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RE: Thermopane windows
I remember there was another thread on dual pane vs. thermopane windows. There was a difference between the two and I cannot remember factually but it had more to do with the Low E glass ratings and the inert gas. I also have the thermopane, which works well in summer and winter. No problems in 0 degrees in Butte Mt or the 128 degrees in Baker Ca.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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11/13/11 08:56pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Diesel Fuel Additive
It has been awhile since I posted, and even longer since I posted about additives. I was totally all in with the diesel treat by Schaeffer Oil.. it was good but when I ran out and went to Diesel Kleen.. ( Gray Bottle)out of necessity. I noticed that while pulling up a steep grade ,14%, with two Jeeps on a gooseneck.. the truck didnt go into a re-gen. The boost stayed low and the power just kept coming. I had been using Kleen for awhile at that point because I could get it at the local auto shops.. instead of having to order and all that. I use it every tank.. and I like the results.. even better than the diesel Treat I touted for 7 years! I am not saying I think its the best as I used to swear about the latter I used and I dont want to go down that road again but it surely works well for me and my truck seems to respond real well with it.. so I will continue on.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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11/13/11 02:49pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: advice on 5th usage and durability
my thought first and foremost, before you finalize anything stated here and decide on a coach, if you haven't, get in touch with manufacturer and confirm with them what your intentions are...i.e.... double towing.
no need to have warranty cancelled for any reason, and it seems to me that companies are a little quicker to do that and then make you seek legal assistance to get it overturned , if it happens at all.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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08/22/11 10:13am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: generators
Gundy, just a thought. The rear of fivers is very bouncy. Whatever you put back there, maybe have a chase vehicle and test it, which will give you an idea of the bounce factor.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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07/16/11 10:31pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Alpenlite Surround Sound
It would be good idea to pop in on the Alpenlite page in FB. My 05 Portofino has basically same system but when I watch TV I don't get surround sound.. only when watching a DVD or playing a CD. Since I just added two new Vizio LED LCD Tvs I have to do a full channel search for TV in bedroom before I can watch a DVD... which I think I will change to an HDMI port very soon. It is soooo much easier that way.
If you have all original components, they should play the way the did when it came from the factory... if you don't, I am under the suspicion the components were stuff that was back shelved for some time before these things were mounted in coaches. so, they are most likely antiquated, but still functional. Hell, they are barely digital!
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NEVERSWEAT7
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07/08/11 11:06am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Shopping for a new fiver, so far frustration
Skup,
Have you considered some used smaller unit that have been well maintained? I do understand inheriting somebody elses problem, but I see in the FB Alpenlite page... some 29 ft. models for sale.. sure they aren't light but at 29 ft. they are much lighter than some of their 34 ft. counterparts... Or even other well cared for brands.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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07/07/11 07:19pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th wheel KingPin stabilizer - tripod -do they work
I use mine and it does work. The tripod is a triangle.. structurally solid it is geometric design. Now add that to the two arms of landing gear. It becomes a tripod agaim... having three very sturdy points of contact just on the front end of the fiver. I have a BAL heavy duty steel tripod and use some of the pin weight to lock down that front end. The rear I use screw jacks. The little stabilizer on rear of fiver isn't that what I consider that good.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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07/07/11 07:11pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th wheel awning lights
on automatic roll ups which operate on a wind sensor, I have never seen quite that set up.. unless the awning was locked out and the lighting was manually added by owner. On a fully manual set up... not only have I seen lights of all kinds but also mist systems to keep the area under the awning cooler.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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07/05/11 09:13pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Cooling 5er in really hot weathher
For what it is worth... knowing heat rises, my first move is to open the highest vent in the fiver, which is the bedroom accompanied by the fantastic fan. Since the purpose isn't to introduce more hot air into the coach I will crack the window farthest from that vent, let it discharge the hottest air in the coach for five or ten minutes and then shut that far end window down. Allow what remaining heated air to escape and shut down the FF. The slides are not air tight, some transfer will take place. I believe displacing that air.. which is hotter than ambient at times, helps exponentially on initiating colder air into the space/environment.
