RE: Mice prevention... good tips??
OK...Here goes...Build a better mousetrap! No apologies to PETA members!
Quite cheap & simple...
Ingredients:
1 @ relatively clean 5 gallon bucket that will hold water
1 @ old style black wire coat hanger
1 @ empty, CLEAN EXTERIOR quart size metal paint can...no paper label...MUST HAVE LID
1 @ +/- 30" piece of wood, about 1"x2", with a little "tooth" to it
12-14" of small aquarium/oxygen style tubing
Tools:
Pliers, wire cutters, 1/8" (or big nail)& 1/4" drill bits/drill
Procedure:
Drill 2 @ 1/4" holes, 180 degrees opposite each other, about 2" down from top of bucket. Measure & cut coat hanger wire long enough to bridge across bucket...plus an extra 1.5". Bend one end of the wire, about 1/2", 90 degrees. Put the lid tightly on the paint can. Drill/punch 1/8" holes in CENTER of bottom & top of paint can. Trial fit the wire THRU one side of the bucket, both ends of the can, & out the other side of the bucket. Cut the tubing to go BETWEEN can & bucket on either side of the can, CENTERING the can over the top of the bucket. The tubing should keep the can from moving from side to side along the wire. Finally, install wire/can & 2 pieces of tubing asembly thru two holes in bucket & secure to bucket by bending the other end of the wire @ a 90.
Operation:
Put about 5-6" water in bottom of bucket. Center a small glob of peanut butter on the can, then rotate it 180 degrees & add one there too. Now it's balanced & free to rotate. Take the stick, lean it against the bucket, just under the lip...other end on the ground/floor. The mouse(s) climb up the stick to get the PB, jump over to the slick metal can, which rotates, can't hang on, & fall to a watery grave in the bottom of the bucket. Dump them at at your will!
We've caught as many as 5 a night in CO using this trap.
You're Welcome!
RE: How many have Fridges go bad during heat waves-- Outcome!
Strongly suggest you put a 12V fan or two blowing UP over the coils in the back if you don't have any...Or check to see if yours are working. On a Casita we had awhile back, I installed one with a switch so I could use it when neccesary...or not. We've replaced 3 of them in our current rig.
Also, make sure DW doesn't have the refer packed so air can't circulate. Add warm items like barley pop/sodas after dark to keep from overworking the unit.
Afternoon sun can be a booger on these units.
RE: Ouch! $1,047 property tax bill on fiver here in Charlotte!!!
Ran into the same problem with ours...Spent hours on the phone with DMV...Like talking to a rock.
They called our dealer & asked how much such-and-such a model was...Got the MSRP & ran with it.
As a 3-year old rig, I still paid $347 this year!
If I ever buy another one, you can bet it won't be registered in NC!
RE: High end trailers
Tomfifthwheel...
I don't think I would be blasting ANY manufacturer for the issues you listed. In fact, 7 out 9 of your problems should have been noted/handled when you & the delivering dealer did your PDI. Those minor adjustments/repairs quite often are needed due to the dealer's storage/handling of the unit.
In the last 14 months of RVing, I've been made aware of...A slideout that fell out on the ground...A 5th wheel gooseneck that was separating from the trailer frame...A rubber roof that, for no apparent reason, had a piece of the coach protrude thru...Another rubber roof totally lost its bond on the leading edge & ballooned up several feet above the 5er while going down I-10.
Those are deal-breakers. Note too, that NONE of these factory defects were on "entry-level" coaches! Two of them are listed as "high-end" on this thread!
As before, just one man's opinion.
RE: camping w/o unhooking,can AC still be used
We do this quite oten, so I carry 2 @ 2"x8" planks long enough to go under the 5er tires. Gives 5er about 1.6" lift & makes everything level.
Safe Travels,
RE: South Texas - SR 35 & Houston Info...Please?
OK...I think after some discussion, we'll take TX35 across. Probably going to spend some time checking out the resorts along the way...Maybe for workamping 2010 fall/winter? We'll be leaving PHX in the next 3-4 days, so we should be between the Snowbirds & the school's-out crowd.
After all the campground/RV park reviews I've read, the input from you all & additional info from friends, you'd think I was putting a moon-shot together rather than a leisurely journey across South Texas!
But anyway, THANX to all who took the time to enlighten me!
Safe Travels,
DR/JR/Rosie
RE: South Texas - SR 35 & Houston Info...Please?
