An uneventful outing would be nice...

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Randy G. - 14 Nov 2006 06:36 GMT

We went for an overnighter in our 30' MH this past weekend. First to
Woodland, CA to the Hayes Truck Museum which is connected to the
Heidrick Ag History Center (www.aghistory.org). Lots of great old
trucks, farm equipment, and such. While not 'museum restorations"
there are many unique pieces that are great to see and I got a bunch
of really unique photographs. If you like that sort of thing it is
$7.50 well spent. We spent the night at a friend's place in Tudor
where we had a Raclette dinner which was wonderful! Got to visit with
their new GSD girl who took a liking to me (I have a way with girls,
dogs, and girl dogs).

Anyway... back on subject, on the way there a vehicle passing the
other way threw up a rock and I won a small bullseye on the passenger
windshield.. great... :-( On the way back the cruise control quit.
Arghhh!

But a bit of good news.. I had installed Firestone Coil Rite air bags
in the front springs (Ford E-33 Chassis) and had them inflated to 35
pounds (working pressure is 30-60 I think). The ride was not
noticeably stiffer but most of the front end 'float' was gone (the
sensation like when in a boat on rolling waves). I immediately noticed
that cornering through tight turns (bends, really) at higher speeds
that the home stayed much more flat with very little body lean at all.
Well worth the investment for that alone. I feel a lot safer now about
having to make quicker wheel inputs in an emergency maneuver.
Installation took two or three hours or so because the top of the coil
spring has to be pulled away from its mount and the bag slid down
inside of it (not a job for the mechanically challenged). I got them
from Summit for $75.90 delivered, and they arrived in about two or
three days!

And a bit more good news- it rained most of the way there, and none of
my roof repairs leaked!!! Yeeaaaaaaaa!!!

From Randy & Val
1990 30' Rexhal Airex

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Hustlin' Hank - 14 Nov 2006 10:56 GMT

> We went for an overnighter in our 30' MH this past weekend. First to
> Woodland, CA to the Hayes Truck Museum which is connected to the
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> From Randy & Val
> 1990 30' Rexhal Airex

Hi,

This reminds me of my trips with a certain friend. I have a 2004
23ft Coachman Concord. My friend has a 2002 40ft Windsor. We have went
Rv'ing many times in the last couple years. It seems that he ALWAYS has
some sort of problem/issues with his MH.

Also, when I use to dirtbike ride, there was always one person who
didn't maintain their bike and was always stopping to fix it. It was
usually the same person.

I have had 2 problems since I bought this rig over 2 years ago.
One was a clogged toilet due to the wife using multiple sheets of
toilet paper and didn't use enough water to flush correctly. The other
was the A/C quit working. To this day I don't know why it quit. After I
got home and plugged into shore power, it worked fine. I am thinking a
stuck solenoid or something like that. Oh well, I can't fix it if it
isn't broke.

Happy Camping!

Hank

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James - 30 Nov 2006 22:44 GMT

Randy;

> And a bit more good news- it rained most of the way there, and none of
> my roof repairs leaked!!! Yeeaaaaaaaa!!!

Congrats on that! You may remember we had a discussion on this previously. I
still haven't started resealing my roof, but I did cover it with a tarp
until I can get to it. Lucky, since it just rained here too.

James

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Randy G. - 01 Dec 2006 01:38 GMT

>Randy;
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>still haven't started resealing my roof, but I did cover it with a tarp
>until I can get to it. Lucky, since it just rained here too.

Yes I do remember.. Mine lived under two of those blue tarps for the
first ten months or so until I got the job done. Good thing I am an
Eagle Scout with a fairly diverse knowledge of knots! The Trucker's
hitch comes in real handy in situations like that.

