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Forum
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RE: Are you an "Fuel smart Driver"? Wanna be? Fun test!
Driving speed versus fuel economy will depend on your engine and transmission, with generally newer vehicles getting better economy at speeds higher than 60mph. I have a ScanGauge II and know that my truck gets better mileage not towing at around 65mph than below 60mpg or above 70mph. I've also found I can get better mileage with manual accelerator control than cruise control, since I can widen the speed tolerance.
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ak63
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06/03/08 06:43pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Cudos to RVExit.com
Another satisfied rvexit.com customer. Ordered a Barker 22 gallon tote along at a great price (shipping included) on Thu 5pm and received it within 3 business days on Tuesday about 4pm. They shipped it from Stag-Parkway Inc in TX, an RV b2b distributor.
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ak63
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05/20/08 04:44pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Waste Pumps Worth the Money?
For those planning on pumping from the TT to a local point eg campground toilet etc. Our campground has a septic tank for the toilets, which is designed for toilet volumes only. So they don't want gray waste volume pumped into that system. That only leaves the COE dumping station about 1/2 mile away, requiring a tote solution with or without a pump. Just something to watch out for.
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ak63
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05/15/08 12:43pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Waste Pumps Worth the Money?
The Sewer Solutions looks like a great idea, but I think it probably violates some ordinances. I would be very concerned about the potential for back-flush of gray/black water into the water supply, even with back-flush valves. The fines would be more than saving $100.
Our 5th wheel RV will be sitting permanently for the season at a campground with potable water/power connections, but about 1/2 mile to 1 mile drive uphill to the dumping station. This is the first season we will be using it so I was looking at the towable Barker tote solution. However my wife's vehicle (if she was there without me), or any of our friends that use the RV, do not have a towball. Plus there is the issue of getting the tank from the side of the RV to the TV across gravel etc. For the same reasons towing the RV to the dump station would not be possible unless I was there.
Based on this thread I'm now looking at a portable macerator pump and pumping to the toilets that are within just over 100ft. It might be slower, but everyone could use it and it would also work for the black tank. I'll check that the campground are ok with this.
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ak63
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05/15/08 10:50am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Internal wheel tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)?
Thanks Alvin. I think that is the car version. I've been out all day and am just back, but I recall from last night that the RV version had a repeater or extender. I'll look into it.
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ak63
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05/04/08 07:37pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Internal wheel tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)?
Alvin...Thanks for the Tire SafeGuard link. The system looks interesting, and oddly the internal sensors cost quite a bit more than the external valve sensors even allowing for the cost of the valves. For a 4-wheel RV the internal valve mounted sensor, TTPM-400V4AT 4 Tire Trailer in Tow, looks like the solution at $510. Clearly I'll need to do some comparisons - there are more systems out there than I expected.
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ak63
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05/03/08 11:14pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Change rims with tire change from load range B to C?
This is a great forum...you are correct. There is a paper label inside the tire rim - I cut the spare tire open to read it. The rims are Dexter part number 017-142-14, which are 14"x5.5" JJ with 5-4.50 bolt circle, 3.19 pilot diameter, 0" offset, and a capacity of 1865 pounds at 50psi.
This is a perfect match for load range C tires of 1760 pounds at 50psi, and will give me a nice safety margin. Thanks for the hints. Now I know I can safely buy tires only.
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ak63
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05/02/08 09:20pm |
Towing
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RE: Internal wheel tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)?
You are right. The SmarTire looks good, but it is expensive and requires professional installation. At Camping World it would be $20 club membership, $609 for 4 wheels, and $237 install fee (plus shipping, tax). Ouch! Also while the sensors mounted on each wheel measure tire pressure and temperature every 12 seconds, they only wirelessly transmit tire data every three to five minutes to the vehicle receiver where they are compared to the alert thresholds. This seems like too long a period although I've not looked at the time delay in the other systems yet.
So the external valve mount systems seem like the way to go. That suits me right now since the only choice I need to make is the metal valve stems. We are not planning on towing far this year (it is already at static site) so I can delay the purchase of the TPMS till later.
