akadeadeye

mccsix, As Tom said, no apology needed. You guys keep this up. I'm learning. Don

Brett and Tom, As usual, you are on the spot helpful and you can't imagine how valuable you are to a relative newbie like me. The shortcut to the information you provide is just very much appreciated. Thank you and Safe Travels, If you're ever coming through San Antonio, let me know. We'll spring for an enchilada on the Riverwalk. Don

We are planning on getting an electrician to run some wiring for hookups from 200-amp service to either three or four hookup (pedestal) locations near the power source on a ranch we recently bought. We have many relatives with RVs (motorhomes, 5th wheelers, and a pop-up) and this would be a great way to get them all there (be careful what we wish for) and have a great "mini-RV-park" area instead of building a seven-bedroom ranch house. My question is this: Can someone direct me to a resource on the proper wiring setup from a 200-amp drop to a meter and then extending out some 150 feet in one direction and the same in another direction to accommodate these hookups? Copper or aluminum? RV boxes or something less than that; i.e., we don't really need a 30-amp and a 15-amp at each hookup, since those requiring less than 50-amp can adapt down to their requirements. As I mentioned, we are in contact with an electrician, but many electricians don't completely understand the requirements of the RV systems and proper end-result amperage and voltage. Thanks, in advance. Don

Many thanks to all the replies about my other post concerning a friend's problem with his pickup truck not charging his trailer battery. Here is an update and I would like to ask if anyone has knowledge about this problem. He told me the 7 pin plug on his Ford F350 diesel, with a towing package, is the culprit. It is a factory plug. Apparently, the 7th pin (the one in the center) is the one meant to charge the battery, but it is wired to service the backup lights instead. So, the only time his trailer battery is being charged by his truck battery is when he is backing up. Any thoughts? Thank you Don

A family member has a 5th wheel rig and had a battery problem on a recent trip. To make a long story short, he believes that his pick up truck is not charging the 5th wheel battery in between stops. The battery gave out on them and he knows they didn't plug into shore power for two nights, but he thinks the truck should have charged it up on the road. How can he check to see if the truck engine is charging the house battery? Don

I probably have no business giving advice since I am a novice and new motorhome owner but we recently had an experience with our furnace (hydronic) which I would like to not have happen again and I believe it happened while in storage. We got it out and prepped for a weekend trip only to find out that our furnace fans were not working and eventually no furnace nor hot water at all. We spent a couple of pretty chilly nights before we could get it in for service. Turns out, there was some obstruction in the furnace exhaust pipe which the service tech blew out. He wasn't sure what it was but he said something came out of the pipe. Then it worked great. The furnace fans will not work if the unit cannot expel fumes through the exhaust pipe. I am not sure how to prevent this from happening in the future, but when we have everything turned off in storage, I guess it is inviting for small critters/spiders to get in the pipe and build their nest for a cozy winter stay. We were told that in warmer weather, dirt dobbers can be tempted as well. Our exhaust is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. You pros out there, do you do anything to screen it or cover it when it is not "hot"? Don

Hello All, Which is the better route? Coming out of the Canyon Village area on Hwy 64 to Hwy 89 and going north, we seem to have a choice of going through Page, AZ or going through the north end of Kaibab National Forest and Fredonia, AZ. The distances and time seem to be about the same. The route through the national forest looks like it could be challenging for a big rig pulling a toad, but we have never been through here. Any experienced thoughts are appreciated. We will be traveling with another big rig and two 5th wheels. Don

We are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, AZ, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park in May from San Antonio, TX. I have done preliminary research but would appreciate any insight as to RV parks, must do or must see things along the way, etc. We have a big rig and will be towing. Thanks, Don

We have a Newmar Allstar and had a similar air noise in the upper door/mirror area. In our case it was the wedge block used to air lock the door when air pressure in the coach is up. It was broken. We were never told that you could not open and shut the door when the parking brakes were not on. Apparently, when you do open and shut the door, this nylon piece breaks. Our service tech says he has one customer with a similar lock that has been through several. When it breaks, you get excessive air noise. When it is working, it tightens the door fit for the road. With your door open, check the door frame itself up high on the hinge side. That is where this wedge block is located. There is a corresponding pin on the coach part of the door frame that is activated by air pressure from the coach air. If the wedge block looks like it is broken, this could be the problem. It was for us. Good luck, Don

I really appreciate all of the replies. It helps to hear war stories like yours before making this decision. Thank you all for taking the time. Don

We have a new 42-foot motorhome and are in the decision phase of how to tow. Our towed vehicle will be a 2008 Toyota Sienna minivan, front-wheel-drive. I have a price from a local RV Supply place of about $5,200, for a four-down option, including everything such as an Air Force One braking system w/coach air, lube pump, base plate, Blue Ox Aventa LX-2 tow bar, etc. This pricing is way more than I thought it would be, although we may go ahead with it. I checked with another dealer and it seems to be in line. But, we are considering a tow dolly, since we do have another vehicle we could tow also, as a substitute. I just wondered what your feelings, thoughts would be as to the pitfalls, advantages, of one versus the other. I know one pitfall is price, but there is some convenience in the price compared to the extra work involved with a dolly. Is it worth it? Thanks to all who respond, Don