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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: saw some people who need this forum
I tow doubles locally to my favorite fishing holes (the boat). I have done several things to add to the safety of the setup but when done properly I don't have a problem with doubles.
I bought a slider when I got my first FW a few years back (short box truck). I used the sliding feature twice to try it out. Never used it since. Would not bother with one again.... and yes I still have my original back window.... in a garbage bag in the back of the garage (just kidding it is on the truck in one piece)
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302suawdust
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07/17/08 10:28am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Changing a tire
I carry a set of reflective fold down flares (look like triangles) and a reflective vest in case I need to change a tire.... still try to avoid doing it on the traffic side if at all possible though.
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302suawdust
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07/15/08 02:36pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Entering the fresh water tank...
Looks like a DIY set up. :h
On the other hand... most RV constructions techniques look like a DIY set up. :B
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302suawdust
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07/10/08 01:23pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Canadian border with popup truck camper
In regards to the original questions. Be prepared to answer any questions and open up any thing that the border workers wish. Contrary to much folklore they will not "rip you trailer to shreds" if they search it. They will treat your positions with respect. I cross 8-10 times per year via land. At least 4 of those are with an RV. About 1 time ever two years or so we get searched. Usually takes about 10 mins or less. We don't do anything that we need to hide so I don't worry much about it. I always allow a little extra time to cross a border in case we get such a delay. The last time I got searched the border person was more interested in what I though about my 5er than what was in it. Remember.....if you are crossing into a foreign country you are a guest as with any guest you can be asked to leave. You may not like their rules but while there you must obide by them. Crossing a border is not a scarry experience and is no reason for concern.
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302suawdust
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07/07/08 05:08pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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backup camera
Hi all,
I think this may be a new question (I did some searching and could not find an answer. I am getting ready to install a wired backup camera and as I was looking over my TT trying to figure out the best way of doing it I came up with the following idea but it seems a little to good to be true (easy) so I thought I would run it by you all and get some feedback.
Instead of fishing wires from the roof to the bottom of the trailer I was thinking of using the TV antenna wiring to get me to the front of my TT. In my case this is quite convenient as my antenna is near the back of the trailer and my entertainment unit is right at front. What I thought of doing is using a splitter at the antenna at the roof to combine the antenna and the camera signals. At the entertainment unit I would use another splitter again so I could rout one coax to my TV and the other to the hitch of my trailer for the backup camera. I am aware that I would lose some signal strength on both the TV signal as well as the camera (not to worried about the camera as it should be quite strong) But I would be more than 1/4ering the signal strength from my TV antenna to the TV (not sure I care that much as we rarely watch TV). I wonder a little about adding interference to the backup camera signal from the TV antenna although the backup camera is running at baseband but you never know?
For power I was going to mount the camera right above one of my clearance lights on the back of the TT so I was thinking of just borrowing power from the light. When the lights are on the camera works (lights on for safety :) )
Anyway let me have it (good or bad) that is why I am asking now rather then telling later.
Cheers and thanks,
Ian
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302suawdust
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06/12/08 11:04pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Making Gas Money
I think the guy doing good. Why not.
The other thing that can work is a little role reversal. We pored a large concrete driveway in my front yard a few summers ago. The usual "gang" of neighborhood kids were just drooling at the chance to leave their mark (they are good kids but they are kids). I grabbed the group bully "Doug" and took him aside. I showed him a crisp 20 and said it was all his in 24hours if the cement was still pristine. That kid parked himself on my front lawn for the rest of the day. Nobody dared touch my cement. Chances are he would have been the first one to mark it up If I had not done what it did. You can argue this one a few ways but I think it made him feel good to do something right for a change. I also noticed that he seemed to have a new respect for me and my property after that.
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302suawdust
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05/16/08 01:53pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Weigh Stations
Interesting Topic. Here in Alberta Canada our signs coming up to the weigh stations say ALL vehicles over 4500 Kgs must stop. So I would assume private non commercial vehicles should stop as well. Having said that my rig exceeds the 4500 Kgs... I never stop.
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302suawdust
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05/09/08 09:28am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Dont` know how you do it.
For me I simply don't deal with anybody but the "manager" that can approve the price right there and then. This business of the sales guy taking my offer going to the manager and coming back is annoying. If you want to hammer out a deal with me then get the right people in the room and lets do it. Otherwise I walk. I have have walked more than once for this reason and as it is a common policy in dealerships I am sure I will do it again. I will had it to dealers that stand by their policies but unfortunately for them their policies don't work for me. Their loss not mine. Lots and lots of vehicles out there. The other thing I do is tell them the price I offer is all inclusive. They can do the math on it afterwords for Taxes and service charges etc. I really don't care how the break it down as long as it adds up to what I offered/agreed appon... not a penny more.
