Escapees January-February 2023

mark, my words

Towing Q. We bought a used 28-ft. bumper-pull Cherokee camper. We were told that our half-ton truck would pull it just fi ne. When we hook the camper up to the truck, the bed of the truck really goes down and, with the hilly roads in our area, we’re wondering if we need a larg er truck to pull it. Your thoughts? Linda A. Since this is kind of a two-part question, let’s cover the ratings part fi rst. Whether or not the truck is adequate for your trailer really depends on the weight of the trailer you want to tow. Your half-ton truck has both a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). It is not safe to exceed either of these ratings. The only way to be certain that you are within those ratings is to weigh both the truck and the trailer on a public scale. The GVWR is the maximum that the truck alone can weigh, including the hitch weight of the trailer, passengers, cargo, and fuel. The GCWR is the maximum that the fully loaded truck and the trailer together can weigh. Now, even if your truck is rated to tow the trailer you have, you may also need a weight-distributing hitch to safely tow your RV. These hitches are designed to distribute the tongue weight of a trailer evenly to all 4 wheels of the tow vehicle. This allows the tow vehicle to remain level, rather than sag signi fi cantly in the rear. If you do not have such a hitch on your trailer, you should consider having one added, as it is unsafe to have the truck operating with the front end in the air! If you already have such a hitch, it should be adjusted tightly enough to allow the tow vehicle to remain level when the trailer is hitched up. The manufacturer’s manual for the hitch will tell you how to to set the tension and properly adjust the hitch and adjust the hitch.

Delamination Q. I recently noticed what appears to be a small area of delamination high and forward of the slide on the driver side of my Jayco Greyhawk class-C. If the leak is stopped, can I assume that, by having the roof resealed and no further leakage occurs, no further structural damage will happen? Frank A. You know what the word “assume” means, right? First, make absolutely sure that any leaks have been eliminated. Then, my advice is to watch that area closely for any signs that it is growing in size. If it is, you may need to have it evaluated by either the manufacturer or by a shop that specializes in sidewall repairs. Often, when a water leak causes a delamination, the damage may be more signi fi cant than it fi rst appears. If there is any moisture still in the wall, it can continue to spread. If it does not grow, and the delamination is not causing any problems and is just a cosmetic issue, you can probably not worry about it. A. Most RV toilets have a water inlet valve that is operated by a lever or linkage that is attached to the pedal. If that linkage comes loose, it may behave exactly as you describe. It is also possible that a small bit of debris is stuck in the valve, preventing it from closing. This may have happened when you blew the lines out. In most cases you will have to pull the toilet to access the valve and its actuating mechanism. The good news is that parts are readily available for most toilets, and it is a fairly straightforward job to repair them. If in doubt, replace the valve. They are inexpensive, and as long as you have the toilet out, it’s a good time to do it. Toilet Valve Won’t Close Q. We have just returned from a three-week trip to Alabama and back to Sioux Falls. After blowing the water out of the lines on our 2010 Sierra, I hooked the pump up to suck RTV antifreeze and distribute throughout the camper. To my surprise/horror, the pedal-operated toilet kept running. I fi lled the bowl with antifreeze and repeated operating of the pedal, and it would not stop it from fi lling. Where should I start looking? Corby

Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FORMARK? Submissions must not contain commercial advertising or consumer advocacy issues. Due to the large volume of material and correspondence submitted, we may be unable to reply or acknowledge receipt of your material. Material will be edited. Questions and answers with the highest general interest may be repeated in subsequent issues. Questions can be sent by mail to “Mark, My Words” Column, 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351-9300 or to techquestions@escapees.com.

January/February 2023 ESCAPEES Magazine 7