hayseed

Thank you. Just the info I was looking for. Think I'll go uncovered this year and find out.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Our camper is a 08 fifth-wheel 26 foot. I will have access to it for the winter to clean off excess snow load and plan to do so if we get dumped on. My thoughts were like yours Leech, covering with a tarp seems like the potential problems are greater than leaving it uncovered. Fishingstar, if I may ask, what kinds of maintenance items are you seeing since not covering? I worry most about those chintzy plastic skylights. Thanks again for the advice.

This will be my first winter owning a camper and I now have it winterized preparing for storage. I'm looking for recommendations as to covering the camper. I have never seen any dealer who cover their units for storage and when asked the question most will tell me that finding inside storage is always better, but not really necessary. Inside storage is not really an option for me and not time to build something this year, so can anyone tell me of problems they have experienced because they didn't cover up? Thanks.

If your not in a big hurry here is something that has worked for me. Use either a heavy hammer or sledge hammer and wedges. Splitting wedges work best. Not the round ones though. Since Ash is usually a straight grain wood it's known to split rather easy. So if you work a couple or three wedges in from the side they will split before the wedges disappear in the wood. Avoid splitting where there are large branches or knots and you should be able to get them down to manageable size. Here is one way.

My 6.5x12 took less than a quart with two coats. That was brushed on because it was after the house was built. So I was unable to get the top part of the frame.

Originally there was a fee for the course. Unknown if there will be a fee once the law is finalized. Looks to me like the course will be free as well, but that's my interpretation and I'm no lawyer. The penalty don't take effect until 2017 under wording currently in SF 0669 and HF 1065. Penalty fines are also in the new wording. If wanted I can post that as well. Here's a link to the language: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.ph...ssion_year=2015

I'm a little late to this party, but I need to clarify so items of contention. DO NOT TAKE THIS Message AS SUPPORT OF THIS LAW. There are two bills for repeal of the AIS Law in each the House and Senate. HF 0050, HF 0184, SF 0085, SF 0235. There are companion bills in each house to modify language. HF 1065 and SF 0669. The last two have been subject to language changes since introduction and here are some of the changes as of today. Aquatic invasive species trailer decal. The commissioner shall issue, at no cost to the person, an aquatic invasive species trailer decal for each trailer owned by a person that satisfactorily completes the required course of instruction. (a) Beginning January 1, 2016, a person may not transport launch watercraft or water-related equipment, as defined under section 84D.01, subdivision 18a, into waters of the state, as defined in section 84D.01, subdivision 20, with a trailer unless the person has an aquatic invasive species trailer decal or training validation issued under this section. Temporary authorizations valid for seven 14 days can be requested by persons that have not completed the required course of instruction. (e) Violation of this section shall not result in a penalty, but is punishable only by a warning. Unless otherwise provided by law, a person is exempt from the training and decal requirements under this section if the person: (1) holds a valid service provider permit under section 84D.108; or (2) is using a trailer to launch water-related equipment that has been seasonally stored on riparian property owned by the person and that is being directly returned to the same water body from which the water-related equipment was removed. A person launching water-related equipment into waters of the state who fails to display an aquatic invasive species trailer decal or training validation in violation of this section is subject to the penalty under section 84D.13, subdivision 5, paragraph (a), clause (8), except for any violations prior to January 1, 2017, which are punishable only by a warning. I tried to highlight all the appropriate changes, but in case I missed some, I would encourage everyone to go to the legislative HSOforum and read the bills. Then contact your legislator to express your opinion. One more I missed. Penalty. A person launching water-related equipment into waters of the state who fails to display an aquatic invasive species trailer decal or training validation in violation of this section is subject to the penalty under section 84D.13, subdivision 5, paragraph (a), clause (8), except for any violations prior to January 1, 2017, which are punishable only by a warning.

Another vote here for either the galvanize or POR 15 treatment. Have used the POR 15 and am amazed with the results.

I used to have lots of problems with rabbits, but two years ago we had a family of grey foxes move in and the rabbits bit the dust. Now unfortunately it looks like the mange might have wiped out the foxes and rabbits likely will come back. So far no rabbits this winter.

