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Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Help a Newb -- Winterize my Hybrid....
RVToyOutlet.com has a DVD about winterizing for under twenty bucks
DVD link
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mbutts
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10/08/08 05:26pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Expedition Suspension Improvements
Depending on the model year of your Expy, you could either get air bags (for years 1997-2002) to hold up the rear or if you have a later model (coil spring over shock), you can add Timbren rubber springs. The Timbrens reduce the amount your suspension can squat so the tow vehicle stays level.
If you search the net for "Expedition helper springs," you'll see quite a few sites that sell suspension upgrades.
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mbutts
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10/07/08 08:32pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: pink stuff question again
Sarah,
Don't forget to run your toilet fill & outside shower until pink comes through. They need protection just like your other faucets.
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mbutts
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10/05/08 12:52pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: GM factory brake controller w/ elec / hydraulic brakes
Try this link:
http://towingdiversity.com/
It looks like the name has changed.
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mbutts
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10/05/08 12:38pm |
Towing
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RE: Anyone towing a TT with a 1 ton Van
My brother in law tows a 34' Dutchmen with his 2000 Dodge van.
You'll probably get better advice if you post the make/model of your van along with weight of the intended TT.
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mbutts
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09/28/08 05:01pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Problems with Hybrids?
The only thing I miss about my pop-up is the ability to store it in the garage. OK, I'm lying, there's the drop in MPG while towing the HTT that's not so nice.
Love my new HTT!
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mbutts
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09/22/08 05:06pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Big pickups with smaller diesel engines
Stop by the automakers' websites & let 'em know how you feel. The more of us requesting small diesels the quicker they will react.
I worked on an experimental program 10 years ago that was putting small diesels in Explorers & F150s. I guess market research showed that people were not interested enough.
Also, the tight pollution controls required by the Feds adds a lot of cost to the vehicle. Jeep loses about $2,500 per Grand Cherokee diesel sold due to the costly emissions control equipment.
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mbutts
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09/22/08 04:55pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: How much does it really cost to make a pickup?
I have worked in the Detroit auto industry forever. The amount of profit made on a light duty truck, like the F series, is about $10,000 IF the manufacturer can make 800,000 units per year. Otherwise, the multibillion dollar costs of developing the vehicle are spread over fewer vehicles, which contribute to the red ink Skipnchar mentioned above.
Typically, the "buy one, get one" offer involves incentives the manufacturer pays to the dealer to move undesirable vehicles. Currently, that's anything that gets under 30 mpg.
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mbutts
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09/20/08 07:57pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Starting the search and compromise!
We "out of the blue" bought a used pop-up a few years ago & just upgraded to the hybrid. It's one of the few times I haven't experienced buyer's remorse.
You are now in the thick of the Fall RV Show season. Take your time & go thru a couple dozen. That will help you come up with your list of likes/dislikes and narrow down your choices.
Then, find a friend/neighbor/etc. that has had a good experience with their RV dealer. For a new camper, a good dealer can really help make your first RV experience great.
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mbutts
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09/16/08 08:45pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Storage Questions
Chuck,
Where's did you purchase the disconnect switch? I like that one better than the knife style.
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mbutts
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09/08/08 07:25pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Question about Kodiak HTTs
I bought a Kodiak 23TT in June of this year. Loved the floorplan, but was uncertain about the Thermarest bunkends. After looking at the trailers side-by-side (2007 regular tenting vs. 2008 Thermarest), we decided to go with the 2007, even though that involved driving to Louisville, KY (8 hours) to get one (the 2007 on the local dealer's lot was already sold).
Why we preferred the regular tenting:
Didn't want to be a guinea pig on such a large purchaseFuton mattress very uncomfortableZipper to open windows was on outside of bunkend
Do a search of the net to find a dealer with one of each in stock & compare. These bunkends really are different so you owe it to yourself to see them in person to see if they fit your needs.
BTW: After 21 nights of camping, LOVE the Kodiak. Everything works & only had to tighten the hose clamp on the fresh water filler.
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mbutts
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09/06/08 05:49am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Very cold in Bunk ends
I recommend the Pop-up Gizmos and Fan-T-See fan/light combos.
The fans help move the heat around (just don't aim the fan directly at the kid, might be too drafty), keep condensation under control, and provide some white noise to "silence" the neighbors.
The Gizmos are great for regulating hot & cold but they also make the bunkend roof dark so you don't wake up with the sunrise.
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mbutts
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09/02/08 01:48pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Best Leveling for Tandem Axle?
Be careful while LOOKING, you may end with one following you home! :B
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mbutts
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08/29/08 02:02pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Best Leveling for Tandem Axle?
I've run across a couple of other options at Hybrid Explorer
1. In their PUX Trading Post, they sell a tandem axle leveling air bag for $145. Here's a link
2. Oz 'n Us has a DIY base for Lynx levelers to keep 'em in place
Link
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mbutts
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08/29/08 08:40am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Kodiak scamper 214 (24ft)
I just went thru this decision 2 months ago. Although I wanted the smaller SUV (needed 3 rows of seats on occasion), I ended up with an Expedition. The longer wheelbase and much larger interior had almost identical fuel economy ratings as the Explorer. The other thing was the big SUVs are currently radioactive, no one wants these things so they are dirt cheap in the used market.
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mbutts
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08/29/08 05:14am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: New HTT owner
The pinnacle for me was getting to use my own bathroom while in the parking lot for L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine a few weeks back. I don't have a "I heart my RV toilet" t shirt, but I'm thinking about getting one made...
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mbutts
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08/29/08 05:03am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Water Pump Running Continuously (or Not)
OK, I have a few things to check this weekend. Now that you mention it (CP1971 & Jim&Peg), the faucets were coughing up a lot of air this past trip. I'll see if I can find out why it's sucking in so much air.
Thanks, everyone!
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mbutts
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08/29/08 04:45am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Best Leveling for Tandem Axle?
From my signature map, you can see we travel outside of Michigan quite a bit. The worst site I've had (when we had a PUP) was about 8" out of level.
My trouble with the Lynx blocks is that I need to build a ramp with them to get the trailer's wheels on top of the blocks. Then I need the "top of the pyramid" to be long enough to hold both wheels.
If I could just stick 2 or 3 of them under each of the low wheels without the ramp building, I would be a happier camper ;)
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mbutts
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08/28/08 04:33pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Water Pump Running Continuously (or Not)
Just when I'm using the fresh water tank. I don't turn the pump on when using city water.
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mbutts
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08/28/08 01:37pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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Best Leveling for Tandem Axle?
I really miss my BAL Leveler from the pop-up, very quick & easy to get side to side leveling down. Now that I have tandem axles, it's taking me quite a bit longer to get level.
I've tried wood, but it's heavy & I need to carry pieces long enough to support both wheels. I've tried the leveling blocks (i.e. Lynx), but I often need to build a pyramid that requires more than the 20 blocks I have (again to accomodate both wheels). I've also had problems with the blocks sliding & buckling as I back onto them.
Is there any better way out there or do I just need get over it?
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mbutts
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08/28/08 01:36pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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