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RE: Rebuildt viking
That is a very nice job you did there.
Good craftmenship is a beautiful thing to behold.
Happy camping.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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10/10/08 09:52am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Oregon Cascades trip part 3
Thanks for sharing your trip. Really great pictures.
Our trip to Oregon last year decided to come back 101 the whole way. Left Tillamook on Friday at 5PM, didn't pull into our drive way until 5PM on Sunday. Total 24 hours of driving time.
We usually cut over to I5 at Coos Bay.
On our trip this year in August, we cut over at Reedsport and went up the Umpqua River. Had never been on the route before. That is one beautiful river. Never new how big it was.
When we left Reedsport it was foggy and cool in the 40's. By the time we hit I5 it was 102F, Medford 107F and Redding 115F. Definately a shorter trip but could have done without the heat.
Sorry to hear about your 2mm child birth. Hope that you are feeling better. Have you named it yet?
Just kidding, I hope that everything is ok.
Best regards,
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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10/09/08 05:51pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Massachusettes Inspection Stickers..
Mike,
Ya they always try to save a buck and it winds up costing them much more.
Don't like it but what can you do.
I was just reading about your Salem trip next week. It has been a fantacy of my DW and I to go to Salem for Halloween. We love dressing up in costums. Use to be into the Ren Faires. Well I hope that you all have a lot of fun.
Best to you all.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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10/09/08 04:49pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: The Day Has Arrived!
Congratulations. Looks like a very nice unit.
I haven't seen the inside of one of these pop ups. If you have a chance could you post some inside pictures.
Happy camping.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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10/09/08 04:36pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Massachusettes Inspection Stickers..
Mike,
California hasn't gone so far as to include pickups in what they call their BIT programs that cover inspections of commercial vehicles.
However, we have smog inspections here. The inspection certificate is around $29 (not sure of exact cost) then you have to have it done by a certified facility. The new smog laws require the tests be done on dyno's and the range can be from $79 to what ever they want to charge plus the smog cert. From the shops point of view, they are paying for the building, utilities, insurance and employees. Plus I am sure that if they are like California they have to keep very good records of inspections and submit reports and if they accept the inspection sticker fee for the state they have to monitor and account for that as well. Someone has to pay for this.
It may be possible that they are including 1 ton vehicles as many are used for commercial purposes. Here anyone with a pickup must pay a tax for the hauling weight of the vehicle when ever they renew their registration. Since so many people use pickups for business and pleasure they can't distinguis between one and the other.
Not fair for all but what is.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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10/09/08 04:31pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Apex 8 vs Lance 825 vs Weight
I own a 2500hd gas unit. I wish I had bitten the bullet and purchased the diesel. Going up hills you can really see the difference with a diesel, comparing to others I know and all the trucks that passed me on the hills during our last Oregon trip.
Also the cost to operate a diesel is less. I get between 8.5 and 9.25 mpg with my gas unit, fully loaded. That is a cost of $0.39 per mile at $3.50 per gallon and 9 mpg.
Everyone that I have spoke to and from what I can see in here most people here get 14-16 mpg. Even with the slightly higher cost of diesel the savings over each mile makes them far cheaper to operate, $0.27 per mile at $3.99 per gallon and 15 mpg.
The engines and will also out last a gas engine by at least 4 times. I have several friends with between 300,000 and 500,000 miles on their trucks. They change the oil filters regularly but only change the oil every third filter change. Our utility company PG&E at one time, I don't know if they still do, never changed the oil in any of their rigs. Just changed the filters religously and topped the oil off. After all oils don't brake down unless you over heat it. The additives will over time but topping off and replacing the oil lost in the filter change will replenish the chemicals. Most important thing is to replace the filters.
Just my opinion and something to think about.
Good luck and happy camping.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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10/07/08 03:32pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Spreadsheet for Camping List...
We have a short list that we use. Most everything that is in the camper is in plastic boxes. Each box has a catagory so it is easy to check the box to see what is in it.
Also makes it easy to move things from the TC to the house and back on the things that we do.
Have bee contemplating putting together a detailed check list as others have done.
If someone where to post some check lists in xls that would be great.
If not thats ok too.
Nice part about the boxes is that they are easier to control movement in cabinets than loose items.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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10/07/08 11:54am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trailer battery storage
If you do this which I think could have possibilities. Then I would highly recommend oversizing the cables and using the type connectors they have on electric forklifts. They are rated for very high amperage flow and will ensure a safe low resistant connection.
Also, we may need to balance the load on the trailer. Maybe line the batteries for and aft along both sides. You could then use the center for loading other, less heavy items and maintain a fairly balanced load.
Good luck.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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10/06/08 11:43am |
Truck Campers
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RE: The Ultimate Truck for TCing
You know when I posted this I was thinking it would be funny. I really didn't expect this to be truely concidered as a vehicle for TCing.
I am amazed how these threads expand. Fun but strange.
Still more interesting that discussing ones black water tank.
Have fun with it and don't take it too seriously.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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10/03/08 12:37pm |
Truck Campers
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The Ultimate Truck for TCing
Just got in the new SEMA magazine today and found an add for the ultimate truck.
