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RE: Lost it to the wind !!
Sorry for the wind woe. I worry about this myself up here in the Sierra Nevada.
Hey - a neighbor! I also live in Nevada City. I lost my 1999 Fleetwood Elkhorn 9T (that I bought new) this winter. It was in pristine shape. I kept it under an RV car port. We had a heavy snow storm last Jan with high winds. With the 3-4 feet of snow on the roof of the car port, and the high winds, the whole shebang blew over and collapsed, crushing my camper. While I have since replaced it with a 5th wheel, I do miss having a truck camper and could see getting a used one some day.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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07/05/08 05:11pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Registering a new trailer in CA
AAA provides this service in CA.
I tried AAA/CSAA and they claim that only DMV can do this - they only take care of the easy stuff. It was the same way for the various cars I bought from out of state.
Thanks everyone for the replies! It sounds like I'll have to drag my trailer to DMV then. They did say a police officer could come to my house and do this, but I don't see that happening!
-steve
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Murgatroid
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07/03/08 09:31pm |
General RVing Issues
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Registering a new trailer in CA
Hello,
I recently bought a new 5th wheel from out of state. I went to register it today with DMV as I now have the MSO. I was told by the DMV clerk that CA does not look at the MSO, but needs to inspect the VIN number on the trailer, which means I need to haul it down there. I can understand this for used cars and trailers, but a new one? I was not aware of this. I thought the MSO would be enough.
Was the clerk typically misinformed, or is this what other CA residents had to do?
Just curious...
-steve
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Murgatroid
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07/03/08 04:03pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: To step down or not?
I looked and don't see the difference between the right coast and ours? Do you know what they might be?
The differences are subtle to non-existant. There are some model differences. For example, the west coast has the mid kitchen 244RLS and the east coast has the rear kitchen 245RKS. There are some other subtle differences in options. I believe the "1/2 ton towable" west coast models include the sliding rear bike rack, but not offered at all on the east coast models. Lakeshore and Terrytown know the differences.
For the most part, they are basically the same, as long as the floorplan is offered in both regions.
I liked the Cougars quite a bit and almost bought one, but decided on the Sundance.
By the way, I really like the heartland products and if they made a model like the 320srx I would really be motivated. The sundance is a nice rig!
The Cougar 320SRX does have some unique floorplan features. The closest Heartland product I could find is the Sundance 3300RC and the Cyclone 31FX8.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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06/30/08 05:54am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: To step down or not?
WBottom line on the Cougar 320SRX is 35k. It's an 09 model. I saw it at lakeshore and might score it for less but I have to pay shipping and sales tx and license when she gets here which could total 4k. I hate numbers crunching. Wish I knew for sure what MSRP really is. Is there a way to find it?
Lakeshore RV should have the manufacture's MSRP pricing sheet. They did for Sundance. Definitely get a quote from them as it will let you know if 35K is a good deal. Be sure you include the same options. Lakeshore typically only adds a set markup on the base trailer, and charges you their wholesale pricing on all the options. I bought a Sundance from them, and even with the $3150 it costs to have it trucked out here to NorCal, I still saved over $6000 over buying it from the local dealer. Luckily, I didn't have anything to trade in - that definitely makes things more difficult.
Terrytown RV in MI also has low prices if for some reason you don't want to work with Lakeshore RV.
Keep in mind that the MI dealers can only sell the East coast Cougars.
You will have to pay tax and license for ANY RV you buy that needs to be registered with DMV.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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06/29/08 05:44pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 2001 Fleetwood 11X
I have an 01 11X that has speakers for a radio in it but no radio. Can anyone tell me where the radio should have been? There is no hole for one anywhere. Thanks
I had a '98 Fleetwood Elkhorn 9T. It also didn't have a cutout for a stereo, but it was wired to a specific small cupboard in the cabover area. There was an extra interior panel there as well. I removed the door of the cupboard, built a wood frame for the auto style stereo I had, and cut out an opening in the spare panel. I screwed the panel to the stiles where the door was. It worked great, but I did lose a cupboard.
I would think you would have a bunch of wires in one of your small cupboards.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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06/29/08 10:59am |
Truck Campers
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RE: MSRP Question
We paid 65% of MSRP this April at a wholesale dealer ...
