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RE: 3rd vehicle strictly for towing? Need advice.
The 1500 GM twins are rated to tow 8100, and I'd have no problem towing 9500+ with it, after a few aftermarket upgrades. The main problem with buying used is being sure you're getting the best gearing. And the best gear for towing tends to work better in-town than the standard / economy gearing. In this case, you'd want the 3.42:1 axle, not the 3.08:1 ( I'm assuming 2WD considering your location and intended usage )
Second is finding one that also has the towing option, from GM. This isn't as big a deal, nor as important as the gearing, since all this stuff is cheap and easy to add yourself.
Mods should include swapping in the rear springs from a 3/4-ton, getting some LT-rated rear tires, getting some really good rear shocks, and getting the best brake pads available. Then get the WD set up correctly, likewise the sway control and the electric brake controller, and that's it.
Yeah buy a truck and rebuild it great thinking there.
3.42 axle .really, get something with a 3.73.
It is easy to find a 2500 that hass some miles that will do the job rather then try to make an old horse dance.
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tomman58
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05/20/12 07:27am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: dishes vs paper plates
We normally use the heavy corelle style paper plates and small bowls. We use real bowls for cereal and soups and real dishes for steak sometimes. We buy in large lots at Costco and they last for the season (winter).
Life is about bar-b-cue and not washing dishes LOL
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tomman58
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05/15/12 07:35pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: NICE RV Park/Campground Near Downtown San Antonio
Stone Creek RV Park www.stonecreekrvpark.com $14.50 18905 IH 35 N Schertz tx 78154 passport america 14.50 cash
You might like this it is about 15 minutes out of downtown right off freeway. Simple park but out of the mess of stuff right at Alamo.
We would park right in back of the Alamo and walk a 1/2 block to the riverfront. I think parking was 5 bucks but worth it as was easy in and out.
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tomman58
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05/15/12 05:48am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Trip Planning Software
I've tried the S&M but prefer my own method.
1. I decide where we want to go for a few months.
2. figure route (normally an interstate if going spot to spot, state to state.
3. figure attraction destinations along the way and determine daily travel
4. Use RVreview to find legitimate campgrounds
5. Put data... campground,website, phone, address, cost on Microsoft excel (excel links all web sites.
6. Hop in truck log in to Garmin that days destination, drive, no surprises, no midnight decisions, times dates, and cost already known.
Seems like a lot but we stay in CG's that are reasonable and reviewed. Our destinations are set but we can vary if we find distractions.
Normally we travel 10 to 15 thousand miles a year and to us we've been there done that a lot and keep a running list of our favorites across the US and Canada.
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tomman58
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05/13/12 05:51am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Traveling North Dakota
there is a small town near the teddy park there is also the red river campground which if it hasn't changed had country music every night for free. there is also an outdoor show that is worth the bucks to see.
Other than that ND sucks.
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tomman58
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05/06/12 06:35pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Fuel Issues & Prices - Post 'Em Here!
Ya know when I talk to my barber he is doing fine, when I talk the my RV dealer he is having a great year, when I talk to my cousin the farmer he wants lower fuel costs but is doing well, when I talk to my friend a baker and restaurant owner he is a little slow until summer but doing just fine and expanding.
Point is, with business if you don't have a model or the where with all to market what you have then go flip burgers or do somethin else, period, stop the whine.
Tomman58 our cross country trip to the Pacific last fall helped open my eyes to point you make.
Fuel/energy cost has impacted everything. A local low end country club is down about 35 members from last year so they have a $50K smaller budget. The owner of a local seven screen theater stated this week it is harder to get people to drop money on going to the movies.
Yet I wanted change for a $1 for the gumball machine and stood behind a kid that was not short on food at home who had just bought at least one $8 ticket then dropped $10.50 on popcorn, etc.
Businesses are closing yet McDonalds, Arby's, Dominos and Dunkin Donuts are moving to town or building new locations from scratch.
