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RE: Folding Chair
Tried these at the Rally, and seem to have really good support. Type in "Strongback chairs" in your search engine. Sounds like just what she needs.
X2
Over the years, we have tried many "camp chairs". Most don't have enough support, a few do, but, are still huge when folded. Found the Strongback Chairs (we got the "Zen" model). They have good lumbar support; I've got a crushed disk and DW has a fused L-S section), they are lightweight and they fold up just like the regular "stow in a tube" style camping chair. They also have a "firm" seat, so, as opposed to a regular tube style collapsible chair, you don't feel as though your hind end is in a bucket. Easy to get into, easy to get out of (and won't cut off the circulation in your legs) and, best of all, great for our backs!
Strongback Chairs
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webslave
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04/16/12 09:19am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: What pin box should I consider
I recommend the Trail Air Tri Glide to handle both chucking and porpoising. It will make you feel better going down the road and save wear and tear on the trailer.
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt360/yobo17170/Cougar%205th%20Wheel/triglidetrailair.jpg
X2
Despite some folk's loathing of anything Lippert, this hitch takes care of both motions; fore and aft like the MORyde and up and down as with the 5th Airborne unit. The Demco unit is similar to the MORyde unit in that it only cushions the fore and aft motion, but, it uses mechanical linkage similar to the Tri Glide portion of the Tri Glide TrailAir pin box.
You need to examine the motion(s) that you are trying to control or eliminate; fore and aft, then MORyde or Demco (rubber block vs. mechanical linkage) or up and down, then 5th Airborne or TrailAir or both fore and aft along with up and down, then Tri Glide TrailAir.
If you want to control both axis movements you could also go with one of the air suspension hitches (BD3) coupled to a MORyde or Demco pin box.
I love both my B&W Companion hitch and my Tri Glide TrailAir. Aside from the weight (how can you not know that there is a ton sitting in the box...?) I wouldn't know the trailer was there. No tugging, no bucking...it just floats along behind the truck.
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webslave
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04/15/12 03:28pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How long did your st tires last?
I had 4+ years and 48,294 miles on the Duro ST radial tires that came on the trailer ('08 FunFinder 210WBS) I traded in on my new 5ver. Kept them covered when not on the road, didn't overload, kept them aired to sidewall max and never went over 63 mph sustained on them (the occasional downhill coast, but, never over 70 mph - ST tires are only speed rated to 65 mph.) The tires looked like new and still had many miles of tread left on them when I traded the trailer in. Spoke to the "new owner" of the trailer and he wanted to know if the tires were new...
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webslave
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04/12/12 03:45pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: When do you decide to level left to right??
I, too, have a large level assembly attached to the pin box that I can see while backing up. I always set up "out of level" by one block with the street side low. This does two things for me; keeps the A/C drainage flowing to the street side (not off the awning/patio side) and makes the waste tank drains the "low point" in the tank/piping layout to aid in draining those. One block (~1") over the width of the trailer is not noticeable to us and keeps things flowing away from our "outside living area" and towards the drains. Leveling L to R is always done first after the overall locating of the coach on the site. Many times, by watching the level in the mirror, I can put the coach in a spot that doesn't even need blocks by pulling forward or going backward a foot or two.
I carry two sets of the Lynx type blocks and whatever doesn't go under the tires for leveling, goes under the stab jacks in the rear (they are most effective when run down less than 50% of their capacity) or under the sewer hose for additional support on really long runs when needed. Even use a couple under the third step of the entrance stairs for added stability...many uses for those little plastic interlocking squares; limited only by your imagination.
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webslave
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04/10/12 08:41am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Surge protectors?
I own one. Actually, I own two; a 30 amp from a TT that we no longer own and a 50 amp version for the 5ver we currently have. I know from the few times that they have cut off the power that they were doing their job. I plug it in, it runs all the tests that I would do with a meter, while I'm doing other things, if the circuits check out, it turns on the power to the coach, while I'm doing other things, and then when I'm done and relaxing or long after I've gone to bed, it continues to "watch" the power for potential trouble. Could I have survived without one? Who knows. I know the fellow next to me in Albuqurque that lost his A/C, household type refrigerator and satellite receiver was shopping for one on the day we pulled out since he had to wait a couple of days for repairmen and parts...
