The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...
- Thread starter JamesTXSD
- Start date
Doryman":1coyfszj said:
Well, we had the boat at the factory to get some shakedown stuff taken care of. Knowing it would take them the whole day, we drove back to the boat to get our laundry. It was only supposed to be: stop, hop out, get the laundry, hop back in. I left the motor running, so we could keep the a/c going... got about 5 steps from the truck and heard the doors lock. :disgust Molly was standing on the power lock button. Joan's purse (with her key) was in the truck, mine was in the ignition. Along with both of our cell phones. Within a few minutes, we had a crowd of factory folks assessing the situation... "Oh, look at the cute cat." "Did she really lock them out?" "Why don't you see if she'll move over to the unlock button?"...
One of the factory guys said, "I can get in there." He disappeared, came back in a minute or so with a BIG screwdriver.
"The truck is brand new! If I can just borrow a phone, I'll call a locksmith."
He said, "If I can't get it open right away without damaging anything, I'll stop. I promise."
Sigh.
It took him about a minute. No damage, no mark. So much for our security system.
Best wishes,
Jim
PS - That's the short version.
Pat Anderson
New member
So, I sure hope this guy still works at the factory...if not, I would hate to think about what use he could be putting this talent to in other places...
JamesTXSD":kmrzj7yw said:
Lesson learned (some time ago)
Always hide a key somewhere clever on the boat to get in for an emergency.
Only problem: You then have to remember WHERE you hid the key!
Gets more difficult with the advancing years! (Especially if you have to move the key because the wind dumped it out of it's hiding place in the canvas.)
Joe. :teeth :thup (Still trying to find one lost key from the last road trip.)
Always hide a key somewhere clever on the boat to get in for an emergency.
Only problem: You then have to remember WHERE you hid the key!
Gets more difficult with the advancing years! (Especially if you have to move the key because the wind dumped it out of it's hiding place in the canvas.)
Joe. :teeth :thup (Still trying to find one lost key from the last road trip.)
Home again. We pulled in late yesterday. Since picking up the 5th wheel, we did just under 6,000 miles; one of the better shakedown experiences with any boat/RV we've done. We'll take a few days to unload, then get Wild Blue out of storage and ready for her next cruise. The trailer needs new tires, she is due for batteries. The battery switch was on its last legs before we left, and the fresh water pump needs to be replaced.
The house did fine while we were gone. I'll go check out the boat tomorrow (no storms while we were gone, so no reason to expect any problems)... today is Joan's birthday, so besides getting stuff unloaded, I'll be adoring her all day.
My thanks to those who have been posting stories and photos - fun to see while we've been land traveling.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
The house did fine while we were gone. I'll go check out the boat tomorrow (no storms while we were gone, so no reason to expect any problems)... today is Joan's birthday, so besides getting stuff unloaded, I'll be adoring her all day.
My thanks to those who have been posting stories and photos - fun to see while we've been land traveling.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
We went to the storage place today to check on the boat and motorcycle; the bike fired right up and there is some battery life left in Wild Blue. We still have some moving in stuff to get done, so it will be a few days before we can get her out. I tried to price some tires for the trailer at Wal-Mart, but all they sell is Carlyle... not interested in those. That's one drawback of living in a small town, but I'll make a trek into the big city to get some new rubber. I checked the fresh water pump while at the boat... the one that came from the factory as a replacement had the model # on it, and a note that said, "For marine application, use... (another model #). :crook Why didn't I notice that when I put that water pump in??? No wonder it didn't last. Whoda thunk to use a marine application pump on a boat? :roll:
Oh well. Everything else looks good - the boat isn't even that dirty. Sure helps not having a hurricane blow through. 8)
Well, got to get back to work. I asked Joan if she wanted to see my birthday suit in honor of her b-day? She said, "You need to get it pressed." :twisted: *
Best wishes,
Jim B.
* no, she didn't really say that, but it makes a better story.
