All ActivityMost RecentMost LikesSolutionsRe: few places to start RVing Panhandle,FLCharles in GA there hasn't been a mom pop type hotel on the bayside for over 22 years there not ever coming back that I know of. there is a demand for marinas more so apartments w/ boat slips. anyway I was forced out of necessity to buildup a pockect cruiser as a weekender, most of the time 95% I love it the 5% is getting used to nap time exspecially w/ that mouse crunching on chips. having a landing on 4 day trips would probably extend each expedition. AL is more rural than FL. these folks that have vacation home rentals should be willing to rent a spot off to the side for RV time to rub elbows w/ these folks. up in Orchard Park NY where the Buffalo Bills play the home owners adjacent to stadium rent the front & back yard for parking this is a good source of revenue so I advocate for a private RV spots what to you Guy's thinkfew places to start RVing Panhandle,FLA few places to start RVing Panhandle,FL- Ft.Morgan, AL Objective find a decently priced RV place w/ at minium boat ramp/ and allow the trailer on porperpty, prefer a marina. I live in centrel Alabama and mainly go boating in the Gulf. I camp on vessel it’s basicely a enclosed express cabin cruiser. The deep sea fishing regulations have gone crazy however I still love catching a giant fish. I’d like a State park type RV place. Apprehensive about length of intire rig 23’RV+30’vessel I’m sure the florida parks driving around area is seriously reduced for maneuvering 60’ of stuff. I believe Orange bch.AL has a RV place however there’s no gulf acces for this park. There’s a RV place heading toward Ft.Morgan stopping in there a few times ad the place is always full this place has a bayside ramp which makes it the only real place to park a RV, that I know of. I believe panama city bch. FL has st.andrews state park not sure about gulf acess either. After hurriacane opel so 20 years ago there hasn’t been any gulf bayside hotels w/ marines. Ft.Walton bch Okaloosa island has a RV place where the 2 old hotels where pior to opel ($120. per night.was sticker stock for parking a RV) On the bayside no marinea /slip. the old buchaneer hotel doe'snt have a pier or ramp but is on the bayside https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34542-d80169-Reviews-Buccaneer_Beach_Motel-Panama_City_Florida.html any home owners in the area willing to rent a spot in you're back yard yet me know.Re: towing w/ camper few ?syes this sounds like are gobberment protecting us in fairness there are protecting porteriey values like. edit: this campinping w/ the truck camper on my own wet lands, I'm thinking way back in the wetland much less regulated. the squatting I write of is tempuary while erecting a camping shack. after crunching the tow capacity # comparing my gtm360 SUV to a 1500 either silverado or a convention express the G360 is twice for the better. current short plan emphasize on camperizing the vessel w/ completeing the full canvas behind cabin enclosure. this will like double the inside area of the vessel. allready have the top of canvas essential for shade, roll down sides would be easy. I think my plan to reuse some camping equipment on both the TV and the vessel should be considered unrealistic, except for the generater. so next I makes canvas sides, what type inzsee glass do you Guys recommend last time I ordered some cheaper chinese stuff I think ordering from them is on hold for a while. plan on mounting my coleman gasoline 2 burner to the bow next to escape hatch this is as far away from any fuel fumes located in rear /side of vessel.Re: towing w/ camper few ?sThe van I’ve been towing w/ for last three years has been replaced w/ a gtm360 trailblazer type SUV it is a midsized w/ 5.3AWD L33 all aluminum engine.it’s called the Saab97xxi5.3 303 horse power 330FT LBs weights 4650LB towes 6500 w/ 600LB Tongue.weight. this is the finest trailblazer made for nice denial intera 13” rotors on front and rear brakes 18” rims. I know I a little about the LS1 modding up horse power. I’ve kindof picked out a stroked 6liter 403ci proballey 650HP normalley. w/ a 4L80E. w/ upgraded transfer case & diff.s I believe the turbo desils have serious torque. Upwards of 900FT LB w/ little tweeks on turboing.Re: towing w/ camper few ?syes fro what I understand the GMs don't have the death wooble like the fords and dodges. why don't I ever see camper trucks towing anything. still waiting on responses to ?s 1,2,3 especially the squatting ? kayteg this is my first camper remember I'm progressing from a conversion van so I would like a basic camper that doesn't hang way past the rear bumper interfering w/ launching/retrieving the vessel. most of the smaller C/B class RV are extended way past the rear bumper, main reason of considering a TC. just a basic camper yes shower/stovetop/dinette remember this is just a weekender because of lack of hotels. however I forsee extended trips for more time and farrer from home.thankstowing w/ camper few ?sHello all fellow road gypsies I’ve worked nationwide on the road for over 22 years always in hotels so I’m a gypsie. I’m Steve reside in Alabama I’m at 220’ above sea level. Been using a 02 chevy express 1500 hightop conversion