RE: Why a 5'er??
Lots of the above comments are valuable.
I have a 24 ft 5thW, 5,000 dry, 7,000 loaded, tow vehicle is a F150 SCAB with tow package; that's about as much as the F150 can tow in a 5thW style. You do get more storage in a 5er, so we can leave all the gear in the 5er; in our case that is a big advantae(single car garage that I keep filled with junk). You can get a larger TT vs 5er for given size of truck due to the reduced pin weight. If you have need for a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, then a 5er that needs that size truck can make a lot of sense. If you are going to have to get a larger truck that you use regularly just to pull the 5er occasionally, I'd think about a TT instead. With the cost of fuel toady, any larger tow vehicle than needed is a real disadvantage. We're very happy with what we have, but in toady's gas price climate, I might have done it differently.
A lot of the answer is your personal use of the tow vehicle and trailer.
Good Luck,
Doug
RE: TT structure
You can find the aluminum studs with a good stud finder. I suspect there are fewer than you expect, and good possibility not around your window. If you have a unit that is frame and foam sandwich like mine, you can re-frame with wood, and install a new larger window.
Doug
RE: Do performance mods make a worthwhile difference?
Who's this DSteiner51 giving advise. He towing with a light weight TV, and can't even set up his 5er level. Don't pay any attention to this guy.
Doug
RE: Break away brake switch activated - quick release?
I'm going to start with the answer you don't want to hear. Be more careful in loading. In 30 years I've never activated the emergency brake.
Spring return switch in cab (spring return so it can't be left in override)to send 12 V + to one of the unused leads in the umbilical cord to activate a normally closed relay in the TT that would disconnect the emergency brake switch. This would be pretty simple. Trailer actually disconnect, both emergency brake cable and umbilical cord disconnect, system works as normal. Only cable pulled, you can activate switch and relay will remove emergency brake. I still recommend my first solution!!!
Regards,
Doug
RE: refrigerator broken in 10 year old Mallard
If the unit was working and out of the blue stopped, and you have no hint that the charge has been lost (a very distinctive smell of ammonia, accompanied by a yellow stain somewhere on the cooling system), then the unit is probably well worth fixing.
I would certaily see if unit will work on LP, if the flame starts, runs correctly and unit cools, your problem is electric. I would start with insuring power is available, followed by checking the heating element. Element should show a resistance of about 30 to 50 Ohms. If open, replace element.
If still not working, you will need to get lots of information(make, model), find instructions and schematic, and start trouble shooting the controls. If you don't feel comfortable trouble shooting it might be time to take it to a dealer for repairs.
Doug
RE: Working with a 1/2 Ton...need opinions and options
My 4980 lb dry 5er is 7000 lbs (by scale) loaded up and ready. A 5er thats 6750 dry is going to be in the 8500 loaded up and ready to hit the road.
Doug
RE: cross country
Our first long trip, we drove 6000 miles in 4 weeks. We decided this was absurd. Next big trip we drove 4000 miles in 4 weeks, still too much. Last big trip we drove 11,000 miles in 12 weeks, still too much. Don't forget, a 2 day stop is actually a 1 day visit; arrival day is setup and figure lay of land; next day is visit; departure day is breakdown and get out of town.
The trip you are describing sounds like 6000 miles in 4 weeks. I'd try to shorten the distance, or lengthen the time. You don't say if you are taking children along or not; that's a lot of time to keep chillin quiet.
Have a good trip,
Doug
RE: Picking up new unit, what can I expect to come with it?
On both the pop-up and 5er that we've bought; dealers filled LP tanks, put in a battery(Interstate piece of junk both times), and threw in one of the starter kits. Both did a pretty through PDI. Neither battery lasted the first year; when trying to get warranty on them, Interstate would give so little(Interstate's warranty goes from date of manufacture, not when you get it), I got a new Wally-World for less. Since changed to 2 6V GC batteries.
You ought to get as soon as possible, more/better fresh water hose, good sewer hose, and a power cord extension.
Check everything during the PDI. Most IMPORTANT thing is to be absolutely sure you understand everything about the hitch, umbilical cord, landing gear and brake control.
Doug
(ex diesel-boat ET)
RE: Ford V10 Power/Torque Upgrade Needed?
I'm with smkettner.
Any time you get more power from an engine, you are trading for life of the engine. You can get over 1000 HP from an old Hemi, but not for long!
Slow down, enjoy the view. Get there when you get there.
