2023 RV/Camping Thread

[Tbuddyandroby]

I thought I'd start a 2023 thread, and introduce my new 2022 Sandpiper Luxury 391FLRB.
This is my wife's first camper, and we're looking forward to making some memories. I'll definitely be looking back at the 2022 thread for advice, and pray we don't have Many issues going forward. We're wanting to go on our first adventure in May, hopefully.

She's stored enclosed, and I know everyone fights humidity. Does anyone recommend a good humidifier, or do the Damprid etc. with vents open work fine for the Texas heat? Being enclosed protects the roof, but I worry about the stagnant heat inside. I currently have vents open, a fan inside the coach, and fans on the outside on opposite ends circulating air.

Also, any must see recommendations for our first trip (4-6 hours) from League City, Tx?

Happy Camping!

[captainsling]

Breckenridge park on Lake Texana is our favorite that is fairly close to us. We are heading to Tyler State Park for 4 days April 13-16 for a much needed break.

[Quackerbox]

Ours had lived inside a shop for all but about 15 days of a 3 year ownership. We leave the screen door and one window opened.

In the hot months the ac is set on 78 during the week. No issues

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[Greenheadless]

I was thinking of putting mine in a rental pool. There is a company out there that says they do this all the time and will keep up maintenance, etc. on it.

This sound like a good deal?

[DaveC]

Tbuddyandroby, what a sweet looking rig!

Can't wait to see what this thread brings.
Good Lord willing we have an epic 21 day trip kicking off in May, been a years worth of planning in the works. (ok, epic to us anyways )

As far as your first trip- I would plan it to where your selling dealer is in your path home. That way if you flag anything they need to tend to you can drop it off on your return trip.

My 2022 had the hose going to the fresh water tank split a line- pretty sure it was freeze related and didn't try to hide that- they covered it under warranty.
I would have done the job myself but it required dropping the coroplast underneath to get to the fittings- yeah could be DIY, but not gonna cut into her while she's holding a warranty. (ps- how did I know? while filling fresh, water was running from along frame instead of out overflow).

[bboswell]

Originally Posted by Greenheadless

I was thinking of putting mine in a rental pool. There is a company out there that says they do this all the time and will keep up maintenance, etc. on it.

This sound like a good deal?

Look up threads started by Texastaxi.

I would NEVER rent/loan an RV!

[bboswell]

Currently Roughing it in Fredericksburg

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by bboswell

Currently Roughing it in Fredericksburg

I like how you rough it.

We are now 233 days living in our couples trailer while building a house. We are building a small house so it is paid for when done but it will seem like a mansion compared to this.

[captainsling]

House is coming along nicely Bill!

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by captainsling

House is coming along nicely Bill!

Thanks! Builder is a good guy but they don't get in a hurry here.

[Tbuddyandroby]

Originally Posted by captainsling

Breckenridge park on Lake Texana is our favorite that is fairly close to us. We are heading to Tyler State Park for 4 days April 13-16 for a much needed break.

Thanks, I'll check it out!

Originally Posted by Quackerbox

Ours had lived inside a shop for all but about 15 days of a 3 year ownership. We leave the screen door and one window opened.

In the hot months the ac is set on 78 during the week. No issues
I have 2 humidifiers coming. My storage facility doesn't have 30a to run an AC, but I'll keep a fan circulating, vents open, and humidifiers going.
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Originally Posted by DaveC

Tbuddyandroby, what a sweet looking rig!

Can't wait to see what this thread brings.
Good Lord willing we have an epic 21 day trip kicking off in May, been a years worth of planning in the works. (ok, epic to us anyways )

As far as your first trip- I would plan it to where your selling dealer is in your path home. That way if you flag anything they need to tend to you can drop it off on your return trip.

My 2022 had the hose going to the fresh water tank split a line- pretty sure it was freeze related and didn't try to hide that- they covered it under warranty.
I would have done the job myself but it required dropping the coroplast underneath to get to the fittings- yeah could be DIY, but not gonna cut into her while she's holding a warranty. (ps- how did I know? while filling fresh, water was running from along frame instead of out overflow).

Thanks, and that's not a bad idea!

