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Forum
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RE: How much mileage is too excessive for a truck?
I bought my 01.5 Ram in October 2004 with 72k on it. It was a Dodge dealership trade in from a local (to the dealership, not me) owner. PO was a local pool installer who towed his enclosed trailer with his tool and stuff, hence the mileage in 3 years. Although the dealership was selling it on the internet (Cars.com) they were also selling it locally on their lot so I took that to mean that the dealership felt it was fine to retail and warranty. I've shopped around and as a rule will stay away from newer trucks with high miles and a 5th wheel hitch.
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xp8103
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10/03/08 08:42am |
Truck Campers
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Part Number for the Yakima racks for Lance
Factory rails are installed already. Just don't have the cross rails. Want to put a ski-box up there.
Right, Yakima. That's what I meant. Thanks.
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xp8103
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09/29/08 11:04am |
Truck Campers
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Anyone at the IHRA Drags at Epping NH last weekend?
Was my first real drag racing experience having attended a number of NASCAR and road racing events. All I can say is WOW. Standing at the fence 50' from two 8000 hp top fuel cars when they light off. Unlike any other experience.
We were camped along the fence next to the grandstands on the side opposite the tower.
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xp8103
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09/09/08 07:40am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Mt Desert Narrows Campground, Bar Harbor, ME
You know, I don't know. I'll have to see if I can find the receipt. I kept the cc slip but the receipt was kicking around the truck somewhere.
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xp8103
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09/03/08 10:56am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Mt Desert Narrows Campground, Bar Harbor, ME
I am happy to report that our weekend experience at the Mt. Desert Narrows was completely positive. We arrived Friday early evening, 6:00ish. Our camping companions had arrived earlier in the day and the kids were already in the heated pool. We have not made reservations for the weekend for the last 5 years as the campground has never been full and space was always available. While it did seem busier this past weekend than in past years, there were still ample adjacent spots. The office originally put us in two spots with little shade but as our friends got to the sites, they paused to look. Someone on a golf cart stopped and asked if there was something they could help with. Our friends asked if the couple sites across the road under some nice shade trees were open this weekend. The person left and returned and said they are open and we were welcome to them. On the map, it's the sites 10,11, and 12. We had 11 and 12. Best non-water sites in the park. Pool was warm (perhaps a bit TOO warm) and clean. Baths were as normal, clean. Staff was friendly. There were a few changes we noticed - no complementary morning news paper delivery and since they are now open until the middle of October (they used to close after Labor Day) there was no Pajama madness Sunday night sale at the camp store. The pie lady still makes deliveries from her car, bell in hand. We had blueberry. The lobsters we picked up from the little shack just down the road were still incredible. The weather, aside from a quick 30-minute rain storm Saturday night was near perfect.
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xp8103
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09/02/08 08:17am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Mt Desert Narrows Campground, Bar Harbor, ME
Well we're heading up to the Narrows today. I'll post back on Tuesday to let you know how it went.
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xp8103
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08/29/08 10:54am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Now for Something Completely Different
I think with the dual axle and the positioning, I wouldn't be surprised if the tongue weight was plenty manageable. And if you think about it, a couple quads in there, probably a GVW of 8 or 9k maybe? Could be hauled with something OTHER than a one-ton dually which you'd have to have to carry the camper alone.
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xp8103
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07/31/08 11:02am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Mt Desert Narrows Campground, Bar Harbor, ME
I think in the 6 years we've camped there over LD, we've made reservations once, 6 years ago. They were never full and we were always in the same spaces give or take one or two. I'll be VERY upset if there are issues this year.....
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xp8103
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07/29/08 07:46am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Mt Desert Narrows Campground, Bar Harbor, ME
That is VERY disconcerting. This will be our 7th year staying at Mt Desert Narrows over Labor Day weekend. One of the reasons we go back is because the place was so well run and the folks there were great to deal with. This could stink......
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xp8103
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07/28/08 10:59am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Having T/C level when plugged in to house.
You can make TOAST with your fridge???? :B
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xp8103
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07/22/08 10:46am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Having T/C level when plugged in to house.
Matt's right. Regardless of the SOURCE of heat, the fluid must still flow thru the coils in order to function correctly. I level up as a matter of course in the driveway, whether on the truck or not. If not level, fluid will collect in spots.
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xp8103
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07/22/08 06:25am |
Truck Campers
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RE: What happens when you ignore your Exterior Cauking Duties...
Hey Mike,
Looks ALL TOO familiar. There but for the grace of God..... I may have told you but on mine, the service tech and I both agreed that mine was likely leaking BEFORE I bought it based on what they found. Afterall, it was a 2005 that sat on dealer's lot until April 2007. It was driving it on my rig that simply exacerbated it. And I remember the tech guy at the dealer I purchased from telling me to check the caulking from time to time. Problem is, THEY never did it.
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xp8103
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07/21/08 09:26am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Need Advice - from a Wanabe TC owner
Bob,
Peter suggested going to a dealer. I'd second that. BEFORE you start looking at used units in someone's yard or whatever. I'm not saying buy new, BUT if you have the opportunity, at least check them out. This will give you some very significant perspective. You will be able to see layouts, options, appliances, fixtures, quality (or lack thereof), etc. You've got a good rig there that will handle a lot.
Several things to check on your rig tho.
