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RE: Dover PA to Bull Run Campground near Manassas VA
I would not follow 340 to 66. It sets you about 30 minutes west of the exit your looking for. !5 will split off as a left exit and take you through point of Rocks MD. I would only say that during rush hour, plan for it to take a while to get from Point of Rocks to the leesburg bypass. Otherwise, its clear sailing from the bypass to 66. During rush hour in the morning 66 east is a bear, but afternoon is all heading west. So getting onto 66 and off at 29 to get to the park entrance will not be an issue.
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JamesBr
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05/02/12 10:34am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Rt. 95 South around Washington Beltway Rt. 495
IF you take 95S through the Baltimore-Washington area I recommend that you stay to the eastern side of the city (follow 95S) as the Western side has a LOT of construction from the Legion Bridge all the way to the southern 95 spur of the beltway. It is not towing friendly at all as you constantly shift lanes. I would say that you have a limited window to avoid lots of traffic southbound. I would not try to get through the DC belway area after 6am or before 9am and you need to get as far south of DC as you can before 2:30-3pm when the VA 95S becomes a congested nightmare for many miles.
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JamesBr
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02/27/12 09:18am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Power in gas engine larger Class A motorhomes
Its all down to gearing and what the driver is willing to deal with. Maybe they just tug along at 35-45 on a climb keeping the gasser in a power band, maybe it has the power AND gearing to continue at 55 up most reasonable grades but at the cost of fuel and high RPM. When it comes to stopping distanances an electric brake controller for the trailer will significantly cut down stopping distance just like a toad with a braking system so thats not much of an issue. While I personally own a pusher and yes it has great power and brakes, I still use a brake controller for the open and enclosed trailers I tow from time to time. Since I do not tow my car 4 down (either a dolly or the open trailer) I do not have a braking system for that.
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JamesBr
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02/24/12 11:50am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Diesel Toad
The TDI is proven in europe and used everywhere as a city and non city car. Myths based off the late 80's diesels based on todays are just not the case. A friends 2003 TDI has 210k miles on it now, other then maintinence has had no problems and all those miles are spent in stop and go traffic 35 miles each way from their home.
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JamesBr
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02/23/12 07:11am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 50 Amp extension cord
I have not just one but many 50A extensions. But I have a unique sitation that I need that much cord where I camp the most on hot days. I spend a lot of time at race tracks working as a volunteer official and occasionally driving. The way the paddocks work out, many times they cluster 4-6 towers together to leave lots of room to get everyone in. So once you find a spot, unless you are lucky you usually require 30-60 feet and a few times more of cord to reach the bus.
At normal campgrounds, in the last 3 years I can remeber 2 times I needed the cord because I was 5-10 feet short of the tower from the back of my bus.
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JamesBr
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02/21/12 02:44pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: FCC says no to LightSquared
It was a great idea, but the standards (or lack of ahearance) for the past 10-12 years by the makers of GPS recievers makes the idea not work. It would be the first idea that uses telestrial satalite in conjuction with ground based towers to give you tru coverage anywhere in the US at a reasonable cost. It really sucks, but I am sure the likes of AT&T and Verizon are both supremely happy.
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JamesBr
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02/15/12 10:12am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Leaving dogs alone in the rv
all has been covered. I had issues with my rescue minpin at first. I just had to work with him and let me neighbors know I was working on his anxiety. And let me know if it has been a hassle. Thankfully all the work at home and the RV have panned out well. While my pin might yip a little as I am leaving, he and my aussie settle down quickly and I usually find them asleep when I return or if they hear me just watching me as I walk up do the door, and mostly quiet but definitly excited to see me. Even at a place as busy as disney they seem to not be too bothered by the foot traffic, though if the little one can see me he will call out with a specific bark he uses to try to get my attention. But at least he will settle down if I tell him to hush and wait (as long as I dont make him wait for eternity.)
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JamesBr
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01/17/12 02:50pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: What was your Occupation??????
Im just a 36 year old working slob, 15 years into my career. I bought a used pusher in great condition for under 50k with great financing. Yeah, I make a big payment as I chose 8 years to get the better interest rate over longer term loans, and I cut back in other areas so I can enjoy the use. But im halfway through paying it off, and if well maintained will give me years of use after its paid off.
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JamesBr
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01/17/12 02:39pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: What do you tell people when they ask where you are from?
I would just tell them I am a modern day nomad.
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JamesBr
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01/17/12 09:58am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: New to DP - truck stop filling from right side only?
Longweekends - You have that option on your bus to fill from either side of the bus. I do not have that luxury, be it floor plan, chasis or other design quite a few of us only have a fill on the one side of the motorhome, usually curb side. With that being the case we have to deal with slave pumps at times.
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JamesBr
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01/13/12 10:36am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: New to DP - truck stop filling from right side only?
Never had an issue. I have a RH only fuel door and every truck stop I have gone to has a master/slave setup. Sometimes to master is on the right, sometimes on the left, just depends on which island I pull up to. None have ever been an issue for me.
