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08-13-2013, 07:28 PM
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#21
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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bk yd safari....we will have the AS from late october through may and will be doing just that often...hitting up local spots in our region. I LOVE ft payne area...amazing swimming holes in little river canyon!! great hiking, etc....we will DEF. check out that site, as I have not done any research yet on RV parks for the most part up there...I want to go camp and fish at many of the lakes...never fished yet guntersville...plan on doing it for a whole weekend with my fishing buddy....also pickwick...and others....will be greatly looking forward to local stuff.....
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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08-13-2013, 07:30 PM
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#22
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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Protagonsit....point noted for sure! We plan on camping over at the dealer first night with full hookups...and will camp at a couple of the local state parks with hookups for starts as well!! I already have on my amazon wish list spare fuses of all varieties (well all that I am aware of so far...point being its on my list).
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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08-13-2013, 09:06 PM
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#23
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,408
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PharmGeek
Protagonsit....point noted for sure! We plan on camping over at the dealer first night with full hookups...and will camp at a couple of the local state parks with hookups for starts as well!! I already have on my amazon wish list spare fuses of all varieties (well all that I am aware of so far...point being its on my list).
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Having fuses, etc and knowing where they are under pressure are interesting experiences. I got a couple divided square boxes where you can adjust size. I then loaded electrical on one side and plumbing then hardware items from one side to other. The boxes are stored in the AS where I can access. The outside stuff near a door the inside stuff deeper into the AS.
Same with kids. We didn't have DVD etc. so we interacted with them. Wife would sit in back and play or point out things. We do same with grandkritters. We play ABC game where they spot letters. No scoring. If too irritable a low dose if Benadryl usually settled agitation such as seat discomfort or allergy. We traveled a lot at night and with full tummy they nap well. Again, stop when you need a break.
Grandkritters don't seem to bother us as much. But we aren't taking realllllllly long trips with them without parental units.
Whatever works for y'all. No worries! It will be fun.
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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08-14-2013, 07:37 AM
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#24
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Chomping at the bits- Rarin' to go!
We are going this weekend.
North Abutment campground, Grenada Lake, 3rd loop, spot 32.
Bills are all paid and there is money left over.
85 highs 65 lows Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Feeling excited!
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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08-14-2013, 07:46 AM
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#25
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony
North Abutment campground, Grenada Lake, 3rd loop, spot 32.
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I came near as a whisker to reserving a site there for Labor Day weekend, but the only sites not already booked for that weekend were kind of sparse on the shade. Ended up reserving a spot at Wallace Creek Campground on Enid Lake instead, just up I-55 from Grenada.
Let us know how you like it at Grenada. I still hope to go there for a later holiday weekend.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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08-14-2013, 08:10 AM
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#26
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Rivet Master
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Davenport
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,148
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you an have your 85/65 for camping, we are going to have 70/50; now that's camping. It's only August and Global Warming! burrrrr. This is Iowa and next week we will see the 80's again. Down south you will get 12 months of camping where up here we get 7-8 months--lucky you. But we could be "snow birds".
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08-14-2013, 11:10 AM
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#27
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
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Hey Protagonist
I used to live near Bayou St. John, when I was a kid, actually Vista Shores. ( Katrina took our old house ) Whenever I went back to NOLA, here was always too much going on for me to explore Cajun country. Have you been? Any stories? Any recommendations for us?
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08-14-2013, 11:59 AM
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#28
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mandolindave
Whenever I went back to NOLA, here was always too much going on for me to explore Cajun country. Have you been?
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Oddly enough, most of my camping so far has consisted of getting OUT of Cajun Country! Not that I have anything against it— I certainly don't— it has just kind of worked out that way.
Airstreaming stories, not too many. Haven't owned an RV for all that long. Plus, when I go camping as a break from work, I'm not looking for excitement. Anyone who gets a story out of just relaxing is doing it wrong! But retirement is less than a year and a half away, and that's when I'll go camping for excitement, because day-to-day life will already be relaxing.
Quote:
Any recommendations for us?
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One word— Tabasco. Specifically, Avery Island, LA, where they make the stuff. Not sure where you'd camp nearby, but the factory tour is well worth the trip. The Jungle Gardens on the island are nice, too.
Visitor Information | Avery Island | TABASCO.COM
And another word— Rodeo. The Angola Prison Rodeo is a great show, but go early and check out the arts and crafts for sale, too, all handmade by prisoners (for parking, the earlier you get there, the better, too). The rodeo happens every Sunday in October and one weekend in April. There's a decent campground about nine miles away, called Cypress Bayou RV Park, which is where the GNO Unit of WBCCI held their Angola Prison Rodeo Rally this spring.
