Proper truck for a very heavy trailer
I am moving out of my tour bus that I converted and into a Space Craft trailer. Those of you familiar with Space Craft will understand that it's very heavy. It's a 43' fifth wheel trailer with about 7-8k of pin weight and about 24k of total trailer weight. We're looking at trucks, and across the board it looks like the one-ton trucks can't cut it. So we've been looking at the Ram 5500 and the Ford F550 (and even the F650), so we've been learning way more about towing than we realized existed. We are in California, which limits our options. We've considered some of the semi tractors, but would prefer something that looks more like a pickup. We also are a family of three, so we need a crew cab. One of the things we were not thrilled about with the tour bus was its inability to drive up a mountain over 30 mph. The bus had a 6V92T with 300 HP and ~900 lb-ft of torque and was similar weight, close to 26k lbs. Looking at the 550 and 5500 options seems to put us in about the same boat, though sometimes with more torque. I'm hoping that it will be able to safely pull the trailer up a 5-6% grade at better than 30 mph, but is that just because of the better transmission with more gears, considering the power is about the same? The F650 seems like a beefier solution but I've read in some places that they are just heavier and often slower. So.. general thoughts on the right kind of truck to get and things I need to know about (like trailer brake controllers, possibly getting air suspension or maybe air brakes, power needs, axle ratios...)? I feel like there's so much to learn I'll never know when I'm done, but we need the truck soon. Generally looking at used vehicles with 30-90k miles.Fifth Wheel Hitch Types (air/flexible/...)
Looking to tow a very heavy 5th wheel trailer (with an F-550 or such). I've seen 5th wheel hitches that mount flat, hitches that articulate, hitches that have air bags, etc..) I can imagine that a flat hitch on the truck can flex the heck out of the trailer - so it seems like I want one with air or at least some articulation points in it, but it's difficult to find in 25k lbs or more. How important are these features, particularly considering that I need to drive over some dirt roads (that's the reason the trailer is so heavy - I got a custom trailer with a massive frame so I don't have to worry about things like frame flex).
Installing a vent hole for dryer
My husband n I have purchased a 2011 keystone alpine 5th wheel that is already prepped for a stackable washer and dryer but we have no idea where the hole for the dryer vent to be placed. Can anyone help by chance? There is no sticker or anything in the closet where the washer n dryer go that says where to make the hole for dryer vent. Thank you for your help
Steadyfast RV Stabilizers?
I've heard of Happijacks but not the Steadyfast system. Anybody use this system. Found it on amazon, looks like it may help my situation. My 31' tt shakes so much that 2 of the bolts holding the jacks to the frame have snapped off. I think the Steadyfast stabilizers will help. The install looks pretty straight forward but I'm concerned with how the pads mount on the jack feet. Do the jacks have to be in line or perpendicular to the frame for this? My 2 front jacks are mounted to the A frame so they are angled about 30 degrees off of the main frame. Will it still work? ThanksDon’t buy here
Review of North Trail RV Center - Buyer Beware! I recently had an unfortunate experience purchasing an RV from North Trail RV Center, and I feel compelled to share my thoughts to help others avoid the same pitfalls. Initially, I was excited about finding the perfect RV and thought I was getting a great deal. However, things took a turn for the worse during the paperwork process. The staff had me sign a waiver that, unbeknownst to me at the time, could lead to serious legal implications, including the potential suspension of my driver’s license. They assured me that it was standard procedure for RVs to be registered under the serial number instead of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which seemed plausible and common for RVs. However, what they didn’t clarify was that registering a vehicle using the serial number instead of the VIN can create significant legal issues. The VIN is a unique identifier assigned to every vehicle, providing essential information regarding its history, ownership, and legal status. When an RV is registered with only the serial number, it complicates matters like insurance coverage, theft recovery, and even resale value. Additionally, many states require the VIN for proper registration, and failing to adhere to these regulations could lead to fines, penalties, or even the suspension of your driver’s license if you’re found to be operating a vehicle that isn’t registered correctly. After signing the waiver, I was left feeling confused and uneasy. It became apparent that this practice could put a burden on the buyer, leading to complications down the road. Now, not only do we have to spend more money on layers of legal protection and repairs, but we also have to miss work to resolve these issues. If you’re considering purchasing an RV from North Trail RV Center, I strongly advise you to do your due diligence. Read every document carefully, and don’t hesitate to ask for clarifications, especially regarding waivers and the registration process. It’s crucial to understand what you’re signing and the potential consequences that could follow. In summary, while I was initially drawn in by their offerings, the lack of transparency and the implications of the paperwork left me feeling misled and frustrated. We felt taken advantage of, especially since, even knowing we couldn't secure the RV properly, they were still asking us where we were planning to go sightseeing next. Protect yourself and think twice before making a purchase here!
Mice in RV living quarters
We have a 26' Sunseeker RV. When winterizing it last Fall I removed all food, paper products and extra clothing. This past spring I discovered evidence of mice, including an area they chewed in the mattress cover I had left on the bed (the only piece of cloth that remained over winter to protect the mattress). We had put dryer sheets everywhere and a couple of pouches of something that was supposed to repel mice, to no avail. I cleaned out the living area thoroughly then we discovered that they had nested in the "garage" area - the big storage area at the back of the RV under the bed. That area was full of mice droppings. I did a search for "mice" here and only found advice for how to keep them out of the engine compartment - AFAIK they don't go there, just the living area. What can I use this year to keep the little buggers out? I don't like using poisons as that often adversely affects wildlife. TIA!
