Micro Minnie Thread - Page 17

SonofBert · 06-24-2020, 01:43 PM

Wire loomed the brake wires today. Every single one was touching metal somewhere, not good. I've seen that on every trailer I've owned.

Did not know this trailer has brakes on all four wheels, I think my 2017 1706fb had brakes on only two wheels.

Loc-Tited (low strength) the spare tire. Been looking into a varnish for the cabinetry. I found with the 2017 that had the same light-colored cabinetry grease splatter and dirty finger marks went into the wood, very noticeable and difficult to get rid of. Not noticeable with dark cabinets, moreso with this light-colored cabinetry.

I think I'll try a gloss water-based polyurethane, this video shows satin water-based doesn't darken the wood much, oil-based darkens the wood more. Water-based dries faster, less stench.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeDnntdX56A

Goodspike · 06-24-2020, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonofBert

Did not know this trailer has brakes on all four wheels, I think my 2017 1706fb had brakes on only two wheels.

I'd be interested in thoughts of which is better, two or four wheels. I can see advantages to each.

With four wheels you'd need less brake action on each wheel, meaning less likely to get into a skid situation (assuming proper gain adjustment) and more braking power, but with two wheels you'd have one axle which clearly wouldn't be skidding due to brake action no matter what.

SonofBert · 06-24-2020, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodspike

I forget the model or brand, but one trailer I looked at only had under 700 pounds of available capacity. And given that available capacity doesn't include the batteries or propane, that really leaves very little available capacity.

Two axles is a good thing.

Goodspike · 06-24-2020, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonofBert

Two axles is a good thing.

Yes, but it's not just the axles, it's also the frame. I'm not so sure that the one I described wasn't a tandem axle trailer. There was a Sonic tandem axle trailer that only had a GVWR of about 5,700.

SonofBert · 06-25-2020, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodspike

I'd be interested in thoughts of which is better, two or four wheels. I can see advantages to each.

With four wheels you'd need less brake action on each wheel, meaning less likely to get into a skid situation (assuming proper gain adjustment) and more braking power, but with two wheels you'd have one axle which clearly wouldn't be skidding due to brake action no matter what.

Hmmm, good question. I'm imagining descending a steep muddy road, applying the trailer brakes, all four wheels lockup . . . .

I don't know if it would be better if only two wheels locked up.

Goodspike · 06-25-2020, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonofBert

I don't know if it would be better if only two wheels locked up.

My thought was the trailer would be more likely to stay straight if two wheels were not skidding. But again, the other two wheels would require more force to have the same amount of braking, so more likely to skid.

SonofBert · 06-26-2020, 02:23 PM

I do love the white maple woodwork in this 1706fb. I'm happy Winnebago didn't stain it to a darker color, the white maple is one of the nice features. However, it's just unfinished wood.

I've found that it needs a varnish to prevent staining, so after some research I bought this https://www.acehardware.com/departme...arnish/1001262

Did a test patch today inside one of the cabinets, this will work nice! Water-based so it doesn't darken the wood at all, provides a nice smooth protective coating to the maple.

One coat dried in two hours, no stench like oil-based, I can feel the difference between the bare wood and the varnished. Nice smooth protected wood, I'm looking forward to varnishing all of the interior.

I bought the gloss, but semi-gloss, satin, flat is available.

SonofBert · 06-28-2020, 02:16 PM

Varnished the white maple woodwork with this https://www.acehardware.com/departme...keyword=611504

Very pleased with the result. I knew from owning a 2017 with white maple woodwork without varnish the bare wood was susceptible to stains from dirty fingers, grease splatter, shoe scuffs.

I don't have pics because you can't tell with the eye that it's been varnished. Water-based polyurethane doesn't darken the original color, the only way you can tell is by feeling the smooth coating compared to raw wood.

Actually difficult to see when I was brushing it on if I was getting proper coverage since there is no change in appearance. Just brush it on and a second coat will cover any missed areas.

Dries in two hours with no stench and darkening like oil-based polyurethane. The second and third coats I concentrated on the high-use areas like the drawers and cabinets, floor areas where shoes will scuff, around the stove.

The light-colored woodwork is one of the things I like about this trailer and I wanted to protect it this time.

Fleatech · 07-08-2020, 08:25 PM

Has anyone tried putting mud flaps on their micro minnies?

