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RE: rv cover
I bought a Tyvek cover from CW as a result of the current sale. I think most of it is a matter of setting expectations. It is what it is.
I live on a large-ish wooded lot. This has a number of benefits. It's pretty, lots of nice shade, and room enough to park a toyhauler without any of the associated problems of a normal housing development.
One of the downsides is that there are very few places to park that aren't under a tree. And no, while I've trimmed them back as much as practical, I'm not cutting the trees down.
I had plans on setting up a carport or other structure, but that hasn't materialized yet, and while I clear the leaves and such off of the roof of the trailer weekly, the debris is staining and aging my little over a year old toyhauler dramatically.
Every small trip requires exterior cleaning. And that is mostly ignoring the quickly blackening roof. The decals and other trim pieces were not going to last much longer.
I decided I needed to do something (anything) quickly, or I would end up in a state where the damage got beyond being able to clean up, no matter how hard I worked.
So I gave everything a through cleaning (including the roof) and put the cover on. My TH is a simple angled box, so works pretty well with the generic cover. No, it's not custom fit, but ok in my case.
I am familiar with the material used from other covers I've had, it's expected life, etc. I will be happy if I can get a couple of years out of it, and hope it won't do any serious damage.
I put it on by myself. Wasn't easy, but probably took about a 1/2 hour to an hour. I recommend pre-arranging the cover on the driveway before getting it on the roof. I set it up so I could roll it from the back to the front. I just went a bit down one side, move the ladder, a bit down the other side, and so forth. Better to have two ladders and two people, of course.
Like I said, not easy, but doable. A cover that size (and I have a SMALL one) is too heavy to drag around much. It's own weight can tear it.
If it works out, I may buy a replacement every few years, but hopefully I'll have some sort of enclosure by then.
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Smilodon
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11/10/08 08:41am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Daytona Bikeweek
Huh...... why would you want to stay at Daytona Race Track for "Bike Week" ?
Believe it or not, a small minority do actually go to bike week for the races. Staying in the infield would be cool for the race fans if the prices were a little less extreme.
But, it almost sounds in line with the extra charges at some of the nearby campgrounds (from what some others have posted here). Nearly as good as some of the gouging the hotels do.
I've been going to bike week for 30 years or so, but never stayed overnight at the track (well, except sleeping in my car during the 24 hours).
I noticed quite a few vacancies at the hotels at Biketoberfest this year. Hopefully, the econmy will make them rethink their pricing policies.
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Smilodon
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10/24/08 12:04pm |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Daytona Bikeweek
I've been going for many years, but only recently got an RV, so not much experience there. I'm fairly close by, but when the new camping area was opened in the infield, I thought I'd give it a try for fun.
Well, it's too expensive for me, even during Bikeweek ($295 for Biketoberfest!). So still haven't done it.
There are various camping areas in the infield, some very nice ones with hookups (club house, paved, etc.), down to just a spot to park and permission to stay overnight.
There is also a more reasonable (no hookup) area outside of the infield outside of NASCAR turn one/two.
I'd recommend contacting the track directly. I checked the website, which normally has the infield rates, but they don't have next year's Bike Week listed yet.
I'm sure there are others on here with some actual experience in this area, but thought I'd chime in with what I know.
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Smilodon
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10/23/08 08:41am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Personal Emergency GPS Tracker
The AMA is offering a membership discount on the SPOT tracker at the moment. Just an FYI in case you happen to be a member.
http://www.ama-cycle.org/
I'm planning on getting one before my next big bike trip. There are ultra-plenty places where cell phones don't work, even on simple back-road asphalt, let alone off-road.
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Smilodon
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10/22/08 11:01am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Tie Down Bar w/"J" hook
Have used mine 3 times already including a 1,000 mile round trip with two sportbikes to ME - worked as advertised. Easy to setup and highly adjustable, works with all type of bikes so you can not go wrong.
Picture:
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/mknj235/For%20Sale%2008%20YZ250F/Boltiton.jpg
Wow my toyhauler just sprouted some new bikes! :B
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Smilodon
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10/08/08 01:53pm |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Tie Down Bar w/"J" hook
As I have stated in other threads where this came up, I can second that is is a fine product, and highly recommended.
Here's mine loaded for a track day:
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/Smilodon_Industries/Barber%20STT%20Track%20Day%202007/BarberPacked.jpg
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Smilodon
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10/07/08 10:43am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Staying a night in a loaded toyhauler
I can sleep all but two with two bikes across the back. Lower the bed down to the top of the bikes and its useable, could fold out both other beds if need by but only slept two with bikes in so far. Fifth wheel helps.
Just as an aside, I've run into the "can't lower the couch because of the toys, can't lower the bed because of the couches" problem myself. I bought a couple of small turnbuckles from the hardware store and adjusted them so that the couch can be lowered enough to clear the bed without hitting the toy(s). Pretty easy fix.
when using my FB1900 for "further away" track days (more than one day drive), my wife and I have slept in it on the trip up and back with the bike in it (haven't tried with the bike and pit scooter yet, but shouldn't be a problem).
You just need to make sure that the toy clears the bed when lowered. And the turnbuckle mod I mentioned above.
It's usually just an overnighter, and stopping at a full-service place on the way home allows me to empty the tanks (at my leisure) before returning home.
Eating breakfast is a bit of a hassle, but we've eaten outside, using folding chairs inside, or just stopping someplace on the way out.
I haven't had any problem with gas smell, but an off-roader may vent a little more than an (ex) street bike.
Don't do it for an extended time, and you can make do. Not a big deal.