Oh well. Everything else looks good - the boat isn't even that dirty. Sure helps not having a hurricane blow through. 8)
Well, got to get back to work. I asked Joan if she wanted to see my birthday suit in honor of her b-day? She said, "You need to get it pressed." :twisted: *
Best wishes,
Jim B.
* no, she didn't really say that, but it makes a better story.
Hi Jim,
Do you know what kind of tires you want? I bought 5 new Marathon Goodyear radials about 18 months ago. After about 3000 miles and 3mths ago I noticed one of the had some tread coming off. The local dealer pro-rated another Marathon and I put in on as the spare.
On this last trip another of the Marathon's lost the tread. This was while I was going up a hill. I looked in the mirror and saw the entire tread and the front half of the fender go over the guard rail.
I emailed Goodyear and they may pay for the damage but that is still in process. I have also found online that many others have had problems with the Marathon tires. They just come apart unexpectedly. I think there are some posts on Thehulltruth.
Good luck with the tires.
Steve
Do you know what kind of tires you want? I bought 5 new Marathon Goodyear radials about 18 months ago. After about 3000 miles and 3mths ago I noticed one of the had some tread coming off. The local dealer pro-rated another Marathon and I put in on as the spare.
On this last trip another of the Marathon's lost the tread. This was while I was going up a hill. I looked in the mirror and saw the entire tread and the front half of the fender go over the guard rail.
I emailed Goodyear and they may pay for the damage but that is still in process. I have also found online that many others have had problems with the Marathon tires. They just come apart unexpectedly. I think there are some posts on Thehulltruth.
Good luck with the tires.
Steve
ffheap":pxeuzp0m said:
I can't bring myself to write down the number. Figure 11 mpg average. Diesel averaged out around $3.70 per gallon. You do the math. In the "old days", campgrounds used to be the pricey part... with Passport America, Escapees, and Good Sam, you can find some deals. Big Red (our GMC w/Duramax) did an outstanding job hauling that 5th wheel around, btw.
Getting to visit with our daughter, have some time in her classroom, and still have our own place: priceless. :wink:
Visiting with RV folks, they feel the fuel gouge just like boaters... many are traveling less, staying in one place longer, and driving slower... but there are still lots of 'em out there.
Jim,
To echo Steve's experience, I had problems with Goodyear Marathons on my travel trailer. In 2007 we were on a 8 month trip and two of the four Marathons developed large bulges in the sidewall at the junction with the tread. I replaced the first one with another Marathon and the second one with a Carlyle (only brand available). The Carlyle has given fine service so far (6000 mi).
To echo Steve's experience, I had problems with Goodyear Marathons on my travel trailer. In 2007 we were on a 8 month trip and two of the four Marathons developed large bulges in the sidewall at the junction with the tread. I replaced the first one with another Marathon and the second one with a Carlyle (only brand available). The Carlyle has given fine service so far (6000 mi).
I had Carlyle tires on two previous boat trailers... never got more than 8,000 miles out of a set. :? I, also, put them on because they were all that was available at the time. This time, I'm willing to drive further to get some decent tires put on.
Anyone had good luck with any other trailer tires? With the rainy weather here, it will probably be Monday before I get the boat out of storage, so I've got a couple days to hunt.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Anyone had good luck with any other trailer tires? With the rainy weather here, it will probably be Monday before I get the boat out of storage, so I've got a couple days to hunt.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Jim,
I have used Michelin light truck tires on a 3900 pound single axle boat trailer and they are probably still on there where ever it is now. They wore well rode great. My thinking (which at times has been flawed) was that it you matched the proper load rating in truck tire to the size your trailer calls for whats the difference? Going slightly bigger if you have the room for them couldn't hurt. I may be a bit obsessive but Michelins are the only vehicle tires I will buy. The thread design should be as close regular straight rib design as is available.
D.D.