Bigbird65 · 07-08-2020, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleatech

Has anyone tried putting mud flaps on their micro minnies?

Why would you?

Fleatech · 07-08-2020, 08:41 PM

Rocks kicking up on underside and bumper

Bigbird65 · 07-09-2020, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleatech

Rocks kicking up on underside and bumper

Never had a problem with that. In six years of camping with two different Minnies, a 2101DS and a 2250DS, I have never seen mud flaps on a travel trailer. Add them, you might start a new trend.

Goodspike · 07-09-2020, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigbird65

Never had a problem with that. In six years of camping with two different Minnies, a 2101DS and a 2250DS, I have never seen mud flaps on a travel trailer. Add them, you might start a new trend.

If the right types of flaps it could help with spray of water for drivers behind, but you're right I've never seen them on a trailer--but semi-trailer have them regularly.

As to rocks kicking up I doubt that's much of a concern given the tires are not powered.

nOOb hauler · 07-12-2020, 09:08 PM

Hi all,

New owner of a 2021 1808FBS here. Glad to have found this site with lots of good information.

Anyway, on tow vehicles. Towed my Micro home with a 2005 Dodge Dakota (V8). After completing the 260 mile trip, found that my transmission fluid smelled like burnt rubber. Now have a 2019 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi. Tows much easier.

Bigbird65 · 07-13-2020, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nOOb hauler

Hi all,

New owner of a 2021 1808FBS here. Glad to have found this site with lots of good information.

Anyway, on tow vehicles. Towed my Micro home with a 2005 Dodge Dakota (V8). After completing the 260 mile trip, found that my transmission fluid smelled like burnt rubber. Now have a 2019 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi. Tows much easier.

Congratulations on the new 1808FBS and the RAM 1500. We tow a 2250DS with a RAM 1500 and love it
By the way, here is another very good Winnebago website. https://www.facebook.com/groups/425391114324531/

fmouse · 07-15-2020, 06:59 PM

We have a 2017 Micro Minnie 1700BH. It has a fresh water holding tank, somewhere. The entire underside of the trailer is covered with fabric or similar material, so I can't see what's there, but a little sleuthing indicates that the tank is probably above or just forward of the single axle.

The question I have is how do I drain this tank? There's a tube hanging down through the fabric on the starboard side with a valve on it, just forward of the axle. There was water in the tank, and I managed to get this valve open, with some difficulty, but nothing came out. When I tried to close the valve, it broke. I managed to get it closed with channel-locks; however, I don't know what this tube and valve are for. Any advice? Any clue on the spec for the valve, which will have to be replaced? And where, oh where, is the drain for the fresh water tank??? I've read posts about red and blue tubes with valves draining low points in this tank, but don't see any.

We ended up just running the pump until the tank ran dry, but this puts unnecessary wear on the pump, and I'm sure this isn't recommended way of draining the tank, which will have to be done FULLY and properly before winter comes here.

Any help or advice will be appreciated.

GaryS · 07-15-2020, 07:47 PM

Yep, the white valve hanging from that tube is the fresh water drain. It will have to be turned 180* to drain.

fmouse · 07-15-2020, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryS

Yep, the white valve hanging from that tube is the fresh water drain. It will have to be turned 180* to drain.

Thanks. I'm used to valves that only need a 90º turn. This is a commonly available type of valve, and I've already ordered a replacement. My wife did a bit of research and discovered that it's common for this valve to seize up.

GaryS · 07-15-2020, 08:49 PM

Hmmm, I think you're right, it should be only 90*. I've owned several RVs though and I have never had the fresh water drain valve seize.

Blubugger · 07-16-2020, 08:28 AM

If the 1700 are similar to our 2106ds, the low-point drain valves for the entire system are back in the rear [ours are on the passenger side]. I would think the 1700 drain valves would be hidden under the pantry cabinet in between the shower and the stove.
It always amazes me that Winnebago doesnt document these travel trailers and lets us find by trial and error where everything is located.
One point though: with the pump off, and the fresh water tank with some water in it, open that valve you mentioned [assuming you have replaced it] now open any of the sink/shower faucets. Does water drain out then? It may be that any negative backpressure in the fresh water tank is holding the water back. The valve and tubing you described on your 1700 appears to be very similar to our drain valve on the 2106. I cannot imagine any other reason why water wouldnt drain out. But we have seen this same 9ndication in our trailer.
Good travels! [Once the C-19 is over!!