rpsinc

We bought ours from a woman who's husband had passed away. It typically was kept in Congress at SKP park. They bought it new and picked it up at the factory. They towed it with an F550, not my personal choice although it did have a service bed. I am using an IH 4700 with a Stalick bed for now, but its for sale. I am looking forward to the remodel but have to get through these working years first. Doing lots of money management work and paying off mortgages(we have rentals). Almost there.

Nicely done Jaydrvr. I have an '04 KA 38BSLE that I bought and am planning of remodeling. The exterior paint has lots of scratches and defects, plus a few body damaged areas that need attention. The interior is decent just needs a bit of updating, blinds, flooring etc. I appreciate what you chose to do esp since you intend on keeping it! I recently got quoted to paint my current rig(in my signature) and was told about $10K for trailer and $9K for the truck, in single stage 1 color with NO color change. Seems typical pricing for the work needed based on your experience as well.

I am right there with you. The reality of what happens to our abilities and capabilities is another in a ongoing path to being honest with ourselves. I dont like it, but continue to work at accepting it.

Given what you have shared here your health issues specifically your leg function, it may be time to "teach" yourself to slow down and leave more room for reacting in traffic events. Since your legs arent moving as well as they used to, leaving a bit more room might be welcome to those around you on the road. Seems as we get older, we all have to realize that we "just arent as young and nimble as we used to be". I certainly discover that every day I go to work and my mind tells me to do some things I have done a thousand times, but my body vetos that thought, most every time. Enjoy the journey.

When someone's 1st question about my MDT for sale is: "What is the fuel economy when towing?" I know they are not prepared for this journey. If that is your early considerations, then go do more learning. I have no idea what my MPG is, I bought the truck because it was the right truck for the job and MPG is not as important as safety, mine and those on the road around me. I still remember in Driver's Training, the instructor taught we are responsible for 5 vehicles when we are driving. That has stuck with me all these years, and I learned to drive in 1974.

Good luck with that one. Gains are income, at least according to IRS codes, and as such are regarded as income and thus taxed accordingly. That being said, if that was the end of the journey, that would be OK for me, BUT, then you may have to pay estimated taxes because your income in this year would be seen as higher than typical and the IRS may want their $$ up front for future earnings at that level(which they now have figured will be similar to what is reported on those earnings, you know it may be a once in a decade or lifetime experience, but the IRS doesnt provide latitude like that). So pay the estimated tax next year and then file the following year to retrieve your overpayments. What a racket!!

That is a VERY BIG group!!

Yes, as a welder, I like working with cable too, but as an equipment installer that does the electrical too, its not practical nor cost effective. If you were going to be building a battery bank, I would encourage you to wire it with welding cable, but if you are running a long run in conduit, use THHN. Still stranded and workable AND rated for that use. Since it will likely be worked with once, then the extra cost is not worth it, at least not in my world.

I have bought those size wires in specific lengths for jobs. Also have bought welding cable(totally different animal and priced accordingly but may be easier to work with in conduit) in specific lengths, at much cheaper than the local welding supply house, sometimes as much as 50% less per foot and many times free shipping.

My opinion only, but normalcy of what we used to know is likely done for quite some time. Seems the experts are now saying mid 2023. If we consider the challenges being faced with getting the populace vaccinated, and the expectation that 60-80% need to have received a vaccine/s for the potential of normalcy(herd immunity?), and then add to the effects of what has happened after 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and now this month the effects of Xmas and New Years gatherings, it will be an interesting phenomenom over the next 30-45 days. I sadly am not looking forward to what is to come soon.

Sounds like you are taking all the logical steps in the troubleshooting path. Keep going, you will find it. Nothing more disappointing than paying a shop hourly to discover something simple that may have been overlooked. I took my CC DRW to a shop for some wiring repair due to a hungry rabbit. They charged me hourly to do that and get the AC back to working condition and resolve some check engine codes. Due to things in life, I didnt drive the truck for a few months after bringing it home, but when I did, well it was closer to summer and HOT. No AC. Figuring that they wouldnt warranty the work this long past repair, took to a different shop, that specializes in AC repair. They found the issue and then serviced the AC, now it works great. Turns out a couple of the wires the 1st repaired were not done properly and so no connection. They redid the repairs due to that and another few hundred $s spent. Stinkin' rabbit!! Next time I will check it myself. Seems good work is less than common these days. I just was real busy at that time and relied on others to know and do the job. FYI- Honda markets an electrical tape with some capcacin in it. Its the stuff that makes chili peppers hot. Well, rabbits and rodents dont like the stuff. I now have 3 rolls on hand. I own 4 trucks and 2 cars + 5 trailers and ALL OF THEM have wiring.