Angola Rodeo | Louisiana State Penitentiary
And one more word— Festivals. Here's a link where you can find the major festivals for the rest of the year in south Louisiana:
Louisiana festival guide 2013: Eating your way across state lines | NOLA.com
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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08-14-2013, 12:24 PM
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#29
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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yeah, we are going to enjoy the year round camping...although summer is a tad more intollerable...but you can find ways to do it and have fun...up around ft payne for example..I LOVE summer swimming holes up there...water temp is very refreshing...and great scenery....cant wait till the kids are up to the age of hiking and biking
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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08-14-2013, 12:42 PM
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#30
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PharmGeek
cant wait till the kids are up to the age of hiking and biking
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And boating? For any trip longer than a weekend, I take along my trusty Sea Eagle inflatable kayak. Even though I'm not a fisherman, there's just something about floating on a boat in the middle of a quiet lake early in the morning to recharge your mental batteries. That is, until the first jetskier shows up spaying a roostertail of water into your boat because annoying fellow boaters is so much fun for them. That's always my cue to paddle back to the bank and fix breakfast.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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08-14-2013, 12:50 PM
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#31
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Protagonist
I came near as a whisker to reserving a site there for Labor Day weekend, but the only sites not already booked for that weekend were kind of sparse on the shade. Ended up reserving a spot at Wallace Creek Campground on Enid Lake instead, just up I-55 from Grenada.
Let us know how you like it at Grenada. I still hope to go there for a later holiday weekend.
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We love it. The only loop without shade is the new loop around the pond. We winter camp there a lot. No worries about a tree falling through the trailer and it is full sun when it is 25 degrees. The first loop by the road is, well, by the road. The last loop is shady and secluded with a beautiful view of the lake and sunrise. We go there quite often. We usually go to Grenada Thanksgiving weekend.
We are camping at George Payne Cossar State Park Yocona Ridge campground labor day. My wife's cousin is the park ranger and she has several aunts and cousins that live nearby. It is a beautiful park with full hookups, a beautiful lake view, and a big herd of nearly tame deer that will come right up to the trailer to eat. They have a hayride every Saturday night. This campground is on the south side of Enid Lake from Wallace Creek. For some reason everyone prefers Persimmon Hill to Wallace Creek, but Wallace Creek is a good campground.
I will probably drive on up to Wallace Creek and introduce myself, or you can come on down to Yocona Ridge and introduce yourself if you have a toad.
The 2 weekends from now until then we will be in Grenada. August 23 and 24 there is a hot air balloon festival in Grenada called Ballons over Grenada.
I am all antsy and excited just anticipating the next several weekends of fun. Just like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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08-15-2013, 04:51 AM
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#32
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Airtandem
you an have your 85/65 for camping, we are going to have 70/50; now that's camping. It's only August and Global Warming! burrrrr. This is Iowa and next week we will see the 80's again. Down south you will get 12 months of camping where up here we get 7-8 months--lucky you. But we could be "snow birds".
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We don't usually get 12 months. It is just too hot from June till August usually with highs near 100 and lows 80.
It is sometimes too cold after Thanksgiving. 100 percent humidity makes cold weather more miserable as well. The humidity makes the cold bite worse. Also, it rains a lot during the winter months and stupid daylight savings time makes it dark already when we leave work.
It has been a lot cooler this year. We have gone a couple of times in July and August. Most years the trailer is parked from Memorial Day to Labor Day and from Thanksgiving to spring break. We are going a couple of weeks before Labor Day this year. Even the 4th of July was great weather this year. Every year is a little different.
So- we really camp fall and spring usually. Spring season is basically April and May. Fall season is Labor Day until Thanksgiving. If there is occasional good weather and sufficient daylight and time off work we will go anytime. I think over the years we have camped all 12 months at one time or another.
The Baked Potato is hitched up to the Silver Slipper now, ready to roll.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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08-15-2013, 06:30 AM
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#33
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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Going back to the kids on vacation thing, we've hit the other end of the scale. Our two are 14 and 12 and don't mind being in the car one little bit as they get stuck into their computer games and whatnot, which is good in way. But it bothers me because we're currently on a long trip and have been through the Appalachians twice and I don't think it even registered with them; when I was a kid I liked nothing more than looking out of the window and seeing what was around me (a lengthy trip across France and Spain when I was 14 comes to mind and and I can remember pretty much all of it). At our stops (KOAs - the facilities are good for them), they've not really wanted to join any of the other kids and when we've done runs out into places like Boston or Provincetown, they've glumly put up with it for an hour two then moaned about being tired/hungry/bored. They don't mind the camping but it seems that we only need to go to local destinations, places they know, and they're quite happy, probably because they know they're not far from home.
This will be our last big trip with them. When Mrs Toad and I want to travel in future we'll make sure the kids' father does his bit and takes them for more than a few days at a time and then we can go explore. I wouldn't recommend split families by the way, but sometimes the "visitation" bit can work in your favour.
