RE: carbon monoxide monitor saftey issues
Hi All.
First of all, our 5er didn't come with a Carbon Monixide Detector. So I bought a 12 volt Hard Wired one to install myself. Second, I wouldn't own a Carbon Monixide Detector or a Propane Detector that was just a simple changeable battery operated one. Because we mostly Dry-Camp/RV anyways, I also installed ON/OFF Switches on both of them. That way, if we are not using the Propane or running the Generators, we just turn them off, and save on the batteries. Both our Propane Detector and Carbon Monixide Detector have a light on them, so it is real easy to see if they are on or off. It has worked for us for many many years. And "NO", we never forget to turn them on when needed. Also when we are not using our 5er, there is no power drain on our battries what so ever. Even thought we keep our 5er plugged in all of the time, so our Charge Wizard takes perfect care of our battries. I also do a Complete Proventinve Maintence Program on our 5er every year. That also includes testing the Propane Detector, and the Carbon Monixide Detector as well. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Ideas for Replacing Storage Locks
Hi All.
So far in over 40+ years as RV'er's, we have never had any problems with any compartment doors. We also don't keep much of any value items in the compartments. As far as we are concerned, its much easier to let someone open it with the same key, then to have to replace the Compartment Doors, or any Sidding that may get damaged. Trust me, if someone wants in your compartments, it will only take them about 3 seconds to break into one or many of them. No matter what you do to your RV's Compartments. Besides, that is what you have insurance for. Save yourself the extra worry, and just go and enjoy yourselfs. Its not worth having a heart attack over. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Getting anode rod to not leak
Hi All.
Any one that has done any kind of plumbing before, and has used Teflon Tape, knows that once you thread a fitting to what ever, the actual thread cuts right though the Teflon Tape, and makes the contact to metal to metal, Copper to Copper, PVC to PVC, it doesn't matter what material. The part of the Teflon Tape that remains intact, helps to seal the lower areas of the threaded pipe fittings. Every time you remove an Anode Rod, take a look at the thread, and you will see for yourselfs, that there is no Teflon Tape on the high point ridges of the threaded area. Espically with metal to metal. You might have just gotten a bad threaded Anode Rod. Or you might need to re-thread your Hot Water Tank. I'm with "Get'n R Kicks" on this one. I sure wouldn't want Kel116 doing any plumbing for me, or pipe fittings work either. I don't mean you any disrespect Kel116, but you put your own foot in it this time. I have also been doing all sorts of plumbing and pipe work for many many years, even some very Hight Tech Plumbing. I also have well over 40+ years of doing all of my own RV Repairs. I don't hire anyone, to do anything. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Keeping warm in our motorhome
Hi All.
We use our 5er off and on all year long also. We never use our 5ers Furance at all. We instead use a Mr Heater, ( have 2 ) and a Wave #6 Propane Heater all of the time. All of our vents are power vents, and can also be used with their lids closed, and used just like regular Ceiling Fans to help move the heated air around the inside of our 5er more evenly. We also leave two vents open for fresh air. We also have Maxxi-Vent Covers on all of our vents. I also took the time to make sure that any place the heat could get out, or cold air enter, was sealed up tight. We also use throw rugs on the floors. Our 5er is by no means an all season 5er. But does have a little extra insulation in the ceiling compared to most older 5ers. We have been down well below the freezing mark, and down below the Zero Mark and have stayed perfectly comfortable. The use of Mr Heaters, and the Wave Heaters will save you a lot of money on Propane costs, and save your battries as well. Which means a lot less generator time. Our Fresh Water Tank is inside of our 5er, so we don't have to worry about any water freezing issues. It has worked for us for many years now. Of coares it is easier for us to keep our 5er very comnfortable, due to its size. I did spend a full winter in Prineville, Oregon quite a few years ago, in an older TT. I would never ever try that again as long as I live. As there really isn't much you can really do, but to be very cold, when temps reach down to the -30 to -40 Below Zero Mark. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Where do you carry your generator fuel.
Hi All.
We have carried extra Gas and Diesel for many years now. I installed eye bolts on each side of the rear tail-gate. I just pad-lock one end of a Super Tought Steel Cable to the eye bolt, then through the handles of each Gas and Diesel cans, and spare 20 lb Propane Tank. Then pad-lock the other end also. I also use a Grill Cover, and a couple of Bungie Cords to help protect the fuel cans from dirt, dust, and any other weather issues. About 90% of the time, the Fuel cans are in the shade, provided by the 5ers over-hang. We also have a Bed Linner installed in our trucks bed, so we don't worry about static electricity when filling our Fuel cans. But out of habit, we still remove the fuel cans, and fill them on the ground, then put them back into the truck and re-secure them. I learned many many years ago, to touch something metal before any re-fueling starts, to dischage any static electricty. Think Safe, Be Safe. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Carrying a Canoe
Hi All.
