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Forum
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RE: Trailer length and sway
When the topic of trailer sway comes up, you see many opinions on the obvious (load it right/use sway control/use WDH set up/increase tongue weight/WB of tow vehicle/single axle or dual axle...you name it)........most often overlooked and hardly ever mentioned is good tow vehicle tires and good trailer tires, stiffer the side walls the better........P rated tires aren't meant for towing/load bearing, they're meant to give a quiet, cushy, comfy ride with soft shock absorbing sidewalls, not what you want at all.....LT rated truck tires like BFG All Terrain KO2's or Goodyear Duratracs (many other good LT tires out there as well) for the truck and Goodyear Endurance radials for the trailer........ and never look back!
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freetime58
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08/15/20 11:11am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Propane tank
I have been using the Mopeka Tank Check sensors and free app, transmits fuel levels to your smart phone.....I find it extremely accurate.
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freetime58
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08/13/20 04:58pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Worn inside Tires
I have a guy who bends the axle to the correct camber. He said the axle straightened because I overloaded my 5er? I have never overloaded my 5er?I got the same pitch from a mobile mechanic out of Twin Falls ID. I fell for it, but I think I got ripped off. It was my tires.
So.......4 tires, 2nd axle has issues but 1st axle ok.........you think it's tires??? LOL Might have been tires in your case (you don't mention any particulars) so no idea on your circumstances. However, in the OP's case, all things being equal, it seems as though something is different between the first and second axle........I'm betting on nose high, improper loading, overloading or bent axle.
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freetime58
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08/03/20 08:45am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Towing Camper with A/C Running.
Install a MaxxAir Maxxfan, they run on 12v, they can be used while traveling and have a 10 speed fan that can be used as an intake or used to exhaust. You can exhaust hot air while travelling, exhaust hot air once you arrive, crack a window and turn the fan on for a few minutes to rid the unit of hot air and then crank the AC.
These fans move a lot of air! Wouldn't leave home without them
https://www.airxcel.com/rv/maxxair/products/fans/maxxfan-deluxe
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freetime58
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07/25/20 01:32pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Keeping Ants Out of My Rv!
Diatomaceous earth needs to be kept dry to be effective.........one draw back of using it outside.
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freetime58
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07/21/20 06:58am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Running a/c on house current
My extension cord is one of those orange 25' jobs.
Does us no good to know the color.......the gauge is stamped into the outer jacket of the cord........every foot or so.......for 10 gauge it would say 10/2, meaning 2 10 gauge conductors and a ground.
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freetime58
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07/20/20 01:03pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Running a/c on house current
I'm told that my Kodiak 160SVT a/c should be able to run on household current. It's plugged in via extension cord to an outside outlet. My microwave only works on 30 amps and so I'm thinking the same is true of my a/c. What's the truth?
My household a/c is down and I'm wondering if I can just sleep in my camper. We're in a heat wave here in Maryland.
Most (almost all) 13,500 BTU a/c's will run off a 15 amp circuit, but that's all........make sure you don't use anything else in the TT. Use at least a 10 gauge ext cord if you have to but better yet, use a 30 to 15 amp adapter and plug the TT cord directly into the outlet.
No harm in trying to see if the circuit will support the ac.
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freetime58
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07/20/20 08:35am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Help with LED strips
Hello All,
I am installing some LED strips inside and outside the camper. inside was a breeze. Was easily able to find 12v power sources to tap into in 2 different locations. Outside however is not working and after 3 hours of trouble shooting I'm stumped. The strips have 12V power into a small controller and then a cable out to the LED with a 3 pin connector. The only difference inside vs outside is inside I spliced the power wire heading into the controller inside. Outside I had to splice the wires going from the controller to the LED strip. I spliced it into the factory 3 pin adaptor and got nothing.
Just to save time for replies, I will confirm a few things. I checked at least 10 times that all 3 wires were spliced correctly. I cut off my splices 3 times and redid them to make sure they were also correct. I used a multi meter and showed just under 13V going into the controller and just under 13v leaving the controller. I also used the multi meter to check the actual connector pins and again just under 13v. Had a second brand new strip. Tested that and still nothing. Tested another controller and nothing. Tested those same second strip and controller using the AC/DC power supply it came with and it works fine so I know they work.
So it seems like splicing the cable going out of the controller is somehow causing an issue, but I can't for the life of me figure out why. And because they only give you 3' of cable and the controller needs to stay dry, this is the only option.