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08-15-2013, 07:02 AM
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#34
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Rivet Master
2008 27' International FB
1999 19' "B" Van Airstream 190
Marietta
, Georgia
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 515
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Here are some suggestions from our experiences when our kids were small:
- I would give them a bath the night before and dress them in their clothes for the next day. Then in the morning, we'd scoop them up and buckle them in the car or car seat with blankets and pillows. We'd leave around 4 or 5 am and they'd usually sleep until 8 am. When they woke up, we'd stop for breakfast and then continue on our way. Made a long ride feel shorter for them
- I'd fill a paper bag and keep it with me in the front seat. It had books, word search type games, sm electronic handheld games, toys, paper, crayons, coloring books, granola bars etc. whatever I could find that was novel and cheap. I'd pull something out of the bag as needed during a long trip
- for when your kids are older: we're in Atlanta and went to Big Bend one year and Death Valley another for Thanksgiving week. We did a full Thanksgiving dinner at both those places with our turkey fryer and some prep and freezing before leaving home. Two very memorable holidays for our kids and great time of year to be at both parks
- GA state parks are great as are FL state parks. One of our faves when the kids were growing up was FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, GA. Great campground, a great 3 mile nature trail easy enough for young kids, playground with lots of kids, Callaway Gardens right there, wild Animal Safari which the kids still talk about to this day, cute little town, nice wooded sites.
- you'll probably do Disney when they're older. The campground there is fabulous! Same perks ( early entrance) as if you stayed in one of they're hotels. Ask for a spot in a loop close to the boat ( loop 3 is our favorite) you can then bike to the boat each day rather than wait for one of the busses.
- Cloudland Canyon state park is beautiful GA state park. Close to Chattanooga and all that's there that kids love ( ie Rock City etc)
Those are all my thoughts for now. Enjoy your early outings and see you at the Canopener!
Karen
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08-15-2013, 07:43 AM
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#35
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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LOVIN' the children travel suggestions...probably need a thread dedicated to this to glean all sorts of ideas from experienced campers/travelers.
yo Toad....I can see what you mean about distractions from the "simple enjoyments" you described. I grew up literally on welfare off and on, freaking broke...never knew what a vacation was...the idea that my kids one day will just be "bored" by it urks me...but I know it is very very possible...*shaking my head*
I dont want to derail this thread into rants about "kids these days" or "computers and cell phones" or whatever else...but I will just say that I can very much appreciate those sentiments and we will leave it at that.
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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08-15-2013, 07:51 AM
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#36
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,408
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PharmGeek
ugh...that makes total sense jcanavera...
but I suppose if that happens I will just run the heat pump in the AS and keep things a bit toasty overnight during those rare events....hmm...im not sure about that...different thread I guess..self hijack my own thread
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I might advise you to run the furnace in these cases rather than the heat pump. First the discharge of the furnace is near the floor. With air stratification a heat pump will throw its heat load higher up. Secondly an Airstream furnace does discharge some heat around certain plumbing areas. For example in my Classic the heat duct passes through the pump and fresh water fill area of the trailer. This warms that compartment.
Typically if I get caught by a late season or early season cold snap and the trailer is in the drive, I'll set the furnace to 50 and then open up all the cabinet doors where water lines are present. I'll also turn on the water heater (assuming it is full). That warm water from the tank spreads out into the piping. You will notice sometimes that after an overnight, turning on the cold water actually discharges some warm water until the residual water is flushed from the pipes.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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08-15-2013, 08:04 AM
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#37
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,076
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For your toddler, small snacks are also a good distraction....cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, etc.
Doug drove 3 1/2 year old and and 8 month old grandchildren from Illinois to Colorado Springs a number of years ago....by himself. i was supposed to go with, then unexpectedly had to fly to TN with a toddler on my caseload.
This took 1 1/2 days, with an overnight stop. The toddler handled the trip very well, and was easily amused, but the 8 month old not so much. At that age when unrestricted movement for exploration is everything, she loudly and angrily protested being tied down for several hours at a time. He did it because it was necessary, but it was rather grueling.
Before they left, I bought a back seat organizer and filled it with things for the toddler. A small flashlight and other new, handheld toys he could remove and replace as he liked. He loved it.
When we travel now with our grandkids, they bring their backpacks with favorite items. We also carry some children's cd's of music and stories, for all ages. They love them, know all the words and songs.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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08-15-2013, 08:09 AM
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#38
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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I meant furnace - did not really know the diff until recently - good points! Thanks
1.5 days with an 8month old?!?!?! Oh man! Brutal - for the baby and the parent. Oddly when my 7 month old is screaming - my 3 year old seems mostly unbothered
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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08-15-2013, 10:38 AM
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#39
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Rivet Master
2012 28' International
Olympia
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 773
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This is probably covered somewhere else, I'm too lazy to wade through the entire thread. Find a box of extra fuses for the tongue jack. I don't remember off hand what size they are, but it's a pretty heavy duty slo blo fuse. Most places don't carry them. I've found them at NAPA auto parts but I've had to drive to find a store that had them in stock, or have them ordered from the warehouse. You WILL blow a fuse, and it's not a lot of fun cranking the thing up and down.
__________________
Dave
2014 Ram 2500 CTD
Pro Pride
Centramatics
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08-15-2013, 10:43 AM
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#40
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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I will ask as part of the walkthrough to review all fuses in the trailer and I will write down each one and keep spares...no doubt...thanks...
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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