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RE: How many miles would you travel in 1 day?
You've got plenty of time...
I'll tell you how we've always traveled; in the early days in order to keep our son happy and eager to go. Short days. 300-360 miles max and every third day was a "layover" day. No getting up early, no scrambling to get "hooked up and on the road". The "layover" day...sightseeing. This is a huge country with lots more to see than the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone or the Tetons (great places to see, but, not the only "sights" in this country worth seeing). I made the mistake onetime of "busting $!#$" to get to Disneyworld. We didn't have much time and I figured we could rush down, spend a couple of days having fun and then rush back. What a disaster. Kid was a basket case, wife was fuming, nobody had any fun at Disneyworld. Never made that mistake again. If we couldn't get to a place leisurely and enjoyably, then we didn't go until we had the time to do it "properly" (for us).
Now that we're retired and have all the time in the world... Read the above again :C
We actually have reduced it a bit, 250-300 miles per day and we still never drive more than 2 days in a row without a layover. Leave leisurely, arrive early. Setup, get comfortable, have a glass of wine and wait for the "rushers" to arrive. They roll in at 5-6:30pm (or later), bust hump to get setup and some food on the table, rush to bed and bust camp at 6-7:00 am to do it all over again.
To us, camping and RVing was/is meant to be relaxing, enjoyable and memorable for all and rushing through the process of "getting somewhere" usually penalizes somebody. You may be able to drive 14 hours and, maybe actually enjoy it (I do; I love to drive), but, at what expense to the wife and kids. It is a great country, every square inch of it, not just the "major attractions" (some of my most memorable sights have nothing to do with "major attractions" and they were seen by asking any local "Where's a good place to spend a few hours?").
You, as you have stated, have the time...ask your wife and your 11 old what they would like to do...travel hard (still only ~350-400 miles) for a day or two then rest a day (even if there isn't anything to see, but, there usually is) hit the pool, take a hike, play catch, etc. or take all leisurely days and have pool time and relaxing time everyday. You may find that they have their own ideas at what would make a good trip (that's how I found out that even though I didn't mind 14 hours on an interstate, my wife and son both preferred 5-6 hours on less traveled roads). It may actually encourage the "desire" to say "Road Trip! Yippee!" as opposed, to "I've got to sit in the truck for how long?"
Lots of posts...lots of food for thought. Above all, enjoy your trip (not necessarily the class, but, that's another story...). The best part of any journey is not always the destination, but, the getting there.:W
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webslave
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02/08/12 04:05pm |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Eliminating State Income Tax
(sic)... If you do your research, you will find the states with no income taxes like TX and PA ARE NOT the cheapest places to live. In fact, PA with no income tax is one of the most expensive places to live...
Bold added for emphasis...
Just to set the record straight...:) PA does indeed have an income tax; 3.07% flat for all levels of income whether $1.00 or $1,000,000. Pa is not one of the most expensive places to live, depending on which list you look at it, falls slightly higher than the middle of the pack. There is no state income tax on retirement income (if that is what you meant),however, for the working group, there is an income tax.
Nine states do not have income taxes; Alaska, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Florida, South Dakota, Washington, Nevada, Texas and Wyoming.
Yes, Texas is cheaper to live in than Pennsylvania, but, then again, we have rain and I can't remember the last time our state caught fire :E
Moved here a few years prior to retiring from MD. Now, you want to talk expensive... The property taxes on 106 acres here is almost 1/3 the amount I was paying on 1/4 acre in Montgomery County. In fact, we wouldn't have been able to retire if we had stayed in MD...our combined retirement income wouldn't let us live in MD and still eat. :B
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webslave
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02/08/12 03:02pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: KOA Resort Fee
Most all my KOA experiences have been positive, however, they do operate in a system of "free enterprise" soooo CAVEAT EMPTOR.