Best offer from our local dealer was 77% of MSRP ...
Dennis
WOW !!! 77% off MSRP :h thats a pretty atractive deal if I do say so myself so you would get a $70,000 trailer for $16,100.00 ????That is if my math is right
You missed it by one 'f'. He said he paid 77$ OF MSRP, not 77% OFF MSRP...
-steve
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Murgatroid
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06/24/08 08:16pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: question on selling
As a recent purchaser, I found that craigslist was great for looking for something local. It is almost all used trailers in your area. If you mainly want to sell local and not deal with long distance transactions, this is a good way to go. For longer distance reach or nationwide, I found rvtrader and rvtraderonline predominantly dealer dominated and few used. I would turn to ebay instead. If you go this route, you may want to first research transportation companies so you can have quotes handy for the inevitable questions.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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06/23/08 05:16pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 1st time 5th wheel owner *updated*
I would download the installation instructions. They are very specific for each model of truck. I just installed a Reese/Draw tite slider in my dad's 2002 Dodge 1500 and the instructions were right on the money. Just be sure the dealer followed the instructions.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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06/19/08 07:42pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Store soda cans in hot TT?
Just keep your Diet Coke and Mentos separated!
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Murgatroid
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06/11/08 12:25pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: lite 5h wheel
I don't know how short they are, but Heartland Sundance has a new line of XLT fifths that can be pulled with a 1/2 ton. Good company and nice units with lots of standard "extras".
The Heartland Sundance XLT and North Trail 5ers are very nice, but I believe would overload most 1/2 tons, as would many of the so-called 1/2 ton towable coaches (see my thread above). The main culprit is pin weight. Most pin weights are over 1000 pounds dry. Your typical 1/2 ton can only handle a ~1500lb payload. There are some heavy duty 1/2 ton's that get close to 3/4 ton specs, but these aren't the standard 1/2 ton's that many have. If you believe that 15% to 20% of a trailer's weight should be on the pin, that means the coach has to be VERY light. The Komfort 22FS isn't the lightest coach, but it has a lighter than usual pin weight, around 10%, for better or worse.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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06/05/08 12:05pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: lite 5h wheel
Why that short? Go 29' for a 5'er. Go to RWholesalers and see wthat you can afford.
My guess is that the OP is looking for a 5er suitable for use with a 1/2 ton truck. I started a thread on this to identify new 1/2 ton capable 5th wheels. It can be found here:
My parents just bought a used Komfort 22FS 5th wheel. They are pulling it with their 2002 Dodge 1500. So far it seems like a good match. These small Komfort's are very nice and have reasonable pin weights - the bugaboo for 1/2 tons. Too bad Komfort went up market and no longer make a small and reasonably light 5er. This is the wrong direction to take in today's market!
-steve
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Murgatroid
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06/04/08 02:50pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Carriage Cameo Holding Tank Size
The Carriage Cameo Black and Grey Water holding tanks are 40 gallons. Not talking about the freshwater tank.
Is there only one 40gal grey water tank? Most 5er's have two - one for bathroom and one for kitchen. That would give you 80 gallons, which seems reasonable.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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06/03/08 06:42pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: B & W Turn Ball Hitch for 5th wheel?
I'm not sure what bolts you are talking about. You remove the two pins on the sides of the top hitch, lift up, then pull out lever in wheel well, then twist so pin locks out, and lift the base of the compainon out of the truck.
When installed according to the directions, this won't work. You are aupposed to slip the hitch base over the 4" square post (with the post already locked into place), tighten the top bolt to provde tension against the post pin, then tighten the U-bolts. At this point, you can't release the pin since it is under tension from the top bolt. To remove the hitch, you have to loosen the 4 nyloc nuts on the two U-bolts, then loosen the top bolt, which releases the tension on the locking pin. Now you can release the pin and remove the base.
I'm not sure of the consequences of not providing tension on the post with the top bolt. The B&W instructions are pretty clear about putting tension using the draw-down bolt so the pin can not be released. It's still easy enough to remove/install the hitch, but does require two wrenches.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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06/03/08 06:14pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Carriage Cameo Holding Tank Size
Carriage Cameo holding tanks are 40 gallons and not 55 gallons as claimed. They have been this size since at least 2004.
