Homey_B
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Joined 12 years ago
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Remote Control antenna extension?
Hi! I have a new Forest River 5th wheel, and it came equipped with a Lippert based remote control system for activating the slides and jacks. Was a nice idea, but there's always a bump in the road, right? Even with a totally charged remote, the base unit only processes the commands if you're standing within 5 feet of it. I found the master installed under the stairs, after removing the partition between the storage space and the back of the stairs. What surprised me was that the system has a simple wire antenna, it is about 6 inches long, and it was potted down in a huge glob of polished epoxy. I wanted to move the antenna more to the outside of the RV, but it's way too short to work with! Is there any reasonable way to uninstall the micro-sized antenna that is there and replace it with a newer (longer) one? I know from my ancient ham radio days that you just can't solder a new piece on it, but there has to be a real option to make the system a bit more usable. Any information and/or suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated! j1.2KViews0likes2CommentsBattery Switch and Brake breakaway protection
I've finally decided to install a battery cut-out switch in my Copper Canyon. It seems simple enough - put the switch between the battery and the junction block where the Positive lead is attached to the rest of the electrical system. My concern comes from the emergency brake cutoff. I have read that you never want to cut the power from that system. It prevents you from driving off with the battery disconnected, leaving you with absolutely no emergency brake capability. Yes, I realize that if the breakaway switch trips, I have much bigger issues, especially with a 5th wheel! So, let's just play this through. I have to figure out where the brake power comes from. There are four wires on the battery splice block. One is the battery. I presume another comes from the RV power distribution panel. The other two come from where I cannot say. Or, let's work backwards from the breakaway switch. The two leads go into the RV through the same wire bundle that the tow cable follows. But once it gets into the base of the pinbox, it gets lost. Are there any suggestions on how to locate this system so that I can wire it directly to the battery (and avoid the soon-to-be-installed disconnect switch)? Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!3.6KViews0likes9CommentsRe: Failed/Jammed Fwd Jacks
BillandCarole wrote: I have learned a lot about this landing gear: 3. ...if it happens away from home (I was dammed lucky that it did) it can be really hard to get fixed. Regards Bill My wife and I had the left LG refuse to move on me this past September, when out on a trip to Maine. We were "stuck" with it in the UP position, so we couldn't unhitch. A friend much wiser than myself helped to remove the unit - he brought a BFH to the situation. Disassembly found that, due to over-retraction, we had smeared the solid sheer pin like a stick of butter. Where we got lucky was that there's an RV place not far away from where we were. They sold me the two pins (one for each side), so I was able to drive out and replace the first and save the spare for the other side if needed. The luck in our case was being with a friend who understood how the system worked, and was able to explain what might have gone wrong, so it could be fixed.720Views0likes0CommentsRe: Retractable truck bed covers?
Dutch & Di wrote: Went back to a Pace Edwards for our new truck & will keep you posted. Di I've got the P-E rolltop on my truck. It has always leaked from the tailgate side, and I would even wager money that I have to get into the main "can" with silicone and caulk the pair of drains into place. Those are my two trouble spots. Worst for me is that the hitch (Curt 20K on the R-20 slider) extends above the truck bed rails. I always have to remove the head from the body in order to get the top to close. Next time I hitch, if I remember, I'll measure the heights and see if I can lower the hitch body on the slider without whacking the RV into the top of the bed rails. j628Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sliding Bar fifth wheel hitch
Itching2go wrote: Only minor annoyance is that after chocking and putting the landing gear down, I'll frequently have to put it the TV into reverse and 'idle back' in order in order to take the tension off of the slider bar. Othewise it's difficult to retract the slidebar. No big deal... just part of the routine. I have the Curt 20K hitch (dual jaw), and was having an almost impossible time getting the jaws to release. Once a friend suggested that I do this move (either forward or backwards, as long as it's the opposite of the direction you were just going in), getting the hitch open is no longer an issue. YMMV, of course.754Views0likes0CommentsRe: 10' Kayak onfiver Ladder-Need Ideas!!!
Poppy's 5th Wheel wrote: I'm curious how you guys who are storing them inside are getting them in there? Our door is in the middle of the trailer and I can't picture getting them in there. I second this question. Somebody *puh-leese* send a photo on how you get a kayak in there. Oh, for the record, our Copper Canyon does not have a tail window that opens/slides wide enough for anything besides insects. :(675Views0likes0CommentsRe: Battery cut off
MEXICOWANDERER wrote: ZERO should bypass an RV battery disconnect switch except solar voltaic panels I respectfully disagree. Somebody posted (in a separate thread) that you should make sure the emergency brake "breakaway" switch should go direct to the battery. This way, if you pull out of a campground and your battery is disconnected/switched off, you still have power to the last-ditch brakes in case something goes badly awry down the road. j737Views0likes0CommentsCopper Canyon has 15 inch wheels - tire options?
Our RV has steel 15" wheels, each with 255/75R15 tires from a brand I have not heard of (Mission F-108). The tires "look" new, but I'll admit that I have not looked for the DOT date code on them. Nor have I seen any markings on the wheels about maximum tire pressures. What sort of options are available to me when it comes to getting better tires? After reading the threads, everybody talks about upgrading to 16" wheels (or larger) and getting commercial tires. I'd prefer not to have to buy five new wheels on top of the tires, cost being a major issue right now. So, without breaking the bank or risking life and limb, what's the least expensive solution to this situation? Thanks in advance!2.7KViews0likes9CommentsRe: Back up bearing kit
OK, I'm new to RV owning, and maybe I missed something here. We're all talking about changing hubs/spindles/bearings on the side of the road, after an at-speed failure, when we have the spouse/kids/pets all going crazy about "where are we? what happened to the trailer? what are you doing? when will we be going again?" Talk about steely nerves... For me, there's a time/place for roadside assistance, and this seems like one of them. IMHO, of course. YMMV, as it quite possibly does.217Views0likes0CommentsWinterization: wet or dry?
It is way early in the season (even up here in the NorthEast), but I'm trying to head off a disaster later on... We (DW and myself) are planning on taking a late November trip down south (Florida? Georgia?). It'll be after the seasonal campground we're staying at completed their "winterization services" for those who choose to participate. Which means that when we come home, I'm going to have to get ready for The Big Freeze which comes later in the season. I've read that there are two ways to prep for winter. First is to replace water with anti-freeze. Call this the "wet" method. You get a gizmo to allow the water pump to suck anti-freeze from the jugs, etc etc etc... There's also a gizmo out there to connect "city water" to an air compressor. So basically, one by one, you open each water faucet and blow the water out under air pressure. And no need to dump in anti-freeze with this method (from what I have read). So, what's the collective wisdom? Get the gizmo for wet prep, or get the gizmo for the dry prep? Thanks in advance for the guidance! j6.8KViews0likes32Comments
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