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RE: Grill cleaning
My mom got me a grill brush for Christmas called a "Grill Daddy"...it was the type of thing when I first saw it I thought "as seen on tv gimmick", but have since fallen in love with it.
It is simply a large grill brush, not unlike most other grill brushes you see, except the handle is hollow and can be filled with water. There is a on/off valve, and there are small holes in the brush surface. All it does is allow a steady drip of water through the brush bristles. You turn the grill on, get it to about 200-300 degrees, and then brush. The water steams almost immediately, and the cleanning action is really good! Doesn't address the sides of the grill I guess - I have never actually tried it on the side walls, only the grate.
It sat around for 3 months before I finally tried it because I thought it was a gimmicky idea. Now I actually look forward to using it!
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DaCamper
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06/16/11 07:19am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: No power when not hooked up to electric???
I have an inline fuse on the battery cable that runs from the battery...mine is about 2 to 3 feet from where the cable attaches to the battery, somewhere along the length that snakes by the trailer tongue. I have blown that before, and it took me a bit to figure out.
Not sure though if that is consistent with the experience you are having while hooked up to your truck...
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DaCamper
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06/16/11 07:11am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Damage to Travel Trailer
Good luck with the repair, and here is wishing you another 27+ years (and many more) without another incident!
If circumstance is going to "tag" me with an incident, I will take the "low-speed, no injuries" kind that you had anyday over a serious one on the road!
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DaCamper
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06/11/11 08:59pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Rotten floor in camper
I agree with the others, probably unlikely.
The snow needs to melt first, as soon as it melts, it would drain down the path of least resistance which is probably straight down. I guess it is possible if you had enough snow that got deep enough, built up a hard packed shelf, and then a lighter top layer melted and the resulting water "rolled" over the packed surface into the trailer through a storage compartment or vent. I guess that could be possible, but seems more likely you have another problem...
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DaCamper
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06/10/11 10:03pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Why I have a hard time buying used.....
Here is another good video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk6KJXeOM0k&feature=related
Ha ha! Love it...
Never seen that before...do they just say "look, there is a hole! lets aim for it!"
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DaCamper
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06/10/11 05:40pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Fun Finder
I love my 2010 Fun Finder Xtra XT-245...couldn't be happier. I know you are familiar with the Fun Finder brand aleady, but thought I would chime in with that. I paid around $21k new for it back in summer 2009.
I think the $13k is probably a "fair" price. If the trailer is in great shape, no problems, no excess wear-and-tear, I think it is probably reasonable and would save you several thousand over new. It isn't a screaming great deal, but it isn't necessarily a bad one either. I believe I saw a new 2010 (a model year behind, soon to be two years behind) of the x210-wbs advertised for $17950 with what looked like to be the typical options set.
If you like and it feels good and seems solid, probably a fair deal. Sleep well knowing you were able to pay cash!
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DaCamper
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06/08/11 03:10pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Why I have a hard time buying used.....
Wow.
Potential buyer: "hm. Just curious, what is this ring around the entire trailer about 12" up from the floor?"
Trailer seller: "That is just the high water mark"
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DaCamper
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06/07/11 08:48pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Overloaded rear TT bumper fails...
Thanks for sharing...I have never modified my bumper, but had never given much thought to bumper strength either. Your pics will be a vivid reminder that they aren't as strong as they may seem should I ever think about doing anything with a TT bumper. I appreciate you posting the follow-up, and I am sure that others do as well. I personally don't judge you - you learned something for all of us, and sharing it was the right thing to do.
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DaCamper
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06/06/11 09:07pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Turn off propane fridge when refueling TV?
Has anyone ever come across a confirmed incident report for a RV propane/refueling incident? I haven't...
There is one out there, but it involved a failure at the fuel pump line, and the fire department that investigated was extremely reluctant to blame the propane flame on the rv for the incident. I haven't come across a smoking gun yet otherwise...no pun intended.
I also have vivid memories of my dad in the 70's, et al standing around the gas pumps, filling up, with lit cigarettes hanging from their mouths lol.
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DaCamper
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06/06/11 11:35am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Leave W-D Hitch attached, when unhooked from trailer...
The place was crowded, there was a lot of traffic, the falls were fantastic, and I want you to be the one tell my wife that she was in the wrong for hitting a hitch that was sticking way out.
No way man, I would rather have you smack me in the teeth then get in an argument with someones injured, aggravated wife...are you kidding me?
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DaCamper
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06/05/11 02:14pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Leave W-D Hitch attached, when unhooked from trailer...
