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RE: Tow dolly discussion--where???
I've pulled my Vibe for over 46,500 miles with a Demco Kar Kaddy SS dolly and have been very well pleased. They’re heavily galvanized (never a rust or paint problem), have surge brakes (no need for controller), dolly wheel pivot (like a car), Wheel plates fold up and tongue folds back (reduces storage space by almost 50%) and Demco has a very good customer service reputation. Some of the dolly renting agencies use them because they are so worry free and dependable.
Don’t let the “4 down” naysayers scare you away. It only takes about 5 minutes longer to load & unload, if you strap the toad down correctly you’ll never have a problem with loose straps, only once have I ever had to store the dolly off site and if you don’t have bad knees strapping on & off is easy.
They are a little more expensive but Google it for price as they seldom sell for suggested retail & occasionally you’ll find a used one available.
Dave
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dbates
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05/25/13 07:55am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Newbie - 1st time towing Car on Tow Dolly - Tips?
Definitely follow racer99 suggestion above and remember to tighten the straps down until the ties squish. I’ve been doing this for over 7 years pulled almost 40,000 miles and I’ve never found a strap loose enough to cause any problem.
Also remember:
1. If your dolly is a little wider than the RV watch those right curbs when parking. I ground the lettering off of the right dolly tire before I realized this.
2. Make sure that you allow plenty of front end room when parking along a curb. If you have to turn too sharply when pulling out the rear of the RV swings in the opposite direction pulling the dolly into the curb causing the dolly tire to scrap or roll over the curb.
Dave
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dbates
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05/22/13 08:05am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Air Compressor Projects - Anyone?
http://dbates.datapitstop.us/UPLOADS/FLD00003/00005387/Compressor%20%26%20hose%20reel%2Ejpg
I installed the about in one of my bays. Since I only have 19.5" tires I only need 80# presure and this one will cover 100# A-OK.
Dave
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dbates
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05/22/13 07:44am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Remmeber this topic?
Rust-Oleum has a spray can product that is supposed to be similar to Rhino.
There are several other paint brands that advertise a similar product but Rust-Oleum has a known reputation.
I tried a little bit of it to seal a leak and so far it is doing OK.
I have a leak like yours in my front right bay and plan to use it there also.
Dave
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dbates
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05/02/13 02:06pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: tow dolly
I’ve been pulling my Vibe on a Demco KarKaddy SS for 8 years, 45,000 miles and am very well pleased with it. It’s fully galvanized so I’ll never have rust or paint problems, its tongue folds back and the wheel ramps fold up to reduce storage space by almost 50%. It has surge brakes so I don’t have to have a controller in the MH and can us it with any towing vehicle with hitch. They are a little more expensive but you can buy them at a lot of places for less than suggested retail so Google “KarKaddy SS” for prices and information.
Dave
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dbates
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05/01/13 09:41pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: new tires
I just replaced 6 Michelin tires that I put 45,000 miles on in 8 years. I don't know how many miles the previous owner put on them but the DOT dated was 9 years ago March and there was absolutely no dry rot and still some good rubber remaining on them.
Although the Michelin served me very well I just didn’t think that I could afford them at this time so based on the many positive remarks on this forum and my truck services owner's (he does not sell tires) customers experience with them I went with Hankook for $249 per tire plus balancing, mounting and all taxes of $52.66 for a total of $301.67 per tire but know that I have 19.5” tires.
Dave
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dbates
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05/01/13 09:29pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: What's a Good Deal on 275-80-22.5 S Korean or Japanese Tires
I just put 6 new Hankook tires on my MH but they are smaller tires (225/70R19.5) than yours. The tires each cost $249 with mounting, balancing, sales tax, etc they ended up costing $301.66 each. I had 9 year old Michelins and was well please but didn't feel that I could afford them this time. Because of the numerous positive remarks on this forum and my RV-truck maintenance owner’s high regard for the Hankook tires (he does not sell tires) I went with them. Time will tell if the cost difference is worth it.
Dave
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dbates
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04/30/13 07:31am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tire Replacement on Class A Goodyear or Michelin
I just replaced my Michelins (they were on my MH when I bought it with DOT date 11th week of 2004) and I put over 45,000 miles in 8 years. They were very good tires and if I could afford them I’d have gone back to Michelin but the many excellent reviews on this forum and my truck mechanic’s praise of Hankook tires (he doesn’t sell tires) led me away from Michelin and save over $500. I got 6 tires with DOT dates of November 2012. Time will tell if they work out as good as the Michelin.
Dave
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dbates
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04/28/13 06:49am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Car dolly with the highest wt. carrying capability??
Check out the Karkaddy. Some rental companies have been using them because of their durability & load capacity. They are wheel steered vs fixed. Their SS model is fully galvanized, tongue folds back and ramps fold up to reduce storage space. They may cost a little more but many places sell them well below suggested retail plus their customer service is great. Google “KarKaddy” and look for the best price. I’ve had mine for 8 years, pulled it for almost 44,500 miles in all kinds of terrain and it is still as good as new.