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Smilodon
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09/24/08 08:04am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Anyone going to Indy Moto GP?
Yeah, I have a bit of experience with Barber. I've camped there a couple of times, both in the pits and the spectator areas. From my F-1 (non-camping) experience, I think you'll find Indy to be a completely different deal.
The track is huge, and has obviously been there for quite a while (the MotoGP will be the 100th anniversary). While the track holds a lot of property in the area, most of the "facility" is in the infield. Outside of the track is fairly developed. The main "official" parking/camping area is a field across the street.
Picture something like Daytona without vehicles/camping in the infield. It's more like staying in a field near the track, rather than in the facility. Not bad (cool atmosphere), just different.
I'll be interested in hearing the in's and out's of camping there. I imagine there are some Indy/NASCAR folks on here with LOTS of experience, so hopefully they will chime in as well.
I think they will be letting bikes in the infield for the MotoGP race, so that will be new (for them) as well.
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Smilodon
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08/29/08 08:01am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Anyone going to Indy Moto GP?
I would also be interested in a follow-up on the experience at Indy and how you utilized your motorcycle during the event.
I wanted to hit the inaugural Indy MotoGP, but not really able to get all the pieces together this go-around. Taking the toyhauler (and bike) was one option we were seriously considering.
We have a little experience with Indy (the inaugural Formula 1 race), but that was a fly/rent car/hotel sort of thing. So still a little unfamiliar with the camping experience there.
And it should have a little bit different twist being a bike event.
Maybe next year!
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Smilodon
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08/27/08 08:48am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Post photos of your toyhauler
Morning at the track...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/Smilodon_Industries/Barber%20STT%20Track%20Day%202007/MorningPitSetup1.jpg
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Smilodon
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08/13/08 11:20am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Toy Hauler with a 1/2 ton truck
Pulling my WW FB1900 with a 2007 Tundra, and I feel it is nicely matched to the job. A lot depends on the options on the "1/2 ton" truck, too. The range of engines and drivetrain options offered on trucks makes one "1/2 ton" truck a lot different than another as far as how comfortably it tows a given load.
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Smilodon
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07/24/08 10:38am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Learning Everything the Hard Way
Husband burned entire upper body when hot water tank blew up. Learned not to trust on the road repair shops that work with adjustable wrenches and leave gas lines loose. Click, Click, Click, BOOM!
Boy, that one doesn't sound too good (or too funny). Hope the injuries weren't that serious! :E
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Smilodon
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07/11/08 02:53pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Wheel Chocks for street bikes
I'll post another plug for my bolt-it-on system. A great solution, depending on your needs.
From another thread here
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Smilodon
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07/09/08 01:24pm |
Toy Haulers
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RE: securing a bike for travel
Great solution right here Bolt It On
I've got one of those and can't recommend it enough if it fits your needs...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/Smilodon_Industries/Barber%20STT%20Track%20Day%202007/BarberPacked.jpg
Still have the same issue of how tight to tie things down though.;)
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Smilodon
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07/09/08 07:05am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: NOT Shopping today..
Too bad, you missed the big "4 days after the 4th" sale they always have in July... Sadly, pretty much all the deals are just for that one day...;)
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Smilodon
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07/08/08 09:44am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: securing a bike for travel
Hello, I'm new to the toyhauler part of RVing and was wondering about securing a dirt bike for travel. Is it better to pull the tie down straps to the point where there almost isn't any more more travel in the suspension or leave it a little loose? Now, when I say loose, I know I don't want it flying around back there, but, should the bike be bouncing a little, or as solid as a rock? Thanks
The general theory is that you shouldn't pull the tiedowns until the suspension is nearly fully compressed. It can damage the suspension/fork seals, and puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the tie-downs and tie-down points unnecessarily.
Of course, you don't want it loose enough the the straps can "bounce" loose when you hit a bump. I tend to have mine pretty solid, but that doesn't take anywhere near full compression. The bike won't move on it's own, but you can push down on the bike and still have some travel.
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Smilodon
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07/08/08 09:35am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Info on Lite weight TH
I looked at, and was very impressed with, the Fun Finder XT (200 in my case). I would have bought one, but couldn't find the right deal, so ended up with my WW FB1900, which I am happy with as well.
Of course, in today's market, it probably won't be hard to find a deal on what you want...
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Smilodon
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07/08/08 09:28am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: towing 18' weekend warrior?
Like 43Duc, I pull an WW FB1900 with my 2007 Tundra (see sig pic). Since you are saying 18ft., I assume you are talking about a SuperCross, which is lighter than my FB.
Depends on how your 1/2 ton is equipped engine and "tow package" wise, but it shouldn't be a problem with a WD hitch and a good brake controller.
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Smilodon
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07/07/08 07:26am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Best way to haul an UTV inside or outside your Toyhauler
It came with it on there. He hasn't figured out how to get it off yet!
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Smilodon
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07/03/08 07:28am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Toys I wanted to buy and passed up
I've always been a musclecar fan, even back before they were "hip" and were relatively cheap, so the "I could have made a million" deals I passed up are legion.
But as to toys I really would have bought, it would have to be a mint, stock 1967 Corvette 427 Roadster... $8500. I could just barely swing the money, but the insurance at my age then was the big killer. So, no sale (but a nice test drive!).
I finally ended up finding my true dream car (a 1969 Z/28 hugger orange with white stripes, $5000), so all was not lost. I kept that for many, many years, but I still wanted that vette on occasion.
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Smilodon
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07/02/08 08:27am |
Toy Haulers
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