They are dirt all the way down to a weed barrier layer on the bottom. I filled approx. half full with some fill soil I had around the yard and the upper half is garden soil with compost. Sure has been a back saver for us. For the flower bed you have to have some hardy perennials or just annuals, but it sure makes weeding a whole lot simpler.

Here are my other raised beds. One for vegies and the small one my strawberries.

I have three raised bed gardens and this year I will build another one. The first is 10'x3'x3' and made out of cedar decking. I have one brace in the middle and filled with a lighter garden soil. It's the wife's flower garden and has held up well. The second is 10'x2'x30" built out of 1"X8" cedar boards. Again with one cross brace. Also has wintered well. This one is for vegetables. Last a smaller one for my strawberries. I'll try to put some pics here, but I'm not very good at it.

If you go fishing on the 1st of March or later, you need a 2015 license and any stamps that you need. So yes you need two licenses to fish an entire season.

I have the latest Navionics Premium Hotmaps North and I've found it to be highly inaccurate on at least three lakes in my area that are supposed to be in HD. Don't know about lake maps in the area your seeking. Should be listed on the lake list on their HSOforum. Sunken structure is off by as much as 1/8 of a mile and sometimes not even shown. Structure I know to be in certain places don't even show on my GPS with the Nav. With all the rocks in the lakes around here, I would like to have a bit of warning when a five foot reef is near. In all fairness I still need to compare them to each other. It could be the GPS unit in my Elite five which is the problem. I end up relying mostly on my Lakemaster 2009 chip in my H2O.

That's so true amateur. Unfortunately it's infiltrating all parts of social interaction and not just fishing. Not the same world I grew up in.

Thanks very much. The numbers help a lot. Was a bit confused on what they mean on the Foam Factory site. This cheap carp I have has got to go.

I see a bad review coming.

Thanks for the input. I'll check out the Foam Factory. Do any of you have a recommendation for thickness? Would think I would want more than four inch. I'm not a little fellow either.

I have a question for all you wheel house builders. How did you construct your fold up bunks? Currently my fold up beds are on a two by four frame with 1/2 inch chipboard and four inch foam pad. A couple hours is about all we can handle without back problems, so just wondering if someone else has a better method four the base of the frame. I need them to fold up due to space limitations. Thanks for any suggestions.

I have had reason to contact them three times in the last two months, one phone call and two emails. The phone was answered the fourth ring and the emails within a day. Don't know what I did right. All problems resolved.

I bought a Swift Hitch last spring because I got tired of jumping in and out to check alignment. Not so important with a lighter trailer, but tongue weight of my wheel house made it necessary. It's a bit spendy, but works very well. The only drawback is the size of the screen. Would be great if the it was a bit bigger to suit my aged eyesight. http://www.amazon.com/Swift-Portable-Wir...wift+hitch+sh01

Build a Smitty sled for when you don't need the ski's.

I bought a couple this year as well and even though I have not thoroughly tested them, I'm not impressed. Any slack in the line and it seems they throw a loop. All new line also. I will continue to use my Tica's as primaries.

I can only help with a couple of your questions. #1 Depends on the number of people. My 6.5 wide is good enough for the wife and I, but more would be crowded. #4 My 6.5X14 tows great with a Dakota. #5 If you purchase a trailer here are some things I found out from my purchase after the house was built . Check the underside to make sure all the joints are welded. Some of mine were missed and it's a pain to weld them after the fact. Be aware of the paint job. Mine was horribly bad with lots of missed spots. I ended up under the house for too much of the summer repainting with POR 15. I also replaced all my cables with Stainless steel when I found out the builder apparently knew nothing about cable connections. Good Luck.

I agree with those who recommend spending the extra for quality. L&M has a Tony Roach power rod with Eagle Claw inline on sale for $35.00, so yesterday bought one and found the reel seat is off set from the guides. Plus cheap line guides. It's going back. One would think "pros" would be careful what they put their name to. Guess I'll continue to build my own.