1. Does it have the camper package? This usually means an extra leaf, HD alternator, and likely load range E tires with a 3400 pound rating at 80 psi. 2. All I did to my truck to prepare it for carrying was to replace the OE shocks with Rancho 9000s (adjustable), $350 and
3. A set of Timbren overloads (http://www.timbren.com/) for a couple hundred bucks.
Put your rig in top shape and you'll be fine.
Water damage is the worst enemy of TCs. The seams between the tops, sides and fronts of many TCs depend on a type of caulking called Dicor to seal. Sun and environment are the enemies. Manufacturers usually suggest frequent inspections (Lance recommends 4 times a year) and recaulking as necessary. Its a lot like frequent oil changes in your car. You CAN take it to the dealer to have it done but it's the owners responsibility to get it there in the first place. ANYTHING that looks like water damage is something to be VERY weary of.
Softside vs. hardside is a matter of personal opinion. In colder climes, most would say that hardside is the way to go but there are those who camp in cold in a popup. Popup TCs are like popup trailers. Everything needs to be stowed in its place before you travel and often access is limited with the top down. Again, to some this is no issue. Take a look at them if you can.
Most if not nearly all TCs come with some sort of potty. Everything from a full dry bath with a tub to a small cassette toilet. In the range you're looking for, you should be able to fill that requirement.
Power reqirements are essentially a non-issue for TCs today. With the easy availabilty of the small 2k watt quiet generators from Honda and Yamaha there is ALMOST no need for an onboard LP genset. Consider that an LP generator option on a TC could set you back a couple grand and a Honda EU2000i is $900 and weighs about half. If A/C is a requirement, be careful here as the 2k watt units will likely not perform well under the load generated by MOST A/C units. There are smaller output A/C units available.
I have a friend who hauls a 17' Montauk Boston Whaler behind his rig on a 3' hitch extension. You should be fine with most anything you'll get. There are many good 8 and 9' models available from numerous manufacturers. Most 8' campers will allow you to use your tailgate as a platform of sorts when you step out of the camper. With 9' units, you'll take your gate off. Just keep some sort of step arrangement in mind or that first one will be a DUSEY!
Lastly, go online. There are scores of websites that sell used campers, including TCs. You don't necessarily have to buy here but it will give you a good idea of whats available and how much you can expect to pay. Good luck!!
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xp8103
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07/18/08 07:44am |
Truck Campers
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RE: OBX Beach Closure!!!
Problem is wsdepa, those who want closure want it closed to ALL traffic, orv, foot or otherwise. Up here in Maine, we have no ORV beach access. None. Yet the plover nests are way down. How do you explain that?
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xp8103
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07/18/08 07:02am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Help with tires for Beach
Scott,
I looked at that MA BBA site and also at the Kelley tire site. Found the 8R-19.5. it's still a 110 pound tire with (I'm assuming) a bead that depends on tire pressure to keep it on the rim. I'm wondering how they air them down and keep them on the rim?
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xp8103
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07/15/08 08:24am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Mistake Made - Lesson Learned
Purplepossum,
My gosh yes. Thetford makes a whole line of chemical additives that will breakdown the paper and poo and deodorize while doing it. There are various non-toxic natural additives available. Get thee to your nearest RV store and look around near the toilet paper section. That should take care of your problem!
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xp8103
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07/11/08 11:24am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Saw a 2000 Lance 1033 10'11" on a 2500 Silverado SRW gasser.
the 1010 is about the limit of what I'd put on my truck. It's about 10 feet long vs almost 11'.
Plus, Campermama, it was a Chevy. We ALL know if you want a truck for WORK, you get a Dodge. :D :D :D
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xp8103
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07/11/08 11:15am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Mistake Made - Lesson Learned
Are you using any tank additive to break down the poo? With water and enough time, MOST of that stuff should be fairly liquid (thats the whole idea behind using it). I've gone a month without dumping and using the potty regularly in the driveway without issue.
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xp8103
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07/10/08 06:49am |
Truck Campers
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Saw a 2000 Lance 1033 10'11" on a 2500 Silverado SRW gasser.
:E :E :E :E Looked like it had airbags at least.
And even funnier (I was dumping at a local RV sales and service center) a "tech" from the center drove the 2500 to the LP tank next to the dump station and proceeded to "fill" the ob 30# tanks, horizontally. I watched him struggle to pull one out of the compartment, he got it about half out and put the LP fill hose on and try to fill. I didn't have the heart to tell him his job. I think he realized when nothing was going into the ob tank that they have to be vertical to fill. He eventually got the tank out and filled it correctly.
Funny tho. My wife asked me what I was laughing at when I got back in the truck.
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xp8103
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07/10/08 06:44am |
Truck Campers
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19.5" rim alternatives
Ok. I have two friends who bought F450's because they had to have them. Of course, they did no research and no consideration of taking the camper on the beach.
Now, here we are, a month out and they are now worried about not being able to air down. The question is, are there alternatives to the 19.5?? Would it be possible to have someone custom make a 17" 10-lug rim that they could then mount a different tire for the beach? Find a tire that approximates the diameter of the 19.5s? Bascially, they want to replace the front tires to make the way for the rears to run? The 19.5's would get them to the beach, the 17s will get them on to the beach and back to the road?
These are all honest questions. Looking for input.
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xp8103
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07/06/08 02:27pm |
Truck Campers
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