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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: handling a fifth wheel
The absolute best backing advice I ever received was from a park owner…
“Keep the truck under the coach.”
For some reason, I understood exactly what he meant. I was cranking the wheel, making wide swings back and forth in a futile attempt to steer the tail of the coach.
After hearing that tip, I slowed my backing speed. Once getting the coach’s turn started I began making smaller steering inputs and simply followed the coach into the parking space. I was amazed at how easy backing became.
As for backing assistance…he also had the best hand signal technique I’ve ever seen:
He bent his arms, elbows at his sides, palms up. Using only his fingers, he gave me a constant “come here” wave. If I needed to move left or right, he folded his fingers to his palms and his thumbs became the signal…thumbs up, wrists rotating to the right or left.
As I neared the final parking spot he moved his hands to the “Five Dollar Foot Long” or “I caught a fish this big!” signal…and then shortened the distance between his hands until finally clasping his hands together. That’s when I stopped. Perfect!
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Washboy
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03/11/10 09:44am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Sewer hose
While you’re out shopping for that new hose, stop by HD or Lowe’s and pick up an 8’ length of vinyl rain gutter and a few “ball bungies”.
Cut the gutter in half and you now have an adjustable hose protector. Lay the gutters on the ground nesting them together for the required sewer connection length. Place the hose into the gutter and secure the assembly with several ball bungies. Connect the hose ends and you now have a discharge hose that’s off the ground, protected from damage caused by hose movement.
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Washboy
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03/09/10 07:31am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Opinions on BFG Commercial TA
One Tough Toothpick
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL419/1417387/2842292/276153544.jpg
Yes...it's a toothpick! It punctured the sidewall on a month old Commercial T/A! As a result, I was seriously concerned about my purchase decision.
After being thoroughly impressed by the toothpick's strength, Sam's Club replaced the tire under their Road Hazard Warranty. Kudos to Sam's Club.
The tires have since been troublefree and still look new after approx 12,000 miles.
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Washboy
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03/03/10 09:24am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Solor panel charger ?
I installed a 12vdc power outlet (they used to be called cigarette lighter sockets)…
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL419/1417387/2842039/272873204.jpg
…wired to the battery side of my disconnect switch with a handy fuse holder, JIC.
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL419/1417387/2842039/272873567.jpg
Prior to storage, I fully charge the batteries with a 3-stage charger and water the batteries if needed. At the storage lot, I turn off the disconnect switch and place my 5 watt solar maintainer in the shower’s skylight.
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL419/1417387/2842039/272873202.jpg
Then, I plug the maintainer into my power outlet.
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL419/1417387/2842039/272873556.jpg
Until recently, it’s worked great for about 4 years…. I forgot to plug the danged thing in last fall and now the battery bank is only suitable for use as a very heavy boat anchor. Yikes!
:S
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Washboy
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02/16/10 09:27pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Finding a reliable A/C roof top dealer
Stag-Parkway, Inc. is in Atlanta. They’re a wholesale distributor for Carrier AirV products.
There are three Carrier RV dealers within 100 miles of Guyton.
Why do I provide this info?
When I was looking for a provider for my 2nd AC unit I searched the internet for the best price. I went to all the local RV dealers for unit and installation pricing. I also asked installers if they would install a unit provided by me. Local pricing was all over the map…several service departments stated they would not install items that were not purchased from them. Some quoted freight charges and delivery times of 10 days to 2 weeks (there’s a BIG stocking Carrier distributor in my city!)
Finally, I came across a local, family owned and operated RV parts and service shop 5 miles from my house. The owner quoted me a price for my unit that was $115 cheaper than I could find anywhere. There was no freight charge. And, he promised to have the unit the next day. He quoted me time and materials for the installation at $60/hour. I paid a 50% deposit and agreed to deliver my coach to his shop the next morning at 8am.
The unit was sitting in the shop when I arrived. He called me two hours later to say the job was complete. I figured installation would cost me $120 plus materials. He presented a bill for $45.00! The installation looks OEM and has been completely trouble free.
So…look for a local shop that can purchase from a local distributor. You’ll likely save a bundle.
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Washboy
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02/13/10 03:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Will this truck pull this trailer
I agree with Donn...
It will “pull” it. But with the Duramax/Allison, the truck probably weighs more like 7,200 lbs empty. Add your hitch, fuel, passengers, and cargo and it’s now…7,600 lbs???
With a GVWR of 9,200 lbs, that leaves 1,600 lbs for additional cargo. If the empty coach’s pin weight is 1,840 lbs you’ll be 240 lbs over the truck’s GVWR without any cargo in the trailer..
If staying under GMC’s GVWR is important to you…then no, the truck can’t carry that coach. But, it will “pull it.”
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Washboy
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02/13/10 12:11pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Rear observation camera?
That's a WAY COOL system...
Here's a link to AudioVox's wireless conversion system for rear view cameras and monitors.
Crutchfield's sells them for $60.