van for towing my 24’ cabin cruiser On 220 mile one way trips to the gulf of Mexico for extended weekends. My cruising area is Ft.Morgan, AL to Destin, FL. I have family in Destin however it’s gated community HOA controlled no boats in driveway this a million $ home 100’ from bay (not water front) go figure. I camp on the vessel unless extreme wind even in protected waters, yes there has been times over the years where even me was scared of Mother nature. Way back in the good old days pre hurricane opel there where two hotels 1 mom pop Mom liked me 2nd a marina type 2 starish this was so easy for me, I’d launch 3 blocks away at the public boat ramp. Drive over to either hotel which was usually Moms Tie vessel up to the tourist observation pier. Walk back move both van & trailer to moms hotel shove the trailer off to the side, dune fun beginnes. Moms had big ice machine and a convenience store next door resturants/night clubs in walking distance again way to easy. For the last 15 years there’s no hotels on bayside or intercoastal water way in my area. There are a few w/ docks first come deal I could moore but relucltant, Hence upgrading from open vessel to a cabin so there you have it I’m forced to livaboard my vessel which I love. Over these years I’ve rarely sleep in the van it’s nice and has a sofa bed but cramped and it’s no RV w/ home livable stuff just a bed. There are expensive hotels w/ boat slips couple w/ paid ramps most ramps are some disstanse, all these hotels don’t allow trailers you have to rent a place for the trailer no thanks way to much crape. ?1.I’m considering purchasing a small lot where I can pull up w/ a truck camper and stay at like a campsite not sure if the local residents allow even a land owner w/ a power pole to squat for a week at a time. were talking underdeveloped wet lands in Perdido bay area this area is very ritzie. ?2.what type truck is required to firstly tow and stop my 4K LB vessel w/ a decent camper. ?3. I like the wetlands idea so the truck would probably be all wheel drive or 4 wheel drive probably gasoline engine not liking the noise of desil or extra cost of fuel. Concerned about chances of the death wooble being increased w/ both 450LB tongue weight and a camper? ?4.there are a couple RV camps that could be a possibility same $ as hotel go figure. The one I stopped and asked about told me if I was to expect to stay here you’re RV Would need to meet certain requirements like good appearance and less than 10 years old Sounded like a HOA are TC scrutinized? Thanks SteveRe: Chevy express Towing U-haul flatbed w/ 4650LB trailblazerI've already passed on the musicians van to many miles and very worn on inside.like I say I should've hung up the phone when the he said he bought from an old white guy. now I'm considering the next prospect a 04 explorer.w/168K miles but appears much better condition especially underneath rust which is minimal. I'm basicelly anti truck but maybe one day I'd like a overland type f250 camperized truck I have alot to learn about payloads and towing at the same time.I rarely see a truck w/ camperized shell towing anything so this may not be a good idea. yes I'm currently towing w/ a awd midsized suv 5.3 V8 gtm360 (303HP 330torque weight is 1K LBs litter than a tahoe tows& stops great just small on the inside) good and camping in main vessel cabin cruiser on water & land.I should probablly emphasize on makeing the cabin cruiser more comfortable and just keep the suv. I'd like to take a few quickie trips w/ my dingy no trailer wanted so I'd prefer a van w/ dingy on roof or vertically on a cargo carrier. check the created threads on each subject. would you happen to know where the options lable is on express vans. thanks TBRe: Chevy express Towing U-haul flatbed w/ 4650LB trailblazerconsidering a 04 express conversion it's priced kindof high however the seller hasn't sold in a 5 week period he's finding out the PITA of selling anything. anyway I requested the options code marty says it's in the glove box my saab has a sticker in it's gl9ve box my trans am has it on the door w/ the tire lable. the seller claims there isn't a lable in the glove box which is really the dog house's engines storage. did get the tire lable but there aren't codes. could the code lable be located some other place? thanksRe: Chevy express Towing U-haul flatbed w/ 4650LB trailblazerI’m glad someone mentioned not all vans came w/ g80 I have a thread at the chevy forum titlted help me choose my new express. Stan a owner of a newer 3500 extended admitted he wished he checked his van came w/the g80 LSD (it's one wheel wonder) or is G80 allways locked to both wheels like a detriot locker.Re: Chevy express Towing U-haul flatbed w/ 4650LB trailblazeryeah G80 is a must don't want a one wheel wonder. the preferred AWD mite be hard to find down south I do see the AWDs up north on icei slippy roads. I thought all express's came w/ g80 and the option is gear ratio. I'd like the biggest strongest hitch like a class 4 at 1K tongue weight & 10K for load even thou I'm only towing less than 1/2 that weight. so are the 1500 hitches same physical size making a 3500 4 class will fit a 1500? thanks
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