...And if someone is to lazy to walk around the hitch, well, that is there problem.
Is someone who leaves their WD hitch on all the time allowed to call others lazy?
Ha..don't mean to turn this into a slam thread, but the person too lazy to walk around a hitch was the one who called the other lazy first...same logic applies there I think.
And no offense, but I think it takes less work to walk 18" from someones vehicle than it does to remove and stow a hitch. Seriously, Sorry, the lazy argument isn't going to work here. Should people being taking their mirrors off too?
I agree with not making this a slam thread but the people who bang their shins on trailer hitches are not lazy. They JUST DIDN"T SEE IT. I'm sure your vehicle is also parked in lots that are not camping related and the people at the grocery store/mall/Walmart/movie theater don't expect it. These lots are pretty tight and people walk between, in front of and even behind other vehicles to avoid traffic. Every vehicle has mirrors and they are line sight whereas hitches are not when people are carrying shopping bags or small children.
I do understand. This thread is one of those interesting ones that probably polarizes opinions dramatically. I am actually more sensitive to it then my posts let on, I definitely don't have a "scr*w everyone. my hitch, my truck, I do what I want" attitude. I generally keep it off, and don't want to see anyone get hurt on one. I generally even take it off while on extended stays at places for those exact reasons. But at the same time, if I happen to have one on for a weekend, or a week, I would also like to think that anyone walking in a parking lot would be careful to be aware of their surroundings. I get the perspective to a degree, but I think words like "lazy" and "a--hole" might be a bit strong too. Everyone should probably be a bit more aware of there surroundings, people walking by trucks in a parking lot and people who have hitch setups alike. I can't really excuse one over the other I think is my point.
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DaCamper
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06/05/11 02:12pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Leave W-D Hitch attached, when unhooked from trailer...
...And if someone is to lazy to walk around the hitch, well, that is there problem.
Is someone who leaves their WD hitch on all the time allowed to call others lazy?
Ha..don't mean to turn this into a slam thread, but the person too lazy to walk around a hitch was the one who called the other lazy first...same logic applies there I think.
And no offense, but I think it takes less work to walk 18" from someones vehicle than it does to remove and stow a hitch. Seriously, Sorry, the lazy argument isn't going to work here. Should people being taking their mirrors off too?
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DaCamper
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06/05/11 12:59pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Leave W-D Hitch attached, when unhooked from trailer...
If I could found the a--hole that was to lazy to remove the hitch we would have had a little talk about his lazy ways.
I leave mine on sometimes. And I am not an a-hole. And I am not lazy. Mine sticks out a little less than 12" from the back of my truck. Twelve inches. With a big green tennis ball sitting on top of the ball. I don't feel guilty leaving it on in the campground, or if we take a ride to town. I would suggest people watch where you are walking, especially walking TWELVE INCHES from someone's vehicle. My hitch hangs out less than some of the mirrors on many trucks out there.
Look, I appreciate the sentiment...your wife got hurt, and it ticked you off. But don't generalize us all into "a--holes" and "lazy".
I laugh - people engaged in RV-ing are probably also, camping, hiking, climbing, riding ATV's, water sports, camping among wild animals, amongst bugs, under trees with hanging limbs, towing equipment on highways, etc...all sorts of moderate-to-high risk activity, and "the hitch" is the big haymaker. Wtf.
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DaCamper
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06/05/11 12:49pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Leave W-D Hitch attached, when unhooked from trailer...
I found mine laying on the pavement behind my truck one day when I came out of the library.
Kids are not beyond messing with them too, just for kicks...saw it once at a mall parking lot...just took it off and left it there and walked away laughing... random acts of senseless stupidity and anarchy. It isn't all kids, there are lots of nice young kids and teens out there, but unfortuantely the idiots seem to only increase in numbers as the years go by.
I picked it up and put it in the bed of the owners truck.
fwiw...mine stays on for the duration of a camping trip. Also, it isn't unusual to see mine on during some portion of the camping season, with a ball cover on it.
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DaCamper
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06/05/11 12:08pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Bark, Bark
Just my $0.02, fwiw...
No, people shouldn't be happy about being next to a dog who is barking all day and/or night. Just want to point out...I come across a lot more drunk and excessively loud campers than I do barking dogs. Actually, I come across the drunk and excessively loud campers almost every trip out. The annoying dog though...maybe once every 8 or 9 trips or so. The drunks are in the lead. And don't get me wrong, I am known to put down a beer or mixed drink here or there in the woods. I am not pointing fingers at all drinkers...you all know the types I am talking about.
