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Date Posted |
Forum
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Don't overpay for a basic WD hitch
Well, it was only a matter of time, I see that Harbor Freight is now offering a 10k weight distributing hitch
Certainly nothing fancy about it but neither is the price....looks like it would do the job if you didn't need sway control. Anybody try one of these yet?
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BurbMan
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09/01/21 07:14am |
Towing
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RE: New vehicle - MSRP?
USAA also has a car buying program like Costco's or Sam's club and you can usually do pretty good with a "no-haggle" price. Right now the chip shortage has brought manufacturing to a crawl, and dealers are selling new vehicles ABOVE sticker price IF you can find one. I have seen many cases personally where dealers are selling 2-3 year old models with 10-20k miles on them for more than they stickered for when new.
Also know that "sticker prices" on RVs are not federally regulated like vehicles, and because their more fiction than fact, 30% discounts are common.
In cars and trucks, normally you will pay below sticker depending on demand for a given make/model. If a new model comes out and starts selling like hotcakes, don't expect much from dealer in terms of price concessions. What you get discounts and rebates/incentive on are the older models that are near the end of their cycle and sitting around on dealer lots.
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BurbMan
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07/28/21 10:35am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: weight dist chain replacement
Take one off and take it to the home center, get the same size, it's probably 5/16". Pro tip: Get galvanized chains, they will stay looking nicer longer.
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BurbMan
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07/28/21 10:24am |
Towing
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RE: RV Hot Skin (Exterior electrification)
This has nothing to do with the ground wire or using an extension cord. The outlet that you are plugged into is miswired, where the not/neutral wires are reversed on the outlet.
EVEN IF EVERYTHING IS GROUNDED PROPERLY, PLUGGING INTO A MISWIRED OUTLET WILL STILL SHOCK YOU WHEN YOU TOUCH THE RV.
Best practice is to use a tester as shown above before you plug in anywhere. If the tester doesn't go green, don't plug in.
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BurbMan
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07/21/21 05:51pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: New ram 3500. Are my weights ok for this truck.
Sounds like its set up right the way it is
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BurbMan
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07/20/21 08:37pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2022 F350 order options for TC
I think you're on the money with the options choices, the only thing I would change is substituting a Ram 3500 for the F-350 :B :B :B
I would stick with the 4x4, granted we don't use ours much either but when you need it, you need it. I got the CC/LB and it is one long truck. If it was a dually it would really be a beast. I agree with you that for hauling a camper, the XC/LB combo is better than the CC/SB for the reasons you mentioned.
I would also spring for the 5er prep, having the 7-pin in the bed means you can plug the camper in there and have the one on the hitch available for whatever you're towing.
I'm surprised the that they will even order it for you, the chip shortage has pinched production so much that dealers can't even get lot inventory. Somebody posted over in tow vehicles the other day that their local dealer wants $5k over sticker on anything new, no negotiation.
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BurbMan
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07/15/21 05:57am |
Truck Campers
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RE: [SOLVED] Work truck with service bed to tow a fifth wheel?
Those service bodies are nowhere near as resistant to rust as a conventional body. They're usually rotten inside, hinges seized.
Since the OP is in Florida, I don't think he'll see the same rust issues on used trucks that you see in upstate NY where they salt the roads in the summer too....
By "solved" I think the OP is agreeing with the multiple suggestions to simply replace the service body with a flat bed and sell the service body.
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BurbMan
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07/14/21 07:00am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: No Anti-Sway/Weight Distribution
Since the trailer has a 2" coupler, I doubt that it is heavy enough to matter. If the tongue weight is correct, sway will be no issue.
2X on this, most utility trailers and the small trailers you rent from U-Haul have 2" balls, so no WD should be required, especially with an HD truck.
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BurbMan
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07/07/21 05:54am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Question: too much camper - too little truck
Airbags most of the time are installed with a tee in the line that connects both bags to the compressor. This will level the truck, but won't help body roll at all because as the truck leans it's just pushing sire from the one bag to the other.
IF you install airbags with separate air feeds so they can't push air from one to the other, it will provide some stability as well.
