mekkerfest
Explorer
Joined 22 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Dash area problems
After 2.5 months at Melbourne Beach Florida we are headed home to Upstate NY. My wife is homebound and requires frequent stops. So we take 5 days to make the trip home. We have a 2004 Adventurer on a Workhorse chassis. Our first day on the road we found out that the dash A/C would not work. Vent air was same temperature as A/C air. Unfortunately it was 94 degrees. This also happened several years ago and it turned out to be a broken vacuum line which controls the air flow in the A/C. So I turned on the house air. Day 2 started with loss of cruise control. Day 3 we ran into heavy rain. About 2 hours driving in the rain and the wipers became erratic. They stopped working on delay or slow speed. Only fast speed worked and that was erratic. I’m thinking that the cruise control and wiper problems may be a poor ground connection. Has anyone experienced anything like this?704Views0likes1CommentRe: CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS
For those not up on computers and interconnections. There are three basic ways to connect a laptop to the internet: All three require an account with internet provider (AOL, MSN, Earthlink, Roadrunner, ….) 1. Telephone Landline: This is the same type of connection you would have in your home if using landline. It requires a modem (which is usually included in your laptop) and a local phone number which your laptop must dial. (So you have to know how to change the phone number in your laptop) Most campgrounds have at least a single landline connection available in their office or laundry area. You must have local phone number, and you have to wait your turn when others are using it. Many times you also need the telephone cable to connect between the laptop and the wall phone jack. No campground charge for this service. 2. WiFi: WiFi is basically a radio link from your laptop to a local receiver which can connect to the internet. Most newer laptops have WiFi built in. If not, a WiFi laptop adapter (and software) can be purchased from most electronics stores. Few campgrounds have this capability, but the number is growing. Most require an extra charge. It also requires you to be in close proximity to their receiving antenna. So you should ask for a site which can use that service. (Many Flying J’s have this service $) 3. Cell Phone: This requires a connection between the laptop and the cell phone. Go to your cell phone company store and see if there is a connection (cable & software) available for your model phone. If not, your out of luck - you have to buy a new phone. If there is a connection available ask what different types of packages are offered. I am grandfathered into a package with Verizon which does not have a monthly fee (except for my normal cell phone charge). I paid $25 for the cable and software back in 2001. This type of connection is very slow and teaches you patience. I only use it after 9 PM and on weekends. This connection requires a strong signal between your cell phone and a digital cell tower. There are still some analog towers in remote western locations and the connection will not work. There is also an expensive satellite connection available. I do not have the experience in that type. I do know that it is fast and can connect to the internet as long as the line of sight to the satellite is not restricted.485Views0likes0CommentsRe: CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS
I have been using a Verizon cell phone connected to the RS232 of my laptop since 2001. At that time it cost me $25 to buy the cable and software (which also compress the data) from Verizon. When connected to a digital tower, I can do everything on the internet in my motorhome as in my home. Except, at home I have Roadrunner cable which is much faster than the 14.4 KBPS of my cell phone connection. I do not pay anything extra for the laptop connection. I have a very basic service (300 minutes prime time, 1500 minutes after 9 and weekends) which may not be available anymore. Using this connection I do not have to worry about telephone numbers. Before roadrunner, I was connected to MSN as a provider and that also worked great. The slow data rate teaches you patience. I up load all my pictures to my WebSite, mekkerfest.com, using this connection, along with e-mail, bill paying, and monitoring the stock market. But I am sure that by now there are much faster and better connections to the Web using the USB. I am happy with what I have ($35 per month for the cell phone and the data interface) so I do not plan on looking into something faster. I still use Office 97! Why change?460Views0likes0CommentsRe: CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS
I have been using a Verizon cell phone connected to the RS232 of my laptop since 2001. At that time it cost me $25 to buy the cable and software from Verizon. I can do everything on the internet in my motorhome as in my home. Except, at home I have Roadrunner cable which is much faster than the 14.4 KBPS of my cell phone connection. I do not pay anything extra for the laptop connection. And the slow data rate teaches you patience. I only use the cell phone connection after 9 PM and on weekends, when the minutes are free. I up load all of my pictures to my WebSite, mekkerfest.com, using this connection, along with e-mail, bill paying, and monitoring the stock market. But I am sure that by now there are much faster and better connections to the Web. I am happy with what I have so I do not plan on looking into something faster. I still use Office 97! Why change?460Views0likes0CommentsRe: First Time Buyer...Updated 03/06/2006
Very good listing. Here are some personal items which we would change: Do not want the washer/dryer, but would rather have more storage. Most campgrounds have very good washer/dryer facilities. Do like the dinette vs. table and chairs. Want a shower which has a vent and can be used without blocking access to the rear bedroom. Do not mind slide outs blocking access while on the road. Would never give up a pantry for a four door refrigerator. Need a gas oven for dry camping. We are very happy with the workhorse chassis. (Do not mind the few times we had to reduce speed while going up steep grades.) We had a great trip to Alaska from New York and did not wish for a diesel. Would not accept a unit unless we spent the night in it first. Many dealers have local campgrounds to make this possible. Went to Georgia to get the best deal. But we are getting the best service from our local dealer here in Syracuse. Next time we will pay the extra $1,500 and get the MH locally.450Views0likes0Comments
Groups
Motorhome Group
Join in here to discuss all things motorhomes.Jan 23, 202538,705 Posts
