RE: TAKE NOTE!! Jackson/Snake River KOA- Wyoming
We stayed at the KOA in Fredicksburg, TX over the Mother's Day weekend and it was very nice, and the management was super. There are bad apples in every bushel. I agree with those above, check www.rvparkreviews.com before you go.
Sofa Bed Air Mattress for Challenger
Has anyone with a late model (mine is a 2006 32TKB) Challenger purchased an Air Dream inflatable mattress for their sofa? If so, how does it fit and are you happy with it?
Mine appears to be a full size, the frame size about 53" x 69 1/2". Air Dream says their full size mattress is 52" x 72". I would think that it would work since it would fit inside the folding mechanisms, but would sick out a little over the end of the frame and might have to be forced in when closed. I would think this could be done since it could fudge a little at the head and the foot.
Can anyone advise me on this?
Thanks
Where to Purchase Diesel
Is there a site on the Internet that gives the location of truck stops and service stations that sell diesel and are RV friendly (easy in - easy out)?
Going west from Austin, TX to the Lake Tahoe area, and don't have an extra tank, so i need to plan my fuel purchases in advance.
RE: San Antonio
Another choice would be to miss San Antonio completely by turning onto Highway 46 when you get to Boerne and go to New Braunfels and then on to I-10 at Seguin and and then to Houston. Check Google Maps.
I have towed my 5th wheel many times on 46 through Boerne it is a good road. The only thing is when you get to New Braunfels, you want to be sure and take the loop around town to the left, I think it is Loop 337, not sure. There is an underpass in downtown NB that would probably be a problem getting an RV under. The loop turns back into highway 46 when you go under I-35. It is about 57 miles from Boerne to Seguin via 46 and about 66 miles around SA via 1604. Not a whole lot of difference, but a much prettier road.
Lake Tahoe Area
Our son is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail this summer and will be passing close to Lake Tahoe in July or early August. DW and I are thinking about trying to meet him when he gets to the Lake Tahoe area. I have been looking for full hook up RV Parks in the South Lake Tahoe area, and there don't seem to be too many. We have a 35' 5th wheel.
Our problem is, at this point, we have no way of knowing when he will reach that area. I would assume that due to the fact there are not many RV parks that will accommodate our trailer, we will need to make reservations early, and due to the fact we don't know when he will be there, that is a problem. Also, except for a couple of parks, the web sites seem to be pretty vague, not many pictures.
I guess what I need is some suggestions and recommendations on parks. We have never been to that area, but from the pictures I have seen, it appears to be beautiful.
Thanks for any info you can send my way.
RE: Blown Fuses in Keystone Challenger
Wayne, thanks for explaining why there are fuses and circuit breakers. I thought that in an RV maybe they worked together. I know how and why the circuit breaker works at home and the first thing I tried to do was to switch it back on. But for some reason they stay tripped. I guess I have fried the two circuit breakers and they will have to be replaced.
Oh well, we are leaving for home in few hours, and the front legs and slides work, so I will take it in next week to get the breakers replaced and pitch the heater.
Blown Fuses in Keystone Challenger
We have managed to blow two fuses that cover all the wall plugs including the ref. The microwave still works. I can not get the circuit breakers to switch on and hold.
I suspect a small electric heater is the culprit. We were using it last night and DW tried to use her hair dryer. That blue about half the wall plugs, then this morning the heater was on and when we turned on the coffee maker, most of the rest of the wall plugs went. The electric heater seems to be the common denominator.
I know next to nothing about electricity, and can not tell by looking at them which fuses are blown. They are not like any fuses I have dealt with before. The control panel is a World Friendship Company (WFCO), model number WF-8930/50.
My question is, how do you tell which fuse is blown, and how do you get them out?
We are in an RV Park in Kerrville, TX on a Sunday morning. I doubt that the store here has any fuses, but am going to see when they open.
I guess the red and blue fuses can be pulled out and replaced on trial and error until I find the bad ones since they don't look bad.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Anyone Using CO2?
Is anyone using a tank of CO2 to refill their RV tires? I have been told that the Off Roader's use it because it will fill a tire fast.
What are the pros and cons of using it? Is it dangerous? Thanks for any info.
RE: TEXAS RT 105/US290 TO AUSTIN AND BEYOND
Have not towed on 105, but most all Texas highways are good you should have no trouble. 290 is a main route between Houston and Austin, so it is mostly at least four lane. Unless you just want to drive through the middle of Austin on IH35/290,I would suggest you turn on 21 at Paige and go to Bastrop. Then go into Austin via 71. 71 turns into 290 West when you cross under IH35. I tow a 35' 5er on 290 West all the time to Fredicksburg and Kerrville. Have driven 290 from Fredicksburg through Harper onto I-10 a couple of times and as best I can remember you should have no problem.
Since your name is Anchoraweigh, you might want to spend sometime in Fredicksburg. There is lots of shopping for the ladies and the Chester Nimitiz Museum of the Pacific War for the guys. IMHO, it is well worth visiting. The Lyndon B. Johnson Ranch and park is just east of Fredicksburg.
Hope this helped some.
RE: Dumb things we do
Last time out, was slowly turning right into a cafe's parking lot while looking for a place to park the rig. I did not notice the mail box on the post at the edge of the drive way until the noise. Ended up with a few scrapes and scratches and a nice gouge out of the Fiberglas door. Quote for a new door in excess of $700, $350 to patch. Am now trying to come up with some sort of design I could make with duct tape that would cover the hole.
RE: Anode - Suburban water heater
I took the anode rod out, stuck a coat hanger wire in the hole and stirred it around a bit which broke up some of the calcium scale in the heater. The hose was hooked up to the trailer, so I turned it on. A little water came out of the heater, but not much scale. After a short time,with the water running and nothing coming out, I stuck the coat hanger wire back into the hole. That did the trick, it moved the piece of scale that was blocking the hole and the water pressure that had built up in the heater shot out along with what seemed like tons of white scale. When it was over, the street looked almost like white gravel.