X2
I joined KOA in 1978... I've had good experiences at most and a very few bad experiences in all my travels and stays. The good vs. bad ratio with them is probably more "positive" than all the private campgrounds I've stayed at. I still don't know why they have the moniker "Keep On Adding" while no other campgrounds do...I've stayed at far more non-KOA campgrounds that nickel and dimed me to death than I have with KOAs. Maybe I'm just lucky. The only KOA I can remember over the last few years where I didn't pay what the base rate that was listed was at Harpers Ferry last fall and it was about $5 if I remember correctly. Then again, it was a very nicely appointed KOA (huge meeting rooms, many dedicated purpose buildings and mere minutes from Harpers Ferry, we even walked down one day; well worth the $5 to me. I can't remember any others that I've stayed at that I paid more than the "advertised" rate; nothing more for WiFi, nothing more for any more hook ups than I signed on for, yes, a FHU 50 amp is going to cost me more than a 30 amp electric only, but, I didn't pay a separate price for the sewer, the pedestal and water...just a set price for the upgraded site, the same as you would find at any campground.
The only thing that ever bothered me, mildly, was with our first 50 amp rig. Annoyed me, in the beginning, that a lot of campgrounds, and not just KOAs, charged some $s more for a 50 amp plug. Occurred to me that it was actually fair...I'm drawing 2 50 amp lines as opposed to a single 30 amp line and I'm using them because I'm using more than 30 amps worth of electricity. Only fair to pay more for more electrical usage and to defray the cost of the installation of said service. The same applies to KOAs...I pay their price because I can expect a "usual KOA" campground and amenities. I don't need their amenities; my son is 41 years old and hasn't traveled with us for decades, no need for playgrounds, we don't use the game rooms, we have cats that don't use pet runs, but, I can count on them to usually be clean, reasonably quiet and handy to a lot of places that we like to go. Most of the ones we've ever stayed at were older...it is an "ancient franchise"...they did sometimes need a coat of paint here and there, but, being older, they also tended to be more green; older trees, bigger bushes, more grass, have ponds or on streams, etc.
As for the "I stayed at one and I'll never go back" crowd. I stayed at a State Forest early on and it was the worst camping experience I've ever had; lousy sites, the worst "rule" enforcement I've ever seen, obnoxious campers, their kids and their animals... I've stayed at some others, and to be honest, I've never enjoyed them as much as I have private campgrounds and municipal parks. But, to say, based on my initial "bad" experience, that I'd never stay at another? Nope. Life's too short to take that kind of attitude about anything. Had a bad steak one time...you serving steak? Yum! :B
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webslave
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02/08/12 02:16pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: fast away flip hitch
Assume you are talking about the Fastway Flip Foot:
Fastway Flip Automatic Jack Foot
When I had my bumper pull, I used it. Great idea, most times I could do away with blocks under the jack, never had to worry about losing it and it was always there when I needed it.
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webslave
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02/06/12 04:49pm |
Towing
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RE: morryde vs fifth airborne?
Tried both and liked neither alone, either one alone will help, but, neither worked to my satisfaction. Now we have both in one unit; Tri Glide TrailAir. Tri Glide acts like the Mor/Ryde while the TrailAir part is similar to the 5th AirBorne. Best of both in one pin box. A bit pricey and does require some periodic maintenance (9 zerk fittings get a "squirt" every 1,000 miles), but, to me, well worth the price. No chucking and the 5ver "floats" on the pin box.
Just one more option to consider... :)
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webslave
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02/06/12 08:08am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Truck Caps - Pros and Cons
Depends a great deal on what you use your pickup's bed for... I tow a 5th wheel and, of course, the BakFlip folding hard tonneau cover is best for that purpose. Even if I didn't tow a 5ver, the types of things I do carry in my truck do not lend themselves to having a cap, too tall, heavy enough I have too stand to lift and move them, need a hand truck to load/unload, etc. A roll of hay won't fit under one. If I need something heavy or awkward placed forward in the bed, I prefer to stand up to do it... Never had a cap, don't expect I ever will, but, that's the way I use my truck, maybe skipnchar uses his such that a cap is not in his future...doesn't make him wrong, doesn't make me wrong, but, just a different way of using our trucks lends itself to different modes.
Now as to the OP's original question... While I don't have a cap, never have had a cap, many of my friends do...90% of them have Leer and I would imagine most of those guys would swear by them as I know a few have bought new trucks in the years I've known them and they always put a Leer on them despite the others being available in the area.