Originally Posted by bboswell

Currently Roughing it in Fredericksburg

Very Nice!!!

[Dale Moser]

In!


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[captainsling]

Another good idea is to stay somewhere fairly close to a camping world or WalMart in case you may need anything you find out you forgot on your first trip.

[smokeless]

Just make a list. There is always something forgotten or needed. We have been camping for many a year. Keep your wheels greased and your air pressure at max. Blow outs suck.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by captainsling

Another good idea is to stay somewhere fairly close to a camping world or WalMart in case you may need anything you find out you forgot on your first trip.

Ours was a wine opener back when my wife partook in the sugar water.

Needless to say a trip to the store was made.....

[Bh_liberty]

I grease my axels every 500 miles and have never had a problem since I started doing this. That’s the one thing that is an all out show stopper when you loose a wheel bearing and it’s no fun to fix on the side of the road. Be prepared to change a blow out. Even running good tires and keeping them inflated properly it happens! An 18 volt impact and a good jack can make this much easier to mitigate. Prepare for the worst and enjoy your new adventure.


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[RMW]

Pulled my camper out of the barn last night, going to be a lot of rain on this camping trip.

[Randallc]

In

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by Bh_liberty

I grease my axels every 500 miles and have never had a problem since I started doing this. That’s the one thing that is an all out show stopper when you loose a wheel bearing and it’s no fun to fix on the side of the road. Be prepared to change a blow out. Even running good tires and keeping them inflated properly it happens! An 18 volt impact and a good jack can make this much easier to mitigate. Prepare for the worst and enjoy your new adventure.


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Color me cornfused, where is all the grease going?
I thought they were sealed and you could blow the seal if squirting in too much.
Are we talking a few pumps each wheel or until it stops going in?
Are you also removing any extra play periodically?

Not intended to be leading questions, I'm here to learn.

I WAS the guy on the side of the highway last summer due to wheel bearing failure- on a Saturday afternoon. Only cost me $750 with some no-name mexi- nascar car pit crew (glad to have them) that a hundred phone calls connected me with. They conjured up a matching wheelbearing set / hub with brake housing that matched what I had and had me back on the road in a few hours.

Funny part is they knew they had me over a barrel and connected me with a white dude on the other end of the phone that took my CC information before they would complete the work.

I know one thing - the Foremost Roadside assistance was USELESS.

[captainsling]

Originally Posted by DaveC

Color me cornfused, where is all the grease going?
I thought they were sealed and you could blow the seal if squirting in too much.
Are we talking a few pumps each wheel or until it stops going in?
Are you also removing any extra play periodically?

Not intended to be leading questions, I'm here to learn.

I WAS the guy on the side of the highway last summer due to wheel bearing failure- on a Saturday afternoon. Only cost me $750 with some no-name mexi- nascar car pit crew (glad to have them) that a hundred phone calls connected me with. They conjured up a matching wheelbearing set / hub with brake housing that matched what I had and had me back on the road in a few hours.

Funny part is they knew they had me over a barrel and connected me with a white dude on the other end of the phone that took my CC information before they would complete the work.

I know one thing - the Foremost Roadside assistance was USELESS.

Depends on your axles. My trailer has Dexter axles and the way they are designed the old grease pushes out the front for easy cleanup and there is a permanent seal in the back that doesn’t blow out. Sure makes it easy to see old grease coming out and see the new grease once it replaces the old. I do mine once a year before we go to Colorado and back. No issues yet, but I keep good tires and the right pressures as well.

[bboswell]

Originally Posted by DaveC

Color me cornfused, where is all the grease going?
I thought they were sealed and you could blow the seal if squirting in too much.
Are we talking a few pumps each wheel or until it stops going in?
Are you also removing any extra play periodically?

Not intended to be leading questions, I'm here to learn.

I WAS the guy on the side of the highway last summer due to wheel bearing failure- on a Saturday afternoon. Only cost me $750 with some no-name mexi- nascar car pit crew (glad to have them) that a hundred phone calls connected me with. They conjured up a matching wheelbearing set / hub with brake housing that matched what I had and had me back on the road in a few hours.

