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RE: Fresh water fill question
Take a piece of hose and fit it tight to the vent and blow in it to clear the vent tube.This is the solution to the problem. It sure sounds like you have a low point in your fill line. Just take a 1/4 or 5/16 ID clear tube about a foot long and hold it against the vent screen and give a little blow. You will feel it let go and then continue to fill. Just keep tht hose in a clean place so you can use it again. I had the same problem and this was my solution rather than mess with trying to fix it and I have passed this on to others with the same problem. Apparently its an issue with lots of rv's that should be dealt with.
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Tom_Diane
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05/24/12 02:27am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th wheels with these requirements
We're going to start full timing in July up in Iowa for two years. We are a family of 4 (one kid is 3 years old and our baby is 4 months). We need (in order of importance to us):
1. A true four season
2. Two bedroom
3. Washer / Dryer ready
4. 1 1/2 bath (or two potties, dad takes F O R E V E R in the bathroom).
5. Bathtub
6. Generator ready
7. Wired for two air conditioners
Any and all advice is really appreciated. We are up to our ears.Pay heed to what others are telling you. Im from Iowa and have stayed in an old camper up to January one year but that was an exceptional winter like we just had. And it was just me working on the road. Your biggest problem is water to use that washer and dryer as well as water for baths and toilet.You might find a trailer park that will let you rent a spot with water and sewer but you still have to keep things from freezing. Not sure what your intentions are or where you want to be in Iowa but for what it would cost to get an RV to serve what you want, I could try to convince the wife to sell our stick home for less than the cost of an rv and it would only cost appr. $700 for heat in the winter and keep it at a even 72 degrees for the kids. and a nice efficient central air for summer and big work shop insulated and heated. big yard and a park across the street in a small town. I know your post says nothing about staying in the winter but full timing to me means you are staying here year round. I sure wouldnt try it in an RV with small kids. Atleast not in the winter.
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Tom_Diane
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05/21/12 06:35am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th wheel pivot point?
I could put my bumper pull anywhere. This fifth wheel thing is killing me too. Seems like it takes forever to react, and then, as soon as it does, its to late. You've over steered. Pretty well feel like a fool being the son of an over the road truck driver. Best advice he gave me yet is to watch the tires on the trailer, and put the tires where you want the trailer to go. To the op, this is good advice. Since the eaves are up high and the tires are low ,use a cone or other highly visible marker on the ground at the extreme point of the corner you want to turn at. When the front of your nearest axle of your 5er passes that marker, begin your turn and staying aware of where your front end of your TV is going. At this point begin following your RV around the corner, slow and easy. Not knowing how much property you have to do this on, I would suggest you avoid a pull up and trying to straighten the unit. You could end up in some serious trouble as the 5er will track close the the structure. Instead, If you havent got the whole unit straight by the time your rv is around the corner, pull out completley and make the move again but this time letting the nearest (front) axle on the 5er go a little further past the marker by maybe 2 to foot and eventually you will find the point that will work best for you. Bottom line is that everybody will steer different and you have to find your niche. Basically you have to learn by the seat of your pants by actual experience. In your case, if you have the real estate to go back a little furter to begin with, do it and then you can have some room to pull forward and let the rv track closer to your structure. Obviously, just the opposite when pulling out with the rv by slightly turning away from the structure until the wheels pass the corner of the building, then make your turn to exit the site. Its not as complicated as you think, but it would be an easy chore for me as an old truck driver and have been in some precarious places but escaped with out damage by stopping to analyize the situation and making a move staying calm. I hope these ideas are understdable as its easier for me to do than to say or put on paper. But yes, the tires are key to putting the unit where you want it. If you are short on space to make the moves, I would consider a different place to park the RV. Good luck!
