mdamerell
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Joined 13 years ago
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Re: HOME EARLY
It is the responsibility of the host to enforce the rules. I enjoy a good party and tend to be up late around the campfire with friends. But I still respect quiet time. I have found a difference in our "home" campground on the holidays. Seems that there is a certain crowd or an increase in guest, who don't normally camp that only comes out on the major holidays. Things tend to disappear those weekends as well. Not standing up for your self and using all tools available encourages this bad behavior. What actions the hosts take is not your problem or concern.326Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help me understand my GVWR
GVWR at 10,000# is a cross over point. At 10,001# some states require a commercial drivers license to operate the truck. Hence the 10,000# GVWR. Some will tell you that the manufacture listed at 10,000# because there is the entire drive train just not the rear axle and tires to take into account. My 2004 F350 has a GCVWR of 20,000# which means my 8,000# truck leaves me a tow capacity of 12,000# trailer. If you look at the numbers you can go from gas to diesel and it stays at 20,000#. You can go from 3.73 to 4.10 rear axle and it stays at 20,000# you can go from SRW to DRW and it stays at 20,000#. Move to the 2005 truck and now you get credit for all these things. As long as you are not pushing the truck to it's limits you should be fine. I roll through PA on I-80 with my 12,000# 5er, cruise set and enjoying the view. This is just my opinion and sales people write the brochures and legal people write the door stickers.160Views0likes0CommentsRe: Ram 3500 and air suspension option
Normally with an air suspension if you head off road, it requires a travel limiter to prevent the air bag from over extending. Think wheel off the ground. On a spring suspension axle would hang on the spring. With air suspension the air bag will be damaged if you try to hang the axle off of it. A strap or chain is used on semi trailers which take equipment/supplies off road to limit axle drop and protect the air bag from over extension.433Views0likes0CommentsRe: 5th wheelers size and frequent relocation/campsite fit size?
gareengo wrote: Hi RVers, I am a relative newby truck camper guy and am looking at future options. I am looking to prematurely retire and get some form of 5th wheeler/travel trailer and go wandering. I have a dodge ram 3500 diesel dually that should tow anything. I just went to a dealership and looked at the offerings. I found a 32 foot with double king size slides that weighs about 10K that I really liked, but also looked at bigger offerings. My newby questions: 1) If you are relocating about 10-12 times a year, how practical is it to have a 10K-15K weight 5th wheeler? or are they more for the sedentary folks who stay a long while and should I instead consider a travel trailer? Weight is not really the issue but size. Find the one that meets your needs. 5er's tow better and set up and take down is the same at 15' or 40'. 1.5) Is it the case that 40ft travel trailers are such a pain to tow that you wouldn't want to relocate frequently? Normally I pull a 53' trailer so the 5er is "short". Just depends on your comfort zone but height is usually more of a limit than length. I tend to stick to truck routes with mine. IE use US routes instead of state routes unless I've checked a truckers map or see truck traffic. If the truck fits I know I will. 2) The sales guy mentioned that some of the larger 5th wheelers (38+ feet) may have a hard time fitting in certain campsites, along with the truck in front. What are your thoughts about this--can't you park truck along the side? Older parks were designed for shorter trailers. Most commercial parks are good at 40'. Mines around 37' and never had an issue in a commercial campground but the local state park is a no go. Sites to small and they don't trim the trees overhead. A heavier trailer typically behaves better in the wind etc... Some times I have to park across the end of the site or angle in next to the camper. 3) How significant (roughly) would be the difference in fuel economy with a 5K weight difference between trailers? Weight will effect mpg to some degree but wind resistance is the biggest drag of mpg. Newer 5er have aerodynamic noses which help but I get about 10 mpg towing in mountains and 11 mpg in the flats. My trailer was about 10,500# empty and 12,000# loaded the last time I weighted it. I get about 16 mpg highway and 10-12 mpg around town. Thanks for your sage advice Russell506Views0likes0CommentsRe: Manufacturers?
Rcole33 wrote: I know most are made in the same location in Indiana but while at a recent RV show in Tampa, we found one we really liked, a Sport Trek, when we went to a different dealer, they had never heard of it and gave me a hundred reasons why we should avoid it and buy from them. Sport Trek is a Venture RV, a subsidiary of Thor Industries, Inc Thor Industries Recreation vehicles Airstream Breckenridge CrossRoads RV Dutchmen RV Redwood RV Keystone RV KZ RV Heartland RV Livin Lite RV Bison Coach Motorized recreation vehicles (motorhomes) Airstream Thor Motor Coach (combined Four Winds International and Damon Motor Coach) Actually they also include more as Thor's Heartland acquires Cruiser RV, DRV451Views0likes0CommentsRe: Long bed avaiability ?
Since basic trucks have a slim profit margin they make most of them 4x4, automatics and add trim features to drive up the profit margins. Can't find a basic truck anymore unless you order it. Since short beds fit better in people's garages or a parking slot at the mall, most trucks are made with short beds. The "standard" bed is now the short bed.271Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbies searching for travel trailer?
Don't believe the sales man when he says "hey, your truck will pull that". Need to do your own home work. Weight the truck with you all in it and read the label in the drivers door and the owners manual. Many think their truck will pull more than it's actually designed to tow and hitch/tongue/pin weight is usually more limiting than the "will pull X number of pounds". Look at the adds, they are normally pulling a flatbed or boat and not a box with high wind resistance. Not all trailers created equal.168Views0likes0Comments
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