Elk_traveler
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Re: 2015 Ford Focus flat tow damage
I read this topic with some concern as I tow a 2017 Ford Focus and have done so for more than 20K miles with some four trips from the east coast across the rockies of Wyoming, montana and colorado. It appears the towbar could have been connected to the bumper assembly instead of to the chassis properly. I remember when I had baseplate installed the mechanic had to remove the entire front end of vehicle in order to make the correct connections since he said it would be literally impossible to properly hook up the tow bar unless he remove the front end. Once removed I could see why because the Focus being subcompact is very cramped and you simply cannot reach anything unless you have clearance. Anyway he did a good job as I have never had any problem associated with the baseplate mount which is critical for any flat tow.385Views0likes0CommentsRe: roof replace or coat?
Over the years I have used many coatings for trailers and 5th wheels roofs. Now drive a MH. Most of the previous coating have been of the acrylic type but two years ago I tried the Henry Tropicool coating. I am sold and find it to be extremely good after two years. The stuff sticks like GLUE and looks nice and actually does keep the inside cooler. The Tropicool has a solid track record on outdoor buildings and the like. I highly recommend it and it is safe and proven for RV Epdm roofs and the like.624Views0likes0CommentsRe: Propane tank inside or outside of RV?
I purchased and use the portable buddy which uses the 1 lb cylinder propane inside the RV. Works well except the little tanks last only about 4 hours on low. The portable buddy is made to be use in the inside with of course a vent open to allow fresh air. If using outside you can connect to a regular 20 lb tank. The little heater works quites well.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Who’s still using a 7.3 diesel truck
My 7.3L powerstroke is a 1996 and if not mistaken it is a 420ft.lb of torque. It is pure raw diesel power from the ground up. A new Ford diesel the 6.7L engine is and old gasoline converted block that was put in the Ford 392 cu-ft engines in 1962. The International 7.3L diesel was designed from scratch as a diesel engine. The torque delivered is sustained power even under max load whereas the new Ford engines only deliver instant and temporary power and cannot be sustained which is whats make the old 7.3L a better engine to begin with for diesel power. Sure it has a lot of bells and whistles and chinese electronics so you can pay more money to buy but that is all. My truck has less than 77K. I think at the time the first maintenance was scheduled for the 100,000 mile mark which I never reached. I have thus far done all the maintenance myself and as state 90% if miles came from traveling the Rockies of Wyoming, Montana and Colorado towing towing and 5th wheels. The last 5th wheel was a 33 footer weighing 14K and I traveled the Beartooth Highway down from Red Montana with it. After so many years and getting old we gone to motorhome with V10 engine which is a joke compared the to the old 7.3L which is now in the garage and I make the rounds to car shows with it.471Views0likes0CommentsRe: Who’s still using a 7.3 diesel truck
Never had a truck camper but do have a legendary 7.3L power stroke diesel. Used it to tow two trailers and two 5th wheelers. Now it's a classic and parked in my garage. It has less than 77K miles and 90% of those miles were crossing the Rockies of Wyoming, Colorado and Montana. It's the best Ford ever put on the road. Would still be out there if not for the cost that Ford had to pay International to OEM it and the cost of safisfying the EPA compliance. It's better than any Ford out there now. All the new ones have all sorts of chinese made electronic gadgets, bell and whistles but cannot compete with the raw power that is in the 7.3. My model is a 1996 which I take to car shows only now. I drive a small motor home with a V10 but no comparison to the 7.3.234Views0likes0CommentsRe: Drip
I have a small drip coming from the 1 1/2" black pvc pipe from the gray water tank. Not sure where its coming from yet, could be the pipe or a joint? If I can find where the leak is coming from is there a product that will seal the pvc pipe? Thanks, Mike Flex seal paste. It is a miracle worker for leaks. Had a leak a year ago and I put the stuff on thinking I would go back later and make a permanent fix but never did it works so well. The paste gives you the ability to put it on as thick as you like. Most TV advertise products are junk but this product does what Phil Swift says it will.741Views0likes0CommentsRe: Looking for portable electric space heater for rv!
