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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Help! Eastern Kentucky Experts!
I have camped at Koomer's Ridge National Forest Campground in the Red River Gorge. There are no hookups but the scenery is spectacular; high cliffs, stone arches and the Red River. This campground is just a few miles from Kentucky's Natural Bridge State Park. I have also camped at Carter Caves State Park and this is a very good and interesting park. They do have electric and water at Carter Caves.
Happy Camping,
Mike
Skybridge Arch
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Red%20River%202007/SkyBridgeArch.jpg height=480 width=640
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Mike_5667
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06/04/08 02:26pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: GPS with car, truck, bus mode?
My Garmin 650 has the Truck and Bus option for routing and I am very satisfied with the unit.
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Mike_5667
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05/31/08 07:38am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Antenna broke off, now how to fix it?
Hi Lakejumper,
I didn't break my antenna but my 75 ohm coax cable corroded badly where the 5’ external antenna cable connected to the inside coax cable. I didn’t know what my original problem was until I removed the entire roof portion of the antenna and the inside crank handle fixture. At this point I could see just a small section of the inside 75 ohm cable. My antenna is an Antenna-Tek antenna that looks very similar to the Winegard antenna. Anyway, I decided to replace the 75 ohm section from my amplifier to the antenna (about 8’) as well as the external 5’ antenna cable section. My antenna is over my bedroom and the crank handle is about 15 inches from a wall between the bedroom and closet. The amplifier is on this wall on the bedroom side. I removed an interior panel of the closet wall to see the cabling. Cable ties and screws were used to secure the 75 ohm inside cable. I had to cut the cable ties and remove a screw clamp to free the 8’ inside cable. Using a coat hanger and some patience, I was finally able to pull the new cable into place and get it to the hole in the roof. To make a long story short, be prepared to do some dismantling if you want to pull any new cable and expect to find cables tied together or clamped in place.
Good luck,
Mike
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Mike_5667
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05/25/08 07:27pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Suburban water heater
JohnDoe, sorry to hear about your struggle to get the heating element out. I had a very similar experience in trying to remove a 7 year old element from a 10 gallon Suburban water heater. I ended up getting the flimsy socket made for the job, but I couldn't push in and get anything to grip the socket tight enough to turn it. I ended up tack welding a 1 1/4" pipe nipple and cap to the socket then tack welding a nut to the pipe cap. With this arrangement I could push in and use my 3/4" socket breaker bar and it came out with a sufficient amount of force.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Miscellaneous/HeaterElementSocket.jpg height=640 width=480
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Mike_5667
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05/20/08 09:19pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Jetty Park, FL
We stayed in Jetty Park this past November for two nights at site #70 (full hookups). The park seemed to be about the way it was in 2005 when we last stayed there. We don't use the bathhouse facilities so I can't comment on that. We were there with two of our grandchildren, six and nine. With the beach, the playground and watching the cruise ships, we really think the park is great.
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Mike_5667
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05/16/08 08:10am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Fla's newest state park..
This is a picture of site #24. We had water and electric. We were there for two nights in February 2007 and thought the park was quite nice.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Florida%2007/AlafiaRiverStateParkCampSite.jpg height=480 width=640
This a picture of the Alafia River in the park.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Florida%2007/AlafiaRiver.jpg height=480 width=640
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Mike_5667
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05/07/08 02:58pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Alafia State Prk. FL.
Hi 2SAM,
We stayed in Alafia River State Park for two nights in February 2007. It was a nice park with well spaced sites. There are nice trails and the little Alafia River and a small lake. You won't have any problem unhooking your toad.
Happy Camping,
Mike
Alafia River State Park pull through campsite
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Florida%2007/AlafiaRiverStateParkCampSite.jpg height=480 width=640
Alafia River
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Florida%2007/AlafiaRiver.jpg height=480 width=640
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Mike_5667
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04/20/08 09:32pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Spruce Knob,WV
Hi Harry,
When we visited the area, we stayed at Canaan Valley State Park with full hookups (including sewer). This was a convienient location to visit Blackwater Falls, Dolly Sods, Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob. The whole area is very scenic.
Happy Camping,
Mike
Picture of Spruce Knob
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Blue%20Ridge%20Parkway%20and%20WV%20Aug%2005/18-SpruceKnob.jpg height=480 width=640
Picture at Dolly Sods
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Blue%20Ridge%20Parkway%20and%20WV%20Aug%2005/15-DollySods.jpg height=480 width=640
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Mike_5667
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04/13/08 09:27pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: hauling kayaks
Hi Geetwo,
I built a rack to carry two 11' kayaks on the back of my 5th wheel. I have hauled my kayaks thousands of miles with these racks. This isn't what you were asking about but it is another option.
