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RE: Travel to Florida
I've been going to Florida from Michigan for the last 8 years. North Florida, I think would be more likely to find reservations. In the south you best call ahead or get on a cancellation list. We made reservations at Blue Water Key RV resort (key west) over 6 months ago and at that time I only had two sites to choose from. Since then they did call and say they have had some cancellations and wondered if we wanted to extend our stay. If you are going to the keys, I think you will find that Blue Water Key is the finest RV resort anywhere near key west. The state parks are also great but very busy. If you have a big class A the state parks don't leave many sites that can accommodate bigger rigs.
If you have any idea where you are going to go at least get on a cancellation list because there are tons of snowbirds who book regularly and campgrounds (nice ones) fill quickly. North of Daytona (St. Augustine, Jacksonville, New Smyrna ect.....most likely will have openings but it can get down right chilly up there in Jan/Feb but that is just fine with us since anything over 50 is wonderful for someone from northern michigan! LOL
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JTHarley
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12/19/11 02:57pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: New Wrangler toad
QUOTE: Jeep didn't update the owners manuals either - my sister bought a 2011 Wrangler a few months ago, and her manual says the same things - to unlock the steering and disconnect the battery. She followed-up with the dealer, any they provided an update for the manual that said this was no longer necessary on the 2011 Wrangler because there is no steering lock.
This is correct for the 2011 model year. I was told at a campground by an owner of a 2012 that he does not leave the key in nor does he disconnect the battery. That being said, simply call the dealer (service department) and let them know about the 2011 update to the owners manual and ask if there is one for the 2012.
You can also pull your front tires on some wet grass, pull out the key and then turn the wheel. You will know soon enough if there is a steering lock.....
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JTHarley
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12/17/11 04:07pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: New Wrangler toad
That is not correct information....I got my 2011 wrangler last year and put on a negative disconnect switch on the battery and followed the instructions in the manual. Then I called Jeep...not my dealer but the company. The last several times I towed I left the battery connected, put the 4 wheel drive in neutral and then put the shift back in Park. No key left in because there is no steering wheel lock. Batteries are fine and charged after a full 10 hours of towing......I believe they will send you a new flier explaining the procedure to put your mind at ease.
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JTHarley
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12/17/11 08:16am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Garbage truck conversion
I saw a TV special years ago about these expedition vehicles....The one on the special was over $500K and meant for the "outback" rough terrain, 4 wheel drive ect.....not my cup of tea but it was interesting. When they drove thru one small town out west the police actually stopped them because someone reported an "armored" vehicle driving thru town....LOL
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JTHarley
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12/16/11 02:14pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Air Bag Leak? Should I Be Worried?
On my last coach (2006 winnie vectra) and my new coach, I note that after 4-5 days the air bags would always loose pressure. I would n't be too alarmed as long as they air up and stay that way while driving. We do always use the jacks even if we camp for just one night. The only time we don't is when we overnight at a walmart or a rest area.
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JTHarley
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12/16/11 05:19am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Dirty Motorhome while on the Road !
I don't worry about it till I hit the Florida border from Michigan...there is a great Blue Beacon there that I go to that gets off all the rain, snow ect......then once in a campground I use wash/wax all, waterless cleaner. I also pay one time half way thru the trip to get it washed at a campground. Dazzling Details are all over florida and then do a great job but it isn't cheap.
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JTHarley
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12/15/11 04:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: What did you do to your Class A MH today???
Started packing today for the trip south.......re-organized the bays, turned on the aqua hot, started packing clothes......Leaving on the 23rd next week.
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JTHarley
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12/15/11 07:49am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Does the "perfect" MH exist?
Of cours.....MINE!!! LOL
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JTHarley
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12/14/11 07:58am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Anybody towing a Wrangler?
I'm towing a 2011 Wrangler sahara unlimited, 4wd....it is my second jeep tow vehicle and we love it. Especially in Florida when I can take the two front tops off in about 3 minutes and be open air.....
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JTHarley
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12/14/11 06:59am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Side view cameras - worth it?
They do give you that sense of security when changing lanes in traffic but my mirrors work just as well. I like the fact they are there but would certainly not be a deal breaker for me. My new coach is the first of 6 that have the side view cameras....When I bought it I didn't even know they where on the coach till I put the turn signal on and the back up cam shot to the side......
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JTHarley
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12/12/11 05:53pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Dreaded Check Engine Light
I would check the waste-gate and turbo on the coach. Mine old class A did this at times. Have them hook it up to the computer at the shop and give you a read out of the report. Lots of interesting facts there to review as well as it will tell you what the error codes are when the check engine light goes on....of course that is if the coach has the onboard computer. Mine was a 2006 with a freight liner chassis and 350hp cat engine.
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JTHarley
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12/12/11 06:45am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RV parks, North Fort Myers area?
Riverbend is only 14.7 miles to Ft. Myers and a straight shot right out of the security gates. While we where there we checked out other campgrounds and none of them compared. Boy, I wish we could go back, I would gladly spend a month there. I guess my new coach is slumming it....LOL even though it was double the price of my Vectra!!!
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JTHarley
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12/11/11 03:59pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RV parks, North Fort Myers area?
Hi Hank,
Greeting from northern michigan.
