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RE: easy on/off truck caps?
When I built my garage I built it with 10' walls so that I could store kayaks, canoes and my truck topper above my vehicles and out of the way. The trusses were built to be load bearing. The engineer that designed the trusses said that he was surprised more people didn't do it. I just hook my topper to the overhead winch with the attached eye bolts and hit the button. My wife keeps telling me to work smart, not hard. She lets me buy some great toys.
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BarabooBob
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12/01/20 02:24pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Am I making a mistake going with a heavier, thicker bumper?
I had to have the rear bumper replaced on my Class C. I was luck to find a great machine/fabricating shop while on the road after asking for recommendations at a local breakfast diner. I did not ask the shop owner what the price was going to be because I needed it repaired no matter what the cost.
The guy reinforces the bumper mounts all the way to the original truck frame and had everything welded up perfectly square and looking great. He asked why I did not ask for an estimate and I told him that he was highly recommended by locals as being extremely skill and honest. He used 1/8" stock and it worked great.
The final price (6 years ago) for labor and materials was under $200. I gave him a $20 tip for doing it and getting me on the road in under 2 hours. His regular work is repairing and building farm machinery. Last time we went through that town I dropped off 2 pounds of 5 year old Wisconsin cheddar that he mentioned he loved when he did the job.
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BarabooBob
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12/01/20 02:05pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Dump Station Observations
My worst dump station experience was at an Interstate Highway rest area where there were 2 dump stations. When I pulled in, there was a diesel pusher at each dump and nobody in line. I pulled up to wait and both of these inconsiderate individuals dumped their tanks while enjoying a conversation and drinking their coffee. After dumping, they both got out their ladders and started washing their RV's right at the dump. I decided that I did not have to empty my tanks after all and left.
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BarabooBob
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12/01/20 07:16am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Future Used RV Market
We have been traveling through this year. Many new owners have been very willing to listen when I have tried to help them at campgrounds if they looked like they needed help. Most of them said that they had been thinking about getting some form of RV but took the dive with covid making hotels less attractive. Most of them seemed to be in it for the long haul. Most of the people that I talked to were in TT's less than 24 ft. I did not talk to the people in the larger units because most of them were sitting inside enjoying their larger units.
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BarabooBob
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11/29/20 06:09pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Long trips
We have a relatively small TT at 17' and a F150. It is perfect for us because we camp in hard to get to spots and places that can't take larger units. The combination has a comfortable ride, sleeps the two of us with enough room. We own property where as many as 20 family members spend several weekends every year. Our small TT works well for all of our travels.
Boondocking works really well with this camper and we rarely fire up the generator unless the nights get cold enough to require the furnace, then we charge the batteries in the morning.
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BarabooBob
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11/26/20 10:22am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Toyota motor homes
I owned a 1988 Damon Escaper build on a true one ton Toyota dually chassis. It had a 22Re engine (2.4l) and an 4 speed automatic tranny. We could not use 4th gear, overdrive, unless going down a steep grade. We drove that thing over 45,000 miles in 6 years. We had a great time traveling around in it but I would never own one again.
The first big problem is that it weighed 6,000 pounds and the chassis was maxed out before I filled the tank with gasoline. The engine made 120 horsepower. The gas mileage was not great like some people claim. I got 12 mpg going 55 and 9 mpg when my daughter tried driving 65. When I got into big hills I was driving 45 mph turning 5000 rpm's in 2nd gear. Remember that Toyota NEVER built a single RV, they supplied just the chassis and the builders overloaded every one of them. Until 1988, the chassis that was provided did not have a full floating one ton axle, they had 1/2 ton axles with dual wheels that were actually just half ton wheels welded together, they were called foolies by the people that had the RV's. Those foolies would break the axles at the housing and the wheels would fall off. Toyota eventually gave one ton axles to every owner of an RV that was build on one of their chassis to avoid publicity.
The RV's rode like lumber wagons, cornered like a double deck3er bus, and were so underpowered that with a stiff headwind, you could not go over 50 mph. If it was hot outside, you cannot use the dash mounted air conditioning because the truck will over heat.
There are many people that have the romantic belief that these things are great, if you want to hear more, send me a PM and give me your phone number.
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BarabooBob
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11/24/20 07:16pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Check this if you've bought a used RV recently
I check both alarms before using the TT every time. Why, because according to
the Wisconsin DNR, an average of 5 people per year die from CO poisoning in hunting shacks, ice shacks, and campers. I know that it is not many, but I will not be one of them.
I am a DNR Hunter Education instructor and make sure that everyone hears this information while in our classes. It may save a life.
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BarabooBob
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11/17/20 04:58pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: marker lights to led marker lights
My Class C was older and the fixtures were not in good condition so I replaced all of my marker lights and turn/brake/backup lights with new fixtures. The improvement was huge. I bought my replacements form etrailer. Make sure that you seal everything with butyl tape and test them for leaks if possible.