Good luck and happy kayaking,
Mike
More Pictures
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Kayak%20Carrier/KayakCarrier.jpg height=640 width=480
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Mike_5667
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04/07/08 03:56pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: how to use Spybot S & D 1.5.2?
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
Thanks fj12ryder,
I now have Spybot back on my desktop and I have run a scan. This evening I had actually been to the website you referenced but only after following several links that started asking for credit card information so I gave up on finding the correct link on my own and posted my question here. I knew you guys would come through.
Thanks again,
Mike
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Mike_5667
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03/10/08 08:55pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: how to use Spybot S & D 1.5.2?
I am pretty sure I used to have Spybot Search and Destroy on my laptop, but it is now gone. I have spent the last half hour using Google and going down blind alleys to find the free Spybot download.
Would someone post a direct link to a safe site where I can get the download?
Thanks,
Mike
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Mike_5667
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03/10/08 07:18pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: In bed trailer receptacle
Hi jliveit,
I have a 2004 3/4 ton Silverado with an 8' bed. I installed a second 7 pin receptacle inside the bed on the driver's side just inside the tail gate. There was plenty of room behind the sheet metal where I drilled. After cutting the 1½”(?) hole I could easily reach from underneath the truck and feed the wiring to the hole. See the picture.
Good luck,
Mike
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Miscellaneous/7PinReceptacle.jpg height=480 width=640
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Mike_5667
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03/06/08 08:08pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: reese signature hitch install question
Jliveit,
I cut the holes in my nice shiny new white truck bed. A few months later I had a Line-X bedliner sprayed on. I took some masking tape and taped it over the sockets in the rails under the bed. The Line-X guys then did a good job on the spray-in liner.
At a later date, I drilled a 1 ½” hole through the left rear post to mount the 7 pin connector inside the bed. This time I drilled trough the Line-X liner. I think the Line-X made it easier to cut the hole. The saw didn’t jump/slide any. It was an easy hole to cut.
Good luck,
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/27/08 05:57pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: reese signature hitch install question
Hi Jliveit,
My son and I installed my 18K Signature Series hitch and the four 2 ½” holes were also our concern. Like HMCRV’r, I went to Lowes and bought a bi-metal hole saw with the arbor included. When we started cutting the first hole, the hole saw wanted to move on me. To fix this problem, I took a two foot piece of a 2”x6” board and used the hole saw to cut a 2 ½” hole through the board. I then stood on the board and used it to hold my hole saw steady over the hole I was cutting. This worked for me.
Measure twice or more before the cuts.
Good luck,
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/27/08 04:10pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: couch Not very comfortable
Hi RandyI81,
My 1999 Cardinal fifth wheel has a very uncomfortable (for sleeping) pull-out couch. You can feel the bar through the thin mattress and as I said it is very uncomfortable. I took a sheet of ½” plywood and cut three 16”x60” pieces and hinged then together so when they are unfolded they make a 48”x60” sheet that I slide under the mattress. This helps a lot, at least you don’t feel the bar and when the couch is folded up, the three piece plywood folds into a 16”x60” bundle and goes under the queen bed in the storage area.
I noticed that Screamingeagle purchased a “plastic folding panel”. This might be similar to my home made arrangement and it would probably be lighter. I didn’t know they made such a thing.
Good luck and happy camping.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/27/08 08:09am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Domtec Air Conditioner
Hi Dave,
I have a Duo-Therm model 59516 (15,000 BTU) in a 1999 fifth wheel camper. Last summer the air conditioner stopped blowing cool air. The fan and compressor would run but no cooling. I took the camper to a local HVAC service company. There was a crack in the high side line and the Freon had leaked out. For $179 the repairman cut out the cracked portion and installed two Schrader valves for charging and checking and he evacuated and charged the system. The unit works great now.
Good luck with yours.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/23/08 10:56am |
Tech Issues
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RE: TV (batwing) Antenna, reception BAD
After reading the previous posts about painted and unpainted Winegard batwing type antenna heads being either amplified or non-amplified, I was curious about my AntennaTek antenna. My 1999 Cardinal fifth wheel came with an amplified AntennaTek antenna which had a white painted head. When the front blade on the head broke in two, I ordered a replacement head from AntennaTek and the new head was unpainted (shiny metal). The new unpainted head worked as well as the painted head for me. Anyway I emailed AntennaTek to ask if there was any difference in their painted head and the newer unpainted head. Their answer was that both heads were amplified and that they just stopped powder coating (painting) their heads a couple of years ago.
