RE: Does this device exist...and if so, WHERE?
I have that exact setup in my 5th using a MagnaSine inverter/charger and a full size residential fridge. It runs off of the inverter going down the road and while boondocking, and shore power when connected, all automagically.
Here's a simplified electrical diagram...
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1nh79/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/electrical.jpg
RE: Do you use your washing/dryer machine?
I can't imagine ever being without a clothes washer and dryer. I have 110 AC units for both and can run them off of my inverter, generator, or shore power.
I do more laundry in the 5th wheel than I do at the sticks and bricks.
RE: Creating a Homebase
I got the foundation for the utility barn b-done this past week. Only a for more work weeks left...
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1nh79/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/CampAgnoloBarnFoundation.jpg
RE: Servicing a Binkley Head...
Well the first pull was not only sucessful, but captured on video. I posted it on YouTube here -> First Pull on You Tube
Here's a pic of the trailer right after it was first attached.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1nh79/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/BRPFirstLatch.jpg
Enjoy...
RE: Lot Purchase for Retirement
My wife and I have that exact thing in Retama Village in Mission TX. If we live there 4 months of the year, and it doesn't appreciate in value, then it's a break even investment.
Our lot has increased in value by 50% in the two years that we've owned it. I don't think it will apreciate this year at all.
FWIW...
RE: DC to AC Power inverter question
103 amps will be the steady state draw on a 12v system. I'm willing to bet that startup current is a lot closer to 15 amps on 120v AC, especially when the compressor kicks in with 90psi in the tank, so the battery draw will be 15x120 = 1800 watts = 150 amps on the 12v system just for air compressor draw and then add in the conversion loss from the inverter, and the loss to a MSW vs. a pure sine inverter, and your looking at a massive inverter with really big battery cables.
I think I'd run the compressor off of a generator before I ran it off of an inverter.
FWIW...
RE: Never deal with THOR credit
Interesting discussion from a sociology point.
As for the OP, you don't get that much nasty response from a lender for one or two payments late by a few days.
Yes, you will get late fees, and perhaps an interest change on one day late. That's was the contract says. Most of these can be avoided by calling them BEFORE you are late and seeing what can be done.
You don't get a credit ding without being habitually late, or just plain skipping a payment regardless of the institution.
The larger problem here is not my fault syndrome where instead of admitting you made a late payment (or any other mistake of judgement) and saying what can I do to fix this, you have a reason for making the mistake that's not your fault, and by having a reason, it's magically OK.
I see it in court. Many a time someone says I'm sorry and expect it all to go away. It doesn't matter if you are sorry or not, it doesn't change the fact that you still did a bad thing. When you look at the penal code, guess what, "I'm sorry" isn't listed as a punishment. It's a fine or jail.
Why is it that people can not face the responsibility for their own actions? This change has been going on for the last 20 some odd years, and picked up big momentum over the last 16. Could it be that in school, that the mantra of "I'm sorry" has replaced any meaningful punishment? Johnny can't flunk it will hurt his self esteem. Forget self esteem, how about we concetrate on personal responsibility.
RE: To any Escapee Members or friends of Escapees.....
Temorary Escapees forum here.
Although the forum is temporary, it has the pertinent info updated about conditions in Livingston.
Personal Synopsis from several locations: From a damage point of view, it looks like Escapees HQ is in good shape with minimal damage. However, infrastructure (Elec. and Sewer) in and around the county are not yet back, and electricity may be a while. Also noted is that some of the employees at Escapees HQ suffered some severe damage at home.
Fuel is scare, long lines at the few places where it is available, so if heading that way, make sure you have provisions long before you get there.
Mail Service *may* staert working again by the end of the week.
I would suggest keeping email and phone to the area to an absolute minimum to allow folks to focus on getting things back up and running...
FWIW...
RE: Escapees RV Club....................
The change over didn't go as clean as was hoped, and hurricane Ike has put a hold on debugging. The new site was up for a day or so, but is currently down. The old forum is up for hurricane updates, but the escapees website seems to be down...
RE: How do you rid vechicle of Cigarette Smoke?
My toter, a Volvo 770 Semi, had 600,000 miles on it when I got it and it had been smoked in. It took two weeks to get the smoke out, but we did it.
