RE: Camping Season Finally Here, Yeah!!
Wow!
Have a nice trip! Where do I go for updates? What Blog?
Did ya see the movie "The Kentuckian"? Now there was an "Adventurist" (?)
Are you related? Ha, Ha. One of my favorite movies.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048248/
Good Luck.
RE: Battery cut off switch
John:
Why make one when there are so many on market? They do not cost that much either....
Of course (not thinking), if the journey is as good as the Destination, most RVers feel that way (I know I do) then, go for it!
RE: Prowler frame is weak and falling apart
Hello SteveRankin:
And just a heads up none and I mean NONE of the RV companies manufacture their own frames/axle packages, so if the frame fails it really is not anything the RV company has done but some thing the frame company did. Frames come to the RV builders with the axles already attached and the builder just slaps on the coach.
I disagree Steve! And you really don't mean what that statement is saying I'll bet.
They (RV manufacturer's) MUST establish a "Quality Control" program to ensure these problems do not happen. And you can be sure the FRAME people knew (what RV company) had the better program and conversely "the worst".
Quality is an ATTITUDE...... on and on.....
RE: Prowler frame is weak and falling apart
WOW!
That's scary......!
Of course it can be fixed, BUT, makes one think.
I can not even begin to tell ya why it happened, not an expert. It does look(?) like a twisting or rotating motion occured to form "stress" cracks in that corner. Like maybe hitting a high curb, but should the metal in that beam have failed?
For me..... I would feel much better if I had hit a curb, and this damaged occured. Then I would have some sense that trailer, and beam are normal and will not fail on other side without an incident.
Good luck with repair...
RE: Saw a horrible Travel Trailer accident tonight
I have been crossing my chains since first travel Trailer (2005)and never knew why or thought about it much....
Wow....! I WILL CONTINUE YOU BET.
Thanks for info Southwind85.
Some more info for thoughts of fellow RVers....
With first trailer in 2005, had reason to change BALL on hitch. Did not torque properly, and as I traveled (first big trip) I could feel and sense more noise (rattling) coming from hitch as I traveled and hit bumps (no WDU being used also and "galloping" bad).
Slowly the nut was backing off spindle and finally the nut came off. Shank was 2" or so and may never lifted through except I hit a big dip.
Well I hit brake to slow after bump, felt bang as trailer hit my truck (TV), looked in mirror, seen trailer on two wheels and ready to flip, more breaks (wrong thing to do) and heard this "God awful horn blowing" coming from 18 wheeler passing too close, trailer (TT) hit back of my truck again and stopped flipping as I slowed and got off road.
This happened on Rt# 45 south towards Tupelo, MS. and thank God I was able to buy new "ball hitch" in Tupelo, and, only damage to Trailer was my personal stuff all over inside of trailer. Oh, DENTS in bumper of TV, and propane bottles jumped out of mounts. The Cross chains were TOO long and trailer hitch did touch ground but only briefly.
Well, there it is.... my personal horrow story....
I can only hope that sharing this will help to put "THE FEAR" into the NEWBE necessary to avoid these type of situations in their futures.
Good luck all, happy trails.
RE: women who tow
Wow....!
Good for you girls!
I have been married for 48 years to a wonderful women who NEVER was comfortable doing something new. It is my belief that her Mom thought she was "protecting" her girls, and never allowed them to experience the "stress" of failure or "discomfort" associated with trying (learning) something new. The result was "more stress" in daughter's and husband's life than was necessary.
And this women married a man with "no patience" or understanding of DW's problem, of course he brought his own problems (fears) to the relationship.
My input to topic is limited and Philosophical:
If we can be honest with our fears, explain and discuss with "other significant" then try our best in working through "fears", much of the stress disapears.
Marriage is a team effort... give an honest effort, and if task is too
stressful, back off.
Compulsion was a factor in my reply.....
RE: I think I killed my batteries!
What is the level of water in batteries? What measurements have you taken? You may have just missed the bullet..... who knows.
If you have a multi-stage charger, you have less of a chance you damaged anything. The better chagers sense the voltage level and reduce the "charging voltage" to something like a "tricle charge" at some point.
I hope I'm right and you get another chance to check water level... On my TT's battery, I can see if it has "BOILed' when I see sprinkles of fluids on top of batteries.
Good Luck.
RE: Drop Hitches
Hello:
Make all vehicles level when they are in TOWING mode. Just get into habit of doing this..... it really is a matter of taking measurments and using simple math to accomplish this state.
If Refrigerator is not level they do not work correctly for one reason.... (if turned on).
After measurements, (forum help sites) purchase shank with correct Drop.
Good luck.
RE: New Dodge Diesel..................
Thanks John...... can one get a look/see at board before commitment?
Another subject:
What kind of MPG difference (if any) are seen with and/or without "Air Brake" system on? Seems to me that it will consume energy to develop air for breaking. Is it worth (change in MPG) considering?
RE: New Dodge Diesel..................
Going to open this message string again.....
Just completed a 7600 mile trip around country with my new Dodge 3500 diesel (6.7L) and was happy to see I got 11.7 MPG pulling a 4K small 19Ft. trailer.
Same trailer and approximate distance with 2004 Dodge 1500 with 5.7L Hemi,got 9.5 MPG....
The milage numbers are based on measured fuel useage (Total for trips).
Wanted diesel so much I absolutely forgot Diesel fuel was climbing in cost.... surprised when had to pay around 20% more for fuel.
