timjcarter9
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Re: Still in the deep freeze...de-winterizing on the road?
dakdave wrote: i think most campgrounds would much rather have some pink stuff in their sewer system than w w fluid . When you spray your windshield while driving it ends up in the storm sewer or in the ground in very diluted amounts. I don't see a problem going into a system to be treated.458Views0likes0CommentsRe: Still in the deep freeze...de-winterizing on the road?
DnK77 wrote: Windshield washer fluid is plenty good for flushing the toilet and is often much cheaper than the pink stuff. x2. This is always what we use in the winter. Just dump some in the bowl before use and let er go. Rinse afterwards/ Much cheaper. The pink stuff will get diluted in the black tank and not work as well.458Views0likes0CommentsRe: Did I make a mistake in Financing? How long do you finance?
v10superduty wrote: beemerphile1 wrote: timjcarter9 wrote: sherpaxc wrote: I stand by my statement. Sell it, cut your losses, get your savings built up, then buy something used and less expensive. It is a hard pill to swallow, but I think it is the right pill. Sorry - but this has to be one of the dumbest things I have ever read. Seriously. Not a dumb thing at all, I'm not saying the OP should do this because it would be a very difficult and personal decision. However I do understand the concept and it can work. The OP plans on using a seasonal site and not towing regularly. Most campgrounds with seasonal sites already have a number of older units for sale, parked and ready to use. The OP takes out a personal loan for the gap between equity and debt plus the cost of an older unit parked and ready to go. Let's say it is $7,000. They now have a much smaller debt that can be paid off much quicker and with less interest. They don't give up anything of the camping experience but just may have more time to spend with the family. Another option would be to take out a personal loan for the gap between equity and debt, and camp in a tent. Still camping, much less debt. Like the Good Book says; "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." It really is true. Not sure why I am jumping back in but I am.. :W There was a post about week ago about folks lacking "reading comprehension.." I think that applies here. The OP said -he can handle the payment he has ok -he knows he made a impetuous jump doing this -he can't handle a larger payment -he now understands he should (and probably will) make extra payments once another smaller debt is finished His "ONLY" question in OP was "IF" his new trailer would likely last the term of his loan. Your estimate of only $7000 to cover shortfall in loan AND buy a low price used trailer is WAY low IMO. The shortfall will have to be financed also and at a shorter term and probably higher rate?? That means a higher payment than now possibly. Really doesn't make sense? Do you think a trailer being used as he plans will last him 10-15 yrs? I do. Exactly what I meant. For the op this is a ludicrous idea. Keep paying financing on the shortfall for years and have nothing. Them save for more years and have nothing. Meanwhile he can afford the payment and can enjoy the new unit for years to come. Not to mention he never asked for advise on dumping it and getting out of debt. The better plan is to make extra payments as he can. There is nothing wrong with carrying debt you can afford for something you will use and enjoy. Not everyone has the mindset they have to be debt free and pay cash for what they want. One size does not fit all.612Views0likes0CommentsRe: Did I make a mistake in Financing? How long do you finance?
sherpaxc wrote: I stand by my statement. Sell it, cut your losses, get your savings built up, then buy something used and less expensive. It is a hard pill to swallow, but I think it is the right pill. Sorry - but this has to be one of the dumbest things I have ever read. Seriously.612Views0likes0CommentsRe: Traveling with a full water tank
jmtandem wrote: I think the bigger problem is if the tank is half full and it starts sloshing around and that weight (8.3 pounds per gallon) is sufficient to damage the tank and supports. A full tank should not be that much of an issue unless perhaps on a very bumpy road. Shame on any manufacturer that cannot make a tank support that supports the tank when full. That is what my owners manual says. Travel with it full or completely empty. Because of the sloshing.211Views0likes0CommentsRe: vacation went from almost deadly to lost to saved
My wife and I use walkie talkies. Works great. Before that she used to stand behind the trailer and yell too. Now she can stand where she likes because I can hear her. Now we always watch when people back in to see if the wife is standing right behind the trailer giving hand signals and yelling. Gives us a laugh because it is very common. Glad you saved your vacation.622Views0likes0CommentsRe: How many solar watts should I get?
You do not need any more than 50 for your intentions. Lots of people here are advising huge amounts of solar, which is correct if you want to fully charge your battery ever day. But that is clearly not what you want. I can camp for three nights and my battery only drains down to 65% with my 45 watt array - even though I camp n heavily treed areas. I move them around. I was using (led)lights unrestricted. I have the outside strip led lights with the remote control that were on for at least four hours per night. Also used the water pump as required for dishes and showers. Fridge on propane, ran DVD player (12 volt) and tv on an inverter for a total of about three hours per day. Charged cell phones and tablets daily from a 12 volt charger. Furnace ran one night for an hour or two. I don't have (or want) a generator and I do just fine with my usage. Could easily go five days. I would suggest you upgrade your batteries to dual six volt deep cycle and get the 50 watt panels. Also convert to LED lights. Cheap on EBAY. I converted all inside lights for a total of about $80. Then you will attain your goal easily.132Views0likes0CommentsRe: Small solar charger system...
pianotuna wrote: Hi, Voltage is a poor way to check state of charge. It is only valid when the battery is at rest for 24 hours with neither loads nor charging going on. If you had measured specific gravity that would be a valid indicator of state of charge. I suspect the panels are amorphous in your 45 watt system. The do better in low light levels than many other types, which explains part of your results. The other side of the coin is that you simply don't use much power on a daily basis. Going lower than 50% state of charge is inadvisable with all lead acid battery types. It will shorten the life span, sometimes dramatically. Your batteries are some what forgiving--but even the die hard six volt crew avoid going below 50%. timjcarter9 wrote: At the end of the trip I took voltage measurements and was still at 70%. You can safely discharge to 50% (or lower on six volt batteries) without damaging your batteries. They are made for that. You don't have to charge them to 90% each day. The voltage reading is not as acurate as specific gravity but gives a good idea. I am not carrying one of those around but always have a volt meter. I go by the chart on this page which is for batteries attached with no load. It is close enough. Some people do discharge to 40 - 45% on 6 volt deep cycle batteries though I have never done it. With the led lights it would take a long time to get them down that low.229Views0likes0CommentsRe: Small solar charger system...
oakmandan wrote: I am interested in using a basic solar panel with my camper to charge one or two 12V batteries. I would want to be able to run the water pump, a light or two and a 12V fan. Any suggestions of how to and what equipment I would need ? Thanks, Dan Actually after looking at this again you will not need any solar if that is all you are running. (for two or three days anyway)229Views0likes0Comments
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