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RE: Anyone pulling a 4 door Jeep?
Of course, jBrake Buddy is presenting that "list of laws" as a public service, and they have no fiduci8ary interest in convincing people that their system is REQUIRED BY LAW in most states, do they?
NO, an auxiliary braking system and breakaway system on a towed motor vehicle is NOT required in many states! The laws that Brake Buddy (and many other "lists of laws") are referring to are for TRAILERS! Many states have legal definitions of exactly what a "trailer" is, and a towed motor vehicle often does not meet the definition, so trailer braking laws do NOT apply!
However, some states have a "Performance Standard" for braking. Here in Montana, if you can stop your "combination of vehicles" within 40 feet from 20 MPH, you ARE LEGAL! (see MCA 61-9-312). In California, IIRC, it is 45 feet from 20 MPH.
That Brake Buddy list also does not differentiate between Unladen trailer weight (which is referred to in many states which have the 1500 lbs. braking requirement) and the Gross trailer weight (which is referred to in many states which have the 3000 lbs. braking requirement, such as Montana.)
Again, that list is talking about TRAILER brakes, NOT towed vehicle brakes! There IS a difference in the legal definitions!
Check the laws in YOUR state. But, do not rely on an internet search to find out. the lists of laws are notoriously inaccurate! Your state laws are available on the 'net. Find them, and research the ACTUAL statutes. I have, for Montana. That's how I discovered that the "lists of laws" are WRONG, in many areas, not just braking laws!
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mowermech
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05/21/12 06:17pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Another lesson learned the hard way
Then again, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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mowermech
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05/21/12 06:47am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Do i need a 12v battery to tow my trailer to the campground?
Been answered. No battery, no emergency brakes. You're dangerous and could kill someone.
How many people will die if the trailer does NOT break away (definitely the most likely scenario)?
How many people will die if the trailer DOES break away, but the safety chains do their job and keep it tied to the tow vehicle?
Millions of trailers of all sizes were towed hundreds of millions of miles before that breakaway system was invented, with VERY few problems. The likelihood of that scare story coming true is SO remote that it is really rather silly!
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mowermech
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05/21/12 06:41am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Friends from the "OOP'S" thread.
The next time I cook the Bison sausage, I'll have to try something different.
It was good, but the casing dried out and got crunchy on the grill.
Maybe next time I'll steam it. That should keep it moist, and maybe even add a little moisture.
I can also try turning the grill way down, and cooking it ssllloooowwwwlly. That might help.
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mowermech
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05/21/12 06:20am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Anyone pulling a 4 door Jeep?
"No breaks? No insurance coverage!!!"
Is that a fact! Can you show the language from any insurance policy where it states that?
Can you show any letter from an insurance agent that states that?
Can you show ANY proof of that statement?
By the way, it would be "brakes", not "breaks". There really IS a difference!
"Should there be brakes put on a Jeep being pulled behind a FordV10 Triple E Motorhome?"
While it is probably a good idea, it isn't required by law in many, if not most, states. One would think, if it was a REAL problem, that the state legislatures would be passing laws requiring braking systems on towed motor vehicles (they haven't); one would also think that the various testing organizations (Consumers Union, Underwriters Labs, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, etc.) would be testing them to show which actually do the job (they don't); One would also think that there would be some State and/or Federal standards that must be met by the manufacturers (there are none, although I have read that one of the East Coast States has a law that any such units must be "Approved by The Administrator". I have never found which units, if any, have such approval.)
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mowermech
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05/20/12 07:44pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Why is it so hard to find a decent used unit???
I really don't know what to tell you.
I walked onto the lot at my favorite dealer a couple years ago, looked at a 1995 29H Tioga, asked what they wanted for it, asked what they would give me in trade for my old 11 foot Caribou TC, and made the deal. $17K out the door.
Put new tires on it, and had to replace the engine A/C compressor clutch after the first trip.
We are currently considering trading it for a slightly larger, more powerful Class A with one slide. At the same dealer, of course. The A is slightly under $35K. A very nice coach!
They ARE out there!
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mowermech
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05/20/12 07:39pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Friends from the "OOP'S" thread.
Summer just might be here...