Dave
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dbates
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04/17/13 06:28am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Tank Level Indication
I've had my Sea-Level for almost 7 years and they still work A-OK.
When I fill the fresh water tank I can just watch the gauge and shut the water off at what ever percentage full that I feel is needed. All tank gauges show the percentage full quite accurately. If you can put the gauges where the old ones were you just switch the wires at both ends and away you go.
Dave
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dbates
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04/14/13 06:47am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Just a windshield story
Five years ago, less than a month after I switched from State Farm to Progressive we took a trip to the southwest. Near Nashville, TN we got hit by a rock on my windshield and 11 days later on the way back just north of Indianapolis my wife's side got it too. We had to have both sides replaced (2 deductible).
Dave
PS Progressive did a very good job of taking care of it.
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dbates
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04/13/13 02:49pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: I know stock tank sensors are worthless but..
X about 4 for SeaLevel Gauges
I've had mine for almost 7 years and they still work A-OK.
When I fill the fresh water tank I can just watch the gauge and shut the water off at what ever percentage full that I feel is needed. All tank gauges show the percentage full quite accurately. If you can put the gauges where the old ones were you just switch the wires at both ends and away you go.
Dave
http://dbates.datapitstop.us/UPLOADS/FLD00003/00005387/SeeLevel%20Close%20view%2Ejpg
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dbates
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04/13/13 02:39pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Streets and Trips ?
Thanks for the suggestion. I've never like their automatic ZOOM out either.
I've used S&T for many years and for trip planning it’s a lot better than my Garmin to make route adjustment but I have always been unhappy with their "find nearby places". It only allow sequencing "by distance" from route & "Alphabetically". It seems that it would be much more useful if they would sequence in route order. This way if you want to find a CG midway to your destination you could pick those closer to the middle of the list.
Dave
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dbates
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04/11/13 06:36pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: How many miles on your Ford V-10, and what problems?
My 1998 Itasca over a 1999 Ford F53 V10 has 97,773 miles on it of which I've driven 44,650. The previous owner said he had no problems. I purchased it Feb 2005 and other than routine maintenance I've only had to replace the shift cable (shortly after I purchased it) and then last year at 37,100 miles the right front & rear brake calibers.
As I'm coming up on 100,000 miles I thought I'd need to replace the plugs but my truck mechanic says leave them alone unless my MPG drop significantly and it has not (Avg. MPG in 2005 was 8.45 and down to 8.23 in 2012. although my tires still look pretty good I’m planning to replace them this year.
Dave
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dbates
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04/07/13 12:31pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Stone shield
X4
For Protect-A-Tow. It also keep the MH rear end & TV monitor cleaner when it rains.
Dave
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dbates
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04/06/13 06:48am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: State Farm Ins for RV
I’ve had State Farm on my autos for over 25 years and have been well pleased. I started out with SF on MH but after reading their policy over I checked with Progressive for comparison and found it had better coverage for about the same cost and switched to Progressive (still with SF on auto). My State Farm agent had to agree as SF covers RV’s with their auto policy and Progressive has policies designed specifically for RVs. Now 5 years later my premiums have changed very little with Progressive and have had one claim (two broken windshields) that was handled very professionally.
Dave
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dbates
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04/06/13 06:37am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Traveling from Texas to Illinois, Indiana and Michigan
Microsoft Streets & Trips show 12 campgrounds within 35 miles of downtown Chicago with the closest about 13 miles.
The Indiana Dunes State park (33 miles from DT Chicago) has 55' back in with electricity with near by access to rail transportation to & from downtown Chicago. If you are use to traveling in high volume traffic you can drive into Chicago but if you prefer not to test this, rail access is nice and easy.
Dave
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dbates
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04/02/13 06:40am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Dolly or tow bar?
Another thing to consider is if you plan to use your toad for personal use how often do you trade. With 4 down you may have to spend an additional $1,000 each time you trade for base plate, etc. Even though I've used a dolly for the past 8 years with no problems I'd say that if you get a toad that can be pulled 4 down and you plan to keep it for a very long time go 4 down. If not the dolly is a good alternative.
If strapped down correctly the straps will never come loose, it only takes a few more minute to hook up/unload and we’ve never had a real problem finding storage for it at a CG.
Dave
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dbates
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03/31/13 06:38am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Tow Dolly Insurance
I just checked my Progressive MH insurance policy and it covers "Trailer (used with motorhome and included with Comprehensive and Collision coverage) Llimits "The lesser of actual cash value less deductibles or $2,500" with no additional premium. I had State Farm before and it covered liability only. Best talk to your agent.
Dave
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dbates
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03/30/13 09:24am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Help me buy a tow dolly
Check Google for Demco KarKaddy SS. It is heavily galvanized so it won’t rust, wheel plates fold up and tongue folds back to reduce storage by almost 50%. They have surge brakes so no extra cost for a controller in the MH. It’s solid enough for tow about anything. I just Googled it & found a retailer selling new for $2,568. I’ve had mine for 8 years and it’s as good as new.
Dave
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dbates
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03/27/13 11:49am |
Dinghy Towing
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