Kaz
Explorer
Joined 23 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: FMCA Vote. A Poll and your thoughts.
I suppose I'm D'ish: wait and see. Putting aside people who are just venting their spleens (it's weird that a harmless topic like this generates so much bile), the most thoughtful comments seem to be split about 50/50, so I don't see any way to know for sure what the future holds for FMCA except to give them a fair chance to make it work and see what happens. To the OP, what's the tally? Skip972Views0likes0CommentsRe: Trip to Mt Rushmore
Tweeter wrote: Traveling to Mt Rushmore from Woodland Park Co. sometime in August would appreciate your suggestions on sites to see & places to stay on the way, as well as around the park itself. We don't mind traveling a few miles in our tow to site see. We travel in a 42ft pusher. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I agree with the prior posts: Custer State Park, Black Hills, Norbeck Scenic Highway, Needles Highway, Wind Cave NP, all are worth doing. We were there last summer for 3 days and felt like that was barely enough time. We're definitely going back. We didn't do the Crazy Horse things (we're just not interested) but others go there and like it. YMMV. We stayed at the KOA, which is almost adjacent to Mt. Rushmore. I don't know if I'd recommend it or not. It's an amazing campground, with more facilities and activities than you can imagine, but to me it was a bit like Panama City Beach, with putt-putt miniature golf, trampolines, water slides, ATV rentals, and even tie-dye t-shirt crafts. In some cases, things like that might add to the enjoyment, but here, amidst everything else there is to see and do, such things somehow subtract from the experience. I would hate for anyone to leave this area with memories of putt-putt golf. One more point. I'd definitely stay for the "illumination ceremony" at Mt. Rushmore. Right after dark, in the stark blackness of the night, while “American the Beautiful” plays in the background, a light shines suddenly on Mt. Rushmore, illuminating the carvings of the men who created, preserved, and assured the success of the American ideals. It's a powerful symbol of American exceptionalism literally carved into stone. Then, all members of the military, active and veterans, are invited to come down to the stage for the lowering of the flag. When we were there, the NPS ranger, a former Marine, announced to the audience, “Ladies and Gentlemen, these men and women were willing to put their lives on the line for the sake of American ideals expressed by these presidents, and we should honor them for that now.” The entire audience applauded, really, as a few dozen veterans made their way to the stage, and after the colors were retired, each veteran was introduced to the audience by name, branch, and rank. Skip518Views0likes0CommentsRe: Used DP Pre-purchase Inspection
Winnipeg wrote: We are looking at getting a used DP in the next year, likely between 2001 and 2008, 36' to 40'. Budget is $45k to $70k. We also have a list of preferences including: side radiator, Cummuns ISC or ISL (not Cat or ISB), and a few other wants. We live in Southern California and would travel up to 500 miles to purchase (maybe a little further if it checked all the boxes). The challenge we see is: how to do a pre-purchase inspection? Consider that a) we will likely purchase several hours from home, b) it is not likely convenient for the seller (or us) to simply run it over to the local service center, and c) what to look for in something with 1000 moving parts? Pictures & service records (or lack off) can be useful for making a short list, and a good look may tell you something. Would an extended warranty be worth while? Seems like a useful one would cost a lot. Maybe it is best to just bank $10k of the budget in case. Any suggestions? I haven't seen anyone else mention it, but I was going through a similar process a while back and found a few inspection checklists on the internet (such as this one: http://www.myrv.us/Imgs/PDF/PDI%20New.pdf. (There are others, and I'm not sure this is the best, but it's one I happened to bookmark for some reason.) Also note the advice that getting a qualified inspector/service facility to do an inspection of the engine/chassis components. Skip514Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor customer service
