RE: best camping memories
I have many great camping memories....mostly tent camping when younger!
One summer vacation we went to a state park and found a great site that was all by itself. Absolutely no one around! Of course this was a Friday morning. That night, while trying to sleep, all we could see was flashing headlights, and heard the sound of stakes being pounded into the ground. This lasted all night long.
When we awoke we looked out of our tent and saw more than 300 tents and hundreds of boy scouts wandering around, trying to cook breakfast.
Turns out that our tent was mistaken as being the "leader's" tent for a jamboree, and everyone pitched their camps around us.
Needless to say, they were very sorry! But to make up for it they insisted on cooking all of our meals while there, and the bonus was that my brothers and sister and I had "hundreds" of new friends to play with!
On another trip, right after my high school graduation, I went on a week-long float trip adventure that will forever be in my memory bank!!!
My dad, uncle, two brothers, and I spent the whole week canoeing, caving, swimming and fishing! It was great. The campfires, smell of beans cooking and fish frying, the laughter. Even when it rained our spirits were not dampened. The stories I could tell about this trip, but there is not enough space.
Let's just say that as an eighteen year old, preparing for real life, and feeling like an "adult", spending quality life with my dad, uncle, and brothers, knowing that I may not ever get to do this again.........well, it just really saddens me now. And that was 34 years ago!!!
I hope to be able to share these kind of trips with my son, and NEW grandson. Maybe I can instill some "forever" memories into them as well!
Great camping to all, and thanks for making me think about some past trips!!!
RE: Flush King..How Many Times Until Tank Is Clean?
I usually have to backflush my tank four times to get it as clean as is necessary.
It does not have to be "drinking water clean".
I was amazed though at how much "stuff" was still in the tanks on my first TT when I first used the FlushKing!!! Just dumping surely is not good enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I only backflush my black tank, as the gray water tank is not a problem. I do add treatment packs to both tanks though.
My black tank takes about two minutes to fill, before I dump.
RE: Replace old shower roof "dome"?
Please note that these "domes" are also in the shower to provide HEAD room when in the shower. A fanned vent may not be a good idea if you were to get your hair caught in it, and another hazard being an electrical fan in a wet environment.
Maybe I am thinking of the same dome as you, so, if not, I apologize!
Good luck with your project!!!!!!!!
RE: Spare tire bike rack
DON'T DO IT!!!
Take it from someone who knows! I had a Thule Spare Tire Bicycle rack, brand new, and lost two new bikes, cable lock, and tire cover because of it.
The stress from bouncing caused the threaded bolt to shear off, and even though the rack had a 1" steel receiver tube, the bolt was the weak link.
I did not know I lost the bikes until a woman stopped me six miles down the road and asked "did I have bikes on the back of my TT?"...key word, DID!!!
I now have a Toppop Rails bicycle carrier mounted to the tongue of the front of the trailer, and absolutely LOVE IT!!!!
Kind of pricey, but you will not find a better carrier.
RE: Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos
I may have missed this since there are so many great ideas here, but here is my offering.........
My wife bought a new car and had an extra storage "net" that goes across the trunk for placing items that may roll around the trunk. Well, I am too cheap to throw away anything useable so I took this net and hung it underneath our bed's storage area. We store rags, fishing tackle, and miscellaneous items that might get lost with the items on the floor. I hung this net with screw hooks, and through the eye of the screws I also place a 3/8" wooden dowel that I use to prop the bed up when opened. The gas struts were not strong enough to keep the bed up and I got tired of getting hit in the head!
Thanks to all for your great postings, and I hope my small contribution will help someone as yours have helped me!
RE: Pilgrim TT's pros and cons
I too love my Pilgrim 1500 Lite camper. It is the 26 footer with the FULL bathroom in the back and a sofa slider.
My only issue, as was buldaawg's was that the cleanup after construction of the unit was not very good at all! My wife spent some time in cleaning up the construction debris, but even that was offset by a great camper!
Pilgrim is a great company to work with and are still very customer friendly!!!
RE: Power Jack Help!
fishgirl1976,
Here is a link for an ebay dealer that is great to work with and good prices too!
I have bought from them several times and have had good luck...and NO I am NOT affiliated with this dealer. I just want you to be happy with whatever you buy! http://cgi.ebay.com/VIP-3500-Barker-Electric-Power-Tongue-Jack-RV-Trailer_W0QQitemZ300216365894QQihZ020QQcategoryZ50072QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
RE: Where to store the spare?
yardmaster,
Not positive, but from the pics I would have to guess that your racks were meant for bicycles. The bike tires drop down into the slots and are then strapped down.
Kind of looks like the rack assembly may have been pushed closer together, or maybe they were small bikes. And usually, there is a "stand-up" tube that is used in supporting the bicycles with another strap.
BTW...that spare is putting a lot of weight on your rack when mounted as it is, and there is a lot of stress from the bouncing effect when hanging out there like that. Take it from one who knows from experience! I lost two bikes, rack, and all when the whipping motion of my TT caused the rack to break!!!
Good luck!
RE: Why do people not use their bumper sewer storage?
I could NOT use my rear bumper for storing the stinky slinky as the camper was delivered with a "fancy" aluminum diamond tread plate riveted to the rear bumper.
It is great for stepping up onto the bumper when using the ladder (non-slip), and it looks good too! Problem is: the rivets extend to far into the bumper therefore not allowing the hose to slide into place!
So, I also installed a PVC storage tube under the rear bumper. It is cleaner, smoother, and has more room for the fittings, etc.
I have thought about using the rear bumper to store my WD rods though!!! :)
RE: I'm always getting surprised...