For the modest cost of having one vs. the inconvenience, cost and aggravation of not having one, you can count me in the "yes we have one" group.
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webslave
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04/09/12 02:46pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Surge Guard Noise
I have two of those units (Surge Guard by TRC), one 30 amp from my TT and a new 50 amp for the 5ver, I carry both for whatever power I happen to be using with the 5ver. Both are the portable type, both hum and both have hummed since new. Was told that was normal and from what I know of high power relays, it is. I've seen others Progressive units (portables) and they, too, hum. I think it is the nature of the beast...indoor UL approved relays in power conditioners I've worked with (retired IT Systems Design) also hum and that hum is the main reason I stay with outside units...I do want the protection, but, I don't need the hum inside the trailer, outside at the pedestal is just fine by me.
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webslave
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04/02/12 09:27am |
Tech Issues
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RE: pvc for sewer hose
This is what I made for our bumper pull before we got our current 5th wheel:
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt360/yobo17170/Misc/P1000125.jpg
A 5x5 fence post cover (so that a 5" plastic gutter for a tray would fit inside and the 90 degree elbow would fit), caps, SS handles and bungee cords to retain them.
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt360/yobo17170/Misc/P1000126.jpg
The orange storage box contains other waste piping essentials; disposable gloves, gate valve, rubber donut, clear pipe extension, etc. The tray in the pipe holder also contains the telescoping hose support and legs.
Haven't decided if I'll make another for the 5ver. On the FunFinder, the waste pipes were in the back and it made sense to keep the stuff back there, but, the storage was in the front. In the 5ver, the waste pipe is in the middle and I'm certainly not short of storage in the basement, so, for the time being all my "hook up" stuff is in bins and very handy to the hookups. The most maddening thing right now is the power connector is on the very back of the 5ver and the best storage area is in the very front...I've got to lug the 50 amp cord all the way from the front to the back and reverse that to leave. It floors me that they didn't put the power connector at the same location as their "utility center", would have been much more convenient and would have been a shorter cable run to the converter for them...another mod coming on :B
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webslave
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04/01/12 04:53pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: cruiser RV owners group
The same two groups above... Any CruiserRV product. I'm not aware of a just View Finder, or just Enterra group. There may be groups for specific subsets of the CruiserRV company, but, I'm not aware of any personally.
Both groups were formed/created back when CruiserRV was developing other lines besides their FunFinder series and the Cikira crowd (former CruiserRV) is along also since the two are virtually identical. Since the Cikira's age means most of them are off the road and FunFinder is the first and largest grouping of the CruiserRV company, you will find that most members are FunFinder owners, but, most of the differences are in outside design and whether they are toy haulers (the FunFinder Xtra). The floor plans among the various CruiserRV offerings are basically the same with price and amentities being the variables, i.e., the Shadow Cruiser is basically a down scaled FunFinder, the ViewFinder started out as the V nosed version of the FunFinder,but has grown to represent the fiberglass nosed, both V and aerodynamic, series while the Enterra is their venture into a high end rig, etc. Both groups welcome all CruiserRV owners and since the units are basically the same, mechanically, they can be of help to any and all owners.
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webslave
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04/01/12 04:28pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: cruiser RV owners group
I used to own a FunFinder 210WBS...they didn't make 5vers, so, as much as I hated to, I bought another brand. I really liked my FunFinder, know the guy who bought my old one and he is quite pleased with the trailer and my mods.
Here's the group I was/am still a member of:
FunFinder Owner's Club
It says FunFinder in the name, but, once you get to the site, you'll find that they cover all the CruiserRV models from the old Cikira line up to the newest Enterra models. Nice bunch of folks. A couple of "rotten eggs", but, every group has those.
There is a Yahoo group, of which I'm a member, but, there wasn't a lot going on there and I haven't been back for a while, particularly since I'm a Keystone guy now...
Yahoo Shadow Finder and FunFinder Group
There are probably a few others now, but, at the time I bought my FunFinder, they were the two "major players" for the CruiserRV line.