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Washboy
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02/13/10 11:24am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Husky air compressors
I've owned the older, suit case style Husky since '03. Originally purchased to provide my own source of air for the rig's tires while travelling, I have used it for:
1. It's intended use
2. Powering my impact wrench to change a flat on the side of the highway
3. Powering a pneumatic finish nail gun for installing baseboard in my house
4. Pressure testing several plumbing projects
5. Repairing a kicked-in door jamb and trimwork
6. Powering my famous MUDALID trailer leveling system
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Washboy
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02/11/10 09:42am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th wheel tires
Dittos on the BFG Commercial TA. And, they're available at Sam's Club.
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Washboy
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02/10/10 10:40am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Sadly...
I pulled the batteries...what a pain!...now I remember why I decided to leave them on-board and connected to the solar maintainer!
Unfortunately, they're toast! The cases are cracked.
Now, I'm rethinking my battery bank requirements. 440 AH is really overkill for my current RV style. Time spent off-grid has been dramatically reduced over the past 3 years. I'm spending more and more time at "full hook-up" sites now so the inverter is getting considerably less usage. I can probably get by with a single 12v or two inexpensive 6's...I'm leaning towards the single 12v for those occasional fishing trips or weekends at the races/golf tournaments...
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Washboy
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02/10/10 09:05am |
Fifth-Wheels
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Sadly...
I killed my battery bank. Four Trojan T-105s…kaput!
After the last trip, I parked the coach as usual and checked off my storage checklist.
After 10 weeks in the southern condo, I came home with plans to travel for the rest of February, then home by March 15.
I head out to the storage lot and go thru my pre-hookup checklist:
Battery disconnect On
Propane On
Push Genset start switch…
…
Push Genset Start switch, again…
…
Huh?
Turn on inverter/charger control panel…
…
Did I forget to turn on the battery switch? Nope. Blown main fuse? Nope. Remove battery enclosure lid. Batteries present. Check cable connections. Secure. Retrieve multi-meter. Check battery bank voltage. ZERO! Check Genset battery. ZERO! Pop battery caps...
ICE!
WHAT THE…?
Scratching my head, I stepped back inside. My eyes immediately went to the control panel. My heart sunk…the solar battery maintainer is unplugged! Arrghh! I’d placed the charger in the skylite and failed to plug it in!
So much for checklists!
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Washboy
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02/10/10 07:40am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Loud truck horns!
snip...I stood on the brakes and pinned the air horn all at the same time.
snip...We missed him by inches, not feet.
So...Are ya sayin the blast from the air horn created a massive sound wave that bounced off the dang fool's truck and actually assisted in slowing yer rig?
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Washboy
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02/08/10 03:57pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Inverter to Run Coffee Maker
A Melitta coffee maker is another great choice...especially if you prefer drip coffee.
https://shop.melitta.com/images/p121.jpg
I bought a Melitta Cone from the grocery store...in 1969...for 69c. They're only $9.99 now...and that includes the carafe!
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Washboy
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02/08/10 03:36pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Newly Found Video Of Challenger Disaster
"We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'"
Ronald Reagan
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Washboy
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02/06/10 11:58am |
Around the Campfire
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Senior Golfers Exercise
Over the winter, I’ve been doing a three day a week exercise program that was suggested by my Club Pro. It’s intended for senior golfers to build muscle strength in the arms and shoulders. It’s so easy, I thought I'd pass it on.
Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5-lb. potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides, and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, then relax and repeat. Each day, you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer.
After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb. potato sacks. As muscle strength increases you’ll transition to 20-lb, then 50-lb. potato sacks, and eventually you should get to where you can lift a 100-lb. potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.
After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each of the sacks - but be careful.
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Washboy
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02/05/10 10:36am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Is there a way to lock 5th wheel hitch?
I enlarged the holes in the four securing pins and installed brass, keyed-alike padlocks through the pins.
My Husky hitch’s feet (where the base meets the mounting rails) provide additional security. The padlocks are tucked under the feet preventing someone from cutting the lock’s hasps with a bolt cutter or hacksaw.
I have another padlock on the hitch handle to keep pranksters from releasing the hitch. I still check all the attachments and hitch handle when returning to the unattended rig.
BTW, pre-made hitch pins with locks are available at retail.
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Washboy
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02/04/10 10:33am |
General RVing Issues
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Golf Clubs
At dawn the telephone rings, "Hello, Senor Rod? This is Ernesto, the caretaker at your counrty house."
"Ah yes, Ernesto. What can I do for you? Is there a problem?"
"Um, I am just calling to advise you, Senor Rod, that your parrot, he is dead"
"My parrot? Dead? The one that won the International competition?"
"Si, Senor, that's the one."
"Oh! That's a pity! I spent a small fortune on that bird. What did he die from?"
"From eating the rotten meat, Senor Rod."
"Rotten meat? Who fed him rotten meat?"
"Nobody, Senor. He ate the meat of the dead horse."
"Dead horse? What dead horse?"
"The thoroughbred, Senor Rod."
"My prize thoroughbred is dead?"
"Yes Senor Rod, he died from all that work pulling the water cart."
"Are you insane?? What water cart?"
"The one we used to put out the fire, Senor."
