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Forum
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RE: Hail Damage Ventline Vent dome replacement
After a good hailstorm you can replace the Maxair cover or the vent cover.
If the hail is big enough to damage the cover check the roof very carefully. Might even be worth having an insurance adjuster inspect it. Better to get a new roof (or RV) now than have water damage in a couple of years.
Once you remover the crank it only takes about 30 seconds to slip on a new cover.
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portablevcb
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05/20/12 07:54am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 32' tt vs 40' 5ver
It does depend a lot on where you want to camp.
The only limitations I have seen are at the older nat forest campgrounds that are not really made for trailers at all. And if you want to camp at unimproved sites you might need to be more selective about your campsite.
If you don't have a favorite area, then don't sweat it. Most campgrounds now are designed around 40ft trailers and motorhome's or will have at least a few spaces for larger rigs. Call ahead if you have any doubts.
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portablevcb
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05/12/12 08:10am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Trailer hit cab
I've come closer going forward than to the rear. Really tight turns in gas station parking lots.
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portablevcb
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05/01/12 09:03pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Front Of Fifth Wheel Very High While Driving
On Dodge Rams, there are lift plates on the rear axle U bolts that you can move. Its sounds scary, but its very doable.
With the truck in Park and chocked, remove the u-bolt nuts and u-bolts. Move the lift plates from the bottom of the axle to the top (resulting in a lower axle). Make sure to place the lift plate back on the top of the stack as you need it to take up the non-threaded space on the u-bolt. Torque nuts back down (I used 140 ft/lbs as my u-bolt diameter is enormous and can handle it).
This easy driveway mod lowered the back of my 4x4 dually by 1.5 inches measured at the tailgate. My 5er now clears the rails much better.
Oh yeah - I forgot to mention, do one side at a time! :W
It may be doable on your 2007 dually but not on the 2009 3/4T that I have.
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portablevcb
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04/28/12 06:57pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How many miles a day ?
Depends.
By myself I will drive 13-14hrs, towing or not. Pull into a parking lot and sleep. Then get up and go again. Have done 700miles in one day towing the fiver. I do tend to make a lot of stops during the day.
I am not retired and have limited vacation time so each day is valuable.
With the wife and dog we'll do 400-500mi in a day when towing. Relaxed driving :)
One day time won't be as important and we'll slow down a bit ;)
charlie
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portablevcb
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04/24/12 10:53am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Front Of Fifth Wheel Very High While Driving
Mine is 4-6" high in front.
Don't worry, I am well under the axle ratings and tire temps remain the same during towing.
Why worry about it if it isn't yours?
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portablevcb
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04/24/12 10:45am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Calculating towing capacity
I towed ours with the first gen Tundra and it did well. BUT, mine had an 1800lb capacity and a tow rating of 7000lb. Our trailer has an 8400lb GVWR but we are usually at 7000lb and an 1100lb pin. I used a non-slider hitch and it weighed under 100lb. I was very careful how I loaded the truck and trailer.
The truck towed it well, but, I added air bags to keep it from hitting the overloads on the big 'swoop' bumps.
In the US there are some folks who overload the Toyota capacity numbers. I would not advocate that, but, some do it.
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portablevcb
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04/23/12 09:37pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Experiences with small Sportsman, Springdale
I'm curious as to why you want a small 5er instead of a TT in that size.
My neighbor has a Springdale TT and likes it.
Because a fiver tows so much better :)
We love our little fiver. Would not own a TT longer than my truck.
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portablevcb
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04/22/12 06:07pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How fast do you tow your 5'er
I don't like being a road block on the highway. I won't travel slower than the trucks in the slow lane.
My old car had tires rated for 180 as well, but, I only went 140 in it :) The motorcycles only up to 120 ;)
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portablevcb
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04/19/12 08:03pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: ecoboost vs F 250 v10
Or get a motorcycle :)
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portablevcb
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04/17/12 10:20pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Break Away switch works fine!
Yep, had mine pull out on a turn. Lucky that I was pulling into a parking lot.
And, yes, even with the Cummins I felt the extra drag of the 4 locked up wheels :)
I do have to admit to only a 7000lb trailer :)
I just routed the wire differently.
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portablevcb
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04/17/12 07:43pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Truck puller w/4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive
really a no brainer for me....i couldn't even back my 5ver up my driveway without 4 wheel drive.
Same reason we have 4x4. Had a 2wd but had to make running start to get fiver into parking space. If you think backing up is difficult, try a slight S shape driveway that you can't go up slowly or stop in the middle of it :)
The rest of the driveway is worse. I'd have to park my 2wd at the bottom of the drive during winter and walk the 200ft to the house. Also nice to not be house bound when there is 18" of snow on the road.
I've only used the 4wd a few of times when towing. Grass slope at camping area. Inclined dirt road to highway (national forest campground).
If you stay at RV parks I doubt you'll ever use the 4wd.
charlie
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portablevcb
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04/15/12 09:01am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Truck/Trailer Height
I wish I could lower mine. I needed a 4wd or would have bought a lower truck. We did get smaller wheels/tires when we bought it.
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portablevcb
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04/14/12 09:46pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How fast do you tow your 5'er
I have ST's, but, have gone up one rating. According to the mfg I am good for 75mph at my load.
I usually drive the speed limit or close to it. 75mph is a little fast for me our here on the interstates so usually around 70.
