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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Atwood hot water heater

Notified moderators to move post to the correct section.
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bikendan
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05/24/23 12:23pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: May have towed too much weight

Sorry! New to this….
Tv is Honda pilot and Tt is a 19mdble surveyor
Max 55-60
One thing for sure, the trailer's loaded tongue weight is over your Pilot's max hitch weight of 500lbs. With a fantasy dry tongue weight of 470lbs, adding just the battery weight, it's over 500lbs. That's without the weights of factory options, dealer add-ons, water and trailer cargo.
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bikendan
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05/24/23 12:11pm |
Towing
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RE: Generator dB rating

I find the dB ratings to be misleading, not useless. Some sounds within a rating can be more annoying. Then "quiet" generator is relative, A quiet Honda generator is quiet compared to an open frame construction generator. But hardly quiet.
What I speak of is that.... You can carry on a conversation around the Honda ones.Good luck doing that to a Champion.
That's funny and doubtful.
Honda 2000 - 57db
Champion 2000- 53 db
How can the Honda be quieter with a higher db rating?
I have never seen any of the quiet Champion ones.
Then you need to, before passing judgement.
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bikendan
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05/16/23 01:55pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Generator dB rating

I find the dB ratings to be misleading, not useless. Some sounds within a rating can be more annoying. Then "quiet" generator is relative, A quiet Honda generator is quiet compared to an open frame construction generator. But hardly quiet.o
What I speak of is that.... You can carry on a conversation around the Honda ones.Good luck doing that to a Champion.
Which Champion generator are you referring to? Open frame contractor-style or inverter generator?
Nearly every owner of a Champion inverter generator, that I've seen post on various RV forums, loves their Champion.
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bikendan
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05/16/23 01:53pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Are RV sewer hose supports necessary?

No
Not sure where you camp but saying No, is incorrect.
Many RV parks and campgrounds require them for full hookup sites.
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bikendan
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05/16/23 01:43pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Fuel Ecomony - Towing

Thanks to all for your replies. The concern with fuel economy is not cost, but range. Trying to gain some confidence that a new gas 3/4 ton (probably Ford or GM) and leaning toward a Silverado w/ 6.6L and 3.73 rear end will go farther on a 34 gallon (or so) tank than the current truck takes me on a 25 gallon tank.
Then get a F150 XLT 3.5 Ecoboost with Max Tow package. Gets you a 36 gallon fuel tank. Mixed mpg- 16+, Highway mpg- 19-20
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bikendan
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05/08/23 01:49pm |
Towing
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RE: Trailer hitch height adjustment and chain question

It’s a single axle trailer; I’d be more concerned about the payload rating and tow rating of that car vs. the tongue weight and GVWR of that trailer. Clicky
Totally Agree! I'm betting that the loaded tongue weight is exceeding the car's max hitch weight.
I have an Audi Q5 2018 and according to the specifications, it seems to be capable of handling a 440-lb tongue weight.
Can the 2018 Audi Q5 Tow?
My trailer is called a Viking Saga 16sfb 2017, and I cannot find the specific characteristics for my year of production. However, for the new models of 2022, the Hitch Weight appears to be 363 lbs. If I understand correctly, this falls within the specification range.
Specs for 2022 Coachmen - Viking Saga Floorplan: 16SFB
The towing capacity of my car is 4,400-lb, which should be enough to cover the GWVR of 3,675-lb that my trailer has.
Please correct me if I am wrong about anything. It's all new area for me
Single axle trailers have much higher loaded tongue weights. Using the standard 13% of the trailer's GVWR, for a ballpark loaded tongue weight, puts it over 500lbs. NEVER believe fictitious brochure/website dry weight numbers. They don't factor the weights of batteries, factory options, dealer add-ons, water and trailer cargo. Once you add the weights of those things, the tongue weight really goes up.
You need to weigh the trailer's loaded tongue weight. And you didn't post what the payload capacity of your car is. Should be on a driver's door sticker.
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bikendan
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04/29/23 01:42pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Trailer hitch height adjustment and chain question

It’s a single axle trailer; I’d be more concerned about the payload rating and tow rating of that car vs. the tongue weight and GVWR of that trailer. Clicky
Totally Agree! I'm betting that the loaded tongue weight is exceeding the car's max hitch weight.
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bikendan
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04/28/23 02:28pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: I Bought A Travel Trailer I Had Never Seen (in person)

Back in 2006, we made a 4000 mile trip tp pick up our first new RV, sight unseen other than internet pics.
We saved over $6k because of high West Coast prices. Bought from a family owned dealership.
We would do it again as long as it was new.
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bikendan
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04/11/23 11:02am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Seven States to Ban the Sale of Gas Powered Cars in 2035

Aren't Washington and Oregon becoming clones of Cali-fornicate-ya?
Asking for a friend.
"becoming"? They already have!
We were native Californians who moved out when we retired. We moved to Washington State, which was Californicated in only 7 years. Now we're in Arizona and hope it doesn't happen here.
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bikendan
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03/24/23 04:32pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: How long should a battery last?

That's about right. You should not be running an electric fridge on that battery. The battery will be shot before the end of the year.
We have no choice as it is a 12v/120v fridge. I typically do not use it on 12v except for while driving.
Your fridge is 12v ONLY. It doesn't run on 120v AC power. I don't know of any such thing as a 12v/120v AC RV fridge. The only RV fridge close to that, are the much smaller 3-way fridges
And many RV manufacturers offer a 2-way propane/electric fridge as an option.
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bikendan
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03/24/23 03:13pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: How To Set Up An F-250 For Towing?

