Don't "Drive 'til the Wheels Fall Off"

The old song declared, "I've got three wheels on my wagon, but I'm still rollin' along."

For most of us, having only three wheels on our fifth wheel or travel trailer "wagon" would apt to be a disaster. Sometimes it happens: Neglected axle bearings can lead to getaway wheels, and the results aren't pretty.

Wheel bearing neglect ranks right up there with failure to regularly inspect tire pressure. Both can have disastrous consequences, the kind that can make your RV trip memorable--but not in glowing "Kodak" memories.

The consensus among RV service techs is that trailer wheel bearings should be inspected and repacked every year. It's not a "rocket science" job, but it does require jacking up the trailer, removing parts, and getting a bit greasy. Figure a couple of hours of your labor will be required.

How to? Will point you to a web site that will step you through packing bearings. Mind you it's dedicated to automotive wheel bearings, but the job's the same. But one thing does differ--you've got to be very careful where and how you jack the trailer.

First, make sure you thoroughly block up the tires on the side of the trailer opposite the one you're jacking--chock them so the trailer won't roll either way. Next, you must select a safe jack point. Never use an axle as a jack point! This can quickly goof up your trailer alignment, and possible affect handling, as well as tire wear. Check your owner manual for proper jack point, and lacking that information, use the trailer frame.

Carefully block the trailer so if the jack slips, you won't be caught in a bad way. We only remove one tire at a time to perform the service, so if anything slips, we have the "insurance" of that other tire holding things up.

OK. Here's a link to an excellent page for more information on the 'down and dirty' part of wheel bearing maintenance.

Battle of the Mini Generators

Spring is on the wing--or so it seems in the southwest. Yes, it’s true our friends in the plains and elsewhere are ‘wishing they were here,’ but truth be told, summer will eventually get here. With summer comes the camper’s complaint: It’s too hot!

Got an air conditioning unit on your RV, but want to camp away from the hookups? Having a portable generator can really make life a lot more enjoyable. But how much "gen" muscle do you need? Plenty of RVers have been enamored by those ‘cute little red (or blue) generators.’ Yes, those Honda and Yamaha generators are popping up all over.

How much muscle do you need to fire that a/c? Here’s the bottom line: While your air conditioning unit’s power consumption is measure in watts, and oft’ times those watts are less than the rated output of the moderately sized, 2,000 or so watt generators, they take a LOT more in the ‘start up cycle.’ Simply put: The popular Yamaha EF200iS and Honda’s EU2000i probably WON’T operate your RV air conditioning.

What’s to do? The next size up for the "Red Boy Toy" is the Honda EU3000iS or Yamaha’s EF3000i. Yep, they cost more than the smaller versions. Some RVers say the only time they need a 3,000 watt generator is when they’re powering the roof air unit. To them, that much muscle is a waste, so they opt to buy two identical smaller units. When less power is needed, they simply run one of the generators, and when a/c is called for, they link the two smaller units together with the manufacturer supplied (optional) bridge cables.

Well, it’s a hard call for some. Two of the smaller units do cost more than one of their larger bretheren. And if you’re cramped for space, you may only have room for one. And consider noise: These little guys are indeed pretty quiet, but oddly enough, the larger models actually do make less noise than their tiny brothers. What about weight? Can you "horse" a generator out of the pickup bed? Some come equipped with rollers and can be ramped out. Others make the wheels an accessory--wherein some RVers have been known to buy a pressure washer frame and wheel kit for less money than OEM accessories.

It may just come down to, ‘You pays your money, and you takes your choice.’