RE: Fridge maintenance...
Thanks, all.
I think fairfaxjim is on the right track here for the model I have. I PM'd you for those scans - thanks so much! I checked out the link above, and though I'm sure the concepts are probably the same, that is certainly not the model fridge that I have.
As for "gas spiders," that might be the case - or something similar. I did use a can of compressed air to blow out the whole compartment, but without some disassembly, I really can't see what's going on in there. The manual should help.
The areas we go to are really dusty, so it's probably just a buildup of dust, or a bug or something that's blocking the jet.
Again, thank you for all your responses and help!
Fridge maintenance...
Hello all,
I have a Starcraft 11RT, with a Dometic fridge unit. Just returned from a nice weekend getaway camping trip where just about everything went perfectly - except I could not get the fridge to light! At all.
The campsite (and trailer) could not have been any more level, so I know for sure that was not the issue. I also know I had plenty of propane in the tanks. I got the water heat lit and used it all weekend without a hitch.
The fridge was working fine on our last trip - though it did "go out" once. (Something it had never done before.) I suspected it was just an errant gust of wind that somehow blew it out.
Is there any type of maintainance that I can do to the fridge? Perhaps something is clogged, or needs to be cleaned periodically, to increase the gas flow? I bought the trailer used, and have no owners manuals for the fridge.
The "sparker" (Piezo-electric) is working fine, too. (sparking reliably) I got fed up enough that after about an hour of trying to light it with the "sparker," (not exaggerating - I spent hours trying to light the fridge...) I eventually shoved my wand lighter in there and tried to light it that way - no go.
Any advice?
Thanks! :B
RE: Starcraft lift cable maintenance
Well, went to the storage yard today and tried to lube the lift system. I pumped a whole bunch of grease into the 2 zerks on the lifter cable "tube" that runs down the center underneath the trailer. Never could get any of the old grease to come out anywhere...I hope I used enough?
I found the "needle" at my local Kragan auto, and located the lube points near the four lifter posts, but could not figure out how to insert the needle into those spots to lube in there?
Does anyone have a link to some diagrams/directions for this procedure? Got Pics? I'm a grease-gun newbie...
RE: Starcraft lift cable maintenance
Hello all,
(Not so) Sorry to ressurrect an old dead thread, but I remembered seeing this post a while back and did a search to find it, as I'm in the midst of this very action this week. I have a 2005 Starcraft 11RT.
I finally bought a good grease-gun, (Actually a few months ago, but just getting around to doing this!) and some high quality grease for it, and plan on lubing the lift system and the wheel bearings before our big road trip next week.
I was under the trailer yesterday, and located the main grease zerks whilst cleaning up under there, so I'm pretty sure how to follow the directions posted above on that. (Except that the hose adaptor I purchased doesn't fit!) :M
My question: How much grease do I need? Do I pump until it comes out of that tube somewhere? (Like with the EZ-Lube wheel hubs?) If so, that seems like an awful lot of grease could be held in there? (More than the 1 tube I bought, anyway...)
Also, what is this "needle" spoken of above, and where is that inserted?
Additionally, should I lube the winch that cranks the cable? And with what type of lube? What about the pully at the back of the trailer?
Any guidance would be appreciated!
Thanks. :B
RE: What is this stuff?
Thanks all!
I'm glad to hear this is normal. I was worried that I was damaging the trailer. There really was quite a bit of stuff that came out of there...more than is in my picture even. Probably never cleaned out before...
While on the topic of water heaters, how does one determine when the anode rod for the water heater needs to be replaced? I know it gets "corroded," but at what point is it a "goner?"
Thanks!
What is this stuff?
Hello all,
I was cleaning our PUP from our last camping trip, and took a can of compressed air to the water heater compartment. It blew a bunch of flakey burnt black and rust colored chips out of the area where the flame is.
I took a picture:
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa79/DAGpics/June2008004.jpg width=800
My first assumption was that it was some sort of paint or coating from the hot water tank. Is this normal, or should I be concerned? the trailer is a 2005 Starcraft 11RT. We bought it used, and have only used the hot water heater a handful of times. I do not know how much use it saw with the previous owner.
Here's another pic:
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa79/DAGpics/June2008005.jpg width=800
What is this stuff!?!
Thanks.
RE: camping in possible thunderstorms this weekend
OK...an update to my last post.
There's snow in Big Bear, hail and flooding in Orange Co, and there was just an actual tornado touchdown (Yes, it's been confirmed) in Riverside Co. along the 215. Blew a few cars off the road, overturned a big-rig, and damaged a train...
Where ARE you going this weekend? You may want to re-consider...:E
Best of luck to you...
RE: camping in possible thunderstorms this weekend
Hey there, teachndad!
Not sure where you're heading, but we camped in our PUP last weekend up in the Frazier Park area (about 5,000 ft). It was HOT and very dry. The lows at night were in the `60's, at best.
However, this weekend, the forecasts up there are saying lows in the `30's and 20% chance of thundershowers. What a difference a week makes!
I'm in the San Fernando Valley also, and it was just pouring down rain and thundering here a few minutes ago, so the forecasts might actually come true this time...
As other's mentioned, unless you're isolated up on a ridge, or right next to an isolated tall tree, you should be fine. The winds will be a bigger concern.
If anything, it'll add some excitement to the trip and make for a better story.
Have Fun!