Jayco customer service sent me information about installing a backup camera in my trailer. Here is the dealer's photo of that area. I can't tell if they installed a camera or it's just the mounting bracket. I've sent a message to my salesman to ask about it. The current version of the Furrion backup camera is about $500 with the video monitor for the truck. Is there a more affordable solution I should consider? I've read that some can work with a cell phone.
https://i.imgur.com/bVk5Hvfl.jpg
That is the standard rear camera PREP. No camera, just a bracket and wires.
There are much better and cheaper choices, than Furrion.
There are literally thousands of threads/posts here on rear observation cameras.
Haloview is probably the most recommended brand. Furrion is low on the list.
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bikendan
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03/15/23 04:04pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: How To Set Up An F-250 For Towing?

I might suggest that a trailer ball in that hole in the bumper is not enough, but then again we don't know the size of the trailer. I hope it has a real hitch installed under the bumper. The plug on the trailer should match one of the receptacles on the truck. It may or may not have factory installed controller. Need a lot more info just to answer your questions.
The OP listed the trailer in his signature.
Since the TT is over 36ft long, he's going to need more than just a trailer ball. He's going to need a WDH with sway control.
He needs to educate himself a lot more on towing. It's clear he doesn't have much of a knowledge base.
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bikendan
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03/13/23 01:04pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Camping in New Zealand

Never thought of the government red tape. How long ago was it your sister in law planned her trip? Thanks for the insight.
NZ has much tighter entrance red tape, than when we were there 20 years ago. Watch To Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific. You'll see how much more restrictive entrance is now, especially regarding biosecurity.
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bikendan
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02/27/23 02:46pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Ram 1500 can it tow Keystone 280BH??

mdson, is there a reason you haven't posted your actual door sticker payload capacity?
I'm in the same place as you. The DW wants a particular TT to replace our current TT. I'm up against similar numbers and have a F150 Ecoboost with Max Tow package.
It's 29ft long but is about 2000lbs heavier than the 25ft TT we have.
I'd like to upgrade to a 3/4 ton but now isn't a good time for that.
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bikendan
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02/16/23 11:54am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Ram 1500 can it tow Keystone 280BH??

Heres a link to the exact camper: https://www.keystonerv.com/product/springdale/comfort-travel-trailers/floorplans/280BH
The tow vehicle is a 2016 Ram 1500 that has upgraded shocks, springs(TufTruck XHD), sway bars, Helper airbags and E-Rated tires. I will be using a weight distributing hitch just like I do with my current 26Ft Shadow Cruiser and my vehicle does have a brake controller/tow package.
So per the specs of this Travel trailer I should be fine with proper loading of my truck, but what worries me is the length of this new TT. The original plan was to get a few more years out of the shadow cruiser until I can get a Ram 2500, but the camper is causing me too many headaches left over from the previous owners + we need more room for the family and dog. No mountains are in our immediate future and most trips are ~3 hours or less.
So do yall think I can safely tow this camper? Thanks!
You didn't post what the driver's door sticker says is the truck's payload capacity. 2016 Ram 1500s were notorious for poor payload capacities.
Figuring that having 1000lbs of axtra trai,er weight, when loaded for camping, 12% would mean a ballpark tongue weight of 984lbs. That goes against the payload number, then subtract the weights of everyone in the truck, any truck cargo/add-ons weight and 100lbs for the WDH. If there's any payload capacity left,you should be OK.
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bikendan
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02/15/23 06:06pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Recurve R3 vs Equalizer E2

OP here. Well....I hate winter because I have too much time to sit and think about stuff that I may or may not need! I found a one year old E4 hitch for $325 and will be installing it in the Spring! Will sell my E2 to help cover some of the upgrade cost. Probably not gonna help with the noise situation but should be an improvement in handling.
Have you looked into the Bracket Jackets for the E4 Equal-i-zer WDH?
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bikendan
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02/03/23 08:37am |
Towing
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RE: EV alternative for light/medium duty trucks

Here's All Electric Family towing their Airstream using a strategy of two EV trucks to get their camper to the campground. Unbelievable!
Link
Thanks, that was fun.
BTW for those who haven't seen this, they're taking both EVs to an EV rally and they wanted to see which truck performs better. They say several times this is just a fun experiment and isn't the way they normally travel.
That's a beautiful 30' Airstream. :-)
How does a young family afford a very expensive Rivian, a very expensive Airstream AND an expensive F150 Lightning? I also would like to see how the Rivian and Lightning do towing a conventional TT, instead of the streamlined Airstream.
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bikendan
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01/15/23 01:38pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: lithium batteries

Has anyone converted either engine or carriage batteries or both from lead acid to lithium ion?
There are literally thousands of lithium battery threads in the Tech Issues forum.
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bikendan
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01/03/23 12:20pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Pet Peeves in RV Parks

Wow I guess I have been guilty of most of these things everyone complains about. Thank goodness we travel with a pretty big group. We go to many state parks that have horse facilities and if you encounter our group you are going to be very unhappy. We have lots of music and sometimes a PA, we have never had anyone complain most just usually join in. Let me explain why sometimes those lights are on, try carrying food between campsites or cleaning up the mess. You all fuss about not picking up after dogs, but how can you pick it up if you can't see it, plus I worry about snakes and alligators. If I had a $ for every time I tripped over a fire ring I would be rich. I turn them off when I go to bed. You all would have loved the first time I put a movie in the DVD and didn't realize I was blasting the campground via outside speakers. Thank goodness the dog had to go out. I will pay attention to my outside lights when not camping with my friends.
We have met some of the nicest and strangest people camping. One lady was very offended when my husband offered to get her fire started with a torch. We realized she was a true naturalist when she pitched her tent in the middle of poison ivy. Lots of poison ivy.
You know that using a headlamp, will solve your light problems without turning on a bunch of lights. We always use our headlamps when it gets dark, so we don't impact our campground neighbors.
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bikendan
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01/02/23 11:48am |
General RVing Issues
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