RE: Are RVs supposed to stop at all truck weigh stations?
In Canada the sign posted as you approach a wiegh station will say "RV exempt". It looks like they could be asked to stop, but I've never seen the sign say that RV's were not exempt.
I have heard that in BC DOT checks are done on RV's to ensure proper wieghts. But I have not driven my RV into BC to find out if this is the case.
In Alberta many of the weigh stations are self serve, and if empty I have used them just to see what my rig does weigh.
RE: ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH DO YOU USE
I have AMA (Alberta Motor Association) RV+ and called them once this summer. Came right to the campsite to change a tire on my trailer. Have used AMA for the vehicle in the past. Only takes one tow to make it pay for itself. As for travel tip, I have had the travel trip-tiks (I think that's what they are called) It is the individually created travel guide/map from point A to point B. Used it for a trip from Alberta to Mississippi. Work great. Better than trying to sort out the big maps, and had lots of extra info specific to our trip. A nice freebie for a long trip.
RE: Forest River Qaultiy?
We've owned our Rockwood 8319SS - a 34 foot ultra light. Been satisfied, love the layout. Very minor cosmetic items. The piece of plastic that holds the door open, does not withstand much punishment. Had one of the aluminum braces under the slide break and fall off. I think it keeps the bottom part of the slide out from flapping too much in the wind.
Find the water pump noisey, but apparantly that is a common complaint.
And the RVQ strip on the side of the trailer pulled away, thicker screw and a little automotive goop and we are good.
Everyone we show our trailer to is very impressed. It had much more going for it than lots of trailers we looked at costing thousands more.
So far so good.
RE: # of Pets Allowed at RV Parks
We travel with three dogs, only once was it an issue, and that because they had a per pet surcharge - we chose not to camp at that campsite. Good to know that if we head south of the border there may be some pet issues.
RE: RVing in support of some other hobby?
I'm a Train fan and model railroader, my wife collects teddy bears; one of our notions when we bought our RV (Rockwood TT) was to be able to attend conferneces, and conventions, as well as visit the many historical railways and such. And my wife loves her three little dogs - being able to travel with the dogs was high on the lists of reasons we should get into RVing.
RE: No Older RVs Allowed!!!
Their park their rules??? What if the sign said no one of colour allowed?
The no 10 year old RV is a form of discrimination, . . . only richer folks welcome here. If you want only the poshest of the posh, then jack your prices up, that way the poor folk in the converted school bus will not be staying with your rich folks.
RE: pet prohibited
We travel with my wife's three little "babies", aka small white noise makers. I fully appreciate the value of a no-pet zone, and even an Adult Only park. But I was puzzled by a campsite that had a per dog surcharge, they also were going to surcharge for our second vehicle (my wife brings her convertible when we travel closer to home). The total of the surcharges were more than 50% the cost of the campsite. We passed on this location.
RE: Who camps close to home?
We've not yet camped within 20 miles, but we've camped a few time at sites less than one hour away. I consider that close to home.
RE: Dodge 5.7 Hemi in 1500 and 2500
Just got back from a weekend at Vermilion Provincial Park, the trip is short 130 km (80 miles) but a hilly drive by prairie standards, a couple of nice long climbs up from river valleys. Anyway the Dodge 1500 did just fine, pulled the load along at speed (100k) without having to tax the engine (1,800 - 3,000 rpm) and I averaged about 11 mpg according to the trip computer on board. Might just look at the 2009 2500 with the Hemi when I turn in the keys next July.
RE: Dodge 5.7 Hemi in 1500 and 2500
The converstation has been good, educational even. Everyone with a diesel seems to love their truck.
Based on what I read here, if I can swing the financing, the Cummins Turbo Diesel (CTD) 2500, or even 3500 would be the way to go, but based on the number of complains I've read about the problems Dodge has had with their efforts to meet emission standards, I am leary of a Dodge, especially given the cost of repairs on a diesel.