I have used Michelin light truck tires on a 3900 pound single axle boat trailer and they are probably still on there where ever it is now. They wore well rode great. My thinking (which at times has been flawed) was that it you matched the proper load rating in truck tire to the size your trailer calls for whats the difference? Going slightly bigger if you have the room for them couldn't hurt. I may be a bit obsessive but Michelins are the only vehicle tires I will buy. The thread design should be as close regular straight rib design as is available.
D.D.
Hi Dave,
My understanding is the sidewall construction is different for the trailer tires (ST). On a single axle trailer, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference; on the double axle trailer, there is great side loads when turning. During our travels, we had replaced one of the original tires (Trail America) on the King Trailer with a Goodyear Marathon, and it seemed to be wearing better than the others. Other than a situation where the wrong size tire was put on the spare, we have gotten over 20,000 miles on these tires. I'm pleased with that for trailer tires.
I've looked around for a heavier load range that the C that came on the trailer (LT205/75R/15); no success with that, yet.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
My understanding is the sidewall construction is different for the trailer tires (ST). On a single axle trailer, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference; on the double axle trailer, there is great side loads when turning. During our travels, we had replaced one of the original tires (Trail America) on the King Trailer with a Goodyear Marathon, and it seemed to be wearing better than the others. Other than a situation where the wrong size tire was put on the spare, we have gotten over 20,000 miles on these tires. I'm pleased with that for trailer tires.
I've looked around for a heavier load range that the C that came on the trailer (LT205/75R/15); no success with that, yet.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Jim,
I belong to a travel trailer forum (single axle) and there was so much adverse discussion about the Marathon tires that the webmaster set up a separate forum title just to address tire problems. The problems were not with wear but tread separation or bulges in the tire with no regard to mileage or age. Carlyles which used to be standard equipment on our brand of travel trailer has gotten even worse reports.
Many of us have gone to Kuhmo commercial truck D rated tires. No bad reports yet on them. I'm not sure if they are made in a 15 inch size however. Our trailers come with 14 inch wheels. Surely someone makes a D rated 15 inch tire.
Good luck and keep the posts coming. Happy birthday to Joan.
Harper
I belong to a travel trailer forum (single axle) and there was so much adverse discussion about the Marathon tires that the webmaster set up a separate forum title just to address tire problems. The problems were not with wear but tread separation or bulges in the tire with no regard to mileage or age. Carlyles which used to be standard equipment on our brand of travel trailer has gotten even worse reports.
Many of us have gone to Kuhmo commercial truck D rated tires. No bad reports yet on them. I'm not sure if they are made in a 15 inch size however. Our trailers come with 14 inch wheels. Surely someone makes a D rated 15 inch tire.
Good luck and keep the posts coming. Happy birthday to Joan.
Harper
Jim,
My husband just did a lot of research on this subject. I'm not sure what size you are looking for - but he settled on Titan Tires which he purchased thru Cabella's. Search Titan tires on their website www.cabelas.com - they are offering free shipping on orders over $150 if placed before 10/20/08.
Happy Birthday Joan!
Moria
My husband just did a lot of research on this subject. I'm not sure what size you are looking for - but he settled on Titan Tires which he purchased thru Cabella's. Search Titan tires on their website www.cabelas.com - they are offering free shipping on orders over $150 if placed before 10/20/08.
Happy Birthday Joan!
Moria
I had heard a lot of glowing reports on Marathon tires, both on this forum and on others, but I had a tread failure recently on my trailer for the 16' cruiser. It might have been three years old, but not really many thousands of miles traveled on it. The tread separated internally, causing the tread to wander from side to side while underway. You couldn't see it just sitting there, but if you followed behind it was obvious something was wrong. After another motorist got my attention I watched it in my rearview mirror and sure enough it was wandering from side to side. I put the spare marathon on but now the spare is a schwab.
Sam Walker
New member
Geeez, could this really be true? :disgust 100,506 views of the Adventures of Wild Blue? If'n it is, Jim, Joan and Molly might be the gol durndest biggest celebrities in these here perts. :smiled Happy B-day to Joan a day late. :thup