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webslave
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02/04/12 04:36pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: B&W Companion fan club???
I have the rig in my signature...short bed. I use the B&W Companion and have never needed a slider. The nose on my Cougar is one of their "close fit" styles and I can get about 85 degrees (not quite 90) before I start to get nervous...there is still space, but, I start to get nervous when my wife's eyes get real big... :B
Never needed a slider and, too be honest, if I'm ever faced with a campsite that I need to get more than 80 degrees turn on the rig, I'll look for another campsite or campground. I've never needed more than about 70 degrees for the worst I've stayed in. If I had a flat faced 5ver, I would probably have opted for the slider, just in case, but, since I've got a sculpted "turn easy" unit, I do just fine without and I've got all the advantages of the B&W.
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webslave
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02/03/12 02:21pm |
Towing
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RE: A question about the Jack Antenna
I would opt for keeping the elevated antenna. There are many things inside an air conditioner that will do bizarre things to a television signal...the farther away from clutter and electric appliances the better. An A/C unit has large metal mass, the evaporator fin assembly and rotating magnets on the compressor motor...none of which is conducive to a good signal.
I have a Jack on my 5ver, had one on my TT, too, and they are great antennas, but, nothing can beat clear unobstructed view in all directions and elevation, for receiving a signal.
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webslave
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02/03/12 02:13pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: How do you take your cat camping?
You've already got your situation figured out, but, I'll tell you what we do...
We have a litter box in the back of the truck, keep baggies and a scooper handy for "emergency aroma capture" :E... The piddles don't bother us (we use odor control litter), but, the "old guy" Coco can run us out of the truck when he does a #2! The litter box is tall and has a lid with a hole in it for them to jump down into the box. Grooves on the top keep the litter at or in the box. No mess.
Carry two carriers with the doors held open by bungee cords. One on each side of the truck with towels inside for comfort. The cats have a place to go to feel safe or be alone when they want, the boxes provide perches for them to sit on and look out the windows. The youngest yowls for the first 5 minutes and then she gives up and is quite at home. The others (we always seem to have three throwaways at our house) just spread out and enjoy the ride. The only reason we leave the doors on the carriers is should the need arise, i.e., evacuate to "designated storm shelter", we'd need the carriers to make an "emergency evacuation" easier in storm shelter or school, etc.
There is an open area in between the carriers...a "no splash" water bowl and a bowl of crunchies reside there for their "refreshment" needs.
Other than that, that's all we do (well we cover the seat and back with a mover's blanket; leather seats). They are free to roam the truck with us and they stay in the back by choice or one may come up front to "check it out", but, they always go back to where they have more space, the back seat.
Once we've setup the trailer, we hand carry them from the truck to the trailer (they get upset with the carriers if the doors are closed; they are like little kitty jails and that's how they feel about being closed up in one).
We travel with the three cats, always have (all of our trailers have been nicknamed the "Cat House") and this trio has about 78,000 miles tucked under their belts, well fur, and they've always faired the trips very well. Folks get a kick out of them when I've stopped for fuel. When I stop they think we are at the campground and they come stand on the dashboard waiting to be carried to the trailer...they'll say "Oh, look a cute, wait a minute there's another, holy cow, there are three cats in there! Hey mister, you always travel with all those cats?" :B
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webslave
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02/03/12 02:08pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Move hitch up or king pin down?
The biggest advantage of one over the other is, IMHO, the hitch doesn't require holding up;) It can be braced up with scrap lumber, a couple of jack stands, etc. Lowering the pin box, however, requires some means of supporting it well off the ground; two friends to help you, a forklift or front end loader (the way I put my Tri Glide TrailAir on), etc. That pin box is heavy, very heavy. Personally, I prefer the pin box to be as high as possible, to limit torque stress on the frame as mentioned in another post, albeit, that additional torque stress is minimal and should be well within the design engineering of the frame.
That being said, pick the easiest, mechanically, for you.
