| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Overheated Optima Battery
I used to think Optima batteries were the cat's meow but over the past few years I've changed my mind. I put Optima Yellow Top batteries in two vehicles I don't drive very often. After less than a year, both batteries won't hold a charge more than two weeks or so. They work fine otherwise so I just leave float chargers on the vehicles now but it's very disappointing.
As for the battery overheating, sounds like an overcharging issue.
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
09/05/08 02:34pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Flush King and Full Hookup CG
I often do the same thing and use a wye so I can have both the Flush King and the city water connected.
Since you'll be using your rise hose at the potable water spigot please keep and use a backflow preventer so you don't contaminate the spigot or water.
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
09/05/08 02:19pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: slide-out tip-over risk?
The rig will not tip over with a side slide extended without the jacks and it won't hurt the slide or the mechanism either. Now a rear slide is another story... you better put your jacks down or you could be in for a surprise!
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
09/05/08 02:07pm |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: leave the propane on?
My propane tanks are on 24/7/365. The refrigerator is always on propane when traveling and 110v when at home or camping with hookups.
If we're winter camping, the furnace and water heater are usually on the whole trip as well.
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
09/05/08 10:59am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Running the a/c while driving a travel trailer (TT)
I think the real problem is easily found in the original post...
First let me say that I'm not interested in hearing about the legality or safety of having passengers in a TT while driving. I'm only looking for posts on solutions to a problem.
Poobah
Not exactly the best attitude for a first post seeking information.
If he's just looking for a way to keep the trailer cool while driving why not just say that and not cop an attitude? I also love the part about only being interested in posts that offer a solution. Maybe he should be looking for information at a local RV dealer and not a public forum.
All the later comments (especially the one about avoiding the attention of the police) make matters ever worse. To top it all off, he's gotten several suggestions on how to do it and he's still not happy.
Could be a troll, could simply be someone with an attitude. Who knows (and for that matter, who cares?).
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
09/04/08 02:44pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Bike Rack on Trailer Bumper - welding modification
Bikes are the worst thing to put on the back of the trailer. You have this large mass off center and some movement between all the parts. That sets up a lot of torque and motion which is hard on the rack and bikes, even if you have a strong receiver welded to the frame.
It can be done and there has been some great advice posted so far. One good method to controlling the bounce is to use bungee cords from the bike rack back down to the frame or bumper on both sides. That makes a big difference.
Good luck!
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
09/02/08 05:10pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Any tips on a Maxxair vent install?
The way it ends up, the bolts typically don't come into contact with the roof.
Like Bryan mentioned, I installed mine with self-tapping screws. Much quicker and there should be no issues.
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
09/02/08 12:06pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Reverse Lights Mod w/ Pics
Nice work. I added lights to mine earlier in the year and I was lucky that Starcraft chose the wire nut route.
I decided to mount mine to the A-frame pointing back and out. I figure this will light up the wheels and the area on either side of the trailer so I can see. I was going to put them on the back but figured they wouldn't do me any good.
http://www.hotchip.com/mods/backup-lights.jpg
Of course, I installed mine just as daylight savings started so I haven't showed up to a campsite in the dark yet. That'll change soon enought when the kids go back to school and we have to leave later. I'm curious to see how well they work.
I'm guessing you're in the same boat. Be sure to give us update when you get a chance to start using them!
Oh, the light covers are a great idea but... my friend made a set for his truck and my Suburban. Unfortunately, the tailgate on his truck and the liftgate on my Suburban are aluminum so the magnets were a no go. We still need to revisit that plan and see what we can make work.
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
09/01/08 01:35pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Trip to sandiego
The San Diego KOA in Chula Vista is an excellent park. I'd figure a full day for the Zoo. There are also a number of good museums near the zoo in Balboa Park. The Zoo's Wild Animal Park is a bit far but worth it. You can easily spend a full day there too. Sea World is nice and you can see pretty much everything in one day as well.
There's lots to do down by San Diego Bay including the Star of India and the U.S.S. Midway aircraft carrier museum. If you're into airplanes, the Marine Core also has a small outdoor museum that's not too far off the route to the Wild Animal Park (on Miramar Road).
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/31/08 01:48pm |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: How small a TT can you find?,, How about one that is 8"
Well, these are both under 8" but one is a motorhome so I'm not sure if that counts...
http://www.hotchip.com/temp/toy-motorhome.jpg
http://www.hotchip.com/temp/toy-trailer.jpg
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/29/08 02:15pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: the queen is gone
I was thinking #2 as well!
That goodness for our walk-around queen however!
Mike
1st, i thought you were talking about your spouse being gone. My bad..:B
2nd, if I were to put in twin beds, my spouse would be gone....:E
Looks good...easier to move around than the queen bed for sure.
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/29/08 02:00pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: My Thoughts on Storing WDH Head at Campsite
I put my bars in the front storage compartment when camping but leave the hitch head installed. I can't think of a reason to hassle with it. We usually camp two weekends in a row and I leave it installed between trips as well.
I don't want to make any extra work for myself!
