DesertDave100
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Re: Cassette Toilets
I have never used a dump station. I have a readily-accessible sewer cleanout next to my garage/driveway, which is where I dumped a black tank when I had one, and where I dump the cassette toilet. I dump either after each trip. Advantages of the cassette are I don't need a 'stinky slinky' stored in the garage. I need only two ounces per fill of the toilet chemical, plus two quarts of water, to start the cassette. The black tank needed 8 oz/5 gallons h2o to start. I have used a pit toilet (where I was staying)to empty the cassette on a longer trip, no need to look for a dump station. The use capacity of the cassette is limited to much fewer uses than the black tank was. This might be a concern for someone who camps 4-5 days without moving and without access to any place to dump either type of toilet. I had no issue using the black tank, but I think I prefer the cassette style by a small margin.340Views0likes0CommentsRe: garage parking
I have 95" clear at my garage door header, and my FourWheel popup camper (FWC) fits in the garage on the back of my F350 4X4. My camper has a cassette toilet. FWC are 59" from the bed to the top of the vent. My truck unloaded only had 58" clear, but it settled 2" with the camper on so it just clears.343Views0likes0CommentsRe: Camper package
On my 2007 Ford, the camper package was mostly a certificate in the glove box, because I had ordered all of the 'camper package' items as part of other options, such as an optional tire package or a GCVWR package, etc. One could go through an almost infinite number of pertubations upon ordering. However, had I not already 'ordered' those items in the process, then choosing camper package would have included those items as a significant-cost item. So you would need to either see 'camper package' as an option, or be clever enough to read the door labels and the VIN number to ascertain that the selected vehicle you are considering has the requisite equipment installed to meet your needs. When I carried a 2400 lb dry weight camper on my 11400 GVWR F350 SRW I extended the bumpstops on the overloads so both ends would be engaged firmly with the camper loaded - that made the best improvements to handling. Loaded for a long weekend I exceeded the GVWR by 600 pounds. My best advice is to not be overly optimistic on what you can comfortably carry, as things tend to weigh more than expected and handling isn't as good as hoped for when over the load ratings. I now carry a 1350 lb dry weight camper, have returned the suspension to stock, and still engage one end of the overload spring with the camper on. The folks who bought my camper have a Ford F30 with 10500 pound GVWR and ended up with a custom spring pack to achieve satisfaction.358Views0likes0CommentsRe: Front hitch weight capacity?
It would be best to refer to the manufacturers info on the hitch, if you know who made it and can access the info. That said, mine was rated at 500 tongue weight, similar to a class III rear hitch. That was with four mounting bolts used on each side. Too bad when I hit a deer the body shop only saw fit to replace three of them, since they aren't an easy install.238Views0likes0CommentsRe: TCS with Solar - Rooftop or Portable
One could do both roof-mounted and portable, as I did. The portable runs through the same controller as the permanent solar (size it properly in advance) then you decide based on circumstances whether to deploy the portable. Since I use the flexible Renogy 100 W panel, I have a pretty easy transportation and deployment situation, and I can place it on the roof easily, or on the windshield or the picnic table or against a tire or... (these are all ways I have used it in the last six weeks). That panel without controller weighs only 3 pounds I think. Overall, with only one controller and two panels I think I ended up with a fairly decent solution for my circumstances. It may or not be useful for someone else.369Views0likes0CommentsRe: 12v Air compressor question!? High Volume? Beach camping
I did a lot of research on this a month or two ago, and purchased one of these. http://www.ebay.com/itm/PUMA-12-VOLT-1-5-GALLON-OIL-LESS-AIR-COMPRESSOR-FREE-SHIPPING-/280790586347 I have had York engine-driven compressors on past vehicles so I am accustomed to having fast and efficient compressed air. This was the closest I have found , plus it seems to be the best value. There is a lot of info on these if you search the internet, say starting with Ih8mud or expeditionportal.742Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 13, 202544,029 Posts
