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Forum
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RE: My Crash Landing….
Glad to hear you are OK....you really should be more careful when you are riding with Pops......sure, he's swerving all over the road :B, which is all the more reason to stay away from the windows and doors while underway!
Take care of yourself!!
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PapPappy
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11/22/09 11:44am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: "Bunk Bed" for kids
HERE is what Cabelas has to offer
Another option, and about half the price:
Link to Innovative Earth Products
Not sure just how small they will fold up, an if they will fit under the RV.....but you could always leave them at home when not using them, and may store them next to your bed while on the road...out of the way.
Happy Camping...
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PapPappy
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11/22/09 11:40am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Where should the water go...
I know when my gray water tank is full.....it backs up into the shower.
When that happens, I will open the drain, with the garden hose connection on it, and drain the gray water out on to the lawn. It's not sewage, so it shouldn't pose a problem. You might want to do that...just to make sure that you don't overfill the tank....if you are on city water.
In the future, if there is a future rental.....I'd fill the water tank, and not have a city connection tied in, with it's "unlimited" supply of water. At worst, you will run the tank dry, but won't overflow.
As for an alarm sensor.....I've seen battery operated alarms that you would put next to a washing machine....which detects water, and sound like a smoke detector...you would hear it!! I got mine at Lowe's, but I don't think I've seen them there lately. You could just put it on the floor next to the shower or on the carpet under the bed. It may or may not work, but they were cheap, and if it works, you've saved a bundle!
Something else you may want to consider.....
1.) a sign on the door that says to turn off the water (at pump or at city connection) before leaving the RV....not a bad idea for everyone, n ot just renters.
2.) Buy a couple of rolls of the carpet protector (available at HD in the flooring section) and cover the carpet (once you've got it all dried out of course!), it will help keep the carpet in better shape, especially in a "rental" unit. This is the stuff that the dealers use to protect the carpets in new RVs....I use it with ours, as we have pups that aren't always the best at being housebroken.
3.) As mentioned, you want to cover yourself with renters and the damage they may create. Get it in writing, and maybe increase your deposit....I'm betting that you lost on this deal....especially, if there is unseen damage to the wood of the MH.
For cleaning up, you did the right things....and there isn't much else you can really do. Hopefully, there won't be much dry-rot in the wood that got wet, but you won't find out about that for awhile.
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PapPappy
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11/22/09 11:33am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Considering full-timing with 6 kids... are we nuts?
There was a show on cable, about a family that is doing pretty much the same thing (I wish I could remember the name of it??), but they had a 5er, and a couple less kids......but it was crowded all the same.
One of the problems they had, was the weight issue. At one point, they decided to upgrade to a newer 5er, and mistakenly got the fancy stuff (tile flooring, solid countertops, etc.) which added to the empty weight of the RV.......now, they had to start dumping the toys, clothes, etc, to keep them legal (and safe) on the road.
With six kids, it wouldn't take but a few things to add quite a bit of weight to the overall rig...and a MH may have less storage and weight limits than the 5er they had. Just a thought.
Also, if you are only planning to stay in the 3-state area that you work, you are taking away from the real opportunity that "full timing" will allow you and the kids.......seeing the entire country. If you are only going to stay in that relatively small area of the country, you might as well just spend a few months looking for a new place to drop anchor, much the way that MI (above) was doing while looking for base housing. Spend some time in towns you like, check out the schools, etc and then travel out from that place.....giving the kids that stability and yourselves a place to call "HOME"
JMHO!
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PapPappy
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11/22/09 08:50am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Considering full-timing with 6 kids... are we nuts?
I think that "Fulltime" may be the wrong way to look at this......
How about 1-year?? Full time seems to imply that you are going to sell your house, buy the MH, and head out on the road...forever!!
Rent out the stick-build house for a year, travel around the country homeschooling the kids.....The best of both worlds.....and the kids will have the stability of friends/school back home. They could even set up a video link to their school/classmates...maybe even get credit for it?
I agree that that many people in a DP would be tough.....we're crowded with 3 adults and a half-dozen small (less than 5 lbs) dogs in our MH.....can't imagine children?
An extended vacation would be great....we hope to do the same with our daughter, and her son when the baby is old enough to enjoy it.....
good Luck in whatever you do.....
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PapPappy
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11/22/09 08:38am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: "You can't stay here, your trailer is too old."
Just tell them it's a "Classic Restoration"....maybe they will let you stay! :B
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 04:26pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Now my turn need new printer
We have an HP on the tugboat...lots of vibration, and it's still going strong. We still use XP, so I can't speak for the Vista problems, but now that "Win-7" is out, I'd guess that they solved the problem with Vista! LOL!!
This one is about 5 years old....and still works like new! I have the same one at home, and it's working fine too. Just figured maybe the vibration aspect would be of interest, if you are going to use it in the RV!
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 04:23pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Using furnace and solar battery charger versus winterizing
I understand your desire to avoid winterizing, I feel the same way...
Do you have access to the RV if you see that a cold snap is coming your way? All you would really have to do, is blow out the water lines and pour some anti-freeze down the drains and in the toilet....probably wouldn't take more than a half-hour to do it.
I keep thinking of that AAMCO commercial..."Pay me now, or pay me later"....probably worth it to get it done. You probably won't have to drain the holding tanks, unless you are expecting several days of below freezing temperatures. An overnight freeze shouldn't bother it.
