RE: Hitching up
I do what H&T says....for a long time I was having trouble hitching up, never could get the ball aligned just right. It would be in the center, but not good front and back. I realized if I got in the position of being just a tad in front of the coupler then when I started lowering the coupler, the weight and shape of the coupler on the ball, would ease it down perfectly. Then the latch would fit perfectly too. It does it every time now.
RE: Pet things we learn the hard way!
Bostons do NOT open their mouth until they want to. What is in their mouth is theirs and theirs alone. If you want to try, and risk losing part of a finger, you can try to pry it open, but be aware of clamping teeth! They aren't being mean, it's just a possessive thing.
My Boston suckles and kneads a stuffed animal to put himself to sleep, sometimes 'cooing' at the same time. It's cute to watch, but sad, because it seems like he missed a part of his 'puppy fulfillment stage'. He is 6 years old now, and does this every night!
He burrows deep under covers, but always has to keep touching some part of my leg or back...kind of security for him I guess. Don't know how dogs can breathe so far under the blankets...but they don't seem to mind it.
And, last but not least...Bostons love to kiss with little quick licks. They love to show affection to their 'humans'. If they want to show deep admiration, they might lick your hand or leg with great determination, as if they just love you so much they are 'showering' you with love, the expression on their faces when doing that is one of complete committment.
RE: Foam Tops Effective?
I could not sleep on the regular trailer mattress, so I put a memory foam topper on it...works well. The only thing is that it kind of slides a little through the night to one side. Just requires a little readjustment in the morning.. I have a fluffy mattress pad on top of it too. I sleep on a memory foam topper at home too. I have been trying to figure out how to make it NOT move over like it does. Maybe that's just a characteristic of the toppers, don't know.
RE: Best outdoor carpet/mat?
I purchased one of the open weave mats from ebay. It is one that has the swirls of color like many rv's have now. I saved a lot getting it from ebay instead of an RV store. I don't know how long it will last, but I really like it. It stays cool to the touch, and my dog loves to lie down on it. The water goes right through. I have noticed that it gets a little nicked where the chair legs sit, but that is to be expected I guess. It is light weight and easy to fold back up. Doesn't take up much room in the pass-through storage either. This past week I brought it home and hosed it off and the water runs right off. If it lasts a few seasons, I'll be happy.
RE: Going alone (gulp)
You can do it! I go camping solo, just bought my camper at the end of last summer. I gradually have learned things about it, and if there is anything I am stumped about, I can usually find someone at the campground to ask.
The first trip I took was straight from picking it up from the previous owner. I knew zero other than what he had told me. All I had known was about popups.
The backing up was hard to learn, but I just take my time. If I get it backed in crooked, I start all over again! A couple times men have stopped and volunteered to 'rescue' me....and of course I let them! I do much better when I don't have an audience...haha!
I enjoy the peace and quiet, and my dog is my camping buddy...but there are times when it gets lonely. I sometimes have friends nearby and we all gather around the campfires and have a good time. But sometimes I know no one else but whomever I meet while I am there. And, that's okay too.
If I feel like cooking I do, if I don't..I eat whatever. If I want to take an afternoon nap, I do.
I ride my bike 2 or 3 times a day, all through the campground loops...that's fun. I read a couple books during the time I am camping.
Some people look at me very strangely when they find out I am alone out there, and some kind of have a look of ...'oh, you poor thing'...but it's a choice I made. I wanted to do some things while I am still able to. Used to camp when my kids were younger, back when I was married...and now it's time to camp again, no matter the situation.
Have a great time! Just be aware of your surroundings, and keep an open mind and a safe eye!
RE: F150 OD, no OD towing
I know this started about Ford 150, but could I ask about Dodge 1500 magnum V8...1996? This is my first truck, and I have a small trailer Springdale 20'5" tongue to bumper....like the other posters have said, should I NOT use the OD? I wasn't at all, then I have tried it a time or two. Mostly because I don't know what I am doing. I noticed that when I used it, the rpms went down. I thought that was GOOD, I thought that meant less stress on the truck. Maybe my thinking was wrong???
The button for the OD- if it is lit up is it ON or OFF? I know that sounds weird to ask, but I want to make sure I use it correctly. I just push the button and then I see the rpm's go down. So, in other words, should the light be on or off...should I use OD or not. I have NO hills to climb going to my favorite campgrounds, only slight inclines occasionally.
I have only had my trailer out three times last summer and three times this summer so far. So, I know I probably have not damaged it if I used OD incorrectly so far. Because on only one trip did I try it.
Thanks for any replies. Sorry to but into this topic but it did 'sort of' apply since it was about OD.
RE: what did you name your dog and why
My Boston Terrier is named Chance. For two reasons: I loved the movie "Incredible Journey" with the two dogs and cat who travel to find their 'loved one'. Chance was one of the dogs. And, the main reason is he is a 'second chance' for me to have a great little buddy. I got him a few months after my Maltese died.
But it turns out, Chance is the greatest pet I have ever had, bar none. He is a little guy in a dog's body....so intuitive...seems to know all that I feel and say.