We didn't want the hassels of carrying a Canoe. So years ago, we bought a "Sea Eagal" Inflatable 330 Kayak. It takes all of 5 minutes to inflate. And weights in at only 25 lbs, and every thing fits into its own carry bag. So far, in all of the years that we have had our Kayak, there has never been any issues with leaks. As a matter of fact, it hardly even has any scratch marks on the bottom from beaching it. Its also very easy to keep clean,and new looking. They are built tought enought to last a life time. They can also carry up to 500 lbs, and can handle up to a grade #3 or #4 rapids. Been to long since I read the book on it. Great to get out on the lakes and rivers to do some fishing or just paddleing around in. We would buy one again in a heart beat. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Portable Generator
Hi All.
Storing our Twin Honda EU2000i's is never an issue for us. For the last 3 years, we have had a rear platfom, 20X60 mounted to a rear 2 inch reciever. I Customized a 48 inch Chest Type Tool Box. And the Paralla Kit is also mounted to the rear wall of the Tool Box. We can remove the rear Platform if we choose to, but we just leave the rear Platform and Tool Box on, 24/7, 365 days of the year, as we use our 5er off and on all year long. We are lucky to also have a Covered RV Port to keep our 5er in when not being used. And it also has a Waterproof Cover on it. Our Honda's are always ready to be used. Never any set-up or tear-down time. Best of all, the Honada's are always "SAFE", they are always "PROTECTED", and they are always "SECURIED". We also never have any weather issues, as we can run our Honda's with the lid closed, using some good old fashioned common sense. Its also a snap to use an Exteneded Run Tank with our Honda's as well for much longer running periods, espically when Dry-Camping. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Water Heater not working correctly?
Hi All.
If every thing else in your RV works on the Propane OK, and if you have no blockage, then erratically working Hot Water Heaters useually means your circuit board is giving out. I had one do the very same thing. I called and talked to a Circuit Board Manufactor, and was told to replace the Circuit Board, and everything would be fine. I did just as he said, recieved the new Circuit Board in 2 days, and haven't had an issue in the last 4 years. Its a lot cheaper to buy direct, than to buy a new Circuit Board from any RV Repair place. It takes all of 2 minutes to change out a bad Circuit Board. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: RV Battery Watering Filler Kits
Hi All.
We have had the "Battery Fill System" ever since they first came out. Our 5er, was built to only carry two Group 24 Deep Cycle Batters. They were stacked, and very hard to get to. As you had to pull each battery almost completely out of the compartment to even be able to check the water level. But since two Group 24's are pretty limited to the Battery Reserve Time, we decided to put two Group 27 Deep Cycle Battries in their place. You want to talk about a very tight fit now. We only half a 1/2 inch clearance for each battery on the top, and a inch or two on each side. The Group 27's weight a lot more, than the group 24's. Each Group 27 Deep Cycle Battery weights in at 85 pds each. There is no way to pull most of the battery out to even try to check the water level. Unless two people do it. What I use to do, was to use a step stool, and a step ladder, with 2X6's across both, in order to pull the batteries out, in order to pull the battery caps to check them. Now checking water levels in the Battries is now something of the past. With a Good Smart Three Stage Intell Converter/Charger, with the Charge Wizard, and the Battery Fill System, we now only have to give the bulb a squeeze maybe once or twice a year now. And even then, it usually only takes less than one once of Distilled Water between both group 27's. We also leave our 5er plugged in 24/7 when we are not using it. If your batteries are as hard to get to as ours, and heavy battries also, then the price of the Battery Filler Kit, is money well spent. We would buy the "Battery Fill System" again, at any price. It sure has made our lives a lot easier. We will never own another RV with-out the "Battery Fill System" Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Need help with sleep issue
Hi All.
Thats one of the reasons to own a 5th Wheel Trailer. As its nice to have a real bed in it. I know some brands of TT's have a real bed also. So why did you pick a model of TT, that didn't have a bed in it. Can you re-arange it, and add a bed ? You could always put some ply wood on Hubbys side of the bed only, and no Menory Foam on his side, yours only. And store in under the fold out sofa when not needed. Or you can do what another RV said, get a Duel Control Queen Size Air Mattress. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: receiver hitch for 5th wheel
Hi All.
Yes you can add a 2 inch reciever to the rear of your 5er. Just remember, that not all states allow double towing. We have a rear 2 inch reciever on our 5er. But on ours, we used it to mount a Customized 48 inch Chest Type Tool Box, on a 20X60 Platform, and we house our Twin Honda EU2000i's in it. Been doing this for over 3 years now, with no problems what so ever. Works for us. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: honda 2000
Hi All.
Our owners manual clearly stated that a generator of at least a 3.5KW Generator was needed to run our 13,500 btu A/C. Sure I could have put a kit on our A/C. But once our A/C is started, it really drop the power, and leaves plenty to run what ever we want to. So a Yammy 2400 or a Honda 3000 will not run our A/C. If you want to be never out of power, and have plenty to spare, then the Twin Honda EU2000i's is the only way to go. Twin Honda EU2000i's has more power than the Honda 3000. One Honda EU2000i will run every thing in our 5er, at the same time, except our A/C. As long as we stay with-in our 30 amp limits. We mostly Dry-Camp/RV'ing, so we really get a lot of use out of both Honda's, as neither of us likes the heat, so we use our A/C probably more than most RV'ers do. If we had it to do all over again, we would still chose the Twin Honda EU2000i's. Even if one Honda EU2000i should ever break down ( Ha Ha ) We will never have a ruined trip or vacation, as we will always have at least one Honda running all of the time. Another big plus, is the weight factor in the Honda's also. Its much easier to move two light weight generators around, then to move a very heavy one. Some thing to think about, the older that you get. Our Twin Honda EU2000i's are more or less permantely mount to the rear of our 5er. Weather issues don't ever become a problem for us, as we can run our Honda's in any kind of weather. With Twin Honda's, we can run the A/C, the Microwave, and lights and the TV all at the same time. Going higher up into the Mountains, has never been a problem for us either, we still have all of the power that we need. We wouldn't even think of owning a small generator, that you have to un-plug every thing else in order to run the A/C, espically in the Mountains. That would just plain be a waste of money and time. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Leaving 5er connected to house power with no load
Hi All.
You just got to love the Intell Converters/Chargers, with the Carger Wizard. Then you will never have a battery issue, unless your battery is just plain no good. We also leave our 5er plugged in 24/7. The Intell Converter/Charger with the Charge Wizard takes perfect care of the Battries. You also never have to worry about any sulfation issues either. I check the Distillied Water in our group 27's Deep Cycle Battries about 3 times a year. Lucky if each battery will take even an once of water. I have also added On/Off switches to our Propane Detector, and our Carbon Monixide Detector. So there is no drain what so ever on our battries. The Fridge is turned off, until the day before we decide to leave, so no drain there either. The On/Off Switches also helps to make the Battries last longer when Dry-Camping/RV'ing. If no propane is being used, or the generator running, we keep both turned off. Works great for us. Our Interstate Group 27 Deep Cycle Battries are now 5 years old, and still hold a perfect charge. You might want to check out, and see what Converter/Charger you have. If its not a good Three Stage Smart Converter/Charger, you might want to up-grade to an Intell with the Charge Wizard. A bubbling battery is not a good sign. Your battery could be bad, or you have a Cheap Converter/Charger, that is over charging your battries. If its over charging, it sure will shorten the life span of your battries for you. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Finally ordered surge suppressor-30A
Hi All.
We have had the very same Surge Protecter that you bought for many years now. And it has saved our butts quite a few times already. Trust us, you will Thank Your-self many times over, after each problem you run into. We have seen way to many RV'er's take damage over the last 40+ years as RV'ers. If anyone can afford a TV, and an RV, then they sure can afford a good Surge Protector, or an Autoformer. And never listen to RV'ers that claim to never have had a problem, as it only takes one time, to destroy all your circuit boards, and electronices in your RV. The ones that claim they don't need one, just haven't been hit yet. The odds are in your favor, that some day, you will need one, and by then, it will be to late, and then they will think, Gee, I wished I had bought that good Surge protector too. Also remember, that many years ago, RV's were very simple, and didn't have any ciurcuit boards or electroinices in them, so yea, there wasn't a need for a Surge Protectors. Not true with todays Newer RV's, thats for sure. The circuit boards will cost you more to repalce than the cost of a good Surge Protector. And don't forget how long you might be not able to use your RV, becasue it is sitting in some RV Repair place for a couple of months?????. I would rather be safe than sorry later on. And as said, whats a couple of hundred dollars, compaired to the money that you have invested in your TV and RV anyways. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Solar or generator?
Hi All.
I can only speak for us. A Solar System would be a total waste of money for us. As we mostly Dry-Camp/RV'ing. We also head for the Northern Mountains, which means a lot of very big and tall trees, so there would be very little sun light for Solar to do any charging with. Solar is by no means cheap. And a lot of RV'ers who have Solar, also count on their generators when there isn't enought sun to charge the battries. You also have to concieder if you have Solar, you need to be in the sun most of the time, which means your RV gets pretty warm. A generator is needed again, for running the A/C. For us, a Solar System isn't worth the cost. Thats why we bought the Twin Honda EU2000i's. They don't use very much gas to begin with. And if we only need to run one of them, its still even cheaper yet. And one Honda EU2000i will run everything in our RV, except the A/C, but that is what the second Honda is for. Its also very nice to never have to worry about any kind of weather being an issue for us either. We'll take the shaded site any time over a site in the sun. Good Luck. Happy Camping, Dan & Jill
RE: July 1st another stupid, ill thought out California Law!
