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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Thoughts on the 'need' factor of a main line surge protector
I've got a hard-wired one (PI). I had a surge guard that plugged in, but I found it a pain and would often not use it. Likely at the worst times (rushing setting up in the rain etc.) Plus I camped at a couple of sites where I'd have to lay it on the ground to plug in.
Now with the hardwired one, there is no doubt I'm using it.
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gmckenzie
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03/06/20 04:23pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Tongue Jack Needed
I bought a Husky Brute 4500 many years ago. I would buy it again only this time with a remote to drop it on the ball without getting out of the tow vehicle. It raises my 1200lbs of tongue weight plus the rear of my Burb quickly and easily. Link
My next one will have a remote. Between that and the backup camera, it should make hook up alone a breeze.
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gmckenzie
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03/03/20 10:16am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Advice on handheld electric drill for jacks
I use an angle drill. 18v Ryobi from Home Depot (but I have a lot of their 18v stuff as well). It works well for me and has plenty of torque. I tighten them down with a ratchet.
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gmckenzie
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10/02/19 10:27am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: 2020 Chevy 2500HD Gas
I wish they would have still used the 4.10, however I wonder if they decided to go all 3.73 on the gas because possibly a newer transmission could be coming....? Maybe a 8 or 10 speed which would make better use of that gearing along with the new 6.6 gas... just a thought...
This is what I'm hoping for. I'm not in the market right now, but will be in a couple of years and I'd love to see a 10 spd.
Otherwise might have to buy a Ford
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gmckenzie
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09/20/19 03:41pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Privacy Awning Pros, Cons
Guess I'll go against the grain and say that when it's 35C out, and the sun is starting to go down, it's nice having them for the shade.
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gmckenzie
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09/20/19 03:38pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Weight distribution systems, which one is best?
X whatever we're at
The top 3 with built in sway control, though they cost multiple thousands
Hensley Arrow Hensley Arrow
ProPride ProPride
Pull-Rite Pull-Rite
The next three with built in sway control under $1000
Equal-i-zer Equal-i-zer
Reese straight line (dual cam) Reese straight line
Blue Ox Blue ox
I'm sure there are others.
I think the Husky Centerline fits into the second category as well.
I have a Equalizer I found used that works well for my setup.
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gmckenzie
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09/20/19 11:34am |
Towing
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RE: Winterizing
Also not mentioned is to shut off the HW heater switches and empty your HW heater tank. If so equipped, close the inlet and outlet valves and open the bypass line valve. I just winterized my MH, TT, and assisted two friends doing theirs.
Some RV's do not have water by-pass kits intalled at the water heater. A good point made is if you don't have a by-pass installed in your RV,one can be installed. It will save time and increase efficiency if you blow out your system, and if you are using antifreeze save multiple gallons.
I am so glad mine has one. My water heater is tucked in a corner under the stove and there is no way in hell I could get at it to add one without dismantling my kitchen cabinets.
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gmckenzie
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09/17/19 08:59am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Mountain Towing
Check the payload of any truck you are looking at. At 7200 GVW (if you are looking at the trailer dry weight, don't), a 5th wheel pin weight could be 1500 lbs. For a lot of 1/2 tons, that will exceed their payload. Remember to add the weight of the 5th wheel hitch as well as people.
Also, be wary of jumping to a 3/4 ton diesel. Payload on some of them is barely 2000 lbs (the same as my half ton). And while I do think a 3/4 ton diesel will tow better than my half ton, if both within limits, I'd not want to move to a 3/4 ton and be disappointed in the payload. Gas 3/4 ton typically have 500 or so more payload than a diesel comparably equipped.
New trucks, like the 2020 GMC HD, have thrown this out the window.
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gmckenzie
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09/17/19 08:35am |
Towing
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RE: Tongue Jack Issues
Just in case anyone else stumbles on this post. I came across this post with recommendations on tongue jacks to buy.
Link to post
So even though I didn't get all of my answers here, I think I am all set now.
Surprised so many don't want the remote with the Husky. My next one will have the remote so I can back up with my camera and drop the tongue on the ball without getting out of the truck. I typically hook up alone. When my wife helps, she does a great job, but she is often still doing stuff.
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gmckenzie
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09/17/19 08:21am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: 2020 GMC HD in the Wild
Driving to work this morning I saw a new GMC and noticed the fenders reflectors are actually lights. Also the led headlights looked really good.
On the Chevy forums, many who buy the GMC are figuring out how tint the fender lights.
Not a fan of the fender lights, but have not seen one in real life yet.
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gmckenzie
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09/12/19 11:47am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2020 Chevy payload
Was trying to figure out if payload for gm drw has gone up since my 2015. The new 2020 aren’t out yet. So I figured someone out there might have a gm drw crew cab diesel that could tell me there payload
Payload has gone up, but the DRW hasn't started shipping yet so all you'll see is brochure numbers. No real numbers for the DRW yet.
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gmckenzie
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09/11/19 04:12pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM recall 2014-2018
You won't have the vacuum pump on the HD series as they don't use the cylinder deactivation (V4 mode). The pump compensates for lower manifold vacuum when in V4 mode (or at least that is how it was explained to me).
My truck was reprogrammed last week.