IF a wire was inadvertently caught behind a battery and through "thousands of miles" got pinched by a battery's vibration, it could cause a short. A good flashlight and some patient inspection might be what is called for.

I had also checked my wires and switch function with a continuity test and all was good, so those switches were working correctly, just not communicating to the control panel due to wired in the wrong spot.

But IF your issue is a wire, then the sensors will be an expense not necessary, which may explain why your problem appeared suddenly. And then AFTER the sensors are changed, the problem may not have gone away and it will continue. I learned along time ago during some good troubleshooting training by the company I worked for at the time(making Charmin & Bounty), to work from the last known change. If your battery change was the last known change, eliminate all possibillities related to that first. Yesterday I was working on a job that includes demo, concrete, fabrication, equipment installation and electrical wiring to have equipment operate hydraulically, so power from a control panel with interlocks. One of the devices has 2 limit switches that are low voltage and are wired to a terminal strip in a control panel. The panel is mounted at about 78" off the floor. I'm 5'10". My line of sight to wire the panel was looking upwards and as a result things werent working right and I had to follow my own advise as to what was the last change. Well, I wired the panel up. Come to discover that I inadvertently wired the common for those 2 LSs to the wrong terminal. Once I got a ladder and was eye level to the panel, I discovered that the common was in the wrong place, causing nothing to work. After moving the common, everything worked as it should. Such a small thing affected the functionality of the whole system. It cost me 2 hours of troubleshooting to figure this one out, and I have been doing this kind of work for quite some time. And your dead short(which is likely what is causing your fuse to blow instantly) might be tough one to find but shouldnt cost $100 in parts.

Reports also said that since the US has NOT restricted flights from Europe yet, it is likely already here. Another challenge for us. Testing on efficacy of current vaccines has not been done to be certain that it covers new and coming variants.

What about a split sytem, off grid for typical uses, like lights, convenience power etc, then if you need to run AC or welder(that is my big achilles heel, I have 7 of them) then run that power off the on grid system. Use 2 separate systems, not very much extra work if done from the beginning.

Love the recessed pockets for things like lights and steps. Much more work but well worth it when you start using it. Reducing the shin knockers. Looks great.

Also consider that the dimensions noted in postings above done consider wall thicknesses. I.E. a 1X4 tube can come in various thicknesses of walls, which will affect its capacity considerably. And also in C-channels- all are listed in height and weight, rather than in flange size. I.E. 12" X 20.7# is a hearty channel, not for your project but for one I am working on right now. This same 12" channel is also available 25#, & 30# meaning weight per lineal foot of channel. So sometimes using combinations of sizes and wall thicknesses, you can arrive at a solution that might not have been considered before.

You can move over to catalytic heater and save a bunch of propane. Eliminate the noise of the blower too BUT it wont solve your rust in the line problem unless you use a portable tank and a hose solely for the heater.

I use a couple of 50W panels for various vehicles I have. I spent around $100 for each. It helps to compensate for my bad memory to charge this truck or that trailer esp in my yard where I have no 120VAC. I can leave them on there and if I forget, it isnt a big deal with a charge controller. It also helps with fantom loads.

Isnt this a FIFTH-WHEEL topic? I see why sometimes people are having difficulty finding topics under a particular category, and this could contribute to that. The info is GREAT though!

Have you checked out available trucks already set up at racingjunk.com I know there are a couple there that are already converted and registered as RVs. BUT, need to also consider time to address delayed maintenance, becoming competent driving the truck(without the trailer), customizing to your INITIAL needs(there will always a list of things that you want to as you learn what others things CAN BE DONE), title transfer, insurance etc.

Just my 2 cents, but I guess I dont undestand why we wouldnt just wear them since they are SOME type of defense to a virus running amuck and it may help. Shouldnt need a mandate to do it, kind of like wearing shoes when the ground is dangerous(rough, jagged, full of trash etc.) or hot. I do, because I dont know if I am asymptomatic and shedding virus, which may end up infecting some person or group of persons that has a compromised immune system. It is WHAT I CAN DO to be considerate of others, like staying home during a typical flu season, when I have caught the flu.

Agreed. Seems like it would make a nice park model. Not sure I would want to drag that thing around with the way the frame is made. I'm sure its likely safe but not a usual specimen.

Wouldnt this topic be better served if NOT in the HDT subject category? Perhaps Fifth wheels??