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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Experience with good campgrounds around Austin/ San Antonio?
Pecan Park in San Marcos (actually Martindale) is great. We were there for Thanksgiving last year and really enjoyed it. It is about 20 miles to New Braunfels from there.
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mikeyork
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09/16/08 01:15pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Jayco Jay Feather 311
I agree with fordsooperdootydieselsmoker. You are pushing that TT's limits a lot more than I would want to.
As far as the 311. We love ours.
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mikeyork
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09/10/08 08:12am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: KOA Salt Lake City
We stayed there in early September 2007. We were quite happy with the facilities and the people. The CG is directly adjacent to the fairgrounds and it was during the time of the State Fair, which added some noise and no doubt was the reason that the CG was completely full.
As to the comments above about the facilities being old and dirty, some of the buildings and such weren't new, but everything was spotless when we were there.
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mikeyork
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09/08/08 10:17am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: 2008 Jayco awnings....mod available?
I have the same question and problem as Fraser. DW doesn't seem to mind, while I continue to knock myself silly(er).
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mikeyork
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08/13/08 09:31am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Jayco Models 29A, 29X, 311, and 30U Thoughts?
The 6.4 certainly isn't delivering MPG's to write home about, it is better than the Ram was getting by 3-4 MPG. But that doesn't mean a lot with the cost of diesel fuel these days. Good luck!
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mikeyork
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08/08/08 06:28am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Jayco Models 29A, 29X, 311, and 30U Thoughts?
We have a 2008 311 and pulled it for the first few months with a 2004 Ram 1500 with the 5.7. The Ram pulled it just fine. The MPG's weren't anything to brag about, but the truck never had any problems with the load. We traded the Ram in for a 3/4 ton this spring. I must say the SD does pull it a lot easier than the 1/2 ton did.
I am a believer in staying well under the TV rating. That is why we traded. By my calculations, you are at about 92% of your TV rating.
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mikeyork
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08/07/08 07:21pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Viking owner opinions?
In 2005 we bought a new Viking PUP. On our second outing the roof collapsed on it. We took it back to the dealer and they told us they would have it fixed as soon as possible. The next day the dealer called and informed me that Viking told them that we must have abused the trailer since they had not had this issue with any other trailer. Dealer ended the call by saying that they were going to go ahead and fix it and they would fight with the factory instead of putting me in the middle. We got the trailer back about a week later. Before we had a chance to use it again, we got a letter from Viking stating that our trailer was being recalled under an NTSB mandatory recall notice because roofs were collapsing on these models!! Under no circumstances were we to use the trailer until factory modifications were done to it as we would be endangering ourselves. And at this point, not only were the parts not available, but Viking hadn't even figured out how they were going to fix the issue. Finally, in September 2005, the trailer was supposedly repaired (I was never convinced that they actually did anyhting to make it any safer). So, we ended up without the use of our new trailer for the first 6 months that we owned it, were accused of abusing our new trailer when it became obvious that the manufacturer was at fault and still had to make the payments. What did Viking do for us? They sent us a $100 off coupon towards the purchase of a new Viking trailer, valid until March 30, 2006, just about the time that our then new trailer would be a year old. I probably don't have to elaborate on my feelings towards Viking.
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mikeyork
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08/04/08 04:55pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Math for tire loads
The reason I mentioned tongue weight before was just to be sure that I was calculating what the GVW is, and I as I understand it is the tongue weight plus the weight on the tires.
I am certain that I have more than 485# of stuff. As stated, none of the options or basics are included in the 6555 dry weight. As best as I can figure it right now, I am over the limit for the tires before I put anything in it considering propane, AC, etc.
I looked on the Goodyear website and they state that the 215's have a rating of 1,870 lbs, so I can gain a bit there, but not much.
Having just finished a 2,500 mile trip and having had a blowout on the trailer during it, I have spent a bit of time thinking about this.
Another item that I found was that when I went to get the tire that blew replaced, Wal-Mart tried to sell me a ST205/75D14. They were totally oblivious to the fact that they were suggesting that I mix bias ply and radials. They saw no problem with it.
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mikeyork
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08/04/08 02:39pm |
Travel Trailers
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Math for tire loads
Help me with the math here. I seem to be having a problem with wanting some margin.
Our TT has ST205/75R14 tires on it (4 of them), which, according to the specs (published and on the sidewalls) have a maximum load of 1,760 lbs @ 50 PSI maximum.
4 X 1760 = 7,040 lbs maximum on the tires.
According to the manufacturers specs for the trailer, it has a dry weight of 6,555 lbs and a maximum capacity of 7,850 lbs and a toungue weight of 820 lbs.
If I take the maximum tire load and add the tongue weight, I get 7,860 lbs.
By my calculations, that leaves me with 10 lbs of margin.
Isn't that cutting it a bit close? Or am I calculating something wrong?
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mikeyork
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08/04/08 01:21pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: down time?
Sometimes the manufacturer is the problem despite the dealers attempts to do the right thing for the customer.
In 2005 we bought a new Viking PUP. On our second outing the roof collapsed on it. We took it back to the dealer and they told us they would have it fixed as soon as possible. The next day the dealer called and informed me that Viking told them that we must have abused the trailer since they had not had this issue with any other trailer. Dealer ended the call by saying that they were going to go ahead and fix it and they would fight with the factory instead of putting me in the middle. We got the trailer back about a week later. Before we had a chance to use it again, we got a letter from Viking stating that our trailer was being recalled under an NTSB mandatory recall notice because roofs were collapsing on these models!! Under no circumstances were we to use the trailer until factory modifications were done to it as we would be endangering ourselves. And at this point, not only were the parts not available, but Viking hadn't even figured out how they were going to fix the issue. Finally, in September 2005, the trailer was supposedly repaired (I was never convinced that they actually did anyhting to make it any safer). So, we ended up without the use of our new trailer for the first 6 months that we owned it, were accused of abusing our new trailer when it became obvious that the manufacturer was at fault and still had to make the payments. What did Viking do for us? They sent us a $100 off coupon towards the purchase of a new Viking trailer, valid until March 30, 2006, just about the time that our then new trailer would be a year old.
I probably don't have to elaborate on my feelings towards Viking.
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mikeyork
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07/07/08 01:50pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Help for a newbie please!
"I'd like to be able to just pull up to a camp site and not have to set up too much but the extra room sure would be nice."
We have 2 slides - the added setup time is less than 2 minutes. DW and I can set this thing up in less time that we could our PUP (which by the way had a slide out).
Get the slide out, or you will wish you had later.
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mikeyork
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06/16/08 02:43pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: long travel trailers?????
I agree with the comments above. Call ahead, have a good spotter, and take it slow and careful.
I have had a lot more problems getting fuel than parking the TT in the campsite. (Just because it is a truckstop does not always mean that they have lots of room for RVs to fuel.)
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mikeyork
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06/16/08 10:37am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: weight limits on tt roof
I contacted the manufacturer for ours with this question. Since it is a light weight I was concerned.
The manufacturer responded that it is fine to walk on our roof.
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mikeyork
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06/16/08 10:30am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: slide out question
I would have to look at our books to be sure, but I am relatively sure that ours did not come with a crank, but it has a manual mode that you use a 3/4" socket and ratchet on. Same socket that puts the stabilizers down.
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mikeyork
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05/23/08 09:22am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Anyone selling because of gas prices?
TT and TV were bought for our enjoyment and to give us an escape from the city, jobs, etc. As long as we are physically and financially able, they will continue to be used. We intend to enjoy them and each other while we can. One or both of us may not be here tomorrow.
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mikeyork
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05/23/08 08:31am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Equal-i-zer Washers
Dealer set ours up great for the 2004 Ram 1500 that I was driving at the time. Have since traded up to an F250 and had to make some adjustments since the 3/4 ton does not squat down like the 1/2 ton did. I just lowered the hitch to start out with, but am considering adding a washer or 2 to push a bit more weight to the front axle. I talked to the folks at Equal-i-zer and they just said to be sure to get zinc hardened or through-hardened 1/2" washers that are 1/8" thick.
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mikeyork
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05/23/08 08:19am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Paying whole stay up front?
Seems to vary a lot, but paying in full when you make the reservation seems to be getting more common these days. Our reservation at Whispering Pines near Tyler, TX. for Memorial Day was fully paid at the time I made the reservation. According to the receipt, that is their standard policy. I have no problem with paying up front as long as there is no hassle getting a refund if something comes up and we have to leave early. We normally only have a couple of reservations outstanding at a time. Those that have their trips planned and reserved months ahead of time could potentially end up with a lot of money tied up in reservations.
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mikeyork
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05/23/08 07:22am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Who is thinking they made right decision to go ultralight?
So far, we are very happy with our Jayco 311. We did move up to a 3/4 ton TV after several trips that showed the '04 Hemi was getting 7-8 MPG. I have only towed it a couple of times with the new SD, but those showed about 12 MPG. We have a trip coming up in July to go to North Carolina to meet our son coming back from Iraq. After that 2500 miles or so, I hope I am happy with the mileage. Especially with the current price of diesel fuel.
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mikeyork
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05/19/08 10:35am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 4x2 or 4x4?
I have towed with a 4x2 for years with no issues, but have seen many people have issues that would have been made easier with a 4x4. When I traded this time I opted for the 4x4 with a diesel. Experience has shown that the deisel is enough heavier than a gasoline engine that you can end up sinking the front end when not expecting it in things that you didn't suspect would be that soft.
My dad agreed with azwildcat - 4x4's allow you to get stuck in more remote locations.
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mikeyork
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05/09/08 08:58am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: South Dakota and Wyoming suggestions
We stayed at the Rapid City KOA last Fall and loved it. Central to most of the things that you will want to see in the area. If you go to Deadwood, go to Tatanka. It is well worth the trip. I have no desire to go back to Deadwood, but Tatanka is on my must-see-one-more-time list.
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mikeyork
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04/23/08 03:00pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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