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RE: New Rv
The Presidential isn't a wintertime unit. I have the sister unit with thermopane windows. Freezing's OK, but subzero isn't an option.
You'd risk ruining the camper with all of the condensation, or maybe having the plumbing freeze and burst.
Building a shed might work if you needed a shed with 100 amp electric, water & sewer. But if you're building a house money might be a little tight.
I'd stay in the camper as long as it was comfortable. Then go to a motel for a couple of months.
If you really need to stay on the property, it might be the cheapest option to trade for a Mobile Suites or find a used Teton or something similar.
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thecampingman
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07/03/08 04:25am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: roof vent cover
The big red & black "Maxx-Air" logo on the side is just a sticker. It peels right off.
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thecampingman
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07/02/08 05:49pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: winterizing without heat.
Do they actually make thermostats that register 40 degrees? The lowest setting on ours is 55.
Yes they do. They're called "Low temperature thermostats"
Ask your local HVAC tech to order you one.
It'll be difficult to find a Heat/Cool thermostat in a Low Temperature thermostat. It'll probably be "heat only"
But that's OK. You can have two thermostats wired to the same heating system. They don't even need to be at the same location.
Just switch your regular heat/cool thermostat to "OFF" and let the system rely on the low temp thermostat to keep the house above freezing. There will never be a need to switch off the low temp stat, because when you're home the room temperature will be kept well above the range where it will activate.
I'd locate the low temp stat where you definately didn't want it to freeze. Like where most of the plumbing is located.
With the present cost of fuel, you'll save the cost of the low temp stat in a few days.
There is no advantage in keeping an empty house more than 1 degree above freezing.
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thecampingman
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05/11/08 05:12am |
Snowbirds
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RE: Why don't slide-out toppers have a drain hole?
Thanks again for all of the posts. I like my slide toppers. I think they contribute significantly to keeping the camper cooler. As we seldom run our A/C.
It rained the day I started this thread. The slide topper over the curb-side slide filled&spilled 5 times. Usually triggered by using the steps at the door. Which is where the topper empties. To say I'm motivated to resolve this problem is an understatement!
To put something under or on the slide would involve using a stepladder. And I would either forget to put the object in or forget to take it out.
These slides are designed to work with no toppers, in the driving rain. So I think a little water draining out of a hole should be no problem.
I looked at Carefree's pop-up support. But I think a drain hole would be simpler. I just hope it's not so simple that it's stupid.
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thecampingman
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05/10/08 04:50am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Why don't slide-out toppers have a drain hole?
Thanks for all of the replies. The most negative things seem to be that it'll no longer shed water. But that's OK. I don't figure they're to shed water anyway. They're an option aren't they? I thought they were mostly for shade and debris. Leaves might clog it, but I think the water would drible thru.
Tell you what, I'll try it and let you know how it works out. I had to take the topper off of the bedroom slide to have it restitched. I'll take it back to the awning repair guy to have a hole stitched into the middle of it.
Maybe he'll have some reason why to not do it. He repairs lots of awnings.
Thanks again for your comments.
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thecampingman
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05/08/08 03:15pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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Why don't slide-out toppers have a drain hole?
The water just sits in there for days sometimes. The longer it sits the baggier the topper gets. Then it holds more water. The water gets nasty and discolors the topper. I've even seen ducks swimming in some guy's topper.
Why not have a drain hole sewn into the center? I know it couldn't have a metal grommet in it or it might not roll up right. But a little 1" hole with a sewn border would roll up OK.
I can't think of any good reason not to have a drain hole. Can any of you?
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thecampingman
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05/08/08 11:05am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How do I remove the fabric from a slide out topper?
Thanks CloudDriver. I was trying to do it backwards with the slide in. It makes better sense the way you explained it. I'll try again tomorrow if the rain lets up.
Thanks again.
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thecampingman
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05/02/08 08:18pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Opinion on Holiday Rambler Presidental
I have the sister unit to the one you're looking to buy. I'm in it right now. We live in it. Spent the first season moving from apartment to camper then back again. Then figured out the camper was more comfortable.
