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6Wheels

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Posts posted by 6Wheels

  1. There are two common kinds of PEX in use for plumbing.

    There is the red/blue/white PEX-B and there is the white PEX-A (red/blue can be found but hard to find)

    PEX-A is my preference because if the water inside the line freezes, it can expand to greater degree compared to PEX-B.  However, PEX-A uses different fittings and requires a more expensive expansion tool ($399) vs. the much less expensive crimp fittings used on PEX-B that works with a crimping tool ($25-$50).

           
    PEX Tubing size Outside Diameter Minimum wall thickness Inside Diameter
    1/4" 0.375 0.0575 0.26
    3/8″ 0.500″ 0.070″ 0.360″
    1/2″ 0.625″ 0.070″ 0.485″
  2. She likes to ride bicycles (electric), walk in the park, swimming, boating, fishing.  Since we previously lived either on an acreage or in the coach, the only way to do these things (except bicycle and walk) was to be camping on the lake.  See picture.

    I forgot my '77 Ford PU with camper shell.  I custom built the back panel and installed a 10k BTU gas furnace.  We used it for camping, skating, and snowmobiling in Illinois and Wisconsin.

    Now that we have lake access and the boat the camper is of less interest.  Incidentally, we returned to the Smokeys last summer.  I took her to a hangout from years gone by atop Balsam Mtn. where the bears and elk are known to frequent.  It is dry camping, but the Arctic Fox (and the generator for coffee) did fine.  She made coffee for everyone in camp that Saturday morning, and was nicknamed camp mother.  Saturday night campfires up there are abundant as you can see in the picture. 

     

    Balsam Mtn Campground - Smokeys.jpg

    Lake Lanier Camp.jpg

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  3. Started with BSA in early '60s in Army wall tents and pup tents, as well as in '65 family bought 2 umbrella tents.  We camped in these for 4 years, then Mom & Dad found a '57 Apache fold-over trailer tent.  We had that until I was about 35 when Dad lost interest in camping and I inherited the trailer and tents.  I used them over the years off and on until I loaned them to my younger brother.  He offered to store them in his yard and I accepted.  Two years later they were completely destroyed with mold.  Ugh.

    Fast forward to 2010 when my DW got a wild hair (...) and took me to an RV dealer in NW Georgia.  We bought a 2005 Tiffin Allegro 32BA and other than it was a gas coach it was perfect for us.  It had a large window in the rear cap for a good view when we parked by the waters of Lake Lanier.  We were blissfully satisfied.

    We took a trip with our Tiffin and the motorcycle trailer (5,000 lb.) to Smokey Mtn Natl Park in 2013, and on the way back I found out about how pish poor the brakes on the Workhorse chassis were.  I had to stand on the brakes to keep it below runaway speeds (25).  We went shopping for a DP soon after, and ended up with the current '13 Fleetwood Discovery 40G.  I love this floor plan and could go on as to why, but that is for another day.  After 30,000 miles, 2 full time summers, and 6 years, my business started to slow down, so I let the kids assume the Discovery and the loan.

    We now have a '13 Arctic Fox 22G that I fixed up, but recently moved back to the lake and are probably going to sell it.  She has lost interest in camping.

    We are now a golf cart ride away from the tri-toon and Lake Lanier.  Not a bad circumstance.

     

     

  4. The difference in fuel cost for an 8,000 trip @ $6/gal. vs. $3/gal. is $3,450  (assumes 7 mpg)

    Not too bad, considering the return on investment in beauty, knowledge, and companionship.

     

    After returning on a trip like that it is likely that repairs will cost more than the total fuel bill.

  5. 8 hours ago, Bob Jones said:

    It's official, you've now broken my mind. I'm ordering up 6 tire pyrometers, and a Nascar team, along with some NASA scientists and ultra-precise scales. I'll case those tire pressures yet!! 

    Not to really stir the pot, but had a neighbor over the other day. Was a long haul trucker for a good part of his life and the manager of a truck tire store later. He started at the bottom, changing truck tires and worked his way up. I mentioned to him that I thought the 5 year rule (or whatever you call it for RV tires) was a big load of crap! He laughed and said they NEVER cared about the tire manufacture date when they recapped tires......He said as long as it wasn't from the '70's they'd cap it. And many of them recapped many times.....go figure....