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BurbMan
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07/07/21 05:51am |
Truck Campers
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FastGun Upgrade
After a few trips I feel like I'm getting the hang of loading the Lance on the truck and made me re-visit the turnbuckles. I got the Torklift frame mounted tie downs from the start but was using the HappiJac spring loaded turnbuckles that came with the camper (if you remember the camper was free).
I upgraded to the Torklift Fast Guns and what a difference! The HJs are short, so every corner needed a length of chain attached to the TL frame mount with a quick link. Worked fine, but that meant that you couldn't leave the TL mounts on the truck with the camper off because the chains would drag.
Also it seems like the camper never loads the same way twice, with minor differences on how it sits in the bed. I keep minimal tension on the turnbuckles so I'm not putting too much strain on the camper mounts, and sometimes you want to adjust the turnbuckle a turn or a half to get it dialed in just right. The HJs require TWO 3/4" wrenches to adjust due to the double lock nut, while the TLs require NO tools to adjust.
Overall, the Fast Guns are easier to use, better built and make loading and unloading the camper just a little easier.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y134/Burbman/20210705_160540.jpg width=640
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y134/Burbman/20210705_160551.jpg width=640
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y134/Burbman/20210705_160617.jpg width=640
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y134/Burbman/20210705_160611.jpg width=640
There is a page on FB marketplace for TC parts, so I'm going to list the HJs there and see what I can get for them.
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BurbMan
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07/06/21 07:21am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Armoured extension cord
Since OP says it's a gravel driveway with tire ruts, it's not a flat surface to put any kind of cord guard or covering on. To do this right (ie according to code), conduit should be at least 12" down...but if you're renting a trencher, you may as well go 24" and then you can just lay in 10/2 UF cable that's rated for direct burial.
Install the proper outlet with in-use cover on the side of the driveway where the RV is parked and you're done.
Don't attempt to run extension cord in conduit or lay conduit across the driveway, the plastic will shatter when you drive over it in cold weather.
If you want something less temporary than buried cable, I would get a tough extension cord like this YellowJacket and just lay it across the drive. It will hold up to being driven over on a gravel drive, for how long depends on how busy your drive is. If you;re like us and go in/out 2 or 3 times/day, this cord will last a long time.
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BurbMan
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07/02/21 02:29pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Unusual Class C
The stove doesn't bother me as much as the insulation. He basically added insulation to the inside of the wall and built another wall over it, as he points out on the cabover window. This creates multiple layers of moisture barriers that will effectively trap condensation between the layers and rot this thing from the inside out.
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BurbMan
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07/01/21 06:49am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Need advice on anchor kit for long term TT lot
I used these pet stakes from Harbor Freight to secure my tarp garage when I was working on the camper last year and they held up to tropical storm Isaias with the severe winds we got on the coast.
https://shop.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_12999.jpg width=440
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/y134/Burbman/Lance%20811/.highres/20200503_211423_zpsid2h23rc.jpg width=440
I agree with valhalla360, you should ask the park owner what they recommend, I don't know what kind of forces the hold downs need to withstand, or whether they need to be in concrete. High winds from hurricanes/storms wil;l also come with soaking rains, and anchors pull out much easier when the ground is soaked to mud.
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BurbMan
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06/22/21 09:59am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Receiver Hitch for Trailer
These Curt RV Hitches are designed to extend greater lateral distances and bolt to the trailer's frame rails. You'll probably have to drill the TT frame to accommodate the receiver, but you should be able to have it fit below the existing bumper.
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BurbMan
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06/18/21 11:54am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: I hate roundabouts -- but maybe I am wrong
Roundabouts are used extensively here in the Carmel/Fishers/Noblesville area north of Indy. They take a little getting used to, but after living here for a month now we love how fast and efficient they are. Most of these are on suburban intersections and you almost never have to wait to enter, and when you do, your wait time is less than a full stop at a 4-way takes, never mind waiting for a left-turn signal.
It's impossible to speed around one of these so if there's a collision it's only a fender bender with injuries unlikely. Compare that to the guy who is approaching the yellow left turn signal at 50 mph trying to make the light.