Manufacturers will often include the capacity of the hot water heater and plumbing in their fresh water specification.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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06/03/08 11:34am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Slider hitch needed with extended pin box?
Thanks, everyone, for the replies! This setup is for my parents. While it sounds like one can get away with a regular hitch and extended pin box, a slider is good insurance. I have found a 2 year old used draw-tite (same as reese) slider hitch for about the same price as a new non-slider reese 15K ($300). If it checks out and is in good shape, we'll install this in my dad's truck.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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05/30/08 10:07pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Moving up to a fifth wheel and have questions
We are seriously considering a 31ft Sunnybrook Titan with all the options and need a hitch that we can take out so we can use our slide in camper. Any recomendations as to a removable hitch that does not involve adding height to the bed to get the camper in? The Citation has an aluminum tube frame and the bottom is raised about 1.5 inches on the botttom bars.
Easy. B&W turnover ball hitch system with the Companion 5th wheel hitch. It's easy to remove and leaves nothing in the bed of the truck. It's very beefy and well made.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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05/30/08 09:46am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: JAYCO vs WILDCAT? I Want a 5th wheel asap! Help!
Right now, used market is so soft that it really makes sense to buy used. That is if you can find one you like. New gives you a warranty, but used should already have the bugs out of it.
The new market is soft as well. I would think you should be able to get either Jayco or Wildcat new for between $25K and $30K, probably closer to the lower figure. The used 2006 Cruiser should be less than $20K or it's overpriced. I would look it up on NADA's site.
Be sure to check the "wholesale" high volume dealers to get an idea of the lowest price on a new coach. I know at least one deals with Jayco, and I believe there is one or more for Wildcat.
-steve
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Murgatroid
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05/30/08 09:26am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Slider hitch needed with extended pin box?
I have a short bed on my truck and an extended king pin on my new trailer and also had one on my old trailer. Never had a sliding hitch and never had any problem
I see many have gotten away with a regular hitch. I guess it comes down to what is a reasonable MAX turning angle one is likely to use.
From very rough estimations (I haven't measured anything), and using these numbers:
width of trailer: 96"
truck cab width: 72"
distance from pin center to cab: 35" (taken from a Reese installation guide for Dodge pickups)
Pin extention: 15"
Without the extended pin box, one can manage around a 44 degree turn before havoc ensues. With the extended pin box, this increases to around 60 degrees. Does anyone use a turn sharper than 60 degrees?
-steve
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Murgatroid
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05/28/08 04:30pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Slider hitch needed with extended pin box?
5th_Wheel_Short_Box_Towing
Any time the distance from the King Pin to the cab is less than 1/2 the width of the trailer, the trailer WILL HIT the cab in a 90° jack-knife turn. The math is not difficult.
Actually, the math is a bit more complicated than that. A given 5th wheel WILL come in contact with the truck, regardless of where the hitch is, at a certain angle. I would consider a 90 degree turn likely the absolute maximum that can be achieved, and in practice, not likely. Assume the center of the hitch pin is directly under the edge of the front cap, and that the front cap edge is straight across the width. As long as the trailer width is less than twice the distance from the pin center to the truck cab, you can achieve 90 degrees. If it is more than twice this distance, then you'll need more info to figure out at what angle you'll hit:
Angle = arctan(2d/c), where d is hitch to cab distance, and c is the truck cab width. This is for the case where the width of the trailer is wider than:
w > 2*sqrt(d^2 + c^2/4), where w is the width of the trailer.
if w is less than the formula above, you can go up to:
Angle = arcsine(2d/w)
This is a bit simplified and makes use of simple trigonometry. Now add in the extended pin box length, and my head starts to hurt! You no longer have a simple triangle to work with, so it's harder to figure out the angles involved.
In any case, I see that an extended pin box will buy you some amount of extra degrees in turning, but you would still not be able to do a 90 degree turn if the trailer width is twice the hitch to cab distance. The slider hitch increases this distance, which helps out more than the just extending the pin box.
Hmmm - I may have answered my own question... :R
-steve
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Murgatroid
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05/28/08 03:47pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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