Better milage ALMOST makes up for fuel cost difference! With improved performance, power for pulling, and increased durability of engine, purchase of DIESEL looks better and better!
Average cost of Diesel fuel was $4.74 per gallon.
RE: North towards Alaska in Sm TT
Thank you PGR Syke..... and same to you in Montana. Where at in Montana will you be travling?
Hope they fix your 5th wheel they way you want, and cost is a pleasant surprise.
RE: North towards Alaska in Sm TT
Hello All:
Going from TOO much detail, to nothing for balance of trip is not the way to communicate I know, but…. that is what I did…, and if an apology is due, I give it.
I hope QT2’s family completed their vacation without incident and they enjoyed the TRIP. Maybe they will fill us in on balance of this trip?
Also, I thank Galvorien52 for the interest expressed in my trip. Sorry I did not come back with the rest of trip.
I did not make it into Canada, let alone Alaska this trip, and that is ok. I had no negative events and all was good! Traveled from 6/4/08 to 7/2/08, 29 days.
For me, the trip was one of my most enjoyable. I was able to slow down and park by Rivers ands parks, just to enjoy the sights.
Some highlights of Trip:
1) I Visited the North Rim for short time. Still beautiful.
2) Traveled along the North side of Columbia River this trip, camping at Roosevelt Park for night. I was able to talk to a number of fisherman as they surfed for Salmon. They were very friendly and expressed “thankfulness” for the opportunity.
3) While visiting Daughter, toured the city of Portland, riding the Trolleys throughout the city for nothing…. Can ya believe that? Also rode a TRAM up into a Hospital complex, crossing a major "expressway", and above the city.
4) Traveled the most northern of our countries major hiways, Rt #90 and 94 into Chicago. I missed the opportunity to see “Yellowstone’ national park because I was enjoy Rt #90 so much. Many Rivers and sights to see… walked into woods a few times, and of course getting turned around enough once to get concerned. I fear spending time Lost in woods.
To some this up…, I want to wish those wanting to travel in this manner, get the chance!
I have been blessed. To have the resources to just say, “What’s down that road?” and then go there….. wow!
Mr. Bojangles
RE: North towards Alaska in Sm TT
QT2...... I know Milton, Fl. In 1957 my drinking habits got me and 5 other Airmen "locked up" for the night in their Small jail. A marine doing 3 months ate all the GRITS and SOURBACK (?) we could not even look at that next morning.
I'll bet it's hot down there this time of year!!?? I hope the beach cools ya all off.
RE: North towards Alaska in Sm TT
Trip Report: Wednesday, 6/11/08 Late Afternoon.
Today, I arrived in Gallup, New Mexico just in time for a Noon meeting of a group called “Wings of the Storm”. It seems I can not ever travel the South West without planning a stop in this city, as well as Flagstaff, AR. Of the twenty or so people attending this meeting, I’m the only white person. I felt right at home, and all accepted me once I identify who and what I am….
After the meeting, I moved my “rig” into the hills surrounding the city, parked and just rested. The wind was cool and fast, providing the necessary comfort I sought. This will be the first time I can gather my thoughts and rest, having driven pretty much “straight through” in my traveling.
After stopping in Michigan and Indiana for personal business, I continued west along Rt. 80, into the rain. The rain continued along RT 57 South, SW on Rt. 72, as well as South on Rt. 55. The News on the radio talked of all the flooding, but I encountered none. Traveling West along Rt. 70, the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers were surly swollen and my thoughts could not help but go out for all those people whose homes were under water.
I did stop for a few hours in Mullinville, KS. To see a man I call “The Wizard of OZ”.
The last time here I was easterly bound, took a lot of pictures, and regretted not stopping to see this person.
All along the road for 300 feet are the craziest “iron works” I have ever seen. The individual who created them had to be a character, and I wanted to talk to him. This I did, and he was a 77 year old retired Navy man, not so talkative, but managed to sell me a piece of “iron works”. After sleeping a few hours, I moved SW along Rt. 54 to Albuquerque, NM.
My immediate plans are to “sight see” this city and surroundings for a day or two, move to Flagstaff for another two days, then to the North Rim of the grand Canyon for a few days. I’m looking forward to the tranquility and “vanilla” smell of the Ponderosa Pines on the Rim.
Access to the inter-net will diminish as I travel to the Rim, so will be looking to get on here in Gallup or Flagstaff to file these words.
RE: North towards Alaska in Sm TT
QT2:
... you guys enjoy your trip, hope all goes as planned, and get back about experiences also....
Galvorien52:
Will watch weather...., thanks
RE: North towards Alaska in Sm TT
Hello QT2:
Glad your up for forum........ it's a place to learn much.
I'm Now In MO. just East of Kansas City.....
Must learn to slow down..... will visit Kansas City all day. No pets, but many people travel with them.... my Wife does not like to travel and I'm alone. Hard at times, but tomorrow is not promised to either of us and we must prepare for life alone. This helps us prepare.
Passed the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and they sure were high....
CB talk at one point about flooding in cities. Glad I do not have to worry about my home in "flood Planes". Must always count blessings.
Yes, let us know how trip goes, and when you start same.... Good luck!
Mr. Bojangles
RE: North towards Alaska in Sm TT
Hello All:
Not much to say.... got started yesterday 6/4/08 at 15:45,
Now in Indiana for over nite stay, then continue west tomorrow afternoon.
Parked near Iner-net source at moment.
later,
Mr. Bojangles
