ramblinboy

Yes all functions work except it won't fire when started. Apparently the magnatron in this product is known to fail. It could also be a door switch.

My 1998 Sharp Carousel microwave oven will not fire. Any suggestions on a replacement. Its 29 5/8" x 12" Thx rB

Hehe Herman! I haven't turned down a warm armadillo yet!

We don't like to cook breakfast the day we leave from base. Cook scrambled eggs the night before, clean up and keep in fridge for morning. Next day we roll that up into tortillas and just nuke'em the next morning with pre-made guacamole and/or salsa. That way you get a quick start in the morning and dont starve until a restaurant magically appears by the roadside some miles down the road. Or make cheese and ham qeusadillas the night before and just nuke 'em before rolling out. These are high protein and quick and should keep you until lunch. http://www.dairygood...ken-quesadillas

Thanks DD. Well be sure to keep his boots on when he's out and about. Here's a link to the type of leather boots he has: http://www.petsmart....oductId=2753820

'Ive heard that Florida has speargrass which is a hazard for dogs. Any similar hazards for dogs in the desert? Cactus is one obvious one but any reason to have your dog wear foot protection in the desert/badlands?

Many thanks for your usual well detailed travel recommendations Tom! You do know how to take advantage of opportunities available at each location. Can't wait to bike through the badlands. We have similar landforms here in Alberta - a must see for those who will attend the 100th Anniversary of the Calgary Stampede. Dinosaur Provincial Park - pics attached. Kids especially (10 years and up) love the opportunity to see a working recovery of dinosaur bones. The park is 3 hours east of Calgary it does have sites for RVs but big rigs might be a tad tight in the sites. http://www.tpr.alber...pgroundmaps.asp

And the answer is! Wood shavings covered with wax - works amazingly well.

I still have my Lawrence Welk World Tour 1958 - Polka till you drop - and a one and a two

Newbies off to the desert for some months. We'll be in and around Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree, Yuma, Las Vegas area. We hike and cycle to keep highway-butt at bay. The Colorado River area seems to be a big draw up by Parker and Laka Havasu. The river valley seems to be a good place to be less windblown we're guessing. We'd certainly appreciate any recommendations of things to see and do so a mix of Dry and RV camp recommendations'd be great! Thanks rB

Happy New Year and may gas prices stay as low as a politicians IQ

Based on the advice here I will not buy new batts until I've actually tested the current pair with my new digi voltmeter - 20 bucks invested could save me a few down the road. Sounds like good advice here: http://www.macandchris.com/RVBatteries.htm Plan your battery charging. First thing in the morning, note your batteries state of charge. If they are below 50% write down how far below (let's say they're down 20 amp hours below 50%). Start the generator first-thing in the morning (as soon as quiet hours are over) and start charging your batteries. Also, use this time to run other appliances as needed. Don't turn off the generator until the batteries are at 100%. This might take 2 or 3 hours, maybe more. It's also OK to take them up to 95% 3 out of 4 days and then 100% on the 4th day. [*] Be frugal with power use all day. Turn off anything not needed. Remove phantom loads. See Conserving Power and other chapters for more tips. [*] During the day/evening, any time you run the generator to power the microwave, toaster, etc. be sure to charge batteries too (assuming your generator will do both at the same time) [*] Re-start your generator when your batteries reach 50%, or when they reach 50% plus the previous morning deficit (see item 1 above). Be sure to charge your batteries enough in the evening so they will NOT be below 50% the next morning when you wake up. [*] Start over at #1 and repeat every day.

I agree Brett my Harbour Freight cheapie doesn't cut the mustard. I'll get a DVM and then get a better feel for the issue. I've found out the date code on the batts so will have a look at the age. http://www.trojanbattery.com/Tech-Support/FAQ.aspx

Many thanks for the advice fellas. I have not ever had a full charge on these batteries either from the genny or shore power based on my control panel lights at least. Not having done a lot of dry camping I haven't really tested the reserve. My converter/charger is the "IOTA DLS-55/IQ4 featuring an internal IQ Smart Charge Controller which automatically provides three-stage battery charging for safer charging and longer life for your system's battery." I've always topped up the batts with distilled water but I have not measured the SG with a hygrometer.

My 6V Trojan T105's don't hold a charge. I'm not sure how old they are so I'm considering replacing them with T145's for more dry camping reserve. Is the set up shown in the attached pic the correct connection when I replace them? Thx rB

They fax/email you a measuring guide of at least a dozen sections of your chair. Thats what they use to make the cut. More measurents equal better likelihood of a good fit. The armrests are a separate charge. We first sat on sheepskin in Australia on their double deck buses all seats had them - those who have them swear by them. Hours in the saddle need every advantage you can get IMO.

I like the wall idea Herman and keeping the logs standing up does seem to prevent smoking and smouldering. Dryer lint hmmm

Who wants to sit in the smoke of a campfire? It's good to keep the bugs off maybe but annoying otherwise. What's your secret recipe for starting a campfire? No not kerosene or other jet fuel. The quality and size of your kindling's the key plus the shape - loghouse or teepee? My kids bought some wood from a KOA this past summer and it came with a little bag of amazing ingredients to give your kindling a hot start. I used it this summer and it works like a charm. What is it? I'll share my secret to starting a good lasting campfire if you'll share yours

OK I'll answer my own question-- we bought 2 fitted natural sheepskin seat covers for under 600 bucks - not baaaad eh? Here's the link to the manufacturer: http://www.shearcomfort.com/

Protectatow: http://protectatow.tripod.com/ We have one to protect the front and windshield of the towed v. Gota drill some holes though under your RV back bumper install the hooks to snap on the shield. Works great. Should find that thread here somewhere

Weber all the way! We have the 200 with the folding table. Works very well. Heavy cast iron grill even heat. No thermometer but we just give 'er for 5 minutes on high and voila good one side! We use the main propane tank with an adapter hose - stay-awhile fitting: http://www.campingwo...le-deluxe/30340

We had similar problems with our 1999 Holiday Rambler. Genny would start then stall so repaired the governor link, still wouldn't run so then replaced the fuel pump. That fixed the problem but then the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) vibrated like crazy and would kick off the circuit breakers on the Cummins 5500. With the help of Randy at Best Converter http://www.bestconverter.com/ we purchased a new ATS and that cleared up the problem. The new ATS has a battery charger and power supply feature. We used a licensed electrician to install the ATS.

New product out from Dish Network: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2392032,00.asp Automatic dish plus receiver $499