas... Or maybe just some lonely camping. I have 5 days from when my kids get out of school until we fly to the in-laws. Kids are avid hikers aged 6 and 8.
Any suggestions for some back-to nature camping? Here are my requirements:
-No more than about 5 hours drive from Long Beach, CA.
-No traffic noise, street lights, or "civilization" within sight or sound.
-Accessible by paved or graded road.
-Nice hiking, rock scrambling, etc. for kids.
-No heavy ORV use- I'm looking for solitude.
Either boondocking or remote campgrounds are fine- feel free to limit your reply to general area if you don't want to give up a secret spot. Our trailer is fine well below freezing and we can carry enough water for the trip.
So far here's my short list:
-East Mojave- Hole in the Wall or other nearby CG's.
-Joshua Tree- Any of the higher CG's like Hidden Valley or Jumbo Rocks.
-Giant Sequoia National Monument/Southern Sierras- Campgrounds are closed- is there any dispersed camping?
-Death Valley- Wildrose?
-Eureka Valley near the dunes.
If there's a bunch of snow before then we'll probably go to Lodgepole in Sequoia for snow play and snowshoeing.
Thanks in advance for any replies/comments.
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JimQPublic2
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10/01/09 09:13am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Know of a smaller TT with a real Queen size bed?
Lance Campers' new trailer division has ...
1st I've heard of a TT that comes with 2 5 gallon propane tanks.
Eh? Lots of smaller trailers have the approximately 5 gallon / approximately 20 pound size. They have the advantage of being lighter, much cheaper, and swappable with grill tanks. If you want the 30 pound size just get a longer threaded rod for the hold down bracket.
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JimQPublic2
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09/30/09 09:13pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 330 or 38 to Big Bear Lake?
330 from Highland. More turnouts and passing lanes than 38. The section past the dam isn't bad and much better than going through the Big Bear City and Big Bear Lake megalopolis.
Traffic leaving at 3:30 pm won't be bad- you'll get there sooner than going home then the longer way up 38.
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JimQPublic2
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09/30/09 04:49pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Know of a smaller TT with a real Queen size bed?
Lance Campers' new trailer division has two that are about 22' long inside, 27' total:
Lance 2281- no slideout
Lance 2285- with slidout
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JimQPublic2
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09/30/09 03:23pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Outside Shower...Does it ever get used?
Wow. At first, I was curious about the topic so I started reading. I'm surprised at how many use it to wash dishes and the barbeque. ... Anything with soap residue or food products belongs in your gray tank.
...
Although I wash dishes using the outside shower, all waste water is disposed in accordance with the campground's rules.
In some cases that means the dishwater is flung out in the bushes beyond the campsite, because there is no dump station or flush toilet within 20 miles. Other times it goes to the campground sewer system. Other times it goes into my grey water tank.
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JimQPublic2
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09/30/09 02:58pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: yosemite national park
PS-
Although I generally scoff at generators...
Running a furnace will draw the batteries down. Between trees, cliffs, and low sun angle the sun basically never touches Upper Pines campground in winter so solar is out.
A small quiet generator and a good charger or converter is probably a good idea for Yosemite in winter.
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JimQPublic2
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09/30/09 11:01am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: yosemite national park
Upper Pines campground is open all year. If it snows they plow the sites. Normally just the first couple loops but for busy weekends they open more.
Yosemite Valley is fairly low elevation- 4000 feet, but since it's so shaded by the cliffs it is much cooler than is typical for that elevation. There is seldom much snow on the valley floor- especially before January.
Hwy 120 over Tioga Pass from the east closes with the first snow and doesn't usually reopen until Memorial Day weekend.
Highway 140 from the west follows the Merced River so it is most likely to be free of ice and snow. A landslide a couple years back resulted in two temporary one-lane bridges with a sharp turn. I believe the maximum vehicle length is 40 feet- I don't know if TV + Trailer can be longer than that.
Hwy 41 from the south and hwy 120 from the northwest each go over passes around ?? 7,000 feet so they're more likely to have snow or ice.
Waterfalls are mostly dry right now. Rain or snow followed by warming weather between now and Thanksgiving may perk them back up. In any case the valley is beautiful any time of year. With far fewer people there in the off season it is a real treat.
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JimQPublic2
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09/30/09 10:58am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: I am truly embarrassed to ask this question
Now for my serious reply- When I was single full timing in an RV I removed a table and chair to make room for my bicycle inside- so I do understand.
Is there enough headroom for your stairmaster? Take the highest step position, add your height, plus a bit more. I can't imagine there being enough space with a typical RV ceiling height.
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JimQPublic2
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09/29/09 02:47pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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