pdlarson
Explorer
Joined 14 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Rapid City / Ellsworth AFB area RV Parks?
Any tips for full hookup sites in the Rapid City SD area? I'll be headed to Rapid City SD for their airshow coming up Aug 15&16. So for this trip, closer to the Air Force base would be better. I'm not a veteran so the on-base CG is not an option. I'm sure we'll stop by Mt. Rushmore and other sites but we'll be visiting the base more often than anything else. So I think although Rafter J and Horse Theif sound nice, Custer would be too far away from where we want to be. I have a motel booked then realized, why don't I pull my motel on wheels!? So for this trip, the KOA style "camping" is more what I'm asking about. Any reviews of the Rapid City KOA or other suggestions in the area? We prefer sites with room so the neighbors slide-out isn't over our picnic table and shade is tied with space as the most important thing. The gravel playgrounds on the open prairie aren't really our thing. We'll be traveling with three kids and two small dogs if that matters. Thanks!1.6KViews0likes6CommentsRecommendations for replacement stereo
I have a newer Springdale that came with an AM/FM CD player stereo wired to inside and outside speakers. It must be the cheapest hardest to use piece of******ever. I want to replace it with something better quality and that can take an external antenna. I'll have to add the aerial to the roof but I can handle that. I'm looking for ideas of models of good built in stereos and sources to buy them. I'm not looking for amplifiers or loudness, I'm looking for easy to operate and good reception ability. If you like what you have, what model is it? Does it connect to an external antenna?1.7KViews0likes4CommentsRe: Tongue Jack Blowing Fuses
Thanks for all the comments everyone. It's cold now but I'll look into lubrication and also the Bussmann "cb221-30" circuit breaker which I believe is the correct type for my regular size fuse. It is hard to answer if the fuse only blows going up as it has happened after lowering the tongue but was it blown after lowering fully to the end of travel or after attempting to start to raise the tongue? I'm not sure. I can do some testing to find out but at this point I think the jack will get lubed, breaker installed and that will be it.1.9KViews0likes0CommentsTongue Jack Blowing Fuses
Not sure if this belongs in Travel Trailers or Tech but here goes: My electric tongue jack keeps blowing 30 amp fuses. I don't recall this happening for the first year or two I had it but suddenly earlier this year I started having trouble. There is a manual override but it is very difficult to crank. I have a supply of fuses that has helped me out of a jam but I'd be curious to know why this is happening in the first place. I don't see anywhere where it says what size fuse to use, 30A is what it came with new so that is what I have been using. I know that in general the recommendation is to not insert a higher rated fuse and to inspect everything because fuses blowing could be a sign of other trouble. The problem is that I can't seem to find anything wrong. This typically happens if the jack is over-extended in either direction (not on purpose or for a long time but you never know when it will stop until it stops) or when just starting to lift the tongue. Any ideas? Thanks!11KViews0likes21CommentsRe: Sway ball for kid's toy tractor & trailer, need advice Part2
Oh he does. He helped with this project too. It is hard to tell but there are two parts that had to be removed for the ball to sit flat (and so the trailer via the original connection would not jackknife). I cut them off with a jigsaw but he made sure that the area was filed smooth along with the cuts I had to make in the tongue. He also helped pick the design of how we attached the sway bar and picked the screws he wanted. As far as yard work I think he works harder than his two older brothers. If you like this project check out this video of a modified battery powered Lightning McQueen! http://youtu.be/GybG-ZonSgw203Views0likes0CommentsSway ball for kid's toy tractor & trailer, need advice Part2
Well I am so slow that my original thread was archived Sway ball for kid's toy tractor & trailer, need advice Part1 So this is now Sway ball for kid's toy tractor & trailer, need advice Part2 With thanks to dodge guy who shipped me a sway bar I have modified my son's electric toy tractor to "be like Dad's truck" with a real ball and a trailer that can actually hook up to this ball. Now he wants an electric jack for his trailer! Here are the after mod pics (don't forget to see part one for the before mod pics)... We both love it! We love it and plan more mods. We need to add a ball to the pedal tractors and sway bars to anything he can tow. Also swapping battery connectors to power poles, more bigger batteries and chargers, rubber wheels and, and, and...971Views0likes3CommentsRe: Twin Falls Idaho area recommendations
Stayed at Anderson's Camp and enjoyed it. Thanks for the recommendations. Facilities are dated but overall everything was clean and functional. Staff was friendly. Didn't swim or mini-golf but the water felt warm and the kiddos loved playing zombies in the newer of two playgrounds with some other kids. Actually they enjoyed both playgrounds. There was also plenty of room to spread out. We were in spaces numbered in the 50s along a large grassy area. Lots of shade too. We will be back! Access to Twin Falls, Jerome and Shoshone Falls is simple so this was a winner.384Views0likes0CommentsRe: Ideas for a adding main battery shutoff
Wow! Great replies, thanks everyone. My son is very inquisitive which I encourage but sometimes he is a little overly independent. I had to put a padlock on my well pump so he wouldn't burn it out by turning it on without opening any spigots. I'll put one of these solutions to use soon I'm sure.567Views0likes0CommentsIdeas for a adding main battery shutoff
I'm looking for ideas on how to add a master battery shutoff / disconnect. I'm looking for something childproof, weatherproof, etc. my fuse panel doesn't seem to have any main fuses and I get aggravated pulling all of them or opening up the battery box every time I want to disconnect for more than three weeks of storage. This is for the camper in my sig with dual 12V batteries. Thanks!5.7KViews0likes18Comments
Groups
RV Families
Activities, advice, and destinations for those traveling with kids!Oct 09, 2024501 Posts Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Feb 06, 202544,025 Posts
