As an RVer you need to understand the difference between the weight categories. Many new RVers often get confused with RV weights, especially with gross vehicle weight and gross vehicle weight rating. GVW or Gross Vehicle Weight is the total weight of your fully loaded recreational vehicle or travel trailer. This includes the weight of the passengers, all cargo, fluids, and optional equipment. Gross Vehicle Weight is measured by a scale. Those who are using a motor home without towing anything, the Gross Vehicle Weight will be the total weight of the vehicle including all its components and the passengers. However, if you are using an RV with more than one unit, the Gross Vehicle Weight is just a part of the total weight.
It is important to know your Gross Vehicle Weight, without which it is impossible to determine whether or not you are within the weight limits of your RV. Though the manufacturer or dealer provide information about the average or estimated weights of your RV, it is better to drive the vehicle on a scale to get the accurate weight.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR, on the other hand, is the maximum weight and the Gross Vehicle Weight of your RV should not exceed this number. GVWR is applicable to both recreational vehicles and travel trailers. It is also referred to as Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight.
Fifth wheels are also spacious and roomy inside. The interior of these towable campers has lots of room, providing enough space for everyone if the weather is inclement. Since fifth wheels are towable campers, you can detach them at your destination and use the towing vehicle for trips and excursions around the RV campground.
As already mentioned, one of the major disadvantages of fifth wheels are their costs. They are the most expensive towable campers, which make such recreational vehicles hardly affordable for entry level RVers. However, you may consider buying a used fifth wheel, as they will be cheaper than a new travel trailer.
The cost mentioned earlier in the post is just the price of the fifth wheel; you need to add the price of the towing vehicle as well if you don’t own one. These travel trailers require towing vehicles for housing the gooseneck hitch. And you need a heavy-duty truck, as most of the fifth wheel trailers are heavy. However, manufacturers are now offering lightweight fifth wheels, which can be towed by smaller trucks.
Such travel trailers come with bi-level design and have interior steps leading to master bedroom, which generally sits over the towing vehicle’s bed. Some people do not like such interior design and steps. If they are a problem for you too, you may consider buying a motorized RV rather than opting for a fifth wheel.
Apart from being stable, fifth wheel trailers are one of the most luxurious towable campers. All these factors combined make fifth wheels the most expensive campers. These recreational vehicles also include an array of features, including:
- Crown molding
- Full size appliances
- Slideout kitchen pantry
- Surround sound entertainment systems
- Solid wood cabinetry in woods such as maple
- Electric fireplace
- Full sized shower stall with glass doors
- Bay window
- King sized bed in the master bedroom
- Outside cooking grill
- Solid surface countertops
- DVD player
- Large LCD TV’s on a swivel base for multiple viewing areas
- Microwave
- Leather recliners
- Built in safe
- Central Vac
- Satellite radio
- Computer work station with data port hookups
- Washer/Dryer
Fifth wheel travel trailers come in various lengths and size, ranging from 22 feet and to 40 feet. The 32, 34, and the 36 foot 5th wheels are most popular sizes and almost such recreational vehicles offer optional floor plans. Slideouts are quite popular among RVers and are mostly used in dining and living room area. Some also used in the master bedroom. Some fifth wheels also come with multiple slideouts; however, the add weight to your travel trailer.
RV
Winterizing
to
Protect
the
Water
System
To begin your RV winterizing drain the fresh water tank of your recreational vehicle. Now drain the hot water heater. Next, you need to dump and flush the gray and black water tanks; also, remember to leave the gray water valve open. You will need a compressed air adaptor and screw that into your recreational vehicle’s fresh water inlet. While applying compressed air, make sure the pressure is less than 20 lbs/sq inch.
Now open each faucet and make it one valve of your recreational vehicle at a time. This helps the compressed air in forcing the water out of the RV’s inlet. In addition, don’t forget the toilet and shower of your recreational vehicle. In addition, you need to remove the hot water tank’s drain plug so that the compressed air can blow out the remaining water. Once all the water is removed, you need to reinstall your recreational vehicle’s drain plug. Then remove source of compressed air and the adapter.