Hi All.
I totally agree with the new law. Do not be fooled, the California Highway Patrol, and every other law enforcement is taking fast action. "Zero Tolarance". Even living in a very small town, a lot of people got ticketed the very first day. I hope they catch every cell phone user and text messaging person out there doing it. Also applys to anyone, who is distracted doing anything, they will be ticketed also. It should have been put into effect many years ago. A lot of dead drivers would still be alive today, if they passed this law sooner. I hope the law becomes even toughter on all sorts of distracted drivers. Even the speeders, the zig-zagers, and those that always make unsafe lane changes. The DW and I were both born in California. Both of us also have spotless Driving Records. I also had a spotless Driving Record, driving OTR Semi's for 15 year. Not so much as a parking ticket. We would love to see our highways become safe places to drive again. People are totally out of control on the roads today, every where. Speed and Stupidy Kills. Good Luck. Happy Camping, Dan & Jill
RE: Need help on 5th Wheel Clearance
Hi All.
I don't know your age, and I don't mean you any disrespect at all. But what in the world were you thinking when your ordered that truck in the first place. Your as bad as my son, who is 32 years old, and he still puts those darn big wheels on his trucks also, and also adds lift kits. He thinks its cool looking. But in reality, having suck large tires on a truck, sure is hard on the drive-train, and tie-rod ends and steering componets. He has already had a sever accident due to his big tires, as he broke one of his tie-rod ends, and totalled his truck at 65 mph, and completely lost control of it. But a truck like yours, with those size wheels, are just not very dueable with towing a 5er. I have to agree that a TT would be better suited here. Your driving a real time bomb with such large tires on it. Can it be done, yes anything is possible if you have enought money and are willing to spend what ever it takes to get the job done, in order to be able to tow it. But by the time your done lifting your 5er, you probably could almost walk under it, being bent over some, its going to be very high off of the ground and way up in the air, and will be another disaster waiting to happen. I also agree, isn't it time to grow up. You do sound a bit on the younger side, and you are for sure playing with fire, with a combo like yours. It also costs a lot more to turn tires that big, and it sure will effect your MPG. A Truck and a 5er sitting up as high as yours is going to have to go, is a very dangerious idea in the first place. It sure wouldn't take much to flip that combo over. But what the heck, its your money. I just hope, that we never have to be in the same area as you while towing. You sure didn't put any thought before you bought your 5er and truck. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Where is your plug installed?
Hi All.
I do it the easy way. And always have. I have one at the rear left hand rear stake, next to the tail-gate and one on the bumper as well. It only takes a few more minutes to have both of them. As you never know what you might be towing. I have helped out other RV'ers over the years, and some of the TT's don't have very long cords on them. I have also towed flat bed trailers, that have very short cords on them also. By having both, you are always ready for anything or any kind of towing. Has always worked for us. Good luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
RE: Hitch Receiver Rust
Hi All.
The day we bought our 5er's Hitch, I lubed it, and waxed the entire out-side finish on it, and every place I could get my hands into. I wash and wax it every year. I also spray a Dry-Lube on a rag, and wipe down the Hitch before every trip. Our Hitch is now 12 years old, and not one spot of rust on it any where. We still have all of the original stickers on it as well. If more would take proper care of thier hitches, they wouldn't have any rust issues. We take the time to remove our hitch after each trip, and store in in our shed. Even our Hitches Rails are rust free. When our TV isn't used, it is coverd by a custom waterpoof cover. Maybe we go over-board, but it has really paid off for us, as every thing that we own still looks like new. Yes we are total nut cases, and take extream care of our belongings. We both worked way to hard all of these years to let things go to ruin. Money doesn't grow on trees you know. Good Luck. Happy Camping, Dan & Jill
RE: Empty 1 lb Propane Canisters
Hi All.
I don't know about the rest of you RV'er's, but we gave up using the 1 lb propane bottles many many years ago. We started off with a 5 gal propane tank at first, then later just stayed with a 20 lb'er. The only propane burning items we have is our BBQ, and a Mr Heater. And if the Mr Heater isn't used, a 20 lb'er will last you a very very long time. We also have a Wave #6 Propane Heater as well, but that is plumbed into the RV's propane systen, as we never use our 5er's furance. So far, we have never ran out of propane. No Fuss, No muss, No Land Fill Issues. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
