ddm502001

I can attest to of the other forums I write on, there are fewer and fewer just people on them. Those that are fully retiring as such are walking away from contact with previous contacts. That stated I am headed to the Guy's place I got my KW from, we are going to resurrect a trade truck he received to make a service truck of, as his existing truck just shot craps, then May 1, I become another sluggo Clock hitter and going BACK to work. My last employer called me on Tuesday while I was working across the farm, asked me to call back where I ran out of time that night and stopped in the office bright and early Wednesday. Explained is worse than ever, felt bad for the asking, but I did say yes. Been off dump trucking nearly a full year, would be June 10, they are so backlogged as have NOT YET found My Own replacement. Is really sad out there. Dave

Local Gal, does Greenhouse plant starts during Winter, HAS to add CO2 from Tanks to get ^ up to get them to grow, they prefer around 550-600ppm or around .04-.05% in air. She noted that UNDER .03 where the CC Crazies want it, plants stop growing, ALL plants Stop. Was just noted in a Emissions device hearing, that over 100,000 years ago was OVER 1000ppm or close to a Full Percent in air. Was that way during Dino Days and into Younger Dryas.

Dear friends of ours had a Tongue Hitch Camper Trailer, 5400lbs dry, tended to leave water side partial and waste dumped where camped but still added load, pulled that with a 2000 Dodge Dakota then a 2004 Dodge Durango extended cab, both were well beyond capacity with it where brakes were shot in matter of Months of decent use. Stepped up to a Dodge 3500 was thinking of bigger tongue hitch camper but went to 38' 5ver, that was borderline for his Camper that weighed in at 14600 dry and no gear. Has since gone to a 5500, both the last two had Cummins power and could easily achieve 11.5-12mpg at nominal road speeds. His wife feels quite more comfortable as truck handles the weight better and has a RV Flatbed that he has better vision across.

That is when HDT comes into its own, Better Brakes, really close Fuel Economy, longer Tire Life, roomier in most HDT with Integrated Sleeper. My KW is not a Integrated but wife says can deal with bunk for on road naps. 180 gal drawable fuel where would stop at 100-120 used. could swap Rt Tank to 120gal all fuel where lose the available 60 gal empty half should I ever put Hydraulics back on it. Massive C15 should get over 8closer to 10mpg even with a 5ver behind it.😶

Just had own at home tank filled(Clear Fuel), was congratulated on Timing as price is about to explode. Saudi's have given notice on production cutback, supposed to start hitting market prices in week to two weeks and steady rise after. Dave

Bearings set properly after inspect and repack regardless the E-Z Lube fitting, on my equipment get the center cavity filled BY HAND. That is a lube well where as the grease warms due to friction becomes fluid to a point and feeds to the bearings. Just insurance. As to inspect and repack annually, would depend of hours of service, miles and speeds against loads. Heavy trailer can see it, smaller trailers under lighter loading or less use, no. RV being towed 65 mph across the US, Yes, that became severe duty, to drag a RV in a few neighbor to home state over one to two years, again no. Brakes malfunction, get hot, Inspect as inspect/repair brakes.

🤣🤣 You guys are KILLING ME!!!!

Will just suggest she bunk out!

