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RE: Do Hosts Do This?
Last time we were in CGs the host let us know when storms were coming and even when the temps were dropping below freezing.
Since the TT was new it had temp tags on it. The host and even some other campers had lots of wisdom to pass on to the newbys. It was all appreciated even though we have a weather radio and have been camping for 25 years. Storms can come up freak like (even after you go to sleep) and you never know when you just might learn something.
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JiminDenver
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06/13/13 11:45pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: In the Hospital::::::
Too funny!!
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JiminDenver
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06/13/13 08:25am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Problems with bears and cougars....
We seen or tracked bear, cougar and bobcat within a quarter mile of camp but have never had a issue. The coyotes will come to the edge of the clearing at night because they can smell the dogs. Close enough that if you shine a light their way they will stop yipping.
A few years back they did have to close a campground around Aspen because of a bear attack on a tent.
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JiminDenver
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06/13/13 08:23am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Fear of Driving to the Mountains
We camp in the Rockies and do a lot of steep climbs and descents every trip.
First thing is it isn't a race. If you feel like the cars are piling up behind you find a safe place to pull over and let them by. Never let them push into going faster.
Second The warning sign with a speed listed before each curve, you want to be doing that speed or slower BEFORE you enter the curve.
Third is I hardly touch the brakes. As I crest a hill I let off the gas and let the rig slow itself so I can downshift and let the tranny take us down. I never get going faster than the next warning sign because I'll just have to slow it down again.
Once you get use to your rig you will know at what speed a gear will hold you to in a descent. For us second will hold us to 45 mph on the steepest descent. It gets used a lot because the warning signs on the curves are often 45.
Last thing is if you or the rig is being pushed too much, don't force it, take a break. There are many rest areas, scenic over looks and places to spend your money along the way. Resting every so often will make it a much better trip. After you have done it once or twice you will find it is no big deal.
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JiminDenver
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06/13/13 08:05am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Glad I have an RV - Major Fire in Black Forest, CO
Stay safe Jeff, I'm glad to hear you are prepared. I hope it doesn't get as bad as last year.
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JiminDenver
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06/11/13 10:31pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: generator just to charge batteries
Consider this.
You are sitting under your awning when your neighbor puts his lawn mower on the edge of your site. He then proceeds to start it and run it at full blast. He leaves it there and gets in his trailer all happy because he can't hear it with his AC and TV running. You on the other hand get to listen to it, retreat inside or leave until quiet time.
We use a Champion 3500/4000 while we boondock. Nice dependable machine but boy is it loud. You have to go a long ways to have the noise level drop to the point you can hear the birds and the wind. I have been able to tell a open frame was running from a half mile late at night. The noise just carrys.
For battery charging only I agree that solar may help you. Even something you could put together for maybe $300 could keep your battery charged up. You don't have to mount them, we have our panel portable so the trailer can be in the shade and the panel in the sun. warning, it is addictive. You may have the urge to get more and more solar even after your needs are met. ;)
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JiminDenver
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06/11/13 10:16pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: ???? For open frame Generator users.
We use a Champion 3500/4000 at the end of the trailers power cord and can hear it some if the AC or TV isn't on. Not at all if one of those are running. The Champion is a bit quieter than a contractor generator. 67 db vs 74 db.
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JiminDenver
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06/11/13 07:52pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Any Advice On This?
As with anything in life, having a pet has trade offs. They are not a toy that you can put on a shelf when you don't feel like playing with them.
You will loose some freedom, you will incur expenses, (wait till you see the vet bills), you will have to put effort into training, exercising, grooming and cleaning up after them. You will have to modify your behavior and choices around them. Finally there will come the day all pet owners dread and your heart WILL be broken.
All you get out of all of that is this tiny fuzzy ball of fur with the biggest brown eyes you will ever see. When you come home the wiggle will start in it's tail and grow until the whole body is shaking with excitement and the affection just explodes out of it. You are home and all is right with the world again.
When you are ill, they will know it and you will see the worry in their eyes. When there is a threat big or small, they will stand their ground and protect their master and their home. When they learn a trick, the joy in your face will be more reward than any treat you may give them.
Our schnauzers bark at everything and because of it we avoid campgrounds. The upside is we boondock in the most spectacular places and never have to put up with others dogs, generators, kids, music, parties etc.
Because of them we have a much larger rig than we wanted originally. Now that we have it we appreciate the extra space.
We never leave the trailer without them, it would kill me if something happened while we were gone. Then again our sight seeing is driving the 4x4 trails and they love that too.
Our dogs give us a reason to come home, not because the need to go potty but because our companions are waiting for us. (they also make a excellent excuse to get going when the in laws are boring ;)) They fill what was a empty dark house with life, affection and purpose. They are our babies after all. We don't look at things like walking, grooming, caring for as things we have to do but rather things we get to do because we have pets. We just lost one to illness and what I wouldn't do to get to walk her or groom her or love her up just one more time.
BTW we said no more after we had to put the last two down 12 years ago. 6 months later we were driving half way across the state looking for just the right pups. In the 11 years since we haven't given up more to have them than they give us everyday. I'm sure there will be more after these to fill the holes they will leave in our hearts when they are gone.
Only you will be able to decide if what you will get out of having a pet will be worth the effort and expense.
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JiminDenver
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06/11/13 09:41am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Tip for the day...always carry some fresh water...