Look for the by-pass valve of your recreational vehicle’s water heater and close it. Also, remove the water line running from the fresh water pump to the fresh water tank. Insert RV antifreeze at the end of the water line. Now start the vehicle’s fresh water pump to run for a few minutes, until it sucks the antifreeze. When the pressure in the water system builds up, it will stop automatically. Once again open the valve of every faucet and until the red RV antifreeze appears. Shut the faucet. Finally remove the water line from the jug containing RV antifreeze and reattach the same to your fresh water tank.
Ford House-Car
One of
only six
said to
have
been
made per
year in
the
mid-30's
at the
Ford
plant in
St.Paul,
Minnesota
,
according
to an
article
on this
car in a
1993
"Old
Cars"
magazine
article.
Very few
others -
perhaps
none -
remain
on the
road,
and
certainly
not in
such
amazing
original
condition.
The only
other
known
example
that I
heard of
was
supposedly
housed
in the
Henry
Ford
Museum
in
Dearborn
,
Michigan
. But
that
turned
out to
be an
early
1920s
Model T
conversion,
the
curator
told me.
He said
he'd
never
seen
anything
like
this
'37!
When
discovered
in a
garage
(under a
heavy
cover)
in
Northern
Minnesota
in
August
2001,
she had
only
19,000
miles,
and the
owner's
manual
was
actually
still in
the
glove
box in
like-new
condition!
She had
always
been
garaged
and
treated
with
'Much
TLC' as
a
collector
vehicle.
The
interior,
all wood
lined,
was
still
the way
it
appeared
in the
'30's
and
'40's,
complete
with
framed
photos
of the
original
owner on
his
travels
(mainly
to
Florida)
and his
cabin in
the
North
Woods,
plus and
other
memorabilia
from the
era.
Built on
the '37
Ford
Pickup
frame
and
cowling
(powered
by a
60-hp
flathead
V8 with
aluminum
heads),
the rear
framing
is all
wood,
with the
metal
skin
wrapped
around
it. The
roof
structure,
too, is
all
wood,
over
which
the
heavy,
waterproofed
canvas
top is
still
very
securely
fitted.
The
structure
of the
Body is
solid,
appearing
from
underneath
to be
all oak,
and
still in
a
remarkably
unaltered,
undamaged
condition.
The door
frames
are
thick,
solid
oak, and
oak is
visible
around
the
window
openings
(as on
the four
side
windows
in back)
--
though
it is
painted
over.
She was a big hit at this campground once we got that Great old flattie V8 hummin'! Note her expanding roof and the original dark green color, which had been repainted. I figure the canvas roof was originally painted in reflective silver to keep it from getting too hot inside. All four side windows open, while the back one tilts out to three positions. The windshield also tilts open at the bottom for natural AC while driving.
Here are a few shots of her in August 2001, out on the road in the Chippewa National Forest north of Grand Rapids , MN ... Practicing for her next adventure: "Destination Wavecrest 2001."
 |
 |
 |
 |
A peak
inside:
A slice
right
out of
1930's,
just as
the
original
owner
left it.
All the
windows
open,
with
curtains
on the
four
side
ones and
pull-down
shades
on the
back
window,
as well
as on
the
driver's
and
passenger
door
windows.
A wide
storage
cabinet
is
located
under
the bed.
The wood
headliner,
with
vent and
canvas
expanding
portion
visible.
Four
wood
pieces
hold it
securely
in the
up
position,
while
clamps
hold it
down
while
driving.
More
interior
views....note
the
cedar
branches
hanging
in the
corners
for that
north
woods
aroma.
Cabinets
andAluminum
sink
(with a
wood
cover
insert)
are
visible
on the
left.
All the
antiques
stuck
away
inside,
as well
as those
hanging
on the
walls,
came
along
for the
ride.
Also
note the
table
behind
the
driver's
seat,
which
folds
down.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Last
modified: