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RE: Which 303 protect for fifth wheels
Can I use this in the fiber glass side portions of just the nose cone and decals
Same question came up years ago. I tried some 303 on a small portion of my fiberglass siding. I don't think you would be happy with the results; streaks, not good.
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Durb
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10/28/23 10:07pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Bathroom Fan Upgrade
We had a trailer with the puny fan in the bathroom and a Fantastic Fan in the bedroom. We would set the bedroom fan to draw outside air in, pressurize the trailer, and push it out of the bathroom fan. Worked exceptionally well.
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Durb
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09/28/23 09:46am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How do you decide how much to spend on an RV
I also calculate my cost per night regarding my RV purchases. Prior to buying the fifth wheel, I had 3 tent trailers and a Bigfoot travel trailer; my net cost per night of RV ownership over 30 years was less than a dollar. Right now, with the fifth wheel, my cost per night is around $100. If I were to sell the fiver right now, my cost would approach zero. Of course, this doesn't include maintenance, fuel, and the price of campgrounds.
My strategy is to buy quality gear used, maintain the heck of of it, and sell for a premium. The depreciation alone of driving a new rig off the lot would far exceed my total net RV outlays.
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Durb
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09/28/23 08:36am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Radiator style radiant heaters
We have a DeLonghi Solaris. Its small size allows me to easily to store it in my basement and bring it in when we need it. It will only raise the temperature maybe 20 degrees and is enough to take the chill off, yet sleep comfortably. Not sufficient for only-source heat. 2 nights ago, it got down to 42 outside and our trailer with a lot of windows was at 64 when I got up. Safe and quiet, we give it no thought. I wouldn't have a heater with a red-hot element and a fan. I'm confident it will last longer than I will.
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Durb
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09/25/23 05:05pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: hitch questions (update)
Here is a possible low cost solution. Install rails and use your Patriot hitch. Buy a BedRug bed mat for around $200 and cut out openings for the rails. The mat is thick and will raise your bed to about the top of the rails. Things like lumber and large items slide right over the rails when pushed in. You get the added advantage of having a soft floor to crawl around on. I would also get the additional tailgate mat; a soft seat when you need one.
This is not a good solution if you want a clean bed to haul gravel, bark, or other loose items that need to be shoveled out. I have rails and a BedRug in my truck and I love it. It is 18 years old and still looks great, however I run a tonneau cover and my truck is pretty much a dedicated tow rig. When I need gravel, I have it delivered..
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Durb
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09/19/23 11:04pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How do you decide how much to spend on an RV
I think you answered your own question when you stated the thought of spending $80k puts a knot in your stomach. That knot may not go away once the warm glow of newness wears off. Nice trailer though.
Personal rule for me - pay cash for toys.
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Durb
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09/19/23 06:07pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Seven Feathers RV Resort (Canyonville, OR) to Crater Lake
138 along the Umpqua River is indeed a beautiful road. I've been on it multiple times albeit with smaller gear. I can't imagine it being a problem for your rig. Accessing the highway through downtown Roseburg may take some extra caution.
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Durb
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09/17/23 11:13am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Better options for couches?
Here is an option I took; we had a 127" slide couch covered in bonded leather which was shredding itself as we watched. I replaced the piece with modular furniture designed for a pontoon boat. I fitted pieces to arrive at 127" exactly. Advantages: low cost, modular, lightweight, will fit through a door, durable, different colors, and storage beneath each section. Looks new after five years.
Disadvantages: No recliners or fold out beds, Uncomfortable as is, I raised the back 2" and reclined it a few degrees. Good now, but doesn't compare with the leather recliner I have from Costco. Doesn't look upscale.
We use 2' x 4' plastic folding tables from Costco. The legs adjust for height so they can be coffee tables or counter high. We can sit eight people for dinner in a 31 ft. fifth wheel.
This is an option, most likely not for many, but has worked perfectly for us. We get a lot of compliments and our rig is generally the meeting area for our friends.
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Durb
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09/15/23 07:37pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: 50 amp to 30 amp dogbone
I have a Progressive Industries electrical management box which hangs down from the pedestal and is kind of heavy (probably because I have a security chain on it too). I find the 30 amp pedestal receptacles are generally worn and the 3 wire connectors allow the EMS box to fall off. I use a 50 to 30 dogbone which stays securely in the pedestal. I have a 30 amp main disconnect in the trailer so I am not overloading my 30 amp power cord.
I believe carrying the adapter to be almost mandatory.
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Durb
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09/13/23 08:46pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Teton Pass
If you are concerned enough to ask, 89 south to 26 is an easy tow, however a little longer. Very scenic along the Snake River and Palisades Reservoir. I chose not to do Teton Pass with my gear; probably saved fuel and certainly reduced any anxiety.
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Durb
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09/13/23 08:59am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Fifth wheel chucking (practical help needed)
The last two suggestions are good. Shocks on the trailer reduces the tendency of the trailer to rotate. Filling the water tank has two advantages; Causes the truck to squat a little more and reduces the hitch angle plus increases the polar moment of inertia reducing the rotation of the trailer. Higher quality axle equalization also reduces the tendency to rotate.
Towing nose high is a no-no as it increases the hitch angle. The greater the hitch angle, the more chucking forces relative to bouncing forces that are created by the trailer.
Another cheap but not advisable solution is to put on air bags and harden the rear axle of your truck. You would have to pump your pin box to the max. This would cause your trailer not to rotate and would reduce the chucking forces (fore-aft). The problem is the trailer is still generating the forces and they are now being absorbed by the frame plus all the truck generated forces are being transmitted to the trailer frame and its welds.
