"I have been reading posts over at sunnybrooktalk.com. Just like RV.net, very active and filled with loyal owners of Sunnybrook products. New Horizons needs one, too. The monthly newsletter just is not the same.

"I want to read about NH trailers, about the owners, their trips, their options, whatever."

David has a very good point. The periodic (mostly monthly) Exchange doesn't allow for the responsiveness and interaction that is really needed among the owners as well as wanabes with questions. Rather than sending the material for posting in the Exchange, it can be directly entered at the NHOG Forum. Answers to questions and concerns can be handled much more rapidly.

So with that as a preamble, I have created the New Horizons Owners Forum at: http://p3.forumforfree.com/newhorizonsowne.html

Head over to the NHOG Forum and post your question about your rig or some other aspect RV traveling. Alternatively, post an article to share your solution for some of those vexing problems we experience as we live in our rigs and travel the country.

What goes into the Exchange?

Now that the NHOG Forum has been established, what would be included in the Exchange? That's a very good question. Since the same material can be included at the Forum, how can the Exchange complement the Forum. Any idea would be appreciated.

Finally, nothing appears in the Exchange -- or the NHOG Forum --without your input. Also, input is not limited to New Horizons owners.

Within the Exchange, all New Horizons owner names appear in bold face.

Sharing RedNeck Air Ride Experience

by: Larry Space

I have a 2002 NH manufactured 5^th wheel with air ride from Redneck Trailer Supply.  My system was supplied with two air valves for independent control of each side of the trailer.  To set the air bags properly, knowledge of the weight on each side of the trailer was required but unfortunately not easily available.  My valves leaked and were replaced to no avail.  It got to the point where the compressor was running every 5 minutes.  A definite pain. 

The documentation for the air suspension called for a single height control valve(HCV) but it was not installed, apparently because RedNeck said it wasn’t needed.  A height control valve keeps the air bag at a constant height by adding and dumping air as required.  This means when weight is added to the trailer, the HCV adds air to the bags to keep them at the same height.  Using a single valve means that if there is a significant weight difference between the sides, the trailer will not be level side to side.  A better solution is to use a HCV on each side set to the same height.  My air bags are Goodyear 202’s and according to my conversations with the manufacturer, these bags have a design height of 8-9 inches and they recommended 8 inches for my trailer.  This distance is measured between the Redneck plates, in other words, the bag height itself.

After awhile, the frustration of leaky valves overcame my pocketbook and I had two height control valves installed for around $750-$800.  The valves were installed with lines that allow me to dump all the air out of the bags when I am going to be parked for a few days.  I also added air lines that would allow me to keep different amounts of air pressure between the sides in an attempt to be able to level it side to side.  Unfortunately the compressor system would have to have a much higher working pressure to attempt any leveling.  The trailer is simply too heavy for side to side leveling using the current maximum air tank pressure.  

The bottom line, I absolutely love having HCV’s.  Although the system still leaks a little, the compressor only runs once in 8-12 hours when stationary.  Best of all, I don’t need to know the weight of the trailer nor the side to side differential and I don’t have to manually put any air in the bags.  When I hitch up, if I need to inflate the air bags, I just open the valves and walk away.  I have been using this system for more than two years with no problems.  Would I get air ride again?  You bet, now that I have it the way I want it.

Rally 2005 Expenses