aviator41
Explorer
Joined 9 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: B&W Companion Hitch w/Bedrug
I called B&W directly to find out what they recommend and why. Their Recommendation is to cut the bed rug to ensure the tightest possible fit between the hitch and the bed/turnover ball frame. The idea is that they don't want any flex points that could allow the bolt you torque to 60lbs to work loose at all. They don't want to risk the pin having any "slack" at all that could allow to beat itself to death in the turnover ball socket. Cut the bed mat. if you want, keep the pieces and put them in place when you're not running with the hitch installed. For me, that was too much work.570Views0likes0CommentsRe: Fifth Wheel Lube Plate -- Who uses one?
Like most others here, I use one as well. I do believe that was the first thing I bought for the 5er. Took the trailer back to the dealer so they could properly secure a recliner and left it on. When I went to pick it up, the service guy told me the jack the place up with the fork lift and handed me a brand new one in the package. Apparently they see the value as well. Sure beats the heck out of goopy, messy grease. Especially when you have the 5er unhooked. I never have to worry about getting dirty or getting anything in my bed dirty by brushing up against a nasty hitch face.514Views0likes0CommentsRe: new batteries leaking during off-season storage
the batteries are only a year old. they were delivered with the RV. Really, the batteries aren't used that much. Mainly just to run the leveling system during setup and tear down. The batteries are about as cheap as the come. Just enough to qualify as a "battery" I suppose. I would imagine that most RV companies do something similar to maximize their profits. I would imagine a battery replacement sometime mid summer to 6 volt batteries.467Views0likes0CommentsRe: new batteries leaking during off-season storage
Well the liquid failed the baking soda test. I'm not sure why one would boil over and the other not, if thats what happened. I've pulled the maintainer (it's a true maintainer, not a trickle charger) and will replace the one dead battery. really, it looks like the battery may have a crack in the case as the top is totally dry.466Views0likes0CommentsRe: Does HEARTLANDS trailers have a high quality build?
I guess we are the exception to the rule. our Heartland Oakmont has been relatively trouble free. We've only really had one issue: the slide in the kitchen caught the linoleum was it was retracting and tore a big gouge in it right at the end of last season. I think A rock got caught in the roller or something. Not a difficult fix. Other than that we are not terribly ginger with anything in the trailer. things are built of light materials to keep the weight down, but the recliners and couches are super comfy. even the beds aren't bad. We haven't had plumbing problems or water storage problems or AC issues or anything else. just set it up, use it then clean it, put it away. Basic maintenance goes a long way regardless of the brand of RV you buy. I hope I didn't just jinx myself.466Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tonneau cover
I have a roll-n-lock as well and LOVE it. it's very secure and can be extended to the front of the hitch when traveling, give a semi-weatherproof area. once at the campgrounds and the truck detached, I can close it up and the bed is a locked system. (I have an auto-lock on the tailgate that locks the tailgate when the truck is locked.) love it.465Views0likes0Commentsnew batteries leaking during off-season storage
I pull the two batteries from the 5th wheel once it's put up for the winter. they sit in the garage on a board and are hooked to a maintainer that stays plugged in at all times. one of the deep cycle batteries has started leaking - but I cant tell from where. the board it is sitting on is slowly getting wetter and wetter. Both of the battiers stay hooked up to each other in parallell, just like int the RV and a maintainer is hooked to them to keep them in good shape over the winter. once this leaking started, I removed the maintainer thinking that they might be getting over-charged. The maintainer is a "smart" system that stops charging when the batteries are full. This same setup worked perfectly last year with no leaking and no trouble. What do I need to be looking for? do I potentiall have a bad battery? I plan on having them tested, but haven't done so yet. Is leaving them conntected to each other a bad idea for storage?2.8KViews0likes12CommentsRe: Fifth Wheel/Diesel mpg
I tow our 15.8K 5er with a 2016 Ford F350 DRW 4X4 and am getting about 13.3MPG at the moment. We just pulled it 100 miles last weekend and that was our average over pretty flat terrain. I saw quite a jump in MPG as the truck turned passed 10,000 on the odometer. We're at about 22K now and the mileage seems to have leveled out. When we first started towing we were getting a whopping 6 MPG!155Views0likes0Comments
Groups
Fifth Wheel Group
Interested in fifth wheels? You've come to the right spot.Feb 16, 202519,006 Posts RV Newbies
We all start out new. Share lessons learned or first-time questions!Jun 15, 20174,026 Posts Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Feb 06, 202544,025 Posts