The dogs are an easy target. The idiots are harder.
Yes, I have a dog (my 9 year old black lab)...she comes with us maybe 1 out of every 3 trips. I try to find a sitter for her usually. When she is with us though, I keep her quiet as a mouse...I get about 3 pounds of BilJac Liver Treats, and everytime I see her even so much as flinch to bark (typically at another dog belonging to someone walking through our site), I start feeding them to her and she sits quiety at attention. And she is never in the camp alone. I try to leave her at home because at the parks we go to, I feel anchored to the campsite, since they really can't come down to the beach or facilities.
As a dog owner, I am not offended...I get it. I am hyper sensitive to it, hence the stock in liver when we camp with our dog. It just amuses me that so much anger gets directed at the dog campers when there is so many other people/things to be aggravated with.
So if you ever are next to a camper with a goofy looking black lab, and there is an even goofier looking fellow sitting in the chair next to her with his feet up on the fireplace, and you see the dog sitting there staring at the guy drooling, well...it is probably me. Feel free to stop in, say hello and sit for a bit. And if my dog does let our a short yelp before happily gobbling down some processed liver treats, I do apologize.
To the OP, the idea of the barking security device...probably not on the mark with that one, but I salute the spirit *grin*
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DaCamper
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06/03/11 06:44pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Are slides worth it?
I am in the "no slide" camp...but that is just my personal preference. But I do admire them from afar, I admit. The space is really nice.
My reasons:
For me, I don't want to have another moving part to deal with maintenance wise. I don't want the extra weight, though if I had a 3/4 ton TV that might help sway me. Every single TT w/slide owner I know personally has had at least one major, show stopping issue with them (motor failing, major leak, alignment issues, so on). We tend to like to stop on the way places, and I like just being able get in the TT with the family and have it be functional space to eat some dinner, rest, stretch out. Finally, the style of camping we do is more outdoor/woods centric. The trailer is a place to get in out of rain/bugs and to sleep. And we generally only camp 2-4 nights at a shot.
That is my main reasoning at the moment. With all of that being said, slides are a great way to go for more space. IF I had a bigger truck AND we camped for more extended periods (2 weeks + at a shot) or if we were touring the country on extended trips, or we tended to go to destinations that were more resort/ammenity centric, or we had more than 2 or 3 kids we brought with us at a shot, then I could be persuaded to do a slide. For now though, I steer clear of them and have no desire for one at the time.
We got a toy hauler - we don't carry a toy, but the wide open space/garage is our "stretch out" space. We love the versatility, so that is the direction we took.
I don't worry about re-sale value. I am not sure how legitimate of a concern that is really.
Good luck!
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DaCamper
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06/03/11 12:52pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: rv wholesalers
I am not advocating buying from out-of-state or far away dealers by any means, but...
Most RV dealers that are large enough to have a seperate sales and service department absolutely do NOT care where you bought the trailer when servicing the thing. . Every salesman will tell you that "preference goes to people who bought their rig here". But walk around the corner to the service department and ask them and they will laugh at that. You think if you bring your trailer in for a $7000 warranty repair roof replacement that they are going to "park" you behind "Bob and Mary" who bought their trailer there and want to upgrade their toilet to the "super flush 3000", which is about 90 minutes of labor? Bob and Mary might get their work done first, but probably only because their part arrived before the new roof did for yours.
The speed your rig is serviced is primarily about scheduling and logistics. NOT about where you bought your rig. There is too much money on the repair work. A service department will make more money on one serious warranty repair job then they will having sold a typical TT. It makes no more sense than a salesman on a lot introducing himself to you and begin his rap and then say "oh wait, I just saw a previous customer drive in. go have a seat and I will get to you after I go talk to them". Not happening. These places are notoriously slow to begin with service. But it is mainly logistics when you get serviced. I am willing to bet they don't even know where the trailer was bought - it is either a insurance job, warranty repair, cash, or maybe "good will".
When looking for my last trailer, I went to a large dealer in my region. I quoted them some prices online I saw...they weren't willing to get close (and I ended up not buying that brand/model anyhow), but the last word I had was with the "sales manager" (you know, the last ditch pitch before you walk out the door). When I told him I saw it a lot cheaper elsewhere, albeit in the next state over, but it was wnough of a difference to make it worth the drive, he said this to me: "well, I wish we could get your sales business, but if you end up buying a unit elsewhere, we would be happy to service it for you, we would love to be your service department" and he handed me a business card for the service manager. Not making this up. Never mentioned the ol priorty service queue. Can't remember whether the sales guy did or not, but anyone in management concerned with "profit-loss" from month to month isn't going to be discouraging service business.