Name your new dog what she looks like to you, or thoughts you have when you look at her! Some dogs just look like what they are named, some don't.
I call Chance different things from day to day, hour to hour...he has lots of nicknames...haha. (Chancer, Chancey, Wiggle-butt,BabyC, etc)
Enjoy your new little one1
RE: Dogs and Travel
I have my Boston Terrier secured with a harness and seat belt strap, which hooks into the regular seat belt fastener. Bought it at Fosters and Smith online. I feel better that he won't hit the dashboard with a sudden stop! He can lie down or sit while harnessed. I won't let him ride on my lap for two reasons: not safe for me, not safe for him.
RE: Earthquake prediction from afar????
I live in So. Illinois, and I woke up to my dog barking at what I thought was thunder, and I told him to be quiet, nothing was wrong. I guess he was smarter than me...lol, because as soon as I fully woke up, I could feel the house shaking,and heard a rumbling. All neighborhood dogs were barking like crazy. We have had 25 aftershocks since the first quake....the second one while I was at my desk at work and the desk literally bounced with the shaking!
I really think dogs/animals can sense the tremors or whatever atomspheric or seismic changes might occur prior to a quake. From looking at the seismic report online, there were tiny vibrations prior to the quake that we actually felt.
We had the most recent 'felt' aftershock yesterday, which is nearly a week after the first quake. It could be for months, I only hope these aren't 'foreshocks' to a biggggger one!
RE: New TT
I guess they added the outside shower since 05 model. That will be nice for you! My decor is shades of green/neutrals....I have seen ones with the blues/teal too. It has been lots of fun finding things for it. I did order a new sewer kit (Rhinoflex), since the starter one was really pretty flimsy. Other than that, all the necessary items were included.
I am considering adding a MaxAir Vent over the bathroom vent (has fan). I only had to use the furnace once last November, and used the air conditioner the other time I was out with it...all worked fine. I am sure with yours being new, you will have all the latest of features. Really mine looks brand new because it was kept under cover then, and I have had it in inside storage this winter as well.
I'm so happy for you! For one or two, maybe three people tops, I think it is a perfect camper. YES, you mentioned the bathroom...I was very surprised at the size of it. Actually the camper has plenty of storage too...especially having the pass-through section underneath.
Enjoy your first time out!
RE: New TT
Hi,
I have the Springdale 179RD, is that what you got? I just got mine at the end of last summer. It is a 2005,but got it for a steal, because the guy had never used the stove, microwave, oven, nor used the shower at all. It still had stickers all over it everywhere. I talked him into 8,000, and was very happy. I only got to take it out twice, since I had a popup from April to Sept...it was way too much work for me..haha.
Anyway, I gradually learned my way around the camper. Friends helped me master the water, dumping, hot water heater, propane, all those important things. I still will be kind of 'green' when I get it out in a week or so, because I forgot half of what I learned..but it was so much fun last summer.
I think it is a very nice camper, with great floorplan for two people....I have gotten a memory foam topper for the bed, since it was way too thin and I would sink to the board...and I am not heavy at all. I can't wait to see how this memory foam helps. I also had fun adding a few fun things, and will decorate a little this summer. I bought an RV mat to take with me, and the much-talked-about anti-gravity recliners.
What are you going to pull with? I bought a 96 Dodge Ram 1500, it did fine, but right now I am getting it serviced to be ready to tow again.
I was a little nervous about the awning, but will gradually get comfortable with it I am sure. It really does tow well, and I am towing it by myself and backing in myself, etc.
I had looked at the new ones and based on their prices, which you had spoken about, I feel I got a new USED camper at a great price. I love the back dining area with the picture window, don't you? I haven't tried to sleep anyone in the dinette area, but I guess it would work okay if they weren't too large.
Sounds like you made a good decision...have a great time with it!
RE: Newbie needs to know about RVdeepcycle battery info
thanks for the responses so far! I think maybe I will go talk to someone at the automotive store (Autozone,etc, we have three different places in town). Maybe they will check it and recharge it for me, then I can put it back on the tongue before I tow my camper home. I should have known that I needed it for the trailer brakes..duh!
Like I said, I am really new at this. I tried to master a few things last summer with first the popup then the camper late in the season. But when it comes to the electrical systems, i.e. battery too, I am out of my league.
Newbie needs to know about RVdeepcycle battery info
Hi, hope someone can answer a couple questions about batteries. I am new at this, and technically and mechanically, and a scaredy cat when it comes to batteries and electricity, etc.....
I have an Interstate marine/rv deep cycle battery. My camper is a 2005 Springdale, NEW to me last fall. I took it off my camper when I put camper in storage in November (before freezing temps). BUT, I didn't bring battery inside house until after some freezing temps occurred. I didn't have garage or anyplace to store it, but had it out of weather on a porch.
It has been in my house for about 2 months now. My first question is: what do I do to make sure it is up to par. I bought a Black and Decker Smart charger (trickle float charger 2/1) and after reading the manual I realized it is not as simple as I thought.
My battery is the wet kind, requires distilled water to be maintained. I don't see a manual for it, but on web it says put water up to 1/4 below top of tube?
