| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Towing boat with my Chev / AF 1150
fishorgolf.... First of all, I would definitely add some chains to your extension to provide lateral support/restraint. These are definitely necessary if you have 400 lbs hitch weight on a 48-inch extension.
Secondly, this post like others about extensions will generate lots of interest. I will jump in first and suggest that you check the rating on your GMC hitch. The issue is the torque (or leverage) that an extension applies to the hitch receiver which can be significant. The rule of thumb I personally use is that the maximum hitch weights for a 48-inch extension are... Class III = ~120 lbs, Class IV = ~175 lbs, Class IV/V = ~225 lbs and Class V = ~280 lbs. Based on this, I think upgrading to a superhitch/supertruss is probably not a bad idea.
On edit.... Boatycall is offering some great advice. Maybe a little more direct than I did, but he hit it right on the head!!
|
bjbear
|
05/21/12 12:44pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Just some good to know Fridge info
Just another 2 cents worth.......
I have managed well with the standard absorption fridge over the years but have learned 2 things.
1) Make sure that the rear of the fridge is vented well. The best is when the fridge is mounted outside of a slide so that the vent goes straight up to the roof. This provides a good natural draft. The worst is when the fridge is mounted in a slide and must be vented out the side (like my present unit). This makes venting problematic and at best you need to make sure that everything is kept clean so nothing obstructs the vent (i.e. spider webs, dirt, etc). At worst you may need to add a fan to promote air movement, especially if you are using the fridge in high ambient temperatures.
2) Keep the propane burner clean. On several occasions, I have found that spiders have built their webs in the fire tube which obstructs air flow and reduces efficiency substantially. One time, the webs were all the way up the tube and kept the propane from remaining lit for more than a few seconds before it starved for oxygen. Every year now, I use a compressor to blow air up the fire tube to clean it out.
I have never had a problem with the fridge working when I have been parked off level although knowing how they work, I suspect it is possible when parking it somewhere where you have not levelled it sufficiently for sleeping.
|
bjbear
|
05/21/12 09:02am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: toilet water pressure
Check the following site: Thetford Toilets. Select your specific model then look at the "Parts" tab. Check for to see if your toilet has a nozzle or strainer, and your problem is probably there. You will probably need to dismantle and clean it to restore the proper flow. There are also manuals available for every model which also have a parts diagram.
Good Luck.
|
bjbear
|
05/21/12 08:46am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Bell Expressvu service discussion
The bottom line is that if you spend time in the US, and want satellite TV, you need to drop Bell and get Shaw Direct (Starchoice). I know lots of people besides myself that started with Bell. As you move south (past Salt Lake City in my case), it gets harder and harder to lock onto the Bell satellite(s). You first loose HD, then other channels as well. I use a first strike meter so if the signal is there, I will find it!! Also, there is absolutely no technical support from Bell if you are in the US and tell them that. With Shaw Direct, I have no problem picking up a strong lock with as far south as the Mexican border. Friends who visit Mexico tell me that the signal continues south as well.
I have had Shaw Direct for about 4 years now and am happy with the service. There are some things that Bell does better (i.e. programming descriptions), but Shaw definitely has better technical support.
|
bjbear
|
05/12/12 09:34am |
Snowbirds
|
 |
RE: Good Sam Roadside or CAA+
I have both CAA RV and Good Sam. I started out with CAA RV but when I needed them on the Coquihalla highway south of Merrit, they let me down. I had a wheel bearing go and even though I made sure they understood that I had a heavy 5th Wheel, they sent a guy with a light duty wrecker that could not handle the job. It was only after repeated calls that I managed to find a shop in Merrit that would send out a service truck. He managed to put on a temporary bearing that allowed me to limp into Kamloops where I had it fixed properly. Not impressed. Also, one other time when I needed them for a boost, they took so long that I ended up finding help elsewhere and cancelling the call.
I switched to Good Sam and have only used them once in the US, but they were very helpful and efficient. My neighbour uses them exclusively in both the US and Canada and has related to me that they have always been effective in helping him.
I will not be renewing CAA when it comes due.
|
bjbear
|
05/10/12 10:39am |
Snowbirds
|
|
RE: Favorite ORV
I had a Rzr which I liked, but sold it in February because it was a pain to trailer to where I could ride it. I now have a 1974 CJ5 which can be flat towed (note: not all jeeps can be) which works much better for me.
|
bjbear
|
05/09/12 01:00pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Test (never mind)
I had this problem as well, but someone on the site suggested going in through Trailer Life which has worked well.
|
bjbear
|
05/09/12 12:50pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: dually is too wide
From your description, I am understanding that your running boards are wider than your dually flares??? You may find some wider adaptors, but IMO, you would be better off having a new custom set fabricated by a welding shop. That way, you can beef up the strength to accommodate the wider stance and higher loads that entails. Stock adaptors are at best marginally engineered so it would not be a bad thing to have stronger mounts. Once fabricated, you can get them powder coated to match your jacks.
|
bjbear
|
05/08/12 08:37am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Do you travel wet or dry?
Prefer to travel with 100% FW and grey and black empty. I have the capacity to carry the weight so don't see any benefit to running with less FW. Might carry less if I am heading to a spot with a known "GOOD" FW supply, but that is very rare.
There is no significant benefit to running light to save fuel as the weight involved is a very minor component (frontal area and speed having most impact on fuel consumption).
|
bjbear
|
05/05/12 12:28pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Is this site having problems??
Yes. The Admin keeps saying they are working on it. Try Trailer Life to log in and post there. Your posts will cross populate onto RV.net
b
Thanks.... that worked. Didn't know you could do that.
|
bjbear
|
05/05/12 12:10pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Boondocking pet peeves, I really hate it when...