Oops...Sorry I didn't advise on the final destination...We're going the I-10 corridor across from PHX to Mobile, then up to Atlanta & ultimately the Carolina coast.
We've always run either I-40, or I-20 back & forth, but having plenty of time, & being somewhat hail/tornado apprehensive, we decided to take the southern route this trip. Also, DW will be driving the Wrangler & following me...totally new country for her, so we'll be stopping for the night more often.
Sorry I didn't get back in here to respond sooner, but we're in "packing mode" after being in one spot for about 8 months.
South Texas - SR 35 & Houston Info...Please?
Thinking about taking I-37 down from San Antonio to Corpus Christi...Then SR 35 up to Houston. Towing as shown on signature...Dumb idea or A-OK? We've never been thru there.
Also, heard today that there is some major construction going on in Houston? Any local knowledge about the best way thru/around?
We'll be leaving the Phoenix area about 5/5 or 5/6.
Many thanx to all respondents!
RE: Douglas/Bisbee, AZ & Rodeo/Columbus, NM
HEY...Thanx for the good news! Once again, the Open Roaders have come thru!
We'll probably leave Gold Canyon, AZ in the next week-10 days & head down that way. Probably spend a coupla nites @ Tombstone Territory, on to Rusty's & then to Pancho Villa SP via NM 9. Gonna get some dental work done in Palomas.
Thanx Again!
DR/JR & Rosie
Douglas/Bisbee, AZ & Rodeo/Columbus, NM
Anybody spent any time down close to the border lately? We want to make a loop down thru Tombstone/Douglas/Rodeo & across NM9 to Columbus, but been getting some questionable vibes about the recent druggie activity in the area.
We've already been advised to expect to be "interviewed" a few times while on the road. No problem dealing with the Border Patrol, but don't relish the thought of having my equipment or Jeep change hands at the point of an M-16 or Uzi.
Thanx, DR
RE: 12V Batteries low water issue?
Ya, the liquid was way below the tops of the plates in both batteries. It's possible the "new" converter is overcharging, but why just all of a sudden? Think I'll have it checked again.
I'd check the batteries monthly if it wasn't so blamed hard to get to them. I think I'm going to modify their compartment when I get back to NC to make it easier.
I think I'm going to give them a few more days, check them with a hydrometer & probably replace 'em. We don't boondock much, but I want them operational nonetheless.
Thanks to all for their replies!
Dick
12V Batteries low water issue?
Pulled my batteries out of the 5er last week to check water level. Haven't checked them since August, but been on the road hooked up to shore power all the time...Had no indication anything might be amiss...Wrong!
Between the 2 of them, they took over a half gallon of water.
Batteries were last "used" in late January to start/excersise my LP generator...all seemed well at that time. Rig has been hooked up to shore power at various locations for nearly a year, relying on 12V only for 4-5 hours at a time while in transit.
Cleaned 'em up good & replaced everything as it should be. Expected the converter to recharge them...No. Hooked up a 2/10/50 charger...Charged @ 10 amps until charger quit as "Charged"...No.
Questions for the experts before I call the mobile repair guy...
1) Are the batteries history having run that low on water?
2) Should the batteries be replaced before checking any further?
3) Factory converter failed 2+ years ago & was replaced under warranty...Could the replacement be bad too?
4) How can I check to be sure the converter is actually charging the batteries...But then, it must be or the water would not have evaporated/boiled out?
Sometimes I feel so bumfuzzled!
Dick, Gold Canyon, AZ
RE: Winter Workamping
When you say you want to "park a camper", do you intend to be living in it or...?
If you just want a place to hideout for the winter, with someone else paying your utility bills and minimum effort on your part, check with the Corps Of Engineers. Most offer a FHU site for the winter.
They use volunteers to "see & be seen" during their closed months. No $$$, but all your gonna do is kinda "be there". A win/win deal...cheap security for them & zero living expenses for you!
Crawford, Colorado State Park
We have volunteered at this park for the past 3 summers...Late April to Labor Day...But for a number of reasons have decided to not "work" this coming season. Park is at 6500', on a reservoir almost adjacent to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Natl Park.
Park used 7 sets of volunteers last year.
Lottsa wildlife and trails...Good fishing...Good Verizon cellphone coverage...Excellent water...50 amp hookups, most with sewer tank...Very quiet...Friendly/accomodating management.
PM me with your phone number & I'll answer all questions.
Dick