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ak63
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05/02/08 09:13pm |
Tech Issues
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Internal wheel tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)?
Since I'm replacing the tires, and possibly wheels, on my 5th wheel RV I was looking at tire pressure monitoring (TPM) systems. Apart from the external screw-on valve systems (see below), has anyone used the internal valve integrated systems like those that are now installed in all Sept 2007 and newer vehicles? I would think that with the large volume of integrated sensors now being manufactured that the sensor price should lower significantly. Of course a monitor would still be required as I do not see any option for my 2007 Chevy to monitor more than 4 wheels. Does anyone know of after-market add-on TPM systems that use this approach?
PS: From reading the other threads I'm familiar with these external valve screw on systems, and the recommendation for all metal valve stems and tire balancing with sensors installed:
* Pressure Pro TPM - highly recommended but expensive
* Doran TPM - some issues?
* SAF-TTE - serious issues with credit card charging and order fulfillment
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ak63
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05/02/08 04:46pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Change rims with tire change from load range B to C?
JIMNLIN...Thanks, and I agree with you based on all the excellent posts here and reading the manufacturer websites. I want the extra safety margin because the trailer is also not level due to the high bed of the TV. I'm considering flipping the axles to balance the TT out.
How did you check my rims were compatible at 50psi at that website? I couldn't figure it out.
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ak63
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05/01/08 07:38pm |
Towing
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Change rims with tire change from load range B to C?
We must replace the tires on our 1997 Prowler 21L 5B as they are 10 years old and badly weather cracked. (Note: It has barely been towed more than a few miles since I purchased it several years ago, so no flames please!)
The current manufacturer supplied tires are ST205/75R14 load range B (1430 pounds at 35psi). This is barely above the max wet weight of the TT of 5,500 pounds. The TT is two axle with minimal clearance between the existing tires so increasing the tire size is not feasible. However I am looking at ST205/75R14 tires in load range C eg Maxxis or other similar good quality ST tire, which would be 1760 @ 50psi, giving a safety margin of nearly 30%. I like the idea of LT tires for the higher speed rating, but haven't found them in this size with an acceptable weight rating margin.
My question is: How do I know whether the existing 10 year old rims can take the higher psi (35 to 50)? I cannot find any markings on the front or rear of the rims indicating a maximum tire inflation pressure. Would this information be on the inside, under the tire? Or should I just buy new rims as well? New rims are the easiest option but seem wasteful (and costly when on a tight budget) if not required.
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ak63
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05/01/08 05:04pm |
Towing
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RE: Champion AVR issues?
Contact Champion, either by email or through their 24 hour telephone line, and see if they can recommend a repair center or what to repair (if you are handy with that sort of thing). I had emailed them a question on the same generator model yesterday (Sunday) evening and received an email reply back within about 6 hours! Their support contact details are here: http://www.championpowerequipment.com/support.php
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ak63
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04/28/08 04:39pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Onan Generator Cranks, but No-Start
Are you using ethanol based gas eg E10? Sounds very like my lawnmower problems. The water seems to collect/pool in the carb bowl, even when using treated (stabilized) fuel. The fix is to drain the carb, which solves the problem for another 6 months.
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ak63
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04/27/08 08:31pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Dometic Refer Recall - Possible Fire Hazard -Update 2/13/07
WORD OF CAUTION ABOUT THE PREVIOUSLY POSTED TRANSFORMER MODIFICATION
I would not recommend that as a solution, since you are connecting 120V to a low voltage secondary. The insulation on the wiring on the transformer secondary side (6.3v-CT-6.3v) may not be sufficient for 120V. This could create an electrical hazard with all the associated risks: fire, electrocution etc.
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ak63
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04/26/08 10:42pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: New 14" tires (options, advice?) for Prowler 21L
So its spring, and time to get the RV fit to travel after winter storage. I did find the Kumho's on their website, but they are listed under the Commercial Truck, Pick-Up / Delivery category, which explains why I did not find them last year. It looks like their 195/0QR14 tires are similar to my ST205/75R14 tires, still trying to understand the different measurements.
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ak63
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04/18/08 08:11pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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