lappir

Pressure regulator is most of the time needed. A way to check the power before you plug in or a power management system that should prevent a faulty system from damaging your rig. They may prevent a "Surge" but not always. Rod

I didn't read or look at the photos of the initial post, but I do understand what Chad is saying and why I will never attempt Solar without a qualified person who will review my plans and supervise any of my actions. Better yet would be a plug and play system that I only need to find space to install and plug in color coded harnesses. All the necessary equipment would be mounted on a durable panel with the wires attached, the batteries grouped in manageable sizes and could be added as needed when additional power was required, but also removed if needed for service, repair or replacement and not affect the critical power needs (IE Fridge and coffee maker) . I have a full roof of space for panels and one day I will do it. Rod

So I just noticed the post I thought I submitted was in fact submitted 23 hours prior. Sorry for the double post. When I opened the forum this morning my post was sitting there with the Submit reply sitting right there. I assumed the button hadn't been pushed. Maybe I edited something, but don't remember what. I might read them both later. I did take a couple photos yesterday, but have yet to upload them into the computer. Rod

Apparently the post I wrote yesterday morning failed to send before my phone was out of range for the WIFI. ++ It's 0630 something on Friday now and I had a very enjoyable day at the Rally yesterday. It was the day for vendors to arrive with their new Show Models and the tours of some of the newest homes on wheels. Someone from "Sport Chassis" was supposed to be here, but cancelled at the last minute on Wednesday. Greg from Spacecraft was present and was well prepared for his talk and was entertaining for the most part. There were a few comments that I might of thought uncalled for, but it did not seem to phase the person or persons they were directed at. Unfortunately there was not a new Spacecraft Show Model for 2021. Cole came up next from New Horizions. I have heard him speak multiple times and it was sort of sounding the same. I had some other things to do so I slipped out the back during his talk. He did bring a nice trailer for viewing and a "Sport Chassis type" of International MDT that had a for sale sign on it. All the prior years of coming they always had a F3, 4 or 550 Ford, so that was also new this year. Alicia from Rolling Retreats representing DRV was up next. I didn't make it back to the building until she was finishing up so I didn't find out why they didn't stay with the trailer they brought for after the presentation. All I know is I didn't see a trailer in the lineup and then saw one with a dealer plate in front of me as I was heading out to the grocery store. I got back in time to join the walking tour of trailers and boy what a tour it was. There were several opened up by some very gracious owners. Way too many for me to visit all of them and I don't have a list of the owners names. I toured a Spacecraft or two that I have wanted to see for a while. I visited a couple Luxe models and several DRV's. I saw the outside of an interesting SpaceCraft or two, but didn't venture inside. They were toy haulers and I didn't want to get any ideas of wanting to think about trading after Greg says there are no openings in the build schedule for over a year. Two are already scheduled for 2023, but one of those has sort of a rolling start depending on the availability of a new tow vehicle. I'm certainly interested in that possibility, but I'll never be able to afford one unless they flood the market with used ones right away. Won't happen in my lifetime I'm afraid. Well this has turned out to be a pretty long post. It's time to submit it and start getting ready for breakfast. Rod

Arrived last night in time for the BBQ dinner. Very good as usual. The park was nearly full when I arrived and there is another "Group" enjoying the western part it seems. I thought I stopped at a "Happy Hour" location in the Jeep after unloading it, but it was a group of Winnebago owners having dinner. Wondered why I didn't recognize a single face. For those who don't know about the "Loading Dock" on the West end, I have used it a lot. Almost every visit. Sure is easier to back up to it than drag out the ramps and wonder if they are placed exactly right. Anyway, back to the Rally. Walked into a full house at the meal. Not sure what time it was, but there still was a line for the food. I snuck behind the table to find Steve to make sure I had in fact paid for the rally. (It was a long time ago.) Gail came up and said I couldn't eat if I didn't have my Lanyard on, but Jack and the Springfield's served me anyway. Talk about missing a year or two seeing some teenagers, they grow up way too fast. I think I heard there were 90 trucks all lined up earlier yesterday for the group photo. Hope someone post's it here someday. I had planned to have both my truck and Jeep this year in the photo, but I guess it will have to wait till some other year. There are a gaggle of jeeps it seems. Many new faces this year and a good portion of new Trucks sitting around. There are still a few LGT's. Today is the New Horizions, Spacecraft and I hear DRV and maybe Sport Chassis too. Saw Greg, but no Spacecraft trailer. Not sure if they don't have a "Show Model" ready this year or not. Not sure if I will have the time to stop by on my way through next week to see what's going on at the factory. I'm rested now after the 600+ miles yesterday and looking forward to seeing everyone I missed last night today. I missed a few seminars I had planned to attend, but it looks like there are still some I will have fun with and maybe learn a thing or two. Rod Maybe some photos later. Too late, too dark and too tired last night.

