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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Tow Dollies
I've been pulling a Demco KarKaddy dolly for 7 years and will strongly second the Maddags post. It's well built, heavily galvanized (no rust worry), stores well and the surge brakes do a fine job.
Dave
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dbates
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05/23/12 12:14pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Pop Rivet vs Screw..Which is stronger in aluminum?
For best results see if you can find a framing stud to mount the Ancra Bolt-on Tie-down over so that all sheet metal screws penetrate the stud. Otherwise use an aluminum heavy duty pop rivet as they will hold a lot more pulling stress than a sheet metal screw without backing will. I've been using pop rivets for years and found them to hold much better than a sheet metal screw without a stud behind it.
Dave
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dbates
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05/10/12 07:13am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Surge Guard vs Progressive
In the 6 years I'll visited this forum I've seen only one bad vs. dozens of good reviews about Progressive's quality and service. I'm sorry to say that I can't say the same about GurgeGuard. Although there are a lot of satisfied SurgeGuard users there have been numerous comments that after their stated warranty expires their only response is "buy a new one".
As far as protection their 50 amp EMS products are almost identical but SurgeGuard's cost about $100 more. On all other units Progressive's Joule ratings are substantially higher (the higher the Joules the better the surge protection).
Do multiple searches above to see past postings about Progressive and SurgeGuard for more information.
Dave
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dbates
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05/05/12 07:02am |
Tech Issues
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RE: '99 Ford F 53 V10 straining up hills
If your cruising expectations are 70 mph you may be expecting too much on the hills. I have the same engine in my 1998 30’ Itasca and have traveled over many hills (see map below) and never expect to exceed 30 mph on real steep grades. How is your MPG? If you’re getting over 8 mpg in flat country I’d say that the engine is doing its thing A-OK.
As mentioned before this engine functions well at high rpm and you’ll get high rpms on a steep climb with no damage to the engine with no overheating.
Dave
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dbates
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05/01/12 06:01am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Purchasing used Winnebago - Help
How many grandchildren will you be taking at a time?
We have a 1998 30' Winnebago Itasca and have travels several time with our two granddaughters. They get the bed and we use the sofa and table area for sleeping as we like to stay up later at night. We all seem to be able to get along quite well.
If you have a good unit now why change and if you have a normal relationship it probably won’t be too many years before they will be too busy or involved in other things that they won’t be traveling with you anyway.
Dave
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dbates
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05/01/12 05:48am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Dolly
42,500 miles and 209 nights on the road and only twice did I have to park the dolly off site. Both times free of charges. We try to get pull throughs but with a 31' MH there is usually plenty of room on site for the dolly.
Dave
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dbates
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04/28/12 09:00pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Safety chains on a tow dolly
Most all states require safety chains between the dolly and RV. My Demco KarKaddy has heavy duty chain on the dolly that are to be crossed and hooked to the eyelets on each side of the hitch receiver.
Dave
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dbates
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04/08/12 12:23pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: towing lights + dolly lights?
If you don’t have the 7 pin hook up you can fabricate a splitter like the one in the picture below. Many state don’t require the toad to be lit if the dolly is properly lit but I don’t feel comfortable driving after dusk without the toad being lit so I added a license plate light to the magnetic light system shown below and put it on if I’m forced to drive after dusk or in the rain.
Dave
https://dbates.datapitstop.us/UPLOADS/FLD00003/00005387/Maglight%20hook%20up.JPG https://dbates.datapitstop.us/UPLOADS/FLD00003/00005387/Mag%20Lights.JPG
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dbates
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04/02/12 03:35pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: help please tow dolly first timer leaving tomorrow.
I may be to late for this but.
When I first started using the dolly I strapped the toad down as Demco recommended by pulled the toad all the way forward to the front wheel stop but I found that the straps came loose & I even had one strap come all of the way off. I then realized that the straps won’t slide over the wheels as they are tightened so they remain a little loose behind the wheels and when you started pulling the Toad it slips back leaving the straps loose on both sides of the wheel.
With this in mind, I now pull the toad all of the way forward then back about an inch, strap it down until the tires squish. As the straps tighten the wheel is allowed to roll forward and the strap tension equalizes on both sides of the wheel. Since I started doing this (over 34,000 miles ago) I’ve never found a strap loose enough to cause a problem. I still check them within 50 miles of start and again each time I stop (about every 2 to 3 hours).
I talked to Demco about this procedure and they have no problem with it but have chosen not to change the guidelines in their manual.
Also remember:
1. If your dolly is a little wider than the RV watch those right curbs when parking. I ground the lettering off of the right dolly tire before I realized this.
2. Make sure that you allow plenty of front end room when parking along a curb. If you have to turn too sharply when pulling out the rear of the RV swings in the opposite direction pulling the dolly into the curb causing the dolly wheels to scrap or roll over the curb.
We always try to get pull through camping sites so we don't have to disconnect the dolly. If not available we stop in the street, unload the toad (temporarily park it in an empty site), wheel the dolly to the back of our site, drop the trailer jack, then park the RV with the rear over the dolly tongue.
Good luck.