Funny part is they knew they had me over a barrel and connected me with a white dude on the other end of the phone that took my CC information before they would complete the work.

I know one thing - the Foremost Roadside assistance was USELESS.

unless you have some form of bearing buddy you can blow out the back seal by continually adding grease. Adding grease is also not needed once the bearings are packed and loaded properly.

If you are at the point that more grease is needed you should pull the hub apart, clean all the old grease out of the bearings, inspect them and then re-pack or replace, a new seal should be installed at this time as well

[DaveC]

Good stuff fellas.

FWIW, I had greased them previously, but let it slack a couple years and got bit.

Now I have a new 2022, with ~1000 miles miles on it.
We are taking it on a 3K mile trip soon, how should I handle the axles before leaving for that?
and is there any squirts required along the way?

I know this is like asking whether or not to break in a barrel, different opinions and ways of doing things.
I'm interested in hearing them all. (and going from there)

If this takes away from the camping 2023 thread I apologize, we (I) will get back to camping pics and input soon enough.

[cbrown]

Im in on this one! We are camping at Lake Whitney this weekend and next. We are always looking for new places to go camping.

[chrisk]

We just bought a 10 person tent for our camping. Much larger than our current 4 person tent.

[captainsling]

Originally Posted by DaveC

Good stuff fellas.

FWIW, I had greased them previously, but let it slack a couple years and got bit.

Now I have a new 2022, with ~1000 miles miles on it.
We are taking it on a 3K mile trip soon, how should I handle the axles before leaving for that?
and is there any squirts required along the way?

I know this is like asking whether or not to break in a barrel, different opinions and ways of doing things.
I'm interested in hearing them all. (and going from there)

If this takes away from the camping 2023 thread I apologize, we (I) will get back to camping pics and input soon enough.

You would be surprised how little grease they come with from the factory. I would pack them before you go on your journey.

[Cooper]

My girlfriend and I are heading to Fredericksburg April 21-23, 2023
Staying at the Bending Oaks Campground and will be going to Luckenbach for the Bluegrass Festival on the 22rd.....Ricky Skaggs!!!

Love my RVing....Be safe on the road everyone!!

[bboswell]

Originally Posted by Cooper

My girlfriend and I are heading to Fredericksburg April 21-23, 2023
Staying at the Bending Oaks Campground and will be going to Luckenbach for the Bluegrass Festival on the 22rd.....Ricky Skaggs!!!

Love my RVing....Be safe on the road everyone!!

If you have time I would change RV Parks....

[Dale Moser]

Originally Posted by DaveC

Good stuff fellas.

FWIW, I had greased them previously, but let it slack a couple years and got bit.

Now I have a new 2022, with ~1000 miles miles on it.
We are taking it on a 3K mile trip soon, how should I handle the axles before leaving for that?
and is there any squirts required along the way?

I know this is like asking whether or not to break in a barrel, different opinions and ways of doing things.
I'm interested in hearing them all. (and going from there)

If this takes away from the camping 2023 thread I apologize, we (I) will get back to camping pics and input soon enough.

I'd crack those babies open and have a look before a trip like that.

Mine is a 2018 and I've never looked at them, so I'm gonna make a point to do so next time I pull it up on the driveway. I bet I've pulled it 7-9k miles since I bought it in '20....so I feel like I'm living on borrowed time.

[TexasBob]

I'm in on this thread, and checking the bearings on my 2017.

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by bboswell

If you have time I would change RV Parks....

Why?

[bboswell]

Originally Posted by Cooper

Why?

I will just say that there is a reason KOA cut ties with them.

ArchRay or Lady Bird Johnson are both a much more enjoyable stay in our experience and we camp in Fburge 4-5 times per year

[Bh_liberty]

Originally Posted by DaveC

Color me cornfused, where is all the grease going?
I thought they were sealed and you could blow the seal if squirting in too much.
Are we talking a few pumps each wheel or until it stops going in?
Are you also removing any extra play periodically?

Not intended to be leading questions, I'm here to learn.