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webslave
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04/01/12 12:45pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Another Slide Question
Slides may be left open or closed when in storage. There are ADVANTAGES to leaving it closed which are mostly just keeping items from seeing excess wear. Slide toppers can be weakened somewhat and faded due to sun exposure, roofs are somewhat effected by the sun also. Open leaves the sides of the slide room exposed to UV rays and weather also. None of these would PREVENT me from leaving my slide open if using the RV or even in storage if there were any REASON to do so.
On the OTHER side of the coin, an open slide in many cases provides sun shield for tires on that side of the RV SAVING them from RV radiation. OOPS I MEANT to say UV radiation :)
Good luck / Skip
What Skip said...no sense in exposing seals, gaskets and slide tops/toppers to UV exposure needlessly. If you aren't going to be in it on a regular basis giving you a reason for leaving them out, you might as well save the wear and tear on them by keeping them closed. Even the shading of the tires should be a non-issue...you should have your tires covered with purpose built covers, in any event, as a good storage practice.
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webslave
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04/01/12 10:52am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Recommend your camping chair!
I use and love the Strongback folding chairs:
Strongback Chairs
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0040/0362/products/BLUE_sling_1_large.png?100077
I like the storability of the folding bag type chairs (compact tubes) that don't take up a lot of storage space in the basement and, as opposed to regular folding chairs, take up an immense amount of storage space or have to stored hanging, exposed to the elements, on the rear ladder to save said space. These chairs have a nicely angled back, a straight seat that doesn't sag (I don't like the regular compact chairs that sag so that you feel like you are sitting in a bucket, cut off the circulation by cutting into the back of your legs and are awkward to get out of), and built in lumbar support that is quite comfortable on my bad back. It doesn't have a foot rest, but, I have little footstools that also fold into flat 10"x10" little bags for getting my legs up. I carry 5 of these Strongback Chairs in my basement along with two folding tables (again tube type storage) and they don't take up the space of two regular type folding chairs/recliners.
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webslave
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04/01/12 10:45am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Extension Hose To Attach Portable Grill To Camper Gas?
If you are going to try and use your grill "stock", and it has a built in regulator, you cannot use the quick connect on the side of your trailer. Can't be done (effectively) no matter what connector assembly you use. If you are going to use the grill with its own regulator, you have to "T" into the high pressure line between the tank and trailer's own regulator assembly so that you get unregulated LP to the grill. Can be done and many people use said adapters, the most popular being Stay a While or similar, either the whole kit or just the "T" and you supply your own hoses.
If you want to use the low pressure "quick connect" fitting on the underside of your trailer with your grill, you can't use a grill with a regulator still attached. You either have to buy or have a grill designed for RV low pressure use (a lot of trailers come with one) that already has the regulator removed or you have to have a grill that is built such that the regulator is separate from the gas control valve and can easily be removed...the Weber Q series of grills are one such and are very popular. Easy to convert, well made, compact and they cook quite well.
Here's a post the I had put up on the 5ver page concerning the conversion:
Weber Conversion
Here is a site that sells any of the above pieces of "conversion" equipment you might need, from the Stay a While type "T" connectors and hoses, to the conversion pieces you might need if you are going to remove the regulator from your current grill (you don't mention the brand of new grill you have; it may or may not be a candidate for conversion):
Conversion or High Pressure "T" supplies
Again...if you are going to use your grill with its regulator attached, you have to tap into the line between one of your supply tanks and the trailer's regulator or you have to remove the grill's regulator in order to convert it to use the low pressure quick connect on the trailer.
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webslave
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04/01/12 09:40am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Weber Q120 - Regulator??
You can get all the quick connect parts from one place...maybe not the cheapest, but, I've always had good service from them. A couple of weeks ago I was having trouble ordering through their website; they were doing some kind of upgrade and I couldn't check out. Used their toll-free number to order some parts to convert a friend's Q120.
These guys have connectors and hoses in various "pre cut" lengths, or, they will make you a custom hose to your specifications...
