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RE: Sea eagle boats
We use a 14' Sea Eagle Sport Boat to fish big water in Alaska. We fish silver salmon in Valdez harbor, the arm and out to Prince William Sound. We have downriggers, a 20hp Yamaha and all the gear needed to fish up to 18 miles from our launch point in 3' swells and moderate chop. An absolute great boat. We've used it 5 seasons in Alaska and our only changes was to upgrade to the 20hp and switch from manual to electric downriggers. We've never had a leak or a problem with the boat despite landing it on gravel and rocks. We keep the boat and a Sietech S12068 dolly we've modified with high speed wheels and axles in the RV basement and can trailer it to wherever we need to launch it from the toad. Sea Eagle has their headquarters in NY and they have all sorts of boats you can view and/or purchase there. Since we live in DE (no sales tax) and Sea Eagle runs "free shipping" promotions, we picked out the boat in NY and had them send it.
Best inflatable value we've found, and we looked a LOT before we bought.
John
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JUrban
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05/22/12 07:02pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Pilot/Flying J Discounts
We did over 6000 miles this winter snowbirding in the southwest, but we were ALWAYS able to easily beat the Flying J diesel price. In most cases, we could beat them by 12-15 cents a gallon and that spread went to 22 cents in the southeast. If you have the Flying J RV card, supposed to be available in each FJ but it took me 2 years to find one, they'll give you the 3 cents off the cash price, but the above prices we saved reflected that. We are seeing them backing off a BIT in some areas, but only to the 12-15 cents higher level.
The night before we'll need fuel I get on Gas Buddy and start checking prices, and buy accordingly. In moat cases a Murphy connected to a Wal Mart will give the best price and also a 3 cent discount if you use a Wal Mart gift card. Pulling the toad, we're 68' long and have never had to unhook when filling at a Murphy, although with their low prices they can be busy. When checking fuel prices on Gas Buddy, I use Google Earth to plan my way into and out of any station I select to fuel at the next day.
The FJ credit card gives more of a break on price, but it is also a joke as it severely limits the amount of fuel you can buy each month and get the discount. Also, although I haven't been able to prove or disprove it, I understand that they have in their card agreement that you are responsible for any fraudulent use of the card to any amount. All my other cards limit this liability to $50. Check this one closely if you decide to go the FJ way.
FJ used to be a great place to fuel, but since the bankruptcy and sale to Pilot that's gone into the toilet. You can just about ALWAYS do better.
John
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JUrban
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05/22/12 05:42pm |
Good Sam Club
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RE: Headlight restoration project
I used toothpaste work good.Yep. By the way, toothpaste is also great for polishing silver jewelry. A toothbrush gets it into the nooks and crannies and gets the residual polish out easily when you're done.
John
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JUrban
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05/18/12 06:14pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: A&E Door Awning Motor
I had the door awning motor freeze up due to water getting into it. Getting the motor out did not require any drilling out of rivets. It was a question of disassembly with a nut driver and screwdriver, cleaning the shaft and shaft sleeve bearings with a piece of emery cloth, and reassembly. Hardest part was finding the cause of the leak and getting it sealed. About a 3 hour job going VERY cautiously. System has worked for 50,000 miles since repair.
John
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JUrban
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05/16/12 04:03pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: fire extinguisher - fact or myth?
Commercial establishments are required to check each dry powder extinguisher once a month. The check is to check the gauge for proper pressure, the safety pin is installed and correctly safetied, the nozzle is clear of obstructions (mud daubers, spiders, etc.), the powder free and thoroughly agitated and the overall condition of the extinguisher undamaged. This holds true for one time use units or rechargeable. Although hitting them with a rubber mallet makes agitating easier, you can use the heel of your hand or even apiece of wood. An extinguisher in an RV is more likely to pack the powder due to the road vibrations it sees.
I'm a retired Registered Safety Engineer. Doing the above MONTHLY saved my RV 18 months ago when we had an oily rag drop down on a hot exhaust. Flames 3' high inside and outside of the rear cap when I got to the back of the rig. Hit it with the extinguisher and it was out in about 3 seconds. NOT EVEN A SCORCH MARK ON THE PAINT. Needless to say, The extinguisher was refilled at our next stop. These things work if you take care of them.
John
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JUrban
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05/16/12 03:52pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: best route from ct to de?
Don't know about the Tappenzee, but if you elect to use the Delaware Memorial bridge between Jersey and Delaware, check your toll receipt closely. Some RVers have been reporting unbelievable charges when going south. In cases where they contest the tolls, they've eventually gotten a refund, but tons of hassle and frustration.
John
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JUrban
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05/13/12 08:17pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Car Seat Question
The only safe place in a Class A for any car seat is in the copilot's seat. The only two seats in a Class A that are tested and certified as crash worthy under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are the two front seats. All the rest are only what the manufacturer provides. Some are fair and some are terrible as they are held to no standards.
John
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JUrban
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05/13/12 07:56pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: tank monitors
Sorry cusum, but I'm not sure I understand the problem with your rig due to your shorthand. Clearer postings usually mean clear concise answers. Could you try it again?
John
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JUrban
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05/10/12 04:37pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Lifeline AGM Battery Upgrade
If your charging setup is set for the Lifelines, you'll love them. I've been using 4 Lifelines for almost 6 years and added 6 more when we upgraded to a household refrigerator and four 140W solar panels. System works beautifully but we use a split DC system that we can parallel or not based on how long we boondock. We were off grid this winter in AZ for well over 2 weeks two times without any problems. Ran the genny an hour AM and again PM as we didn't have the solar installed yet. Lifelines are great as there is NO corrosion, no leakage and no bad connections.