At least in pictures, the AntennaTek antenna looks almost identical to the Winegard batwing type antenna. In summary, if you have an AntennaTek batwing type antenna, the older ones will be painted and the new ones will be unpainted but they are both amplified and work just the same.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/22/08 12:28pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: TV (batwing) Antenna, reception BAD
I have a 1999 Cardinal fifth wheel that I bought in 2004. The camper had an Antenna-Tek batwing type antenna with an amplifier built into an outlet in the bedroom. The TV reception was bad from the start (2004). It didn’t seem to matter whether the antenna was raised or lowered or what direction the antenna was pointed, the reception on my TV didn’t change.
I finally started trouble shooting. I climbed on the roof and disconnected the 75 ohm coax cable from the head of the antenna. I connected a 25’ length of 75 ohm coax to the cable that was disconnected from the antenna. I took the other end of the 75 ohm coax cable and fed it through the bedroom window and had it beside the cable outlet in the bedroom. I removed the cable outlet and disconnected the 75 ohm cable that led to the antenna. Now I had both ends of what should have been a 75 ohm cable loop. I put my multi meter on resistance so I could measure for continuity and there was none. I measured the center wire and the outside mesh and neither showed continuity. I now knew that I had a break or disconnect in the cable.
Upon further investigation, I found that the 5’ coax cable lead, from the antenna head, connected to another section of coax cable in the ceiling right below the roof mounting plate. This connection was badly corroded. The center wire was completely eaten away at this location. The ceiling and roof were not damaged by the moisture that evidently caused the corrosion.
I replaced the 5’ antenna coax lead and the approximately 8’ inside coax cable to the booster and this fixed everything. I got quite good TV reception or at least as good as anyone else. The original Antenna-Tek batwing head was painted white and it had a crease on the front blade, probably from an encounter with a tree limb, but I continued using it. Recently the front blade broke in two during a very hard wind. I ordered a replacement from Antenna-Tek and the new one sent was shiny metal. The new one works just as good as or better than the original one.
Good luck on your trouble shooting.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/21/08 02:57pm |
Technology Corner
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1995 Coleman Hatteras Camper
Hello Folding Camper Owners,
I have been a fifth wheel camper for several years and I know a little about fifth wheels, but I know very little about folding campers. My son is thinking about getting a folding camper and he is looking at a 1995 Coleman Hatteras camper (hard sides). I’m not sure what the final price would be.
Are there any pointers, comments or warnings you have on what he should be looking for?
Thanks for your input.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/13/08 05:53pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Atwood 10 gal no hot water on electric
I have a Suburban 10 gallon water heater in a 1999 Cardinal fifth wheel and I recently replaced the heating element. Here is what I found in trying to diagnose the original problem of not heating on electric.
1. Of course the water heater circuit breaker on your circuit breaker panel has to be on.
2. The small rocker switch on the outside of the heater turns 110v power on and off to the heating element. The electric heating element is independent of the inside switch that activates the LP gas system.
3. The heating element in my water heater is 1600 watts which pulls about 11 amps. If you have a volt/ohm meter and are comfortable using it you should be able to do some testing.
4. Again if you feel comfortable with using your meter, you should see nominal 110 to 120 volts at the head of the heating element. You can turn the outside rocker switch on and off and observe the voltage. However even a bad element will show 110 to 120 volts. You need to either check current (amps) flow with a meter or check for a voltage drop in the coach when the power is switched on and off.
5. You might be able to lift the leads on the heating element head and check resistance. A very high resistance would indicate a burned out element. I my case, however, the element was burned out and the sheath split so the water in the tank provided enough conductivity to show a low resistance which gave me a false indication of a good element.
6. Since a good heating element when working properly pulls several amps (11 amps in my case), you should see a drop in your camper’s voltage when the electric element kicks in. You would have to connect your meter to a 110 volt outlet and turn the heating element on and off and if the element is good you should be able to see a voltage drop.
7. Having said all this, you probably have a burnt out heating element. If you can remove the element, you can check for obvious physical damage and also do an accurate resistance test with your meter. I had to go through all my testing because my heating element was stuck in the water heater very tightly and I couldn’t easily remove it. Removing a stuck heating element is information for another post.
I hope this helps.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/09/08 08:52am |
Tech Issues
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