| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Office In a Fifth Wheel?
Check out Pilgrim's Open Roads line. Most of them have desks but many may still be too much trailer for your truck.
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
07/11/08 03:03pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Noise from right front tire area
Is there an easy way to tell for sure if it is the ball joint. And there is an upper and a lower right. Would I have to replace both?
Jack the front end up off the ground and push / pull the bottom of the tire in and out. I use a 3' or so piece of 2x4 to do this. A worn ball joint moves in and out, sometimes with a clunk.
Re the upper ball joint, someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the upper joint and control arm comes as an assembly. I'm not sure you can replace just the upper ball joint. Either way, I tend to replace everything at the same time since I've got it apart anyway and my time is worth more than the parts. Many people do not and I'd suggest that you use your judgement. If you only have 40k miles on the truck they're probably fine. If you've got over 100k I'd replace the upper one too. You'll need an alignment if you do.
Whatever you do, make sure that you install new ball joints with grease zerks on them. Properly maintained, I've found that greasable ball joints tend to last a lot longer than the OEM non-greasable ones.
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
06/03/08 05:34am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Noise from right front tire area
Ball joint. If the right one is worn out the left won't be far behind. Replace them both.
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
06/02/08 03:58pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Want to hear from the owners of the Tsunami MF 1050
I don't have one of these but I've seen them before. Doesn't it have a standard type M quick disconnect coupling on it? If not, why not replace the non-standard coupling with a standard one and use standard hose?
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
06/01/08 06:05am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Propane gas leak detector have a lifespan?
Ammonia will poison these sensors, too. Keep the Windex bottle far away and be careful when you spray it on your windows ...
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
05/25/08 07:59am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: And the search for the perfect bunk house continues....
How about this (our new favorite)?
Keystone Cougar 293SAB
2 slides (on in living room, one in bunk room). The queen master bed isn't in a slide but the sofa bed & table is. Also, not only is the main bath in a separate room but it has a 1/2 bath for the kids. The rear bunks have a trundle bed underneath them so one of the kid's friends can stay over, in the kid's room.
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
05/24/08 10:35am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: 2 new tires then fish tails
I have Cooper tires on my car. Maybe it's a brand thing because the sidewalls are so soft that my snow tires handle better. I won't be buying another set of Coopers ...
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
05/17/08 09:11pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: 2009 F150 specs 5.4L V8 gas - 320hp/390tq, 6 speed auto
Just a thought ...
You could check to see if they've changed the seat design for the new model year. If not, order your truck with a bench seat then swap it out for buckets and a console from a wrecker or EBay. 'Gently used' seats will probably run about $400 or so. It would be a lot cheaper than ordering from Ford.
Rick
Just try building a 250/350 with a manual trans and bucket seats. That is what I am looking for.
|
Rick P.
|
05/17/08 09:53am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Trailer rental in Ontario?
Thanks for the link. I was looking for something bigger (27 - 30 ft range, bunks would be nice) but their Cub 160 might work if I can't find anything larger.
Regards,
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
05/15/08 03:15pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
Trailer rental in Ontario?
I currently have a Class B motorhome which appears to be shrinking as the kids get older...
For this year's summer vacation I thought I'd rent a decent size trailer to haul around instead but haven't found anyone that rents them. Anyone know who rents trailers anymore within an hour or two of the GTA? I've called a number of dealers listed as 'renting' on the GoRVing.ca website but nobody I've spoken to rents trailers anymore. I'm not interested in renting a bigger motorhome. I'm also not interested in a small pop-up as it doesn't offer much more space than I already have.
Thanks,
Rick
ps. Tow vehicle is an F250 so size and weight isn't really an issue.
|
Rick P.
|
05/15/08 09:08am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: Two bathrooms?
Our new favorite, the new Cougar 293SAB fits the bill. Bunk beds + a trundle bed underneath (so it sleeps 3 in the bunkhouse) plus 1 1/2 baths. Also, the main bathroom & shower isn't open to the master bedroom like most other models.
Click here ...
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
04/22/08 11:38am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Coffee pot suggestions please
I have the same Black & Decker model that Gypsymoments has. It replaced another B&D SpaceSaver coffee maker that I had for at least 15 years and still worked fine but I couldn't get a suitably-sized replacement caraffe when the original broke.
The replacement model I bought didn't work right out of the box (clock gained over an hour per day). I took it back to Sears and got another one since I couldn't find anyone else who makes an under the cupboard model. It's still working but I've only had it for 4 months. I had to disable the 'sneak a cup' feature to prevent coffee from running on the counter. This maker is poorly designed and very poorly constructed compared to my old one and I wouldn't recommend it. Based on what I've read after-the-fact, Gypsymoments must have got an exceptional unit built by the A-team, on a good day...
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
04/22/08 05:42am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: how many canadian rv'ers have rv endorsment licence
I'm not sure but probably - call the MTO and see what they say.
Breaking news...
