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What a PDI Doesn't Tell You

May 312011

While I took about 4 hours doing a PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) on my trailer before I took possession of it, I knew there would be things I would miss. The PDI only showed up a couple minor issues that were corrected on the spot by the dealer. This past weekend was the first chance I've had to take it out on a real camping trip.

During the PDI I tested all the systems, open/closed all the doors and drawers, checked for loose nuts, bolts and wires, walked the roof looking at the sealant and just about anything else i could think of. The only thing I found was the entry door wasn't closing right, a couple cabinet doors were maladjusted, a broken landing gear leg pin and a couple burned out/missing light bulbs.

Yamaha Zuma 125 Scooter

RV Equipment, RV On The Road 2 Responses »

May 172011

It has been a long winding road to the purchase of my 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125 scooter. Last winter I took my mid 80's vintage Suzuki FA50 moped with me to Arizona. While I was great to use to get around the immediate area I was in, I found it had a number of short comings. The top speed of 27 MPH made driving on most roads hazardous and the skinny tires weren't the best on dirt roads much less loose sand. I knew I needed something more for my next trip.

Once I got back from AZ I started investigating scooters to find one that would be light weight, fast enough to keep up with secondary road traffic and be comfortable to ride on dirt roads. I also wanted a major brand since I would be using it on the road and wanted to be able to find parts or repair shops in case I needed it. While the price is attractive on the numerous Chinese scooters on the market I limited myself to Honda or Yamaha. For me their known quality and nationwide parts and service easily offset their higher prices.

Since I have never really ridden anything but the old FA50 that I have I needed to get some seat time to make a decision. I first looked toward the Honda Ruckus and Yamaha Zuma 50. Both of these are light weight, have 50cc engines and have designs that lend themselves to both on-road and off road. Bryan (my step-son) was able get me a ride on a used Zuma 50 at M&M Motorsports in Kalamazoo. While the Zuma 50 was spunky and drove nice, the foot room was a bit cramped and the top speed a bit under 40 MPH just wasn't going to get it. Since the Ruckus has about the same top speed I never searched one out to ride. 50cc was out of the question.

Air Lift WirelessONE Compressor System

RV DIY & Mods, RV Equipment No Responses »

May 152011

In my previous post I showed my install of the Air Lift Air Bag Suspension Upgrade. With that system you can run air lines so you can use a portable compressor or sir tank to fill the shocks. That is all well and good but that mean you have to carry a compressor with you and you can not change the air pressure in the bags when on the road.

Air Lift makes a number of on-board air compressor systems that allow you to change the air pressure in the bags from the cab of your truck. The system I chose to install was the WirelessONE system. I picked this system because it was fairly inexpensive and was super easy to install because you control the air pressure with a wireless remote fob. This means no wires or air lines needs to be run to an under dash control panel.

The package includes the compressor, a control valve, remote fob and relay. I had already scoped out a place to mount the items on the frame of the truck but once I opened the package there was a separate tech sheet that warned about avoiding getting moisture in the compressor. While it appears the compressor can withstand some moisture I just didn't want to take a chance of compressor failure so I looked for a place inside the truck to mount everything.

Crossroads Cruiser CF285RL Bathroom

RV Equipment No Responses »

Apr 082011

Bathrooms in RVs tend not to get a lot of attention but once you live with one for a few months at a time you learn that they can make your life hell if it doesn't suit you. The bathroom in my old trailer was tight. The stool and shower was in one room and it was small. It made getting out of the shower to dry off a real pain. While I don't have this problem since I travel alone, doing your "duty" while someone was taking a shower wouldn't be pleasant for either person.

You can see here that the new trailer has corner shower stall with a glass enclosure. It's a nice big size comparable to what you'd find in a sticks and bricks house. There is a large skylight above the shower for good lighting. Of course, like all RV showers I've seen, it has a cheap'o shower head that I'll replace with my Oxygenics shower head. The only thing I don't like is the shower door opens out and there is no water catch at the bottom of the door so water will drip on the floor. I have the same problem at home and will have to get a carpet to put on the floor to catch any drips. Next to the shower is the sink with a medicine cabinet and lights.

Crossroads Cruiser CF285RL Kitchen

RV Equipment No Responses »

Apr 072011

It's on to the kitchen of the new 5th wheel. A few extras that come with the Patriot package makes a big difference. The main kitchen area has all the normal goodies, 3 burner stove with spark ignition and oven, microwave with turn table and hood vent/light. The counter top is Corian with a under counter stainless sink. The faucet is a nice high neck design to make it easier to fill larger containers. Below the sink is a shelf that can be used for spices. Behind the stove is a knife rack. The cabinets are solid wood doors and plywood construction with full length pull out drawers. The only drawback that I have found is that the cabinets are not as deep as my old trailer so it will take a bit of moving things around to get everything to fit.