Successful business models always replace the other type. Those who learn to reduce normal business expenses equal to the increase of energy costs will do OK.
There are new industries being born just because of higher energy costs. Gas is not $.25 like it was in 1973 when I bought my first new car for $2150.
One either increases income or decreases out go. Debt is the wild card in the world today more than energy costs as I see it.
Gale we also drive the USA every year and sometimes go from Mi to Oregon and Washington others to Az and Fl. We are well aware of fuel prices (being on fixed incomes). We see the poverty across the US from the Appalachia's to Texas to Mississippi. This poverty has been there forever and nothing has been done to relieve most of it. We do see businesses closed but then a lot of those I think were marginal to begin with. I agree also that there are a lot of restaurants you can't get seated in because they are full. A lot of those aren't your McDs. We see casinos packed across the country. Concerts public events packed. Bars packed. Costco packed. We never go to Walmart but even the poor pack that store.
The economy is fragile right now but we do witness a slow growth and from family to friends we are seeing most employed and more buying the big items.
If there is anything that needs a hand most it is the middle class but then we have been beaten on for years and now are being reduced further.
Good luck in your travels and there is so much to see and do in our country we never tire of looking and being part of RVing in the USA
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tomman58
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05/05/12 07:41am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Fuel Issues & Prices - Post 'Em Here!
Wouldn't balance be something to think about? No one I've heard from suggests there should be no restrictions on businesses. But oppressive, anti-business government, which necessarily depends on those businesses for income, is...Oh, well.
Ya know when I talk to my barber he is doing fine, when I talk the my RV dealer he is having a great year, when I talk to my cousin the farmer he wants lower fuel costs but is doing well, when I talk to my friend a baker and restaurant owner he is a little slow until summer but doing just fine and expanding.
Point is, with business if you don't have a model or the where with all to market what you have then go flip burgers or do somethin else, period, stop the whine.
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tomman58
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05/04/12 08:38pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: New Maryland state appeals court ruling on Pit Bulls
Yeah, I don't recall any Chawawas on the news for mameing or killing 2yr olds, pit bull more so than not.Statistically, there are more dog attacks by mixes than any other dog; and yet the media typically only reports attacks by pit bulls and pit bull mixes. This is because pit bull attacks (vs. attacks by any other breed) are more news worthy just like what Lindsay Lohan does is more news worthy than what the junky on the street does.
How many of these made the national news?
Newborn dead after family dog attacks (a lab)
Dog breaks free, attacks another at Brevard beach park St Bernard-Lab mix
Three dog bite attacks JRT
Child's Death Following Dog Attack Ruled Accidental Mastiff/Rhodesian mix
Golden woman injured in dog attack Karelian Bear Dog
You are right!
Death and mameing are more newsworthy thana chawawa bite
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tomman58
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05/03/12 06:25am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: New Maryland state appeals court ruling on Pit Bulls
BC Snob is exactly right. My wife is a veterinarian, and she tells me regularly she'd much rather have a pit than a chi-wa-wa. (can't spell that today). The reason that you don't hear about the little yappy dogs being biters is because they typically don't do much harm, and people think it's "Cute".
Media stereotypes are guilty as usual for condemming a breed, rather than the OWNER.
Yeah, I don't recall any Chawawas on the news for mameing or killing 2yr olds, pit bull more so than not.
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tomman58
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05/02/12 07:42pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Fuel Issues & Prices - Post 'Em Here!
Gee wonder if gasoline and diesel prices are also munipulated like the NG price????????????????
From WSJ today
"Energy producers are showing the first significant signs of scaling back their natural-gas output, responding to a glut that has driven prices to the lowest level in more than a decade.
Exxon Mobil Corp., Encana Corp. and ConocoPhillips, among the country's largest natural gas producers, said in recent days they reduced production in the first quarter and pledged to reduce drilling further in coming months. And government data earlier this week showed output in February had the biggest percentage drop in a year.
