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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Dinnette extension with pic's
Very creative.
If this is for kids, (and kids are IMHO unpredictably ballistic), I would consider adding short folding legs (like from a card table) under the end of each extension. They could be folded parallel to the slides you built.
Good Job.
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RickW
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01/09/09 01:19pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: TC Back-up Camera for Tough Economic Times
any way to get the video signal into my laptop???
The video signal comes through a standard RCA plug (Yellow plug in the photo). There are USB adapters for computer video input/output (Dazzle and others) that will accept a RCA input and make it work on a laptop.
If the software has a mirror image feature, you could place the laptop in the front of the truck and the image would be correct left to right.
Also note that after you are settled in, you can continue to use the camera for security by moving your monitor, power supply and video signal into the TC.
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RickW
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01/09/09 12:12pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: 1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton
Wasnt the quadsteer an experiment?? Do they still offer that package??
GM offered the quadrasteer from 02 to 05 on select vehicles. It was a fully developed milspec system. Great accessory but very poor marketing. It works great for avoiding 5 point turn arounds and backing into tight camp sites. GM never offered it on long bed trucks where it would have been a must-have by contractors.
I would not try to tow a heavy load with anymore than a camper shell on the back. I would not try to mount a TC at all if this is a crew cab model with the short short bed.
IMHO, by the time you add a light TC, plus gear, plus passengers, plus water, plus fuel, you will be fully loaded (overloaded). No additional capacity for towing.
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RickW
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01/08/09 03:05pm |
Truck Campers
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TC Back-up Camera for Tough Economic Times
Have you tried a cheap wireless camera system that won't send a signal through a TC? Can't afford the high cost for camera systems designed for motor homes? Bummed that Microsoft Cashback ended on Ebay just before you could order that camera system online? :M Try this.
First, find a suitable and cheap security camera. http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk178/rwsacto/camper/camera_ad.jpg
This one also has night vision. It can be found on sale for $29.99 at a freight store down by the harbor. A little more for a color camera.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk178/rwsacto/camper/seccamera.jpg
Here the camera is mounted inside the back window of the TC. The camera connection uses a standard telephone jack for video, sound and power. A phone jack coupler is on the end of the connection. A thin telephone extension cord is connected to the camera, routed through the lower vent door to the bed and into the side window of the truck cab. The vent door and truck window close shut on the thin cord. The camera could also be mounted outside the TC and the cord run underneath through the bed of the truck.
To illustrate this setup, a step stool is placed about 5 feet behind the TC.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk178/rwsacto/camper/stool.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk178/rwsacto/camper/DVDplayer.jpg
The monitor is an inexpensive portable DVD player used for entertainment on rainy evenings. These can be found online for less than $50. Get one that runs on 12 volts and takes video input. Note the monitor is mounted on the back seat with inexpensive bent coat hangars (reusable) and CLEAN spare socks (also reusable :B). The DVD player gets 12 volts and the camera input gets 7.5 volts through a radio shack DC adjustable transformer.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk178/rwsacto/camper/mirror.jpg
When backing, I turn the monitor on with the DVD remote control and can see the image in the rear view mirror. This way I can use all the mirrors while backing. I can also turn around to see the screen while backing.
The DVD player could be placed on the console up front, but the image is not reversed and would confuse me.
At night, the camera picks up images just fine with the brake lights and back up lights for illumination. Even through the tinted window.
Hope this helps,
Happy New Year,
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RickW
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01/07/09 11:33pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Our TC travels, Mark Twains Hannibel, MO
Being originally from Missouri, and now Sacramento California (where he was a reporter), I seem to encounter or recall the wit of Mark Twain almost every day. He did a fair amount of camping here during the gold rush. He even started a forest fire in Lake Tahoe.
Did anyone else notice the advertisement for the works of Mark Twain that accompanied this thread? It must be Sleepy's power of suggestion!
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RickW
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12/27/08 09:20pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: My first white Christmas
Jefe,
Merry Christmas.
A white Christmas is a beautiful thing-if you don't have to move it out of the way. A (manually operated :E) snow shovel helped me pay the rent during winter in college in the midwest. Be glad you are not doing auto repair out in the cold and snow (been there done that too).
What I think is neat is that we are not that far apart-maybe 30-40 miles? I am just now eating the last tomatoes from the garden. The spinach is growing and daffodils will be here in six weeks. We do get more foggy days though.
I hope your toys don't shiver too much in the cold. :B It will be spring soon!
See ya on the trail,
Rick
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RickW
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12/27/08 09:07pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Gas Furnace
Another possibility:
Assuming the propane supply is on, if the blower is blowin' and the igniter is firin' but no whoosh from the burner, the orifice could be plugged.
This happened on my Suburban furnace. Rust in the furnace gas pipe was apparently dislodged and migrated into the orifice during travel. A design defect IMHO.
If you open the combustion chamber, be careful with the gaskets or you will order new ones.
Good Luck,
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RickW
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12/20/08 08:13pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Sunlite 865 sb
My Sunlite does not need any more support than the jacks.
However, I either use the plywood "X" supports under the floor for long term storage or adjustable trailer stands under the floor supports (stringers) when camping off the truck. The jack stands provide additional stability and can support the camper if a jack sinks or fails.
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RickW
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11/22/08 12:10am |
Truck Campers
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RE: QUESTIONS ABOUT HEATER
DIMDave,
Can you share more details of your retrofit?
I have the same camper/furnace. I recently had to remove the unit and clean the rust from the orifice to get it working again.
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RickW
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11/18/08 09:32pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Port a boat
I have a 20 year old porta bote and carry on the front of the truck with my TC. Takes a while to setup and very stable in the water. You can use a small outboard or trolling motor or both. They are easily customized for your application.