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Tom_Diane
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05/19/12 10:21pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Driving Question
I agree with most of what you have been told. I've been a truck driver so I understand what you are asking. However, it is always what you are comfortable doing. Yur behind the wheel. I strongly agree that you should hold your right lane if there is heavy traffic or your own exit may be coming up soon. In the event you need to get into the left lane, make your move and hold the speed limit regardless if the others in the right lane want to go faster or not. I will travel in the left lane as far as I need to. If I had an extra long/wide load, I would go until I got to a slight right hand curve in the road and that seemed to give me the best view to get back over. Since you have a MH I assume you have the convex mirrors. Learn to use them with confidence and you'll be fine. One other trick is to hog the center line after activating your turn signal. Folks will get the idea that you want over and some may even flash their head lights to let you know they are in the clear. Beyond that I will leave you with this advice given to me while in a Chicogo rush hour."Turn signal on, Count to 3, and switch lanes! In theory, the last one would work but dont advise it and never have impelmented it.
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Tom_Diane
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05/15/12 09:53am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: keep from banging?
Try foam pipe insulation from your local hardware store,Lowes or home depot etc.
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Tom_Diane
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05/13/12 04:25am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: 6.0,, 6 speed, tow haul towing
Mitchellg: It might be hard to believe but it's true. I ran only a few tanks of ethanol blend (MN fuel) before switching over to running 91 octane non-ethanol. Really makes a difference. I'm not sure when I can get down to St. Louis but I suppose we can meet in between sometime at a campground and I'd even share that bottle with any and all who would like to partake.:B
Can't buy any ethanol free gas in St.Louis. It's actually illegal in St.Louis county.
Tried running 93 octane. Over the last tank of gas I averaged 14.46mpg. That's odo mileage divided by gallons to fill up. That's almost a 2gallon MPG bump for right at 20 cents a gallon. I was getting 12-13mpg.
Doesn't make it worth it. Going to try out the 93oct while towing and see how it does. I know a nice camp ground right in the middle of Iowa that we could all meet after Aug. 6 and share that bottle. I am going to try the higher octane in my 08 2500hd on the trip to Kansas in late July and see what happens. Heck I might even have an extra bottle and some ribs to throw on the smoker with some JD dipping sauce. Im getting 12-13 mpg now with ethanol Just solo. If what is being said is true,I might see 12-13 towing. Im not complaining, its a nice puller.
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Tom_Diane
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05/09/12 01:47pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Can you tow a Travel trailer in express lanes
Here when there are three lanes on the interstate, it will say one of two things - "No trucks over 6 wheels in left lane" or "No trucks over 3 axles in left lane" - since I have 8 wheels and 4 axles when towing, I stay out of the left lane. I agree with the Happiest camper. If the sign says specifies the terms of what cant use it then I would stay out ofthe left lane. Howerver, here in Iowa I see a lot of rants in the editorials page of the local paper about people that are mad because people get into the left lane and are going slower than other traffic. What they are saying is that they want to travel 70-75 mph on hwy 30 when it is only a maximum of 65 mph but ther is also a minimum of 45mph on most hwys in Iowa. TECHNICALLY, I can travel in the left or right lane as long as I dont obstruct traffic. If I am traveling at 55mph in the left lane and some one comes up behind me at 65 or even 70, then he still has a responsibility to have control of his vehicle since I am already in the lane regardless if he wants to continue at 65 or more. However, I consider that left lane a courtosy lane and use it for passing. As for Iowa, I was stopped several years ago as I passed a State Trooper at 55 mph in a 65 mph zone, he was doing just less than 55. It took me some distance to pass him but my cruise was set and he was just a mile or two difference. He pulled me over and asked if I had been drinking, since he didnt have me there he berated me for going around him and the a car could have been coming in that lane faster than I was traveling and I could have caused an accident. I told him to give a ticket because he was chewing me out for a hypothetical situation and no car was in sight when I made my move. I was let go with a warning. This was in my car but my job was a truck driver at the time. I made it a point one day when I had to go into the weigh scales with my papers to strike up a conversation with the DOT officer and I asked about a situation just as that and he told me that the reason he gave me the warning was to justify his stop and it was probably a suspected OWI stop since many OWI's tend to over correct when driving, but that I had every right to be in the left lane as long as I was with in the speed limits, MAX. and MIN. So unless that sign says more than 3 axles or something like then I abide. If it says all trucks, I consider that to be commercial vehicles and not RV's. Anyway, the left lane around here I consider the express lane but use it as I please as long as it harms no one else. Of course in the event of a breakdown in heavy traffic I will stay in the right lane.
