Forum Discussion

Imaroadrunnr's avatar
Imaroadrunnr
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013

Stopping brain damage

I just got back from an 11 day trip to Bay Area (San Francisco) and made the trip without any problems. Interstate 5 and Hwy. 101 are so rough that when I stopped I would have to access the damage to the inside of the rig and proceed to piece it back together. Example: The angle aluminum angle which is attached to the shelf in the closet pulled the screws out because of the weight of the clothes. I know, I know, half the clothes and twice the money but since we were going to a relative's wedding in Half Moon Bay I wasn't allowed to wear my USC sweatshirt and 501's. What I discovered after banging my head against the bottom of the bedroom slide is to use the foam tubes sold for swimming pool toys and slice them down one side and slide them on the edge of the slide. I forgot to use them on the way home in Mojave and setting up in the morning drew blood. It's a simple fix but you won't start your day with a headache.
My 2 cents worth
  • ol_Bombero-JC's avatar
    ol_Bombero-JC
    Explorer
    Nov 16, 2013
    mileshuff wrote:

    California has always had some of the worst highways in the country.

    The state is broke and has little funds to keep up with its infrastructure but that's a debate for a different forum!



    Hmmmmm - have you been "huffing" mesquite for your AZ miles, "mileshuff"?
    Deep breathing inside an AZ haboob?.:@

    No need to "debate" -
    as many think Jack Webb said, just the facts, ma'am, just the facts:

    CA "broke"??
    CA = back to 8th largest economy in the *world*.
    (Had dropped to 12th)
    CA economy growing faster than those of 44 other states, and revenues have rebounded better than those in all but one.

    The budget deficit is gone - the budget recently approved in Sacto is balanced with a reserve of 1.1 Billion and also pays down 4.2 Billion in debt.

    Will that new budget improve roads?.:h
    Fix or no fix - still will give the uninformed something to complain about..:R

    LA Times - May 2013


    .
  • mr__ed's avatar
    mr__ed
    Explorer
    Nov 15, 2013
    whsk wrote:
    the worst I found on a recent trip was in Oklahoma City-it was terrible!-whsk


    X2. I went through OK City on I-40 earlier this year on the way to Arkansas and Florida. A lot of construction around the city didn't help. About as bad were portions of I-10 between Mobile, AL and Florida. I'm amazed that my fiver hasn't sustained any noticeable damage, as bad as some of these roads are. I have some concerns because my fiver has a Lippert frame. In the back of my mind I envision breakage, especially around the pinbox area but so far it's holding up.
    To mimimize the weight on the pinbox area I move tools and other heavy items from the front storage area to the truck's bed.

    Perhaps the smoothest route would be one of the red roads paralleling the interstates but I rather prefer using the interstate when having to travel many miles to my next destination.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Nov 14, 2013
    I5 for me is a decent road with the standard disclamers for urban and snow areas.
    101 in the bay area is OK. Planning to take 101 from LA to the bay area in December.
  • RVTravler's avatar
    RVTravler
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2013
    marspec wrote:
    My complaint is the bridge/road interfaces. You would think that after getting an engineering degree the highway engineers would be able to come up with a interface joint that would provide a smooth transition particularly after the resurfacing. In my area it seems that many road repairs are worse than the original problem.


    x2
  • ttstansfield's avatar
    ttstansfield
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2013
    Imaroadrunnr wrote:
    I just got back from an 11 day trip to Bay Area (San Francisco) and made the trip without any problems. Interstate 5 and Hwy. 101 are so rough that when I stopped I would have to access the damage to the inside of the rig and proceed to piece it back together. Example: The angle aluminum angle which is attached to the shelf in the closet pulled the screws out because of the weight of the clothes. I know, I know, half the clothes and twice the money but since we were going to a relative's wedding in Half Moon Bay I wasn't allowed to wear my USC sweatshirt and 501's. What I discovered after banging my head against the bottom of the bedroom slide is to use the foam tubes sold for swimming pool toys and slice them down one side and slide them on the edge of the slide. I forgot to use them on the way home in Mojave and setting up in the morning drew blood. It's a simple fix but you won't start your day with a headache.
    My 2 cents worth


    When we had a different 5th wheel, we had the same problem with the closet rods. We fixed it by putting the screws back in with those plastic flanges used to hang pictures on the wall and the expandable spring rods (like the ones you use to hang a shower curtain). DH duct taped the spring rods to the closet rod on both ends and in the middle to give it support. It isn't the prettiest fix, but it works and no one sees it except you. Our current 5th wheel has supports above the rod and on the ends.

    If you want to try a bumpy road, try driving I-44 in OKC. When we drive from Tulsa to OKC and leave the toll road to get onto I-44, then the shaking begins. It is bad enough in the car, it's even worse when towing!
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Nov 13, 2013
    ...and people still wonder why we're interested in the "off-road" suspensions on Aussie RVs... I'd bet the dirt roads Down Under are about as "good" as a fair portion of our Interstates. :-(

    Lyle
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Nov 13, 2013
    mileshuff wrote:
    California has always had some of the worst highways in the country. The state is broke and has little funds to keep up with its infrastructure but that's a debate for a different forum!

    I-10 west through Banning area feels like bad washboard on a dirt road.

    Here in AZ the highways are mostly great. The only interstate I know of thats really bad is I-40 east of Kingman. Bone jarring potholes. I was pulled over once for driving in the left lane. Was told to use the left lane only for passing and that it must be kept clear in case of emergency vehicles. I mentioned to the officer that I'd rather keep my vehicle and bones in one piece as the right lane had massive potholes. Left with a warning.


    The worst is probably between Williams and Flagstaff, though I've not driven between Williams and Hwy 93 in a few years. I've read more than one thread where people will simply tell a cop to do what they've got to do and they'll see them in court with an invitation to the judge to come for a ride and see how bad it really is. :-) I've heard truckers say the same thing.

    Lyle
  • Imaroadrunnr's avatar
    Imaroadrunnr
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2013
    You're right about taking secondary roads because the interstates are in poor shape. I15 north of Las Vegas is a good road when I go to Utah for fishing and relaxing. I thought I40 was really torn up when I went to Prescott, AZ to check out Whiskey Row but I have given I5 the worst. Have any of you installed those "air ride" seats?" Maybe they would help 'cause I'm giving some thought of going to Alaska next August. I've heard that a cruise would be better than the long drive but what do those pansies know? Well, the USC football team should all be fitted for their caps and gowns before too long:-)
  • marspec's avatar
    marspec
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2013
    My complaint is the bridge/road interfaces. You would think that after getting an engineering degree the highway engineers would be able to come up with a interface joint that would provide a smooth transition particularly after the resurfacing. In my area it seems that many road repairs are worse than the original problem.

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