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RE: Yellowstone Crowds
Guess I need to clarify "little snow". If I can drive my 4wd truck safely through it (yes I have experience with snow) or just need to sit in a camprgound for a day or two, I consider it a little snow. If I get stuck for a week, I'll consider it "moderate" and have a great adventure to tell. I just don't want to get snowed in and leave my truck frozen in over the winter.
After checking the attendance figures, looks like I need to figure out the campground closure schedule and go as late as I can just being careful with the weather.
Luckily, I don't have to pre-plan my vacation, just give a week's notice. Plus, I have another week of vacation for the trip and that can be used before or after Yellowstone adding my flexibility.
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kohldad
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05/23/12 09:13am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Yellowstone Crowds
Been there in mid June 2005 and early Sept 2000 with very little crowds along with nice weather.
Was hoping to head to Yellowstone a third time in early June to avoid the crowds, but work schedule won't allow it.
So my alternative is to head there in the fall. Plan on jumping from campground to campground as I wonder through the park for 10-14 days. Luckily, with the TC, I fit in any site which makes this much easier. So want to be there after the crowds thin out so I can afford to stop around diner for the night. Any suggestions on when? Not worried about a little snow or colder temperatures.
Also, what is the latest I could plan on being in the park without a reasonable fear of having my vacation cut short by serious snow?
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kohldad
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05/23/12 06:52am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Reserve America $59.95 charge
I just went through the reservation process for a campground in SC and there is no option for opting in or out of anything extra. Since the reservation charge process is different for each state, I wonder if it is an option for the particular state of your reservation.
I will continue to use them when I have to and be careful on all check boxes and text as always.
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kohldad
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05/20/12 06:20am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Will three weeks be enough?
Pretty fair iternary, but here are a few things I would do different.
Until you get west of the Mississippi, stay on the interstates. If you are like me, once that far west, you can make just about as good of time on the back roads so no argueing there.
Unless you need power, I would stay inside Yellowstone. That early in the season, won't have a problem getting a site in the bigger place. From West Yellowstone to Bridge Bay area is about 2 hours if you don't stop along the way. Also, since you plan on going in via Chief Joseph Highway, you will be passing by Peeble and Slough creek campground, which if open would be a great place for an early stop. When we were there in 2000, we left Madison Jct and drove the upper loop. Didn't really take any hikes yet we were tired by the end of the day.
Think two days in the Tetons will be more than enough unless there is something you really want to do. Would rather have the time to explore other areas.
You will be early in the season, so I would not make reservations anyplace, unless you are the type that just has to have a detailed plan. No resevations will give you more freedom to move around at your leisure. Nothing worse than wanting to stay another day or can't or being disappointed yet have three more days to kill.
On my last trip, had to have reservations at Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Once we left Yosemite and had no schedule to keep, it became a lot more relaxing for me.
Good luck and remember, no matter how well you plan, you will wish you did it some other way. Have fun.
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kohldad
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05/11/12 08:01am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Leveling, chocking, newbie Qs!
Leveling doesn't need to be precise, just rough enough for your comfort.
Someone did the calcs before and figured you roughly had 8" up or down leeway for both side-to-side and front-to-back allowance, assuming you normal mounting direction.
I have never used the jacks for leveling, just use a couple of 16" boards and two 6x8x10" blocks. Can usually feel what is close enough for me.
If you do use the jacks, make sure to disconnect the tie-downs to prevent trying to lift the truck or the rare chance you get a flat.
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kohldad
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05/10/12 04:15am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Battery Leads: Color +/-
White is negative, that one I am confident about.
Other Bigfoot owners will have to chime in for the other two, but I believe you will find Red and black are positive.
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kohldad
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05/10/12 04:04am |
Truck Campers
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RE: What is boondocking and how to do this.
Here on the east coast, true boondocking is limited. A good place for us are the National Forest as most allow dispersed camping. But you should always check with the Rangers unless the dispersed camping rules are posted.
One of the important things about boondocking is to leave no trace. This means packing out all or your trash, not dumping your tanks (black or grey), etc.
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kohldad
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05/06/12 08:30pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: 2011 Fall trip - Tennessee to New Mexico - Part 1 of 2
I only make the climb if you hand me the camera once I get to the top. Looking forward to both part 2 but better yet, making a trip with you in the fall.
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kohldad
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04/30/12 06:37pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Oh happy day !!
Very nice setup. I can see the 815 being 7" narrower than most campers a real plus in your area.
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kohldad
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04/26/12 07:17pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: THE HEAVY DUTY F150 HAS ARRIVED - First report ...
Just noticed the rear axle rating is for 60 psi in the tires. That may explain the light rating since that tire size is rated 3195 lbs./tire but at 80 psi.
The GAWR is based on the weakest link. The rear axle itself may have the lower rating which is reached when the tires have 60psi. Therefor, raising the air pressure will not necessarily increase the GAWR for the rear axle.
Hopefully the scale will nice to your truck.
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kohldad
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04/24/12 06:49am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway w/ 43' Class A & Toad ?
And lets not forget about the days where the only thing you can see is the yellow line due to the fog. With only two days, it would be to much to do, especially in a big rig.
