OldGreaser
Explorer
Joined 16 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Need new batteries
Hey Pianotuna, I read this thread because I have a house battery on its last legs, and stumbled over your solar work. VERY Impressive, especially the spreadsheet. I may not convert my present rv to solar or install a residential fridge but I've stored your documents in a very honorable and dignified location on my hard drive. Thanks for sharing!474Views0likes0CommentsRe: tire wear
My wheels are location specific so I waited until 25k and again at 50k and paid the bucks. At 75k I left them alone and finished out the tires at 83k. They were BFG's. I've kept pressures at towing levels, i.e. 60psi on rear and 75 on front. The tires wore very evenly, at least to the eye. I plan to follow the same strategy going forward.388Views0likes0CommentsRe: Fords 6.7 Scorpion Diesel motor
If the original poster is still following this, I have a 2011 6.7 with 96,500 miles on it. I tow an 18,000 lb 5th wheel with a pin weight of 4,000 lbs, verified with individual wheel weights. Trailer has been towed about 38,000 miles. The problems I've experienced that were fixed under warranty: -windshield air squeal, started around 50k miles. Windshield resealed. -intermittent diesel odor in cab. Repaired an exhaust leak. -windshield washer fitting broke. I suffered a battery failure that I think was premature, around two years. This wasn't warranted. Tire life has been excellent. My first set went 83,000 miles. I had them rotated twice in that time, which included cost of popping tires off of rims. Oil changes are done when computer says it's time, usually around 8-9,000 miles. I ask for fuel filter & water trap changes every 2nd change. Ownership experience has been outstanding. Upholstery still looks new, all electronics work flawlessly, no annoying squeaks or rattles, no failed light bulbs, runs like new except slightly better fuel mileage. Biggest complaint is the rear brakes will often squawk in parking lot maneuvers. I am on my 2nd set of pads, wondering if I should have gone aftermarket to reduce noise. Beyond that, I wish maintenance was cheaper and I wish I got better mileage. FWIW, I test drove all three options extensively and thoroughly liked them all. I wanted to buy the Ram, but back in 2011 the 3500 wasn't rated for my trailer. I thought the ride was a bit smoother than Ford, and they offered me a screaming deal. Chev/GM drove well, but they wouldn't deal, so that left Ford which gave me an excellent deal. It has worked out well for me.451Views0likes0CommentsRe: Eastern Arc satellites for Winegard DISH Trav'lr???
To OP- As Bill said manual 72 WILL NOT WORK. I wasted hours trying to get it to work when ------ at Winegard CS kept telling me it would. There is a flaw in their software that will not allow it to lock on. Winegard says no one uses the EA sats so they don't care about fixing it or making an EA dish setup. That is total BS but that was their story. There are many areas of the east that Dishnet is no longer installing WA dishes due to all the signal problems and rain fade. "In many areas of the east the 129ยบ sat is blocked unless you are parked in an open field. All that said there is a way to get the 72 sat. Setup Travler to go to 72 in the manual mode with the TV and receiver on and set to the signal meter. Wait until it gets close to 72 as it will slow down in it's movements and watch the signal meter on the TV. When it shows locked on 72.7 with a strong signal, remove power to the Travler control box. I plug the plug but there is also a 2 button sequence in the manual that I have forgotten. You have to be quick. Don't worry if you miss it as it will come back and try to lock over and over until you stop it or the motors wear out." I'll give it a try 'for fun' but won't work too hard at it. It sounds like about as much trouble as setting up my manual tripod for those cases where I'm blocked from the southwest sky. I've read enough to know that Mr. Bill is a very knowledgeable resource in these matters. It appears to be a dead end with my particular equipment. Thanks everyone for your time in responding.553Views0likes0CommentsRe: Eastern Arc satellites for Winegard DISH Trav'lr???
Thanks for the further info. I suspect you are right, but I managed to find a manual on line that showed I can select certain satellites 'manually'. One of the six or seven choices was 'Manual 72'. I won't likely get out to my trailer in storage for another week or so. Maybe my unit doesn't have this option but I'll start up the generator and give it a try. I'll post my findings which might be 'epic fail'.281Views0likes0CommentsEastern Arc satellites for Winegard DISH Trav'lr???
Some time ago I read something about the existence of eastern satellites that could be used for DISH reception in the event you are blocked from seeing 110, 119 and 129. Any truth to this or am I losing my grip? If true, it would greatly reduce the times I need to get out the old manual Dish. Thanks for your time!7.6KViews0likes23CommentsRe: Audio Video Service
If a trip to Pigeon Forge is not unreasonable, we had outstanding work done by a gentleman named Gary Swaim back in 2011. His company was called Custom Coach Connection. I looked it up on the web and it appears he may have sold it as some different folks are shown as owner/operators. He had a cabinet maker for changes needed to install newer electronics like flat screen TV's. In our case, he sorted out numerous flaws and also made some upgrades that got our TV system fully sorted out and working well. (Dish Traveller on roof, two TV's, 711 series Dish box) Maybe he's still out there, but I guess time goes on.341Views0likes0CommentsRe: Doesn't seem to have been many ST tire failures this year.
This has surely been beaten to death and I'm not trying to pour gasoline on the flames, but in case it's of interest to others who are considering what tires to buy, you can consider these points: Maxxis ST 235 80R16 weight (per an Amazon ad)is 34.2 lb. This Maxxis tire load rating is 3420 lb Michelin LT 245 75R16 at2 weight (per a Michelin site) is 44 lb This Michelin tire load rating is 3040 lb I have installed LT tires that have a lower load rating than the sticker on my trailer indicates I need. Factors I considered: -An earlier poster who works in the tire industry (Capriracer?) explained that the LT tires are rated by a much tougher standard than is used for ST tires, and that the safety factor on the LT's is much higher. -The LT tires do exceed my 6000 lb axle rating. -We take long interstate trips with substantial time spent at or slightly below 65 mph for hours on end. -Web posts by numerous earlier posters convinced me that 'lots' of people were having ST tires failures, and 'nobody' was having LT tire failures. -I have 3 friends who have suffered >1 ST tire failures in the same day; similar trailer size and usage pattern as me. I don't personally know anyone who has suffered an LT tire failure. With my triple axle trailer, when I crawl around a tight corner I can see how much stiffer the LT tires are when I look in the mirror. Distortion of the ST tires was significantly higher, though this is a subjective observation. I don't mean to criticize anybody's decision to run ST's. If my usage was short trips to local parks, I would have stuck with what's on my trailer sticker. I certainly respect the decision to avoid a 'lower rated' tire. My opinion is that the Maxxis 8008 is an excellent quality ST tire. They just didn't work for me. They might work very very well for others.541Views0likes0Comments
Groups
Fifth Wheel Group
Interested in fifth wheels? You've come to the right spot.Feb 18, 202519,006 Posts Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Feb 18, 202544,025 Posts
