TXiceman
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Posts posted by TXiceman
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We are full time for 6.5 years now and have a 2013 HitcHiker Champagne ,,,one of the last ones built. We bought it from Kansas RV Center, owned by NuWa in Chanute, KS. They are no longer manufacturer, but have a sales for other brands and a great service center.
The delivery and sale of the unit was great. I sure hated to see them stop manufacturing. We have had very few issues with the trailer. We lover the build quality and comfort. The Splindide washer-dries, convection microwave, dishwasher and satellite antenna are wonderful. It is a heavy tri-axle with Mor/Ryde IS suspension.
Looks like the last RV we will have to buy.
Ken
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Last winter we spent 3 months on the Texas coast in a city surrounded on 3 sides by salt water and salt marshes. We rinsed and washed the RV every week or two and still had corrosion issues. Key locks corroded and took lots of oil, some other aluminum and chrome suffered some minor pitting. We had to replace the Winegard antenna at it suffered corrosion on the internal circuit board.
We have stayed south of Houston several winter and no issues as we were far enough from the salt air. We are not spending any more time on the coast again. My RV cost too much and suffered damage due to just 3 months. You get to looking at other RVs that are on the coast often or long term and you will not like the damage.
Ken
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We strongly recommend the Progressive Ind, unit. It has saved us from power problems more than once. PI will provide surge protection as well as monitor power for low or high voltage, open neutral, open ground and power frequency.
We have the hard wired unit mounted in the RV with the remote monitor panel. PI provides great warranty service and are very helpful answering questions.
Ken
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The salt in the softener is used to regenerate the resin bed and release the minerals that they have captured. You then flush the salt out and there is NO MORE salt in the water softener. You do not get salt on the shin or corrosion in the shower. There is another problem here.
I have found that you have to modify the manufacturers instructions..
First, I drain about 1/2 of the water out of the softener.
Remove the top.
Next, add the requires table salt
Every other regeneration I also add Iron Out.
Fill almost to the top with water ans attach top.
Lay the unit over on it's side and slosh the water to mix the salt.
Let set for about an hour or more.
Attach the water hose and flush very slowly. Set hose flow to lust barely dribble out the out let for 15 minutes.
Now put full flow on the softener and flush for 5 or a bit more minutes. Check to see that the salt taste is gone.
Reinstall and enjoy the reduced mineral water.
In front of our softener, I run a whole house 5 micron sediment filter and next a 10 micron whole house carbon filter.
Depending on the water hardness, out On the Go Double will go 2 to 3 weeks and we have a washer drier and dishwasher in the rig.
Great water. With the softener, I replace the water heater anode less often and the sinks and shower get less water spots.
Ken
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If you manage to break or damage one, two or more wires, you will be forcing the other wires to carry more load than they are rated to carry. Don't Disney Land engineer it....do it right.
Ken
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You need to be aware that Federal parks and most state parks prohibit drone operation within the park.
Ken
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I had two Kobalt 12 volt compressors from Lowe's and both died after a few uses. Now have a ViAir 400PRV and it is still going over a year later. You pay your money and take your chances.
Ken
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3 hours ago, LindaH said:
Each of these appears to need Internet access, so how does it work when you leave the rig? When we leave our rig, we take our phones with us, which we use as hotspots, so our Internet access goes with us.
The Marceli is cell phone based, As said you choose AT&T or Verizon when you order it. The unit has a cell connection. And as I said, it monitors power, temperature and humidity.
Ken
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Inspections in Texas are no big deal. The yearly tag registration is tied to the vehicles being inspected. If you are out of state, you simply go online and pay with a credit card and check the box that you are out of state. The state mails the new stickers. You then have 72 hours to get it inspected once you get the vehicle back in the state.
Ken
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We use a Marcell cell connected dialer to monitor RV power, temp and humidity.
It can be Verizon or AT&T connected.
Ken
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RV Fog Dr. will not repair the frameless dual pane windows. We had our done at Sun Coast Designers near Tampa, FL. They have water/50 amp hook ups and a dump for their customers.
We just had them do 4 large multi-pane windows done in September. These ran a bit over $500 each window and the work was done very well with the lifetime guarantee.
Ken
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I will tell people that I do have a carry permit, but I also add that they do not need to know if I am carrying....unless they are law enforcement.
Ken
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5 hours ago, chirakawa said:
People are dying from cellphone usage.
Ignorance breeds FEAR.
But I guess some are dying from cell phone usage...WHILE DRIVING!
Ken
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Good luck with your disasters in the People Republic of California
Ken
KE5DFR.
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Barb, as a retired mechanical engineer from the industrial refrigeration field and a HAM radio operator, I understand what you mean by the scientifically illiterate. I always try to educate folks that are non-scientific or non-technical, but there are some that do not want o become educated on a matter, even in the most simplistic of terms. For those, I just provide the information for them to digest, and move on.
It can be equated to the old saying that you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make them drink.
Ken
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skpgirl, everyone that visits Rainbows End has some skin in the game. The cell service there is not all that good and we do deserve better.
As for effecting property values, if I were buying in there, a good cell signal would be a plus over poor cell service. I am a HAM radio operator and am well aware of RF (radio frequency) effects on people. When we exceed certain power levels, we have to perform a RF study based on antenna height and power. And I can run considerably more power than these cell towers run.
Additionally, the tower installers could simply lease the land directly across the road from the CARE center and build it there and the center would get no benefit of the lease payments and you would still have the cell tower looming over you. The tower may be owned by AT&T, but will most likely be leased to other cell providers.
I think all of the Nay-Sayers need to wear little aluminum foil hats if it is that big of a worry. Personally, I think it will enhance property values and is no more health risk than driving down the road while by the cell phone. I get really upset at under-informed people. that play on others lack of information.
Ken
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You need to continually update your info as the laws are constantly changing. Each state has different requirements. If you have a carry permit, you need to check reciprocity and the laws specific to a state you are traversing.
This is a good source of information and protection
Ken
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I was at C.A.R.E. yesterday and they said the tower was being built.
Ken
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Probably fancy OSB or particle board.
Ken
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Get the adapter plug.
Ken
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My favorite place for bologna is in the trash can.
Ken
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Before we got the washer/drier in the RV, washerterias were a crap-shoot. Some were good, some were OK and a few were horrible. But for now, I'll stick to my laundry facilities in the RV.
Ken
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I grew up camping under the trees on a cot and no tent. After getting married, we camped in a borrowed tent and finally bought our own tent. In 1984 we bought our FIRST RV. A small Starcraft pop up camper. No A/C, no heat, and ice box, hand pump water tank and we were at the top of the mountain in our eyes.
A lot has changed and several RVs later, we are full time in our 40 foot 5th wheel. I cannot imagine life with out an RV.
Ken
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Already sent in my absentee ballot for more funding for the parks.
Ken
Problems with USPS delivering mail to Escapees?
in General RV Information
Posted
Before we changed to electronic statements, we received paper statements from our bank and brokerage to our Escapees address. We never had an issue. Make sure that they have the correct address, box number and zip code. If they have an isse with the term BOX or the use of the # symbol, tell them it is an Apartment and use APT.
In 7 years, Escapees mail has been great. Our issue is that the mail must first come through Houston's North Central distribution center for the USPS and they are not the best by a long shot.
Ken