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webslave
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02/03/12 01:22pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: toll roads
I've been coast to coast many times and I've yet to run into a toll road or bridge that didn't take my Mass DOT FastLane transponder. Yes, I live in PA, but, got my transponders from Massachusetts. They don't have a per transponder charge and they don't charge a monthly fee just to have them (most states do)...the only money you are out is whatever the toll is. I'm sure there are some tolls someplace that don't take the FastLane transponder, but, it is also tied into the E-ZPass system which has agreements with most states so that the money is transferred properly from one system to the other. IMHO, it won't be long before everywhere takes the E-ZPass affiliated transponders. The only time I can remember having to pay a toll with cash, since I got them, was at the little bridge onto Avery Island to tour the Tobasco plant and the Avery Grounds...2 lanes, about 30' long and cash was the only thing that worked for them.
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webslave
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02/02/12 03:15pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: toll roads
Yep, happening more and more. I don't mind as I've got transponders for all of my vehicles and two for my TV (one for when I'm not towing; toll is lower and one that gives a reading for my truck and trailer combined; higher toll). I, personally like them and wish all the toll roads had transponder lanes. I don't have to slow down appreciably, I don't have carry or hunt for cash at a booth, I don't have problems trying to keep the 5ver far enough away from the booth that I don't hit it, while still trying to stay close enough to reach the attendant and I don't have to fight the other cars to get back on the road because no one wants to be behind me...
They work for us. Have them "tied" to a credit card...when the funds get low, they automatically hit the card to replenish the "bank". Never have to worry about or fumble with cash and the "bank" doesn't run dry. Many toll roads also give "discounts" to transponder users saving us a few bucks.
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webslave
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02/02/12 11:57am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Built in brake controller
My Dodge 2500 diesel has the built in and they are great. Smooth, easy to adjust.
X2
I've used the Prodigy P3 for years; IMHO, one of the finest units made. The "built-in" RAM unit in my new truck is every bit as good, is built into the dash (nothing hanging down to bash my knees on) and has proven, thus far, to be just as reliable. I've still got the P3; it resides in my Jeep Commander now, but, I much prefer the built-in aspect of the one in my new RAM.
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webslave
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02/01/12 10:16am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Floating Pin Box
I've got the Tri Glide Trailair system...combines the Mor/Ryde's fore/aft cushioning and the up/down cushioning of the Trailair/5thAirborne type air lift suspension on the pinbox. Gone is any feeling (aside from knowing that I've got a ton sitting in the bed) that the 5ver is back there. Very easy to forget I've got 35' hanging out the back of the truck...starting, stopping, highway bumps, all smooth as silk and the contents/frame of the 5ver appreciates the effect or lack thereof ;)
The only drawback to the Tri Glide is that it does require some maintenance...a quick squirt from the grease gun on 9 fittings every 1000 miles or so. I just added that "job" to my Sunday LPG/Tire/General checkup duties; not a big deal for me, takes all of 2 minutes. I've got a 12v power grease gun that I pack in the front storage bay next to the compressor and the pinbox is right there at eye level.
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webslave
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01/31/12 03:52pm |
Towing
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RE: ABS LIGHT ON
Even units (passenger cars and pickups) that use the OBD I or OBD II systems may still require an ABS reader to decode the exact problem. The ABS systems have gotten so complicated that they now have their own brain and BUS systems and use a different coding system...some cannot be read via the OBD II connector and require connection to a different port and others use a different "code reader" or "combination reader" to turn the code into "English". If yours is of a recent manufacture, it is entirely possible that they, in fact, don't have the "box" to read the ABS error code, where the manufacturer or a manufacturer's authorized repair facility would. In my personal shop now resides an OBD II reader/tester and an Actron ABS Diagnostic scan tool...I draw the line at getting a seperate reader for the airbag system!
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webslave
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01/31/12 03:25pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Law & Order in the Federal Park System
Unfortunately, I can't remember the last "news article" that I've read that contained the "truth and nothing but the truth" and I'm sure this one is also more of a "political statement" by the reporter/newspaper/magazine. There is so much "slant" and "spin" any more that "news" is often a misnomer for most of what is printed.