After the anode rod has been replaced and the tank is ready to fill, I take the strainer off the kitchen faucet and turn on the hot water so all the air has a way to get out of the tank and any of the small, stirred up, calcium chunks do not stop up the faucet. Leave it on until you get a good steady stream. I would not advise anyone to turn on their bathroom faucet or shower right at first because you don't want small chunks of scale in the shower head.
The quality of the water where you live and camp will determine the amount of scale that is built up in your heater. Some will have a lot and others will have little or none.
Fiesta San Antonio 2008
If you are going to be any where near San Antonio between April 18 to the 27th, you might want to check out Fiesta San Antonio. www.fiesta-sa.org
Click on the highlighted dates to see what events are going on each day. Then click on the event to see what it involves. Monday night is the river parade, Friday is the Battle of Flowers parade and Saturday night is the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, the largest lighted night parade in the nation.
Tuesday evening through Friday evening is A Night in Old San Antonio which when I was young and living in SA was a must attend each night.
But, if you dislike crowds, people having fun, and confetti filled eggs broken over your head, you might want to go somewhere else.
No I do not work for the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, I just realized it is almost Fiesta time and I have many fond memories of past Fiestas and thought I would share them with you. Fiesta is not advertised much outside of San Antonio, but it might be something you would enjoy. Be sure you have reservations as the RV parks in the area may be full.
What about them valve stems???
My 5er is right at 2 years old, and yesterday I spent time in the tire shop for the second time having a flat fixed only to find the problem was a defective valve stem. They are metal stems.
I cannot remember having this problem on car tires. Would it be wise to have all five of my stems replaced, or just the three that have not yet failed? Are others having this problem or am I just a recipient of two lightning strikes? Are the RV manufacturers using cheaper valve stems than the auto manufacturers?
RE: DFW & Friends Spring Rally - March 28-30, 2008 - RV Ranch
The flat was not a big problem. George had me get underneath the 5th wheel because he didn't know how to loosen the tire! What a man! He has spoiled me rotten, but he can't do a tire change! Just kiddin' LOL (laugh out loud). We have Good Sam ERS.
He took me to the mall while Wal-Mart fixed the flat. Another stem problem. We had that happen to us on the way to Padre and spent the night someplace where locusts serenaded us all night. It was a nice RV park, tho. Anyway, I'M KNOWN AS BARBIE AMONG OUR RV FRIENDS. My grandmother used to call me George's little Barbie Doll! Oh--right! LOL
We enjoyed the rally - Hope everyone had a safe trip home. Thanks to all. I still want Steve's Bear. He turned around and started to come home with me, but I said NO! You have to stay with Winston.
Karen S.
RE: DFW & Friends Spring Rally - March 28-30, 2008 - RV Ranch
Karen and I really enjoyed meeting all you North Texas guys, it was really fun. Someday, I may even be able to master Mexican Train. Thanks to Terry, Chuck and Steve for all the work you did in putting it on and to Winston for keeping everyone in line.
We left the RV Ranch around 12:30 and got to Hillsboro and was informed that we had a flat tire on the trailer. I have always heard that it is not if I have a flat tire, it's when I have a flat tire. Again, we had a great time and if anyone happens to wander into Central Texas, give us a call.
George & Karen Speir
Austin
RE: Sheared off roof on tree trunk!
Your incident sounds like something that happened to me at Quail Springs RV in Uvalde on my second trip out with the 5er. It was driver error in my case, I was watching another car and did not realize the street made a dog leg turn to the right and then left. TV followed street, RV went straight and kissed a broken tree limb. Had about the same amount and type of damage.
Looking at invoice right now, it was total, tax, etc. $7783.19. I have GMAC and $500 deductible. They had me take it to Ancira in Borene, just a few blocks from Alamo Fiesta RV Park. I too have stayed at Alamo Fiesta, but not back where you were. I am much more aware of tree limbs now.
RE: Any Boaters/Cruisers in the Forum?
We pay year around slip fee to store a 34’ SeaRay Express Cruiser and a Waverunner that are never used. Started in ’86 with a 21’ runabout, moved up to a 48’ houseboat which we raised the kids on and are now back to the 34’ which along with the Waverunner is very much for sale. Purchased our 5th wheel a year ago and are starting to really enjoy it. There is a lot of the good old USA I want to see, have seen all there is to see on Lake Travis.
RE: Looking at Keystone 5er
I saw a post the other day where a guy was complaining that he had purchased a Keystone Challenger and it was a lemon. That being said, I have a Keystone Challenger that I am crazy about. Have not had any problems at all with it. It is a great 5er, get the Keystone of your choice and enjoy.
RE: Memory Foam Mattress Question
oldmansknees, your post is what I am looking for, someone who has had experience with Healthy Foundations. Your experience is my "gut feeling" about them. In reading their web page, I note mention of the fact that their mattress is made in Europe. Who knows, maybe it is made by the same company who makes the "Swedish brand - $$$$$$$$". We looked at the IntelliBed product yesterday, and they wanted about $1900.00 more for their's than Healthy Foundations does. Since HF offers a 365 day money back guarantee, and a 20 year non-prorated warranty, I don't see how we could be hurt much and I could use the $1900.00 for something else - like diesel for a trip this summer.
RE: Memory Foam Mattress Question
dhamblet, thanks for the response, but what I want to know is,if anyone has had any dealings, good or bad with that company. I am going to purchase a full blown mattress, not a pad. We have a pad here at the house on our guest bed and it does move a little each night. We do find it more comfortable than the original mattress by itself, so we put up with the movement.