Not sure, but a Volvo dealership should be able to tell you if there is a "Wicking" issue with your motor. Rod

Oops, I forgot to say I don't use Amazon and never will. Sorry, Rod

Ending this today. Made it to the HDT Rally last night after the shop got the truck done ahead of their estimated time. No decrease in cost though. If anyone has a model similar to my 2001 with the Volvo 465 motor and you have not yet changed out the "Harness" DO IT SOON. Don't wait for the truck to fail to start, because that's the sign the ECM has been involved to. The replacement harness is costly but adding the ECM made it a whole lot more. I had asked about it to some mechanics but the answer is 'fix it when it's broke'. Mostly good advice, except in this one situation. Rod

I had a bracket on the back of my truck from the Owner Operators Satellite communication device I assume. Then there was another one on the drom box. If I find photos of either before I moved, removed or repurposed I'll try and post here. Rod

Can you list where to find? Rod

Arrived last night in time for the BBQ dinner. Very good as usual. The park was nearly full when I arrived and there is another "Group" enjoying the western part it seems. I thought I stopped at a "Happy Hour" location in the Jeep after unloading it, but it was a group of Winnebago owners having dinner. Wondered why I didn't recognize a single face. For those who don't know about the "Loading Dock" on the West end, I have used it a lot. Almost every visit. Sure is easier to back up to it than drag out the ramps and wonder if they are placed exactly right. Anyway, back to the Rally. Walked into a full house at the meal. Not sure what time it was, but there still was a line for the food. I snuck behind the table to find Steve to make sure I had in fact paid for the rally. (It was a long time ago.) Gail came up and said I couldn't eat if I didn't have my Lanyard on, but Jack and the Springfield's served me anyway. Talk about missing a year or two seeing some teenagers, they grow up way too fast. I think I heard there were 90 trucks all lined up earlier yesterday for the group photo. Hope someone post's it here someday. I had planned to have both my truck and Jeep this year in the photo, but I guess it will have to wait till some other year. There are a gaggle of jeeps it seems. Many new faces this year and a good portion of new Trucks sitting around. There are still a few LGT's. Today is the New Horizions, Spacecraft and I hear DRV and maybe Sport Chassis too. Saw Greg, but no Spacecraft trailer. Not sure if they don't have a "Show Model" ready this year or not. Not sure if I will have the time to stop by on my way through next week to see what's going on at the factory. I'm rested now after the 600+ miles yesterday and looking forward to seeing everyone I missed last night today. I missed a few seminars I had planned to attend, but it looks like there are still some I will have fun with and maybe learn a thing or two. Rod Maybe some photos later. Too late, too dark and too tired last night.

That looks good, especially when full. I'd be careful if it was part full. Of course, what do I really know? In the 1980's my parents had a "Petroleum Jobbership". They sold bulk gasoline, diesel, furnace fuel and oil to farmers and others that still used "Fuel oil" for home heating. I was just out of high school and we had a "Service Station" too. Sometimes I had to take the "Tanker Truck" on deliveries and was warned frequently to make sure I knew when there were less than full tank sections. I think we had a 1500 gallon capacity but it was divided up into a 500, two 300's and two 200's or it could have been another 300 and a 100 gallon. It's been too long. Anyway after my first warning I made the mistake of filling a 300 gallon farm tank from the 500 gallon section instead of emptying a 300. For the rest of the day I was almost sea sick from the truck continuing to try and move after stopping back and forth it would go and curves in the road were no fun at all. I learned my lesson from that, but it was reinforced when I started with the Volunteer Fire Department. They also had a 1500 gallon water tank on the back of a straight truck. No baffles, if the tank was full it was ok to drive, use just a little bit of water out of it and it changed everything. These tanks most are talking about are not as large and if on an HDT, may not be an issue. In the back of a pickup it would be a different story. Rod