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302suawdust
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05/06/08 11:24am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: 5th wheel backing and an idea
Spend the first 20 years of your life on a large farm.... Worked for me. Honestly though the biggest thing is practice. All the rules and tips are great and if you find one that works for you use it but keep practicing until it is all second nature and you don't even need to think about it. Even then you won't always get it right the first time. But you know what?... you get to a point that you don't care... as long as you get it right eventually. If you start avoiding it then you will never get better. Best advice I can give is take your time to line up your approach, go slow and get out and look often. It is a little like landing an aircraft. If the approach looks bad don't try and recover it (bad thinks happen) go around and try again.
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302suawdust
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05/05/08 02:39pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Why Do Rv's Have Black For 12V+?
I check and measure..... regardless of who installed it (electrician or Handyman) and regardless of what color the wire is. Anything else is like assuming the "gun was unloaded".
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302suawdust
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04/24/08 04:23pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: If times get tough?
I am in the middle of the road here so I will add my 2 cents. I am 33, have two little kids (5 and 3) a great wife (that has put up with me for 10 years now). We both went straight out of High school to college and both received technical diplomas and have been working every since. We didn’t bum around for 3 or 4 years “trying to find ourselves”. I have not lived at home since I was 17. We have a nearly paid for house and have absolutely no other debt. Our Trailer truck etc has all been bought with cash when we could afford it. We have a 2006 fiver and a 2005 Chevy 2500 we use them a lot. We love them and are very proud of them because we bought them with our money. I don’t worry when It cost $100 to fill the tank or when we have to pay $35 to camp for a night because this is our thing that we enjoy however it comes with some sacrifices. My daily driver is a 1991 Ford ranger that I bought for $800 a few years back. My wife gets the 2002 Minivan. I do all my own maintenance on house/vehicles/trailer etc. We don’t own a XX” plasma TV with surround bla bla bla, we hardly ever eat out, I never give Starbucks any money when I can still get a perfectly good cup of coffee for 65cents. I have no issue buying used and looking at auctions, garage sales and thrift stores. Although I put on a tie most days to go to work I have no problem getting my hands greasy or picking up a broom and would do it for a living if I needed without a second thought as I have made a lot of money doing such jobs on the side all my life. I have a garage shop that most of my friends drool over. I love tools and own way more than I can even justify however I can honestly say I don’t own a tool that has not paid for itself and that is how I got them. I do some extra work rather than going out with the boys for beers or shutting down early to watch reality TV.
I couldn’t even imagine asking my parents for money (never really could although I am sure I would have gotten it if I needed it). My parents told me when I had to get up in the morning, not when I had to be home at night. They told me how much money I had to spend (and they would not offer another penny) not what I had to buy. They told me what would happen if I did wrong (and they meant it) not what I would get if I did right. I thank them for this every chance I get.
I am angry with much of my generation. They have over extended themselves to the point that they will never manage to get out……and guess what? Those of us that haven’t are going to wind up paying for all that did. For the few that have had really bum luck with health problems etc I am compassionate for the rest they can look forward to my boot print in their a$$ every chance I get.. The smart ones that learn will thank me as I do my parents today for the tough love.
So don’t sell you trailer so your kids can have some toys. Give them a meal and some encouragement…. And maybe a little boot print and off they go.
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302suawdust
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04/24/08 02:29pm |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Wheel Bearings!!
Bearings and races should always be replaced as a set. Always replace your seals when repacking as a leaky seal can ruin your brake shoes. I don't agree with the too much grease comment however you must be careful with hubs that you can add grease to after they are assembled as you can blow your seals if you pump too much grease into them. As far as tightening the castle nut here is what I do. I put a wrench on it and snug it up while spinning the wheel. This seats the bearings. Then I back off the nut and put it back on finger tight till it stops. Then I back it off to the first hole that the cotter pin fits in.
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302suawdust
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04/21/08 02:31pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: TV was rear-ended
Wow! 10K insurance and on the road. Most people here carry 1000000. I just upped mine to 2million as there are growing concerns that 1 is not enough. 1/4 of the trucks on the road here are 40K plus let alone if anyone gets hurt.
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302suawdust
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04/19/08 09:56pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Trailer Lighting
I have spent quite allot of time driving Super-Bs (tractor with double trailer config) before I left the farm. The skills in that size of rig apply directly to the RVs we drive. What I learned when driving in heavy traffic was simply to go where I wanted to go regardless of who was there. Now before I get jumped all over let me explain. If I needed to change lanes I would put on my signals and ever so slowly and smoothly start edging over all the while keeping a very close eye on the traffic beside me making sure they become aware of my intentions. In all but the rarest of cases people would either slow down or speed up and get out of my way. I of course would never actually crowd somebody onto the shoulder if somebody was so stupid as to hold their ground or so blind as to not notice what I was attempting. I would abort the turn. I have experienced my share of idiots weaving in and out and cutting close in front of me while I was driving a large vehicle. I think the trick here as to drive with your brain and not your emotion. If you find yourself getting angry or frustrated back way off or even stop. That is when the accident will happen if you don’t. I find myself turning the other cheek a lot while driving…. It is a skill that will keep you alive.
I think the brighter bulbs are a great idea. I am going to look into them myself.