I WAS the guy on the side of the highway last summer due to wheel bearing failure- on a Saturday afternoon. Only cost me $750 with some no-name mexi- nascar car pit crew (glad to have them) that a hundred phone calls connected me with. They conjured up a matching wheelbearing set / hub with brake housing that matched what I had and had me back on the road in a few hours.

Funny part is they knew they had me over a barrel and connected me with a white dude on the other end of the phone that took my CC information before they would complete the work.

I know one thing - the Foremost Roadside assistance was USELESS.

My trailer has dexter axels as well. I put 5-10 pumps in mine atleast every 1000 miles. I shoot for that 500 mile mark but I don’t always get it done. Others may do it different but this has worked for me. I also ditched the 10 plys and went to 16 plys. I no longer worry about blow outs when the pavement gets hot. Most will say this is over kill but I pull my trailer a lot by most people’s standards.


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[Bill M]

To be clear, are y'all talking about the axles themselves or the Zerk fittings on the hub? We went to the Davis Mtns in Oct 2021 and before we left, I went through the grease pumping process. I raised each wheel off the ground and turned it as I pumped grease into the fitting. Went slow and the new grease started returning out the front as it supposed to with this procedure. Grease was fine when I had them repacked 6 months later.

[captainsling]

Originally Posted by Bill M

To be clear, are y'all talking about the axles themselves or the Zerk fittings on the hub? We went to the Davis Mtns in Oct 2021 and before we left, I went through the grease pumping process. I raised each wheel off the ground and turned it as I pumped grease into the fitting. Went slow and the new grease started returning out the front as it supposed to with this procedure. Grease was fine when I had them repacked 6 months later.

These are the Dexter axles I have. The old grease comes out the front for easy clean up. Supposedly that is a Dexter design.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by captainsling

These are the Dexter axles I have. The old grease comes out the front for easy clean up. Supposedly that is a Dexter design.

Looks like what I have too, good to know and good info about them here-

https://www.venture-rv.com/images/20...stem-Flyer.pdf

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by bboswell

I will just say that there is a reason KOA cut ties with them.

ArchRay or Lady Bird Johnson are both a much more enjoyable stay in our experience and we camp in Fburge 4-5 times per year

Ok sir....
I have been staying in this campground for several years and have always been happy, no problems and no complaint's. I camp in Fredericksburg at least 4-5 times a year as well.

I have stayed at Lady Bird and also Oak Wood on Hwy 16 and they are really nice campgrounds as well, so I do change up sometimes, but Bending Oaks is always quite and relaxing to us and closer to Luckenbach!!

Thanks for your recommendation....may have to try ArchRay.
Maybe, we may run into each someday and have a cold one...
Be safe!!

[Kelmat]

I would look into picking up an extra hub assembly to store in the trailer somewhere.

[Bill M]

We are members of Coach Net and hope we never have to use them.

[Palmetto]

Just got me one of these. Have had my camper for 2 years, and always used a camco brass inline regulator. After a couple leak repairs, I wasn't so sure it was working anymore and wanted one with a gauge.
https://www.amazon.com/Renator-M11-0.../dp/B01N7JZTYX

Here is an FYI I learned from my leak adventure. Seems all the trailer builders these days are using a mixture of vinyl tubing, pex fittings, and pex pipe. The pex fittings are real loose in the vinyl, and the crimps don't get them quite tight enough. While in Big Bend I found water dripping under my camper from the belly pan, and I had water on the bathroom floor. Ended up being a leak under the shower, and a leak under the floor deck on a line running to the shower. I replaced all the vinyl with pex, and pex brass fittings. At every sink & toilet I added shut of valve like you would in a house. I hope my water leak problems are a thing of the past!

[Palmetto]

Also found where the mice where getting in. Nice big 12" square hole in the floor.

There was also open floor holes under bathroom sink, kitchen sink, and in the wet bay. All of those are full of foam now!!

This is under the shower


This is under the trailer.

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[DaveC]

Good find, those are some gaping huge holes!

[bowhunterhelm]

We have a week planned going to Orange Beach Alabama for the Red Snapper opener at the end of May.

Also doing a 10 day trip in July going to Frio River first then to Gulf Water RV Resort in Port Aransas.