First of get, get a Little Green Machine from bissell (At HD for about $80.) and a large bottle of pet odor eliminator solution.
Go to town with the mahcine. Wash it twice a day for 3 days. Seats, headliner, side panels, carpet, everything. Then pull out everything that's removable. Vent covers, ashtrays, etc. and wash them separately.
The wash the hard surfaces with a bucket of soapy water, then clear.
Let it all dry for a week with the windows as open as weather allows. Then give it one final wash with the green machine. The headliner is the worst part of it.
Our is clean now and even after being closed for a week in hot sun, doesn't have any remaining smell.
RE: Servicing a Binkley Head...
I installed the new head on my toter today. Next mon/tue I'll try 1st pull.
Butterfly time...
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1nh79/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/WonderHitchLeft.jpg
Servicing a Binkley Head...
It's been a wild summer. Building my own personal campground. Contracting at a metal fabrication shop. Trying to get my Binkley Head on my TrailerSaver serviced. (Turns out that it is well within spec, I just happen to not agree with the spec, yeah I know, news flash right)
Frustration has been the theme this summer. However, the meat of the discussion is the title.
At this point, I don't think there is a commercially viable solution, and a note to the moderators, if this ever does become a commercial viability, I will refrain from mentioing it ever again on the forum. Given the Teton homes annoucement, I'm even more sure that there isn't a business here refurbishing binkley heads.
Confused, you won't be after the next episode of, sorry TV Land on in the background...
The binkley head is not servicable, sure they sell a rebuild kit, but having a machine shop do the servicing costs about as much as a new head. ($600 ish)
So, I did what any jack of many trades, engineer, with way too much time on his hands would do. I designed a rebuild kit and service program for the binkley head that takes the non-worn parts of the head (That would be the the two jaw blocks, and lock block if you're lucky) and replaces all of the worn out metal that surounds them.
The first one came out of final assembly today and will be mounted on my toter Friday.
Pictures and story here. Binkley Refurbishment
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1nh79/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/HitchViewFromRear.jpg
So am I crazy? Do you have a worn hitch head lying around?
RE: Hensley hitch
Occasionally you can find a TrailerSaver on Ebay for small $. I did see a well used one sell for $2000 at Doonan Truck in Wichita, KS last year.
RE: N.C. RV owners take note
Those of us who tow with modified Class 8 tractors have even more fun with this.
In some states, a regular drivers license is all you need to pull 70,000 down the raod (MA for instance) and in TX, you need a class A license.
In all states there is no law that can require a CDL for personal use. That would be against federal statue.
The definition of commerce is where it get's murky. An activity that has rewards is generally considered commerce by most juridictions, so yes, taking the horse to 4-H and winning a ribbon becomes commerce. Crazy, yes, but currently, the law.
Personally, it makes more sense to me to declare commerce as anything that triggers an entry on a state or federal tax return.
FWIW...
RE: How do you tame a runaway motorhome?
IF you feel the brakes fading...
Engage the engine/exhaust brake on full.
Get into the lowest gear possible. If shifting down doesn't work, stabbed the accelerator once to try and help the downshift. You might want to try this the next time you're safely decending a hill to see just how your particular vehicle responds.
Look for a soft place to land, a runaway truck ramp perhaps.
Engage the parking brake gently. This will most assuradly kill what little rear brakes are left, and runs a high risk of brake fire, but for a moment it will slow you down a bit.
As soon as the speed becomes manageable. Release the parking brake. Use the transmission to continue slowing and look for a way to get off of the road immediately.
Once you get it stopped, get everybody out and look for fire. The chance of a wheel fire is very real and quite high at this point.
Have it towed to a service center and break out the checkbook.
RE: Creating a Homebase
UPDATE:
Another 5 day workfest. Results: Power Pole in, Contractor has the entrance road at finish grade. Compared to the temp road I put in above, the new road is amzing...
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1nh79/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/EntranceRoadFullyGraded.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1nh79/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/FourAMPService.jpg
RE: trying to understand weight ratings
To help folks understand ratings, I created a towing tool a year or so ago to help with the numbers
Link to towing tool.
If you have any questions, PM me and I'll help you understand the numbers.