I have had valves that would not open and it pulled the handle out of the rod. Spraying with a lubricant, seemed to help. Lots of grungy stuff gets stuck along the edges and sometimes get's in the cracks. Good luck. Rod

Parts came and were sitting on the work table. The truck was moved from one side of the shop to the other, apparently the truck in the spot where mine was would only fit inside there. The last I heard was Wednesday afternoon would be the completion. To me that means "quitting time" most likely. So much for a full rally attendance. Might manage Friday and Saturday morning. Rod

I guess I'm assuming it's new for the price. As of 11:30 it hadn't arrived. Fed Ex usually there by 10:30 they said Friday. Saw all the flight cancellations and such so who knows what will happen. My youngest was in Phoenix this weekend and had an hour and half delay in departure, but it was a direct flight to OKC and maybe the weather there affected her flight. Pretty sure she didn't fly South West who stranded 1000's I read. I'm going back after 3:30 when the mechanics leave for the day to load the part of the ramp I should have before the truck left, but didn't think of it until I saw it leaning against the trailer where I put it. Hoping to hear the parts are here and they are ready to work on it all day tomorrow, maybe they will get it finished early. Rod

Tried to look it up, but didn't see the oxidation remover right away. The easy to find stuff it ceramic coatings and care. Will look again later. Not going to do anything for a bit, but now I have this on my radar as a follow up. Rod Thanks for the suggestion.

Has anyone used an auto feeder? I bought a "Pet Safe" feeder a few weeks ago for use during a weekend trip away. I think it worked OK, it wasn't empty when I returned. It has 5 divided sections and only 4 were empty and that's what I expected. I decided to continue to use it, but have heard it move at unexpected times and each time it does my cat goes running to it. Last time I looked the spot was empty and there certainly wasn't enough time for her to consume the entire amount. The instructions were not really helpful, there are 9 time settings so I assumed that would be 9 days even though there are only 5 spots. I figured fill every 5 days. I alternated the settings so on the 5 working days it would be 5am and 5pm and on the weekend 6am and 6pm, but there really isn't that option with 9 settings, but I left it since I couldn't figure out how to delete the entire thing and start again. It is a pain to set in the first place. I'm tempted to just return it, but am not sure where the receipt went and I used the box for something else. I will do an online search now, but any knowledge will be appreciate. Rod

Well I tried to sign up today, but apparently answered one of the questions wrong and have been directed to call the Social Security office for assistance. Might just try to visit the local office today since I'm just waiting on my truck to get fixed and not working. My birthday is a little over 3 months away, but with Glenn's comments I thought I might as well do it. I think I know what I did wrong, but I'll wait for them to tell me for sure. Rod

I heard my name was mentioned during Opening Ceremonies. I am Honored. I believe it was about an earlier offer to Steve and Gail to organize a "Salt Mine Tour" again for this years Rally. I had every intention of doing such, but it did not come to fruition. I accept all the blame and will do better in the future if I ever offer to provide something for the HDT Rally. I am Sorry. The lack of ability may have been a sign I should have better interpreted, since I am still sitting in North Dakota when I planned to be in Kansas today. I am in hope the parts needed to repair my truck arrive this morning as planned and I can get on the road by Wednesday. Wish me luck. I have always wanted to visit the Mine and will someday. I have heard good things from most of the people who visited. Some didn't like the cold and others the sensation of being that far under the ground. I don't think either will cause me concern. Here's to a enjoyable Monday at the 2021 HDT Rally. Rod

