trailertraveler

I have noticed that our two Toshiba laptops will at times wake up and restart. I don't remember where, but I recall reading that the newer versions/updates of Windows 10 do not really completely shutdown the computer when just using the shutdown in the power popup at the bottom left of the screen. That article said that to completely shutdown, hold the shift key then click on shutdown and hold the shift key until the screen goes black. Seems to work.

Just read about this. Here is a link to the announcement from the concessionaire. 

22 hours ago, bigjim said:

Is this Carlisle tires just spelled different?

Yes, my bad. I edited my post to correct spelling.

Welcome to the Escapees Forum!!

A couple of things about tires for a trailer that I did not see mentioned. There should be a factory installed plate near the front of the trailer that lists the factory supplied tire size and weight rating. New tires should be rated for this weight or more. LT tires often have a lower maximum weight rating than ST tires of the same size and load range. Check the ratings stamped on any new tire. Also check the date manufactured. LT tires may not be available in the same diameter and width as some ST tires. If upgrading to a larger tire size, check the clearance between tires and in the wheel well (height & width). Most ST tires are speed rated for 65 MPH. Two exceptions that I am aware of are the Goodyear Endurance and the Carlisle Radial Trail which have higher speed ratings.

Again, Welcome to the Escapees Forum!!

We are heavy users of our free public library ebook lending privileges. We use Overdrive to borrow the books in Kindle format. It requires a prime membership, but there has never been any charge. I know that some books in the system are available in other ebook formats. Reading this, I am wondering whether we will still be able to use the kindle reader.

The fulltime RVers that do RV repair work that I have encountered, generally return to the same locations. If moving often, I would think that keeping up with local licensing, insurance and other requirements might be an issue. Collecting sales tax, if required, may be an issue. State and local income tax may be yet another issue.

I believe there is a least one member of this forum that has a business doing RV repair work. Hopefully they will chime in.

I have seen them mounted to the ladder on travel trailers and 5th wheels. Of course that is only an option if you have a ladder.

Flagg Ranch is currently closed for the season and I suspect many of the campgrounds in West Yellowstone are also. The OP sounds like they may already have reservations at Flagg Ranch for four days so that would have to be 2021.

11 hours ago, brandman said:

Too late in season?  Staying 7 days in West Yellowstone, Montana then to Flagg Ranch for 4 days.  What would be the easiest route between these two points towing a 35' fifth wheel?

Thanks in advance.  This is my first trip out west and don't want to get myself in trouble in the mountains.

We have visited Yellowstone in September a number of times. It is generally less crowded than during the summer, however; many of the campgrounds and facilities and services start to close after Labor Day. There can be temporary road closures for repairs and/or weather. I checked the park website and the dates for 2021 are not posted yet. 2020 was not a typical year, so I would not base decisions on it. 

As for travel from West Yellowstone to Flagg Ranch, the road through the park to the South entrance is usually good. There are ups and downs and at least one crossing of the Continental Divide (as I recall) but as mountain driving goes it is pretty tame. There are roads with steeper grades in the park. 

If your Silverado has the integrated brake controller, it is likely similar to the ones in my 2007 and 2018 Silverado. The maximum braking is set with the + and - buttons. The trailer brakes are applied manually by squeezing the two levers together. The amount of breaking being applied displays as a green line in the digital dash display behind the steering wheel.

A couple of other items that I have not seen mentioned yet. If the road lanes and shoulder are wide enough that you feel comfortable doing so, move right in the lane when large vehicles pass in either direction.  The increased distance between the vehicles will reduce the sideways push. On two lane roads, I also always take my foot off the gas when a truck pulls into the passing lane. This helps the truck get past and back in lane quicker and I think also helps reduce the side push.

Bunny hopping/porpoiseing can often be reduced by changing your speed. I have experienced some instances where increasing the speed helps some, but always try reducing my speed first.

9 hours ago, Kirk W said:

I do use an add on sway bar that was installed by the RV dealer. Installation of it did not require drilling or welding of the trailer frame

I'm confused. How and where does the plate with the small ball attach? Looking at an installation video, it appears to be attached to the trailer A-frame with the six lag type screws. Whether they self-drill or require predrilling, that would still result in six holes in the frame. Huskies website does have a model that appears to attach to the frame without drilling, but that looks like a combination sway and weight distribution hitch.

Welcome to the Escapees Forum!!

Proper tongue weight and level of the trailer can affect how much the trailer sways as can the relationship between the tow vehicle wheelbase and the trailer length. Here are some articles that may help. How to prevent trailer sway, trailer towing, trailer length. One thing that I did not see mentioned in these articles is using the brake controller to apply the trailer brakes without hitting the vehicle brakes. This will help straighten the track of the trailer and reduce the sway. This is the method used in some of the newer tow vehicles that have integrated trailer brake controllers incorporating anti-sway control. 

6 hours ago, BeckyG said:

I've also been told that my frame should not be drilled to connect anything to and that I do not need any kind of stabilizer bars for such a small trailer.

Who told you this? If it was not Jayco, I would contact Jayco and get their recommendations. 