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/29/08 11:20am |
Towing
|
|
RE: Fuel efficency experiment
I don't think you'll find a place where people drive faster than they do in Southern California. However, I find the "run over/mowed over" comments to be funny. I have yet to have that happen and since I'm 50 feet long and 16,000 pounds, most four wheelers avoid me like the plague.
When not towing, I tend to drive pretty fast and aggressively. It's pretty much the same regardless of whether I'm in my Suburban or Corvette. However, when towing I knock it way down. I still drive somewhat fast (65 MPH) but I switch to 100% defensive driving.
I could probably save a little in fuel by slowing down to 55 MPH but I think I would lose my mind with boredom. Everyone takes in information at a certain rate. That's the reason different people are comfortable at different speeds. If I drive too slow, my mind wanders and I don't devote 100% to the task at hand. When I'm going fast, all my attention is on driving and what's going on around me. It's the same thing when towing, which requires a lot more concentration than driving solo for a given speed.
I have no issue with people doing 55 MPH on the highway as long as they're in the right lane. The only time I take issue with slow traffic is when they're in the left lanes or blocking a two lane road without bothering to pull out for faster traffic to pass.
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/29/08 11:05am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Suburban 2500...TT to big?? opinions
I just did a little research...
The current info on the Chevrolet web site for a 2008 4x4 Suburban 2500 shows a max trailer weight of 9,300 pounds with a 3.43 axle ratio. Obviously, the axle info seems wrong (see below). It also shows a max weight distributing tongue weight of 1,000 pounds and makes no distinction between the 1500 and 2500. Another page shows the GCWR to be 16,000 pounds.
The 2008 manual shows the same max trailer weight but indicates a 3.73 axle ratio (which I believe is correct). The manual shows a GCWR of only 14,000 pounds! The manual also shows a maximum weight distributing tongue weight of 1,000 pounds for the 1500 and 1,500 pounds for the 2500.
Obviously, Chevrolet is having some issues with their specifications.
Have you looked at the tag on your actual hitch to see what maximum tongue weight is listed?
You may have a legitimate case to make with GM but it won't be easy.
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/28/08 06:17pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Door Glass
This may finally get me motivate me to do mine. The door and the small kitchen windows are the only things going for the main room on that side of the trailer. It would be nice to be able to see out with the door closed.
Then again, that plexiglass screen door mod would also do the trick.
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/28/08 09:47am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Watch your tire pressure at Wal-Mart
Always check yourself. I have a tire shop around the corner I use all the time. They're great guys and they always take good care of me. However, they never put in the pressure I tell them and have under inflated both my trailer tires and my Suburban tires. I checked both times just to be safe before I left the shop.
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/27/08 06:40pm |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: Suburban 2500...TT to big?? opinions
It's possible but highly unlikely. They're probably looking at the Silverado/Sierra GMT-900 parts and not the Suburban.
I agree with everything that Don said.
Mike
Apparently GM does make one.......my accessorie guy emailed me.....
" After searching in the factory Chevy parts they do offer a 2.5" recvr (Class 5) It has a tongue weight of 1000#/1500# WD and a carrying capacity of 7500#/13000# WD, we will have to get a sleeve to size it doen to 2" "
Good news!!! WIth my Propride on what i have now i have to be right around 1000lbs
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/27/08 05:05pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: 4" Bumper Weight Limit
I know what you're saying Joe. You received good advice from Jayco but it's exactly what one would expect them to say. It's the stock answer about not attaching anything besides the spare to the bumper.
You could take ten trailers from ten manufacturers and get the same answer. However, if you looked at those trailers you'd probably find several that had stout bumpers with good mounts that should have no problem taking some extra load. The OP may have such a trailer (and then again, he may not).
However, when talking about bike racks I don't think there are many modern bumper systems that will take the pounding in the long term. As we've both mentioned, the torque on the bumper in enormous with bike racks since they put all that weight several feet off center (and bounce a great deal).
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/27/08 11:14am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: 4" Bumper Weight Limit
Come on Joe, you know the problem with calling the manufacturer. They won't stick their necks out an inch on a question like this. The stock answer is all you get.
If you want to carry stuff back there you must carefully inspect your bumper system. Most will not stand up to the stress of a bike rack hanging off it with all that weight off center and torquing the tube and mounts.
Mike
Now who could argue with that logic over calling your manufacturer? :R
I agree that the CONFUSING part of this is that manufacturers MAKE these things...yet they are not in many cases recommended by the manufacturer of the trailer they are being installed on...that's all...regardless if you or anyone else has had an issue...
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/27/08 09:52am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Suburban 2500...TT to big?? opinions
I'm sorry, but Putnam does not have an XDR in the works for the GMT-900 Suburban. They were not even aware that the hitch design had changed between the GMT-800 and the GMT-900 on SUV models.
Neither DrawTite nor any of Cequent's other hitch brands (Reese and Hidden Hitch) have a model that is compatible either.
As John pointed out, the receiver is integrated into the rear bumper and crash structure. Even if you found someone willing to fabricate a replacement or reinforce the existing receiver, how would you know what sort of load it (and the mounting points) could take?
There is not way around it. What you want to tow will exceed the ratings for your chassis and receiver. You can rationalize it all you want but the facts will not change.
Mike
|
Mike Schriber
|
08/27/08 09:48am |
Travel Trailers
|