My DW and I have absolutely LOVED Riverbend. It's on the chatalahoosi river (sp?), it has it's own restaurant, great pool, lots and lots of activities, friendly owners, large paved sites with wonderful interior roads, mature landscaping....you won't be sorry if you choose this one.
http://www.riverbendflorida.com/
It is probably one of the best resorts we've stayed in over the last 8 years. Unfortunately when I sold my class A last year and bought my new truck conversion (dynamax) they no longer will let me come.
If you want to go closer to Naples there are many, many choices. We are staying at the new signature resort in Naples for 10 days from the 30th of Dec.
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JTHarley
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12/11/11 03:14pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Looking for Ultra-Leather Love Seat for 05 Fleetwood
I bought an ultra leather swivel/recliner from this site when I bought my coach and did some mods....
http://www.braddandhall.com/productcart/pc/home.asp
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JTHarley
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12/11/11 08:27am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Driving Snow - Ok or no way?
Being from the North it is not the snow that worries me.....it would depend on what state I'm in when it STARTS snowing. KY, TN & south you would be better to just pull off and ride it out NOT because of the snow but because the folks down there are not used to driving in it. Doesn't matter how slow and safe you are when the guy behind you or next to you starts to spin out there is nothing you can do but HOPE.
2 years ago we had to come home early from Florida (early march) and ran into a snow / ice event in southern ohio. When I saw the semi's with flashers on pulling off the road I immediately got to the next rest area and parked it. Thank goodness I had full tanks because we sat there for 2 days. Others might have been bummed but for us we had plenty of food, heat, T.V. , computers games so we just waited. Isn't that why we all have motorhomes......when the unexpected happens your all set.
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JTHarley
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12/10/11 06:20am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Aqua Hot cost to run - Electric vs Diesel?
My aqua hot said it uses approx. .25 gallons per hour....that one should be quite simple to calculate based on the cost of diesel.
I am currently running my Aqua Hot before we leave for Florida 24/7 in my coach in the driveway. Base on MY cost per KW hour in the last 30 days I'm "estimating" that the daily cost is about $6-8 per day, closer to 6.
I'd say it is a coin toss either way 1.5 - 2 gallons of diesel per day @ $4 per gallon
Of course I think everyone will have slightly different numbers baed on the aqua hot model, size of coach, temperature setting ect....
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JTHarley
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12/10/11 06:11am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: New to the game
Welcome to the site....lots of great information here. You may want to pick up the book "RV'ing for Dummies". I got it about 8 years ago when I first started and it was very helpful as a quick reference. You can also search the site for specific info on generators, batteries, tires, house systems, plumbing, black tank, grey tank, roof repairs, windows ect......
I do like the idea of going to a local RV place and pay to have a tech go thru the RV for you and then explain some or all of the systems. If you plan on using the unit and trying to understand exactly what you have it may be worth a couple hundred bucks for a crash course.....
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JTHarley
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12/08/11 05:55pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Summer trip
Sorry JTHartley U didn't read your post or I wouldn't have posted.
No problem....the more information we can give the better.
From Louisiana I would make Nashville one stop, then make it to Monroe Michigan as a stop then straight up 75 to Traverse City and on to Mackinac Island. They should absolutely spend at least one night on the island so they can get used to the smell of Lilacs and horse poop. Eat lots of fudge, shop.
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JTHarley
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12/08/11 06:05am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Best route from Grand Rapids MI. to Crystal River Fla.
From Holland I go US31 to Indianapolis then I-65 to Nashville and then I-24 to Chattanooga and pick up I-75 Soouth from there. Atlanta is the only miserable part of the trip. I have had better luck just going through Atlanta instead of the bypasses. Weekends are best and middle of the night is also good.
This is a good route because if you want you can spend a day or two in Nashville. The KOA or Two Rivers are right on music valley drive and down the street from the Opry. We will be leaving the day after Christmas and that is the route we take to Florida. For the last 8 years we visit Nashville on the way down as a break point.
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JTHarley
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12/08/11 04:52am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Summer trip
Well, I live in Northeast Michigan right on the shores of lake huron and about 2.5 hours from the mackinaw bridge......If it was my first time coming into northern michigan here are a few spots I would certainly check out.
I would jump off the interstate and head west on M-72 to Traverse City. Great RV resort called Traverse Bay RV resort which is close to the casino and downtown traverse city....continue up to Petoskey, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs and then end up in Mackinac City to catch a ferry to the island. Beautiful drive... Leggs Inn is a nice stop for lunch or dinner in Goodhart. Historic restaurant and very unique.
If you want more of the "nature" experience then you want to head to the east side of the state. Less touristy but equally as beautiful. The harrisville state park is one mile from my house and has great lakefront campsites. I can give you some site suggestions if I know how big your coach is. Canoe or kayak down the AuSable river, a ride on the paddlewheel river queen, hiking trails, great beaches ect....from here it is a straight shot up US-23 (heritage why) to mackinaw city and on the way there are many lighthouses to visit, state parks, beaches and beach communities. We've done the entire circle tour from the southwest corner to the southeast corner and it is wonderful. You could easily spend 2 weeks driving the shoreline in Michigan and that's just the lower peninsula...the U.P. is gorgeous too. Pictured rocks, whitefish point so much natural wonder in Michigan. Just make sure you drive right on by Detroit to see some real Michigan Beauty. If you do want to see the Henry Ford Museum or Comerica park, greektown (all near detroit) then check out Harbortown RV resort in Monroe...it is a good launching point for the lower part of the state.
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JTHarley
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12/07/11 02:38pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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