Thought we had a Winner yesterday. Even took the truck for a well needed exercise run to the dealer to inspect. Had a new arrival Used, 2017 328G Grand Design, was looking exceptionally good, layout was really good, all the loose parts still in the trailer unlike many that simply vanish, VERY VERY Clean large facilities, Lovely kitchen area and little wear and tear to note. Tires replaced 2021, load range E 16" and LP Bottles noted as filled recently. Too Good to be true wife looked at Garage space, quoted at ten feet, the minimum for our scooter where it also had a very clean install W/D. Tape came out where as a Three Season rear area has Doors, Screen and the fold up Porch railing, was just slightly longer than 9', not enough room to situate a Front Tire Guide Saddle for tie down and still get bike inside. The beavertail floor at rear was a good 6" into where the rear tire would be so off angle even worse as to needed length. Strike One. Sales Gal noted have a Keystone 345 Fusion coming, not a hard date as yet but coming, 38', similar in floor plan and should be similar grade of construct but a 12' garage and really close price to the Grand Design. She has our number, will ride the Harley there next time to situate within the garage. So far so good. BTW, truck ride was great for the wife, was expecting Louder, was subtly LESS noisy than our 1999 F250 was when newer, could actually listen to radio, ride considerably BETTER than the Pickup and Bobtail(8Bag Air Ride is WONDERFUL), agility to steer in tight areas as even stopped at a Applebe's where backed into a Slot well within the lines and square ONE SHOT. Were a few distractions, engine/exhaust harmonic resonance(Cab Rumble) at 1350-1500rpm in slower traffic maneuvers, tire 'harmonic' or resonance(Transfer vibration) at speed above 71mph yet gone above 76mph or below 70, can attribute that to the 4 year old used drives I got for free. As a Exercise ride looked for leakage points, warm spots or indications of heating as truck did sit for 6 years unattended before I received it, then two years during repairs. Differentials have not been out of it. Temp gauges DO function transmission and differentials, they showed a slight warming of just over 120 degrees both Diffs, and 140 degrees Transmission. Has a passive trans cooler on it with no signs of excess heating. In all very clean and no problems to address beyond a slightly loose Left Spot mirror that wanted to drift from wind contact. Engine steady state 185-190F, cooling fan did not engage at all due to cooler conditions, oil pressure at 75# on road at speed 45# at idle sitting. Truck's cruise functioned well as did exhaust braking where 1650rpm is roughly 74mph. Wife quite pleased as was first time any distance in a road tractor. She also realized just how internally small road tractor cabs are even as machine is Visibly HUGE. Dave

Believe it or not, the HDT industry tried that with engine power on semi trailers in the 1960s, Electric power innovators are returning to those old theories these days with motor driven trailer axles. Not sure I want something capable of running away with itself pushing me from behind.

Been down that lane more times than wish to remember, One way road and fails to remember those trips!!

Like backing with a Pintle Joe Dog.

Key Word, WIFE! I would have No problem of Older unit, truck is an 05.

Thanks on responses, Carbon we saw up front as a new, not impressed with. Raptor seemed OK as a entry level longer term, was concerned of faults. Not found much of anything to fault GD of, yet know is still a mass production machine.

Can see insurers throwing that under a bus.

Thanks. Everyone. Wife asked me a question could not just answer, KNOW Grand design Awesome units, Keystone On par? and Forest River up to par? She is really gun shy of Expense currently where have a few close by Forest River Vengeance series, and Keystone Raptor units. Anywhere from 35' to 42' most with 10 or 12 ft garage space. Good and Bad on the latter two? Someone stated Keystone is shutting down facilities. Had also seen a few Torque units that appeared 'Decent' but they seem to have disappeared already.

Our current 2012 with the NLine Went from 88CI and five gal fuel to 103CI and six gal. Lowers, better Fuel Injection system and a smoother ride than the King. After 100miles time to stretch, then each successive road time collapses a bit where by end of day cramps and butt ache can barely make 50miles. Age is NOT our friend. Used to routinely Iron butt 400, 500 miles up to 800 in a day as a younger rider, lucky to get 200, 250 anymore.

The 03:

We rode in 2010 to KY/TN with friends as a Group Huddle, after that debacle went our own way awhile, Trips to Charleston, another to Colorado the same time Joplin MO Tornado event happened, then a Second to CO with another couple. Ride to Greenville MS and into Nawleans with friends as another group event. Usual Ride by ourselves 10 days to two weeks, with friends usual a Week. Last ride I took was alone to see brother outside Greeley CO gone five days two out two back and day and half with brother. When bought our Road Glide was a wet day, seems born to be a water baby as to every ride of any distance end up in rain for at least half the ride. Been riding since a pup so wet has little effect on myself, when snowed as we crossed Wolf Creek Pass, wife got Excited. First return to riding bike, 2003 HD Road King, bought in 08, put 50,000 miles on it as then bought 2012 Road Glide Ultra. 2018 bought a N-Line trailer and use it pretty regularly even for short weekend jaunts. Dave

