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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Anyone use "Flying Insect Screens" on your vents?
I bought premade screens they fit tight and they work. Well worth the cost.
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Ray55
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10/16/12 07:35pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Charging/maintaing Two Batteries in Place on Trailer
I would put the positive on the left side + battery post and the negative on the right side - battery post. Not both clips on one battery. One on each battery when using a batttery charger to charge batteries in wired parallel .
For the most part I just plug my trialer up and let the internal inverter do the work.
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Ray55
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10/14/12 11:05am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Electric stabilizers, elec tongue jack. elec awning,
My trailer came with power awning and stabilizers. I added a power tongue jack. I would not have a trailer without all three. They make set up very easy.
I can have people that join me for a couple of days help set up by ether pushing the button or putting a board under the stabilizer. They can operate the awaing without any training. After watching one time one of my sisters and grand son 11 were both able to hitched up the trailer with the weight distrobution hitch. No muscle needed.
I am concerned about manual backup and yes they all have a backup. First time boon docking before I added extra battery and a genertor I had a problem in that I ran the battary down and the electrical jacks wouldn't work. Before I did the hang crank I got out the battery jumper box (jumps batteries, air ompressor, flashing warning light, cell phone charger, 12 volt outlet and flash light) hooked to the battery and charged it right up so I could operate the jacks.
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Ray55
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10/14/12 10:58am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: F-150 Eco boost & 31 foot TT
I think if you get the Heavy Duty version with the right hitch these would be good trucks providing you have a light weight trailer and watch all the numbers. I do not worry so much about going up mountain passes but coming down. I want HD brakes rated for more than what I am pulling/hauling.
I have always bought trucks based on trainsmission and rear dif ratios instead of color or how many cup holders it has. I have seen trucks without hitches, trailer lights or brake controlers. Makes absolutly no sense to me why anyone would ever buy a truck without or have those items put on right away.
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Ray55
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10/14/12 10:13am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Homemade Battery Theft Protection
I think you have to take steps to harden the high value targets. I do not think you can stop it all.
I have also seen an increasing use of truck lock boxes used to house batteries and other items on the outside of trailers.
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Ray55
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10/09/12 08:44am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Troublesome 30A hookup
I would not even have posted this. What exactly did you mean by this?
My opinion for what is is worth. No matter how simple, stupid , dumb the question/ concern. There are no dumb questions.
I have been stumped more than once by something very simple. I know I have avoided many problems by reading this forum and learning from it. More than once I have been thought of as smart because I shard something I learned on this site.
Please keep posting.
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Ray55
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10/09/12 07:29am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Porta Potti Question
I learned a lot from this post about bathrooms in pop ups. I used a pop up as a teenager but it did not have a bathroom. Don't know if I will ever use the info but learning can't hurt.
For Travel Trailers I sort of knew but went and watched several Utube vidios. I have not looked for any vidios on pop ups but would think there should be. I have seen great vidios on bee keeping, trailers, launching boats, installing hitches. Also a lot of junk.
What I like about this site is no junk.
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Ray55
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10/09/12 07:14am |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Breaker tripped
Tripping breakers is not necessarily a bad thing if it dosn't trip when it should have then the real problems start.
Most likely there were several things on at the same time. Shut something off before using microwave sounds easy but sometimes you forget or do not know everything that is on. This past summer I just could not get people staying with me to understand before using a hair dryer we have to shut other things off.
We had the AC, a couple of lights, a TV or radio, refrigerator and hot water heater.
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Ray55
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10/08/12 10:24am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Tire Change on TT
I think you got great advice especially from Desert Captain. The only thing I would add is I put out emergency tri-angle reflectors/lights at night and wear a refletive vest if I am on the side of the road.
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Ray55
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10/08/12 10:13am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Do you need running lights on travel trailer
Not going to argue about looking it up . Want to know then go to your DMV wefsite.
However I cannot beleive that manufactureers would all do something unless required to. Therefor as a starting point I would put the lights on like I see all the RV manufacturers doing.
I added lots of reflective tape and reflectors to my trailer both inthe back and along the side. I like to be seen.
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Ray55
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09/30/12 04:03pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: DC power port
My camper had one 12 volt outlet. I installed three others, two indise na done on the outside near the trailier tong. Just taped in to the existing wiring. I did not run any nwe wire or add any new brakers.
I use mine for fans 12 volt fans walmart or truck stop. The one on the trailer tong works well for a 12 volt trouble light.