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Tom_Diane
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05/01/12 06:52am |
Towing
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RE: buying a fifth wheel should be like buying a car
While looking at tt 4 years ago we found one that we liked except it had a booth and the wife wanted the dinnette. We went in and it was owned by smokers. We are both ex smokers and I deal with the smell ok but this about floored me and the wifes chest hurt and couldnt stay in it for more than a minute. I wanted it if it was cleaned but the sife was turned off. I imagine her judgement was good because if they cared no more about taking care not to smoke inside, they probably abused other areas of the tt. I asked the saleman if this was a new trade that hasnt been cleaned yet? He said that it has been there a couple of days but they dont clean them until they have a buyer. This was a 36 ft'er with 2 slides and only 2 years old. What a disaster that unit was!
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Tom_Diane
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04/30/12 09:27pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Kids and campgrounds
Last year while hosting I came upon a 4 yr old sliding off the boat pier near their site. I watched and waited till he got back on the dock and told him to stop as he was going to dip his legs again while sliding into the water on his belly. Some older kids playing about 100ft away on a fishing dock. I asked if that was they're brother and they aknowledged that it was. Since none in that group of 4 was not much more than 10 yrs old, I told them to take him to their site and to keep an eye on him. I asked if he could swim and they nodded no, and I toldthem that the water there was at least 10ft deep and he could go under the pier and not be found until it was too late. Yep some parents just turn the kids loose to run and have no concern about them until something happens then its everyone elses fault and sue because maybe there were no gaurd rails on the boat pier or some other frivolous claim.The ranger was told of the incident and he spoke to the parents.
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Tom_Diane
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04/30/12 07:25am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: bug repellant question
Looked it back up because I couldn't remember the specifics. I couldn't find the posts on here where I learned about it, but I found this link
Basically- fill a ziplock baggie about half full w/ water and throw in about 4 pennies, close the bag and hang it up at your site. It should repel the flies.
One shiny new penny is all thats needed. something about the reflection or shine that repels them. As for other than DEET, Skin So Soft is good for gnats, flies and the like. Vanila extract works for gnats also as well as Deet. Garlic is a repellent for skeeters but I definately use OFF or other product with DEET in addition to one of the above.
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Tom_Diane
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04/29/12 07:24pm |
Family Camping
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RE: rv inventory, items kept in the camper
Looks like nearly everything has been covered but you might consider carrying bug repellent/spray and sunscreen. Possibly a ph charger if you are connected to electric for your cell and need a recharge. Probably just as important to keep in the camper and the weather wont bother it is an escape plan, especially if you have kids, in the event of fire or a storm. Beyond that, while camping and something comes to mind that you should have in the RV always, make a note. Make sure that when you empty one LP tank that you get it filled before the next trip. You might need that furnace for the little ones on a chilly night.
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Tom_Diane
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04/18/12 07:27am |
Family Camping
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RE: How to determine "gain"?
I had an after market controller put in years ago and the installer told me to set the gain by pulling ahead a few feet and step on the TV brake and continue unttil the Trailer brake sets up just an instant before the TV brakes set. Reason being that it will pull you out of a swaying motion on the TT should it happen. But its just feel and what ever is going to work best for your comfort. TT brakes should not lock up with normal use
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Tom_Diane
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04/14/12 05:28pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Has anyone tried the electronic pest control devices?
We have a Black & Decker device and used it all witner in our house in the basement. Put it in the 5er 3 weeks ago because we had an infestation of the asian beetles. ,running it on low and quiet didnt seem to clear them out but when I would leave the camper, I would turn it up on high and walk away. Two days like that and they disappeared or died on the floor but not more beetles or aphids. I used a plug in type many years ago in a camp ground infested with wolf spiders and after I plugged it in the spiders didnt bother my camper. I have no evidence that the devices work except it seems my problems cleared up after employing them. Science or conincidence? It is peace of mind.