RV Quick Connect Supplies
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webslave
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03/31/12 07:54am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Front Caps and Towing
I have a short bed RAM (6.5') and a 318SAB Cougar on a Companion hitch. They, too, advertised 88 degrees which I could easily do... I replaced the stock pin box with a Tri Glide TrailAir unit and it is a tad longer than the stock pin box. I can now, easily attain 90+ degrees. I, personally, strive never to get in the situation where I would need 90 degrees (very bizarre what a 90 degree pivot does to the tires and axles...I saw another camper do it one time by accident; he had gotten himself into a "fix" and was trying to get out of it) and to date have been successful in avoiding that situation, but, it is comforting to know that I can attain it without the use of a slider. The Companion hitch breaks into two pieces that I can get out of the truck solo; I'd need a hoist or leave the hitch coupled to the king pin to get one of those heavy sliders out by myself.
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webslave
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03/28/12 08:23am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: What do like to see ,or do when traveling?
We like history, museums, Native American, factories (Corvette Factory in Bowling Green KY & Boeing in WA, etc), scenic drives, bridges, waterfalls, caves, mountain tops, locks and dams, and weird things.
X2
Thanks! Saves me a lot of typing. :B
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webslave
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03/23/12 03:27pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Gree Rooftop Air Conditioners
The only thing that would concern me a bit about the Gree...the height. If, as on my Cougar, the second A/C mounting point is at the highest point of the trailer (front bedroom vent), then their height, at 14.7" could be an issue and would most likely put you over 13'... I went with a Briskair to stay under that 13' mark.
Just a thought...
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webslave
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03/22/12 09:41am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Do you guys take wood with you to the campsite?
Never.
I own wooded property, in a wooded part of the state and know first hand of the dangers of not just beetles, but, fungi and disease. There are laws now in most states governing the transportation of wood and they are in place for a reason. I, personally, am not willing to endanger anyone else's trees for the sake of saving a few bucks to have a fire that is not truly necessary to the "outdoor experience" and would prefer that others not endanger mine. While many feel the "need" to have a fire and "camping" (I still, after all these years of RVing have trouble with it being equated to "camping") is just isn't camping without it, there is truly no reason to even have a campfire to begin with. Many campgrounds now don't even have fire rings...they are a fire hazard, a mess for the CG owner and an eyesore for many RVers. How many of us have pulled into an otherwise nice site to discover that the fire ring is full of partially burned trash, surrounded by cigarette butts (I'm a smoker and it offends even me) and other disgusting debris that we can't put a name on?
I'm old enough to remember Dutch Elm Disease, Chestnut blight and the first outbreaks of the Gypsy Moth and the devastation that they brought on the Alleghenies. Now there are bugs and diseases that are attacking the evergreens of the western states... If you can't afford the fire, do without or get an LPG facsimile. I've got a Campfire-in-a-Can that does quite well for ambiance and cooking hotdogs and s'mores. Use it mostly in fire ban areas when I feel the need for a "fire" and it does quite well and as a side benefit, it doesn't generate smoke that chases me around all night.
I do not disagree with the band on carry firewood but I do disagree with you on not needing a campfire when I camp. If you are going to go camping in the outdoors for the purpose of living like folks did many years ago then yes a campfire is needed for cooking such as I do. And no LP is not the same thing. I can never understand folks that camp in big luxory condos on wheels and never step outside of their condo on wheels but say they go camping. If you do not like the campfire smoke then stay in a hotel.
But like you say just my 2 cents.
Agreed. I respect rules of not bringing wood in, but get irritated with those who say 'there is truly no reason to have a campfireto begin with". Let them speak for themselves. Last I checked, I camp for pleasure and to me a campfire IS one of the pure pleasures of camping. Some could say he doesn't "need" that Jayco to camp in for that matter.
GOTTA HAVE THE CAMPFIRE OR IT'S NOT CAMPING!