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Ray55
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09/29/12 08:31pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: WERE GETTING READY- WHAT DID WE FORGET
I have had success with using two hand held radios/ walki takies so that the ground guide is heard and there is no yelling.
I try not to do a lot of packing but rather have the items I need on board and leave them there. Try and clean items as you use them. There is some unpacking ,refilling, cleaning /drying and reloading . But I do not haul everything into the house, use it in the house for weeks, then haul it all back to the camper. I have used the commercial laundry while washing the trailer and truck instead of taking the clothes into the house. Once stuff gets in it tends not to get back out.
Not going to forget the tooth paste if a tube is stocked in the trailer. There is a switching out of clothes winter for summer, stocking of foods in the refrigerator and stocking produce before heading out.
I usually hook up and drive to a store to pick up the food I need then continue to the camping site.
The wife used to want to go buy groceries ahead of time, carry everything into the house then take it out to the camper. She has finally figured out what a waste of time that is. Now unless she is making something to take she no longer does that. I can get a box of pasta at the store and leave the box in the kitchen for when I get back.
Try and get pots, pans, dishes at garage sales/thrift stores to use in the camper. Buy new pippows, bath linens, blankets for the house and put the old in the camper.
Now if I had young growing kids I would have to move a lot more clothes. No way could I afford two sets of clothes for growing kids Or two sets of electronic toys.
This past summer I took the wife to Bass Pro Shop and the mall and bought her a set of camping clothes, boots, swim suit to keep in the camper. It seems to be working well.
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Ray55
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09/20/12 08:17am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: To double door...or not to double door...
I thought it was strange untill the first time I used it when making a stop on the side of the road. Being able to stop anywhere and getting right in to take care of business works great. Also works well in camp in that you can get in and go without having to track all the way thru the camper.
If you stay at campgrounds and utilize the bathroom there then the door would be less utilized. You can lock the outside door so that you do not get any surprises when in use.
As for storage it is always an issue. In the bathroom I put hangers on the door and got several mesh bags that can hang from hooks. Everyone gets a bag for there hair products, razors, whatever. I put up towel racks every where.
Had some issue trying to get everyone to remember to use the outside kitchen hand sink instead of getting in and using the bathroom sink or the kitchen sink to wash hands. If you are outside getting ready to eat at the picnic table you do not have to go inside.
My last trip I had 5 woman with me and did not stay at a fixed campground. I could have used 3 bathrooms but it actually worked quite well.
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Ray55
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09/12/12 03:41pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Queen Mattrass Replacement or Topper ?
I do not know the brand I have but got it at WallMart. I woud price camping world and big box stores and go with the lower price. I did have to trim the topper to fit the odd size bed I have not a true queen. I guess you might call it a 'rv queen'. Camping world might have a topper that fits without trimming but will most likely cost a little more.
If the topper dosn't do the trick then spend the money on a new mattress. Measure what you have and figure out if it is a true queen or a rv queen. I cannot get a true queen in my TT. Make sure it will fit before you wrestle it in there.
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Ray55
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08/08/12 11:49am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: RV boondocking Menus
Current guidance from USDA/CDC is to refrigerate eggs as soon as collected and keep them refrigerated untill used. The Missouri Dept Ag tells people that want to sell eggs they must collect several times a day and immediately refrigerate them. I belive current guidance is that they must be refrigerated at 45F or below. Most other recommendations/requirement for refrigeration is 41 F or below.
Uncracked, air coooled, hard boiled eggs can be stored at room temperature (below 75F) for up to 7 days in most food codes/rules for resturaunts.
Eggs that were previously refrigerated would have a lower risk of food bourne illness. You should try and only buy farm fresh eggs from those that refrigerate or cool them on ice prior to your purchase. If the eggs are not clean and cold find another vendor. If unable to get eggs and other cold foods home from the store/farmstand/market in under an hour take a cooler with you and place the cold foods in it. If you have enough cold foods and few frozen ones you may not need any ice. Taking frozen bottles with you in the cooler saves money and helps keep things cold.
Have I used eggs 3 to 5 days after I have collected them without refrigeration? Yes I have but what I do and what I would recommend to others is two different things. I have moved towards gun fire, run into burning buildings/vehicles, jumped into frozen lakes to pull someone out but would not recommend you to do the same. I never sell eggs that I have not refrigerated.
www.cdc.gov has information on food and egg safety.
When camping I use egg beaters or dehydrated eggs. I have frozen the egg beaters and put them in coolers with other frozen items that stayed cold for over two weeks. A lot depends on the temperature and how often you open it. Keeping the lid closed and sitting it in the shade helps alot, as does covering it with a blanket. I belive the pasturized egg beaters are safer to use than real eggs when refrigerator temperatures are in doubt.
