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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Battery life running fridge on LP?
Thanks all for the responses. I'll do my best to answer the questions, but I don't know much about electricity and circuits.
1) The fridge is set on auto. When I turn it on, it flashes AC once or twice and then LP one or twice before the screen goes dark. I had just assumed that meant it was running on LP. Is there a way to determine if it is running on DC?
2) This didn't happen once, this has been a regular problem since we bought the trailer last summer. We'll go from being plugged in at a campground, tow it home, and put it in storage with the LP off and battery disconnected. I'm assuming the battery is fully charged at that point (the gauge indicates it).
3) My fridge is in a slideout. I don't know for sure if there are fans, but I do hear what sounds like a fan when I'm outside near the fridge. Would I have to remove the back panel to verify if there's a fan?
4) The most recent time I had this happen was 2 weeks after a weekend trip. The battery had been plugged in to shore power for 48 hours, plus the combined 9 hours of towing back and forth to the campsite. It was then disconnected for 11 days before the overnight draw killed it.
5) I'm confident that everything that is operated by a switch in the rig is off. No lights, no heater or fan. I know the CO detector is on, and that the radio front panel is illuminated (but the radio is off). But that's it.
It sounds like from what everyone has said, I should push back on the RV tech who is telling me this is normal.
Thanks again.
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raleighdogguy
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04/05/13 12:59pm |
Tech Issues
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Battery life running fridge on LP?
I have a 2011 model fifth wheel with a 12 cubic foot refrigerator that I bought new last summer. I always park it with the LP tank valves closed and the battery disconnected. The battery indicator always says full charge when I disconnect the battery.
The night before we leave for a trip, I will turn the LP tanks on, connect the battery, and begin pre-cooling the fridge. Is it normal that the battery would be dead or so low that the refrigerator couldn't operate when I return the following morning (12-16 hours later)? All lights are off. The radio front display is lit up, but it is not on. The only other thing I can think that would be drawing power is the CO detector.
I've had one RV tech tell me that the battery should run the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, but more likely 36-48; however, now that I've requested warranty work they are telling me 12 hours is normal. Not sure what to do.
Thanks in advance for the advice.
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raleighdogguy
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04/05/13 07:18am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Winterizing question
Thanks for the responses guys. I did switch the valve to allow the pump to suck from the antifreeze. I also tried different combinations of faucets being open and closed.
The priming issue seems like a possibility; however, I did pour some antifreeze into the hose. I had it in there with the pump on and off, and with faucets open and closed. All four combinations. Nothing.
Given that I've now drained everything, but haven't blown it out with compressed air, should I bite the bullet and buy an external pump? Or do I have a little time to try to sort this issue out?
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raleighdogguy
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11/30/12 09:06am |
Beginning RVing
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Winterizing question
I was hoping to hold off winterizing until after our trip for Christmas and New Years, but after the temperature hit 29 last night I decided it had to be done now. Here's the problem, I can't seem to get the pump to suck up any antifreeze.
For reference, I have a 2011 Gulfstream Aztec.
Here is the procedure I followed.
1) I opened the low point drain for both hot and cold water.
2) I switched over the heater bypass (3 valves)
3) I pulled the air release on the heater. I didn't have the right tool to open the heater drain, so to tide me over until tomorrow I undid the bypass to allow the heater to drain through the low point drain.
4) when that was finally finished draining after about 20 minutes, I closed the air valve on the heater and engaged the bypass again. (3 valves)
5) I took the water filter out of the housing and replaced the housing.
6) I put the hose in the antifreeze bottle and engaged the winterizing valve.
7) I went inside and turned on the pump.
I heard it come on. So I cleaned up a few pieces of trash and put them in my truck. When I went back to the antifeeze bottle ~3 minutes later, the level hadn't changed at all. I moved the valves back and forth with no difference. Then I tried pouring some antifreeze into the intake hose. I flipped the end of the hose upward and filled it to the top. The level sunk about 2 inches and then stopped.
Any ideas what may be going on?
Thanks in advance. This is my first rv and first season in it, so I'm a bit lost.
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raleighdogguy
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11/29/12 11:49pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: North Carolina weight.
Hmmm. I wonder when that changed. I just renewed my tag less than a month ago. With a new trailer, I upped my GCW to 22,000 and my jaw dropped when I got bill. lol.
Make sure you document the date of the call and the person you spoke with in case you are every questioned on it.
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raleighdogguy
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07/11/12 03:18pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: North Carolina weight.
Same here. I was told explicitly that RV trailers are covered is the GCW is over 9K.
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raleighdogguy
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07/11/12 12:27pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How long to make you HAPPY??
I have a question. When the regulations say they can't accept rigs over 35', does that mean trailer only? Or is that trailer + TV? Or is it one of those "pick up the phone and ask" type things?
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raleighdogguy
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07/03/12 05:25pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Brake force distribution?
Ok. I'll definitely find a way to give it a try.
Is there any reason to be concerned about running the brake controller at full gain (10.0)?
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raleighdogguy
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07/01/12 08:45pm |
Towing
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Brake force distribution?
Just picked up my new fiver on Friday. My initial impressions of towing with my F-350 are just jaw dropping...except for braking performance.
My truck is a 2012 F-350 SRW short bed. The trailer is a 36 ft fifth wheel with a UVW of 11,700lb. I didn't have room to do the full 25mph setup procedure on the trailer brakes, but I was able to get the trailer to stop the truck from 15mph. The gain on the Ford buil-in controller is set to 8.0.
I should also mention the trailer is riding about 2" high in the front right now.
