RE: RV park in Tampa, FL area
Check out Bay Bayou, rates have gone up a bit lately, but a nice park. Lots of trees, sites are a good size. They have a nice pet area that includes a warm water bath for the pooch.
RE: Driver Swapping?
Rest stops, what rest stops????? Closing of so many across the nation, may encourage such foolishness. Me? I travel solo, unless you count the cat, and he's not licensed, so no switching drivers in my RV.
RE: South Dakota Trip for 2010
If you can make do with electric only, Custer State Park is the place to stay. We stayed at Game Lodge, plenty of room for larger rv's. Location is great to take in the Black Hills, including the Wildlife Loop and Needles Hwy w/in the park.
But, if you are like us, the cg will only serve as a place to park and sleep- we were out all day/everyday taking in the sites. There are lots of good cg options in the area, but no sense paying high prices for amenities that you won't use.
RE: Restringing Pleated Day-Night shades
I took mine down, sent them to the manufacturer (8 yrs old)- they did the restringing for free, but I did pay for shipping. (under 3 yrs they pay shipping). I was afraid my cat would try to help, so it was easier to send them out. :)
UPDATE- thanks for advice-survived 2' snow in Mid-Atl
I posted before the storm asking for tips to get through the storm, so now that it has passed, leaving behind 2' of the white stuff - I'll update.
I brought my slides in prior to the storm, lowered auto roof mount dish, closed gray water,full propane aux tank and hunkered down. It began snowing around 1AM Saturday and snowed through the day and night. Sunday morning I awoke to just flurries, but snow drifts above my knees.
I used a brush and small shovel and cleared the rv roof this AM while the stuff was still fluffy- at least 18" on the roof. I dug out the sewer hose- all good. Next, I dug out the toad and the front of my site in anticipation of heading out soon. I have extended the slides, but kept the sat dish down (using park cable).
The cg staff are working hard to clear the roads and even some of our sites using plows and front end loaders. Life is good - and the record snowfall is beautiful. Thanks to all that gave me advice on my first rv snowstorm!!!!
Stay safe, Kathy
RE: Please sent me some global warming
I'm hunkered down in my mh here in South Jersey with 12"+ on the ground and more to come tonight - Yeeeeshhhhhh
I sure hope my family and friends appreciate my presence during the holiday season, because the warmth and sun of Florida are calling to me!!!! I'm leaving (if I can get out of the cg) next Monday. Here's hoping Mother Nature gives me some global warming and melts most of this white stuff.
It sounds like I'm complaining, and I am, but the snow is beautiful. It's just the extra hassle that isn't so great. Be safe everyone, don't travel in the Mid-Atlantic area until at least Monday.
RE: SNOW TRAVEL ADVISE NEEDED DESPERATELY ASAP!!
I can't help you with any additional route info, and it seems that you have received some great suggestions. I do want to add this; safe travels and a prayer for you and your family.
RE: Home state?
The past 3 yrs I have used Alternative Resources in Sioux Falls, SD. They handled all the initial vehicle titles/registrations, since then it can all be renewed online. The vehicle insurance rates are low, well, at least compared to NJ (but I guess anything would look good since NJ has the highest rates in the nation).
AR, insurance, driver license, vehicle reg/title/plates, and voter registration all located within several feet of each other. Simple.
The only time it is necessary to actually go to SD, is to get your dl, it is good for 5 yrs. SD is FT friendly, based on my experience these past 3 yrs.
Yikes, big snowstorm coming my way - need advice!!
I am in the NE for the holidays, so don't suggest that I move south - no can do. So, I am stuck here, with a forecast of 10-20" of snow arriving tonight through the weekend. OK, what do I need to do today to prepare the rv???
I will: lower roof mount dish, put covers over wipers/mirrors, and bring in the large living/dining slide (my topper sags a bit-the snow will be too heavy, I think)-plus we are supposed to have strong winds accompaning the snow. I already have heat tape on the water hose, and a full aux propane tank. What am I forgetting to do? This is my 1st big snow in the rv (I am a fulltimer that generally stays in milder climates) I am prepared for the cold - but unfamiliar with any problems snow may bring.