The production decline could be the beginning of a trend that would help alleviate what has been ..."
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tomman58
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05/02/12 07:35pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: New Maryland state appeals court ruling on Pit Bulls
There are reports (local papers) of renters with pit bulls and pit bull mixes being pressured by their landlords to remove their dogs or leave the premises and owners who rent have already started relinquishing their dogs.
arggg I'm having posting issues
Good, you need to start somewhere!
I don't know of a yellow lab being blamed for ripping some 2 yr olds face off.....pitbull not so.
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tomman58
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05/02/12 11:39am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Towed vehicle safety cables vs chains question
I like Chains! Cables can rot from the inside and never show any problem, they seem to like salt!
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tomman58
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05/01/12 07:40pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Cold Floor
Dave the swap out to another stat isn't a wire for wire deal as it requires an added switch. I don't know the site but there are detailed info on this idea.
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tomman58
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05/01/12 03:42pm |
Toy Haulers
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RE: The one specific suggestion you would make to RV makers...
tomman58: do you really think anybody cares about your opinion of somebody's opinion?X2:B
X3
...but then how could you point out how stupid everybody else is!?!
:R
Seems like you do.......
I guess getting stuff from China is ok
Thinking you can get something for no money will ever happen
and you'll pay for the extra quality
Right.
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tomman58
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04/30/12 01:13pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos
I came up with this last year when the morning sun was too low for the awning to provide any shade. I didn't know of sun screens that attached to the awning back then so I made one.
We used a clean queen sheet and ran clothes line thru the hem. Work the sheet and line into the track on the awning and you have a instant sun shade.
On the bottom I used two coiled dog ties with one end clipped to a corner and the other a weight. This allows me to pull the bottom out but the coils allow the wind to blow the sheet back and forth without straining the awning.
When it's time to put up the awning I just unclip the tie downs and let the sheet roll up with the awning.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/Jimindenver/11%20camping%20trip/P1016247.jpg
Now of course you can pick up one in just about any color at most flea markets for just a few bucks.
I am worryed though that with the electric awnings , winding it up might not be shuch a good idea.
JinD
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tomman58
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04/29/12 05:32pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos
I just got an email from Costco..they now offer an electric hands free paper towel holder! Maybe that will help some, LOL
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tomman58
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04/28/12 06:24am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos
I don't think in all of the hundred or so thousand miles we've traveled that TP unrolling has been an issue.
As for the paper towels we use one of those heavy based vertical holders and it never moves while on the counter and the towels never unroll.
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tomman58
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04/27/12 01:45pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Article on NPS restricting access
Funny how opinions are shown without the root reason being known. Most agencys just do not act on their own whim to irratate the public. most times other factors are engaged for the action.
We scream over a beach but what of so many lands being closed due to lack of funds? What of the intese clear cutting in many areas? What of the many many oil leases on federal lands?
Look for a bone and you will find one out there!
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tomman58
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04/25/12 06:41am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS
carbour404
This sounds really interesting. We are very tech challenged, only have an old trac fone, but we need to figure this stuff out pretty soon. Could you tell us a little more about the Verizon I phone feature?
Thanks, S.F.
I just got a Samsung galaxy 2 from Costco for 49.00.
With the ATT plan I can set up a hot spot for 0.00, nada dollars.
I use the 5G media plan. I didn't do an I phone as don't like the idea of being "locked" into their world only. the androit lets me play in all worlds less apple.
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tomman58
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04/25/12 06:31am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Article on NPS restricting access
It is often worth the time, to get the story from other angles, rather that take one single news source "with a point of view and an agenda" and base your opinion on that source alone.
A simple google search will reveal other sides to this issue, and may change ones thinking on the matter
Why would you want to know the facts when you can read them in this "Conservative" rag?
This is the way the net works find a cause, search for rumor or innuendo, publish, let those from the same ideals rant and froth till none of the original makes sense!
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tomman58
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04/24/12 06:12am |
General RVing Issues
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