Crossroads Cruiser CF285RL Livingroom

RV Equipment No Responses »

Apr 032011

When looking at RV we all see the stock pictures on the company web site or brochure but they just seem to gloss over the features and don't get into the guts of it. Below are some photos of the livingroom area of the CF285RL.

Here is a photo of the rear of rig that includes two euro-chair recliners with a small table in between. Left chair on the left is in the traveling position and is secured with a strap so it doesn't move around in transit. Housed in the lower section of the table is the water pump and suction hose for winterizing.

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New Trailer Is Home

RV Equipment No Responses »

Mar 312011

I was able to get to the dealer today and pick up my new baby.... a Crossroads Cruiser CF285RL Patriot. I got a smokin' deal on it and am excited to go out and give it a shakedown trip.

The CF285RL is a 31' long rear living room 5th wheel with 2 slideouts. One large slide in the living/dining room and one in the bedroom. The Patriot option includes all the goodies like electric awning, 32" TV, larger aluminum wheels & tires, ceiling fan, Corian counter tops, two euro chairs, larger frig & water heater, extra insulation, AM/FM/CD/DVD surround sound, outside speakers and more. It's sweet!

When I got to the dealer they were installing the TV. They said that Crossroads did not send the TV so they took one out of stock. It's a nice 32" Toshiba LCD and I would guess is better then what would have been included from the factory.

Also when I was making the deal I wanted vent covers installed. Vent covers allow you to open the vents when it's raining. Later after thinking about it I decided I didn't want them. The specs says the trailer is 12' 6" high. I was afraid that with the vent covers that would put me over 13' and I didn't want to be that high because it's fairly common to see bridges with only 13' clearance. When I signed the papers for the trailer I cancelled the vent cover install. First inspection of the trailer I noticed the vent covers were installed. I asked the salesman about it and found out they were installed by mistake. We went out and measured and with the covers the trailer is 12' 9" high, good enough for me and they didn't charge me for them since I had cancelled them.

New Trailer Shopping

RV Day to Day Life, RV Equipment No Responses »

Mar 232011

Decided to head out and look at new trailers. While out and about I always stop and look at different trailers even when I'm not in the market for one. I have gotten some good ideas on improvements I can do to the one I have and also let me compare features and build quality.

I had come to the decision that Crossroads offers the best bang for the buck in a price range I can afford. The full aluminum frame, hung walls, extra insulation, 5/8" plywood floor and roof plus included standard features are hard to beat. The problem is that unlike most other manufacturers, they do not make the same basic trailer under many brand names. That means there are fewer dealers to choose from.

There is a Crossroads dealer in Grand Rapids so I drove up to have a closer a look at what they had in stock. I've had my eyes on a Cruiser CTX CF27RLX. This is a 29' 5th wheel with a rear living room and single slide. Much like the Flagstaff I currently own. The CTX is the less expensive line of Cruisers, still the same basic construction, just lighter weight with fewer standard features. Unfortunately they didn't have any in stock and would have to order one. Not a big deal as it would take 6 weeks to get built and I really wouldn't be doing any camping until May anyways. I got a price and it wasn't a bad deal.

A Sad Day In Kazoo

RV DIY & Mods, RV Equipment No Responses »

Nov 012010

Yes, I finally had to do it, I winterized the trailer. Temps dipped into the upper 20's last night with colder weather coming this weekend so I couldn't put it off any longer.

But all is not lost. This does mean no more camping in the area this year, but it also means I am getting closer to leaving on my trip out west for the winter. OK, so maybe it isn't a sad day after all!

It didn't take long to do. Just pulled the drain plug on the water heater, switched the water heater bypass valve, stuck the suction hose into a gallon of RV antifreeze and run the "pink stuff" through every faucet and the toilet. This also puts some antifreeze into the drain traps. Took about 45 minutes and 3 gallons of antifreeze.

Baby Got New Shoes

RV DIY & Mods, RV Equipment No Responses »

Sep 302010

Headed to Discount Tire today to get new tires on the trailer. It was fitted with Maxxis ST205/75R-15 load range D tires. The old Towmax tires were made in China and trailer tires made in China are lovingly called "China Bombs" as they are just as likely blow out as they are to hold air. I went one winter with them but was not willing to chance a second winter.

The Towmax tires were load range C tires but I decided to step up to a D range on the Maxxis'. I really don't need to extra carrying capacity but since I was getting new tires I figured I'd spend the extra 10 bucks a tire to get what should be a more durable tire. On the short drive home the trailer felt more stable and it even appeared to have less bouncing.