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Ray55
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08/08/12 11:39am |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: Do you use a clay cooker ?
I use them at home but would never consider traveling with one. Caste Iron dutch oven for me while traveling camping.
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Ray55
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08/06/12 08:33pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: Can't decide TT or 5th Wheel - pros & cons?
I can find more trucks set up to pull a TT. I have borrowed and used neighbors trucks and SUVs, I often use my farm tractor to move my TT a short distance at home.
When my truck had a problem and had to be towed the tow company put the truck on there flat bed tow truck and hitched up the TT to get us off the side of the road in less than 10 minutes of thier arrival. With a 5th wheel they would have had to try and find another truck set up to tow a 5th wheel.
With an electric jack I do not find it any harder to hook up to the TT than a 5th Wheel. I have two car antennas rigged with magnets on the bottoms and tenniss balls on top they make getting the ball and hitch lined up pretty easy.
I do like how on a 5th wheel you can put a mirror on the 5th to see better while hooking up.
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Ray55
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08/06/12 05:37pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: RV boondocking Menus
The thing about canned foods they often come packed in water and could if you had to be eaten right from the can without heating. Heavy and often high in sodium is the negative. Years (ok decades) ago on a limited budget working some then moving down the road while on a car/tent trip aross the country I purchased some cases of bake beans. Got real sick of bake beans but at least we ate even during a terrible storm when getting a fire going was near impossible.
Are there any water sources near where you want to camp? Have you considered water filtering /purifying ? If you have a lake/stream I would recommend filling a bucket/container letting it settle out 24 hours, drawing the water off from the top to leave the crud on the bottom, filtering (I would use a filter that you fill and let gravity flow put it thru the filter, they also sell pump filters that work very well and faster ) then adding 5 to 7 drops of regular chlorine bleach (5% unscented) to every gallon, letting it sit for 1/2 hour before using. I would use a filter that had a activated carbon attachment or stage to it to help remove any pesticides. Get a filter with the smallest micron size you can afford.
The water would have to be sweat , non alkalien to do this. No visible oil or gasoline /chemical smells. If you see bugs and fish that is a good thing and it can be filtered and treated.
Many people will tell you if you filter you do not need chlorine or the settling step. Additional info on treating water and using it for drinking can be found at the CDC web site www.cdc.gov . I have used the three step settle/filter/ chlorinate in Asia, Europe and the Americas (South/ Central/ North) without any problems.
If you have electric - consider a crockpot. Put a cheap cut of meat in there with some vegtables and a little water turn it on go play and come back to some tasty food. Many also use electric skillets or George Foreman type grills. If you have a problem with smokethese would work well and cook more evenly and quicker than wood or charcoal. Look for crockpots, skillets and Foreman grills at second hand stores or garage sales.
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Ray55
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08/05/12 06:25am |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: toilet question?
No recommendations as I have never had this issue. I was told to use a pressure regulator. "Never hook up without one" . I always run water out the hose to see what its color and odor might be. Neverr had a problem but would not want to put stinky or discolored water in the system. I then turn the water off and connect to trailer. I open kitchen sink faucet and then turn on the water supply. There can be some air and uneven flow that usually last just a seconds. I then go run a little water from the bathroom sink and shower. Flush toilet last. I useally do not run water from the outside kitchen till I use it and do not normaly run water thru the outside shower either.
I learned to have faucets open when turning water on in a home, letting water flow from all faucets then shutting them off starting in the basement and working to the upstairs. Doing it that way reduces airhammer (noise) in the lines and produces a more even flow. Never thought about doing it any different in a camper.
Hope this works for you.
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Ray55
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08/04/12 02:26pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Water Heater Fire in Jayco! - thank god we were there
Glad no one was hurt. I carry two fire extinguishers in the trailer and one in the truck.
I have not had a fire on a TT but have had to uses them on 2x buses, 3 x trucks, 1x jeep, 1 x car, 1x cargo trailers,1 x van and a plane. Only one of these vehicles was mine the rest I was just in the area. If you have an extinguisher and can use it right away you can save the vehicle if not it is usally a total lose. I responded to at least 5 car fires as a volunteer firefighter and none were salvegable. A fire Extinguisher could have saved everyone of them.
If you do not have an extinguisher in every vehicle please get one!
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Ray55
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08/04/12 01:50pm |
Travel Trailers
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