As for your solar panel and battery hook-up for the furnace......yes, it would probably work, but I don't really know if I'd want that furnace on "auto-pilot" without anyone near by. There is always the chance of a fire....though having it properly maintained, those risks are low.
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 01:19pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: new system on forum
Time is indeed finite, but the fractions of time that I'm using to go back up and check a comment....I don't think will cause me to look back when I'm across the pearly gates, and wish I'd spent that time better...after all, in the time it has taken us to write these comments, we could have scrolled back and forth dozens of times...and yet, you didn't think this was a waste of that finite time!:H
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 12:25pm |
Forum Technical Support
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RE: Replacing 12 volt Engine Battery
Stop by Walmarts and buy a battery! You have a standard battery, and unless you are using it for some additional power supplies, you will be fine with your "garden variety" battery.
You live in CA, so I'm guessing that you aren't too concerned about cold weather, and probably won't take the RV out if it is too cold anyway...so you don't need to worry about cold weather starting.
You will get 4-5 years out of the cheaper battery.....maybe 6-7 out of an expensive one...your choice.
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 12:21pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Whats the best way to test the heater on the driveway ?
What does the driveway have to do with anything??
Turn it on at the thermostat...if you have used the stove over the summer, you probably won't even have to bleed it there.
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 12:17pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: am i being too picky ?
There is a lot to be said for buying used.....
1.) You save on depreciation of the cost, since the New RV will drop in value as it goes off the lot...just like a new car.
2.) While you lose the warranty, you will probably find that all the things that would need that warranty have already been fixed by the previous owner.
3.) Usually, a previous owner will "outfit" the RV with a bunch of tools and toys that you wouldn't be getting on a new RV....things that you'll get for free (as part of the price) that they don't want to keep anymore....sewage hoses, hoses, extension cords, upgrades in TVs, appliances, curtains, sheets, etc.
On the other hand, you've got your dream RV....you will be able to set it up the way YOU want it....not someone's hand-me-down.....but with that, you will have things to fix.
Do you have a lemon?? Only you really know that for sure. Fixing little things, and a couple of days or weeks in the shop are typical.....having the RV in the shop the entire camping season isn't!! Problems should be fixed ASAP...and satisfactorily.
You didn't mention what problems you've had....it might have made it easier for us to give you an opinion.
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 12:15pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 110 genny out to 110 rv recepticle
You can get the extension cord at Walmart pretty cheap....and you are bound to use it on other occasions. I use mine at home, when I plug the MH into the house's 20A circuit (I have the adapter).
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 12:06pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Newbies, are we ready for winter
Since it's a cheap fix, I'd get some plywood, and put it under the tires. The asphalt is petroleum based, as are the tires, and there may be some interaction if they sit too long.
Letting an RV sit for 4-5 months is not the same as leaving your car in the driveway....you move the car. Unless you plan to move the MH periodically (not a bad idea) you would probably want to do the extra step to protect the tires.
As mentioned, you will want to add the antifreeze to the drain, as well as in the toilet. I like to leave about 1-2" of it in the toilet, to keep the flap seal wet, so it doesn't dry out. Putting about a half-gallon in the holding tanks will help to keep the dump valves wet and their seals moist.
Keep in mind that you will want to run the genset for about 30-60 minutes each month while it's in storage, to exercise it. Having a 1500W space heater is an excellent way to load it up....and you can stay warm while watching some TV! :B
Good Luck, and Happy Camping!
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 12:02pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Towing broken down class C?
if you twits had actually read it.
Hey there....I take a lot of pride in being a twit!:B....you make it sound like it's a bad thing:h
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 09:44am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Spark plug change for 2000 RV
The only issue I think you may have, is that they may be very difficult to remove. If the engine is working fine, I'd leave them, as you may be opening a real kettle of worms.
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 09:23am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Dolly Towing (can you tow anything?)
You should have no problem with the Jetta on a dolly.
As to whether or not you can "tow anything"....a lot will depend on the quality of the dolly, as well as the weight of the toad and the tow vehicle.
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 06:19am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Add a Tachometer
Another vote for Scangauge...I mounted mine on the rear view mirror (with velcro) so that I can easily glance at it. In the MH, the rear view mirror is almost useless anyway.
You will get quite a bit of information, as well as problem codes...something a stand alone tach won't give, and they aren't all that expensive....I got mine on e-bay.
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PapPappy
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11/21/09 06:17am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Ford Cruise Control Recall - Fix Verification
It won't malfunction and cause you to crash :B
Yeah, like you, mine was working fine before I took it in, so now it's still working fine....and I can only assume that they did the repair. I guess if there is a problem, and it is caused by the cruise control, you can have it checked and maybe sue Ford....but I'd rather not have that crash!!
My advice...use the cruise control when you are on open highway, where there won't be much problem, if there is a problem......and don't use it on rainy days, where you may find yourself out of control. Good advice for the CC in your car too!
happy Camping
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PapPappy
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11/20/09 07:57pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Weight distributing hitch - learned something
Always nice to learn another lesson.....shame I didn't think this way when I was in school :B
Thanks
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PapPappy
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11/20/09 07:51pm |
Beginning RVing
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