MegaJohn
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John Pennekamp, SP (Florida) - Suggestions?
My DW & I are traveling to John Pennekamp for spring break this year the first week of April. We've never traveled to the keys and would appreciate any suggeted must-do activities and/or must-see attractions. We're in our mid-40s, some-what active/adventurous, and have no medical limitations. I will be carrying the motorcycle along and plan to get some riding in. My DW will spend time on the beach in the sun. I'll carry along my snorkel/mask/fins. We also plan to take the glass-bottom boat ride offered. I've reviewed the site information/ammenities and it looks pretty standard for SPs we frequent... it's kinda small, but has sewer hook-up at the site. Is there anything out of the ordinary we should plan to bring with us (or leave behind)? Also, could someone provide a report of cell/4G coverage in the area for AT&T? Happy Camping! John.2KViews0likes7CommentsRe: Need options - carrying motorcycle with TT
4thesporty wrote: With your bike at an angle in the bed how much of the rear would hang over with no tailgate? Remove the tailgate and get a 4x8x1/2" plywood cut appropriately to make it just long enough to hold the rear tire of the bike. Then are you able to tow your TT? I would have to check the measurements... I think the rear tire will rest squarely on the opened tailgate. I've not looked into loading the bike from corner to corner... that *might* work. Happy Camping! John.238Views0likes0CommentsNeed options - carrying motorcycle with TT
Greetings! I know this subject has been covered previously, but I can’t find the thread I've read on it. I recently purchased a motorcycle and would like to bring it along while traveling/camping. We pull our camper with a 2006 Dodge 3500, dually, 5.9L, short wheel base (70” bed, approximately)… the combined weight is about 16K pounds. The truck has a GCVR of like 24K. I’m not sure what the cargo rating or weight of our current setup is. The camper weighs 8,000lbs… I expect the tongue weight to be in the neighborhood of 800-1200lbs. The motorcycle weighs about 800lbs. I’ve looked into loading the motorcycle into the truck bed, but taking measurements of the bed and motorcycle, it seems the motorcycle’s rear tire would have to rest on the opened tailgate. I cannot tow our camper with the tailgate down… it only barely clears the camper’s jack and would not allow for turning. Without buying a long bed pickup or a toy hauler, what are my options for bringing the motorcycle along? Is there a receiver extension that would support the WDS hitch and allow me to tow with the tailgate down? I’ve seen a motorcycle/boat lift that allowed a boat trailer or motorcycle to be loaded pointing up above the cab of the truck, but can’t find the site right now. I expect the cost is more than I’m willing to pay, but it may be less than a new truck or camper. What have others in this predicament done? Happy Camping! John.4.4KViews0likes22CommentsRe: Brake controller Problem
I had a similar problem with our brake controller last fall. Check all the wires you can see for cracks and wear. If there is truly a short, it could be anywhere in the system... where the wires go into the axle tubes, inside the brake drums, at the connector, break-away switch, in the truck's wiring, etc. For my situation... it was the controller. If you have another or a friend has one installed, try it out. In my search, I tried isolating each axle/drum (by cutting the wires at the axle) and testing it out with my controller. Unfortunately, my short was intermittent and this test didn't get me anywhere. I didn't found a short at the axle tubes as others suggested. I pulled each drum to inspect the wires & magnet for wear... nada. Finally, in frustration I bought another controller... problem solved. Happy Camping! John.237Views0likes0CommentsRe: Advice finetuning generator exhaust noise
lawtonglenn wrote: mikestock wrote: Happy Prospector wrote: The best way to quiet this machine is to install solar and hit the off switch. Great Idea. How many solar panels and batteries would it take to keep a 15k air conditioner running around the clock? You guys crack me up... too funny! Happy Camping! John.383Views0likes0CommentsRe: Exterior speakers and selector switches
I wired our front speaker output to the factory installed inside speakers and the rear output to the outside speakers. I use a remote volume controls for the inside/outside speakers... the inside volume control is conveniently mounted inside, the outside control is inside a door accessible from the outside. If I don't want to hear one set, I turn it down all the way. Happy Camping! John.387Views0likes0CommentsRe: Streaming Movies
Our TV at home has internet capability (as well as our blueray player, Tivo, & Wii)... at home we use those to connect to Netflix or YouTube to watch video. While camping we can (though normally don't) watch videos over cell by connecting my cell phone (Motorola Atrix) to the TV via HDMI. This is not practical for watching too much video, but for an hour or two a couple times a month it works with our data plan. Our cable service (ComCast) also has an Android app which allows us to watch some video through our phones... not too much is available though. If you subscribe to movie channels, there are more video selections available. Happy Camping! John.530Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thetford totes
modern family wrote: Don't forget your 90 degree sewer connection. My first time, I traveled kind of far to the dump station (at 5 mph) waited On line... Then realized I forgot the connection. I had to go back to get it and wait on line again. But I have the 32 gallon thetford, it is nice to have. When we bought our Thetford the salesperson suggested drilling a small hole in the handle of the trap-door thing that holds the hose in place then connect a bungee between the hose and the handle (not the hinged handle, but the place it's connected). I wrapped the bungee around the handle side and closed the hook onto the cord so it is permanently installed. He suggested this as the trap-door for the hose might open and drag... damaging the trap-door. I use this bungee to store my 90 degree elbow... just slide the bungee through the connector and connect the bungee to the hole in the trap-door's handle. So, everything is always with the tote... well, except my gloves. ;) Happy Camping! John.462Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thetford totes
We have the big Thetford tank... I think it's 35 gallons. We've had it for about 5 years. It works great when needed. We dump both black & grey water in ours and store it under our camper on a platform we added. It goes everywhere we go. ;) As for the Barker... I think it has a side dump valve which would be nice, but then you have to carry the hose with you (as others noted). It's a trade off I guess... both will surely do the job equally as well. Happy Camping! John.463Views0likes0Comments
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