But it's not a cold weather unit. At least not Ohio's winters. Does really well with dips below freezing but I wouldn't want to see zero with a 30 mph north wind.
We have thermopane windows, a must-have for me. Still like them. Monaco's all about the options. Good options to have are Dual pane windows, 12 cu ft fridge, centerpoint air-ride suspension, convection microwave, and I believe on the '03-04 Presidential the Gell-coat outsides were an option, though stock on the Medallion line. A couple of things I might have passed on but winded up liking were the remote control landing gear. It makes hitching up really easy. And the laminate floor. After years of living in it the floor still looks new.
In fact hardly anything shows wear. The walls aren't papered but are some kind of laminated hard board. The fake corrian counters look great. The cabinet handles show a little discoloration under close inspection but at a casual glance look OK. The toilet paper dispenser is all discolored. Those are the only things that show noticible wear under constant use.
I'm really satisfied with the unit. We have only one a/c unit. And we seldom use it. The camper sheds heat well. We park in the sun and usually use only the two Northern Breeze ceiling ventilators. The thermostats are bi-metal thermostats with exposed connectors. We've had problems with them getting dust on the contacts and messing up the operation. I've been intending to change them for ones with sealed contacts. But I havn't yet. I just clean the contacts with alcohol every couple of months.
We have a Splendide washer/dryer but only use it the 3 months we're in Florida. DW prefers the larger unit in the garage.
That's been my experience with the unit. Hopes it helps with your decision.
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thecampingman
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05/02/08 07:59pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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How do I remove the fabric from a slide out topper?
The stitching that holds the fabric around the plastic rod has all come out. This let the fabric pull out from the side of the camper in the middle. The only places still attached are the ends which had screws thru the fabric & rod.
How would I go about removing the fabric to have it restitched? Is the rod supposed to slide out? It's kind of stuck. Or do I remove the fabric from the camper wall and the roller both at once?
How do I deal with the roller? Do I put little rods into the holes and wind it up kind of like an overhead garage door spring?
You may be able to tell that I know nothing about this. I'm pretty much a do-it-yourself person. But I could sure use some help.
Thanks in advance for anything you can tell me about this.
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thecampingman
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05/02/08 07:00pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: EUREKA!!! LEVELING IDEA!!!!!
I think someone already offers that. But I've been to so many camper shows and read so many fliers I can't remember who. But their system was more for leveling the load for traveling.
But I'd think it would help with leveling for parking too.
I've considered modifying my own centerpoint system to a two line system. All it would take would be some more of that little plastic tubeing, another gauge and a schrader valve. Probably cost less than $25. And the littlest chicken-heart 12volt compressor in the world would pump up to 30psi. And the volume of the air bags is like a bicycle tire, so it would have fairly quick response.
Tell you what, you try it and let us know how you like it. Then maybe I will.
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thecampingman
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05/01/08 04:08am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: TASKMASTER tires?
IMO - the best tires are -NOT- GY.
The Goodyear G614 is the only tire available that size in "G" weight range. Unless you count the asian imports.
I have a set of chinese tires on my utility trailer, but when it comes time to re-tire the camper, I'll spend the $1,000+ and get the G614's
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thecampingman
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04/11/08 02:53am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Full timing and cutting the costs of leaving a house empty
I agree that full timing means "no fixed home."
Oh! I was unaware of the defenition of full timing. I just live in my camper all of the time. But most of the time it's on my own property.
I'd love to give into the wanderlust of roaming at will. But at the present time I'm financially unprepared to do so.
My properties are a source of income for us and a hedge against inflation in the future. My wife says we shouldn't sell a property until after I reach the age of 72. That'll be in 11 years.
I'll live perhaps another 40 years. That's well past the projected demise of the social security system. And that many years would erode the buying power of the best retirement plans.
If "full timing" means having no ties to anything I'll probably never get there. I just like living in my camper.
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thecampingman
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04/05/08 05:16am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Electric Space Heaters... Bad Idea?