John
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JUrban
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05/10/12 04:30pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: 2005 Bounder
We had that exact coach. Bought it new and ran it just about three and a half years. We traded it at 55,000 miles for the Tiffin Bus. One issue we had was the plastic wrapped wood that was very hard to repair once it was torn. Also, pull the upper refrig access door in your slide and see if there's any charring above the refrigerator vent stack. There was a service bulletin (not a safety recall) issued on that issue, but many people didn't know about it and never got the metal baffle installed.
We loved the coach. It was our first Class A and a super entry level rig. Once we figured out just what we liked and didn't like, we upgraded to the Tiffin, but I loved that Bounder. We had the 300 CAT on a Freightliner chassis.
John
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JUrban
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05/04/12 06:10pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: San Francisco Bay Area Bridge Tolls Going Up
Ah, now I remember why I don't drive my RV into California. Seems like the fuel prices are just a bit higher too? $4.10-4.60 for regular and diesel at 4.50-4.99.
Add in the ridiculous taxes and I know why I haven't been RVing in California for many years, and won't be doing it again before the west coast splits off and floats to Hawaii. They can charge whatever they want. Don't want it, don't need it, won't do it.
John
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JUrban
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05/03/12 03:59pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: We usually don't stay at Walmart
My list indicates that the Minot WM is RV friendly, but a call there first is always advisable.
John
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JUrban
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04/27/12 08:41pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel
Toll lanes are quite narrow. We made it through with about 1" clearance on each mirror, but it did go through. If you have a choice, use the far right lane in each direction, as these are wider. That lane on the above trip was closed. Otherwise a fine trip.
One additional note on the Delmarva towns. Lots of speed limit drops when going through the small towns on the peninsula. Just slow down or your overall toll may be higher than you planned.
John
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JUrban
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04/27/12 03:55pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Trip to AK from NC- May, June 2012
We've driven up 5 times in the last 7 years and will go again next year. Had one flat as a result of a bolt on a good paved road. You'll hit some gravel where they're repairing frost damage (some times it goes for 5-10 miles), but you beat that by slowing down. Frost heaves north of Whitehorse are common, so watch for small signs and/or flags on the shoulder. Again go slow, and traffic permitting, don't be afraid to use the WHOLE road.
Don't miss a visitor center or museum, no matter how small. All are great, but each has it's own flavor and cool things to see. We only pay for camping at Grand Forks AFB all the way up until Tok, so boondocking is not unusual. We travel to Sault Ste. Marie, then across US2 to I-15 in Montana then up thru Calgary to Dawson Creek. A great ride. 11,000 miles from DE and back. If you fish, take the salmon rods. Fishing to die for.
John
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JUrban
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04/24/12 06:38pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: New Pilot/flying J problem
We just got home from a 8500 mile snowbird trip and with very, VERY few exceptions we were able to beat Flying J/Pilot by any where from 5 to 22 cents a gallon on diesel. We are 68 feet long and have never had access problems at Murphy's anywhere. Because their diesel is always at the end pump(s), we may have to wait a minute or so for the lane to be clear, but on a 125 gal fill up, I'll wait. MUCH better than the stupid FJ policies that are inconsistent at best and the fuel desk attendants usually discourteous and surly.
John
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JUrban
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04/17/12 02:47pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Need help w/ wiring a brake controller
Who made your chassis? The chassis maker is responsible for furnishing the connection up front near the driver. The coach maker is the one who finally locates it, and who may or may not use it as a source of power for some of the things they put in. Tiffin taps the plug on Freightliner chassis, but the wires are still usable for a brake controller. If you PM me with an email address I can email you a .pdf file of the Freightliner wires. Color, size and plug at the front and the rear. Sorry but I don't know how to post a .pdf file to the forum.
John
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JUrban
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04/17/12 02:31pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Need A Switchable 120 Amp DC Circuit Breaker?
Try E-Bay at this site. Lots of choices and some at lower prices. I just ordered two 50A for my solar array.
John
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JUrban
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04/16/12 05:29pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Toad Supplemental Braking with Frieghtliner XC-S Chassis
The brake valve is exactly where Freightliner described it, but the fittings in the ports are EXTREMELY tight. Rather than fight with those I placed a T in the system at the air can outboard toward one of the rear wheels. Same air line, just tapping it at a different location. Just be sure it's in the service brake line, rather than the emergency brake line. You can tell by disconnecting the air line and having someone press the brake pedal. The service brake will blow air. One caution, however. Be sure your new air line is covered, well protected from hot areas and things that move, and SECURELY tied down. I used a large number of zip ties and made sure the line was high on the frame rails where a stray rock or road trash wouldn't hit it. I've installed an Air Force One on two different Freightliner chassis and have over 120,000 tow miles on the system.
John
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JUrban
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04/15/12 03:29pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Corporate Greed or ???
They can charge whatever they want, but I don't have to pay it and won't. Visit Louisiana? I don't think so. We just plan it right and drive on through. They get $0.00 of my tourist dollars, and any other state that plays that game is right beside them in the trash. If it smells like a tax, tastes like a tax, and looks like a tax, It's a tax to me. Tax Tax Tax. No thanks!!
John
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JUrban
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04/04/12 03:12pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Going to Dead Horse Ranch State park...recommendations???
Order a burger at Haunted Hamburgers in Jerome. Huge and delicious. If you fish, they stock the ponds and the river. Lots of fun. We're there each winter for 2 weeks or so.
John
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JUrban
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04/02/12 08:28pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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