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BarabooBob
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11/17/20 04:28pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Propane Tanks Direction
My automatic switchover regulator is mounted on the front of the TT with the tank outlet facing the TT also. It allows for a shorter hose and I can see which tank the regulator is drawing gas from and when a tank is empty. My tanks are both on because that is why I bought the auto switch regulator. Why have the regulator is the second tank is turned off.
Before pulling out EVERY DAY we do a pre-trip inspection of the TT. We BOTH check the hitch, safety chains, electrical hook-ups, LP tanks, awning, access doors, tires, entry door locks, 120 volt cord, sewage drains. refrigerator, etc. It takes us about 5 minutes but it gets done every morning. We have over the years, we have found something that could cause problems while on the way. We also pick up every scrap of litter from our campsite before we pull away. My kids also follow the same routine.
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BarabooBob
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11/13/20 10:45am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: White Knuckle Trip
Gear down and spin the engine to around 80% of red line. Your engine and tranny will thank you. Small engines like higher rpm's not low grunt rpm/s.
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BarabooBob
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11/10/20 05:29pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Jesse has crossed the Rainbow Bridge
It is always extremely difficult to take that last ride with our fur buddies. I have had to bury 3 of my buddies in the back yard. I sometimes go out there and talk to them. I don't want to think about taking our current rescue dog for his last ride but eventually I know that it will happen.
My daughter is working from home just like many other people. She asked to borrow our dog to keep her company. My wife and I both miss him but we know that right now, my daughter needs him. He is a good companion.
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BarabooBob
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10/31/20 08:48pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Battery over charging
I got rid of my WFCO because it would not go into bulk charging mode no matter how low the battery got. I installed a Progressive Dynamics unit and am very happy. My TT stays plugged in unless we are on the road. The battery is still in good shape at 2 1/2 years. Time will tell.
My old class C had the same problem and I put in a Progressive Dynamics converter but left the power distribution center in tact. That was an easy job of removing 2 wires from the old unit and hooking them up to the new. The breakers all stayed in place.
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BarabooBob
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10/27/20 05:17pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Rapid City, SD area RV park
I have stayed at Kris' Campground just outside of Spearfish is nice. They have some sites with full hookup, some basic and cabins for rent. They owners are very nice and the property has always been clean and well maintained.
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BarabooBob
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10/26/20 05:49pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Found a unicorn
I am looking for one of those myself. My 2011 has pretty much the same configuration (6 speed not 10) but is currently has 205,000 miles on it. Some of the numbers may be different 10 years ago. I guess I will keep driving this one. I know that I do not need that much truck for my 3500 lb TT but I sometimes pull heavier stuff and like having the cushion.
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BarabooBob
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10/25/20 05:47pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Etiquette and Courtesy for Tourists & Visitors
I shared a campsite with a couple of young German women many years ago. We talked for hours around the campfire. The campground was full so I asked them to join me. They had many questions about what it was like to ride motorcycle all over the US. I had an equal number of questions about their experiences traveling around the US and life in Germany. It was a great evening.
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BarabooBob
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10/21/20 05:40pm |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Hard to find a full-time spot
Wisconsin Dells recently changed their regulations so now people that are members of a camping resort with membership privileges but pay per use are restricted to 6 months a year.
There are several locations with deeded lot and you can stay there full time. To use these sites, you have to have a park model and you are taxed accordingly. No "down the highway" campers of any kind are allowed on the property even overnight.
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BarabooBob
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10/19/20 03:17pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: RV dump station Fee - pay if only getting fresh water ?
Here in Baraboo, WI we have 2 free dump/fresh water sites. One private and one public. The private site is at a gas station/grocery store and they say that as long as you make a purchase (gas, groceries, or anything) it is free.
The public dump is at the sewage treatment plant and has a sign that it is there as a service to locals and travelers.
This is a tourist area with heavy traffic. We love it when people come and visit and leave a lot of money.
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BarabooBob
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10/19/20 03:10pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: How wide do mirrors need to be for a TT?
sorry, double post
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BarabooBob
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10/19/20 12:33pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: How wide do mirrors need to be for a TT?
I have CIPA brand slip on mirrors from etrailer. They fit well, give a good view, look good and do not display any vibration while underway. I have recommended them to others but I don't know if they will be long enough for an 8.5' trailer.
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BarabooBob
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10/19/20 12:32pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Help why is my battery terminal corroded and sparking?
Unless you have a battery disconnect switch that is turned off or have the battery fuse in the converter removed, you almost always have a circuit wanting power. On my TT, things that are always drawing power are the CO detector and the radio (even when turned off) When you attach the battery cable, there will be a spark as the circuit is completed for these items.
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BarabooBob
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10/14/20 07:36pm |
Beginning RVing
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