valhalla360
Navigator
Joined 16 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Composting toilet - pros and cons
I've used a cassette a couple times on a rental...worst possible option: - You either have to cut a hole in the side to slide it out or you have to carry it thru the RV. - No need for a new hole with a composter anyway as you can repurpose the old holding tank vent. But no, smell is a non-issue having lived with one for several years. Had he solar fan fail once and never noticed it. Only emptied the urine every 2-3 days (less if using shore side facilities or trees). And just like a cassette which needs to be dumped every couple days, any shoreside toilet is a legitimate place to dump. We don't put toilet paper down a traditional RV toilet either (we use real toilet paper that actually works not the RV specific stuff that your fingers go right thru). If you use the lousy RV TP, you can put it in a composting toilet without problem. I still don't think it makes sense in an RV. With just a modest amount of effort, we can get a week out of the black tank. If really needed, we could probably double that.1View0likes0CommentsRe: First ever RV trip
It's doable but more of a road trip vs get someplace and camp. Plugging into google maps, it's about 800 miles, so figure around 16hr of driving (you go slower in an RV so we usually figure a 50mph average speed). Add a half hour on ether end for set up and tear down. Over 7 days it's doable. What will you be using to tour around in? It's a pain to pack up the camper every time you want to go sight seeing or even to the grocery store, plus in many areas parking for a motorhome will be tough. Most owners, tow a car or go very small on the MH...not real practical flying out with larger group. I would step back and ask what are you trying to see and how much driving do you want to do. What is your experience driving large vehicles? Nothing horrible on the route but some descent grades. Presumably a rental will be in good operating condition but do a little research on how to drive on steep grades. Have a little discussion about bathroom usage with the family. You have limited fresh water storage and more important gray/black water storage...if possible use shower house or other facilities when available. Keep in mind most rental units are minimally equipped, so boondocking (camping away from campgrounds with no electricity or water) requires you to be careful with usage. Also, you probably won't have a grill and cooking equipment will be minimal, so how are you feeding everyone...speaking of which, a big chunk of the first day will be lost getting orientated and then hitting a grocery store (assuming you won't be doing all restaurants). None of this is intended to turn you off to the idea it's just easier when you own the rig and can outfit it the way you want.3Views0likes0CommentsRe: Long term class B lease
Most people lookin at 6 months or more are going to buy, so no much interest by rental companies. A mom & pop place might give you a deal. Also, be careful of geographic location limits. Most places don't expect you to go cross country if you have the rig for 4-7 days. What happens when you break down 1500miles from the rental shop? What if you want to cross into Canada? Unless there is some issue limiting you from buying (maybe foreigner who isn't able to by and title), there just isn't much reason not to buy.135Views0likes0CommentsRe: Moving a 5th wheel with a tractor
That's a 10,000lb GVWR trailer, expect it to be north of 2000lb hitch weight when loaded for camping. I would doubt the 1385lb when it rolled off the factor floor (usually that's the design but they always come out a bit heavier. As mentioned, every campground we've seen that moves 5ers with tractors uses a pin attachment on a bucket or forklift on the front. Most 3 point tractor hitches don't lift that high, so I presume you would need some structure. Assuming the pin is 3-4ft behind the roll bar and the roll bar is only 3ft wide, it probably won't be an issue but some quick measurements and you should be able to figure it out.176Views1like1CommentRe: 2025 - National & State Park Pass for Senior and Military
No one getting free stuff complains. I don't qualify for either option and I wouldn't complain if i got some free stuff. It was posed as one or the other option in which case, I would argue morally, it should be the vets getting the benefit but with WWII vets largely having aged out and even VietNam vets quickly aging out (trying to politely say they are dying of old age.... but both groups qualify for the old age benefits anyway), the newer generations have much smaller vet populations, so not much political benefit to giving those benefits.238Views0likes1CommentRe: Adding a Fifth wheel hitch
That's a gooseneck ball. - There adapters you can put on your trailer pin but be careful, they change the forces on the trailer frame and many manufacturers will invalidate the warranty because they can damage the frame. - I believe there is an actual 5th wheel hitch that attaches to a gooseneck ball but I've never dealt with them. - A standard 5th wheel hitch either adds rails or some of the newer trucks get 4 pucks that the hitch attaches to.185Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2025 - National & State Park Pass for Senior and Military
Nothing to do with what's right (and you are absolutely correct). Politicians know: There are more old folks than Veterans and old folks vote. At the same time, old folks have more time to visit national parks because they are retired, so they would raise a bigger stink if it was taken away.271Views0likes3CommentsRe: Roof vents and skylights
The trick is getting it properly sealed...particularly with a DIY home built vent. Honestly, I would look at the wall (again with proper sealing). They make wall vents for toy haulers that could be used without reinventing the wheel. Most trailers go to the bone yard due to water leaks. I would love a trailer with zero roof penetrations. With a single unbroken sheet of rubber roofing (or better aluminium), 90% of leaks would be eliminated.395Views0likes12CommentsRe: Need 5th wheel hitch and information
Assuming it's the old style rails for a hitch, facebook marketplace should have plenty for cheap. Assuming it's the newer puck style, you can try but likely will be looking at buying new for much higher price. What is the model of the truck, engine and what does the sticker on he door say for payload? What is the model 5th wheel and what is the GVWR. "Tow rating" is rarely the limiting factor for towing a 5th wheel. It's "payload" that usually limits you. You should expect 20-25% of the trailer GVWR to sit on the hitch (aka: pin weight). This weight counts against your payload along with the hitch, passengers and any other gear or bolt on items in the truck. A 10,000lb GVWR trailer can have a 2500lb pin weight.578Views0likes0CommentsRe: Fifth Wheel Hitches and sideways tilt
This^^^^ Most hitches can accommodate 7deg or roll but a good chance the trailer overhang hits the side of the truck bed. Assuming this is a permanent site, can the campground help? At one place we stayed, they had a skid steer with a fifth wheel pin on a fork and they could maneuver very tightly. Probably not worth it if you will be in and out regularly but if it's a one time deal, it's worth checking.196Views0likes1Comment
Groups
Bucket List Trips
Bucketlist destinations you just can't miss. Which spots stick with you?Jan 18, 202513,487 Posts Chefs on the Road
Campground recipe recommendations, restaurants, and more!Jan 01, 20252,135 Posts Fifth Wheel Group
Interested in fifth wheels? You've come to the right spot.Jan 29, 202519,006 Posts Full Time RVers
Thinking about becoming a full-time RVer? Ask the experts.Dec 28, 20241,587 Posts Motorhome Group
Join in here to discuss all things motorhomes.Jan 20, 202538,706 Posts