Should I be concerned about that amount of snow on the rv roof? Do I need to shovel it off? The temps are to remain cold for the foreseeable future. I will be heading south in a little over 1 week - concerns me that the snow may crust up- then fly off the roof while traveling-
Other than my rv survival concerns, there is something beautiful about snow - it is so peaceful - and it will be a white Christmas thanks, Kathy
positive rv service experience and then some!!!
I want to share with the forum a rare, but very positive rv service experience. A little background: I have a '02 Newmar KS, a water stain appeared on the ceiling during this fall's nor'easter, IDA. I called Parkview RV Center in Smyrna, DE. I had heard (or maybe read here) that they do the seal-tec test to find leaks. We set up an app't, they did the test and determined that the rubber gasket that the AC sits on had compressed and deteriorated with age. They replaced the gaskets on both AC's, and touched up the seals on all the corners and around the slides - about 4 hrs work. This was in early Nov.
Fast forward to the other day when I received a phone call from the service manager, Craig. The rv tech, Greg, who did the work on my roof, just completed a similar repair on another rv. He found that a crack in the AC shroud contributed to that leak along with the gasket. Greg remembered that my AC shroud also has a crack. They called to make me aware of this potential problem. I was pleasantly shocked!!!! That's what I call service. They called me a month + after my repair, wow. My roof/AC - so far, so good, but I will look over my AC cover once the snow is off the roof :)
I have no affiliation with Parkview, just a satisfied customer.
Kathy
Directv DNS question
I am pretty new to the world of sat tv, so I'm hoping someone here can help me out.
I have the winegard travler slimline roof mount dish - with directv HD service, and DNS (distant network service). I am a fulltimer, so I do not have any "home" service. The DNS allows me to view ABC,NBC,CBS, FOX HD. My question is this; my billing address is Sioux Falls, SD - and I have been on the east coast since I became a DTV customer. The DNS channels I currently receive are an east coast feed. When I travel to the west coast this summer, will I get DNS west coast feed? Do I need to contact DTV to get anything switched to receive the west coast feed? Just curious, and thanks for your expertise,
Kathy
RE: Awning Help Needed….Up Date...
You have gotten advice, let me add this: once you get the awning extended and find or install the strap, use this technique when rolling the awning back up. Use the awning rod securely on the strap, as the awning rolls keep the strap at an angle - not straight down - I have discovered that the sharper the angle the more strap remains exposed once the awning is rolled up.
Don't be afraid to take advantage of the awning. I use this rule; if I'm not under it, it is rolled up!!!!!
RE: Headed to Maine - Late Summer 2010
I 2nd the 4-5 days for Bar Harbor, Acadia is an awesome national park!!!!! lots to do there. We stayed at Bar Harbor CG, they do not take reservations, their nightly rate is reasonable. Have also used Narrows Too, good place. The Moorings, in Belfast has the most spectacular views!!!! Shore Hills at BoothBay. Take the friendship sloop, BAy Lady, nice sailboat. If you are traveling w/out kids, you might like Wild Duck Campground in Scarborough. Much, much quieter than most area beach type campgrounds, but very convenient to beach and Portland.
RE: Renting RV/Yosemite questions
Go to Yosemite NP web site, and follow links to campgrounds. Once there, you can find the ones that take reservations, the date the month long blocks open, and (love this feature) lists the length rv each site can handle!!!! I plan to be online at 10AM tomorrow to try for mid May reservations. I'll do the same Jan 15 for the next month block, and hopefully, I'll be spending a few nights in the park.
I plan to visit Sequoia and Kings also, but I will be driving from FL!!!! But, I am a fulltimer, with lots of time, unlike you. When I was checking airfares, I found San Jose to be reasonable, but I do not know about rv rentals.
10 days may be tight to do it all, but if that's all you can arrange, then I would say 2 days each for Kings and Sequoia and the rest for Yosemite. I hear that there are bike paths throughout Yosemites valley - you might want to consider renting some bikes while in the park?
Have a great trip, I know that I am looking forward to my first visit!!!
RE: Newbie
Welcome. I hope you plan to get some use out of that land cruiser before the big trip to Alaska. It's nice to work out the kinks (yours and the coach's) a little closer to home. :) Enjoy.
