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Forum
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RE: wheel chock
I have a 2007 Arctic Fox 24-5N and use X Chocks. The axles are close, making it difficult to get the chocks between the tires. I think the newer chocks are a different design and might be easier to insert. Make sure the fit is good before you purchase. Wish I had!
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GMC4ME
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04/10/12 10:10pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Use Plug on Receiver Hitch or Add One to Truck Bed?
I use the one on the receiver because it is easier than the one in the bed. I velcro the cable to the tailgate. Never had any issue.
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GMC4ME
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12/28/11 09:11pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: f350 SRW or DRW
I use my dually as a second vehicle around town. I have no trouble navigating but usually park in the back forty in parking lots. Also, when in city traffic, the dually is like a red flag in a bull ring - they just gotta get around ya!!
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GMC4ME
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12/03/11 08:32pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: How much wind to flip a 5th wheel?
A few years ago there were some very strong winds in the Yuma, AZ area. I arrived at a campsite in Wellton a little later and found one fiver had been pushed off the blocks under the front landing jacks (at least it didn't flip over). Don't know if the jacks were damaged but the fall probably didn't do them much good because the blocks were pretty tall. Lesson learned: don't put very tall blocks under the landing jacks. The smaller the blocks, the less potential for damage to the jacks should they be pushed off by wind.
I have not read any posts mentioning wheel chocks. I always have my wheels chocked while camping or while in stowage. They will not prevent the rig from flipping, but they do add stability, comfort and reduce the rocking and rolling. Additionally, they would probably help prevent the landing gear from falling off blocks due to reduced twisting motion. In my area, we are subject to earthquakes - another reason to always have the wheels chocked.
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GMC4ME
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12/02/11 11:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Tire Chains
Just a thought.......Either leave early or wait out the storm. Is it really necessary to have to chain up?
It has been said that the weatherman/woman are correct 50% of the time. However, they get paid the same whether or not they are accurate.
I was caught in a unexpected blizzard while going through a pass in the Sierras. Fortunately, I was not towing at the time. Roads were closed unless you had chains installed or 4X4.
Best strategy is to be prepared - chains are relatively cheap. Safety first.
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GMC4ME
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12/02/11 10:56am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Tire Chains
Why would you need to chain the fiver's tire's? I would think you need to chain the TV drive wheels only. If so, please explain why?
Mike
It all has to do with avoiding those "bad days". When you see your 5er pass you after braking, you know it's going to be one of those bad days.
I had a near "bad day" experience a few years ago heading west out of Albuquerque. I was pushing hard to stay ahead of a storm dropping out of the north.
We broke camp well before daylight to find a few inches of new snow. However, the streets/roads appeared clear, including the freeway - with a brisk crosswind.
However, we hit a 300' overpass which was frozen over. My rig jackknifed in the blink of an eye!! Speed? Probably less than 45mph - just starting out. I took my foot off the accelerator, did not touch the brakes and corrected into the slide. As soon as the trailer wheels came to the end of the overpass it corrected: no runs, no hits, no errors! One more overpass before the off-ramp - yep, frozen. Those signs warning that overpasses freeze first are there for a reason.
We waited in a truck-stop parking lot until the sand trucks did their work and the emergence vehicles cleared the wrecks. We also gave thanks for our safety. We got home to find out our Sunday School Class had been praying for us. To God be the Glory!!
There were no chain requirements involved with my experience.
Lesson learned: If the temperature is below freezing, roads appear clear: watch for black ice, frozen bridges and overpasses. Don't move on until things warmup - if possible.
As I said in my OP, I will avoid needing to chain-up if possible.
Stay safe.
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GMC4ME
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12/01/11 09:33am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Tire Chains
Why would you need to chain the fiver's tire's? I would think you need to chain the TV drive wheels only. If so, please explain why?
Mike
If a trailer has breaks, many states require one axle to have chains or cables when conditions require traction devices. Of course, this is in addition to the TV.
Oregon, Washington and California require traction devices on such trailers. Some states do not allow cables, only chains. Therefore, I recommend buying chains since they meet requirements of all applicable states.
Here is a document from California showing chain requirement. Read the notes where it clarifies trailer requirements.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ChainRequire.pdf
In many states, it can freeze any day of the year. As I learned as a Boy Scout, "Be Prepared".
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GMC4ME
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11/30/11 07:04pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: turn on HP & furnance comes on
I see no practical reason to have a heat-pump. However, since I have never had one, maybe I am missing something.
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GMC4ME
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11/30/11 03:12pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Tire Chains
One thought, you might purchase some cable chains for the 5er as they give you better clearance and might be easier to install on tires.
Thanks to all for the replies.
I tried to find cables for the reasons stated but have not succeeded. Therefore, I bought chains.
Additionally, I just learned some states don't allow cables in place of chains. For that reason, chains might be the better option (especially if I can avoid the need for them!!:D.)
I will make a "dry run" in a day or so to insure they fit.
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GMC4ME
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11/30/11 09:18am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Sewer hose that lasts????
Do you store your hose in the bumper? I know that the bottom inside of my bumper is rusting and that rust will cause pin holes. Next spring I plan on making a new storage tube under my TT using a vinyl fence post.
Many others here have done the same mod for the rust/pin hole problem.
Do a search.
Happy Camping!
I fabricated a paint roller narrow enough to roll inside the bumper and attached it (duct tape?) to pvc pipe long enough to reach the closed end. Put on a heavy coat of black rustoleum(sp). No more rusty residue.