Any thoughts???
Thanks
Seems as though you've covered all your bases, fighting off electrical gremlins is frustrating to say the least.
I did the same as you, needed to make the wire coming out of the controller longer to feed a strip on the exterior while keeping the controller inside the TT. I too had an issue with the light strip not working properly until I soldered the splice(s) and used heat shrink tubing instead of using butt connectors. You don't say how you did your splice? I know it shouldn't matter but perhaps an option for you.....only thing could think of is adding butt connectors and extending the wire might have added too much resistance.......but then again I'm no electrical engineer!!!!
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freetime58
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07/18/20 06:46am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Small Dicor
It's called "marketing", without admitting or acknowledging it, they love it when folks need to discard 1/2 used product and are forced to buy new! Great for sales and profit!
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freetime58
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07/12/20 07:08am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Residential Style Central Air - NOT Roof Air Question
We have a 2006 Winnebago Journey Class A Diesel Pusher. Our air conditioning unit is not on the roof. It's what Winnebago refers to as a Residential Style Heat/Air Conditioning unit.
We've recently had issues with the air conditioner not working. We were actually hooked up with a really nice guy who owns a HVAC company. He came out and within 30 minutes had it up and running. He told us we need to check and add coolant soon to keep the motor running smoothly.
Does anyone know the following:
1. Where do I check the fluid level?
2. What kind of coolant is required?
3. Where do I add the coolant?
4. Anything else I should know about this procedure?
Why didn't you ask the "really nice guy that owns a HVAC company" when he was there??? LOL
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freetime58
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07/10/20 01:53pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Battery question
Nope! Converter should be keeping battery(s) full.
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freetime58
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06/26/20 09:31pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Stainless steel screws
The hardware and fasteners used on the millions and millions and millions and millions of aluminum boats out there is stainless steel.....just sayin!!!!
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freetime58
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05/17/20 06:58am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Durable tire recommendation
Towing both a trailer and boat over the better part of 40 years now...........trust me, I have run the gauntlet of tires, I have had them all!!!!
I am a firm believer, get the best, tires are your only contact with the ground, that seems important to me.
I have run mostly Goodyear tires for the last 20+ years, the only issues were with the Chinese made Marathons many, many years ago.
Currently running Goodyear Endurance Radials, have 8 of them! Do yourself a favor..........Buy yourself a set and call it a day!
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freetime58
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05/14/20 06:51am |
Towing
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RE: Batteries - simple question
AGMs by their nature have nearly 10%-20% LESS capacity for the same size.
What????? Not true at all. A quick check of group 31 specs from Northstar AGM, Exide, Interstate and Trojan for Flooded Lead Acid proves you completely wrong! LOL Northstar AGM had better specs than all but one example, that one example was tough as they used a different discharge rate in their testing than all the others.....which is something to watch for when comparing specs....some manufacturers use a lower discharge rate to get better numbers.
Now if you're talking Opitma........ Spiral cell AGM battery, they are terrible with some of the lowest capacities in the industry. Stay away from Optima!!!!
I am not talking about comparing "group31" batteries, nor am I comparing Optima Spiral cells. Many AGMs are not spirals.
AGMs by their CONSTRUCTION TAKE MORE SPACE per Ahr than flooded and that IS a fact.
Here is an example of easy to get Duracel brand which is sold at Sams Club.
AGM
Specifications
1 amp hour rate: 103
100 amp hour rate: 220
20 amp hour rate: 190
3 amp hour rate: 145
5 amp hour rate: 163
6 amp hour rate: 167.8
8 amp hour rate: 173.7
Battery Electrolyte Composition: Glass Mat
Battery End Type: Top Post
Battery Purpose: Starting Lighting Instrumentation
BCI Group Size: GC2
CCA at 0 degrees F: 680
Freight Class: 65
MCA at 32 degrees F: 900
Minutes at 15 amps: 718
Minutes at 25 amps: 409
Minutes at 5 amps: 2304
Minutes at 50 amps: 171
Minutes at 75 amps: 94
Minutes at 8 amps: 1409
Reserve Capacity: 380
Terminal Type: SAE
Volts: 6
Duracell GC2 FLOODED
FLA GC2
Specifications
20 amp hour rate:215
5 amp hour rate: 157
6 amp hour rate: 156
Battery Electrolyte Composition:Acid
Battery End Type: Top Post
Battery Purpose: Deep Cycle
BCI Group Size: GC2
Contents: ONE EACH
Freight Class:65
Minutes at 25 amps: 395
Minutes at 75 amps: 105
Terminal Type: DIN
Volts:6
Now, unless you have been taught some "new math" 190 Ahr of AGM IS LESS than 215Ahr of GC2 FLA!
