The Battery Mat: Battery Acid Absorber
Bob Livingston
December 27, 2012
The basic yellow Battery Mat can be purchased on the Internet for less than $4. Recently, a friend was working on his batteries neatly mounted in an exterior compartment. He was proud of his system: multiple 8Ds positioned systematically and filling up the compartment with a precision fit. Over the years,... Read more »
Small Pickup Towing
December 26, 2012
Q: Are compact pickups, for example 2000 and newer Dodge Dakotas, a good choice for towing travel trailers weighing less than 4,000 pounds? Should an equalizing hitch be installed? Hugh Swan, New Braunfels, Texas A: Small pickups make great tow vehicles, Hugh. They’re made to haul loads and a suitably... Read more »
Leveling Blocks
December 25, 2012
Most of us level our trailers from side to side by driving on plastic or wood blocks. I found that 2-by-12-inch planks, cut to size, do a very good job. They do not sink into soft soil, nor do they chip from rocky ground. After a time, however, they do weather and split. My solution is to drill from... Read more »
Towing A Motorcycle Behind A Trailer
December 24, 2012
Q: I have a 2010 Surveyor Eco-Lite 26-foot travel trailer that I tow with a 2006 Dodge 2500 powered by the 5.7L Hemi. I would like to tow a motorcycle trailer behind my trailer. The bike and trailer weigh about 700 pounds. What would you recommend for this application?Charles Spath, Loranger, La. A:... Read more »
Truck and Trailer Matchup
December 24, 2012
Q: We have been RVing for 40 years and love every moment. We’re retired now and get too much conflicting info on trailers and tow vehicles, and are getting scared to travel because of all the negative feedback on camping advice. Please help resolve our planned setup for fifth-wheeling. We have a 34-foot... Read more »
Satellite Receiver Fitment
December 23, 2012
Q: We are looking at downsizing from our fifth-wheel to a travel trailer. One concern we have with all manufacturers is where, inside, do they expect us to put the satellite receiver? Because of the size of the receiver we haven’t seen one trailer that has room for the receiver. Most have satellite... Read more »
Fifth-Wheel – Gooseneck Options
December 20, 2012
Q: After reading the article about fifth-wheel hitches (“Go 5th and Go Forth”) in Sept. 2012 Trailer Life I would like your opinion about gooseneck adapters for an RV-to-gooseneck hitch ball. I have been pulling a gooseneck-hitch trailer with our long-bed 2004 Chevy 2500 HD, which has a gooseneck... Read more »
Sealing Caulk Failure
December 20, 2012
Q: We opened our Forest River travel trailer after it had been covered all winter and everything looked fine. Then the spring rain came and apparently the caulking had failed around the access panel for the water heater. Now our subfloor is soft. We lifted part of the vinyl floor tiles in this area... Read more »
Hot Water Sulfur Odor
December 17, 2012
Q: When we first turn on the hot water at our bathroom sink in our Paradise Point fifth-wheel, we experience a very strong sulfur odor coming from the sink. There is no problem with the kitchen sink or shower when we use the hot water. We used a vinegar and water mixture, as recommended in the water... Read more »
Hands-Free Freshwater Fill Adapter
December 14, 2012
Purchase a new fill cap and water hose adapter (female hose to 1/2–inch male pipe treads). Next, drill a hole in the center of the fill cap and install the hose adapter. Then drill a series of small holes around the newly built hose adapter – holes are needed to allow air to escape while filling.... Read more »