I am afraid of hooking it up to battery charger thing, all things I read, says...possible explosion, etc. Yikes..is this rare, or is this common?
I really don't understand the equalizing stuff, that I just read all about on the Interstate battery website.....just more complicated than I understand.
Should I take it to a local Automotive Store and see what they can do? They could check it and all that?
I want to get my camper out of storage in two weeks. Does the battery need to be reinstalled before I tow it home? Or can it make the trip to my house without a battery on it? I only have across a small town to tow it, maybe 10 blocks.
Do you think I have messed it up by not bringing it indoors right away after removing it from the camper and coming home in the fall?
OR, should I just buy a maintenance free NEW battery and then leave it on my RV in the winter in storage, and then recharge in the spring?
Everything worked great when I last used the camper in November, which was only my second trip out.
Thanks for any help! I read this posts every day, looking for tips of all kinds. I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge on here.
RE: See new post: :Best breed for son and daughter-in-law
My Boston is a great camper. He does shed however, but at least he isn't getting his hair/fur full of cockleburrs or whatever he might get at a campsite. He loves to sit and observe people, and doesn't bark much. This past summer was his first to camp, and he knew after the first trip how much he enjoyed it and was ready to go every time after that! I have had long haired dogs, that require lots of brushing and trims, and by far prefer how clean my dog's hair stays being short. I keep a lint sticky roller handy and he stays reasonably manageable.
Best of all, Boston's have a sweet disposition, and are very loyal to their owners. He makes a good watch dog, and would bite someone if he HAD to, to keep the threat away from me. But generally he loves everyone that appears to know me.
RE: One thing that really bothers me.
My dog is always 'buckled' in. I bought a harness/seat belt fastener for dogs. He can only sit, stand in place, or lie down when buckled. He is used to it and knows he can't get into the driver's seat on top of my lap. It keeps him safer and me too, because a dog jumping into your lap when driving can make you lose control, jerk the wheel, and then who knows what would happen.
My front seat air bag disables when he is in the seat, it only recognizes a certain weight sitting in the seat. I think that was meant to protect children, not sure how that works.
Anyway, I use the seat belt/harness in my truck and car, and he knows his limit of movement and usually just lies down and sleeps.
RE: Any women drivers?
Yes, and it is SOOOO much fun! After the initial scariness wears off, that is. I think I will be learning for some time, but I figured out enough to get by. Started with popup last spring (too much work) and then bought a 18' trailer at the end of summer. I love it! It is easier to back up than the popup.
Also, I bought the yellow ball hitch aligner set and it makes it so much easier to hitch up.
I take my time, and ignore those who think it's a sideshow to watch..haha! I think actually they are a little in awe that a woman can do it by herself.
My dog is my camping buddy, and so far just loves it.
My first weekend I concentrated on learning the water, dumping, etc.
The next weekend I learned about the gas, furnance, hot water heater, etc.
I thought it would be overload to learn too much all at once. I had no conveniences with my popup, so a bathroom, furnace, hot water, dumping..all that was a new experience.
You will have so much fun, you will wonder why you waited so long. I camped in tents when I was younger, when my children were little, but if I had known how much fun this is, I would have gotten a camper years ago!
I am looking forward to years of camping. So far I have only gone in the area. But maybe I will get brave and venture farther one of these days.
RE: Hitching made easy now.
I have the hitch aligner that has yellow (looks like tennis balls) mounted on top, they are magnetic. One attaches to truck and other to hitch on camper. They telescope up to a height that is easy to see no matter how high your truck bed is.
It works great and with the same principle as the pictures you show. I can hitch up in less than five minutes now, instead of 49 times of backing up and getting out of truck to look and doing it over and over again.
I bought my set at Cabela's online.
RE: Air Compressor to air up your own RV tires?
Great, those are some fantastic suggestions! I only will be camping 2-3 weekends a month starting in April...so the smaller 120V the better, as long as it is reliable. Thanks!
RE: Air Compressor to air up your own RV tires?
Thanks for all the replies. Yes, I mean a 120V electric kind not the 12volt for cigarette lighter hookup. I would use electric hookup at home or campground.
I have a small jumper/air compressor thing (yellow thing with jumper cables?) And, I just didn't think it looked like it could do the job. I looked at Walmart and another place and they make all kinds and prices of air compressors. Don't want overkill, just one that for sure would do the job for vehicle or trailer tires in a pinch. I can go to gas station for major airups.
Thanks again!
Air Compressor to air up your own RV tires?
Just wondered if anyone has their own portable air compressor to use specifically to air their RV tires, instead of trying to manuver in and around the air hoses at gas stations to air the tires?
If so, what kind of PSI should I look for if I should get one? Any brand name come to mind, to suggest?
I just think I would have some problems getting near the air hoses at gas stations, and thought it might be easier to air up the tires myself. My RV is not large, but has tandem tires on each side. I really don't relish the idea of backing up the RV at a station after airing up, would rather be able to pull straight through, or do it myself at home.
I am fairly new at this, last summer was my first experience camping solo.
Thanks!
