Jump to content

Nwcid

Validated Members
  • Posts

    252
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Nwcid

  1. Unlike the poster who has never used a free spot, we rarely use campground. Even if they are low to no cost, they do not have anything to offer us. Also there are typically no campgrounds where we want to stay. We have used State land, Forest Service, BLM, Walmart, Other "box" stores, Rest areas, Large pull offs on roadways (seldom and only as last option), Army Corp, Local parks, Other businesses with large parking lots, Moochdocked at friends or friends of friends. I am sure there are more that I have forgotten to list. We have only been doing this for about 5 years, but the last couple of years we spend about 100 nights in our RV.
  2. But does it really? Yes the up front cost is more but the life time cost is same or less. I just got my first HDT this year so I am still learning. What I have found so far is that everything on the HDT cost 2-4 times as much but lasts 4-8 times longer. Factory oil change in Volvo is just over 2x as much as my 1 ton, but the frequency is 4x as long. On my dually I end up doing tires every other year at ~$1500 so over 10 years that is $7500. Even buying the most expensive HDT tires are going to run under $6000 and will likely last that same 10 years. I know the recent set of dives and steers (10), with my trade in was quoted at $3700. Even for fuel, on our last trip from WA to AZ and back was about 2700 miles. The other 2 pick up routinely filled up for $3.25-$3.40/ gallon. I filled up 2x since I have 275 gallons once at $2.65 and once at $2.80. While I get a lower MPG, my overall fuel cost was similar.
  3. My brake sticking only happened in freezing weather and usually when it had been wet. My understanding is this is a semi common problem. I do not think I have any leaks. I have never timed it or check my pressure levels while sitting. Even after sitting for a few hours there is usually enough pressure in the system my "alarm" does not go off when starting the truck. How long should the truck hold pressure? I thought about the suspension also because I can get it to "roll" if dumping or inflating. My suspension stays inflated (or mostly) even after sitting for long periods.
  4. Here is the instruction manual which includes installation with proper wire sizing, https://www.magnum-dimensions.com/product-inverter/2000w-12vdc-pure-sine-inverter-charger-0
  5. Would not release all of the time or just in freezing weather? All it takes to release it is a simple tap with a hammer on the edge of the drum. I just did 3000 miles with no releasing trouble.
  6. Yes this will be hard to duplicate. Yes I have ABS. In theory they can start by checking the braking system and making sure everything is adjusted correctly. This truck does have "self adjusting" brakes, but still. While the weather was still below freezing I had my drivers, front drive brake routinely be frozen after sitting and I would have to tap on it to release.
  7. I called a shop this afternoon. They basically acted like they have never heard of such a thing happening. I have an appointment next week to have them look at it.
  8. As others have said it is a highly variable question. What do you want it to do? What type of places do you want to stay? How much will you be using it? How much do you want to spend both upfront and on maintenance? For what we do Class C really does not fit us. I love the idea of a Class A but cost and layout do not work for me. If you are in a Class A or C will you be towing anything? I am very happy with a 5th. More living space in the same foot print compared to Class A or C. They are just as easy to set up now with auto leveling but you do have to go outside.
  9. When I set the brakes I can hear air move at the dash, but the exhaust is at the axles. With the engine shut down there is some air bleed from the fan clutch and something near the rear the axles that lasts for a few seconds. There is no problem with them releasing while the truck if off. Or if I restart it after sitting for several hours/overnight. The only time it happens, if it happens, is truck has been running, got shut off for a short period of time, and then started back up. Then if its going to happen it will be in the first minute or so.
  10. I have about 4000 miles on my new to me 2014 VNL 630 with 420k miles. Obviously the "best" answer is take it to the shop, but if it is something I can trouble shoot at home I would like to start there. Occasionally the "parking" brake will "release" allowing the truck to roll about an inch or two and then locking up again. I have had this happen enough times not to be a fluke, but not constantly either, maybe 6-8 times. Here is what I have found so far: Has never happened when the truck is parked and shut down. The only time it will happen (if it happens) is if the truck is parked, shut off and then started up shortly after, maybe under 15 min (never really timed it). Typically within 1-2 min of restarting the truck it will make the "air pressure" bleed off noise as the tanks hit pressure, the truck will roll a little (even on flat ground) and then lock up again.
  11. Nwcid

    Brake light troubles

    I will see what I can find out this weekend when I get home. Likely I will be returning them and getting "traditional" style lights.
  12. Nwcid