Used ones are often on ebay and sometimes craigslist. Try to find one locally as they are difficult to ship.
For more bote info than you can stand, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PortaBote/
or
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pbownersassoc/
or
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PortaBotersWorldWide/
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RickW
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11/17/08 12:53am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Furnace will not light. Help needed, it is getting cold!
Jason,
I had the exact same symptoms with my Suburban furnace in my TC. In my case, the orifice was blocked with rust from the steel gas line downstream of the valve. The orifice is probably located inside the combustion chamber. I had to remove the entire unit to access the orifice.
Good Luck.
This is the 4th thread in the forum with this problem since I started to fix my furnace.
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RickW
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11/17/08 12:29am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Suburban Furnace Problems
I just went through the list of things wrong to fix my suburban furnace in my TC. It probably had 8 hours of use in 4 years. After checking all things electical and mechanical, I pulled the burner and then the gas pipe and orifice. The orifice was completely blocked with rust. The rust came from INSIDE the gas pipe.
My theory is the uncoated gas pipe rusts inside from moisture in the propane and the rust particles dislodge and migrate to the orifice when driving. Of course the orifice is at the low point of the gas supply. IMHO, this is a design flaw. The gas tube should at least be Stainless Steel.
Oh, did I mention the whole furnace must be pulled out of the housing to access these parts? Also, be careful to not damage the gaskets when accessing the inside of the combustion chamber.
Good Luck,
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RickW
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11/07/08 11:02pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: "Best Meals in a Truck Camper"
RickW - Do you have more information on the Aerobie Aeropress?
I have tried several methods/pots, and still have not found "the" method to make the coffee.
Wayne
Looks like a new fangled french press.
We keep a french press in the camper for boondocking; no filter (built into the process), good tasting coffee, and fast.
A small electric drip (4 cup/600watt) is used for hook up sites...
Bill
Just a note to say that I have tried both and the Aerobie results are very different from the french press (didn't it used to be called a "freedom" press) :h
It produces coffee almost like from an expresso machine. You can dilute to taste after pressing. The clean up is very much easier than the fr- press.
I'll be quiet now. I'm afraid I'll end up being the barista at the next group campout if I keep promoting this thing. :E
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RickW
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11/07/08 12:08pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Suburban furnace won't light
I just fixed my suburban furnace on my TC. After checking everything else, (t-stat, igniter, sail switch, gas valve) it turned out the orifice was plugged-with rust. The rust came from inside the LP pipe after the gas valve. (IMHO, a design flaw. why not a SS pipe?)
On mine, to access the orifice, the burner/igniter had to be removed and the LP pipe removed from the combustion chamber. Watch that you do not damage the gaskets.
Oh, did I mention that the whole unit had to be removed from the TC to perform this operation?
Hope this helps,
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RickW
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11/03/08 09:51pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: How do I read this thing?
Sorry to hear of your circumstance.
For a cheap digital multimeter, check your local harbor freight. They have a sale on now for around $3-4 each. Always check the internet for coupons first.
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RickW
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11/03/08 09:11pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Death Valley,Ca.-part3
Great travelog,
Now I know what to go see when I return to DV.
Thanks lots,
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RickW
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10/31/08 10:46pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: De- Humidifier
Paul, I like the one you have, plus it has free shipping. I think I'll get one of those for the cabover and add a 12 volt outlet up there so I can plug it in on 12 volt and leave it on 12 volt.
EDIT: They have a discount on today, as well as the free shipping. So, I ordered mine :).
Joe, You don't like mine? Now you hurt my feelings :( :(
For everyone else, you can order either one at Air & Water, Inc.
As far as I can tell it does not have a humidistat. Just on/off.
Note: a humidistat probably cost more than the whole unit :W
Bumpy, It has a reed switch for the water collector and a float activated switch. I considered setting the unit in the sink and taping the reed switch closed. A small drain hose could also be installed in the collector to flow into the sink or shower.
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RickW
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10/27/08 10:54pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: De- Humidifier
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk178/rwsacto/camper/dehumidifier.jpg
Here is one that runs on 110 v or 12 v. It is small, fairly quiet and could be used while camping.
It is practical to use a small 12 v dehumidifier in a camper. All I want to do is lower the water content of the air in the camper below the dewpoint for that night.
When the TC is unoccupied, I run it on 110 v with a timer for a few hours each evening. If it is closed up, it will not have to remove very much water each night.
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RickW
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10/26/08 07:49pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: "Best Meals in a Truck Camper"
Thanks Rick and narcodog.
Is the filter material the same material (just cut different) as other filters, or do you have to use their filters?
Wayne
They look, feel and taste like regular coffee filter paper. :h
There are hundreds? in a pack but I suppose someone could use their winter down time to cut out small round paper filters from bigger paper filters. :E
Wait, maybe I could dry them out and recycle them. Guess I gotta try a scientific experiment.
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RickW
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10/20/08 02:29pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Death Valley,Ca.-part 1
ctraveler2,
I retired from March in 2003. We used to go the the Thai place on Alessandro for breakfast and the dragon place for lunch. Isn't Sunnymead burger on that street too? I commuted monthly from Sacramento. Some times they use to bus us out to the Hilton in San Bernardino each evening so we only saw MV from the window or through the fence.
Trivia: The original Shakeys was right here in Sacramento, started by Shakey Johnson. He helped organize the Jazz Jubilee in old town every memorial day. He passed a few years ago and the original restaurant has sinced burned down.
Waiting for DV II.
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RickW
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10/19/08 09:33pm |
Truck Campers
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