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GMC4ME
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11/29/11 10:09pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: turn on HP & furnance comes on
What the Hell are you talking about?
Glad I'm not the only one trying to figure that out!:?
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GMC4ME
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11/29/11 10:03pm |
Tech Issues
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Tire Chains
I make every effort to prevent having to "chain-up". We will be camping in the Sierra foothills in mid-December and need to be prepared.
I am running ST225/75 R15 tires. Will P225/75 R15 chains fit these tires?
Thanks for your response.
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GMC4ME
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11/29/11 06:07pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: RV owner forced to pay for fire damage caused at dealership
Lester, please post back when you find out the results from Magnum. I still agree with your assessment of technician error. While some electronic devices have some reverse polarity protection, most cannot handle the large current of a battery bank.
My small 5th wheel came with a single bank of two 12v batteries with a 40 amp circuit breaker (fuse) located in the battery compartment. 100% of the current drawn from the battery pack goes through the protection device. Next in line is the distribution panel where the power to devices/appliances is connected by independent fuses from approx. 20A to 2.5A.
While the batteries are capable of delivering many times 40 amps for a short period, 40 amps is sufficient to meet the designed requirements of the trailer. Regardless of the number, type or arrangement of the 12V battery pack, the current limitation is the same unless I change the breaker. If I do that, I need to change the related wiring or a fire might result.
Likewise with my convertor circuitry. It has similar current limiters (fuses)for the same reasons. It should be impossible to have a short circuit feeding any appliance without blowing a fuse - at least to the point that it causes a fire or is the cause of significant battery drain.
Based on the following information, I would not buy the product for my RV. While it is not common, reverse polarity accidents happen.
www.invertersrus.com/magnum-ms2012.html
http://site.invertersrus.com/pdf/MS_Series.pdf
"CAUTION: The inverter is NOT reverse polarity protected which means that if the negative and positive battery voltage is connected backwards to the inverter, the inverter will likely be damaged. You should verify the correct voltage polarity using a voltmeter BEFORE connecting the DC wires."
Disclaimer: I reserve the right to edit, change, modify or delete any portion or all of the of this post at any time without prior notice.;)
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GMC4ME
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11/21/11 10:00am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: RV owner forced to pay for fire damage caused at dealership
Why would any such problem affect only two batteries of a four battery bank?
Is it hard to believe any $1500.00 DCV device would not have reverse polarity protection built-in.
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GMC4ME
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11/20/11 05:42pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Nominate your roughest road
I5 all the way from LA to Sacramento.
+1. Add I-80 east and west over the Sierras. I plan to avoid that portion of 80 since there are alternatives - Highway 50 if you have the time.
I will also try to avoid I-10 through Louisiana. Been there, done that!
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GMC4ME
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11/17/11 08:38pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 40' RV - challenge in campgrounds?
As my wife and I look at RVs, we keep finding more and more things we want. The more we look, the more our "needs" list grows and so does the RV.
We've been looking at a handful of models right about 40' (38'-42' or there abouts). (Copper Canyon/324FWBHS; Durango 2500/D355BH; Sandpiper/365SAQ)
I don't have a truck and would buy something to carry us and the RV safely/comfortably. And, I don't even mind driving this thing around on the highways.
I'm more concerned about the side streets and RV parks/campgrounds. Does a 40' camper limit you greatly in where you can go?
Short answer: Yes
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GMC4ME
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11/14/11 08:14pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: how do I patch a leak in fresh water tank?
Sounds like $20.00 well spent to me!
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GMC4ME
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11/03/11 07:42pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Inverter installation
Small LCD TV draws around 50 watt. So you need a small 70-80 Watt inverter as they lose about 20% while inverting from DC to AC. So if it outputs 50W, it draws 60W from battery, this is 5A @12V. You will draw 15 AH from battery in 3 hours, which is nothing to people with big battery bank over 200 AH @12V. For somebody with one tiny battery it's a different story.
Bottom line: Haul as many batteries as you can!!:B
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GMC4ME
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11/01/11 08:38pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: New feature - Maybe best upgrade for boondocking?
In order for any pump to lift water, the suction side must be airtight. I cannot visualize any hose arrangement on a RV that meets that requirement.
I use a 12v pump mounted on a piece of plywood to pump water from a 8 gallon jug into the gravity feed filler tube. If there is a air-leak in the suction side of the pump, it will not lift the water.
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GMC4ME
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11/01/11 08:34pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Help-Smaller 5th wheels
Just got back from the RV show and the DW has fallen in love with the Keystone 278RKSWE
Here are the specs:
Shipping Weight 7205
Carrying Capacity 2855
Hitch 1260
Question: Is this towable with a 1/2 ton truck? F=150 or Tundra 5.7?
Anyone have any info on this model or Keystone 5th wheels
Not sure how to add the numbers. I calculate your GVWR to be 10.060 lbs. or greater.
Regardless of your actual weight, any 5th wheel in California with a GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs. requires a Restriction 41 endorsement on your Class C drivers license.
I recommend your read all the posts on this forum: www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25501956.cfm
As you will learn, there are many opinions as to possible/potential results for not having it.
I got mine last week and have contributed some detailed information related to my experience with the DMV and the type of questions on the test. Expect the DMV to be confused about your request.
Regardless of your decision (it is the law), you will find the post informative and entertaining!
I would not tow the trailers your are considering with anything less than a properly equipped 3/4 ton truck.
Good luck and happy camping!
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GMC4ME
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10/31/11 09:44pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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