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RE: Bathroom doors
It seems to be the best way to get a spacious bathroom. My question is why do the doors stop several inches short of the floor in this design? If we do buy one I will certainly change that feature. Is the a valid reason not to change the door length?
We have a Fantastic Fan for the toilet room, a generous description considering the size, and I was told the door gap was to allow airflow for the fan when the door is closed. My change might not apply to the floor plan you pick but I did this.
The original hollow core door had a 2" gap at the bottom and about 1.5" at the top. When fitting the new door I reduced that to .5" at both ends. With the plunger style door stop I can leave it partially open for the fan vent or fully open which really opens up the bed/bath room.
Good luck,
Tom
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Tom&Dale
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08/08/12 09:29pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Shower skylight cover?
Wadcutter,
Appreciate your posting the J channel idea - a great one. Instead of installing under the skylight, like yours, I installed over the skylight cover edge. Also used a wood door skin panel, light at 1/8" thickness, and cut to cover only up to the edge. Think it came out nice.
Wadcutter replied:
Looks good. While it's not insulated it will cut the heat coming in too. When the cover isn't being used it doesn't take up any space to store it.
Another post on Reflectix for the AC cover prompted me to add this to our skylight cover. It dropped the shower side surface temperature 10 degrees but increased it by 20 in the space between the cover and skylight.
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Tom&Dale
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08/08/12 06:36pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Air compressor for tires
Yes but instead of portable ours was built in for the 5th wheel suspension. Since I use it for tires as well as other items I installed a Rapid-Reel that can handle 50' of hose and an air pressure regulator. This allows me to use it for any location on or in the trailer and pickup.
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Tom&Dale
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08/03/12 09:35pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Increase Fan Blades
Has anybody increased their fan's blade size in order to increase the air flow? I want to change out my 17" blades for 21" blades - even if I have to drill holes in the new blades to fit the fan's blade holders.
I upgraded my standard fan to this Hunter model. It had longer blades and did push more air plus it was much quieter. The problem I had was that we stay in a lot of off road locations so sometimes the blades would hit the ceiling or slideout and leave marks. I removed the 3 lights it had to reduce the weight and hopefully reduce the fans sideways motion when off smooth pavement. No marks since and being that we never use any of the AC lights it was a net gain on weight.
But the reason I am posting this reply is that if you want good airflow I highly recommend these Guest fans. They are 12 volt, oscillate and give a great breeze, much better than the ceiling fan. I have two now, recently added the second over my rear window, and plan on adding a third. Instead of the 6.5 amps I use with the ceiling fan and required inverter these fans only use 1 amp each.
They are a bit pricey but I bought mine off EBay - quite a bit cheaper.
Good luck,
Tom
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Tom&Dale
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07/31/12 08:09pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Replace audio system
For this trailer I am having a hard time thinking up a way to mount a car stereo in the cabinet nicely enough that it looks like a factory installation. Suggestions?
My conversion might not be up to factory standards but it's close enough for me. Also made a mount for the iPod, using Apple's standard USB connector, so it can be controlled via the radio's remote.
We boondock mostly so I like to stick with 12 volt as much as I can.
Good luck,
Tom
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Tom&Dale
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07/27/12 08:21pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: towel bar?
I dont like the idea of putting holes in the walls either. Anyone have any suggestions or am I just being too picky? We are big people and use bath sheet sized towels :/
Your question was a good suggestion. A while back I removed two hollow core doors, one a slider to the bedroom and the second the toilet door. Replaced toilet door with a solid six panel. Until your post I only had a hook on the inside of the door for my wife's robe but now I have two towel racks as well. Great idea and thanks!
Tom
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Tom&Dale
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07/27/12 02:01pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Shower skylight cover?
Wadcutter,
Appreciate your posting the J channel idea - a great one. Instead of installing under the skylight, like yours, I installed over the skylight cover edge. Also used a wood door skin panel, light at 1/8" thickness, and cut to cover only up to the edge. Think it came out nice.
Thanks again,
Tom
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Tom&Dale
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07/24/12 06:19pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Rear window table
Can bugs really get inside the trailer thru the AC?
They did in mine.
I was in the desert and bees were attracted to the water generated by the AC which had been on full time.
When I first noticed one in the trailer I figured it came in through the door. About 20 minutes after it was no longer buzzing there were 2 more. At that point I started to doubt my door assumption. To make a long story short I ended up terminating at least a hundred of them over the next day. It got so bad I could hear multiple impacts to the fan then the AC would shut down. When I pulled the main vent, after using the bee spray, a number of them would fall to the floor. That was repeated often until things calmed down.
The thing to keep in mind is I had been there a few days, they didn't swarm the AC soon after stopping. Anyway that is when I installed the screens over all vents and added bee and wasp spray to my always carry list.
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Tom&Dale
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07/15/12 09:02am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Rear window table
Thank you for the positive comments. Enjoy working on it and this thread topic is a great place for ideas.