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Tom_Diane
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04/09/12 02:29pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: 1968 yellowstone
1968 yellowstone travel trailer 14ft.
has lounge that pulls out to bed and dinette that turns into bed small bathroom with toilet has water and black water holding tanks
propane lamp, oven stove and furnace, place to put dorm size fridge
Any idea on tow weight for this trailer?? bought it (cheap) used and want to pull it correctly!!
not ours, but pic o same color, size etc.
http://www.domesticsale.com/mainclass/photos/3/3/1310012624ytn.jpg I wont even guess at the weight but a decent half ton should be fine. Our firswt camper was a 15 ft'er and I pulled it with a 1/2 ton Chevy cargo van witha 6 cyl. We only camped within 30miles of home but got along fine. I would suggest sway control, if now WD also. Wish I would have seen this last July, I gave away the exact set up that I pulled that old camper with. By the way,dont feel like these are stupid questions ,its what you dont know that can hurt you! Also, nice looking old camper there.
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Tom_Diane
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04/09/12 06:40am |
Towing
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RE: Fulltiming (kind of!!)
We are in outr second year of camp hosting and having fun. Whats more is that we are close to home if we need to go there but we are away from the neighbors, trains traffic ect. We are going to take a little vacation in late July and early Aug. Our plan was to go to Dodge City as a destination and hopefully check out Dodge City days and then points between on our return trip. After looking at the map maybe we will stop in and say hello. I agree with the gas prices being what they are and I have set my top price of 4.50 PER GAL. as a cut off that would cancel the trip.
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Tom_Diane
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04/02/12 07:22am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: RVing Junkie
I just realized something! Im an RV junkie and I dont want a cure. I park the 5er just outside my kitchen window in the winter time and as soon as the weather breaks in March I'm milling around and inside it for signs of mice or other problems I might have and then after a day or 2 of that, I hook it up and pull it around to the front of the house. I guess when you buy an RV, its kinda of like getting a new puppy, you need to devote your time to it and tend to its needs over the years and rely on it to give you satisfaction for as long as you have it!
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Tom_Diane
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03/29/12 07:49am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: HAPPY TRAILS TO ALL
Hard decision Im sure. I am doing a day by day and month by month with my health. Im having health issues also and I know the day will come that I will have to stop. Its already gotten into other areas of my life such as my hobby of woodworking. Good luck,
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Tom_Diane
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03/17/12 04:33pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Oxygen users
I guess to go further with the reason tht she may have recommended against it is because the other medical condition I am dealing is an auto immune disease that has already claimed 2 lobes of my right lung and has invaded my kidneys. I am on a immune surpressant drug. It is a vasculitus disease. This is why she may have concerns about me getting sick because I really have no immune system because the have it surpressed. I have seen lots of COPD in my life, Mother for one and her 2 sisters, a great aunt and All lasted not much more than 7 years but problems were anticipated in a guess on life expectancy for me but God aside,People do go many years with COPD but like my BIL, Dx's with COPD but it was found in the early stage and he died of an unreated illness at age 65 and never got to the point where he needed oxygen. I know what the odds are but you can have slow progression but one has little say on how slow the progression is, I Dont let anything dictate where I go but I figure why pay the Dr big money if I dont do what they tell me to do. I was just courious as to how everyone else traveled in high altitudes but figured some of it had to be that they have lived in it and acclimated to it??Anyway after I posted I realized I should have mentioned the immune surpressant that I have to take.
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Tom_Diane
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03/15/12 09:37pm |
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
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RE: Where do I start?
Recycle from home, maybe look at the dollar store or good will store for pots and pans if you think you might need them.
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Tom_Diane
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03/13/12 07:48am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Oxygen users
Thanks amandasgramma, I read the clicky after I replied. There is alot if info there but I think I better just stay in lowlands. I just couldnt see my self having fun if I was to get sick and the wife will not pull the 5er so I would be in a fix.
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Tom_Diane
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03/12/12 08:46am |
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
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