maudski92 wrote: Bought a 2017 Thor Ace in June of last year. Problems from day 1 - has been in the shop multiple times. Now has been in the shop at Camping World since February 16 with about 30 problems. Still waiting for Thor to send parts! Have talked to Thor multiple times since last week, little help! Does anyone have a good contact there? Wow, that's way different than my experience 5 years ago. At that time (I guess things have changed), Thor assigned a "concierge" to each new customer and the concierge was responsible for making sure the customer got whatever they needed. If that's still Thor's practice, I'd recommend going back to the concierge (even though it's been a while since your purchase) and ask that person for a phone number or e-mail contact so you can get to someone who will do something. I'm really sad to read this. We've owned half a dozen brands of RVs over the years and Thor's customer service was by far the best I'd ever encountered. Skip705Views0likes0CommentsRe: Texas Highway 17
Thanks to everyone. We took TX-17 and it was, as stated here, just fine. RoyB wrote: ...We use GOOGLE MAPS all the the time when traveling in different places we are not familiar with... ...Roy Ken Roy -- thanks for taking the time to do that. I also use Google maps quite often when traveling and agree it can be very useful. What I haven't had much luck with, though, is using Google maps to assess grades, road conditions, and current conditions (such as road construction). Still, though, it's a great tool. PawPaw_n_Gram wrote: TX-17 from I-10 to Fort Davis is a fine route for towing/ RVs. Just some minor grades, though going up to Fort Davis is a change of almost 1,800 foot in elevation (3,196 Balmorhea - 5,000 Ft Davis) so it is almost all uphill. TX-17 from Pecos to Balmorhea is like a pool table. Flat, flat, flat. Was in very good shape a couple years ago. US-285 from Carlsbad to Pecos is one of the ten worst roads in the United States at this time in my opinion. Especially the NM section. The road has been beat to death by the overloaded oil-field truck traffic over the past few years. If there is any oil-field work still ongoing, the truckers have no respect or allowances for RV traffic. If I had the time, I'd take US-180/ TX-54/ US-90/ TX-17 to get to Fort Davis. Even if it is almost 40 miles longer. TX-118 from Fort Davis to Kent (I-10) is not an RV friendly road. Boy are you right about US-285! The section through Texas was a bone-jarring nightmare of broken pavement and potholes, accompanied by a never ending stream of high-speed (probably overweight) oil and gas industry trucks. As it turns out, the section through New Mexico was fine, though. All put a couple miles have been repaved and, at least until the trucks destroy it again, it's fine. Anyway, thanks again to everyone, Skip579Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tires: 245/70R/19.5
Pirate wrote: Same size. Have been running XZE LR H. My motorhome drives like a caddy. Tire man tried to get me to something else. I said NO WAY. Just bought 7 of them less than 3 weeks old. Yes, it is costing me more but I will be happy on the road. My second choice was R250 bridgestone but they were just about same price. Similar to the OP, I'm looking to replace 6 245/70R19.5 tires with Michelin. I notice you picked the XZE instead of the XRV. I'd appreciate knowing what drives the decision to go one way or the other. Skip960Views0likes0CommentsRe: Mud flaps or tow guard for Vista?
Skyfarmer wrote: We are trying to decide between rear mud flaps or a tow guard for our Vista 30T. What do you suggest? If tow guard, solid or brush? Thanks, Lee I think the reason why one sees so many contradictory reports might be because the best type of toad protection depends on the geometry of the motorhome and the tow arrangement. Your Vista 30T is similar to our ACE 30.1, and our experience on a 7000-mile trip last year was that the paint on the front of the toad ended up badly chipped and pitted. The ACE has factory installed mud flaps right behind the rear tires and no rear-end mud guard. So, obviously, that combination didn't work with our particular layout. After a fair amount of research (including here: Best Way to Protect Toad), we ended up purchasing a Protect-A-Tow. So far, we're only about 760 miles into using it, but there's no evidence of any harm to the front of the toad, so I'm cautiously optimistic. Skip279Views0likes0CommentsRe: Moccasin Creek State Park, GA
garmp1 wrote: Anyone trout fish at Moccasin Creek State Park? Thinking about including this in our September trip and am looking for some personal insight. Both out of state retired seniors that like to trout fish. The regs for that park are hard to find and a bit vague, at least to me. Thought I check here before talking to someone in charge so I at best seem to know what I'm talking about. thanks Oh yes, there's fishing. Last time I was there, there was a special heavily stocked segment of the creek where fishing is restricted to children, handicapped, and SENIORS! Tons of fun.186Views0likes0Comments
Groups
Bucket List Trips
Bucketlist destinations you just can't miss. Which spots stick with you?Jan 18, 202513,487 Posts Motorhome Group
Join in here to discuss all things motorhomes.Feb 13, 202538,707 Posts
