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RE: front hitch bike hauling
I tossed this around a bunch as I'm in the exact same situation. I havn't really made any decision yet so I had to throw the bikes in the 5ver and it really wasn't bad at all. I threw down a blanket used a couple bungee cords and it was painless. I thought it would be much more of a hassle.
Maybe at least give it a try once while your deciding what to do.
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mtofell1
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07/28/08 11:58pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Replacing gate valve on Montana 5th
Yep, this is just a ridiculous design. I'm thinking it's just this way on some trailers because I've seen this discussed as a '10-minute job' by many people.
I actually haven't messed with mine again and I think I'm just going to put it back together and let it leak a bit. It's just the gray tank.... I guess I'll just have to tell the wife to stop peeing in the shower :)
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mtofell1
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07/08/08 11:40am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Replacing gate valve on Montana 5th
Thanks for the help guys... Yeah, I don't think it will spread apart far enough without moving one side or the other. I'd likely have to loosen/move the gray tank and who knows what else.... Am I just expecting too much in thinking this is a bit ridiculous?
This seems to be bordering on a really, really bad design :(
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mtofell1
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07/07/08 08:51pm |
Tech Issues
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Replacing gate valve on Montana 5th
I got the underbelly opened right up and pretty good access. All four bolts came right out and now it just spins around. I can pry the plumbing fittings/pipes on either side of valve far enough apart to see there's some kind of flange on each side of the valve that extends some distance up/down inside the pipe.
Am I really supposed to dismantle more of the plumbing system just to change out this leaking part?
Honestly, if there's more to this I think it's just going to have to leak. Luckily, it's just the gray water (shower/sink only). The valve in question is just inches between the gray tank and the junction with the black waste. I have no idea how you'd even cut the pipe and then re-glue a new valve in. It's just all one junction to another.
I think they started with this valve and built the trailer around it :(
I've stopped for the night to re-group... thanks for any advice or words of encouragement.
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mtofell1
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07/07/08 12:11am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Distance needed between bed rails and 5th wheel
I have about 6.5 and wouldn't want a hair less.... a bit more would be nice.
It all depends on how/what you plan to do. If all you do is drive on flat roads and have little or no change in slope anywhere you park, you'd probably be okay with 4". But, it's amazing how close things get when the ground changes levels like when your driveway slopes up or down from a flat street.
If I were designing from scratch I'd shoot for 8" - You'll be surprised how close it gets at times.
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mtofell1
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07/06/08 05:58pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Campgrounds? gold beach salem columbia river Or
Great choices of places to see....
I'm not really pro or con KOA campgrounds but I seem to end up them quite a bit.
I just stayed 3 nights at the Cascade Locks location and it was overall pretty good. The pool and hot tub were clean and heated nicely. Also, there's tons of nice nearby stuff to see in the Columbia Gorge. I'm not really sure how much fun it is for kids, though. It's mostly nice nature stuff.
The Enchanted Forest in Salem on the other hand is a great place for kids. They just opened a KOA literally next door and I drove through it the other day and it seemed pretty nice. It's so new that I don't thinks it's even on their site yet.
I've been going to the Enchanted Forest since I was kid in the mid-70's and it's a pretty cool place for kids of that age. The Haunted House is super scary.
As for the coast, it's great with lots to do. Be carful though, it gets pretty crowded during the summer and the traffic to and from the coast from the Portland area is absolutely unbearable during weekends in the summer. CNN news rated it as the worst summer vacation backup in the nation a couple years ago. As long as you're not making the dirve during peak hours its not bad but be carful. Also, if you're not heading into the Portland/Salem area from the coast it's not too bad.
I usually stay at the KOA in Lincoln City (Central/North coast area) and it's pretty nice. Honestly, I do also stay at non-KOA places, too.
The gorge and the coast are the two nicest places around here for sure. The Salem area is a good mid-point with lots of services and a fair amount of stuff to do.
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mtofell1
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06/26/08 10:53pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Fridge - keeps blowing out when on gas.
Both the RV's I've owned had this problem and in both cases cleaning the igniter, burner and other nearby parts solved the problem. I keep a piece of sandpaper tucked in my fridge access area and clean off the igniter a couple times of year.
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mtofell1
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06/23/08 09:56pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Leaking gate valve on Montana 5th
Silicone spray. Mist the gate and seals then slide it open/closed until it's smooth again.
Generally, can this stop it from leaking? Or, is it just for smoother operation? Thanks!
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mtofell1
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06/21/08 05:08pm |
Tech Issues
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Leaking gate valve on Montana 5th
I'm in the process of doing a dye test to determine which one of the three it is.
The frustrating part is that it's somewhat sporadic. All three valves feel a bit 'rough' for lack of a better term. They just don't slide very smoothly.
I thought I remembered reading something about lubricating them. Anyone try that?
Thanks for any info. The 5th is a 2004 Montana 2955rl.
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mtofell1
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06/21/08 04:01pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Oregon & Washington - Places to visit?
I'm just on my way back from a trip up to Mount Saint Helens. After the long cold winter it's exceptionally beautiful around here. That should hold true pretty much anywhere you go in the mountains.
With a month to see the area I'd spend some time in the desert (generally eastern OR/WA), the cascade mountains, a trip through the valley (Seattle/Portland) and for sure the coast.
If you don't mind getting off-grid a bit the Gifford Pinchot forest south of St. Helens is great. Most places are within an hour or two of metro areas so they're great for day trips if you have a toad or drop a trailer or 5th wheel. And the roads aren't bad with the house attached. Just a little bumpy at times.
In general, the state campgrounds are great if you like to rough it a bit or there are lots of RV parks around.