pianotuna wrote: Elk_traveler wrote: Well the solution just appeared from Mr. Heater a portable propane heater that utilizes the small 16 oz Coleman propane bottles. the heater is designed and certified to operate inside. s ideal for use during the evenings. I would not leave it running while sleeping but otherwise it is a perfect choice. Simply replace the little propane bottle and keep going. I think the Mr. Heater just recently hit the market. designed and certified and DANGEROUS. They have been around for at least a dozen years. There are through the wall vented propane heaters that use no power. I apologize to the OP for going "off topic". Elk Traveler, if it is the breaker in the RV that is flipping using an autoformer can improve things. I don't load past 24 amps when there is a 30 amp circuit. I use a hybrid inverter/charger to do load support and take care of surges in power demand. I could be wrong but I think the portable Mr. Heater (has not been around very long) The shop version or high btu has been around for years but they are not suitable for in home use. They emit too much carbon monoxide. In our home we use which uses electric heat we use a 30000 btu propane heater also designed for in house use with no emission of carbon monoxide. When using electric heaters 1500 watt (2) on a 30Amp input to your RV will always put the breakers to their limit because you most likely will have on TV, Refrig or some other applicance pushing the circuitry to the limit. The heaters if thermostatically controlled surges on and off up to perhaps 1700 watts. In this case running only one 1500 watt electric and the protable Mr. heater is ideal for an evening of relaxing, reading, TV, etc. Should not operate the Mr. heater while sleeping. During work years I was an electronic tech. As you know propane can always be very dangerous even the furnace mounted on an RV. Propane by itself can be deadly as a potential fire hazard but the carbon monoxide emitted from the burning is even more deadly as it is very silent that is why the heater should not be operated while asleep.495Views0likes0CommentsRe: Looking for portable electric space heater for rv!
I found one after many yrs. looking for the ideal mini heater for just the waking hours and/or watching TV. We camp mostly in state park and during the winter operate a 1500 watt electric heater evenings. Have tried to run two 1500 watt heaters but breaker is constantly tripping because of current overload. Well the solution just appeared from Mr. Heater a portable propane heater that utilizes the small 16 oz Coleman propane bottles. the heater is designed and certified to operate inside. It's perfect it will run for nearly 6 hours on low and approx. 3 1/2 hrs on high. I operate it on low setting and along with the 1500 watt electric heater the camper is very warm even with temp in the 20 degree range. I do not run the camper propane furance because the it use requires refilling to often. This little heater from Mr. Heater is ideal for use during the evenings. I would not leave it running while sleeping but otherwise it is a perfect choice. Simply replace the little propane bottle and keep going. I think the Mr. Heater just recently hit the market. I purchased at Lowes but have seen it at Cabela/Bass Pro as well.495Views0likes0CommentsRe: Henry Tropi-Cool VS EPDM Roof Coatings
I put the Henry Tropicool on my 2017 Motorhome back in May. It is excellent. It goes on very well and I used two coats. It binds firmly to roof membrane. I was surprised at how well it looked afterwards. I have in years past used the acrylic coatings on other RVs but the silicon is superior to those. Very good price at home depot as well. Don't think you will be disappointed after using it and now is a good time to get it done.2.7KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Transporting Raft from Campsite to Launch Ramp?
We have similar interest in fishing. Unless we're on a sightseeing mission we camp primarily in state parks and primarily those that offer good fishing. I am an avid hunter for good large mouth bass fishing. Just enjoy the sport because I am only interested in catch and release as a sport. My RV is now a Class C and car in tow. I have a small porta bote which I carry on top of toad and initially had same problem as you in how to get the boat once set up down to the river or lake. I solved this by purchasing a small trailer manufactured by Trailex.com. I have the model SUT-300 all aluminum and can be fully assembled in some 15 minutes. Basically two tires, axle, tongue in two pieces. Very simple I think the SUT-300 can carry up to 300 lbs. It is strictly for off road use. As long as I stay within the Park limits there is no issue in towing the boat down to the launch ramp. Trailex.com makes many different style trailers which you can see on their website. Once at campsite I assemble the porta-bote and the trailer and go back and forth fishing until we are ready to leave. I think the total weight for me on the trailer is only perhaps 150 lbs once I have loaded everything I will need when out on the water. I have been using the Trailex trailer for perhaps 8-10 years and its ideal for the life style we like. When we are camping there has to be good fishing nearby.725Views0likes0Comments
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