If in traffic I will sit behind a truck. That makes for a more relaxing drive through cities.
Many of the fleet trucks are governed to something in the 60-65mph range. Easy to sit with them in the slow lane when things are crazy.
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portablevcb
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04/11/12 10:51am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Backing Up Going Down a Steep Hill????
The other difficult part about backing down a hill is being able to pull forward again to correct mistakes in backing. Not as simple as it sounds.
The reason I have a 4wd truck is just to get up my driveway when it is wet/muddy. Taking on a trailer in less than ideal conditions is a disaster. When I had the 2wd truck I almost lost the trailer twice due to lack of traction.
I am also lucky that I can back up the hill to park the trailer. For me that is easier than backing down hill.
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portablevcb
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04/11/12 09:35am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Skyline 5er
We still have ours. Got it 4 years ago and it still does great. We've towed it about 20,000 miles now. Nothing fallen off, nothing broken.
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portablevcb
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04/09/12 05:24pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: what truck do I need
I will compare ours for you.
Weights. Our trailer has a GVWR of 8500lb and empty weight of 5400lb. Our loaded weight is around 7000lb (scale weight). Pin weight is just under 1100lb most of the time.
We had a 2006 Toyota Tundra (4.7L, 180hp). The specifics for that truck had an 1860lb capacity. We towed the little fiver just fine. About 15,000 miles of towing from South Carolina to Seattle. A lot of 6% grades and would easily maintain 60mph. Downhill was even easier. I routinely drove 70-75mph on the interstates. And I even managed to go down a 6% grade without the trailer brakes (long story). I didn't realize they weren't active till about halfway down the 10 mile grade.
I did add airbags to level it. Was very comfortable.
Downside was horrible gas mileage and small gas tank. A 27 gal tank at 8mpg is ok. But, when you get a stiff headwind and it drops to 5 or 6mpg you can watch the need drop like a stone.
It was a great truck for around town. More comfortable than any car I'd had.
Yes, we now have a diesel. I needed a truck with 4WD (just to get up our driveway :) ) so we went shopping for a new one. Found a great deal on the Dodge so ended up with a diesel 3/4T. The truck tows at 75mph up a 6% grade. It is nice to have WAY too much power :)
If you shop for a 1/2T look CAREFULLY. Not all 1/2T are equal!!!!! For example, the same year Tundra I had, the weight capacities went from 1200lb to 1800lb. Now days there are even heavier duty 1/2T trucks.
DO NOT LISTEN TO THE SALESMAN!!! He knows nothing about the trucks. Look at the door sticker of the EXACT one you are looking to buy. Not the one in red that looks just like it, but, the black one you are going to drive away. Same with any 3/4T you might think of buying, or even the 1T trucks. And don't believe them when they say they can ADD stuff to make it better.
After you drive it away it doesn't matter what the salesman said, it's yours!
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portablevcb
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04/05/12 08:58pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Weight restrictions,something to think about...
Bridge weight limits should be taken with a grain of salt. When graded, a two lane bridge will take that weight of vehicle going both directions at the same time. BUT (and it is a REALLY big BUT :) )...most bridges are not regraded during their lifetime in any regular manner. Some may not be at all. So that 100 yr old 18ton bridge may not support a 10ton load.
Having been across MANY bridges in Europe and the US one thing is clear to me. A nice, new reinforced concrete or steel bridge will handle a LOT more weight than posted (times 4 or more depending on how big).
I took 40 and 60ton vehicles across a stone bridge that was rated for 12ton. The cornerstone on the bridge was marked 1375 (yes, 600yrs old). The bridge I would not cross was also marked 12T, but, was a bit longer span, was made of wood that was visibly deteriorated, and spanned a deep drop.
Having said all that, you should not violate any weight limit markings on roads or bridges. They are posted there for your safety. But, also keep in mind that those weight limits might not be accurate and the "weak link" might not support the posted weight.
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portablevcb
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04/05/12 08:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Frame Bent ... HELP -- Need Advice
Thanks for that link. Good info for any trailer.
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portablevcb
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03/31/12 02:43pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: When did we get the right to speed?
I also find it funny for someone or anyone pulling or driving an RV to complain "about other people" wasting fuel."
I think you miss the point. No, I am sure you miss the point. The idea is for all of us to drive more efficiently, regardless of what we are driving and for whatever reason, to conserve a valuable resource. :S
If you feel RV'ing is a "waste of fuel", then maybe you should find another pastime. :B
Nope, you are missing the point. Complaining about speeding being a waste of fuel is ludicrous when you are driving an RV.
Your choice to use excessive fuel by using an RV is just as "dumb" as using excessive fuel by speeding. Doesn't matter if you do it economically or not. I could say that I economically 'speed' by riding a motorcycle.
If you don't understand or like people that speed is fine with me.
Accusing someone of excessive use of fuel when they get over 20mpg while you are getting less than 10mpg is just stupid.
Finally a man of reason, where does the OP get to complain about speeding , and using excessive fuel, when if he tries real hard he can get 11 mpg instead of 10 by driving under the speed limit, and being a safety hazard .
It may only be 1 MPG but that is a 10% reduction in consumption. If the consumption of motor fuel was reduced by 10% on a nationwide basis, that would be something indeed.
And if you drove a car instead of an RV it would be a 200-300% reduction. Multiply that with all the rv's. That would be something indeed.
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portablevcb
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03/31/12 01:57pm |
Around the Campfire
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