DanD

Does anyone here have a pontoon boat or fished out of one? I’ve been thinking about maybe getting one, in or around the 20-24 foot range. What are the pros and cons of towing, navigating and fishing from/on them? The idea of all the room is what sparks my interest. There’s a bunch out there used, in around the 6-8 grand; but they all seem underpowered; with 25 – 40 hp motors? Do they not need as big a motor to get them moving? Dan.

It's an ammonia fridge that uses a small propane heating element, to create a high pressure side and cause the ammonia to flow through the evaperator. Check that the fridge's venting to the outside is not restricted. You could also check the heating element that it's not burnt through allowing a bigger flame then it should have. That old 72 that I had, would freeze everything inside it; until I installed a ball valve and could turn down the propane going to the heating element. It was fussy as all get out to get it set; but once set it worked pretty good. Dan.

Most times while driving/towing, you won't feel that a bearing is about to fail until it does. If you're not into pulling them apart to check; at least lift the wheels off the ground and give them a good hard spin. If you hear any squeaking or growling or excessive play from the hub; you'd best pull them apart and see who's asking for attention. Dan.

Just some things that have come to mind, while following this thread. With the age of this trailer, I would be doing a complete inspection of the propane system. Mix up some dish wash soap and water in a spray bottle; open every window/vent in the trailer; turn the propane on and spray every connection that you can find; if there's a leak the bubbles will show you. The rubber hose between the propane tank and hard lines of the trailer; check it for any weather checking or rot. Light the cook stove, the flame should be a bluish white. If the flame is orange with some soot; there's ether dirty air bleeds in the tubes between the propane nozzles and the burners; spiders love to make nests in there. Or the propane regulator (again due to its age) might be allowing to much pressure into the system. If only for piece of mind, I would replace the regulator and hose; cheap insurance that nothing going to happen. Before you decide to tow this thing anywhere, find out when the wheel bearings were last serviced. If its been a couple of years or your friend doesn't remember; pull them, wash, inspect or replace. If you are going to start towing; CAA Plus with an RV package, will tow the tow vehicle and the trailer, if there's break down. It saved the beginning of a weeks camping for us. Transmission blew on the Chevy about half way to where we were going. Called CAA they hook onto the car with one truck and the trailer with another. Me and the car went to my shop; the trailer went on to the camp grounds with the family. On the way to the shop, I called the wrecking yard and asked them to deliver a transmission. Get to the shop, swap out the trans and I was at the camp grounds that night for supper. LOL Dan.

There's no worries, if Ron's doing the repairs; the Banks boys are good people. I deal with Dave Banks, (Ron's brother) on a regular basis;in the automotive side if things. If they say they can do something for you, it'll be done and done properly. There might be some waiting time to get this job done, he's one very busy man; which should tell you something right there. Dan

There is a launch at the Long Point Provencal park, not far past the entrance gate; the fee is included with your park pass. I don't think you'll find a beach bay side; it's mostly marsh. There are slips at the launch, that are first come first served; but I wouldn't leave the boat unsupervised or things will likely grow legs. Not sure but I don't think there is accessible electrics at these slips. The last time we camped and fished out of the park; we'd ramp the boat and brought it back to our site. It's not like you have to secure everything for the 2 minute ride to the camp site. If you're wanting to go for opener, you better get on the phone and try and reserve a site; the place fills up in a hurry. Dan.

Something like what's pictured, might be a compromise; that would bring the structural integrity back to the transom? I wouldn't want a marina begrudgingly replacing my transom. Any decent metal fabricating shop, could custom make one; out of aluminum or stainless. Dan.

To transfer the ownership, go to any licensing office. Due to the trailer's age, not sure what they'll base the taxes on? They (license office) may have a pricing schedule for trailers, like they do for vehicles; if so they'll tax you on whatever amount is higher; their schedule; or your recite. If you payed cash and the previous owner is game; who knows what that recite might read? Highway liability insurance for the trailer, should piggyback onto the tow vehicle's insurance; but check with your broker. Contents insurance should be covered by your house insurance; but again check with your broker. Our 36 foot park model trailer, had to have its own policy, due to it supposedly being classed as a "second/weekend home"; the trailer park insisted? Dan

That Holiday was a 17 footer, built like a tank and weighed about as much as one. LOL Dan.

So when you selling it? I think huzzsada might be in the market for one? Just joking around. LOL You and the family will love it. My kids use to have sleep overs with their friends in our trailer, when it was parked at home. That old 72 Holiday trailer got a lot of use. Dan.