Depending on the size of the bladders and if they were completely full or partial you would have the potential for "Sloshing" which can be very unnerving and potentially dangerous. Internal baffles can tame said sloshing. Reread some of the post's above and saw the one about the Queen sized waterbed mattress. Remember those? Initially no baffles known as "Full Motion" then they came out with "Motionless" with multiple baffles. If you tried one in your youth, which one did you like the best? Rod

The first sentence I read was they were not for potable water. I next read that some of them are only built to be stationary. Final issue for me is there doesn't seem to be a way to secure them and I doubt they have internal baffles. I would not use them. I did inquire about bladders used in ship building and they can be custom sized and have securement areas. The spot I thought would be big enough viewing didn't measure out to be worth the trouble. I might do a well pressure tank. Used them for many years on the "Farm". But I'm still a ways away from wanting to boondock much. Maybe I never will "Need" to. Rod

Got a reminder of where I had hoped to be a little bit ago. Was finishing up my test for ACLS. Maybe if I had done it last weekend Tuesday would have turned out different and the truck would have started and all would be good. That's the thing about procrastination, by the time you realize you almost waited too long. Something comes up to reinforce it. Have a good Rally. I will be there soon as I can. Rod

Where did you put it? When full it could weigh almost 1000 lbs. according to my calculation. Rod

Find a local tire dealer where you are and have a discussion of what you are doing and the travel you expect to do. Sure you can purchase a round piece of rubber for less money from an online retailer, but what type of person is advising you? Someone who sits in front of a computer like I'm doing right now. Typing an answer to your question. They are hoping you will accept the answer as fact and it will encourage you to purchase the product from the company they are working for. Branded tire shops are almost a thing of the past. There used to be a "Firestone" store a "Goodyear" store, maybe a "Goodrich" or a "Cooper" in town. If you thought one brand was better you visited that store and they took care of you . Now a quick google search turned these up for "Truck Tires" 1. Michelin 2. Goodyear 3. BF Goodrich 4. Continental 5. Cooper 6. Bridgestone 7. Falken 8. Yokohama 9. Toyo Tires 10. Pirelli I recently put several new tires on my rig. Second or third time since obtaining my truck. Sad point is the tires had full tread remaining, but were over 7 years old and had some sidewall checking. My younger brother is my tire guy and I'd rather buy from him than from where ever I might be if I have a "Blowout", so I replaced them. He will sell the tires to Farmer's who will get a lot more years out of the tires and maybe wear one or two of them out. I decided to go with the least expensive tires this time. I have high quality steers, but the drive tires are the least expensive he could get at the time. It's a daunting task trying to sort out the tires. Hopefully you can develop a relationship with a local dealer who can advise you and be there if something happens with those tires. My first big purchase were tires for my new to me Toyhauler in 2007 or 8. Six new ones wanted "His best". Got some Goodyear's and made two trips to Florida. On the way back 3 blow outs before escaping the State of Florida. Used my spare, and got a couple in Atlanta before finally getting to Iowa. Goodyear gave me all new tires and repaired the damage to my trailer. I doubt if Discount Tire, or Tire Rack would have done so, but I don't shop there anyway. Others may have had good experiences. Rod

I wanted a High Quality toilet in my rig when it was built. The Toilet cost over $700 and looked good. Less than three years later it still looks good but I have to pour water in it to Flush and it will not hold water in the bowl very often for more than a few minutes. I removed it, rebuilt the cheap plastic "hardware" a couple times and frankly it's easier to just add water from the bathroom sink and collect water from hand washing and reusing it to flush. The Offending Piece of Crap (pun intended) is the THETFORD Aria Classic. It looks like the price of it have gone down considerably or the mark up was very high in 2013. I'm still using it for liquids, but have converted to a no solids in any tanks except for the very fine food items that remain on the plates or cooking utensils that are not caught in the strainer for the drain. At some point I may consider a compost, or incinerating replacement, but only if I can find one that looks as good and fit's the spot. I'm sure I've seen and maybe used a Dometic , but have never owned one for any length of time. I do not recall the unit in my first trailer, it worked, but was plastic and not the shape I prefer. Rod Rod