I went out on the deck to light the gas grill to cook some smoked Bison sausage, and the thermometer in the lid is showing 175 degrees just from sitting in the sun!
The ambient temp is only 77, though.
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mowermech
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05/20/12 03:45pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Over all length
The Feds MIGHT control lengths on the Interstates, but if you plan to get off those for, say, fuel or something, every State has different length limits.
Best thing is to check with individual States/Provinces, but here's a pretty good (U.S.) breakdown.
The referenced list is rather nice, and easy to find things in, but, at least in the case of Montana, slightly inaccurate: "maximum combined length for three vehicles 65 ft."
NO! That is the maximum length for a combination of vehicles consisting of a towing vehicle and ONE trailer. The maximum allowable length for a towing vehicle and TWO trailers is 75 feet in Montana. (EDIT: See MCA 61-10-104 and 61-10-124)
Now, if the list is inaccurate in that instance, where else is it inaccurate? Can it be trusted AT ALL??
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mowermech
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05/20/12 09:46am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Words That Melt My Brain
"elude" instead of "allude".
You can allude (refer) to your daughter's membership in the honor society when boasting about her, but a criminal tries to elude (escape) captivity.
"wandering" instead of "wondering"...
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mowermech
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05/20/12 06:28am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Friends from the "OOP'S" thread.
The Road Trip grill I had, had a pan around the burners that was supposed to be filled with water. When I was done grilling, here lays this quart of water, with a film of grease on it. Once cool, the grease becomes semi-solid, and has to be skimmed off, then what to do with the water, especially in a back-country campground! Putting the grease in a plastic zip-lock bag and taking it home is no fun, either. ("Pack It In, Pack It Out", no garbage service).
Many people like them. I was not happy with mine. Perhaps the new ones have changed, and no longer have the water pan.
I like my plain old grill much better. and the all-stainless steel one is great! It only cost $99, IIRC
Got a little more rain last night. 41 degrees and 84% humidity this morning. High today, upper 60s/lower 70s. Should be that way all week.
No frost, and no 80/90 degree temps. Can't beat that!
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mowermech
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05/20/12 06:26am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Hot water on demand....
"...not being limited to that 6 gallon hot water tank will be wonderful."
But, you will still be limited by the size of your fresh water tank and your waste water tanks(s), when dry camping.
If you always have full hookups, it might be great.
I rarely have full hookups, and water conservation is a daily goal, so for me it would be pretty much worthless.
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mowermech
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05/19/12 05:22pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: whats your career?
Mechanic...
Helicopter on active duty.
industrial equipment as a civilian,
then licensed A&P mechanic on fire bombers
then Cessna Caravan I aircraft
then finished up as an outdoor power equipment mechanic/sales person.
Retired from the Navy Reserve as a Construction Mechanic First Class in the Seabees (took the Chief's test, PNA)
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mowermech
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05/19/12 11:36am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Friends from the "OOP'S" thread.
66 degrees and 43% relative humidity at 1115.
Yes, it has been in the lower 80s the last few days, and should be in the 80s again soon.
I found a very nice all-stainless steel grill to carry in the Rv at Costco. I had a Coleman Roadtrip once, hated the water pan it used, and got rid of it. After that, I used a cheap Sunbeam grill from Walmart ($20) until I found the nice stainless one at Costco.
I also replaced my old Primus camp stove with a nicer one that I found at Target. This one I can use my refillable bottle and hose on instead of the little (14 oz) canisters of propane. the Primus had two gas inputs, and required two of the little bottles. I thought about fabricating a "Y" hose to hook the 1 gallon bottle to it, but never got it done. Now, I don't have to!
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mowermech
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05/19/12 11:26am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Tow Lights: Diodes vs. Bulbs
WOW! $140 for the Universal Tow Daddy!
the 4-pin trailer connector set-up I did on my old Jeep Wrangler cost me about $8, plus an hour of work.
the selector switch set-up I used on my Datsun pickup cost even less than that, because the switch was an old aircraft switch I had laying around, plus a few wire connectors, some wire, and a couple hours work.
The magnetic lights I use now cost less than $30 for everything, plus about a half hour of work.
I could use that $140 for many other things. No, thanks, this gadget is not for me.