If you're undecided, as to whether your family would get the use out of a trailer or even like camping in one; try renting for a couple of weekends this summer. If trailer camping suits your families needs; start looking for one at the end of the season. That's when a lot of people start thinking of selling; before they have to store it for the winter? Dan.

Bug & rain gear; especially the bug gear, for those early morning visits to the outdoor loo; for a waist manage meeting. It's bad enough that your butt gets bitten; but at least you can keep the skeeters off 90% of your body. Takes the guessing out of; do I swat them away from my face, or wipe my butt and get the heck out of here. LOL Dan.

X2 Anyone that has owned a boat, eventually realizes that the word boat is actually an acronym for Break Out Another Thousand. Dan

We had blood tests done on our two dogs this spring and Rosco's test came back positive for Lyme disease; he's on meds for it now. There were no symptoms at all and we wouldn't have known, if it were not for the tests. Our vet says that he's a young strong dog; the disease was caught in its early stages and thinks that Rosco should have a full recovery? Even now after being on the meds for about 2 weeks; he's still the same happy go lucky 90lb Basette/Rottweiler he's always been. Dan.

Tire sizes vary on trailers, almost as much as they do on vehicles. It all depends on what load the trailer was designed to carry and what the manufacturer decided to put on the trailer. Call your neighbor and confirm the size. Dan.

I know you said there wasn't any smoke Lew; but I can't get this image out of my head. Lew's neighbor's view as he's trimming his yard. LOL Sorry I couldn't help myself after seeing this picture. Dan.

Thinking about what Cliff just said made me think about smoke, that was likely come from the trimmer. I bet the skeeters weren't bad, while you were doing the trimming. LOL Dan.

That small amount of mixed fuel, won't hurt your truck at all. Go a head and pour it in the next time you fill up the truck. As for the trimmer, I wouldn't worry to much about it. If you were to constantly use 4 stroke oil, you'd gum the thing up pretty bad; but a 20 minute run isn't a big deal. Maybe dump in a bit of sea foam with your next mix of fuel; that'll clean things up, if there is any deposit that started to form. Dan.

They're having another look at this property today; so he'll be able to find out who the manufacturer and hopefully the installer is? Thanks for the replies. Dan.

Sounds good Thanks. Dan.

Well I guess that's why this house has two gas (propane) fire places and a rec-room wood/gas stove combination??? If I know my daughter in-law 50 aint gonna do it!!!! LOL Like I said above, reading the propaganda from the manufacturers, none has said anything about supplemental heat; that they'll likely need here in our winters. That's why I came here too ask; true to life experiences. Thanks; but keep the replies coming; may give my son some bartering power? He/they both really like this place. Don't know the square footage of the house; but it's a 5 bedroom, 3 bath ranch, with a 25' X 30' attached garage. The bonus of a 30' X 50' 2 story work shop; the shop is heated and plumbed, the second story is completely finished and a man cave dream. Dan.

From the propaganda I've read, most are saying one unit of energy consumed by the geothermal system, it returns 4-5 units of cooling or heating; compared to a conventional HVAC system? Our concern is, if the system in the house is a "good" system; what are the cost of up keep? If the geo system craps out, his heating would be fired by propane or electricity, after the house was converted too. I guess that's my question; how reliable are these systems? Dan.

My son is looking at buying a house that has a geothermal HVAC system installed. Not exactly sure how old the system is; but less then a decade. Does anyone here have some experience with geothermal closed loop systems? From the reading I've done on the system that I believe is installed there (don't know the manufacturer); it uses a well (not your water supply water well) and a grid of pipes that circulates the same water from the well, through the grid, to some form of ex-changer in the house and then back to the well? What are the downfalls with these systems??? What needs to be checked when inspecting the system? Is there anyone here that could recommend a company, too do a proper inspection? I doubt a regular home inspector would have competency, with these systems. Dan.

Go and talk to him; don't sit a stew about it or write a letter; face too face and go from there. I know you said you've tried once already; but keep trying. The way it sounds to me, he likely feels intimidate by you and that's why the wife gets the joy of talking with him. Find a way to have a sit down conversation with this guy; ask him out right, why the different vehicles are a concern too him, why he feels it's OK to come into your yard, when you're not there. You might be surprised to find that he is a nice guy; but has no social skills with strangers? Dan.