RE: First Post-Hope its a good one
Some great replies here.
The only thing I'll add is that if you do go Craigslist, as someone mentioned, don't be afraid to look outside your immediate area.
We live in Los Angeles County, but once I knew what PUP I wanted, I searched all over the state of California, and Western Arizona/Nevada for the right model at the right price. Finally found it (after several months of daily searching) in San Leandro, CA. (SF Bay Area)
I made the drive (5 hour there, 7 back) and picked `er up. Got a 2005 Starcraft 11RT that had only been used 3 times, and was kept in great shape, for half of what it cost new. We're quite happy with our PUP, overall, and I think Starcraft makes a good trailer.
$5,000 will get you a decent used trailer, probably about 5 years old. Be sure to check it out thoroughly before you buy...
Good Luck!
RE: Intermittent Porch Light...
Thanks, all.
I'll have to investigate those possibilities.
HeRuide - Yes, it is the porch-light switch I was refering to. I have not tried unplugging the bargman whaile the light is on, though.
Gotta run.
Intermittent Porch Light...
Hello all!
I've got a weird problem going on with my porch light. It only works when my PUP is hooked to the TV with the 7-prong Bargman connector - and even then, only intermittently. When just running off the battery power, I can't get it to work at all.
I bought replacement bulbs for it, but when I removed the current bulb, I discovered there was nothing wrong with it. I've since gotten it to turn on while hooked up to the TV, but as soon as I flip the switch off, it will not come on again.
I recall that this happened once before when I had it in for service, and the mechanic said it was just a fuse connected to the battery. I didn't see him replace the fuse, but it did work after that...
Why would the porch light need a fuse directly connected to the battery? Does it draw more power than the other devices in the trailer?
Anyway, just wondering if anyone is familiar with this problem. I should mention that my trailer is a Starcraft 11RT.
Thanks!
RE: Camp Fires
I'm an old Eagle Scout. There is only one way to start a fire. Kindling and ONE match. Seriously.
To this day, it's still a fun challenge to build and start a fire anywhere and anytime it's needed with nothing more than simple kindling and ONE match.
Of course, if it's raining out, and most of your wood is wet or damp, certain concessions can be made. I'll still use ONE match,(if necessary), and one of these!;)
This is where I'm at, too. I almost always use natural/found materials for kindling, though I do carry a Butane lighter for ignition.
The trick is to remember that fire needs air. If you just pile a bunch of stuff in the firepit, you're gonna have a heck of a time getting it lit.
I've always used a tee-pee method. Put some dry leaves/needles/tinder on top of a paper-towel or cardboard or even just a bed of dry pine-needles, and then build a small tee-pee structure over top of that with small kindling. Light it up, and keep feeding the flames with bigger and bigger kindling, then sticks, then branches, then logs.
When backpacking, or when things are wet, I've used commercially available firestarters, but it's pretty easy to make the equivilent. The one's I use are just cotton balls dipped in parafin wax. You can pull the cotton balls apart, and they are very easy to light.
Regarding that blowtorch linked above, I had a friend who lived in Hawaii - outside Hilo - and he used one of those to keep the jungle trimmed back at his home - seriously. He lived in the rain forest, and whenever the jungle was encroaching on his lawn/backyard, he would just use that flame thrower to burn it back!
RE: New RV park in Simi Valley, CA
Thanks, dmatt. That would be great. I actually don't live very far from it either, and do plan to go check it out too, but I won't be able to do that this weekend...we're going camping up north. (Get out of the heat here in So Cal.)
What I was hoping the OP'r might know is the rules/regs, pet situation, amenities, etc.
Thanks!
RE: New RV park in Simi Valley, CA
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I saw this a while back, and am curious. I've sent a PM to the OP'er as requested to do in the OP, but have yet to hear anything.
Has anyone checked this place out? What amenities (if any) does it have? Rules/regulations? Any pics?
Thanks!
RE: Converting a regular to an "offroad"
So the thicker frames on the off-pavement models (Baja, Evolutions, and don't forget the Starcraft RT's!) make no difference? Then why do they use reinforced frames for those models? Perhaps it's just to support the extra weight of quads, MC's, etc?
If you take a regular PUP off-pavement and subject it to a bit of abuse (Rough roads, rocks, creek-crossings, etc.), is it gonna hold up the same? Does suspension alone do the trick?
Just wondering aloud, here...
We've got a Starcraft 11RT, and just use the deck for cargo - no quads or MC's. Our TV was cramped with 3 passengers and a Golden Retriever - plus gear. The extra cargo space is what sold us on that model. (As well as the off-pavement capabilities...) It's got all the amenities, and allows us to bring plenty of toys along. It's pretty rugged, and allows us to camp where we want to be - mostly boondocking. Something to consider.
FWIW...
RE: Fridge baffle mod...
Bill (OZ and Us) is one of the folks that have used reflectix as a baffle. Here are his pictures.
Here is another example
Ruide
That's the one! Thanks, He Ruide. I'm not sure why I thought those were your pics...
RE: Fridge baffle mod...
Thanks for the link. A while ago, though, I saw a post where someone had used a "reflectix" type material that was very maleable and could be press-fit into place for the baffle mod.
I think it might hve been HeRuide, but I've browsed throguh his mod pics and didn't see it...perhaps it was someone else?
The sheets of aluminum flashing look promising, too. I'll look into that.
Thanks.