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mowermech
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05/19/12 11:12am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: GPS warning
It also helps to spend the money to update them every year or 2. That is a major reason roads that a GPS wants you to take aren't there...any longer, no one updated!
Sorry, but that does not explain why a Tom-Tom would tell me to turn where a road does not exist, and has never existed. The proper right turn was readily visible, down the hill, about five miles away!
Another problem with computers is that once an error has been accepted, it is nearly impossible to correct it. At some time in the past, the "e" in the name of our street was replaced by an "a". Frequently, in order to find us, the incorrect spelling must be entered. A street with the correct spelling does not exist according to many programs. In fact, when I order checks from the bank, I can have the correct spelling of the address on the checks, but the shipping label MUST be done with the incorrect spelling!
A trucking firm that used to have the home office at our address, but went bankrupt well over five years ago, is still listed on the 'net as being at our address. It is apparently impossible to get any of the websites to correct their listings; at least I have been unable to find any error reporting links. We still get mail for that firm, based on those listings. If I mark it "return to sender", I get more mail. I throw it away now.
Computer are wonderful tools, but they can't THINK. That is still the job of a human.
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mowermech
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05/19/12 10:52am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Class B+ priced way over NADA
The "books" are guides only. KBB states that my '05 Grand Cherokee, with every option that was available in '05, is worth over $17K in "excellent condition". I really doubt I could convince anybody to pay that for it, just because KBB says it is worth that much!
If you find a rig that you would like to own, make an offer on it. The seller probably priced it high to give himself some room to negotiate.
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mowermech
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05/19/12 06:52am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Buying a South Carolina Boat Trailer, no title no plate??
"here are the Pennsylvania Proofs of Origin Required for registering a homemade trailer."
Eminently doable/easy!
Get a Bill Of Sale for the trailer frame, one for the hitch, one for the axle, etc.
Pay the sales tax on the parts.
Follow the instructions, get the inspections, fill out the forms, install the data plate furnished by the state, and it is a done deal!
Simple. Much more paperwork than is required in Montana, but still simple.
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mowermech
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05/19/12 06:41am |
Towing
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RE: Tow Lights: Diodes vs. Bulbs
I have never used diodes or extra bulbs.
I have cut the wiring (on older vehicles. I don't buy new ones) and installed a switch, or installed a 4-pin plug that can be swapped back and forth between vehicle wiring and towing wiring, and at the present time I am using magnetic lights with a permanently installed wire harness.
When installing separate bulbs in the taillights, keep in mind that the lens is made to maximize the light from the existing bulb. A separate bulb can never be in the proper position in the light to take advantage of the way the lens is molded, and the lights will not be as bright.
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mowermech
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05/19/12 06:28am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Friends from the "OOP'S" thread.
It looks like it will be a GORGEOUS day...
First off, I woke up. That is always a good start to a day!
Then, there isn't a cloud in the sky, it is 37 degrees with 91% humidity, and the landscape is VERY green after the precipitation of the last couple days. My lawn even looks better.
Except for the dandelions. Oh, well, they are mostly green, too.
Jim, when it comes to missed "deals", I remember a saying from my days in Naval Aviation: "Them's the breaks of Naval Air, commonly known as "Air Brakes"!
Somehow, that sounded neater in 1961!
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mowermech
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05/19/12 06:20am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Friends from the "OOP'S" thread.
We may have caught up on the precipitation! Started raining last night, and rained off and on (mostly on) all day. Still cloudy, with the possibility of showers all weekend.
I discovered how much power the "Rain Train" tractor type sprinklers have. I forgot about mine, and it got trapped at the end of the hose (no it doesn't have the auto-shutoff), then dug two holes in the lawn and buried itself right down to the axle! Now, of course, I won't need it for a few days.
Not much new here. Still thinking about a better coach, found a class A with rear bedroom and one slide, same dealer I bought the Tioga from, so I know he will take good care of us...
Like I said, still thinking...
Yeah, I know, the coach you want to think about until tomorrow (or next week), somebody else may have been thinking about since yesterday (or last week)!
That's the chance we take, I guess...
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mowermech
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05/18/12 09:00pm |
Around the Campfire
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