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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: What'd Santa bring u for your Tow Rig?
Even though I was naughty (I fired the navigator), Santa brought me a GPS system, a Debo Step, and an EZ Down tailgate damper.
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handye9
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01/01/09 08:50am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Privacy curtain rod and bracket
Take a look at the privacy curtain in my mods (link below).
No end brackets. It's screwed to the ceiling. I also, have ductwork in the ceiling, but, it was not a problem.
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handye9
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12/23/08 05:57am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Shopping for Travel Trailer
Dodge pickup w/Hemi engine. It has 8800 pounds towing capacity.
8800 lbs tow capacity sounds like a 1500 series Ram. Does it have factory tow package (hitch, tranny cooler, tow mirros, etc)?
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handye9
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12/19/08 07:37am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: I need help
I see your location listed as North Dakota. What kind of weather conditions will these trailers be used in?
Travel trailers may not be a very good option.
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handye9
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12/18/08 08:24am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: How many trucks have you owned?
1960 Dodge half ton - stab n steer (push button automatic) 318
1982 Datsun
1992 Dodge Dakota V6 2WD
1994 Dodge Dakota V6 2WD
1998 Dodge Dakota V8 2WD
2001 Dodge Dakota V8 4WD
2003 Toyota Tundra V8 4WD
2006 Nissan Titan V8 4WD
2008 Ford F250 V8 4WD
The camping thing got started with a tent in 1970. Pop-up camper in 92, 16' TT in 99, 24' TT in 2001, 25' TT with small slide in 03, and 30' TT with large slide in 06. Truck and trailer are big enough now. One DW, going on 36 years.
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handye9
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12/15/08 08:22am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: gvwr of 08 gmc and ford
I was in the market and researching new TV's for several (May - November) months. I looked at 250/2500's from all of the big three and found the same kind of results. The F250 numbers were a little higher than GM and Dodge 2500's. I was told it is because Ford has a heavier frame. That was a salseman talking, so, how much truth is in that, I don't know.
Ended up with a Ford because I liked the tow command system and at the time, the Ford dealer offered me the best price.
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handye9
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12/15/08 07:41am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Your most noteable yet rarely told RV "brain fade" incident?
On a wet camping weekend, we were packing up in the rain and a line was waiting at the dump station. We hurried up a bit. All hooked up, ready to go, and the trailer feels a bit hard to pull. Thinking, maybe it's sunk into the soft ground a little, I put the truck in 4X4 and give it a little more gas. Then the crunching / popping noise and in my mirror, I can see little pieces of plastic wheel chocks, flying everywhere. Took almost an hour picking up all the pieces of chocks, but, the line at the dump was gone. Luckily, no flat tires.
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handye9
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12/13/08 06:44am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Truck bed cover
We used to have a camper shell (topper) on the truck but my wife and I were not able anymore to lift it off the truck if we needed the space.
So of late we have been towing around with the purchase of a fiberglass tonneau cover.
Any of you out there in trailer land have any experience with these tonneau covers and what brands and price range. Sure appreciate your input.
Jerry
Had same problem with lifting the topper on and off, until I installed a winch and pulley system in the garage. I beefed up the rafters with additional 2X4's and angle iron, made a sling out of tow straps, mounted a boat winch on a side wall, and run the cable up and accross with pulleys. Now, I can remove or install the topper by myself. I back the truck in, remove the clamps, slip the sling under the topper, attach the cable, crank the topper up, and drive out from under it. Then I crank it down onto a cart, made from a couple furniture dolley's, and roll it out of the way.
I also have a tonneau cover. Did one trip with it and wasn't pleased with the constant on and off to get at things in the bed. Thirty pound propane bottles are to tall and must be transported laying (rolling around) on their side. My roll-around cooler was to tall. Had to lay it on it's side (leaked all over). My generator won't fit under it.
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handye9
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12/11/08 07:27am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Have to replace tongue jack
I agree with wentcamping, give Ultra Fab a call. Hopefully they will be a stand up company and help you fix it.
Ditto !!
I had a problem with an UltraFab jack, while under warranty. It had been purchased from a seller on eBay. I contacted the seller, who, contacted UltraFab. UltraFab called me the next day. When I explained what the jack had done, the tech told me what parts were needed, to repair the jack, and he would send them overnight. I told him "that would not be much help since the TT was currently at my sisters house, 600 miles away, and I had doubts about her rebuilding the jack". His response " In that case, I'll send new jack and you can keep the old one for parts". Two days later, the new jack arrived at sisters house.
