Recent content by Johncmr

I have had 5 travel trailers, 2 fifth wheels and tow a car carrier sometimes with a bob-cat on it.  I have found that a particular rig, and tow vehicle will find a speed that "feels" right.  All are different and all I have found are comfortable at no faster than 65, most around 60.  On the rare...

The Ford tow-command is the best trailer brake controller I've ever used.  Problem is it's on a $40K truck!!  It uses hydraulic pressure and also beeps if the trailer plug, or wiring gets in trouble.  It also is tied into the ABS system, but I'm not exactly sure what it does when the ABS pulses...

You can always lower the floor in that part of the building, roof line stays straight. johncmr

I have air bags, and they work great.  But please remember, just because the truck is level does not mean it is not overloaded!  Air bags should only be considered leveling devices, not "helper" springs, and do not increase the trucks capacity. johncmr

Trailers are like anything we buy.  There are distinct differences in quality and value.  Like most things in life, the specific trailer needs will change as the kids get older, we get more vacation time and want longer trips, and the benefits of RVing settle in.  That said, I have never...

Just depends on what the 250 pounds of people are doing on the bunk johncmr

I've found the best motor speed controller is a pulse width "chopper" a little circuit board that has a pot attached, and varies the voltage to the motor.  All kinds of 12 volt ones on E-bay - cost about $12 after shipping.  No heat, and infinite speed control.  I now have them on the stove...

All good points listed above.  I'd like to add the "loose connection" phantom.  A loose connection can cause all kinds of electrical stuff to go haywire.  It can also be dangerous.  I'd start with the power distribution unit (the thing with the circuit breakers and fuses for the 12V stuff)  Be...

Just a thought - or 2. I wonder if some insulation from the MFG guys got loose and is plugging the evaporator air flow?  Like mentioned above, freezing is mostly caused by the air not exchanging enough heat in the evaporator to keep the fins (and therefore the water on them from condensation)...

It sure is a puzzle.  Do you have a volt meter that you can take a few readings?  Like battery charge voltage with/without AC?  Maybe line voltage with/without AC.  Might narrow it down a little, but sounds intuitively backwards to me johncmr

Bummer of a problem.  I had a "spider crack" area on my fiberglass rig, and the local body shop guys wanted an arm and part of a leg to fix it.  Decided to call a boat repair yard.  They do fiberglass all the time, and my repairs were WAY less than the car guys.  I didn't even consider a RV...

There are a number of stabilizer bars that make a triangle out of the front jacks, and even some for the scissor side and back jacks.  They really work, I made some for a rig out of square tubing that worked well.  I found a trick that's cheaper and works almost as well on the rig I have now. ...

Man, I tell ya.  Get a butler building big enough to put a few RV's inside and open a business repairing issues like what you had.  You'd make a good living and be inside out of the "elements" as well! Thanks for taking us along with you on your journey! johncmr

Kathie, I'm one who says go for it and don't worry.  There will be plenty of good solid folks to help you in the unlikely event something happens.  Even if the battery dies and there's something you can't figure out in the middle of the night, you still have a good secure place to sleep.  A...

There are a few things to consider re:the trailer.  First, is the warranty transferable?  Better check with the manufacturer.  Next, a few things which might be difficult to check on a stored unit, but could be expensive, like the fridge cooling properly.  Absorption units take awhile to cool...