The truth will probably come out in court. Maybe. :B
Any number of things could have occurred that the "witnesses" didn't hear or didn't see. Could the offender have been more belligerent up close and personal than he might have appeared from a distance? Was his language and demeanor less than appropriate? Could he have been so belligerent that she was, instead of verbally warning him, been ready to issue a citation? Could he have at that point told her to "go get stuffed" and just turned to walk away and nobody heard him? Is it possible, she was just having a Midol day and zapped him because he annoyed her? Maybe she was having a bad hair day and is a cat person? She hates little yappy dogs and the owner reminded her of her last two-timing boyfriend?
Any of the above is possible and trying to judge either the officer or the offender, after an article so bereft of facts that it might as well have been written at a coffee shop to meet a deadline, is an exercise in futility.
Unfortunately the truth in "reporting" is often sacrificed for the sake of shock value and what could be more shocking than "terrible amount of force used to subdue a poor maligned small dog walker". Much more "interesting" than a belligerent dog walker insulting and demeaning a police officer trying to do their job".
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webslave
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01/31/12 03:02pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: How many leveling blocks?
Carry two packs of 10... Use some for leveling, use the rest to put under the stabilizer jacks (the jacks are at there "best" if not extended over 50%), have used them for holding up extremely long runs of drain pipe, under the ends of a picnic table, a whole lot of "off label" uses for those things. I've thought about getting a 3rd set, but, I can only remember "running out" of them once...maybe if I see a good sale, I'll pick up another pack.
I used wood at one time, but, these are lighter, they interlock so they don't slip around, they don't crack or split (I've bent a couple over the years, but, never broken one so that it wasn't useable and the bent one flattened out when I turned it over and put the landing gear on it for a few hours), they clean up nice and they stack in the basement and interlock so that they aren't all over the place when we arrive. As for putting a 20 ton bottle jack on them...? I have, but, I wasn't lifting 20 tons; I can't imagine anything on my RV weighing 20 tons or my needing to jack 20 tons up in the air, but, I do own a 20 ton bottle jack for the 5ver. Mine held up just fine and I also use them under the front landing pads (bigger footprint when on soft asphalt) with no damage (except for the one that I bent because the ground was cupped and I got it flattened out at the next site).
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webslave
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01/30/12 02:14pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Suburban Water Heater
More than likely the heating element has gone south... You could check for juice at the heating element (if you have a tester or VOM and know what you're doing), or just install a new heating element. Since at least half of your control board is working (the propane cycles properly), the odds that only the electric side has failed is small, but, not unheard of. The heating element is easy enough to change, not expensive, and if you aren't electrically savvy, it might be the easiest path to follow.
OK...you guys must type faster than me (not an unlikely scenario!)
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webslave
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01/29/12 02:27pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: battery chargers
I use the BatteryMinder on all of my equipment (from my EU2000iS generator, lawn tractor, antique cars and even my John Deere 750) and have only good things to say about it.
When I pull my battery for the winter, it goes in the garage, BatteryMinder hooked up and plugged in and there it sits until I re-install it in the spring. I have eight of them in use. As soon as I'm finished with a piece of equipment, I turn it off, hook up the BatteryMinder for it (I've installed "quick connects" on all of my equipment) and I know that the battery will be "good to go" when I use it next. I use my big tractor maybe a half dozen times a year and the diesel battery in it is now going on 17 years old...
BatteryMinder
IMHO, you can't get better for your batteries - charges, maintains and desulfates automatically.
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webslave
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01/29/12 12:14pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Any towing issues with Extang Solid Fold Tonneau on 6.5 box
I tow with the rig in my signature... Short bed and I use the BakFlip II on my truck. It folds up and I lay the unit flat covering the front third of the bed. The BakFlip has "D" rings located on both sides to use a bungee cord to keep the unit "snug" in that position. I've yet to encounter a situation where it interferes with the front overhang of the 5ver...driveways, etc., do not cause any problems. I, too, don't like it covering the rear window in its "full up" position, but with it folded flat as above, I can see out, hitch up visually and have no problems with interference. When I unhitch, merely disconnect the bungee cords and close the bed up. Works in my setup. When not towing and the hitch removed, it does fold up flat against the rear of the cab (uses braces to keep it in place upright) and I have all but about 2" of the bed available for cargo, if and when, needed.
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webslave
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01/29/12 09:47am |
Tow Vehicles
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