We learned our lesson on the first trip with our first trailer 20 years ago. We thought they have water there, we will be fine. Unfortunately the pumps were red tagged and the only water had to be boiled. We boiled and filtered it but our dog wouldn't touch it and we thought we were going home until a kindly lady gave us a gal of water for the dog.
Now we take water if we are boondocking or going to a campground. We like the houses water and never worry about shortages.
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JiminDenver
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06/10/13 09:18pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
Someone mentioned the advantages of MPPT were in the morning before the heat came up. That works great for us as I'm up at dawn and adjust the panel to the sun when I walk the dogs the first time. Even draining the battery farther than we usually do daily, it was in float in three hours meaning the heat at noon has no effect.
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JiminDenver
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06/10/13 08:52am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
Almot
That was my point. Compare the low priced PWM controller to a low price MPPT controller and the higher voltage system becomes more attractive.
Would we be discussing affordable solar at all if the Chinese played fair? Would affordable controllers of either type be available without low panel prices creating the demand for them?
I thought smaller systems were going to remain 12v but the recent ads for low priced smaller high voltage panels kills that thought. Mex may be right, soon you might save a lot on the controller but the panels are going to cost more.
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JiminDenver
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06/08/13 01:19pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
What if you want 280W? The MS MPPT is designed for max 200W. Now you need a > $300 MPPT controller.
The Eco-worthy handles up to 300w, still only $100 and less expensive than the PWM set up.
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JiminDenver
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06/08/13 10:25am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
Why go with the MS MPPT, you could go with the Rogue and push the MPPT cost even higher. The Eco-Worthy cost $100 shipped, dropping the cost to below $300 vs the $350 for PWM.
Were PWM controllers always available that cheap? As higher voltage panels become more popular due to cost, there will be more demand for MPPT controllers to run them. Someone is going to step up and fill the need. just as they did with PWM controllers.
BTW My Schott Poly is 230w and I bet I see better than 15a at altitude where the air is clear. The brown cloud can obscure downtown and even the mountains at times, I'm sure it has a effect on my output even on what appears a clear day.
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JiminDenver
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06/08/13 06:42am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
My $100 Eco-worthy MPPT controller gets the most out of my $50 230w 24v panel. I could have gone PWM for less but I would have lost half my amps.
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JiminDenver
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06/06/13 09:12pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: hitch blocked by another trailer
You might go down to any local RV dealer and maybe they can loan you one of those hand wheels for trailers.
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_18655.jpg height=300
I'm sure they will have something for fifth wheel type trailers as well...
Once you get it angled out into the street abit then you will have a better chance hooking up to it with you truck...
Worth a shot anyway...
Roy Ken
I use one of these, they work well.
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JiminDenver
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06/06/13 05:27pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Camping experience
No problems, no annoyances? You are doing something wrong! Pack up, go home and try it again. ;)
Good to hear you are having a good trip.
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JiminDenver
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06/06/13 08:21am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Retired and ready to get into travel trailer camping
We have a Ameri-lite ultra lite trailer and love it. That said some ultra lites have weight saving measures that may or may not fit your needs.
Ours is a 3 season trailer without enclosed and heated under belly, less insulation and single pane windows. We are fine if it freezes over night as long as it gets above freezing the next day. Since we don't winter camp, it works for us. Even in the 20s the furnace keeps us warm and only runs 3 times a night.
Some weight saving things have no impact on our camping like the plastic sinks and toilet. We will never know there is OSB in the cabinets unless there is a leak. Our propane tanks are 20 lb instead of 30 lb but we have yet to use one of those in a trip.
OSB in the cabinets is one thing, in the floor is another. Some manufactures use OSB or Luan in the floor and it will eventually sag from use and really give if leaked on. Ours has 3/4 inch ply and doesn't sag even under my 220 lbs +.
One thing I would have liked is larger tanks. 30 gal of fresh water doesn't go far so we take extra and conserve.
For us having the ultra lite means we can have more trailer and not strain the truck as much. It also cost half as much as a nice 4 season model of the same size. Ours seems constructed well enough as it is no pavement queen. We are usually 5-10 miles off the beaten path and NFS roads are rarely maintained well. We cross wash outs, traverse rock strewn trails and ruts to get to those out of the way spots on a ridge.
So make sure the ultra light you pick has the features you need. Replacing a sink or faucet is one thing. A soft floor is a bigger issue.
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JiminDenver
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06/06/13 07:46am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: RV.Net Stickers, 2 pics, a story, a question....
Bob
It would be great to have one or maybe just a scan even.
Thanks
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JiminDenver
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06/06/13 06:22am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Jump Start Battery
We ran our generator two hours a day recharging our single grp 27 battery and aside from listening to the generator, it was great. Then again our battery had the ability to hold out not only over night but a few nights. You need enough battery to make it between charges.
My folks had a extra battery in the truck that dad swapped out once a week. That trailer had no control boards or detectors and the furnace had no fan. A set of LEDs and they could have gone much longer.
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JiminDenver
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06/05/13 08:45pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Do you care
I have thought of or done a lot to the rig so far including extra water, more battery, solar, LEDs, replacing the mattress/cushions and even changing the floor plan. Never even thought about the rims though. I'd probably spend the money on something more practical and a nice set of hubcaps would look just as nice I bet.
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JiminDenver
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06/05/13 09:32am |
General RVing Issues
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