Again, Welcome to the Escapees Forum!!

3 hours ago, Kirk W said:

I went on Amazon to look at your suggestions and while there discovered another model from Alfa that is only $50 with a 4.2 star rating from almost 1000 users. I will dig into it more as I have only begun to look at them.

If I am reading the product description correctly, this devise is a Wifi adapter that connects to a computer by USB. It does not appear to be able to connect to multiple devices at the same time. It does not appear to be able to connect to a router, So, in order for two computers/devices to share the connection, the computer with the adapter connected would have to be able to share its internet connection as a hotspot or by wired connection.

What devices are you planning on using? Phones or tablets may not give you any choice but to connect by wireless through a repeater. With computers, I find that connecting the computer(s) to the router or Nanostation/router combination by ethernet gives consistently better speed than using the router as a repeater.  I am currently using a Wifi Ranger Spruce router which seems to have a more sensitive receiver and more powerful transmitter than my phones or computers as it consistently identifies and connects to more wifi access points than either the phones or conputers.

If you already have a wireless router, I would suggest something like the Ubiquity Nanostation, They can be setup as an external wifi adapter connected by ethernet cable to the router or computer. They are available in 2.4 or 5 Ghz models. This video explains how to set it up.  We have been using a Nanostation with various Wifi Ranger routers for years with pretty good success.

38 minutes ago, Danandfreda said:

South Dakota tracks the ballot on their site from the day they mail it until they receive it back

Apparently other states do tracking also as we have received two notices in the mail that we have not returned our ballots. 

Looks like a pint size version of the Departure one or the Terra Wind. Just like the old amphicar, it would have to be registered as a vehicle when on the road and as a watercraft when on the water.

2 hours ago, Barbaraok said:

Actually, more and more research suggests that it should be 9 to 12 feet since the transmission can be aerosolized.  

In addition, there is concern regarding other modes of transmission.

Quote

...The available data suggest that, in addition to human-to-human contact, the virus may spread via fecal-oral and aerosols-borne routes... Recently, transmission via the fecal-oral route is getting serious attention after the viral RNA has been detected in the stool samples of infected patients... The fecal-oral route conservatively follows five-Fs paths such as fomites, fingers, flies, fluids, and fields... In case of COVID-19, knowledge on disease spread via fields and fluids is limited; however, the contribution of fomites (e.g., clothes and surfaces), fingers (direct contact), and flies is being argued...

This year It seems to me that there was a lot more promotion of RVing than I recall from past years. As mentioned, what those advertisements did not say was that reservations in popular places need to be made well in advance. What was also missing was information about the many popular destinations like Yellowstone, Disney, etc. that were closed for much of the summer season. Many attractions like museums and historic sites were also closed. If my memory is correct, New Mexico State Park campgrounds are still closed to nonresidents. Some activities/amenities in RV parks were closed or limited.

Experienced RVers know how much maintenance an RV can require and how expensive repairs can be if not done yourself. They also know the challenge and cost presented by trying to maintain internet connectivity and TV reception, which I think is more important to the younger generations. All of these factors might contribute to dissatisfaction with RVing among those that never RVed before.

When the Covid restrictions are finally lifted, those with children will likely find that extra curricular activities like sports, music, etc. will once again limit the number of weekends and even summer days that they can travel. Another unknown is how many older RVers that sat this year out because of the pandemic will not return to RVing.

For someone who does not plan to travel, a park model may be a viable alternative. They are generally better insulated and have regular household appliances, plumbing and fixtures. Used ones are often sold onsite in the parks where they are located.

13 hours ago, amarie1 said:

...stay at for a night near the Tetons...

If you will need to run the RV's furnace at night, in my experience, that is by far the greatest draw on the 12 volt system. In addition to the other suggestions, I would run the generator to top off the battery before quiet hours if any begin. Run it again in the morning if you need power before starting the engine to move on.

Have had accounts at Navy Federal since 1980. Always have had good service. They closed a lot of branches during the base closure years, but it has been over a decade since I have been in a branch office. They have changed their ATM agreements a few times over the years, but have never had a problem finding a free ATM using their on line locator. Direct deposit, IRA distribution and bill pay all have worked well for us.

1 hour ago, GlennWest said:

...Getting a smaller MH for traveling and boondocking at National and federal parks. Or where ever we end up going. Know length can come into play. That why asking... 

In my experience, very few National Parks allow boondocking (dispersed camping) i,e, camping outside of designated campgrounds. They do however have a lot of dry campgrounds and a lot of sites that were designed when RVs were considerably smaller. National Forests, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and some states have lots of boondocking/dispersed camping opportunities in addition to designated campgrounds with or without utilities. In my experience, access to more remote areas is dependent on road conditions and RV factors such as ground clearance, traction (4x4, 6x6), angle of attack (which can be affected by rear overhang), width, height, etc.

On 8/18/2020 at 12:34 PM, ToddF said:

...it's possible I had the virus and was non symptomatic and recovered from it....I plan to have another test right before I leave Minnesota on Sept 10 to confirm that I am still negative...

Any chance you can get an anti-body test? If it comes out positive, that would be really good to know.