New2RVees,
I am using the exact same lock that you have with no problems! It does fit a bit loose, and the coupler does NOT clamp down, but the hitch is covered therefore doing it's job!
I also worried about this at first, but worrying was not the answer.
Just push the "lock" in as far as it will go, lock the unit with the key and take off for another adventure!
Sewer hose storage tube. Top or bottom mount.
I recently installed a sewer hose storage container under my bumper. If installed on top, it would have been in the way of using the rear mounted ladder rack.
The rear bumper tube could NOT be used due to the aluminum diamond plate being pop-riveted into the bumper. The rivets impeded getting the hose inside the bumper, and I never really liked the bumper storage anyway!
My question to you all is what is your preference? Top or bottom??
The bottom made the most sense to me with my situation, but after looking at the finished install I am concerned about the bottom mounted tube "dragging" when pulling into an inclined location. It appears to have plenty of clearance and I think the rear jacks would drag before the tube, but I value all of your opinions and just wanted your thoughts!
Thanks, and happy camping.
Stinky Slinky storage tube. Top or bottom?
I recently installed a sewer hose storage container under my bumper. If installed on top, it would have been in the way of using the rear mounted ladder rack.
The rear bumper tube could NOT be used due to the aluminum diamond plate being pop-riveted into the bumper. The rivets impeded getting the hose inside the bumper, and I never really liked the bumper storage anyway!
My question to you all is what is your preference? Top or bottom??
The bottom made the most sense to me with my situation, but after looking at the finished install I am concerned about the bottom mounted tube "dragging" when pulling into an inclined location. It appears to have plenty of clearance and I think the rear jacks would drag before the tube, but I value all of your opinions and just wanted your thoughts!
Thanks, and happy camping.
RE: Crank jack clears tail gate but power jack doesn't
I had the same problem when I installed a Barker #3500 on my pickup, but as Btravelen noted, the Barker's head can be rotated by loosening the three set screws on the power head. Just don't remove the head! I rotated mine 90 degrees, and the tailgate clears by about 1/2" now!
As others have said, even if you cannot lower the gate all the way, the convenience of the power jack outways the inconveniences. Just makes you plan the loading of your truck in a more efficient manner! :)
Just enjoy!!!
RE: Properly safety chain and breakaway lanyard configuration
This is what my "tech" told me: "Do you really think those chains are going to keep the tongue from digging into the pavement if your trailer breaks loose?!"
The chains were too short from the factory to "cross" so I will lengthen them, more out of habit.
If you think about it, the scenario of a 27' TT breaking loose is SCARY! Because truthfully, the ONLY thing involved in stopping the runaway TT is the breakaway cable, and you still have a hazardous hunk of metal careening down the highway!!!
I say a prayer every time I leave the home and another of thanks when I return from any trip, as that is my BEST form of protection!!!
Take care all, and have a great, and SAFE, camping season!!!
RE: Camping World in Mo
There is also suppose to be a new Camping World store opening in Wentzville, Mo. in June of '08 according to the folks at Camping World.
I was told it was going to be on the north side of I-70, across from Bill Thomas Camper Sales, near Charlies Farm and Home Store.
RE: New Camping World in St. Louis MO
I was at the Strafford, MO store just a month ago. Lots of items, but kinda pricey!!!
My sister lives in Wentzville and she heard it was going to be across the highway (I-70)from Bill Thomas Camper Sales, near Charlie's Farm and Home Supply.
I work in this area and have not seen any evidence or signs, but the folks in Strafford did say that the new store was to open in June in the Wentzville area!
RE: Top Pop Rails & Equal-i-zer
The brackets mount closer to the front "wall" of the camper. You should be OK. The bigger problem may be your wiring! Just double check or you may be doing some "dicing-and-splicing"!
RE: tekonsha prodogy brake controller
I just installed a P3 to replace my "synchronizer" model which was ineffective to say the least! I always had to keep adjusting it, and the brakes would still lock up!
I just purchased a new TT which is a bit heavier, and longer, than my old one, and I was concerned about getting it stopped!!
As others have stated, the Prodigy P3 is basically plug and play. I built an aluminum plate backed with Velcro that I "stuck" to my dash so I would not have to drill holes into the dash. The Prodigy P3 must be mounted so it is facing STRAIGHT FORWARD in the direction of travel and at no more than a 70 degree angle! So I used the factory brackets that came with the controller, attached those to the aluminum plate, and Velcro'ed it to the dash. I also purchased the OEM cable to simplify things. Just plugged it in under my dash and ready to go!
Adjusting the controller is very simple and the P3 has a LED screen, with a diagnostics/troubleshooting screen if necessary.
I did not have a problem at all with hauling the new TT home
I would have to say that I LOVE my P3!!!
RE: Toppoprails bike rack - easy to install?
I mounted the carrier by myself in less than two hours! Like PA-RVr said the directions were not the best, but if you check out the pics it is pretty much self explanatory. As taborekle was concerned about, you do have to be careful that you do not mount the carrier too far forward as the bicycles could hit your TV on a sharp turn. Especially if you have a camper shell on your truck!
Comment for Prowler Doug. I was surprised to hear that there was not enough room as the carrier's bars are adjustable in so many ways! You can even mount the brackets with the uprights mounted on the OUTSIDE of the trailer tongue if necessary. The carrier's outside post have to be 25" center-to-center, for the upper section of the bike rack to slide over.
My only issue is that to lift the bikes up onto the carrier I have to stand on the trailer tongue, or drop the tailgate and stand on it to strap the bikes down. And I am getting to old for that!!! :)