"Good Lord!! What fire are you talking about, man??"
"The one at your house, Senor! A candle fell and the curtains caught on fire."
"What?? Are you saying that my mansion is destroyed because of a candle?? !!"
"Yes, Senor Rod."
"But there's electricity at the house!! What was the candle for?"
"For the funeral, Senor Rod."
"WHAT BLOODY FUNERAL??!!"
"Your wife's, Senor Rod", she showed up very late one night and I thought she was a thief, so I hit her with your new Tailor Made Super Quad 460 golf club."
SILENCE . . . . . . . . .. . .
LONG SILENCE . . .. . . . .
"Ernesto, if you broke that driver, you're in deep do doooooooooooooooooo.”
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Washboy
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02/04/10 06:46am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Stop the "bucking"
Just dave,
I looked in the brochure for the trailer and found the Hitch weight. I presumed this is the pin weight.
Bingo!
Don't guess what your actual pin weight is. With the RK, you're prolly adding significant weight behind the trailer's axles when you load up your groceries. More bucking results.
My experience:
Pin weight rules. I always fill my fresh water tank (in front of the axles). I have nearly 600 lbs in the front compartment with an on-board generator and 4 house batteries . I load all of my extra provisions and bottled beverages in the front closet floor. I carry all of my tools in the front basement.
My scale tickets indicate that my loading configuration adds approximately 30% of the cargo weight to the pin.
Level hook up conditions and pin weight have all but eliminated the buck with my rig. Now, if we could only smooth the washboard roadways!
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Washboy
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02/03/10 01:57pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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All About Golf
In My Hand I Hold A Ball,
White And Dimpled, Rather Small.
Oh, How Bland It Does Appear,
This Harmless Looking Little Sphere.
By Its Size I Could Not Guess,
The Awesome Strength It Does Possess.
But Since I’ve Fallen Beneath Its Spell,
I've Wandered Through The Gates Of Hell.
My Life Has Not Been Quite The Same,
Since I Chose To Play This Stupid Game.
It Rules My Mind For Hours On End,
A Fortune It Has Made Me Spend.
It’s Made Me Yell and Curse And Cry,
I Hate Myself And Want To Die.
It Promises This Thing Called Par,
If I Can Hit It Straight And Far.
To Master Such A Tiny Ball,
Should Not Be Very Hard At All.
But My Desires The Ball Refuses,
And Does Exactly As It Chooses.
It Hooks And Slices, Dribbles And Dies,
And Even Disappears Before My Eyes.
Often It Will Have A Whim,
To Hit A Tree Or Take A Swim.
With Miles Of Grass On Which To Land,
It Finds the Tiniest Patch Of Sand.
Then Has Me Offering Up My Soul,
If Only It Would Find The Hole.
It's Made Me Whimper Like A Pup,
And Swear That I Will Give It Up.
And Take To Drink To Ease My Sorrow,
But The Ball Knows ... I'll Be Back Tomorrow.
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Washboy
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01/29/10 08:06am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: better ride and feel.
My coach was originally equipped with an “extended” Fabex pin box. The dealer and I spent nearly 2 hours checking the rig’s set up, paying careful attention to level towing conditions and clearances.
Driving home with the empty coach, it chucked and bucked significantly…Oh, dear! On the way home, I weighed the rig and the empty coach to obtain a baseline for capacity and pin weight.
After stocking the coach for the maiden voyage, I weighed the rig again. From this comparative information, I was able to make cargo loading adjustments based upon numbers instead of assumptions. Even with this information, the initial trip segment was uncomfortable; the chucking and bucking was quite disconcerting. I revisited the load placement, increasing pin weight by several hundred pounds.
On the third segment of the trip, I filled the fresh water tank in preparation for several days in the “wilderness”. WOW! The ride was vastly improved! Little to no bucking…a comfortable ride…a much more relaxed few hours of travel.
Then, it happened. The site required a fairly significant turning angle to park the coach. When everything came to an abrupt halt during the maneuvers, I exited the truck to see what I’d backed in to. After a quick walk around I found this:
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL419/1417387/2842292/34673956.jpg
The extended pin box was parked on the truck’s bedrail!!! Turns out, the pin box was longer than half the width of the bed. And, because the rig had been carefully adjusted to tow level, the back of the pin box was below the bed rails. Making the tight turn caused the collision.
Upon return from the shakedown, I returned the rig to the dealership. We measured, evaluated, calculated and contemplated. The decision was made to replace the extended pin box with Fabex’s standard length pin box.
The next trip was amazingly comfortable. The water tank was full and more cargo was moved forward. The new pinbox vastly improved the rig’s turning radius while virtually eliminating the bucking and chucking on the highway. And no more worries about clearances. In fact, the rig can turn beyond 90 degrees now…not something I like doing, but sometimes…one gets oneself into situations…know what I mean?
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL419/1417387/2842644/56572703.jpg
So…my opinion? Pin weight, level towing setup, and short pin boxes rule. Pin weight helps with ride comfort. And, shorter pin boxes improve ride comfort and rig maneuverability.
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Washboy
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01/28/10 08:01pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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