I did find two more leaks after repairing the roof, but a fairly
thorough check of the interior after repairing those revealed nothing
but dry (yipee!) One of the leaks was from two holes drilled in the
driver's door jamb at the bottom. If I had to guess I would say they
were drain holes drilled by someone- funny thing- they allowed water
to drain into the interior! The other one involved the awning where it
crossed through the metal strip that bonds the nose cap to the body.
They not only cut the strip but the awning fabric track as well. I
disassembled all that area, cleaned it, filed it with caulking, and
reassembled the awning parts and ran a bead around that.

if this keeps up it will be submersible! ;-)
From Randy & Val
1990 30' Rexhal Airex

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James - 01 Dec 2006 09:25 GMT

Randy;

> Yes I do remember.. Mine lived under two of those blue tarps for the
> first ten months or so until I got the job done. Good thing I am an
> Eagle Scout with a fairly diverse knowledge of knots! The Trucker's
> hitch comes in real handy in situations like that.

Gee, I'm an Eagle Scout too, but that was so long ago I don't remember any
knots. I just bought a bunch of Bungee cords. I bought some rope too, but I
didn't use it.

> I did find two more leaks after repairing the roof, but a fairly
> thorough check of the interior after repairing those revealed nothing
> but dry (yipee!)

It's heartening to hear of your success in sealing it up. It gives me hope.

James

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Randy G. - 01 Dec 2006 16:36 GMT

>Randy;
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>knots. I just bought a bunch of Bungee cords. I bought some rope too, but I
>didn't use it.

:-)

I made Eagle in 1966 at the age of 14, so it's been a while for me as
well. More recently I worked as a volunteer firefighter so was able
tom refresh my rope work knowledge.

I looked up "Trucker's Hitch" thinking I could post a link, but the
one commonly shown is a variation of the one I learned. The one I know
can be placed well away from the attachment point. Very handy for
securing tarps because it works like a block and tackle allowing you
to adjust the tension. it works so well you can pull the grommets out
of the tarp yet is easily adjusted.
From Randy & Val
1990 30' Rexhal Airex

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RVC - 02 Dec 2006 16:42 GMT

> Randy;
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> James

James-

You might want to look at the following product:

http://www.eternabond.com/

This was discussed on The Yahoo Lazy Daze Group. Chris Bryant at Bryant RV
uses it. There are other similar tapes available.

HTH,

RVC, USMC (Ret) (Wasn't an Eagle Scout, but the "Eagle 6" was one of my
call signs!(My Son was and it was a proud moment when he was given the rank
and initiated into the Order of the Arrow)).

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James - 10 Dec 2006 11:24 GMT

RVC;

> You might want to look at the following product:
>
> http://www.eternabond.com/

I know what it is, but I have never used it. I'm not sure it would work in
my situation. I have a flat aluminum roof that is sealed all along the edges
with putty tape and an aluminum strip with a rain gutter shape. If I used
the Eternabond tape instead of putty tape then I would either have to not
put back on the rain gutter strip or I would have to puncture it (the
Eternabond) with hundreds of screws.

Have you heard of it being used in such situations?

James

> RVC, USMC (Ret) (Wasn't an Eagle Scout, but the "Eagle 6" was one of
> my call signs!(My Son was and it was a proud moment when he was given
> the rank and initiated into the Order of the Arrow)).

Ah, Order of the Arrow. I was a member of that too. I had almost forgotten
about that.

James

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RVC - 10 Dec 2006 12:57 GMT

> RVC;
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> James

James-

I have not. You might ask Chris Bryant at chris@bryantrv.com. He may have
used it in a situation similar to yours. It could be that the tape could be
placed over the gutter strip. It's my understanding that the tape, and
other similar products, come in widths over 4".

RVC, USMC (Ret)

RVC, USMC (Ret)

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Rick Onanian - 10 Dec 2006 13:01 GMT

> the Eternabond tape instead of putty tape then I would either have to not
> put back on the rain gutter strip or I would have to puncture it (the
> Eternabond) with hundreds of screws.

In non-RV roofing, it is acceptable to puncture tapes, membranes,
shingles, and other waterproofing coverings with screws while attaching
something. The reality is that the screws don't leave gaping holes even
if you remove them. It is good practice to use a dab of caulk for
individual screws, or a bead of caulk for a line of screws (such as may
be used on your gutter).

I don't know if the difference in materials and service involved with
RVs changes that practice.

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