Next trip, I swapped the jack and opened up the old one. The tech was right about broken parts. I ordered those parts (40.00) from UltrFab website and now have a spare jack.
Here's a link to their web site UltraFab
Maybe yours is a simple fix.
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handye9
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11/29/08 08:26am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Some Facts From Detroit
The problem is, our car companies havn't sold their quality to the public. Most people believe the hog wash that foreign cars are better quality now a days. It was once true, but not so now.
Here's a list of new vehicles I purchased since 1992 along with the problems I experienced with each.
1992 Dodge Dakota 40K miles, No problems
1994 Dodge Dakota 45K miles, No problems
1998 Dodge Dakota 40K miles, No problems
2001 Chevy Express 34K miles, Two $1,200 brake jobs (one at 15K and another at 32K), fuel line came apart (at 500 miles) and dumped 35 gallons of gas in the street, body is rusting out, and numerous electrical problems. One service manager actually tried to tell me "Your brake problems were caused by not driving the vehicle enough".
2003 Toyota Tundra 40K miles, No problems
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee 26K miles, Two brake jobs (one at 13K and one at 25K).
2006 Nissan Titan 40K miles, No problems
2008 Ford F250 2.5K miles, At 1400 miles it wouldn't start (The person responsible for installing a nut on wiring to the starter, failed to do that job and the person responsible for installing the cover to protect that nut from corrosion or falling off, went ahead and installed the cover with no nut being present). Ford dealer (where this thing was towed) could not believe I made it to 1400 miles before the failure, or, the fact that the truck left the factory that way. Next day, I needed another tow. This time I was stuck on flat ground in wet grass and 4X4 won't lock in. Yesterday, it was in for an electrical problem. Bought this truck on November 1st, it's been towed twice, and been in the shop four times.
I'm not sold on quality from any of the big three.
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handye9
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11/27/08 09:11am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: updating to lcd tv
Here is a list of a few AC/DC LCD televisions. These particular models all have digital tuners (ready for 2009). There are some out there that do not.
Audiovox FPE 1507 15"
Audiovox FPE 1507DV 15" with DVD player
Supersonic SC 1556 15"
Supersonic SC 1556D 15" with DVD
Supersonic SC-125AD 20" with DVD
Supersonic SC-222A 22"
Jensen JE 1908DC 19" (12 volt only)
Jensen JE 1508 15"
Jensen JE 1508DV 15" with DVD
Naxa NX545 20"
Naxa NX546 20" with DVD
Skyworth SLC 1551A 15" with DVD
Skyworth SLC 1963A 19" with DVD
There are also a few CRT type and I"ve seen one made by Coby.
These televisions (below) have the adapter power cord (with the right cord they can plug into 12 volt).
Polaroid PLD 1913TDXB 19" with DVD
Insignia NS-LCD15 15" (I have one of these. Got a 12 volt cord at Radio Shack)
I'm sure there are more. These are just the ones I've found so far.
If you go looking for one of those Insignia LCD's, be careful of the model number. Insignia also makes a non digital (will need a converter box in 2009) version with model number NS-15LCD. Same letters and numbers as digital version, just different order. Some of the other manufacturers, also have similar situations.
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handye9
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11/26/08 07:58am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Ford and GM top execs refuse salary cut!
If an assembly line worker doesn't like making $15.00/hr plus benefits, then my advice to them would be to go get a college degree, and look for those jobs that pay 8 digit figures.
In our free market society, you will earn what you are worth. If you are not willing to rise above an entry level job, don't complain because nobody wants you for their management team.
I am normally quiet and somewhat reserved, however, I would say, no CEO is worth an 8 figure paycheck. This guy must be some kind of an idiot (educated idiot), or he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and his millionaire mommy and daddy are still covering his backside.
I'm a disabled vet, who has been around the block more than once. I applied for a few jobs after retiring from the military and heard more than once " my college degree was fine, but, my extensive military experience was not what the company wanted".
Didn't matter that some of the folks who went into combat with me, had done it, twice, and some of them had done it (voluntarily) three times. I would think that is prety good leadership, my income was no where near 7 or 8 figures. The gentleman who wrote the this initial response can say thanks to the 126 body bags (and their families) that I personnaly retrieved from foreign countries during those twenty years of public service.
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handye9
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11/19/08 08:09pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wisconsin Fall Rally - October 10th - 12th.
Is it too early to ask about a spring rally?
