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Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: information on gas mileage
A 42 gal barrel of oil will make 19.5 gal of gasoline.
Actually it appears that you can make about 43 gallons of gasoline from one barrel of oil if that is all you use the oil for. The goverment data shows typically the percentage for each type of product derived from a barrel of oil and 19.15 gal. is 44% of 44 gal.
Dick
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dclark1946
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05/15/08 05:40am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Mystery Battery Drain
If you are planning on depending on your battery for dry camping you really need to consider purchasing and learning how to use a DC clamp on Ammeter to easily check discharge and charging currents. With this type of meter there is no disconnecting any cables just clamp the loop over the battery cable.
Dick
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dclark1946
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05/15/08 05:09am |
Tech Issues
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RE: DirecTV - First Issue
I have been using an inline meter for years along with the azimuth and elevation settings which gets me close enough that I rarely pick up the wrong satellite. Soon as I get a strong signal on the meter my wifes hollers "downloading the guide".
Dick
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dclark1946
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05/14/08 08:35pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Air Card = Internet while driving down the road?
I do it. I use an external Wilson Truckers Antenna and a Wilson 3 watt amplifier, which helps as we move around. Air card is inserted into a wireless router, so I can use the laptop anywhere in the MH. I use Sprint.
We do the same thing except with Verizon.
Dick
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dclark1946
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05/14/08 08:25pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Do You Unhook Your Batteries When In Storage
I found that pulling ONE fuse in my converter disconnects all our TT battery drains, so I just pull the one fuse when stored. I then use a $20 solar battery maintainer to keep battery charged. Works great in winter also.
This is what I do also. I use a 10W solar panel.
Dick
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dclark1946
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05/10/08 06:08am |
Tech Issues
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RE: (4) 6-volt -vs- (4) 12-volt batteries....Your opinion?
I agree, use what you have.
If you think you will get a whole bunch more AH capacity out of 4 6'ers, rather than 4 12'ers (grp 27) you're thinking wrong. They all are near the same capacity. But the 6'ers are consistently reported to have better longivity in yrs of service.
I have had great performance with 12V Trojan SCS series batteries compared to generic deep cycle batteries from Sams. They may not be as cost effective as the golf cart batteries but I am not interested in hauling a lot of lead around when I can keep my one high quality 12V charged with a 29 pound generator and a gallon of gas for over a week of dry camping. I do not run an inverter but do run a vent fan all night plus the usual water pump lights etc. You should also make sure that your battery(s) is in good condition by flly charging and checking open circuit voltage for several days. I also run the desulphate cycle on my charger for about a week prior to any entended dry camping to make sure the battery is at full capacity.
Dick
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dclark1946
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05/09/08 06:16am |
Tech Issues
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RE: charging the battery
I use a clamp-on Ammeter to monitor charging current. When the current drops to 3A I shut the generator off. This is a good number for a single 12V deep cycle battery. The battery is not completely charged but it takes a lot more time to get it 100% and since I run the generator every morning I just try to replace what I used the previous day. A 3-stage charger will do the job quicker. If I am camping for over a week I may run the generator longer one day in the middle of the stay to reduce chances of sulfation.
Dick
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dclark1946
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05/09/08 06:05am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Friction sway controll or dual cam
The Reese strait-line dual cam hitch is the only hitch we offer...whether you're buying a 2700 lb. 21' Travel Trailer or a 8500 lb. 32 footer. Our customers who have had both prefer the dual cam.
What do you do with those who purchase a trailer that has a light tongue weight? The Dual Cam needs to have a minimum of 400lbs of tongue weight to be effective.
I agree with the others that the Dual Cam is a very good sway control device. I used both the friction sway control and the Dual Cam for quite a few years.
Barney
We just upgraded from a 22 ft to a 27 ft. trailer. I though more than friction sway would be required for this size but my dealer said not needed. I have been towing this trailer since last October under all kind of wind conditions and have not had any issues with a single friction sway control. My wife's niece and her husband have been pulling a 28 foot trailer with an Explorer and a single sway bar with no issues other than pulling power. It seems to me that if your hitch weight is proper then the need for anything other than friction control on a moderate length (25-27 ft.)trailer is more than needed.
Dick
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dclark1946
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05/07/08 06:11am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Windows XP SP3 ?
I was just reading up on SP3 this morning. It appears to mostly be a collection of all the past updates which seem to be mostly security related but some improve stability. I will probably update after it has been out for a month or so to make sure there are no significant issues. One good thing is that it does not alter your IE version although it does update either version 6 or 7.