AGM is only 88.3% the capacity of THE SAME SIZE GC2 FLA.
To add insult to injury, the last time I priced those GC2 AGMs they were going for $109 each vs GC2 FLA at $89. That puts the GC2 FLAs at 81.7% LESS COST than the same size GC2 AGM.
So, in reality, you WILL pay MORE for AGM and GET LESS capacity for the SAME BATTERY SIZE and will not get any longer service life.
I think even if you compare YOUR "preferred" "premium" brands you WILL find a similar difference in CAPACITY AND COST.
With Premnium brands, you get a longer warranty, but you PAID MORE for that battery which means you PAID UPFRONT for that extra warranty. You will not find any real extra life..
Compare them, don't be an Internet "Lemming" and play follow the "leader".
If you want the bragging rights for paying more and getting less, by all means spend your money and buy the AGMs.
Been using AGM's for 15+ years in my boat, so not really an internet Lemming FFS, all 4 are Northstar, will never go back to lead acid because of all the benefits AGM's provide. Money has never been a concern for me and I do like bragging rights........so I guess I'll continue. I'm probably making the jump to LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries, those replacement batteries should be about $5000....now those are some serious batteries.
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freetime58
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04/11/20 07:21pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Batteries - simple question
AGMs by their nature have nearly 10%-20% LESS capacity for the same size.
What????? Not true at all. A quick check of group 31 specs from Northstar AGM, Exide, Interstate and Trojan for Flooded Lead Acid proves you completely wrong! LOL Northstar AGM had better specs than all but one example, that one example was tough as they used a different discharge rate in their testing than all the others.....which is something to watch for when comparing specs....some manufacturers use a lower discharge rate to get better numbers.
Now if you're talking Opitma........ Spiral cell AGM battery, they are terrible with some of the lowest capacities in the industry. Stay away from Optima!!!!
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freetime58
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04/11/20 02:05pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Batteries - simple question
Northstar Pure Lead AGM batteries are some of the best you can buy. 4 year free replacement warranty, not prorated, absolutely free replacement. They sure stand behind their product. I run 4 group 31's in my boat and have one grp 31 on my trailer, been flawless for me. AGM batteries self discharge at a far slower rate than Flooded Lead Acid batteries, charge twice as quick and can sustain many more charge/discharge cycles! Expensive but worth every penny, no brainer for me!
https://www.northstarbattery.com/product/nsb-agm31
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freetime58
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04/11/20 01:44pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: coronavirus...put it into perspective
Unchecked covid-19 could be double the combined list.
Very true..................the spring breakers not taking the warnings seriously can wipe out thousands and thousands and thousands!
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freetime58
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03/21/20 05:11pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: coronavirus...put it into perspective
Unchecked covid-19 could be double the combined list.
Very possible!
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freetime58
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03/21/20 05:09pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: coronavirus...put it into perspective
Not to make light of the corona virus as I am sure more will die from it but.....this is for the United States in 2017
Number of deaths for leading causes of death:
Heart disease: 647,457
Cancer: 599,108
Accidents (unintentional injuries): 169,936
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 160,201
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 146,383
Alzheimer’s disease: 121,404
Diabetes: 83,564
Influenza and Pneumonia: 55,672
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis: 50,633
Intentional self-harm (suicide): 47,173
coronavirus: 298 so far
So...try to stay away from crowds....but don,t panic...imo
None of those have the ability to tank the economy like Covid-19 already has....none of those stand to tax the health care system to the max and overwhelm things to the point where health care professional will have to make a decision on who lives and who dies . People may not only loose their lives but the economic impact will also lose people their jobs, homes, savings, retirement savings, cars, trucks, rv's....you name it. Seems many folks are just too narrow minded and selfish to take it serious enough...........let's see you post again in 3 to 6 months and see if you've changed your attitude and perspective on things.
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freetime58
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03/21/20 03:01pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Mexico /US border
The new rules come into effect mid-night tonight.......so as of 1201 Saturday morning, the border is closed.........better drive fast!
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freetime58
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03/20/20 05:31pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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