    Makes you wonder what a modern tire guy would say about tire age and how it relates to recapping them if asked......

    That applies to trailer tires, but I bet the steer tires and at least one drive axle had newer tires.  

  6. I ran over a steering knuckle in Kansas on I-70.  The front axle cleared just fine, but when the flap hit the object, it kicked up and took a chunk out of the rear cap, and then hit the trailer I was pulling.  Also bent the chrome strip across the bottom of the flap.  Expensive repair.  Maybe replace it with a brush style flap to keep rain from spraying other vehicles in the rain?  I also see trucks with a piece of metal welded to the frame to keep the flaps from kicking up.

  7. Paul,

    Any issues with sliding shelves while cornering?  Does the door come open?

    I like that solution, maybe take it up a notch and convert some of the shelves to drawers to better hold the contents in place.

  8. If you have a picture of the filter housings it might elicit some helpful answers.

    Most coaches are equipped with standard 2.5" x 10" filters.  They are available just about anywhere.  This topic was covered recently here in the forum:  

     

  9. Here's my 2 cents.

    1.  Before connecting always flush the water source for at least 1 minute to get debris and stale water out of the lines in the ground.

    2.  Take an alcohol wipe and clean the faucet and threads of the hose connection.  (What did the last person use this water source for?)

    3.  Connect your pressure gauge and if the reading is over 60 p.s.i. (or per your manufacturers specification) use a PRV.

    4.  Gradually open the valve so as not to have a rush and test for leaks.

    5.  Always turn the water off at the source when leaving camp.  There are horror stories available to convince you of the necessity of doing this.

    6.  Some areas require water softeners or filtration systems, carry them with you.  Suggestions for products are below.

    CARBO Instruments 2- 1/2" Pressure Gauge,Water Pressure Test Gauge, 3/4" Female Hose Thread, 0-200 PSI with Red Pointer  $8.95

    Renator RV Water Pressure Regulator Valve. Brass Lead-free Adjustable Water Pressure Reducer with Gauge for RV Camper, and Inlet Screened Filter. M11-0660R  $28.00

    Camco 40043 TastePure RV/Marine Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector | Protects Against Bacteria | Reduces Bad Taste, Odors, Chlorine and Sediment in Drinking Water.  Nominal 20 micron granular sediment and activated carbon filter.  $18.53

    Camco 40019 TastePURE XL RV/Marine Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector | Protects Against Bacteria | Reduces Bad Taste, Odor, Chlorine and Sediment,Extra Large Filter & Hose Protector.  nominal 20 micron granular sediment and activated carbon filter, extra large lasts longer.  $28.84

    Beech Lane External RV Dual Water Filter System, Leak-Free Brass Fittings, Mounting Bracket and Two Filters Included, Sturdy Construction is Built to Last

    Beech Lane filter comes with 5 micron sediment and 0.5 micron carbon block filters.  Standard 2.5x10 form factor.  Carbon block is much more efficient than granulated carbon.  $64.99

     

    As far as water softeners, I am not as familiar since we normally get water from the mountainous areas near us.  I have used all of these products and can attest to their effectiveness.  No affiliation.

     

  10. As stated start with a good level floor and check for soft spots.  That is the most important thing to address.

    After that just make sure the gasket is seated properly and hand-tighten the bolts, then just a couple more turns.

    After sitting on it for a couple days it will settle and you can finish tightening the bolts.

    If that doesn't work you have a problem with the floor.  Setting toilets is not hard, the worst that can happen is cracking the base.

  11. Our Discovery (SOB) has a stackable W/D and it is wonderful.  Towels, jeans - no problem.  Just like home.  Sheets, even most blankets wash and dry perfectly.

    If I had an older coach I would give up storage for this.  It's that good, especially when you are living in it full time with no home to go to.

    And, I hate doing laundry at the laundromat, always drama, kids running around or something.  I must be an old fart fuddy-duddy but that's my opinion.

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