Something like a couple of years ago when we were out at our favourite lake and had set up waiting for our daughter and her family to arrive in their rig. Someone who we did not know just pulled up in their 5th wheel with tandem trailer in tow right up so that their door was 15 feet away from our campfire!! Never asked if we minded nor introduced themselves.
When I politely asked them to move and suggested that they would be welcome to share our area if they parked in a spot to give us some privacy, he got all huffy and upset. Then we had to go through the process of unhitching his tandem trailer so he could back out of the spot and turn around. Offered to help him manhandle the trailer, but he still treated me like I was some type of selfish ba^%$3.
Saw him later in another spot where he had crashed another groups campsite!!!
|
bjbear
|
05/05/12 12:06pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
|
|
Is this site having problems??
Have tried to post some replies over the past few days and I keep getting an error message. Anyone else having problems??
|
bjbear
|
05/05/12 10:02am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: What size Camper can I carry
PM sent
Have been trying to post with a couple of links for you, but for some reason it would not let me......
|
bjbear
|
05/02/12 09:52am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: What size Camper can I carry
What does your truck scale loaded ready to travel? That weight subtracted from your trucks GVWR is how much you can carry before you run the risk of getting the attention of the BC police.
The info I have says that BC only legislates axle and tire weights for private vehicles. It does not restrict GVWR unless you are a commercial vehicle.
|
bjbear
|
05/01/12 04:15pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: I15 Canada to California in January?
Troy we have traveled it many times, in all the winter months. We have seen good weather and roads, and we have seen the worst of the worst. Just check the weather forcasts plenty before you travel, as I-15 has many different elevations between Coutts and Mesquite. Take your time and enjoy the drive. It is a great road when the conditions are right. Don't worry about fuel stops, there are plenty. Macktee
What he said!! I have found the worst places for roads to be between Butte, MT and Idaho Falls, ID. However, there are alway reliable weather forecasts so just sit tight for a couple of days if they look bad.
If you are in an RV, there are a number of campgrounds open once you get south of Great Falls. We often stay in Helena the first night at the Lincoln Road RV Park.
Enjoy your trip!!!!
|
bjbear
|
04/26/12 09:41am |
Snowbirds
|
|
RE: How much can I tow with this?
I'm guessing this is a 48" extension. If so, the maximum load should be approx:
1/8" wall thickness - 150 lbs (210 with WD)
3/16" wall thickness - 210 lbs (300 with WD)
1/4" wall thickness - 250 lbs (350 with WD)
These are approximate based on some simple engineering calculations so use at your own risk.
Also.....
- it is recommended to use some form of lateral (left/right) support (usually chains).
- check that the bolts holding the ball mount are grade 5 or higher (recommend grade 8).
Finally, the receiver on your truck should be minimum class IV/V with a 1000 lb tongue weight rating.
If your boat is 1800 lbs, the hitch weight should be around 180 - 240 lbs so you may be OK depending on the actual wall thickness of your hitch extension and you don't put too much dynamic loading on it (going over bumps at speed).
Good Luck.......
|
bjbear
|
04/18/12 07:25pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Bell Tv
When I first heard about Bell not permitting use of their system in the USA, I called them. I was told the CRTC did not allow the system to be used outside Canada. I then called the CRTC and was told they have no interest whatsoever in where the signal is received. Still a strange situation.
My understanding is that Bell has an agreement with Direct TV not to allow it's users to view when in the U.S. Purely a business arrangement.
Shaw/StarChoice works great everywhere in the US and into Mexico. I use a portable dish. I also have a First Strike Meter (FS1) that I use to aim the dish. I just enter the coordinates from my GPS, and the meter tells me where to point, the angle and shows the signal strength so I can lock it in. Just takes a few minutes.
|
bjbear
|
04/16/12 10:21am |
Snowbirds
|
|
RE: Hitch question, will this work?
There are 2 calculators at:
Can my truck carry this camper??
Hitch Extension Calculator
|
bjbear
|
04/06/12 09:45am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Is this too much?
travelnutz - my truck is not a 4x4, don't know if that makes a difference.
CamperJeff - The owner's manual on my 2005 S&S Ponderosa Model #9.5SC says the dry weight is 2815# but it doesn't say what it includes; I recalculated and if I add in 30 gals fresh water (assume grey and black empty) at 8.5lbs per gal = 255 for water, +2 x 30lb propane tanks, +50 pounds batteries +500 lbs of stuff = 3680#. And I think your Ford has a greater GVWR and carrying capacity then my Chevy.
We have a weigh station in Chandler I'm going to have my DH drive over to and get the truck weighed with a full tank and then get it weighed again later with the the TC on it to be exact.
Thank you all for being so patient with me, it's tough to learn all this when I never paid attention to my vehicles except to figure out where the gas goes!
That's the best thing you can do at this point (weigh the vehicle). Once you know your axle weights both with and without the camper on, then you can make an informed decision based on the published limits for your truck. Then we can all get into the discussion about what truck specs you need to adhere too (again)!!!
|
bjbear
|
04/02/12 11:03am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Rear Axle Weight Rating & Scale Weight Question
The weight of the axle/tires/wheels/springs is included in the GAWR. That is the way it is. Quit fighting it. That is standard practice all over the auto and truck industry, has been for many decades and will be for many more to come. Accept it and move on.
What he said!!
Personally, I respect the axle and tire ratings and do not exceed them willingly. GVWR and GCWR are another matter and I personally believe there is some MINOR wiggle room there with well thought out mods.
|
bjbear
|
03/30/12 05:45pm |
Truck Campers
|