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302suawdust
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04/18/08 12:25pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: WM-Red Deer Alberta-not allowed
Being from Red Deer, I can assure you that the no overnighting is in place due to a large number of folks that come out here to work the patch and live in trailers in parking lots all over. It's not just patch folks, but trades folks of all sorts due to construction and houseing booms.
And to there being no place nice to camp near Red Deer, your off your Rocker!
Pine lake, Gull Lake, Sylvan Lake, Red Lodge, Burbank to name a few large resort lakes and camping areas I frequent with lots of camping, fishing, hiking and boating. Just minutes from Red Deer. If you stick soley to the highways, enjoy the Walmarts, and truck stops of the world. If you coast even 10 minuits off the highways you'll see a wonderful world out there.
Hey Stop That! Its hard enough to get into some of those great spots as it is.... you don't need to tell others about them. You might as well tell them about the great camping around Rocky Mountain House and Sundre to just to ensure their is no chance of getting in there as well. Geezzz I mean if allot more people stayed on the truck stops then I would have a much easier time always getting one of my favorite stops. (Tongue was in cheek in case anybody misunderstands)
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302suawdust
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04/17/08 11:56am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos
We hate to cook when camping, so we always go for a walk at dinner time and stop by other campers until we get invited to eat with them.
In 7 years we have only cooked 2 meals.
Hope this helps
I surprised you put that statement in writing for the entire planet to read. I hope you were kidding.
Gosh, I was taught it isn't polite to visit when folks are having dinner. Times sure have changed
I must admit I would take a beer if offered though.
Tom
My tongue was firmly planted in my cheek :B
True story,
A couple of years ago we were camping in a campground in a small city. Just as we were finishing our supper a dirty shabby beat up looking guy came and sat right down at our picnic table. He made it quite clear that he was not going to leave until he got supper. My wife took the kids inside the trailer and I got up to do something about the situation. My large axe was leaning against the trailer and I glanced at it contemplating that if I had it in my hand it may be a little easier to convince him to leave and let us get on with our evening. I am sure he noticed where I was looking as he suddenly seemed to get shifty and loose quite a bit of his confidence. The truth of it is when I saw that change in his attitude I had a change in mine. To make a long story short I fed him a good steak supper and a big slab of pie for desert. We had a bit of a chat while he ate. I explained to him that I had mixed feelings about what I was doing as I did not want to encourage him to continue to do this as sooner or latter it would end badly for someone. Weather or not he listened to me I will never know. When he left my wife sent him with a small paper lunch bag of food that contained some non perishable items for the next day or so. The next morning I found the lunch bag (empty) under the wiper of my truck with the words “I’m sorry if I scared your kids” and signed Jim….. He never told me his name the previous night. I still wonder if I should have just sent him on his way as I worry about how other campers may react if he pulled the same stunt….. It did feel good to feed a hungry person though.
Ian
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302suawdust
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04/16/08 10:36am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Answers to RVing Questions
I ask questions because sometimes:
-I can’t find the answer
-I know the answer but still wonder what others think
-I found the answer but may not trust it (I’ve seen campgrounds say all kinds of stuff on their websites that I disagree with once I have visited the site)
-It is interesting to start a dialogue
-I have an answer but wonder if there is an alternative
-it is better to ask a stupid question then explain a stupid mistake (which I still have to do from time to time).
Ian
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302suawdust
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04/15/08 10:49am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Question; Average time spent at a dump station
OK Ok I will dive in. I don’t tend to get too uptight about the whole thing. As long as people are prepared when they get there and then don’t waist time doing non dump related activities (like talking on their cell phone) I let it go. The people that really doodle must somehow enjoy playing in the s#i$. If there is a line (usually is) I get out my sewer hose and rinse hose long before I get to the front. I use disposable gloves so the pair I put on is always clean so I put them on early as well. As soon as I pull up the drain hose is connected and placed. Then the black tank valve is pulled (so far about 30seconds have elapsed). While the black tank is draining I hook up my rinse hose to the spigot and then to the tank rinse connection on the side of my trailer. After that I contemplate life for about another 30 seconds while the black tank finishes draining. (Now I am in for about 120 seconds) At that point I open up the grey valve. At the same time I turn on the rinse hose into the black tank so it can rinse while the grey tank is draining. Once again I contemplate life for about 60 seconds or maybe a few seconds more. Next I shut the black valve and let the grey drain for about 10 more seconds. (Clock is at about 250 seconds now) Then I shut the grey and disconnect the sewer line. Then I turn off the water to the rinse hose (leaving the rinse hose on for a few seconds with the valve closed leaves some water in the black tank to slosh around a clean things up in there), disconnect the rinse hose from the trailer turn the water back on and rinse the drain hose and surrounding area (as to leave a clean dump site for the next guy). After that I Roll up the hoses put them away and pull ahead so the next guy can get in. Takes me about 360 seconds (6 mins) total and that includes a rinsed tank and hose and leaving a clean dump site for the next guy.
After that I wash my hands and do one more walk around to make sure the rig is ready for the road.
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302suawdust
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04/14/08 02:37pm |
Beginning RVing
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