You really can't go wrong with anywhere you go.... have fun :)
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mtofell1
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06/20/08 11:31pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: It's depressing around here!
I considered the cost of fuel for about a second but went anyway.
I'm out with my 8 year old son for our one summer trip before his little sister arrives in August. I'd pay $10 a gallon for this trip.
Skip the Starbucks and go camping. A latte costs $40 a gallon which makes diesel seem like a bargin :)
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mtofell1
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06/20/08 11:22pm |
Tow Vehicles
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Lower Lewis River Falls - WA
I'm thinking of heading there next week and I'm wondering anyone has been there this year. Last I could find out on the Forest Svc. website the lower loop was all that was opened and there was some problem with one of the roads there that had just been opened.
We've had such a late cold winter around here I'm almost worried about snow on the roads. I think it's only at about 1500 feet but you go over a pretty high pass to get there. Just today I heard a snow advisory for the Columbia Gorge and areas of the cascades.
For anyone who's not been to the Lewis River it's a well kept seceret. It's close to Mount Saint Helens, about 1.5 hrs from Portland. It's one of the more beautiful places you'll find on earth. The campground is paved and easy to navigate in a big rig. They don't take reservations but you can almost always get a spot midweek and often on the weekends except during the peak of summer. I think it's closed during the winter.
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mtofell1
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06/10/08 09:48pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Best place to advertise tow vehicle for sale and what price?
I sold my 2003 6.0 PSD Excursion in one day for $24,500 last fall on craigs list. But if you want to sell a diesel vehicle today you will only get about 1/2 what they were selling for last fall.
Half? This means that my 06 Duramax that I bought last fall for 34K is now worth 17K? I'll take 10 of them please... I know the market is soft but let's be real.....
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mtofell1
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06/08/08 12:03am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Best place to advertise tow vehicle for sale and what price?
I'm not sure if you're selling in reaction to the high fuel prices. In any case, I was just listening to an automotive economist address the exact topic of trying to unload a gas guzzling truck... Now is the absolute worst time to do it. Even if fuel stays at this crazy level at some point the initial shock will fade away.
With the whole supply and demand thing you will take a total bath selling a big truck. Even waiting 6 months or a year would help if it's possible.
Fuel is crazy right now and, regardless of what happens longterm, it will likely level off or recede a bit at some point. Everybody's just scared right now and not exactly looking to buy big trucks.
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mtofell1
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06/07/08 02:34pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: air bags
Love my air bags.... They take up to 90#... I run them at about 50 with the 5ver attached. Otherwise, it's like riding on cement shocks.
They're great for when you want to haul a bunch of gravel or load up with bags of cement.
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mtofell1
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05/24/08 11:44pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Camping out in a casino parking lot?
Just stayed at Spirit Mountain Casino about 25 miles inland from the Oregon Coast... it went great. The parking lot it HUGE. They offer a free dump station and free shuttle service to the casino (it's only about 200 yards but some might like the lift).
It's far enough off the highway that there's no noise at all. I had more space around me and slept better than I have at any campground or RV park I can remember.
I even won $35 in the casino which is a rare occurance for me....
Thanks for the info everyone :)
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mtofell1
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05/17/08 01:18am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Supply and demmand my ...
We Americans are great people... ignorant as hell at times but overall smart people who have historically survived. There are a lot of tree huggers who like to hug trees when they can drive to them with $2/gallon gas. $4/gallon gas? Not so many...
My point is it seems like a noble cause to stand up for some perceived damage to the environment when it's convenient and free. But these guys are going to be dropping like flies and jumping on board the 'drill our way out' crew.
Even if it's not drilling for oil there's going to be a lot of people sick of being broke and options like nuclear power will all of the sudden appear more attractive.
Assuming this whole democracy thing works like it's supposed to, this sentiment should trickle down to our politicians pretty soon. Of course, in the meantime we're stuck with $4/gallon or more fuel but hopefully there's some end in sight.
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mtofell1
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05/17/08 12:51am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: '05 Nissan Vs '06 Nissan Titan
I had an 05 that was a late 04 build date. Easily the best 1/2 ton I've ever owned... Titans are really nice. I had the breaks replaced under warranty at about 10K miles... otherwise, no problems whatsoever.
I upgraded to a Duramx and love it for towing. As a daily driver I really miss the sportscar feel of my Titan. Forget just the best 1/2 ton truck.... that was the best all around vehicle I ever owned.
:)
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mtofell1
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05/13/08 09:02pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Slide Proper extend/retract sequence with rear stabalizers
I level front to back and side to side but usually put out the slides before putting down the rear legs. I never really thought about it. From a physics standpoint I'm not seeing the problem. Slides move laterally and the rear stabilizers help with front to back movement. I suppose there's a small amount of movement that could be eliminated with rear jacks down. I guess I'm just thinking if the slides were that sensitive they'd break the first time I walk or sit on one.
I suppose I'll do it that way from now on just because.... But I don't think I'll lose any sleep since I haven't done it that way up until now.
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mtofell1
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05/13/08 08:45pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Camping out in a casino parking lot?
Coming to you from the parking lot of the Chinook Winds Casino & Convention Center near Lincoln City, OR. Treated wife to a nice Mother's Day buffet dinner.
ED
Too funny.... I'm heading to the Lincoln City KOA this weekend. We were going to leave Fri AM but we just lose the whole day so we're leaving Thu after traffic hour. We're going to end up likely at the Spirit Mtn. parking area. I never even thought of heading all the way to Chinook Winds. I guess it's only about another 25 miles.
So, I'm guessing there's wifi? That could be the tipping point.
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mtofell1
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05/11/08 11:16pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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