Maybe, for a small mom and pop shop, this isn't the case. But if you have a large RV dealership in your area, this won't be an issue. They want to generate an invoice, and get it paid. The service department manager is probably got numbers to hit. He is going to push as many of the rigs through as he can in any given amount of time.
Just my $0.02. With that being said, my preference is to stay as close as I can to home, and I have bought both my trailers within 2 hours of home.
There is at least one other open thread right now about RVW, and it is a rant. Definitely do your diligence...
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DaCamper
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06/03/11 10:26am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: My RVW Nightmare...... Need Advise
I took the OP's post at face value, possibly because I am naive, but primarily because doing so is almost a pre-requisite to being able to participate in these threads...
The other thing - the "bird story"...I tend to agree with the people who question that story - but I didn't put that on the OP, frankly, it seems like something a reatiler would make up and tell a customer to cover up something. Or maybe something a driver would tell a retailer, who just passes that on to the customer. My guess, the driver hit something with it, but it wasn't a bird. Just my $0.02, fwiw.
To the original poster: What has been the response from RVW? How has this been handled? Were you given an option to cancel the order? Your post was primarily focused on having made a trip and not come back with a trailer - where does it stand now?
Does anyone know if these bigger online retailers follow the discussion threads? I know if I had a business based on "internet sales", I would. If this claim is baseless, you can bet I would have a follow-up post up in a heartbeat. Just saying...
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DaCamper
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06/03/11 08:53am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: My RVW Nightmare...... Need Advise
So I ended up heading back to FLorida with no trailer, alot of expenses and crying wife. How would you all handle this?
Buy the wife gifts and many fine meals at her favorite fine dining establishment. She deserves it. Especially if you were the one to propose buying long-distance and she reluctantly bought into the idea...if that is the case, then this is an absolute must. The nice gifts, jewelery and dinners will be cheaper then the forthcoming divorce proceedings. If my wife road across the country with me and back empty handed, I would be living in the RV when all was said and done.
Seriously though, I don't mean to poke fun. Anyhow, If it were me I think I would try to get out of the deal even if it meant writing off a good chunk of the camping season. If they actually did lie to you saying it was there and ready when it was still in transit, then that would be the end of the relationship for me. A dealer that did that to you does not deserve your money or anymore of your time. You absolutely should be livid.
I am generally a "Mr. Get the Best Deal for my money". For our first new trailer, I was pretty shameless about it and called all over the north east and went with the best price I could find after pitting the dealers against each other. When I bought my current unit 2 seasons ago, I re-thought that tactic. I was very tempted by RVW, Holman's, and some others prices, but decided not to get baited into the long drive. I ended up staying relatively close, but paying a bit more. Ironically, I could have bought even closer and cheaper...but that dealer gave me a bad vibe, so I bought about 2 hours away at a small, great family owned and operated dealer. No regrets. The son of the owner was my salesman, his sons prepped and did the walk through with me, his dad set up my WD hitch, and his mother was the office administrator that handled the paperwork. Old school, family values, great experience. Worth the extra I paid.
With that being said - I have heard lots of people having great experiences purchasing out of state at these deep discount places. But your experience is a big time downer. My sympathies, that is a crappy thing that no customer should ever have to go through. I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.
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DaCamper
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06/02/11 09:16pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Cruiser RV Viewfinder
Can't speak to that model, but we do own another Cruiser RV model - a Fun Finder XT-245. Great quality for the money, not a single problem that was any fault of theirs...well, one minor problem I guess, but it is barely note worthy...we got a hard, blowing sideways type rain and noticed a very small puddle of water in the compartment under the fridge. I traced it to the exterior access/vent panel behind the fridge...they had caulked well back there near where the fridge elements are, but there was a very tiny pinhole size opening in the caulk and the rain blew into the compartment, puddled toward the pinhole, and when the puddle got deep enough followed the pinhole down...if we didn't have that odd rain storm, may have never been a problem. Tiny dab of sealant, and done.
I forgive them for it. It is literally the only problem I have had that I could even come close to putting on Cruiser RV. Everything else has been top notch. Their build quality just seems really good, right down to the finishing touches. Never have had the thing back to the dealer, not a single problem (unless I screwed something up). I think they are a really good manufacturer. Good luck!
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DaCamper
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06/02/11 08:52pm |
Travel Trailers
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