What I have done before to quickly disperse of heated air was to turn on bedroom AC and then open and exhaust air from the living room fantastic fan. The height is maybe a foot difference but pulling that cold air from one AC towards the living area and exhausting the hottest residual air made for a quicker cool time. My fiver is set up to compliment that operation and it works well. I have used techniques for stack and cold stack effects (using heated or cooled air flow in high rise stairwells)for 28 years on the job and ventilation is a major part of the profession.. so in a simplified way I tried it on my fiver and in my house with a whole house fan and the AC which worked fine. Also in my fiver, the basement opens up into the bedroom.. its always cooler down there, so I open it, hit the FF and allow the cooler air from down below to transfer into the living space. Just a thought if you have that set up in your fiver.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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07/05/11 08:57pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Extra batteries
It sounds interesting. I have this relentless theory that your inverter /converter may have something to say about you using basically another form of DC voltage to act as a charging system for your already DC charge system. Like one cancels he other out?
Just saying.. I am not certain but would the inverter system know the difference for it to switch over? Or the converter..either way.
I wiull follow this thread, i hope you get feed back.. I'll bump it a few times if nobody bites.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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07/05/11 08:31pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Battery died last night.
just a thought... sometimes fridges are left in the electric position running on batteries. Total drain.. confirm your fridge runs on propane when you are boon docking.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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07/05/11 08:19pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: What is the usable life span of a 5th wheel
I too believe that PM (preventative maintenance) is one of many keys to the longevity of your coach. Wax once a year MaGuires no. 50. I maintain things like the roof (sweeping/washing) at least one time a month...I have the fifthwheel in the forest and it gathers leaves, small branches and just whatever drops out these trees. I just get up there and inspect also. There is over 650 watts solar up there so I like to keep the panels clean, they are awesome collectors of power. Both sides in basement are open, I took the panels out so I could do periodic checks for water leaks and plumbing system problems. I actually have a little more room and if need be I can get at everything under the fifthwheel right now... again that is if need be.
I check the propane tank compartment for leaks, check the auto change over valve... eyeball hoses... that type of stuff. I feel for rigididty as opposed to be pliable/flexible. One thing that I need to mention is that my propane lines for the fridge run through the slide out gear in 2x2 steel tubing. I did have a pin hole due to a pinched line and it caused much grief when it leaked a bottle and a half of propane into coach. Thank God wife...at that time, had the sense to call me before she went inspecting. I just told her.. open the door, let that stuff pour itself out, self ventilate... no ignition sources where its parked.
I also take panels off the back of refer... its easily accessed and I check for anything loose.. or a sound im not familiar with..
I also wash and then use a silicon based spray on slide out rubber seals.
So when it is all done at the end of the day, I feel like I have done what O could to help preserve my fiver. Oh one other thing. I do vacuum once a week. carpet is durable but still needs a little TLC. I bought a huge throw rug...made of recycled plastic bottles... and spread it out over carpet It saves on wear and tear, keep the original clean and takes the brunt of whatever I drag in unnoticed. There is probably more but I think you get the jist of it.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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07/05/11 07:42pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Refer fan seems to be draining batteries
let me take a guess.. if you are out and boon docking your refer system should be on propane?? The fan itself should not draw down the batteries that rapidly. Especially not two hours! get it back to shop.. let them experiment with it there. Good luck.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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07/05/11 07:22pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Stabilizing
I use the screw jacks in back now. I dont use those little stabilizers. I lower front down to where there is about an 8th inch clearance in back and then re raise the front end. I then use the roto chocks and if I am planning on staying put for any extended time frame, I will place two additional screw jacks under frame right in front of front set of tandems. Oh yeah.. I set the tripod up too. It does help with washer on heavy spin cycle.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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06/01/11 09:51pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Are 5'ers more convenient than TT's?
I look at stability as a viable convenience also. 4 points of contact and 5 if I set long term with tripod. Strange convenience but having all four corners locked down is a piece of mind for me. Maybe the new TT have the twin front stabilizers? ... but they are not the same as the landing gear of a fiver. I like it just the same. No movement in the bedroom...as mine is up front up top. That being said , center of gravity being higher is a need to be more stable.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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05/26/11 01:00pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Pulling heavy 5er up hills and through sand
Misunderstanding.. I was reading this as brake gain... which I replied I would think that you do not adjust them...higher...but I did say only traveling downhill would I consider any gain... beyond minimal.. sorry for confusion.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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04/11/11 09:45pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Buttermilk Mountains outside Bishop Ca.