We had a great time at last spring rally. TT was pre-occupide in North Dakota (deer season) at time of fall rally. It's back and we're looking forward to spring.
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handye9
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11/15/08 06:17pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: heartland -north trail vs. forest river- rockwood opinions.
I would opt for the floorplan that best suits your needs. We are on our third TT and both replacements were done to get a better floorplan. All three TT's were made by different (Gulfstream, Starcraft, Forest River) manufacturers. The quality (to me) appears to be about the same with all of them.
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handye9
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10/29/08 07:20pm |
Travel Trailers
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New trailer puller
The big cash back incentive was to much for me to resist. Traded in the 06 Nissan Titan today. New trailer puller is an 08 F250 crewcab with short bed. 5.4 gasser with 4.10 rear end. Can't wait to hook onto the TT.
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handye9
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10/25/08 09:30pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: bunk slipping
I have seen various weight limits on bunks. Some as low as 150 and some as high as 300 lbs. Yours not holding at 160, sounds like maybe a manufacturing problem. It is probably fixable.
When I bought my TT, the recommended bunk weight limit was 200. I planned on using the TT for deer camp and some members of my hunting group are well over that 200, so, I beefed up the bunks with extra plywood and support braces. Last year at deer camp, one of my sons (6'3" 265 lbs) slept in one of those bunks and I (5'9" 205 lbs) slept in the other. I actually sleep better in one of the bunks than I do in the queen bed up front.
Can you post a picture? Would be easier to make suggestions if we could see the bunk.
Send me a PM, if you'd like. My TT is listed in my sig, might be same TT as yours, with a different name on it.
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handye9
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10/10/08 05:50pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Got the new truck bug and can't decide
I'd agree with the "first" salesman. Go for the V10/4.10 for towing.
OK. I'm leaning towards 4:10 axle. I agree with V10/4:10, if I was doing a lot of towing. I only tow a couple times per year.
Just got off the phone with my brother, who has an F250 (crew cab, long box, 4X4, 5.4 with 3:73). He's seen my TT, seen me pull it with the Titan, and he said " his F250 can carry a lot more payload, but, my Titan has more power and If he was doing the same shopping, he would opt for 4:10 axel no matter what the engine". Then he said " if the Titan is paid for, keep it".
It is.
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handye9
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10/02/08 07:09pm |
Tow Vehicles
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Got the new truck bug and can't decide
I'm considering an 08 F250 supercab 4X4 (short bed). TT is a Flagstaff 831QBSS (UVW 6200 and GVW 8100). I normally tow two to three times per year and towing milages is about 2K out of 12K per year. Current TV is only lacking in payload. It's got plenty of power and MPG is pretty good. I just can't load it up like I could with a heavier truck.
Ford's brochure states F250 numbers as:
5.4 with 3:73 - 9200 GVWR, 9400 Towing Capacity, 2750 payload
5.4 with 4:10 - 9400 GVWR, 11400 Towing Capacity, 2810 payload
6.8 with V10 - 9600 GVWR, 12500 Towing Capacity, 2810 payload
We all know what's happening when a salesmans lips are moving. I need a little help in determining which ones lies the least.
First salesman told me "I need nothing short of 5.4 with 4:10 axle, or a V10 (comes standard with 4:10 axle) and I would be unhappy with performance of 3:73 axle".
Second salesman told me "5.4 with 3:73 will do a fine job and why pay for extra fuel year round when I only tow a couple times. I would only need 4:10 axle and/or V10 if I'm doing a lot of towing or mountain towing".
Is the V10 or 5.4 with 4:10 axle going to use that much more fuel?
Is the 5.4 with 3:73 not going to perform well?
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handye9
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10/02/08 02:48pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Picking up new TT--things to ask/look for?
Besides taking your time and making sure everything is right on PDI, take notes. There's a lot of information, without notes you won't remember what was covered or not. If this is your first TT, take a lot of time and notes.
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handye9
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09/25/08 04:51pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Replacement home theater unit
Jenson / Audiovox makes a few wall mounted AM/FM/DVD units. Some RV manufacturers are using them in their RV's. Model numbers I've seen are MP5000, AWM960, and AWM970.
Do a google search for "Jensen AWM960", you'll find a PDF file from ASA electronics, that includes wiring diagram and cut out dimensions. They appear to be a little smaller than your 13" hole, but, it shouldn't be to dificult to fabricate a mounting plate to cover you existing cutout.
Frequently, you will find some of these Jensen models on eBay for around 150.00.
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handye9
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09/23/08 06:35am |
Travel Trailers
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