TXiceman

First we started in a borrowed tent and then we bought a tent. Then in 1984 we bought our first RV, a StarCraft pop up camper. 18' Prowler, 21' Coachman Catelina Lite, 28' Champion motorhome, 34' Pace Arrow Motorhome (a real POS), 31' Winnebago Minnie Winnie, 36' Avon 5th wheel, we restored a 1978 28' Silver Streak, we restore a 1989 Avion 35' travel trailer, 36' Carriage Cameo, 38' Carriage Cameo, and our current RV, a 40' 2013 HitchHiker Champagne (for the past 8 years). So that is 12 RV plus the two tents. I forgot the 6 sailboats we owned in there. Ken

I saw one campground with lots of 5-star reviews and near the top was one very negative one-star rating. Their complaint was that they arrived a couple of hours past closing time for the office. They claimed to have called and reported they would be arriving late. The complaint was that there was no one available to guide them to their campsite. All they had was a note on the office door with a map marking their route to the site. No one answered the phone when they called, and they did not have an after-hours service number. Seriously, these people needed to give up RVing and stick to Ramada-Docking. Ken

The problems with the unvented drier combo are: 1. It used some water in a water-cooled condenser to condense the water vapor as it comes off the warm clothes. 2. This condensed water and the water to the condenser will go to the gray tank. 3. The combination of 1 and 2 above use water and adds to the wastewater which is not a good thing if you are on a limited water supply or no sewer. 4. This drying system will not get the clothes as dry as an electric heated vented unit. Yes, the unvented units work, but they are not for me. Ken

I just Google "Mobile RV repair near my location". Then, I look at the reviews. Look for a number of reviews with a total of 4 to 5 stars. Carefully read any negative reviews to see if they had a legitimate complaint. The same goes for RV Repair shops. Ken

We have looked at the front living room units and decided ...no way for the above reasons. Plus, you get to looking at them closely, they lack storage. Probably work as a weekend camper. Avoiding Camping World and Gander is good advice. Ken

We are pretty much not traveling this summer and possibly the fall. Looking at the crazy fuel prices and the rising cost of campsites, it would be an expensive summer. Not knowing what the future has for us, we probably should try to limit expenses. We have seen a lot of the country in the past 9 years, but there is still some we would like to see....the Pacific Northwest and New England. A 300 mile travel day at 9 mpg would run us a bit under $200 with fuel at $5.50 per gallon. And more if the fuel cost continues to rise. Additionally, with the stock market, our retirement account and the interest from it will take a hit. We will just stay local and get some medical issues taken care of since the Medicare deductible is paid for the year. If you get a chance to travel, enjoy the trip. Ken

You never said if it was a light weight 5er or a heavy one as well as whether the truck was a SRW or a DRW. So, no one can help you without the necessary information. I have air bags on my DRW with the truck to help the ride. By weight, the air bags are not needed, but they sure improve the ride with the trailer. So, you need to give us real world weights, loaded and unloaded before any meaningful information can be provided. If it is a heavy 5er, and you have a SRW truck you may already be in trouble. Ken

We have decided to put much travelling on hold for now with the cost of fuel. At 9mpg, and the cost of fuel well over $5.00 per gallon, this will make a 500-mile trip costing more than $300 in fuel alone. We have seen a lot of the country and hopefully it will still be there when we can see less expensive fuel prices or find a more fuel-efficient way to travel. Hope that you have a great trip. That is a wonderful area to see. Ken

Well, isn't that a haughty bunch as to what RVs are allowed. Ken

Look carefully at the sleeping arrangements and the claims. Some of the so-called beds are only suitable for kids or very small adults. My choices would be Winnebago, Newmar and Tiffen. Sure thay cost more, but they are generally worth the extra $$$$. Ken

One experience with Camping World in Katy, TX to replace an awning canopy. They screwed this up every way to Sunday. I had the manager in volved and after getting out of there, Camping World/Gander will never touch an RV I own. Ken

Dan, if you have a state class C or equivalent license in CT, most likely, the other states will accept that license and issue you their equivalent license. We have moved from Texas to PA and they accepted the Texas license. I moved back to Texas and then to OK and even to Toronto and it was easy to exchange the license. Ken

But there are many that deliberately post misinformation and lies to further their personal agenda, never mind what is true. They operate on the belief that if you tell a lie enough time, people will eventually perceive it as truthful. There needs to be a way to flag outright untruths as such. Ken

AS a minimum, change the total spring pack for both side of that axle. Personally, I'd change the springs on both axles if it is dual axle. But first, I would get the weight on the axles to make sure you are not overloaded. Ken

Jim, they are discussing using the ZEP floor way on the exterior of the RV. Ken

The rear frame on these is very thin and cannot support much weight. I doubt if the manufacturer will provide much information. What are you planning to haul or pull? Ken

Oh, some of the stories we can tell while campground hosting. 98% of the campers are great. It is that 2% that give you 98% of the problems. We have seen campers ticketed and kicked out of the campground. One of my favorites of all time clueless people was two couples with a herd of kids who were feeding them a steady diet of junk food. The kids did not pick up any wrappers. The wind was blowing, and the trash was blowing on the neighbors. I stopped and asked one of the ladies(?) if they could pick up the trash as it was blowing all over the place. She said, "Isn't that what the rangers were paid to take care of?" She was serious. I just told her I would let the office know and a bit later I went by again and she was picking up the trash. The LEO ranger had visited her and told her to pick it up or she would receive a litter citation. Then there are the idiots that go off and leave a big fire blazing or want to play washer toss at 2 AM and totally wasted. You really meet some nice folks while hosting but expect to meet some real clowns in the mix. Ken

Glenn, having spent most of my life in the Houston area. When they say hurricane, my intention is to run. So, as we head into hurricane season, I will tend to keep my tank 1/2 full and my auxiliary tank full...just in case I need to head inland. I will never understand the folks that want to know how to ride out a hurricane in their RV near the coast. It has wheels on it...leave while you can. The actual storm is just part of the problem. The real misery comes in the days and weeks after the storm with no power, no phones, no groceries, etc. Where will you be working in Freeport, TX. Over my career, I out lots on my refrigeration systems in the plants along the coast. Ken

I was in the refrigeration business since 1965 and I have never heard of Synthetic R134A. R134a is 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane. Here are the new rules for R-134a going forward. https://www.epa.gov/snap/snap-regulations Since I retired, I have not been keeping up with SNAP regulations. I did find one article that says not to mix the R134a with any synthetic R-134a. You will need to totally remove all the original R134a and evacuate the system. Also look to see what oils are now compatible with the new refrigerant. The strange thing was back when R134a was first introduced by DuPont, I noticed that R134a had a very high GWP (global warming potential) and figured it would eventually be replaced. Ken Ken

David and Cheryl, I only mentioned the class B and motorhomes for reference. Our last truck and trailer had a GCW of 25, 090# and I only needed a class C license as were under the magic 26000#. The truck was rated at 10,000# and the trailer at 15,090#. We upgraded the truck first and it was 13,300#, So, 13,300# plus 15,090# equals 28,390# which sent us down to get the class A license. The license is not all that hard to pass for both written and driving. My wife is also licensed to drive the rig. I highly encourage everyone to get their travel companion capable of driving the truck and trailer and properly licensed. The biggest issue is simply scheduling to get the written portion completed and schedule the driving portion. I have helped a couple of people we know to get the rig to testing. In Texas they do not ask how you get to the test site, but some people worry. They drove the rig to within a mile two from of the test site and switched to me driving it to the test center. They took the test while I waited, passed with no issues and I rode back with them. Ken

I have had a TST system for 8 years now and no problems with it. With our 40', fifth wheel and 3 axles, I have to use the repeater, or I lost the back axle signal. I had a Tire tracker or Minder, I don't remember the name, and nothing but problems. I finally gave it away. Plus, the folks at TST are super helpful if you do have an issue. Ken

I think there is some confusion there. Add the GVWR of the truck and the GVWR of the trailer. A total of 26,001# or more will push you to a class A or a Class B driver's license. If you are towing less than 10,000# you go to a class B. This is usually the case with a larger class A motor home and a tow car. If you are towing over 10,000# you need a class A License. Ken

First and obvious question is....Did it do this before and after the new thermostat? Have you traced the signals to the roof and see where the power is applied to on the control board? Ken

I am not familiar with what furnace was used in your RV. Is it a Suburban, Dometic or Atwood. If you can, post a photo of the furnace from the outside vents. Some like the Suburban can be accessed from the outside by removing the outer cover. Ken

We have worked hard to stay reasonably healthy during these almost 75 years on the planet. As soon as the 2nd booster was announced, we went to the local pharmacy and got our shots. The only side effect we had was a sore spot on the arm and the next day we both felt a little slow, but not sick. A couple of Tylenol and we were good. So far, we have avoided getting COVID. We wear masks in the stores, and when entering a restaurant. On the rare occasion that we eat out, we go to smaller places and during off peak hours. We do occasionally get takeout. Stay healthy folks. Ken