RVND 7710 lifetime updates
When I purchased my RVND7710 in Feb, 2012 I was told it included lifetime updates. I follow the on-line instructions, unit connected, plugged in, etc... but there is no icon or item to select to get the update per the instructions in the manual. I contacted Rand and they say I have to purchase the update program for $90 .... I've found where some others had this same problem and feel I was mislead at time of purchase. I honestly don't recall how I had this impression, but know it was one of the reasons I purchased the unit...
RE: Dealer requires suitable truck
Our first truck was a short bed and Lazy Days would only install a slider hitch... I was happy they led me there.
That sounds like another way to get the bucks out of a customers pocket. My short bed does not require a slider.
I could have done OK without it, but it sure was nice to have in some really tight situations. Our Big Horn advertises the 88 degree radius for short bed trucks and it probably is correct, but I felt good having the extra clearance. We now have a long bed DRW and never give it a second thought any more.
RE: Bed tonneau covers
My Backflip has 4 panels. If I fold back one panel it will not stay in place it will blow over. However if I fold back 2 or more panels they do stay in place. When towing I Have 3 panels folded back and they stay in place.
I could fold the 4th panel back and lock it in place against the cab window to fully expose the bed, however I have no need to do this while towing. Ditto with mine.... But, when I had the BakFLip on my short bed F350, I had to put it all the way up against the window or my pin box would hit it on turns... Not a problem with my long bed.
RE: Bed tonneau covers
When I save up all my allowance, I'm getting a Roll N Lock bed cover. Surprised no one has mentioned it . Very high quality and good reviews. Expensive but you get what you pay for.
I have found that it's not a matter of which cover you like but which cover will fit without contacting pin box in tight turns. While I like them the most,the roll up type seem to be the worst for my scenario.
The tracks used to support the rolling covers interfere with the pin box during tight turns. I eventually ruined a Retrax cover before eventually going with a Bak Flip G2 cover that fits my set up much better.
Amen to that. What cover works best is dependent on so many factors. For me, the rollup works best, as I get full access to the the truck bed, and can see my fifth wheel hitch, making it easier to hook up. However, I am probably 1/4" from hitting the cover side rail - with the PIN box - in the tighest of turns. Bottom line is, the rollup cover works best in my 2004 2500HD, however I might need to go with somthing like a backflip when I eventually move on to a new truck.
We're on our second BakFlip F1 .... Strong and secure if you have a locking tailgate. When we had the short wheel base truck, the BakFlip was in the way of my pin box on turns so I had to travel with the cover all the way up against the rear window. The current ruck is a long wheel base and the cover just lies flat in the folded position on the bed rails when towing. A great cover.
RE: From a class A to a 5th wheel
We've had large boats, travel trailers, truck campers, Class C, and now the 5vr. We towed the 5vr with a SRW F350, and now a DRW F350..... Bottom line for me is the 5vr tows better with the DRW. (and it's the proper GVWR) Been towing last two summers in Southwest winds and barely ever know it's windy. Never had a Class A, but I know the Class C always felt 'heavy' going down the road, turns, stopping, rocking in the wind, etc... Towing the 5vr is heads above anything else we've driven. (Not to mention, I still get the bonus of driving my truck around sightseeing when we get un-hitched)
RE: Fresh water overflow during tow
Most of the SP, FP and ACE campgrounds I've been to have potable water on the way in, so I'm not sure why you would travel any distance with a full f/w tank, it's just unnecessary weight to carry. I have bottled water, a 1 gallon bottle next to the toilet and maybe 1/6 tank on board.
My rig does not have a freshwater fill, just a siphon tube that serves dual purpose to fill the tanks, of add the pink stuff, depending on how the valves are set. If I travel over 1/2 full it will spill out the overflow.
Also I would never cap off the overflow for fear of bursting the f/w tank, even a valve is just one more thing to have to remember.
I always travel with a full fresh tank. I want my water to be from a known chlorinated source vs. an unknown source at the CG. My tank takes at least 20 minutes to fill. I do not want to waste that amount of time searching for the faucet then filling the tank at the CG. The whole process can be very inconvenient. The weight of water has no measurable effect on my MPG's.
If your tank starts to drain after being 1/2 full you need to add valves as others mentioned. Yes it is one more thing to remember. But being able to travel with only 1/2 full tanks is unacceptable to me.
Understand the reasons for travelling with full tanks. In my case, a full tank of fresh water would add a little over 600 pounds. For me, that would put me well over my trailer GVWR, so I always plan ahead and fill only when needed and as close to the site as possible.
RE: Landing gear is toast
Just assisted a fellow camper with my bottle jack after his landing gear elec motor/gear failed.... He said first stop was to get himself a bottle jack..
RE: Komfort brand 5Th wheels?
Sure, It is obvious I know nothing about Komfort, that's why I wanted to tour the plant! ... I was satisfied with user reports but was turned away by the people who actually build them... I don't think that's being negative; just adding my experience... Isn't that what the forum is about?