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BurbMan
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06/18/21 11:48am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Looking for new tow vehicle
Clicky on Van Ad
The key here on this 3500 van is the 9800 GVWR, that's what you need to handle the tongue weight of the TT and the passengers. My 2500 Suburban had an 8600 GVWR, and we ran slightly over with 2 kids and towing about the same size/weight TT.
https://pictures.dealer.com/a/applechevroletofredlion/1211/308cbcdb3956bc2d00be423f767f22c5x.jpg?impolicy=resize&w=768 width=440
The newer Expedition XL and Suburban have higher tow ratings, but they don't have the GVWR you need to handle both the passenger load and the tongue weight of that trailer. Conservatively, if the TT is 8500 lbs and has 12% tongue weight, that's 1,020 lbs. that the truck needs to carry in addition to 6 passengers + friends and cargo. The problem with kids is that they get bigger every year....LOL...
I would say the 3500 van is the way to go, and the LT gets you the nice trim level for vacation travel. I would suggest you go drive one before you say no to the idea...take the family and make sure everyone is gonna be happy riding in it.
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BurbMan
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06/18/21 11:29am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Still very tempting to buy my totaled TT back
If you have good DIY skills, and are OK with having a permanently blemished RV go for it. Do not try to make it perfect, settle making it usable/livable.
Don't sweat the small stuff and be willing to walk away if there turns out to be major concealed damage.
Do not make any extensive cosmetic repairs, focus on repairs to make RV functional.
Go into it with not a lot of expectation. THere is a risk / gamble involved.
Agree 100% here. I would take the ins co deal all day long. If everything works, you can go camping right away, and when you sell in a few years you'll probably get $4k for it, that camper doesn't owe you anything. If it turns out it has major concealed damage, you can get $2k back just parting it out and then scrap the rest. There is risk here but it's minimal IMO.
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BurbMan
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06/17/21 08:23pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Insurance!
I believe what you are calling a serial number can equally be called a VIN.
Except that VINs were standardized to 17 characters back in the mid 70's, and insurance comnpany systems won't accept anything else....it's like a 9-digit phone number, they keep telling you it's wrong.
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BurbMan
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06/17/21 08:14pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Insurance!
There are insurance companies that know exactly what a truck camper is and will write a separate policy. Fine one of those companies.
Suggestions welcome!
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BurbMan
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06/16/21 09:06pm |
Truck Campers
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Insurance!
This has me hopping mad! I've been a USAA member for a LOT of years (40+) and always had my TT insured through them. Now they're out of the RV segment and have partnered with Progressive for that. Last year when I was finishing the build (and tallying receipts) I thought insurance would be a good idea. I called USAA who sent me to Progressive where I bought a policy for $162/yr.
We move from NY to IN last month and I get everything switched over with USAA, no problem. They remind me to call Progressive and do the same. After 20 mins on the phone getting the new policy written, they ask for the VIN. I tell them there is no VIN, only a serial number. This is not a vehicle, it's a camper. Uh-oh, please hold.
The Progressive guy comes back on the phone and says they can't write the policy since the camper has no VIN. Further, my NY policy currently in effect with Progressive is being cancelled immediately, because it was written by an independent agent, not a Progressive employee, and they made up numbers for the VIN to get the policy boarded. WHAT?? Oh, and you're not entitled to a refund.
So I call USAA back and let them know how well Progressive is treating their customers. I got a really nice guy on the phone who tells me that my camper is actually covered by my homeowners policy like any other personal property.
If you had $5000 worth of expensive furniture in your truck and you were in a crash and rolled the truck and ruined the furniture, the auto policy would cover damage to the truck and homeowner's would cover the loss of the furniture. Same with the camper, it's personal property like furniture, not a vehicle.
The main reason for wanting insurance is to cover it from storm damage while it's parked, not really concerned about collision.
Who do you guys use for insurance? Anyone have a similar experience with Progressive? Anyone get a similar story about being covered by homeowners?
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BurbMan
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06/16/21 11:41am |
Truck Campers
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