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gmckenzie
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09/11/19 04:07pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Pulling with 1/2 ton
In reference specifically to half ton towing, why do people say, "use the max trailer weight?"
Some trailers have 3000 lbs of cargo capacity (Who's going to use all that?!). Some have under a 1000.
Even with excessive amounts of tools, backup parts, winter supplies, summer supplies, extra battery, solar panels, various added accessories, food, 50 gallons of water, grill, camp stove, camp table, camp chairs, cast iron pots and pans, and assorted other sundries, I can't seem to get over about 1500 lbs of stuff in my trailer.
I don't think you will find a trailer that can be towed by a 1/2 ton with 3K carrying capacity. 1500 seems more the norm (and I've been looking at this lately).
And I just found one, so ppbbbtttt!!!! to me.
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gmckenzie
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09/11/19 12:06pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Pulling with 1/2 ton
I run a 1/2 ton Chevy Silverado, 3:42 gears, 5.3L, and all of the towing options pulling a Jayco 23BHM that has a max weight of 6250lbs.
I try not to exceed 75% of the vehicle tow capacity.
Why 3:42 gears - there are in the middle, not stump pullers and not mileage gears! I can pull the mountains - I might not be able to blast up them at 65MPH but I can get up them!
Just on the 3.42.
My 1500 with the max trailering has a 6 sp and 3.73 gears. Newer versions have a 10 spd and 3.42 gears. The newer truck have an overall higher numerical final drive in 1st gear due to a better 1st on the 10 spd vs the older 6 spd.
I think it changed in 2017 (mine is 2015).
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gmckenzie
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09/11/19 11:11am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Pulling with 1/2 ton
In reference specifically to half ton towing, why do people say, "use the max trailer weight?"
Some trailers have 3000 lbs of cargo capacity (Who's going to use all that?!). Some have under a 1000.
Even with excessive amounts of tools, backup parts, winter supplies, summer supplies, extra battery, solar panels, various added accessories, food, 50 gallons of water, grill, camp stove, camp table, camp chairs, cast iron pots and pans, and assorted other sundries, I can't seem to get over about 1500 lbs of stuff in my trailer.
I don't think you will find a trailer that can be towed by a 1/2 ton with 3K carrying capacity. 1500 seems more the norm (and I've been looking at this lately).
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gmckenzie
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09/11/19 11:09am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Pulling with 1/2 ton
The more I've looked at all of this over the years (and in my own considerations moving forward), the more I've realized that the badges a truck wears are less and less meaningful to the average weekend camper. There are '1/2 tons' that are so decked out and blinged up they are barely capable of hauling groceries, and there are others beefed up to a point that their ratings rival many 3/4 tons. The same kind of ambiguity exists with 3/4 and 1 tons as well.
Look at your numbers. What is your payload, what is your GCVWR, what are your real weights (not dry or estimated), and how does it all line up? That's the best you can do, as you simply can't get good 'apples to apples' comparisons from one truck configuration to another.
I love comparing my payload number to 3/4 ton diesels. I don't think I can out-tow them, but the payload on those can be real low.
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gmckenzie
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09/10/19 11:58am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Pulling with 1/2 ton
Thank you all for the responses!! My 1/2 ton is rated to pull 9,400. Was considering the new 1/2 Silverado with max tow package rated at 11,300. It is just DW and I nothing unusual as far as packing except two bicycles just struggling on what to do
I've got a 2015 max tow, payload is 2,015 as per the yellow sticker.
I ignore dry weight and use the gross trailer weight. My trailer gross is 8,200 lbs. Tongue is 1,040 (per a scale), or 12.6%. I wouldn't pull any heavier than this, as I do risk running out of payload. I don't have a topper as I don't want the weight. It's also just me, the wife and 2 small dogs and I rarely bother with a generator as I don't often dry camp.
Check the payload on what you are looking at. Based on the 12.6% I've got (and that is just specific to my setup), a 100lb reduction in payload would mean an almost 800 lb reduction in trailer weight I can pull. So if payload was 1800 lbs, I'd max out at about 6600lbs.
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gmckenzie
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09/10/19 09:27am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Getting couch out of 5th wheel?
I dismantled or unassembled ours and once out of coach I re-assembled it and sold it.
I'd be surprised if it doesn't come apart. I got rid of mine and replaced it with a recliner love seat. Took about 30 minutes to take it apart, put it in the back of the truck, put the new one in and assemble it.
I could have sawzalled mine, but it came apart real easy. I took mine to the dump. Hated the thing from new so it was cathartic to toss it out.
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gmckenzie
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09/09/19 04:16pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: 12V fuse in junction box on trailer frame
Ok, now that I've done some more reading, and as time2roll mentioned, it's probably a resettable circuit breaker. I will check to see if there is a reset button. I'm just concerned as to why it tripped.
If it's the normal automotive one, they are supposed to self-reset. If it isn't, go to an auto parts store and buy a new one. Make sure to get the same amperage.
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gmckenzie
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09/09/19 03:54pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Anode rod necessary ?
Yes. For the small price of the anode rod keep it. I have gone as much as 3 years on one anode, very little damage. It only dissolved at the end of the 3rd year.
3 yrs?
Mine came with the trailer when I bought mine in 2010 and is still mostly there. :)
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gmckenzie
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09/09/19 03:50pm |
Travel Trailers
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