Dave Bates
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dbates
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04/01/12 03:32pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Tow Dolly
I've been very well pleased with my Demco KarKaddy SS dolly for 7 years and 40,000 miles. It is fully galvanized so no rust problems, has hydraulic surge brakes so no electric brake controller to worry about, the ramps fold up and the tongue folds back to reduce storage by almost 50% and the company has always been very helpful when I’ve had questions. Click HERE for more information. They are a little more expensive but do a Google search for the best price. There are several places that sell them at reduced prices and some with free shipping.
Dave
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dbates
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03/13/12 09:00pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Generator fuel line from gastank
If you can fix it yourself DO IT!!
A few years ago I had a generator fuel line leak, had Cummins fix it at a cost of $240. If it ever happens again I'll try to fix it myself.
Dave
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dbates
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03/11/12 02:12pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: digital maps
Have you tried Microsoft Streets & Trips? Not very expensive, has a lot of POIs, is great for trip planning & you can get it with or without a GPS puck.
I’ve been using it for over 15 years and get better quality printed maps with more detail from it than I can from Google. Yes, there are some errors in it but I have not seen or heard of any map (paper or digital) that didn't have some errors.
Dave
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dbates
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03/03/12 07:15am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Manually moving Tow Dolly after vehicle unloaded
I’ll be 73 in June and have pulled a KarKaddy SS under my Vibe for the past 40,000 miles. It has a Trailer Jack and I use in flat ground with no problem. I do, though, have space to store a Trailer Dolly in my RV or the back of my Vibe and use it when I encounter rough ground or inclines. It is getting a little more difficult as I get older by it is still manageable.
I will never travel without a toad. We use it for too many miles of sightseeing around our camping area to afford rentals. Only if I had bad knees or hips would I change to 4 down because I like my Vibe to much at 31 mpg that can’t be pulled 4 down.
Dave
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dbates
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02/26/12 02:42pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: RV Insurance - Would Appreciate Suggestions
I’m very happy with Progressive and the rate has not changed much in 6 years with fixed value coverage for a total loss. We had State Farm but their policies were designed for autos, we had problems with their valuation on replacement values and their ERS left much to be desired. Progressive is tailored for MH in every ways. We’ve had one claim (both windshields got rocked in one trip within a month after we changes) and they handled the claim in a very professional manner.
Based on comments here a particular company’s quality & rates can very a lot from state to state so you really need to check in your particular area which company has the best rates and service.
Dave
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dbates
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02/24/12 05:59am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Tank Monitors
I agree with Dutch and Tom about the SeeLevel gages. I’ve been using them since Aug 2006 and am well pleased. As Tom said the tanks do need a good periodical cleaning and I’ve found that occasional use of the GEO Method and a “Flush King” takes cares of that.
Yes the SeeLevel system is a little expensive but seeing all tank levels in %, the fresh water tank level as its filling, actual percentage of propane you have left and the house battery voltage is well worth the expense. Plus the ease of instillation is and added bonus.
Dave
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dbates
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02/18/12 07:03am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RV Tow Car Shield
X3 for Protect-A-Tow
Dave
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dbates
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02/17/12 01:28pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Loading a tow dolly without help?
I do about the same as VintageRacer's suggested above except I DON’T pull all the way forward to the front stop. I found that with the wheel against the front stop the straps will not slide over the tires as you tighten them leaving less tension behind the wheel. I leave about an inch so that as you tighten the straps the wheels will roll forward and equalize the tension on the front and back of the wheel. You should also tighten them down until the tires squish down. In over 35,000 I’ve never had a loose strap since I started doing this.
I also found that it was faster & created less discord with my DW if I load by myself. She wouldn’t point which direction to go if I was in the wrong place. She would just shake her head.
Dave
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dbates
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02/16/12 08:45am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: FCC Clamps Down on Telemarketing "Robocalls"
My son manages the data base for Indiana’s no call list which is much stricter than the federal law. Most states dropped their no call laws in favor of the Fed’s. As I understand it the FCC just dumps enforcement of their complaints back unto the state and expects a percentage of the fines collected. I imagine that they will do the same under these new rules. There is a company doing business as “Credit Card Services” that has been violating both Federal and Indiana laws for a long time but our Attorney General hasn’t been able to track them down to prosecute them.
Dave
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dbates
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02/15/12 09:54pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Tire Maint.
Click HERE and go to pages 10 & 11 for Michelin’s suggested maintenance of their RV tires. They suggest only soap & water plus UV protection using some type of cover. They also explain what their recommendations are based on.
Dave
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dbates
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02/12/12 01:01pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: INSURANCE PRICES ???
Any quotes provided here will be of no value to you unless they:
1. Live next door to you.
2. Have exactly the same MH as you
3. Have the same credit rating as you.
4. Have the same driving record as you or any other driver operating your MH
5. Are the same age as you or any other driver operating your MH.
6. Have the exact same coverage as you
You’d best check with multiple insurance companies in your area.
Verify that they are quoting based on the exact same coverage.
Get some references as to the quality of their service.
Then decide who to insure with based on cost and service reputation.
Good Luck.
Dave
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dbates
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02/10/12 01:27pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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