After many years of consideration the MTO has finally recognized that a full Class A license is overkill for those towing RV's with light or even medium duty pickups. They apparently used their time machine and announced (on April 21, 2008 - go figure) the creation of a new Restricted Class A license for those who show up for their test in a vehicle without a manual transmission and air brakes. The new license will be effective June 16, 2008.
Clicky for details ...
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
04/18/08 08:21pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: how many canadian rv'ers have rv endorsment licence
This has been discussed before. You are NOT exempt from having a special license in Ontario. Your Class G license is valid for towing up to 4,600 kg (10,000 pounds) and says so right on the back of it. There is however no RV endorsement here - you're supposed to have a Class A (commercial) license to tow over 4,600 kg even if you're not a commercial operator. At least the regs were changed last year so you no longer have to maintain a daily log book. The MOT conducted blitzes last summer and fall near my house but (luckily for most) limited their inspections to those rigs that were very clearly over 4,600 kg - 5th wheels with 3 slides and / or 3 axles.
Rick
|
Rick P.
|
04/18/08 05:29am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: RV endorsement hassle
Yes I am - you're splitting hairs here ...
Call it the registered GVW, reported GVW or whatever you like. As you noted this number is associated with the trailer, not the plates attached to it. Without weighing the trailer this is the only number the MTO has to work with short of contacting the manufacturer unless your manufacturer's weight sticker is still attached, and they can be anywhere making them hard to locate.
Rick
Rick:
Are you refering to the weight of the trailer as indicated on your ownership certificate? this is the GVWR of the trailer not it's RGW. RGW pertains to jurisdictional licensing permits costs.
|
Rick P.
|
02/18/08 09:17am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: RV endorsement hassle
They use the registered gross weight of the trailer unless it is obviously wrong. For example, if the dealer's paperwork for your trailer used the unloaded weight as the weight of the trailer and that was the weight given to the MTO for registration they will go by that (Hmmmm - might help to stay on good terms with your dealer...). However, if you try to pass a 3-axle toy hauler off as having a gross weight of under 4600 kg expect to be challenged.
What I found interesting was that for the actual test he said I could borrow a 3-axle equipment trailer from my brother or something else with a gross weight of over 4600 kg and bring it unloaded. Doing so would be technically illegal but given the apparent lack of documented class A testing and licensing procedures specifically for people pulling big trailers with personal pickup trucks the inspectors seem to be using common sense. This might not be the case in every region though so you should check with your local office and see what they say.
Rick
Rick did the MTO inspector you spoke with clarify how the towed trailer weight is to be measured. The Truck handbook says over total gross weight of 4600kg however another poster on here from Windsor has been told by a MTO inspector that it's the measured trailer axle weight. Total gross weight in my mind would include pin weight, while axle weight excludes the pin weight. I have asked for clification form the MTO and have received no response. Today I spoke directly to a OTR truck driver trainer from a local truck driver training school and he had absolutely no idea. He in fact thought that ir the combination weight of TV and towed trailer was over 4600kg that you needed a Class A. I had to show him on my G license where it stated towed trailer over 4600kg.
|
Rick P.
|
02/17/08 10:18am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: RV endorsement hassle
Bruce
I think the "fecal matter" has already started hitting the "rotating air circulation device" for some, especially given the massive fine for invalid insurance while towing out-of-class. I see huge 5th wheels rolling down highway 400 every day and suspect that very few drivers are aware that their Class G license is invalid.
FYI, I did find a link from last year's reg changes where it says house trailers are exempt from daily inspections:
http://www.search.e-laws.gov.on.ca/en/isysquery/0ddf4c17-aa51-4dfb-b64c-6f8e323f80a9/74/frame/?search=browseStatutes&context=
For personal RV use, a CVOR registration is no more than a tax grab and I suspect that the inspectors will continue to be reasonable on the 'modification' clause, unless someone gives them a reason not to be. That said, I agree that a different system (or at least a more consistent definition of Commercial Vehicle) is in order.
Rick
ps. Nice rig!
|
Rick P.
|
02/11/08 05:14pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: RV endorsement hassle
DamonHornet
You're supposed to have a Class A license to tow anything with a gross weight of over 4600 kg (10,000 pounds) or if your combination is over 11,000 kg. Above 4,600 kg your Ontario Class G license is invalid, which makes your insurance invalid. The local MTO inspectors started targeting 5th wheels with 3 axles or 2 or more slides last summer on Highway 400 and the fines start at either $5k or $10k. They fine for not having valid insurance in addition to driving out-of-class. The inspector I spoke to said that for a personal vehicle towing an RV you don't have to do circle checks (although it's still a good idea), keep a daily log or stop with the commercial vehicles at the inspection stations. I don't think you need a medical for non-commercial applications but can't find the link on the MTO web site.
Rick
as far as I've heard so far no special licence needed up here in Ontario Canada
|
Rick P.
|
02/10/08 12:46pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