The smoke chasing me was "tongue and cheek" humor, nothing more. Lighten up folks. As for the "Gotta have...it's not camping", what do you do in fire ban areas? As for camping itself? I'm an old backpacker...that's camping, not rolling into a campground with $70,000+ of rolling stock complete with 110v appliances, queen sized beds and air conditioning. I have pictures of my great-great in-laws camping. Fire? You bet, right in front of 3 tents in the middle of a pacific northwest forest someplace...no running water (well there is a creek in the background, no electric lights, no refridgerators, no bathrooms...camping. Pleasure? There are lots of things that many folks find pleasurable, but, some of them are regulated for the benefit of all. Pleasure does not connote "need". Sheesh.
The question was do you take firewood with you? The overall consensus is that most of us don't; and for the good reasons as stated. Those reasons are numerous and the laws are in place. Do you respect the science behind them and the laws that enforce them? Like any other laws, some do and some don't. Just like any other laws, those that don't follow them won't be convinced, those that do, don't need convincing.
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webslave
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03/21/12 08:56am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Hot water heater by-pass valve position
Sounds like they are in the correct orientation. To be sure, until you've verified their correct positioning, remove the exterior water heater panel and give the pressure relief valve a short lift while still under pressure (either water pump or shore water). If the valves are correctly positioned, you should get water out of the pressure relief spout. If you don't get water, the valves aren't correct (unlikely). Common valve assemblies are set up such that the valve handle being perpendicular to the pipe shuts off flow, handle aligned with pipe allows flow.
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webslave
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03/21/12 08:05am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: B&W companion ?
The B&W has many things going for it. It comes off leaving the bed flat. It comes off and has the goose-neck ball that fits into the socket for those of us that haul both types of trailers. It separates into two pieces that allow even me (bad back, RA) to remove the hitch without the need for hoists or leaving it connected to the pin box. It has the cushioned 4-way tilt head. It has tight fitting locking jaws. It has a very responsive manufacturer (so I've heard; I've never had a moments problem with mine).
What's not to like? Can you tell I love mine? Rock solid, durable, quiet and my choice of hitch in its price bracket. Not the cheapest, not the most expensive, but, worth every penny I paid for it and will always be my hitch of choice.
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webslave
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03/21/12 07:59am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Do you guys take wood with you to the campsite?
I'm sorry if my post implied that I have anything against a campfire. I enjoy them as much as the next person, however, I pay for my wood; never as much as the OP stated, but, I pay for the privelage of having one. My ancestors used campfires to cook on too, but, as soon as they could afford a woodstove, they bought one and used it. Because the early humans used a campfire to cook on does not imply that it is required nor, necessarily better. If "historically" correct, a person should forgo showers/baths except once a month as my ancestors did, keep your cold stuff in the creek instead of a refrigerator, go to bed when it gets dark because there weren't any lights except for expensive candles or oil lamps that were only used on special occasions; yes, I had relatives that "lived in the good 'ole days" and each and everyone gave up those things for modern conveniences, not a single one of those relatives thought it was "better" to have to cook over a wood fire or not have refrigerator (ice box) to keep perishables in. In light of the modern dangers of disease/insect transport, certain modifications to behaviour are going to have to be made, not just by some, but, by all of us in order to guarantee that our children will know what an ash tree is, or a redwood, or, hopefully soon, a chestnut tree (there is promise of a new engineered strain of the American Chestnut that is immune to the Chestnut Blight).
If there is no fire ban, a fire ring is available and firewood can be purchased locally, I'll be around the campfire like everyone else, however, while my LP campfire is not a "perfect" replacement, it is quite acceptable, to me, for use where fire bans are in effect or there are no CG provided fire rings or the local firewood is prohibitively expensive (like the $20/bundle the OP talks about). Where a fire ban is in effect, when I fire up the LP campfire, I find that I've discovered many new "friends" from all over the CG. Yes, I, too, prefer wood, but, have the ability to "go with the flow" and change my means and behaviour for the future generation's enjoyment of a forest that has more than one kind of tree left in it. If it is locally available and a fire is allowed, I'll burn it, if there is a ban or the wood is too expensive, I'll use the LP campfire, if even that is prohibited, I'll do without, but, in any event, I don't have to have a fire to enjoy the great outdoors or good company.
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webslave
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03/20/12 02:36pm |
General RVing Issues
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