Well Wife got a harsh dose of her Steak desires on a Oatmeal budget. She has Honorable ideals in that does not want to be in debt yet has no clue as to how to make that function or what that will buy. Has always been like this and I leave her to her own little made up nonsense until she comes out of dreamland, next weekend we go to see a dealer that specializes in better quality Used. She will be both in shock over expense but what a Nicer RV is really about. She also came to a decision to look at going back to the Harley and riding to where want to go with hotels, set her back in her chair as to better Hotels by night pricing and requirements to set reservations MONTHS out. Reality can be a harsh mistress. She damned near to choked as Many of the places we stayed several years ago had simply Doubled in cost. From $85-150/night to over $200 and up to 500/night. Gone are the days of reasonable expense. Dave

Today at around 1:30 will be headed to Rolla MO, Wife found a smallish fifth wheel, a Palomino Puma 35THSS at a reasonable price, so will allow her to see what she thinks a bargain. Does have a nice floor plan other than facilities are between Kitchen and Garage as opposed to off of the Main BR, not sure if even I can accept this but will look. Grand Design have some very appealing floor plans just far more expensive and just not hip on the slide out for the bed, would rather the bed set fore/aft to the trailer. Still Looking even as going to see what this one looks like. Good point is rained HARD last few days around Rolla so will know if any leaks.

All new mounts on my C15 when reinstalled to chassis.

Saw that reference, and have been copying the address for the HDT Resources Guide so can use on road off my phone. Thanks all, she has read these and feels less concerned of where are going with this. Dave

Wish could get her to see that!! She at home is a couch potato, when we were riding everywhere she was fine with whatever accommodations came up so could shower, see news and sleep. Will for the foreseeable future still be doing riding or day tripping with truck/trailer sitting so will not be in her face all waking hours but is not so much listening to me. Longest ride was 3200 miles over two weeks on two wheels, average day was less than 300 miles. Frequent Stops, get off bike stretch and catch a drink of water or something, extended time off ride to eat, find hotel relatively early then meander around where were at until dark. Loaded in the Hauler I can leave her in bunk to rest or read, or she can sit up front. Can make miles at reasonable speed in AC or heat and Dry where can be 3-500 miles in a short time, more time at opposite end of trek for sightseeing. If gone a week will be closer to home, IL, AR, KS, OK, N TX, IA even in state parks. Two week adventures CO, WY, MT, UT, Dakotas. Points East TN/KY, Carolinas, GA, expanded TX and NM. May end up seeing Sedona AZ again, want to spend some time at National Reef, Arches, S UT. Once she retires and our aged pup passes want to take month long escapes. Week or Two for exploring a region, find the well hidden Gems. Typical Scooter Ride distance, a Day was Our home leave relatively early 8-10am, Stop for stretch by Warrensburg MO, stop again Olathe KS, end of day Dodge City. Next Day, West, to Garden City stop, eastern edge of CO stop, Pueblo Stop, Salida end destination of day. Salida to Sand Dunes Alamosa stopped at small gas station for break. Into Alamosa another break after hour at Dunes. West to Wolf Creek Pass, down into Pagosa Springs, Break. Off to roadside stop and stretch then into Durango and stop for night. Next day Silverton Ouray into grand Jct and stop. Back to Eagle and stop off I70 for night, into Denver and stop, back to Pueblo and stop for night. Bike can be taxing on old shoulders and back. Drove to Dallas for visit with Nephew and family, stopped at Lebanon to pee, stop at Big Cabin pee and eat. made last stop at Colleyville Hotel besides gas stops, One Day. Had been on Bike would have been Two Days down. Do not see having to be in a hurry but also not having to stop every 100miles to get off sore butt. And YES, Still prefer Riding to Driving but age is taking the fun away from it. Can see being in a different coach by four years, maybe no longer riding 2 wheels but bringing a Trike or some other form of transport to sightsee. from.

Ours is just shy of 29, and will not have a trailer that long, HOWEVER Thank You for that!!