What I really like now is pilot/flying J RV card now has a pump start feature (yes you have to go through a credit check.) But once enabled you just pull up to the truck pumps, swipe you card to get cash price plus 3c a gallon discount, fuel up then pull forward, go in and pay. It saves that trip in to preauth and fill then go back for a reciept.
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JamesBr
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01/12/12 09:02am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: TX Registration Fees Explode!
Wow, I feel lucky now on VA. Its 47 a year per vehicle, but my personal property tax is 0 since its a personal use RV appraised under 50k by the county. PW County for the VA folks.
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JamesBr
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01/11/12 07:41am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: GOOD SAM DELUXE ? Changes?
Tonijim - I believe the credit check is required for "pump start" This allows you to go to the islands and for us pusher owners even more important the truck diesel pumps, and activate the pumps BEFORE going inside. Once you fuel, you can pull up out of the way and go pay. I used it once with just the new flyingJ/pilot RV card and it was nice not having to go inside, preauth, go back out, fuel, then go back in for a reciept for the actual amount you fueled.
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JamesBr
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01/10/12 10:37am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Christmas Camper express--NNJ to Jupiter,FL ...?
With the HOT lane contruction on the western side of the beltway, I would recommend going to the eastern side. While VDOT has officially put a hold on all lane closures through the holidays, the shifting narrow lanes might not be all that fun.
If you ARE going to pass through the WDC area, get there after 7pm tomorrow and you will be fine. At that point the northern area of 95 to the bridge into VA has easied up a lot, and you might avoid any major delays on 95 once you get south of the beltway.
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JamesBr
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12/21/11 12:50pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Michelin VS Hankook
You are correct, I would not put Hoosier DOT R-Comp or Slicks on my buss, it would be a waste of good rubber. Plus bias ply slicks and dot R comps really dont have much in the way of load ratings anyway.
However, I did put hankooks on my bus this past summer. Saved me a LOT over goodyears, and the ride feels great if not a little more stable then the previous goodyears I had on it. Hankook tires are newer to the US, but not europe and I still can't find a lot of RV complaints about them. I had hankooks on my truck with zero issues towing my race trailer, and their snow grip was better then the goodyears they replaced.
Just remember tires have to meet DOT specs to be sold for on the road here in the US, all manufacturers go through the same spot checks. And yes quality control is key, but I doubt Hankook would want to be known as a lesser tire.
However, when my tire guy says hes been selling them for 3 years with fewer comebacks then the higher priced brands out of his RV clients I listen. His second recomendation was actually Continental, but he said unless you want the same product for more money stay away from Goodyear and Michelin.
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JamesBr
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12/21/11 12:40pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Interstate Batteries - Pro's - Con's
I haver interstate batteries for house and chasis batteries for the last 3 years without issues. But like any battery, they should be maintained.
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JamesBr
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12/16/11 10:21am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Diesel starting in cold weather
Brett - I agree....stated in the manual recommends it for a 2001 Cummins ISC 300. I did not say I did that, but I do try to build up heat, and only in the middle of winter do I need to use high idle to get there.
I am nowhere near a highway, and it takes about 15 minutes of "city" driving to get to the highway where I could place a considerable load on the engine. So I generally am ready to get going as soon as the gauges register a temperature. I do notice about that time the motor "sounds" normal and since it makes me feel better I will continue to follow this habit. I am nowhere near the cold mentioned year, but depending on the weather in the Washington, DC area at the end of December, that could mean just leaving the block heater plugged in overnight to a decent amount of high idle till I see those temps start to climb. Since I store the RV in an commercial area, at least I do not upset the neighbors with the high idle either.
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JamesBr
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11/21/11 02:08pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Diesel starting in cold weather
Big pushers do not heat up quickly. So I would suggest if it has it, plug in the block heater early as part of your departure, if not check your manual for cold starting and see what they recommend. I know mine implies I should be near operating temp before I really get going down the road. Now pushers being what they are, you would have to high idle it for 15-20 minutes in those temps to get the temp of the motor up. Even with the block heater, it might be a good idea to high idle it until your water temps start climbing before you get moving.
Otherwise, like others said, I don't think starting in the cold will be that bad other then even at 20F the near 8 gallons of oil is pretty thick.
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JamesBr
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11/21/11 12:01pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 2-axle: $2.50 vs. 4-axle: $12 toll?
From the MDTA website
Class 1. Two-axle vehicle using a Maryland-issued E-ZPassSM that includes a Bay Bridge Discount Plan - $1.00
Class 2. Two-axle vehicle - $2.50
Class 3. Three-axle vehicle or vehicle-trailer combination with a total of three axles. - $9
Class 4. Four-axle vehicle or vehicle-trailer combination with a total of four axles. - $12
Class 5. Five-axle vehicle or vehicle-trailer combination with a total of five axles - $15
Class 6. Vehicle with six or more axles or vehicle-trailer combination with total of six or more axles. - $18
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JamesBr
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09/27/11 10:39am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 50 AMP Cord
Lighter weight? Not possible. More flexible, is possible. Welding wire (for supplying high powered Mig and Tig welders.) They have more strands of wire for the same gauge to ensure proper amperage loads which gives it the flexibility it needs, but comes at a MUCH higher costs.
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JamesBr
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09/26/11 12:16pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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