You will have to meet us out in the sand dunes in the winter and finally get that ride 
RV owners
- Thread starter JohnT
- Start date
Sounds like the next Mod meeting will have to be at a campground! If we tell the campground we are having a "rally" many throw in a meeting room if they have one
Half way from the east/west folks puts us in Texas along I-20
Half way from the east/west folks puts us in Texas along I-20
- Oct 18, 2009
- 3,648
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Sounds like the next Mod meeting will have to be at a campground! If we tell the campground we are having a "rally" many throw in a meeting room if they have one
Half way from the east/west folks puts us in Texas along I-20
That is the best place
Well, this past weekend is one of those that make me wonder why I own one. Looks like I will be spending a little over $2,000....
First tires. I've owned it less than 3 years, but I'm not happy with the tires. It came with no name China tires on 15" rims. They have a 55 MPH speed rating... What gives with that? Plus, I have already had to have two of them patched because of nails on trips. My aftermarket tire pressure monitoring system saved me both times. So, 5 new 16" rims and 5 new tires is a little over $1,300 delivered ready to go. I will now have a 70 MPH speed rating and I am going from 2800 pound tires/rims to 3200 pound tires and rims. I know it doesn't increase my weight rating, it just gives me a bigger safety factor.
But, as they say on late nite TV - Wait, there's more....
The less than 3 year old Dometic A/C is blowing hot.... Mobile tech came by my storage building and verified, compressor only drawing 6 amps, should be around 11. The RV A/C systems are a sealed unit, not made to be repaired. They want another $1,300 to change it out.
On line research (forums are wonderful) indicates that Dometic changed factories in mid 2013 and units manufactured late 2013 - mid 2014 are having early compressor failures. Look at that, I'm a winner....
I can get the same unit on line for less than $650 delivered. Looking at the job, it's only four bolts and four wires. Hard part is getting. 75 pound A/C on the roof.....
First tires. I've owned it less than 3 years, but I'm not happy with the tires. It came with no name China tires on 15" rims. They have a 55 MPH speed rating... What gives with that? Plus, I have already had to have two of them patched because of nails on trips. My aftermarket tire pressure monitoring system saved me both times. So, 5 new 16" rims and 5 new tires is a little over $1,300 delivered ready to go. I will now have a 70 MPH speed rating and I am going from 2800 pound tires/rims to 3200 pound tires and rims. I know it doesn't increase my weight rating, it just gives me a bigger safety factor.
But, as they say on late nite TV - Wait, there's more....
The less than 3 year old Dometic A/C is blowing hot.... Mobile tech came by my storage building and verified, compressor only drawing 6 amps, should be around 11. The RV A/C systems are a sealed unit, not made to be repaired. They want another $1,300 to change it out.
On line research (forums are wonderful) indicates that Dometic changed factories in mid 2013 and units manufactured late 2013 - mid 2014 are having early compressor failures. Look at that, I'm a winner....
I can get the same unit on line for less than $650 delivered. Looking at the job, it's only four bolts and four wires. Hard part is getting. 75 pound A/C on the roof.....
My trailer is a triple Axel and I've switched out to E rated 15 inch trailer tires with over 80 mile-per-hour speed rating. I would like to go to 16 inch LT tires but 7 rims and 7 tires gets little pricey
Down here in the Arizona Heat trailer tires seem to only last 2 to 3 years regardless of mileage before they start blowing up.
Down here in the Arizona Heat trailer tires seem to only last 2 to 3 years regardless of mileage before they start blowing up.
Bummer about the A/C. I've had the Dometic A/C replaced twice. Luckily it was under warranty both times.
Changing the A/C is pretty simple, and as you stated, the biggest part is getting it on the roof. If you do decide to do it yourself, replace the gasket while you're at it.
The tires on our RV are relatively new, but I'll be replacing them next year with Goodyear Endurance ST tires. All the reviews so far about them have been good.
Changing the A/C is pretty simple, and as you stated, the biggest part is getting it on the roof. If you do decide to do it yourself, replace the gasket while you're at it.
The tires on our RV are relatively new, but I'll be replacing them next year with Goodyear Endurance ST tires. All the reviews so far about them have been good.
My buddy put Goodyear M/S LT tires on his huge 3-axle 45' 5th wheel ... same tires I put on my Ram 2500
Although his came with 16" rims, so the upgrade was not as costly.
Although his came with 16" rims, so the upgrade was not as costly.
Tim, mine has the Atwood ACs. Dometic bought them, but if you can get them, you'll be happy. So quiet you hardly notice them.
And my first RV accessory was a TST 507. I blew two tires in 7 miles on my boat trailer a few years ago. The TPMS is worth $240 just for peace of mind and if it prevents one blowout I'm money ahead.
And my first RV accessory was a TST 507. I blew two tires in 7 miles on my boat trailer a few years ago. The TPMS is worth $240 just for peace of mind and if it prevents one blowout I'm money ahead.
rumpunch
0
JohnT:
That is a really nice 5th wheel!
We currently have a 32 foot Keystone Laredo with the bunkhouse. We really like it, but I'd like to upgrade to a Grand Design. They have a bunkhouse model I really like.
That is a really nice 5th wheel!