See:
JD Power overall rating
Cummins Forum - 6.7litre
Dodge Forum - Major Problems with 6.7
Edmunds Consumer Reviews
Then I read that Dodge cancelled their contract with Cummins; or are renegotiating a contract. What's up with that? Autoweek Article
I know that people with complaints are more likely to post complaints than those without complaints. I've put 20,000 km on my 1500 Laramie and have not posted anything, and have not had a lick of trouble. But even so, it looks like it is a toss up with about a third of the forum posters very unhappy with their newer CTD Dodge with the emission controls. :(
Not sure I'm going to write off the CTD yet, but I'm more cautious now. I have not researched the Ford or GM trucks much, and maybe they have similar troubles. In any case I will be looking for either a new one, or one with lots of warranty left.
RE: Dodge 5.7 Hemi in 1500 and 2500
i used to tow with the same dodge 1500 you have. let me tell you it seemed to struggle with my 7500 lb. loaded trailer. I now have a 2008 dodge ram 2500 with the hemi and 4.10 gears. what a difference. the gas mileage does suck but with the bigger suspension and tires it pull a ton better. now i know diesel is nicer but didn't have the cash for that. also i don't live near mountains or have travel to the mountains yet, so i don't know how it will go there. hope this helped.
Thanks for the first hand experience. I've been reading up on Dodge & Ford 3/4 ton trucks, these are the likely choices as both have good dealerships near by. If I could get a deal on a diesel I'd look at it very carefully, but I also use the truck for winter transport, and diesel's I've been warned do not like the bitter cold we get up here. My dearly beloved's PT convertible has first dibs on the garage so the truck is outside all winter.
I do live near enough to the mountains to want to take a trip that way some day. And I've heard that the transport cops in BC do not always post the "RV Excempt" sign on all the weigh stations like the do here in Alberta.
I'm looking at a crew cab with long box, in part to get more interior room, and in part to get the longer TV which is supposed to help with the handling on a 34 foot trailer.
Glad you are enjoying your Ram 2500, even if it sucks gas.
Dodge 5.7 Hemi in 1500 and 2500
We have a Dodge 1500 with the 5.7 hemi Dodge engine,(3.92 gears).
I want to improve my towing capacity. As it sits I'm close to the max allowed, although all axel's individual capacities are well within allowable limits. When towing it sucks gas like kids and koolaid on a hot day. It is also pretty gutless towing (7000# total load). We are leasing the truck until next June. So I have lots of time to kick tires.
As I looked I found that the 2009 Dodge 2500 comes with a 5.7 Hemi engine (gas option). It sounds like the same engine I have in the 2008 1500. Based on the 09 brochures, the 09 2500 Mega Cab can pull about 1700# (807kg) more than the half ton using the same engine. How does that work?
So how does that same engine pull more trailer, when it is also pulling a heavier frame? :h
RE: Diesel vs gas......................
I've heard of these new truck, even seen a couple. It would help if they had dealers in these parts. Nearest Toyauto dealer is about 300 kms away. Pretty scarce in rural Canada.
RE: Diesel vs gas......................
Last year we bought a Rockwell 8319SS. which comes in around 7,800 loaded. Learned right away that while Rockwell may say they are "Half-ton towable" they didn't say just how well a half ton could tow it.
The truck however is a lease, so come July 2010 we turn in the keys and drive away in a different truck. Which one is the question.
Given the 260+ replies in this gas-diesel debate, and then the debate about 3/4 ton vs 1 ton, then of course which make. Should take me until Jul 2010 to sort things out. And by then, who know whick companies will still be afloat.
:?
RE: Local dealer will not do waranty work on RV he did not sell
I became aware of this issue when shopping for our RV last year. I learned that many Canadians hoped to save thousands by driving south of the border to buy a trailer. (I did the math and factoring in the cost of the travel and exchange on the dollar the savings did not add up, but for some it must have been too tempting. Anyway, it was a local TV station that ran a piece on the news about the attitude of Canadian Dealers who would not touch an american sold trailer, if the owner was canadian. They offered to help stranded american travellers who needed a fix to keep on the road, but that was all.
It was a chilling learning. I asked about repair policies when I went shopping, and everywhere it was the same. "We take care of our own first and foremost, and almost exclusively".
I live in northern Alberta and towns with any RV service are few and far between. I did not buy from my home town, there was only one car dealership that sold a few trailers on the side. The closest dealer for the Rockwood I bought is about 2 hours away.
I agree that this does seem like a poor policy - I would think that the RV shop doing the warranty repair would be well compensated by the manufacturer, if not, then maybe the problem is with the manufacturer and not the dealer?
