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RE: Southern route in winter
Thanks for the great info on traveling the lower 48 out west. We've considered this route and wanted to hear from those who have driven it.
thnx,
Robert
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Robelyn
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08/04/08 10:21am |
Roads and Routes
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Southern route in winter
This topic has been moved to another forum.
You can read it here: 21733587
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Robelyn
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08/03/08 06:43pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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Southern route in winter
Hi all,
Well we survived the maiden voyage (RT Baltimore Ohio to Belfast Maine) with few problems and had a pretty good time. Developed a punch list and RV is at dealer for remedy. TV's turbo waste gate went bad so had TV dealer replaced under warranty. Never thought an aftermarket warranty was useful until now as turbo was $2100 w/$100 deduct. Also installed Air-Lift air bags on rear suspension for a more level and stable ride.
Anyway, we are planning a winter trip to Mesa, Az January-April. What is best route to take? We've done a more westerly route from home thru St Louis, to Ok City, thru New Mexico and into northern Az but am skittish of route in winter months.
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Robelyn
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08/03/08 06:43pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Merging traffic and diesel performance
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the reminder as was already aware of need to re-install factory program in truck before dealer work.
Dealer sez the turbo is sick with a bad waste gate and will cost $2165 to replace but ins will cover al but $100 deductible. Also the fuel filter and tranny flush is covered. dealer also doing oil/lube at discounted $$. Expect truck to run a lot better.
Been lookig into air-lift susppension kit. found it for $227 at Jegs in Ohio.
robert
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Robelyn
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07/18/08 09:37pm |
Tow Vehicles
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Merging traffic and diesel performance
This topic has been moved to another forum.
You can read it here: 21628650
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Robelyn
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07/07/08 08:29pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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Merging traffic and diesel performance
to all who responded to my 2 posts today about these 2 topics -- WOW -- you'd thougt I'd smaked a hornets nest with all the responses (35 replys).
1. Basic concept here: with other vehicles merging on right, keep your speed and signal them with blips of high beams to catch their attention if necessary (sometimes use horn). If you can, move over to a lane to let them in or drive in middle lane where available. And I agree that is THEIR PROBLEM to merge with me.
2. With the diesel peformance, I think the fuel consumption is similar with that reported by others so will live wih it. I did notice the trany slipped/grabbed a little on shifting while on an errand when I "got on it" after I posted this topic. Also had a DTC of 1249: "waste gate not recognized" in the tuner after I checked codes today. Bought the truck in Nov 2007 and purchased a 100K/5yr after market warranty policy that covers drive train, motor, trany, turbo, rearend so will take to dealer for checkout and let you know results later.
Thanks.....
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Robelyn
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07/07/08 08:29pm |
Tow Vehicles
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Diesel performance
This topic has been moved to another forum.
You can read it here: 21626515
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Robelyn
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07/07/08 01:39pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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Diesel performance
Hello again,
We recently towed our 5er to Maine and back. Took our incentive check and spread alot of cheer along the way in the form of diesel fuel purchases ($5.149 on NY turnpike & $4.799 in Maine). If you read our profile, we are running a 2003 F-250 long bed, 7.3L TD with a Hypertek tow program in the truck computer. I was dismayed at the lack of performance in towing our rig and the poor fuel ecomony - opposite to that touted by many who run diesels and tow large trailers. Our trailer weighs in at about 12,400# with a max at 13,600# which gave us a GCVR of 18,960# out of 20K# available. Unloaded, the truck delivers about 17-19 MPG but with the trailer in tow, about 10-12 MPG. Does this sound comon? Also the rig bucks a lot on the road and the front steering is light and if not on top of it, will find yourself in the next lane easily. I spoke with several F-250 and F-350 owners in several campgrounds and they said, "Our setup was unusual and shouldn't handle that way". Most have no problems towing and usually stated that they didn't know their trailer was in tow and got decent mileage. Our rig is at the dealer for some minor repairs, shook out from the trip.
So, is our setup normal? Do we need to live with poor fuel economy? How do we address the handling issues (dealer says truck, hitch and trailer set up correctly)?
Thanks....
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Robelyn
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07/07/08 01:39pm |
Tow Vehicles
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Merging traffic
This topic has been moved to another forum.
You can read it here: 21626429
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Robelyn
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07/07/08 01:15pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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Merging traffic
Hi all,
Thanks to all who have helped us with many questions. Really appreciate all your help. Well, just returned from taking our rig for its maiden voyage to Belfast Maine from Columbus Ohio and return. Boy what a deal!! Mostly good times, had some minor unit probems (rig now at dealer to fix) but had several (too many) incidences with merging traffic where folks who were getting on the freeway and we couln't move over to ease the merge process. We always drove in the curb lane except to pass a slower vehicle. It seemed that when people saw us coming and HAD LOTS OF ROOM TO SPEED UP TO MERGE EASILY just slowed down and casued several near misses or they were run off the merge lane (and some minor road rage - gestures and yelling at us)that we almost decided to get off the intersates and travel back roads to get home.
So my question is: How does one deal with this? I try to drive defensively at all times but when other do not help out and add to the problem, what does one do? I can't see slowing down as these folks decide to slow down at the end of their ramp - then we'd both come to a stop. When possible, I move over but with trucks and autos going faster than us, sometimes not able. Thoughts????