    Brake light troubles

    Again I agree, but the seller is is the manufacture......
  13. Nwcid

    Brake light troubles

    I think you may be correct, but "Oval Truck Stop Brake Turn DOT Approved Sequential Arrow Lights [IP67 Waterproof] RV Semi Truck Taillight " is how they are listed. Looks like I am going to have to return these and get "traditional" lights. It really sucks because these lights are great, bight and get attention.
  14. We are leaving from the Spokane, WA area on Sunday the 13th. Will likely stop somewhere around Pendleton, OR and boondock.
  15. Nwcid

    Brake light troubles

    Lighting trouble. 2014 VNL 630. I purchased 2 sets (4 total, 2 for left and 2 for right) of these lights, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D59L58G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 here is from the manufacture site, https://www.abramsmfg.com/.../6-oval-35-led-red-arrow.../ I installed them about 48 hours before we took off on our trip. I have not had time to trouble shoot them. I did call the company and got the "it works on some trucks and not on others" answer. They also said these are only intended as turn signals and not brake lights. However if wired properly (or best as I can figure) as "turn signals" I would have the same issue since brake and turn on on the same wire. I cut off the OEM tail light plug and crimped in dual pig tails. I am wired white to ground, brown to tail and red to brake/turn. Tail lights work as they should, turn signals work as they should and are awesome. The problem is that when I apply the brakes instead of the lights coming on solid, all 4 arrows sequence. On the volt meter I get solid 12v with brake and "flashing" 12v on turn signal. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get these to work right or if that is even an option?
  16. Staying put is a great plan, if that is an option. That is not an option for many people. There would be several months each year I could not leave my driveway if I had to wait out the weather. As for chaining up, look up the DOT rules for the state you are traveling in. The rules are usually by weight and/or axle combination not commercial/non-commercial. As for chains, I have a cheap set of cables in my toy hauler. My plan is to never use them. I have a set of 3-rail for my 1 ton, 4x4 dually. They get used 1-2 times/year on average. I have a set of 3-rail and a set of singles for my HDT. I have used the singles a lot in the last couple of months and the 3-rail twice.
  17. Nwcid

    Tail light upgrades

    I will not be changing the front turns so hopefully that will help. I will know for sure on Friday when the deck is done and I install the lights......
  18. It depends on where I am camped what lights we use. Typically we do leave the porch light on. We also do not typically camp where our lights would even be seen by anyone else.....
  19. I have very limited experience with this topic but I the D13 engine mated to a non-overdrive iShift (2.47 rear). I have only put about 1000 miles on it so far with no towing yet. The skip shift feature is awesome. It shifts as well as my 2016 Chevy dually. While it is not as "fast" as my Chevy, it will get right up to speed if I want it to. My dad who has been driving manual trucks all of his life came down to inspect the truck when I bought it. He was very impressed with how it worked also.
  20. I have seen very few reports of any "reactions" outside of a sore arm from the first dose. It is the second dose where most people are having reactions. I deal with this as part of my job. I also out of the people I personally know about 50% had minimal to no symptoms on the second dose and the other 50% had moderate to severe reactions.
  21. Nwcid

    Tail light upgrades

    The fab shop is making all of deck and bumper parts. They cut the "standard" 6" oval holes that use rubber grommets to keep the lights in. One set of my lights showed up so they used that as a template. I ended up going to 2 of the 6" oval lights with the sequential arrows on each side of the bumper and a single centered LED tail light. The 4 amber lights will also be turn signals. Yesterday I pulled the rear lighting wiring off of the truck (single plug) and then spliced in all of the new wires. Mid week the deck should be done and I will be able to connect all the lights and see if they work.
  22. Nwcid

    Balancing tires

    I know the reasons for monitors, but it is not something in budget right now or high on my list.
  23. Nwcid

    Balancing tires

    I do not want to hijack this thread but I have a question inline with it. I am still getting my truck serviced and ready for an upcoming trip. The dealer replaced my font shocks, they appeared original and had 400k on them. The truck rode very soft and felt "loose" Now with the new shocks and about 250 miles total on them I feel like I have more front end vibration that changes with speed so I am assuming it is balance issue. The steer tires are in good shape. I am going to have them balanced and rotated next week. The tire shop recommend beads vs weights. Should I do weights or beads? Cost is about the same.
  24. Nwcid

    Tail light upgrades

    I plan on pulling power for all of the lights from the existing single, non-LED left and right turn/brake lights. This way I only have to run a pair of wires (on and turn) from the rear of the truck going forward.
×
×
  • Create New...