You are certainly injecting negative thoughts when you say "I just figured Komfort had something to hide or were ashamed of" " but your right that this is a public forum and you do have the right to say that. Let me add that my wife works for a corporation that manufactories unquestionably the finest hydraulic valves on the market and no you cant have a tour of how they do it either. The fact that Komfort does not give tours should not automatically raise any flags. It is there business decision or possibly there insurers business decision. It may be something as simple as it is a unsafe environment due to there factory size.......who knows.
I think we need to end this debate... Just trying to help, and your just proving my statement.. Komfort doesn't want anyone to see how they build while as far as I know, everyone else does... For whatever reason they want to hide something... secrets, quality, security, safety, doesn't matter - they don't give tours and I didn't buy Komfort... just facts - not opinion.
RE: Komfort brand 5Th wheels?
We shopped extensively for several months. We travelled to see how various units were built and wanted to tour the Komfort plant in Oregon. We contacted the plant as well as a dealer and were told they did not give tours. That being the case, and the fact that every other manufacturer did give tours, I just figured Komfort had something to hide or were ashamed of... so we had scratch them off our list.... and we visited four other manufacturers and then bought one..... It could have been Komfort had they let us in....
The first time or two I saw this post I decided to leave it alone. This time I think I will comment.
By your own admission you know little to nothing about the Komfort line , but continue to post this negative comment.
Previous posts here and here.
Quite frankly I wouldn't own a Heartland RV. As I owned a Heartland fifth wheel prior to the Komfort, I feel comfortable in commenting on Heartland. I owned it a little better than a year. We decided to dump it after dealing with one to many issues.
The Komfort brand quality quality stands head and shoulders above my experience with Heartland.
I will say that Heartland does shine in one area. That being their owners club and forum. It is the best in the industry.
Sure, It is obvious I know nothing about Komfort, that's why I wanted to tour the plant! ... I was satisfied with user reports but was turned away by the people who actually build them... I don't think that's being negative; just adding my experience... Isn't that what the forum is about?
RE: Komfort brand 5Th wheels?
We shopped extensively for several months. We travelled to see how various units were built and wanted to tour the Komfort plant in Oregon. We contacted the plant as well as a dealer and were told they did not give tours. That being the case, and the fact that every other manufacturer did give tours, I just figured Komfort had something to hide or were ashamed of... so we had scratch them off our list.... and we visited four other manufacturers and then bought one..... It could have been Komfort had they let us in....
RE: Just changed
We did the same a couple years ago,, Got a great deal thru Good Sam with GMAC... Paid 6 months.... Next invoice was higher, 6 months later it was higher ... third time it moved up a lot and I shopped and found a deal as good as GMAC was the first time... Look at other posts on this forum and you'll see it has happened a lot... GO figure.. (I know, lots of thing affect rates, but my record, credit score, etc,. never changed) If you haven't shopped in a while, you should.
RE: Ford F350 axel ratio 3.31
I pulled 14,000 lb 5vr (CAT scale weights), and 8100 lb. truck weight (total 22,100) last summer around 6000 trailer miles with the 2012 F350 SRW 3.31 4x4... Pulled fine and handled well. We were at max listed payload weights.
RE: Fifth Wheeling in the Colorado mountains?
If you are going to get close to 14,000 lbs., a loaded 5vr will be too much for the SRW. That is, based on the manufacturers door sticker maximum payload. I had an F350 2012 SRW for the reasons you stated. Payload sticker said 3500 lbs... Start adding the hitch weight, passengers, tools?, full tank of fuel, you've quickly wittled that 3500 lbs down to under 3000. Put a loaded 5vr with a GVWR of 14,000 lbs, and you're overweight. People do it all the time, you'll hear people telling you it's OK, they do it, but the numbers don't lie. You'll pull it fine, but will be overloaded. Those automotive engineers know what they're talking about - and, don't ever listen to a car or RV salesman... Do your own research to confirm your weight requirements.
RE: Calculating Fifth Wheel Maximum Weight
It's all about how you pack the truck & 5vr... Some pack more than others which I'm one of whom packs heavy. All my tools in the truck, generator, hydraulic jacks, jack stands, bikes, ladder, chemicals, cleaners, not to mention the pots, pans, food, frig stuff.... and on it goes. Hooked up, My SRW F350 was over loaded about 600 lbs. so I got a Dually. The door sticker said 3400 lbs payload - you just can't do anything to increase that number. The SRW pulled it just fine and had no sag at the rear, but I wanted to be under my truck and tire rated limit.... Four tires on the back just felt a lot more comfortable than two. Now I got plenty of capacity and greater piece of mind.
RE: Looking for RV sized recliner (RV salvage yards?)
Personally, I wouldn't bother with RV stuff, most of the time it's built cheap.. We got a couple Lazyboys in our 5vr, and I know they have some small sized chairs available... Take your maximum dimensions and check out furniture stores in person or on-line.