My impressions:
-- Light braking doesn't do a whole lot. The whole rig seems to just keep moving.
-- Hard braking will get us slowed down, but there's a noticeable lurch from the trailer pushing the truck at first.
I dropped the trailer off at it's parking spot today and this evening I noticed a significant increase in brake dust on the front wheels of my truck. This got the gears turning in my head.
What do you guys think? Sounds like the setup needs some fine-tuning right?
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raleighdogguy
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07/01/12 06:50pm |
Towing
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New trailer, THANKS to everyone
I'm mainly a lurker on these forums. But in doing so I have learned a TON. I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their knowledge. Being able to come here and get questions answered has made this process of selecting a tow vehicle and trailer so much easier.
I bought a new truck this year and had planned to wait a year before buying a trailer. But I found this deal I just couldn't pass up. I found a new 2011 Gulfstream Aztec that the dealer really wanted gone, so I got it for below cost. Picked it up yesterday!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o4jOLTPEojY/T-52Ld6JxdI/AAAAAAAAMQ8/Sb1qRrSuiuU/s400/2012-06-29%252018.23.39.jpg
There are a few minor kinks still to work out, but overall we're really excited. I can't believe how effortlessly my F-350 diesel tows this thing. It stops pretty well too, although nowhere near as quickly as the truck alone. I guess that's par for the course though.
It is riding slightly nose-high. I measured the frame heighr and it's about 3.5" higher in the front than rear. I have 7.5" of bedrail clearance. The hitch is at the lowest setting. I could raise the pinbox one hole, but I'm not sure if it is necessary as it already tows like a dream.
Thanks again to everyone!
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raleighdogguy
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06/30/12 02:22pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Buying first 5th Wheel.. Need lots of info!!
One suggestion I have is to try to rent a trailer first. It will cost you a little bit of money, it actually spending real camping time in a trailer before you take the plunge to buy can be invaluable. We did it last summer and we quickly learned what was important to us. There are a million little things to consider and each will be of different importance to different people. If you pony up the $500 or so to rent a trailer for a week, you'll figure that out and make your search for the trailer you buy much more focused.
Good luck!
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raleighdogguy
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06/25/12 07:56am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How limiting is >35'?
Thanks to everyone for the input!
We made our decision. We found a pair of new 2011 Gulf Stream fifth wheels, one 34' and one 36', both offered at what I think is a really good deal. (If not, I don't want to know ;-)). After spending some time in each of them, we decided the 36' model was a better fit for us. We pick it up at the end of the month!
Who's excited? <-- THIS GUY!
Now, from where to buy the hitch? And insurance? And service plan? Oh, the fun. lol.
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raleighdogguy
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06/09/12 11:15am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Does this exist?
That should be an easy find. Even easier would be a slide out one side of the living room and the bedroom slide. Those were the most common in 35' a few years ago...
Yeah, I see those all over the place. We have three big dogs that like to rough house, so having the opposing slides to open up floor space for them is a top priority for us.
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raleighdogguy
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06/06/12 12:59pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Does this exist?
Thanks for the suggestions guys!
Not to do the weight police thing but be sure that you have the right truck for that size rig. At $12K you are looking at an older rig which may be quite heavy with 3 slides.
2012 1 ton diesel. I think I'm good.
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raleighdogguy
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06/06/12 11:58am |
Fifth-Wheels
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Does this exist?
The original plan was to buy the truck this year, and then wait for next year to buy the trailer. Got the truck. But now I've got the itch to get out camping!
Do you think this trailer exists?
~35' fifth wheelopposing slides in the "living area" (either two couches or couch across from chairs)~$12k
Bonus if there's a third slide in the bedroom.
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raleighdogguy
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06/06/12 10:22am |
Fifth-Wheels
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How limiting is >35'?
I keep researching myself in circles. On the one hand, I've read on here that many campgrounds (especially national/state forests/parks) have length limits of 35'. On the other hand, I can't seem to find a floorplan in that range that I'm happy with. For now, it's the two of us plus three sizable dogs (with kids in the not too distant future hopefully).
I absolutely fell in love with the Montana 3750FL, but it's 39' 1".
I thought about the Mountaineer 375FLF, but that's only a few inches shorter at 38' 4".
I thought perhaps the High Country 303RK would be a nice compromise at 36', but with the rear kitchen it will be though to have sleeping kids in the center of the rig.
I think the Laredo 321BH at 36' is pretty close, but the second half bath is a total waste of space and it seems pretty cramped relative to the other layouts with their opposing slides.
What's a man to do?
I should mention, I have a 1 ton diesel to pull this with, so I'm not concerned about weight. BUT, my driveway is steep (13 degree grade) with a 90 degree turn over a creek at the bottom. So maneuverability is of the utmost importance.
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raleighdogguy
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06/05/12 12:57pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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filling with diesel
I've got a 2012 super duty 6.7. Every time I fill it up I get a little fountain of diesel spilling out before the pump shuts off. I've tried pumps with narrow nosels and wide ones. I've tried putting the pumps all the way on and only one-click on. I can't quite figure it out.
Also, my truck supposedly has a 26 gallon tank, but I can only account for 23 of those gallons. I've never had a refuel take more than 20.5 gallons, and I typically refuel with 50 or so miles left until empty (which equates to 3 gallons). I'm not sure if that's related to the fuel spilling issue or not.
This is my first diesel, so I may be doing something wrong. I had just assumed that diesel pumps would have the same auto-shutoff as gas pumps. Am I wrong?
Thanks!
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raleighdogguy
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05/29/12 04:52pm |
Tow Vehicles
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