If your worried about weight, you won't have to worry ever again, no matter how big your TC is.
Ultimate Truck
The weight police are out of a job.
Enjoy
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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10/01/08 05:45pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Bodega Dunes Campground, CA
I want to thank you all for your input.
We were having a heck of a time getting a reservation at any of the CG's. Finally, got a space at Wrights. Looking forward to getting away. Have scheduled Friday and Saturday, September 26th & 27th.
Thanks again.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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09/18/08 10:14am |
Truck Campers
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Bodega Dunes Campground, CA
DW and I are trying to plan a weekend trip to the coast. Was checking out Bodega Dunes Campground. On Trip Advisor seem to find a lot of posts about the camp hosts and rangers. Most are from larger groups 8 plus.
Has anyone stayed there?
What were your experiences?
What are the best sites?
If you know of any other good CG's between Bodega and Half Moon Bay we would appreciate your suggestions.
We like very quiet and very private with close beach access, trees and if possible fog horns in the distance.
Thanks,
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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09/13/08 07:35pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Taking camper off at the camp site
If we are to be at a site longer than a day, we usually take the TC off.
Just lower the jacks as far as possible without resting the TC on the ground. If the ground is soft we put a piece of plywood about 12 inch square or I have even used a piece of firewood to keep the foot from sinking in.
You really don't have to go through a lot.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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09/12/08 02:40pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Bamboo upgrade
I was thinking about doing something simular in our TC. Was afraid that it would be too much wood. But looking at yours it goes very nicely.
Having covered the step to the bunk area, does it cause any slipping problems getting up or down?
Regardless, a very nice job.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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09/09/08 02:11pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Did I buy 2-bad replacement batteries for my TC ?
Glad you got that taken care of.
Those type of problems can push anyone over the edge.
There is only one thing worse and that is an intermediate short.
Congrats again.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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09/09/08 01:50pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Bugs on camper? How to remove/how to keep from sticking?
I have found that a good coat of wax is one of the best preventatives that you can use. However, that being said, if the bugs are allowed to stay there too long and get burned into the finish from the summer heat, not even wax will help.
I try to wash them off periodically on the trip while they are fresh and before the sun bakes them in.
My sister-in-law uses Rain-X on her shower doors, says it makes it easy to clean. I was thinking of trying it on the from area of the camper for the next trip.
Short of that and on the too far side, we could put a bra on the the front of the camper like they do on cars. Would also help protect from branches.
Regards,
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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09/09/08 12:33pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Did I buy 2-bad replacement batteries for my TC ?
I have been reading this post and it sounds from the different conditions that are being experienced like you have a bad connection between the converter and the batteries or one of your systems is causing a drain on the system.
Have you checked for any corrosion, if you have done any work are you sure that some insulation hasn't gotten between the wire and connection?
Have you tried separating your systems from the batteries to see if one of them are causing a draw.
You could disconnect the truck, solar and converter and see if the voltage at your distribution panel is close to the voltage at your battery. Check amperage also. If you have all loads off and all your charging systems are disconnected there shouldn't be any draw.Turn all loads off for this. For the next steps it is better to disconnect the distribution panel from the batteries and charging systems.
Then one by one connect each of your power sources. Connect the solar and make your checks again. Then disconnect and connect the converter.
I have always found that when there are too many items within the system it is best to step back and look at each one individually. Don't just turn them off but disconnect the wires so they and as much of their wiring as possible is disconnect from the system (batteries).
This will enable you to isolate each of the systems and see if any of them may be causing the problem. Your converter may be sensing your solars output and that could effect what it thinks the system needs.
Good luck on this. I know that these type of problems can drive you crazy. Thats why I try to go back to basics.
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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09/09/08 12:24pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Lance 1181 inside vent?
You could always run the vent to the exterior.
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PJ Colahan
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09/09/08 11:50am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Anyone using this Monitor Panel?
I'm not using one but external tank sensors would be a big benefit as the internal sensors are always getting stuck.
Do all the sensors come with the read out panel for the price shown? If so not a bad price. I wonder how accurate they are?
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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09/08/08 04:36pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Portable genset ?
While you would think that the compartments are designed that way it isn't so.
On most TC's the compart is designed for built in gensets that barely fit in the area. These compartments are usually too short to allow for the portable gens to fit.
Air flow as mentioned is a big concern as these units require a lot of air since they are air cooled. Installed units have special fans to bring the air in.
Exhaust is another. Most units have special exhaust that are designed air tight to the oulet which is plumbed outside of the box. Portables are not designed for use in close quarters and may not have a completely sealed exhaust line.
Gasoline fumes are another problem. Installed gensets are usually set up for LPG from your TC's tanks. Portables are gasoline and as such must be used in well ventalated areas. Explosive fumes can easily build up in these compartments as gas tanks are vented. If this is not vented properly then you have a potential for an explosion.
I have seen a thread where someone had redesigned their compartment for storage and transport of there Honda but I don't recall if it allowed the unit to be operated there.
Regards,
PJ
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PJ Colahan
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09/08/08 04:30pm |
Truck Campers
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