We currently have a 32 foot Keystone Laredo with the bunkhouse. We really like it, but I'd like to upgrade to a Grand Design. They have a bunkhouse model I really like.
The tech I have been dealing with mentioned the buyout and stated that all their updated literature is combining part numbers between the two companies. I should make the decision by tomorrow because I have found my Dometic unit on sale a PPL motorhomes for $629 so it is looking like a self install. In that case I will go with th eDometic again.
As to the TPMS, I went with PressurePro 16 Wheel Tire Pressure Monitor
As I said, they have saved me several times. Obviously they don't help with a catastrophic tire failure, but when you pick up a nail they are a godsend. Mine alarm if the pressure drops 10%. When they alarm you have time to get off the road and into a safe location to deal with a tire issue. The side of an expressway is not my idea of a fun place to change a tire.
Even catastrophic failures not caused by hitting something are often preceded by heat buildup in the tire that would be noted on a TPMS. The incident I mentioned above where I had two blowouts in a row, the second one actually just shed its tread and still had full air pressure when I got stopped. Chances are good a TPMS would have shown that one heating up before it actually came apart.
Wow, was going to tell the same story and John.
I am VERY diligent with checking my tires before every trip and making sure they are at max pressure (since heat build up if usually from under-inflation) I also do not drive very fast either since the trailer tires are not speed rated.
A trip last year heading up to the cooler north AZ I had the front right trailer tire blow up in Phoenix. 110+ degrees outside on the side of the interstate was not fun changing the tire ...luckily I was in the shade. Still had a 2nd spare (remember I have 6 tires) so we kept going (at an even slower speed since now I was leery of the tires) and had a great camp trip.
Got 90% of the way home, again running slower than normal and I had a 2nd tire let go. Surprisingly, it was on the driver's side (often hear that tires on the same side as a previous blow out could be damaged) and the center tire (which gets less wear than the front and back). This tire no longer had tread, but was a balloon still full of air ... again I was luckily in the shade, just with traffic flying by. So I am not sure any monitoring system would have helped ... I don't think the temperature would have indicated anything.
Managed to get home (which was only about 10 miles away) and promptly got all the tires replaced before the next trip. Happily with tires that are actually speed rated.
I am VERY diligent with checking my tires before every trip and making sure they are at max pressure (since heat build up if usually from under-inflation) I also do not drive very fast either since the trailer tires are not speed rated.
A trip last year heading up to the cooler north AZ I had the front right trailer tire blow up in Phoenix. 110+ degrees outside on the side of the interstate was not fun changing the tire ...luckily I was in the shade. Still had a 2nd spare (remember I have 6 tires
) so we kept going (at an even slower speed since now I was leery of the tires) and had a great camp trip. Got 90% of the way home, again running slower than normal and I had a 2nd tire let go. Surprisingly, it was on the driver's side (often hear that tires on the same side as a previous blow out could be damaged) and the center tire (which gets less wear than the front and back). This tire no longer had tread, but was a balloon still full of air ... again I was luckily in the shade, just with traffic flying by. So I am not sure any monitoring system would have helped ... I don't think the temperature would have indicated anything.
Managed to get home (which was only about 10 miles away) and promptly got all the tires replaced before the next trip. Happily with tires that are actually speed rated.
The tires that come with most campers are barely rated for the weight, and usually not rated for anything above 55 MPH.
While the tire I decided to go with is still made in China, the ones I selected have had great reviews in the RV world for several years. Sailun Commercial Truck Tires: S637T HD ST Trailer
While the tire I decided to go with is still made in China, the ones I selected have had great reviews in the RV world for several years. Sailun Commercial Truck Tires: S637T HD ST Trailer
Agreed Tim, and when I got my trailer I changed from the C or D rated to E rated ... so I had plenty of margin on the weights. (Tires rated up to about 17340 and the trailer weighs under 14000) I am sure they were 55 mph tires too, but I usually traveled at 65. With the hot sun, dry climate, and the very hot roads in the summer it just seems that after 2-3 years on trailer tires you are living on borrowed time. These lasted about 45 months before they let go ... I don't think I will wait that long going forward
Agreed Tim, and when I got my trailer I changed from the C or D rated to E rated ... so I had plenty of margin on the weights. (Tires rated up to about 17340 and the trailer weighs under 14000) I am sure they were 55 mph tires too, but I usually traveled at 65. With the hot sun, dry climate, and the very hot roads in the summer it just seems that after 2-3 years on trailer tires you are living on borrowed time. These lasted about 45 months before they let go ... I don't think I will wait that long going forward
The "roads" to the range we test on are heck on tires. I couldn't tell you the number of times I've had a flat out there. Last time I was there I had to loan my spare to another guy who had two flats on the same day. The first time I was out there I came out of my hotel around noon to head to work and found a flat. I dug around and found the jack and tried to lift the vehicle only to watch as the jack sank into the asphalt parking lot instead of raising the SUV. I was standing there trying to figure out what to do when the hotel maintenance guy brought me a 2'X2' piece of half inch aluminum, a piece of carpet and a pair of gloves. He said the rug is for you to kneel on and the gloves are for bringing the metal back inside when you are done with it. Changing a tire when the earth is ready to burst into flames is no fun.