Doug
RE: half ton towable sundance?? can i tow it
I tow a 24 ft that is 5000 dry, 7000 loaded. TV is 06 F150 SCAB/5.4/3.73/tow package/added air bags. This tows fine, but is certainly at its limits; its been over deserts, and over mountain passes through the rockies made it OK. Average 10 MPG. I think this is about as much as I would consider. The problem is not the tow weight, its the weight on the rear of the truck. You'd be starting out with 3400lbs more weight than me, I think you'd be too far over.
I've seen "half ton" models that a 3/4 ton would struggle with, try not to pay too much attention to manufacturer's or salesman's BS!!!
Doug
RE: sink in bedroom
We have a 24ft with "tub" (2ft X 3ft "tub") and toilet in a closet, sink in the bedroom. Regularly have 4 adults, or 3 adults and 2 grand kids in trailer. It's not convenient, but the trade-off is more room in living area for length of trailer. I consider it worth it; how much time do you actually spend in the bedroom/bathroom/sink area compared to time in living area.
Doug
RE: Hydronic Zone Propane Heating
Hydronic heat probably uses less propane than a standard forced air system. Electric hydronic would use all the power a 50 amp hook-up would provide. Couldn't be used boondocking at all(would need a 10KW gen).
Doug
RE: Painting Exterior
If he has a compressor and gun that will do the job, why not. Even if he has to buy the equipment, it's probably worth it. Thass a lotttta work though.
It's a 12 year old coach, if he wants to do it just for the satisfaction I say go for it. If he was my neighbor, I'd be out there helping(or at least telling him how he should be doing it).
Come-on, life's too short to not give it a shot. If he screws it up, take to a shop and have them re-do it, at least he'll be able to say he tried.
Doug
RE: Battery losing charge after 1 or 2 hours
Some refrigerators have mullion heaters to keep condensation down. On my Dometic, it is a switch inside the freezer door in the upper right hand corner. Maker sure it is off.
Did you accidentally pull the emergency brake switch pin out. That will kill a battery PDQ.
Doug
RE: Setting up a truck
I have a 24 ft Trail Cruiser 5,000 lbs dry, 7,000 all loaded. I'm pulling with a 06 F150 SCAB 5.4/3.73/6.5 ft bed/towing package/air bags for leveling. Your first concern is the 5.5 ft bed, Ford's towing guide says 5er design is not compatible with this bed. The problem is turning clearance; some have done it, some with a slide hitch, some without. There are now some 5ers with a wedge shaped front end for this problem.
Pin weight will be on the trailer weight label; they seem to be pretty low when people have weighed units. When loading, lots of weight tends to be loaded in the front compartments. Figure 200 lbs for a hitch.
The towing capacity is likely not to be the problem, it's the pin weight. I don't know what your cargo limit is(inside drivers door has tire info and weight limits), but it is going to be pushed with any 5er, and a 30 ft 5er is likely to be pushing it too far. Also look at clearance between 5er and bed rails if you have an 04 or later 150, the bed rails are high. Remember, you have about 3 feet more usable space in a given lenght 5er compared to a TT.
My TT and 5er have been fine, DW and are are totally satisfied with the setup. Tows very nicely; you know there's a load behind. I've been across deserts, and up steep and long mountain passes without trouble. Get about 10 MPG.
Good Luck,
Doug
RE: maps??
I second microsoft streets and trips, if you have a laptop you can use in your vehicle, definitely get the GPS adapter. AAA has lots of maps Country/Area/State/Cities, travel guides and campground guides. Always have either Woodalls or Trailer Life campground guide. I always stop at the welcome center whenever I enter a state, get a state map, they are always the best you can get. Welcome centers also have piles of information on attractions, usually discount coupon magazines; usually manned by friendly people who can answer any travel question you might have about their state.
RE: New Dometic questions
On my 6 cubic foot Dometic, I figure a pound or two of LP a day, and less than 10 AH's per day for the electronics and the solenoid. I suspect something else is the problem.
RE: New campers
Just to start, it's hard to tell you which direction to head in. Jump on I26, head north outside Ashville NC is Davidson River, great campground. Don't want to head north, then take 26 south to Charleston. James Island County park has one of the nicest campgrounds around. Want Myrtle beach atmosphere; Myrtle Beach state park is nice, Huntington Beach State park just south of Myrtle beach is great.
You're near a number of GREAT campgrounds.
Good Luck,
Doug