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Durb
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09/13/23 08:35am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Fifth wheel chucking (practical help needed)
Unfortunately, all fifth wheels are different and the short ones are more susceptible to generating chucking forces. One thing you might want to check is your Flex-Air pin box. As fifth wheels rotate around an axis and due to the high hitch angle, the pin box pushes down and forward when the tires go over a bump or road imperfection. Check the lower arm of your pin box. If it is pointing down towards your hitch, then it is pushing forward during compression and making chucking worse. Decrease air pressure so it is pointing up.
I too have a 11,000# GVW fiver, 31 ft., and the chucking was horrendous to the point of my wife telling me to sell the trailer half an hour into our first trip. I chose to go with a Trailer Saver TS3 hitch which has geometry just the opposite of your pin box; the hitch retracts when being compressed. Chucking disappeared completely.
You will soon receive comments regarding truck improvements such as shocks; they don't do anything. Your trailer is pushing forward against your frame, completely out of of the suspension vectors.
If you want, private message an email address and I will forward a paper describing what causes chucking and possible solutions. I know it is frustrating; awesome truck, relatively lightweight trailer, and the tow is bad.
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Durb
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09/12/23 09:24am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Buying a fifth wheel with a tow vehicle.
I'm thinking that when the time comes, I will market my truck and fifth wheel as a combo. My trailer is older and the overhang height is too low for the newer trucks. I could see the merit in a turn-key purchase. Much time and money went into making the duo a comfortable, safe, and reliable tow.
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Durb
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08/30/23 11:00am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Route to McCall Idaho
I pulled a 23 ft. boat up 55 from Boise to Lake Payette State Park. A beautiful road but intimidating. My trip was in a pouring rain, and the road follows the Payette River which could have been best described as a long waterfall. No guard rails in many area and a river I could not have escaped from. No way would I do it in winter. There is a pretty decent climb outside of Emmett.
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Durb
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08/16/23 12:51pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Dodge 3500 towing heavy
Welcome to the forum. I have a 2004.5 3500 truck except it is a 2WD dually. It is pretty much the same truck except 10 ft-lbs less torque on mine assuming you have the 5.9 Cummins. My numbers are 21,000# GCVWR and a tow rating of 13,900#. Those numbers can be bumped 2,000# with the 4:10 rear end. These numbers say no to your trailer. However, it wouldn't bother me a bit to hook up and haul your trailer in an emergency.
I have a buddy I camp with a lot that has a 2006 2500 that pulls a large Montana most likely heavier than your trailer. His truck is lifted slightly with oversize tires and a lot of tuner goodies including a noisy 5" turbo back straight pipe and air bags. He has been towing his rig with that truck for seven years now that I know of with no chassis problems. However, he is on his third transmission with the last two being HD built with all the billet goodies and triple plate TC.
I tow 10k# to 11k# with my truck and it is a comfortable, easy tow. MY exhaust gas temperatures will rise on long steep grades. The transmission will get hot around town and on climbs slow enough to keep the torque converter out of lockup. If you have the diesel, an exhaust brake is mandatory. Did I say an exhaust brake is mandatory?
Bottom line, these are stout reliable trucks. The 48RE transmission is a weak link and is most likely a reason for the low tow ratings. I would like to have extra gears, but the 4 speed works and I have had zero issues with mine. I have about 50,000 miles on mine with the trailer hooked up.
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Durb
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08/03/23 09:32pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Air ride pin box question
I have an air hitch, same issue only backwards, the hitch plate slopes upwards during hitching. I find it important to set the trailer pin box height so that when backing into the hitch the trailer weight compresses the hitch some so that is flat against the pin box. No big deal once you get used to it as my hook/unhooks always go smoothly.
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Durb
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08/03/23 09:29am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Itinerary for southern Oregun and northern Cal
If your physical conditioning is good, hike down to Crater Lake on the Cleetwood Cove trail. Then, go for a swim in the lake. I've done this numerous times, and feel like it is a bucket list type outing. Pick a hot day. Watching the shoreline fade away then the crystal clear water turns a dark blue as you swim out, pretty eerie.
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Durb
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07/29/23 08:43pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Handheld air compressor
I have a hand held Makita unit which uses one of my power tool batteries. I use it for my air bags and hitch on occasion which is very convenient. Haven't had the occasion to use it on one of my tires, but it will pump to 80 PSI no problem, albeit slow. I can set the pressure and leave. The inflator will shut off automatically.
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Durb
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07/22/23 07:52am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Tires- LT or ST
Mine were $600 and some change for a set of four three years ago. I doubt they have tripled in price.
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Durb
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06/27/23 10:19am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Strong urine smell in bathroom
You probably have automatic vents for the gray tank under your kitchen counter and under the vanity in the bathroom. If these go bad, and they do, your gray tank will gladly share all its smells with the trailer. I hope your drain valve is not open and you are not hooked up to the park's sewer. If so, and with bad auto vents, you will get to enjoy the sewage smells of all your neighbors. Some people insist on doing this, can't figure out why.
Try filling your traps slowly in the kitchen and bathroom, then wrap plastic wrap over the auto vents with a rubber band. See if the smell goes away. Could be, the auto vents don't open and are causing your traps to siphon dry.
I would also consider previous mice and rats as being an issue. They don't see well, so they pee everywhere to help them navigate by smell. Stick your head in a storage compartment to see if it is worse. Also, remove an electrical outlet to access the inside of a wall, and give the hole a good whiff. No help here as how to remedy.
I hope your problem is from the auto vents; they are cheap and easy to replace. Who knows, maybe the previous owner liked to eat asparagus and urinate in the shower which goes right to the gray tank.
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Durb
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06/25/23 02:24pm |
Travel Trailers
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