[Tbuddyandroby]

Lots of great information, and I plan on looking at my bearings, now.
I pulled out the 5th wheel and did some minor things like installing a new sewer storage tube underneath, checked the tire pressure, checked plumbing fittings to make sure all is tight, installed 90's on fittings at the trailer, installed quick connects on hose fittings, and my wife did a good first cleaning inside.
How do I know what axels I have, is it stamped somewhere on them? Also, I'm looking into replacing my equalizers at the leaf springs. The ones that came with my trailer are crap. The shackles aren't very thick. I'm thinking of using MORryde, or something like them. Has anyone swapped theirs out? There's plenty of videos online, and it doesn't look too difficult.

[tpack]

Originally Posted by captainsling

Breckenridge park on Lake Texana is our favorite that is fairly close to us. We are heading to Tyler State Park for 4 days April 13-16 for a much needed break.

We stayed @ Tyler state park for the first time in 2001. Loved it there. It was in the winter and reminded me of being in Colorado with all the pine trees. We had 4 campers from 93 till 2017 when I sold my last one. Pulled them to Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and all over Texas during that time. We luckily only had one tire I had to change (woke up and it was flat) during that time and never an issue with breaks or axles. Never had a blow out or any damage from one. The first year (1993) we had our Dutchmen 5th wheel, we spent 62 nights on Proctor Lake (fishing mostly). Have great memories from many, many trips with family and friends. Retired 2 years ago and really enjoy the simplicity of just getting in my truck or the wife`s car and go at the drop of the bucket without all the prep required on a camping trip. Everyone is different though. Two couples that we always camped with back in the 90`s sold everything they owned and live in their camper year round. They do complain that the cost of fuel, campsites and replacement cost for campers and trucks has been more than they anticipated.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by Tbuddyandroby

Lots of great information, and I plan on looking at my bearings, now.
I pulled out the 5th wheel and did some minor things like installing a new sewer storage tube underneath, checked the tire pressure, checked plumbing fittings to make sure all is tight, installed 90's on fittings at the trailer, installed quick connects on hose fittings, and my wife did a good first cleaning inside.
How do I know what axels I have, is it stamped somewhere on them? Also, I'm looking into replacing my equalizers at the leaf springs. The ones that came with my trailer are crap. The shackles aren't very thick. I'm thinking of using MORryde, or something like them. Has anyone swapped theirs out? There's plenty of videos online, and it doesn't look too difficult.

Lubing mine now and saw this-
So the rubber cap should might say what brand it is.

And yes my first wheel took plenty of pumps before flushing some forward.


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[BigL]

First trip from League City suggestions:

Red Shoes RV park in Kinder, LA
Cajun Palms in Lafayette, LA.

But I'd probably make my first trip be just down the road from home. Go to Galveston or Jet Stream RV park (site sponsor) so you're close to home if you need anything. After that get on the road and enjoy.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by DaveC

Lubing mine now and saw this-
So the rubber cap should might say what brand it is.

And yes my first wheel took plenty of pumps before flushing some forward.


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As did all the rest.
25 ish pumps each before the new grease stared pushing the factory grease out the front. I spun each wheel by hand when pumping as well.
All wheels gud-n-tite, no back and forth play .


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[bboswell]

Originally Posted by DaveC

As did all the rest.
25 ish pumps each before the new grease stared pushing the factory grease out the front. I spun each wheel by hand when pumping as well.
All wheels gud-n-tite, no back and forth play .


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Totally normal. The factory is going to pack the front and rear bearings and send it, they won’t waste the grease to fill the big void in between the 2 bearings, no one did before Bearing Buddies got popular.

[Dale Moser]

Originally Posted by bboswell

Totally normal. The factory is going to pack the front and rear bearings and send it, they won’t waste the grease to fill the big void in between the 2 bearings, no one did before Bearing Buddies got popular.

Yep, there’s no friction between the bearings.


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[DaveC]

Originally Posted by bboswell

Totally normal. The factory is going to pack the front and rear bearings and send it, they won’t waste the grease to fill the big void in between the 2 bearings, no one did before Bearing Buddies got popular.

That makes sense.
The void is full now


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