My camper has three circuits for recepticles. So I can (and do) operate three 1500 watt heaters.
A 50 amp service equals 12,000 watts. The 3 space heaters, water heater, microwave, washer/dryer and the A/C doesn't come close to that much. And to do that they would all need to cycle on at the same time.
A 30 amp service equals 3,600 watts. So with that service one would need to be more concervative. Only one space heater or perhaps two if everything else was turned off.
With 50 amp service you get TWO 50 amp circuits.
With 30 amp service you get ONE 30 amp circuit.
I have no clue why these two services were named that way.
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thecampingman
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04/04/08 09:37pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Newbie to Forum-re: where to Winter?
With the cost of fuel I figure we're limited to wintering in Florida. Not only is it closer to get there, we drive less while in Florida. Where we camp we can walk to a shopping center, post office and a library. I only filled the truck twice all winter.
In Texas it seemed everything was forty miles down the road.
Florida does seem cramped by comparison. But with the cost of fuel that's not all bad.
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thecampingman
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04/04/08 09:09pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Full timing and cutting the costs of leaving a house empty
We don’t like the idea of renting it out to strangers though we might consider renting it out half the normal price to relatives or members of my wife’s chuch which would cover costs, maintenance and utilities.
You may assume giving someone a break on rent would get a good tennant. Someone who would keep up the property, pay the rent on time and in general not cause trouble.
In practice I've found the opposite to be true. Low prices appeal to the tightwads, cheapskates and others who don't have the skills to maintain a property. (And yes this group includes family and friends).
I agree it's better to have the house occupied. Not just for maintenance but statistically they say an occupied house sells better.
I'd think a better alternative would be to contact a realator to have them manage the rental. You could make it clear to them what your priorities are like security and property maintenance. Maybe insist on monthly inspections. In any case they could handle it better than you could due to your absence.
I apologize for giving this unscolicited advice. It just appeared to me that you might be headed for disappointment. Please just be aware you are vulnerable in this area.
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thecampingman
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04/01/08 04:02am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Are high-end 5ers worth it?
I go to a lot of camper shows. We winter in Florida and I have a lot of spare time.
I've found the 5th wheel models to be very competitively priced. Unlike the motor coaches. Some of them are just crazy! But with a fiver you pretty much get what you pay for. Even with the rather pricy Teton. The quality and value is apparent. They're actually a good value for what you're getting.
I think where folks get into trouble is that they don't buy enough coach for their needs.
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thecampingman
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03/28/08 03:30am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: other Full time parking options?
I own a small house. I rent out the house for enough to cover the payment, insurance & taxes plus a little extra.
I've installed a camper site on the property where I stay for most of the year.
So not only is my lot rent free, the rental is building equity.
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thecampingman
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03/26/08 05:44pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: how impoortant is a 16" wheel versus a 15" wheel?
Some of the bigger campers are featuring 17.5 inch rims & tires. They are commercial rated tires with an "H" weight rating.
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thecampingman
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03/26/08 04:43pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Do you know
There's a fake post like this one in Ft. Myers near the intersection of Colonial & McGregor. But the view behind it is of a shopping center. So I'd guess your pic is of the original.
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thecampingman
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03/26/08 04:26pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: flooring options
We like our laminate flooring. Our camper came with laminate in the entry & galley areas.
It has a smooth surface with no woodgraining groves in it which makes maintenance easier. Just a damp sponge, no wax or anything.
We liked it so much we installed it in two of our rental units. In the kitchen and dining areas. We were concerned about water soaking into the backing so we followed the directions and glued every joint. It really doesn't take that much longer to glue it. I open the glue bottle a little bit and with one sweep put a bead of glue on the tongue of the joint. Than snap it together. Then it's pretty much water tight.
We like it for it's durability. It doesn't get gouged by furniture like vinyl can.
I'd have preferred that our camper had laminate flooring throughout. Then use area/throw rugs. We do anyway.
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thecampingman
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11/27/07 06:20am |
Full-time RVing
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