Dick
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dclark1946
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05/07/08 05:49am |
Technology Corner
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RE: RV Covers - A Must or a Waste of Time
We have used ADCO custom covers with Sunbrella material on all of our trailers with no issues at all. The Texas sun is brutal on exteriors and the covers minimize the UV effects. I don't use the cover much in the spring because we use the trailer a lot but do keep it covered in the summer and winter.
Dick
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dclark1946
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05/07/08 05:44am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Electrical/Battery
Separate the batteries, charge them and test them.
And get a digital multimeter so you can check voltages. Add a clamp on ammeter for even better diagnostics to check charging and load current at the battery.
Dick
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dclark1946
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05/06/08 05:41am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Why do people not use their bumper sewer storage?
Used the bumper on the last three rigs (including my present one). Never had pin holes, never had problems....works like a charm. Why change a good thing.
Same here. I do remove the hose when I get home to let the bumper interior dry out. No problems with my hose in use for several years.
Dick
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dclark1946
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04/30/08 09:06pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: tires
I have read just about every thread on TT tires here for that past couple of years. I have come to a couple of conclusions;
1. every brand has had some documented problems, no matter where they were made.
2. every brand has some great success stories, no matter where they were made.
3 My TT came with the dreaded "Mission" tires which have served me perfectly so far. (3 seasons and about 20,000 miles of every type of road and weather conditions)
4. I believe that it is time to replace them before they become a problem.
5. I am putting on a set of "Towmasters" as they seem to have as good a record as any and my local dealer which is providing them (and is a place I have known for many, many years and that I trust) also has a very good history with them.
I hope they serve me as well as the Missions did.
I don't think you will find anyone that has gone to LT tires that has been unhappy with them.
Dick
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dclark1946
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04/26/08 10:45pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: ST 225/75/15-D to LT 225/75/16-E Tires & Wheels???
Why not use the 15 inch LT tires? That is what I am using on our trailer.
Dick
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dclark1946
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04/26/08 08:44pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Hope for XP users
But is there any hope for poor slobs like me? I paid good money for a laptop last year that is all but useless because of that lame excuse for an operating system. And believe it or not, none of my calls to Calcutta have helped!
Just ordered a new laptop thie week with XP pro.
Dick
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dclark1946
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04/25/08 05:26pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: P205/75/15 s on my TT = how long will they last?
I had a similar weight trailer and installed 4 Michelin passenger tires on it and put over 10K miles with no problem. I ran them at 37 PSI. I was still well with in the weight capacity of the tires. I probably would not try this with cheap passenger tires but would rather have high quality passenger tires than ST tires. My friend towed his big boat and only used passenger tires with never a problem.
Dick
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dclark1946
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04/21/08 08:10pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Tire Recomendations
If there is any way you can use LT tires do so. You can get Michelin LT load range C as small as 15 inch.
Dick
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dclark1946
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04/19/08 06:15am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Need help Tire question
I don't believe you can get LT tires in 15 inch. I do believe switching to 16 inch would be the best option if your situation allows it. For our rig, it simply wasn't a viable option. If you are staying with 15 inch rims, either Maxxis or Denman would be a prudent choice. I bought Denman Express ST Radials (made in Mexico) E rated 10 ply. I did have to by new wheels capable of the required 80 PSI. I also had metal valve stems installed.
Best of Luck!
Yep I have Michelin LT (load range C) tires in 15 inch on our trailer.
Dick
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dclark1946
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04/18/08 04:50pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Can I justify a diesel ?
Short trips are hard on a diesel, they need both warmup and cool down time. You don't give the weight of your 34ft 5er, suspect it is heavy enough to need either a diesel or a V10 and everything I've heard about the V10 says thirsty.
I drive my 2004 PSD 3 miles one way to work every day in between camping trips and have had no issues with regular short trips. I do full throttle acceleration as often as traffic permits to clear the exhaust ports and exercise the turbo. I also do minimal idleing except at stop lights. I also change the oil more frequently since the engine does not get fully warmed up.
Dick
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dclark1946
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04/18/08 04:46pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: What type of Deep Cycle Batteries should I buy?
Have you ruled out a small quiet generator? I have a single Gr 27 Trojan SCS 200 AH battery and a 29 pound generator to recharge a few hours each day. One gallon of gas for a week of dry camping. Beats hauling all that lead around.
Dick
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dclark1946
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04/17/08 09:43pm |
Truck Campers
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