Would rather suggest you take two days along the interstate and have some time to sight see. Especially since you are closer to the interstate than the BRP. Plus 441 up to the parkway is a long continuous climb as you are going from about 800' up to 4,500'+ just to get to the BRP.
If I was doing the run, I would take I40 over to I81 and stop at Claytor Lake State Park just after the junction with I77. Convenient to the interstate and they have some very nice sites which will handle your rig without problems. Then make it up to Staunton the next day earlier. From there, you can run up to either the north end in your toad or hit Shenadoah. Both are very scenic in that area.
Or, just make the 325 miles in one day and have the full day to explore the north end of the parkway.
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kohldad
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04/22/12 07:43pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Adding plate to rear axle for jack?
You haven't needed your jack in 92,000 miles yet you are worried about carrying a spare. Doesn't make sense to me.
Odds are that the jack will work in the unlikely event you need it. Instead, just check the jack once a year to make sure it still works.
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kohldad
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04/22/12 11:13am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Okay, I was wrong....bought a dually
Totally agree that once you get your COG high enough or the weight heavy enough, a dually makes a huge difference and should be the tool used.
Just got to love it when someone pulls the trigger on a big move/expense and thinks it was worth every penny.
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kohldad
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04/22/12 11:04am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Tailwinds, icicles, antelope and perfect solitude.
Do love tail winds. When I had an old F350 towing a 30' TT from Farmington NM to Albequerque, we had 50 mph tailwinds all day long. Combined with construction limiting speeds to 45 mph, I averaged 11.5 mpg for the day. Pretty impresive since I usually only averaged 11 mpg empty.
The pics sure do show some lovely country you had to explore and there isn't anything wrong with icicles when you camp.
Now, the big question, did you find even a single flake?
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kohldad
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04/20/12 07:37pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: 5th wheel to truck camper
Sorry, but with a SRW, you will be way over the GVWR and probably over the tires which is the weak link.
Remember, the dry weight is for a bare bones camper without any options. Figure another 300# - 500# plus if you deck it out.
I'm a very light packer and had figured I would add only 300# to mine which doesn't even have much space. Turns out, time I added the groceries, linens, clothes for two, chairs, small grill, and leveling blocks, I had actually added 600#. Then there is the almost 100# for the tie down system.
Even my 815 Lance Light which had a dry weight listing of 1,800# pushes me over the GVWR of my 1-ton Dodge, but I do have about 1,000# to spare on the rear tires.
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kohldad
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04/20/12 07:28pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: RV length and available campsites
One of the considerations is the route to the campground and the interior roads. I'm experienced and above average when it comes to squeezing big rigs in tight spots. And I've been to some campgrounds with 150' long aprons capable of handling any rig on the road, but only if you air lift it to the campground because there is no way you could get anything over a 15' trailer up the road to the campground. Then I've also seen campground right off a dual lane road with an interior road so tight with trees that would prevent any trailer from making into any site.
Checking reviews for a campground once, I had been told the campground was tight so I called and talked to them. Their only comment was "if you can get it up the mountain, it will fit in the campground." He didn't warn me about the road however. With my crew cab truck and 30' TT, I headed up the mountain. Some of the curves were so tight, I had the front wheel of the truck just off the pavement yet the trailer was within 2' of the guard rail on the inside of the curve. But as promised, had no problem fitting into a site.
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kohldad
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04/19/12 06:31am |
Truck Campers
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Boat Trailer Tags?
In SC, we don't need license plates on boat trailers. If I only plan on pulling the boat in AL, FL, GA, TN, and NC, will I need license plates in those state to prevent getting an unwanted souvenoir?
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kohldad
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04/17/12 08:58pm |
Towing
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RE: Suspension Question
If it's just driveways, I wouldn't worry about it.
However, are your airbags plumbed seperately. If not, the air will flow from one to the other and is more noticeable at slow speeds.
Otherwise, add a rear sway bar. It is designed to reduce the side-to-side roll.
You already have the airbags to help carry the weight which is what the springs are designed to do.
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kohldad
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04/14/12 07:26pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Drafting
Slow down 5 mph and you will gain the same MPG along with being safer.
In order to get any measurable increase in MPG, you have to follow to close. If the guy in front has to slow down quickly, you will hit him before you can even think about applying brakes. While he may be able to stop, if he is trying to stop you 12,000# too, may be too much.
Just don't do it, the gain, even at $5/gal isn't worth the risk to you or others.
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kohldad
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04/13/12 08:01pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: higher
Or are you talking about the side rail is shorter at the front of the bed than at the rear of the bed? If so, I have the same issue with my Dodge. At the rear, the camper is just about touching the rail but at the front there is a 3/4" gap. Makes the truck sag look a lot worse than is the case.
If you look at the pin stripe in the below picture, you can see the angle difference between the camper and truck rail. The pin stripe is the same distance below the truck rail from front to rear.
http://kohldad.home.comcast.net/~kohldad/albums/2010/05-cataloochee/image.jpg
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kohldad
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04/12/12 09:06am |
Truck Campers
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