Tom
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Tom&Dale
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07/14/12 07:15pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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Rear window table
We really enjoy sitting next to our large rear window but I have always wished we had a place to put our coffee cups, snacks or whatever on. Finally decided to make a small table with some spare plywood we had. Photo and dimensions in this link.
So far it has been a great addition.
Tom
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Tom&Dale
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07/13/12 07:28pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: So. CA best propane prices?
Globe Gas Corp.
5843 Paramount Blvd. | Long Beach, CA 90805
$2.58 / gallon
About a mile off the 91 freeway
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Tom&Dale
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07/08/12 11:05pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Clothes hamper mod?
Frank,
Good point and why I put a hinged door on mine with a dead bolt. Also have it setup so it is opened with a pull cord terminated at the cabinet door. Works good and is only open when tossing clothes in the hamper below.
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Tom&Dale
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07/07/12 09:21pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Clothes hamper mod?
Flip,
The laundry chute is listed as part of option group (camping in style - some models) on this link. You might want to check with Keystone directly.
We have it as well and I'd be in there with a saw if we lost it.
Good luck,
Tom
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Tom&Dale
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07/06/12 09:52pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Wobbly Table - Modified Base Cone Fix!
I'll also give a recommendation to the single leg option. Used this hinge along with this support leg.
Took about 2 hours to install since it is a pivot from table to the bed height and I wanted to get the measurements absolutely correct since both the hinge bracket and wall plates are mounted on the wall. They have a drawing on the above link that shows how it works when finished.
A benefit is that now we use the dinette bed not for lying down but sitting up and watching a movie together after dinner. While that could be done before but it was a pain to take the table down and put backup. Plus you had to put those two tubes someplace.
Good luck,
Tom
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Tom&Dale
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06/30/12 10:47pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: equalizing battery bank
My Xantrex inverter/charger is capable of performing a battery equalization process. It hits the batteries with high voltage for 8 hours causing the acid to bubble away which cleans sulfate off the plates, mixes the acid, and equalizes the cells. The owners manual says to check the specific gravity of the batteries before and after the equalization process. I turned the charger onto this mode for a short while but felt too uncomfortable to leave it boil away for 8 hours when I really have no idea what I am doing. My batteries are about 2 year old 6 volt Ever Ready golf cart batteries which have only been cycled about 20 times. What is the point in checking the specific gravity? Is there any danger in doing more harm than good? Is this typical battery maintenance? Does the Xantrex do anything other than maintain a constant 15.5 Volts for 8 hours during this process?
Terry,
I also have the Xantrex and do the equalize when my 4 Trojan T105's measure 1250 to low 1260 specific gravity range at a full charge reading or if there is a variance of over 25 SG points within the 12 cells. After the 7 hour process all cells read in the 1270 range which, as I understand is the proper reading for full charge.
I'm not aware that the Xantrex does anything other than the overcharge during the equalization. They do recommend not topping off the batteries until after equalization.
Some excellent advice can be had by reading posts from MexBungalows.
Best of luck,
Tom
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Tom&Dale
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06/27/12 10:26pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th wheel boondocking
Sue.T,
Thank you for the photo and I agree with you completely regarding boondocking. Hope to make it up to your territory again in the next year or two. The last time I had far to little time. Spectacular country you are in.
Tom
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Tom&Dale
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06/22/12 07:54pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Scooter Hauling on Fiver
I have a Joe Hauler JH16 model for taking my dirt bike, app 270lbs. Connect it to the 5th wheel like your setup and used it until my tie downs loosened up, a lot of vertical movement back there, and almost lost the KTM. Still thankful to the motorist that alerted me.
Others do it but I lost confidence and now I'm going to put a receiver on the front of the Dodge so I can keep a close eye on it. Only negative I see is possible damage from rocks or other road debris, not a concern for the dirt bike but will be when we take our scooter.
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Tom&Dale
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06/13/12 10:19pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th wheel boondocking
Putting the slides that are needed out has never been a problem
That might be acceptable in an area that is not crowded. On the other hand those requiring their slides to be extended, especially at rest or fuel stops that become full as the night progresses should, in my opinion, make every effort to use up only a single parking slot.
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Tom&Dale
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06/13/12 05:44pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th wheel boondocking
Usability with the slides in was a priority for us when deciding. That said I have seen others occupy two parking slots at both Flying J and rest stops with either 1 side or both sides having the slides out. Thought it was inconsiderate and wondered if any tired and/or irritated long haul drivers ever dealt with it in their own way.
I think the prior post of parking where your slide(s) do not infringe on any usable space is good advice.
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Tom&Dale
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06/13/12 01:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: What's wrong with a stove top coffee pot?
Another vote for the Bialetti, but a larger version than PortScanner's image.
Tried the press and it not only required to much coffee but I found it a pain to clean, plus you need to heat the water in a separate pan. With the Bialetti I just get it ready the night before then turn on the burner in the morning. Once done I unscrew it, dump the grounds, put the three parts outside to dry then wipe off any remaining coffee grounds.
3 minute YouTube if interested
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Tom&Dale
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06/13/12 11:13am |
General RVing Issues
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