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Robelyn
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07/07/08 01:15pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: interested on a 5th wheel... not sure.. help
We're newbies to the 5er scene and are on our maiden voyage as I reply to you. As stated earlier, there are many factors that get rolled into a big purchase like this. If you have DEEP pockets then don't worry and purchase what you want. If you are like the rest of us, only you can decide what fits your family's needs and what you can pull with your truck.
We looked at the Montana line but chose to go with an Open road 305RL3s-5 rig. It has a rear living area, 3 slides and a self-contained bathroom (no center aisle to deal with). So far we are very pleased with it and are heading to Maine for a 3-week trip.
best of luck in your decision process and ultimate purchase. By the way, we looked into rvwhaolesalers.colm but chose to go with a more local dealer as saved big $$$ on $58K rig and can get local service in Springfield Ohio.
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Robelyn
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06/19/08 08:30pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Whats Your Real Weights? Truck and Trailer. The Real Deal
Took rig to flying J scales.
TV 2003 Ford F-250 w/Pull-Rite hitch. Weighs 7185#
Rig is 2008 Open Road 305RL3S-5 (35 ft 5er) GVWR 12,800#
All up weight 18,960# with max rig at 20,000#.
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Robelyn
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06/19/08 07:53pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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Weigh Stations
All,
Thanks for the support and info from my earlier postings. I have another (maybe dumb) question reagarding weigh stations along interstates, etc. Are we required to stop and get weighed? Are any mandatory or is it as posted or not at all? I don't think I've seen an RV in one but thought I should ask. Any comments?
Thanks.
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Robelyn
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05/09/08 08:42am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Lube plate for Pull-Rite hitch
I guess I didn't quite make my post clear in that our hitch is not a sider type but a fixed type on a long bed PU. so the hitch doesn't move, swivel or anything like that.
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Robelyn
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04/30/08 08:51am |
Fifth-Wheels
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Lube plate for Pull-Rite hitch
Hi all,
Yet another piece of info for the 5er community. We are using a Pull-Rite 16K hitch (non-slider)in a long-bed Ford F-250 to pull our rig. I wanted to use a lube plate instead of greasing the hitch so I called Pull-Rite and got this info. Pull-Rite said I could use a lube plate IF it was less than 1/4" thick. so took said plate to my son-in-law who has a large wood-working drum sander and sanded off the thickness to about 3/16". It seems to work great. Pull-Rite said to be VERY carefull of thickness as it may result in "high-hitching" and the hitch latch may not securely capture the king pin. So far, the pin has been captured each time and I verify is it before heading out. Any comments?
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Robelyn
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04/30/08 08:32am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: lock on 5th wheel so cannot be stolen
Hi,
We purchased a locking sleeve type lock that has an internal pin. I believe the cost was about $40 from Camping world and it works great.
the key is the type that looks like the ones used for vending machine locks.
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Robelyn
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04/30/08 08:24am |
Fifth-Wheels
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Kenda Load Star tires
Hi all,
Thanks for all the feedback on my Kenda Tire posting from January '08.
As additional feedback, I met a man who works for Kenda tire in Columbus Ohio (their corporate offices in Ohio (maybe USA)). Anyway he says how it works is that Kenda provides RV companies specs on tires, the manufacturers build to THOSE specs and load up the rig as such. Then when the RV purchaser buyes the rig and loads THEIR stuff in it, it is now overloaded (in regards to the tire specs) and thats when the RVer begins to have tire problems. Doesn't sound quite right as there is no built in safety margin for loading, say 25% of load rating. Any thoughts on this or setting the info correct? I live outside the Columbus Ohio area, not too far from the Kenda offices.
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Robelyn
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04/30/08 08:12am |
Fifth-Wheels
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How far to travel
Hi all,
Quick question about how far to drive per day? We're new to the 5er world so need some sage advice from those who know. We are planning on driving to coastal Maine in June from central Ohio. Before the RV, we'd drive the approx 980 miles in 2 days (about 9 hrs in car/day), stopping in Wilkes-Barr PA overnight. This seems a bit too much towing the 5th wheel. We are thinking of doing it in 3 days. How does one decide?
Thanks again,
Robert
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Robelyn
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02/09/08 08:01pm |
Beginning RVing
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RV Toilet paper
Hi all, Its me again. We're newbies to the world of the 5er so have lots of questions about many things. Our last unit was a 1994 Starcraft 1224 popup w/o toitet facilitiies. Sold it in 2001. Anyway, a bit mistified with the requirement for "RV toilet paper". We presently live in country on well+septic system and regularly use "septic approved" paper and have no problems. With the black water tank, can we use this septic paper or better to use RV paper?
PS thanks to all you who replied on my tire question. Will contact dealer to see if can change out or will begin looking for replacememnts. The Karrier tires have less that 500 mi on them - mfg to dealer and dealer to home.
Thanks again,
Robert
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Robelyn
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01/30/08 09:08am |
Fifth-Wheels
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Load Star Tires
Recently purchased Open Road 305RL3S 5er with Load Star brand Karrier H/D tires on it. Tire specs are ST235/35R16, also has other identifiers such as 120/116Q, load range E at 90PSI cold.
Does anyone have experience with these tires - good/bad in light of other problems reported with tires?
Much appreciated.
Robert
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Robelyn
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01/28/08 07:05pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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