Hey thanks Tiger.. getting responses is sometimes tough when most haven't been there. I was thinking pleasant valley.. or even millpond.. this is going to be at the start of the mule days fiasco in June??
GF thinks she wants to stay up that way.. washboard and my fiver are not a marriage I want to agree to. Her mom lives in the area.. she says that PV has been taken over by indigents... street folks ..if you will. I was hoping to go in.. down below the dam and park up along side the Owens River.. in one of the many open camp spots.. but.. need all the intel I can get as I will not be able to go up and recon... I dont think.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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04/11/11 03:32pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Pulling heavy 5er up hills and through sand
I would think not.. there is no certainty you will get the friction you need and the difference between the shale, DG, rocks and other off road surfaces which do not bode well for a certain calculation. It would be cool if there was a design for a braking system that could be set to what ever type of off road surface you planned on driving on; be it those previously mentioned or other types.
Just the same.. setting it lightly for downhill I could see.. just not on flat ground attempting to make your way out of it...like in the little video, which bu the way, I thought was pretty cool, from one Ford man to another :)
Who here can tell us how to adjust your brake controller for off-pavement driving? Who here doesn't bother?
Good question. I don't adjust the brake gain when off road. Should I?
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NEVERSWEAT7
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04/11/11 03:25pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Best 5ver for camping in freezing temps
Throw in Alpenlites. They were built for cold weather. Designed for all seasons. I have had mine in 0 degrees enough times now to realize it is a solid 4 seasons coach. I have taken the sidewalls out of mine.... confirming in the basement and actually saw the ducting and insulation that goes into the build out. After a blow out and severe damage.. I saw the 8 inch insulation in the underbelly. . It is impressive.. I am sure there are others, how many actually get to dig into there guts and see it for themselves??
I have a 6 inch block of vacuum bonded poly styrene foam insulation which shows how thick the roof insulation is. Add another inch or better of layering for insulation and its an impressive array of materials that are used in the design. The aircraft alloy metal framework which is designed to minimize thermal conductivity, states it is designed to carry a fresh snowload of 11 ft. of snow. I am suspect but Im sure its based on weight. My guess... being built in Yakama, Wa, where the snow is heavy and wet, that would be where the measurement and calculation was originated.
A few things of note.. windchill, if I am not mistaken is only a perceived and measured effect of weather (wind and cold combined) on skin.. it is not used on anything other than skin...that I am aware of.. and I watch the Discovery channel :B Disclaimer: I have heard it used to describe the weather in a Yellowstone winter and wolves.
Lastly.. as mentioned in another post elsewhere, there is a difference in the dual pane vs. thermo pane. Even in my coach, I confirmed I had thermo pane.. the seals, the inert gas ( which over time dissipates as I was told) does make a difference. Consider it.
All I am saying, is dont rule out an Alpenlite. I was recently hanging out with one edition of the MOC.. (Montana owners club). many of them also had the same praise for the Alpenlite.. an honorable impression, I thought.
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NEVERSWEAT7
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04/11/11 02:56pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Los Angeles to Portland OR.
That time frame... You a straight through type of driver? get there and then enjoy all your time?? Maybe cruise a little more homeward? You are most likely 2 hours south of me... or there abouts.
How fast you drive? What are you pulling? SF from there 6 hours. 6 to border. maybe a little over 5 to Portland. That is about 17-18 hours straight through. Yes, a long haul, leave real early morning.. less traffic and put a grip of miles in before the traffic hits the road... an important thought.. heat ( time of year in Central valley especially)
short timing a trip.. for me .. meant long hauling to get there.. as a single man. Companion is different... it is what works for both of you.. or a whole family. Oh.. the kids can sleep a it if you leave that early. When they wake up.. later in morning, you'll be able to pit stop.. grab breakfast.. get refreshed and on the road you go.
good luck
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NEVERSWEAT7
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04/11/11 12:35pm |
Roads and Routes
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