RE: Camping in or near Columbus, OH
I'm also in the Columbus area, and agree with the recommendations for either Delaware State Park or Alum Creek State Park. Both are really nice, heavily wooded, with miles of hiking trails, lake access, etc. I really like the fact the sites are spacious and private, but the sites are still easily accessible with out 40 ft. DP. Delaware State Park is laid out in a series of cul-de-sacs, which really cuts down on the traffic past your camp site. We live just a few miles from Delaware State Park and stay there a couple times a year as a quick weekend get-away.
My father-in-law stays at Cross Creek when they visit. He mostly likes the pull-through spots, which the State Parks don't have. It seems very well maintained, but it's kind of your basic "RV's parked side by side in an open field", which really isn't our cup of tea.
All three are only about 15 minutes from the northern side of Columbus.
RE: Getting used to
Went from a 30 ft. Class C to a 40 ft. Class A DP this spring. Driving the Class C was like driving a van, which I've done off and on all my life. Driving the Class A is like driving a bus, which I've never done!
It takes a little while, but you'll get used to it. Obviously the driving position is a big change, and it will take a bit of time for your brain to grasp the spacial awareness of where you are in the lane, etc. And yes, turning -- particularly right turns in the city -- can be a bit unnerving. My advice is to find a larger, empty parking lot, and practice a bit before heading out on a trip.
On the plus side, the view is great!
RE: in dash radio replacement
Mine's a CDX-715. Like the earlier poster noted, I really don't use it since I have my music on my iPhone and iPod, but I figure as long as I was replacing things, may as well keep stuff compatible if possible.
Again, Crutchfield can answer all of your questions regarding fit and compatibility. Highly recommend them.
RE: in dash radio replacement
What's the model number of your current Sony?
Most of the stereos are a single DIN size, so there's a ton of replacements. I've found the tech folks at Crutchfield (www.crutchfield.com) are extremely knowledgeable and very helpful.
In the case of my 1999 American Eagle, I was able to update the stock Sony AM-FM-Cassette with a new Sony AM-FM-CD with CD changer controls (for the OEM Sony changer), as well as an Aux input (for my XM Satellite receiver) and a USB input (for my iPhone), without changing any of the wiring. Simply plug and play, and less than $150.
Interesting RV Audio/Video Install
Crutchfield put together an interesting audio/video install on a 1999 Fleetwood Discovery. Not a huge amount of detail, but still a pretty good read:
www.crutchfield.com/rvrock
Rt. 2 - Vermont to Maine
Looking to travel Rt. 2 from I-89 (Montpelier, VT area) to Bangor, Maine, in about a week. Driving a 40 ft. DP. Feedback from anyone with experience with this road would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
Mark
RE: Tampa to Columbus
We've made that trip at least once a year for the past six or so years and much prefer I-95 / I-77. I-75 has way more traffic, and I don't remember the last time we were on I-75 and there wasn't an extensive delay. We returning from SC in April and got stuck in a six-hour delay in KY due to fatal accidents. I-77 has the mountains in WV, but there's only one real climb. Much less traffic and much better scenery.
RE: Backing an enclosed trailer with a DP
I pull a 6 x 12 enclosed trailer with a 40 ft. DP. I'll probably have to turn in my Man Card for admitting this, but backing it up isn't easy. You have a very long coach with a short trailer, which is exactly opposite of ideal. A small movement of the steering wheel results in a large movement in the trailer. You can't see the trailer in the mirrors, and, while the rearview camera helps, it's still tough. Longer, wider trailers are *much* easier. I pulled my buddy's 8 x 16 trailer and it was a night and day difference.
This sounds like a one-time deal for you, so -- if you're careful, and perhaps have a spotter to help -- I'm sure you'll be fine.
RE: vinyl tire covers
Do yourself a favor and trash the bungee cord tire covers. I bought the Covercraft snap ring covers and I'll never use anything else. They are essentially the same covers with a big expandable plastic ring, more of a horse shoe, inside. You spread the ring and slip them over the tires and the ring clamps around the back edge. At the very worst you have to kneel down to install or remove. No more laying on the ground screwing around with pita bungees that loose their elasticity and are hard to pass around the tire....Mine were $55 plus tax and shipping, if memory serves, a pair and they ship to your door. My experience with Covercraft is that they have excellent products, I have their windshield sunshades in all of my cars. Their site is a little odd to navigate, but, if you get on there look for Covercraft Pacific and you can find the covers on there. I'd post a link, but, I'm a little challenged in that area. Maybe just Google Covercraft snap ring tire covers. Might be easier to call them! I am not affiliated with the company, just a very happy customer.
x2
Had them on my old motorhome for 6 years, just bought a set for my new (to me) coach. JC Whitney had the best price I could find with free shipping.
RE: Trip to Maine
Hatman: Have done your proposed route before and yes, you can do it. It is good 2 lane. It is mostly mountain roads with hills, dips, and a few tight turns. If you're not in a hurry, you'll enjoy it. We took it over and up to the north tip of Lake Champlain, literally 100 yds from the Canadian border and then down through the center of Lake Champlain and on into Vermont. Of course we made a stop at the Ben & Jerry's original plant. They have modest RV parking. Decent but not over abundant. The tour is "good" but not the end all. Average speed will be about 45-50 tops. As I said, good 2 lane with curves, hills, and valleys and a few small towns but not too many. If you need to make time, go the old way. But this is a nice ride.
Safe travels!
Thanks DanaMc
Another option would be to take I90 to I87, then take Hwy 4 and then Hwy 2 east. Should avoid some of the Interstate monotony without adding too much time to the trip.
RE: Trip to Maine
If I could piggyback on the same topic: Columbus, Ohio to Calais, Maine. Have done the Turnpike east then I95 North before and would like to avoid the monotony and the I95 weekend gridlock. Thinking about I81 North to Hwy 3; 3 east to Sarnac Lake. Then it looks like a variety of highways (86, 73, 9N, 185, 17, and 100) to work our way east to Hwy 2 in Montpellier. Then Hwy 2 all the way east to where we pick up Hwy 9 in Bangor.
Concerns are: 1) are these roads suitable for a 40 ft. DP motorhome? Width, curves, tree overhang, etc. 2) thoughts on average speed for planning purposes -- how many small towns, stoplights, etc.?
Thanks in advance!
Mark
RE: Where to get Onan Generator serviced without paying $1000.
Cummins in Hillard gave me the $1000 phone estimate.
Thanks for all the help.
That's not surprising. I don't think they really want to work on RVs and give high estimates to discourage RV owners.
You might give this place a shot:
http://www.wilsonsrv.com/
North of Columbus between Delaware and Sunbury. Haven't used him personally, but several people I know give him great reviews. He's a one-man shop and is usually at least two weeks out on making service appointments, so plan appropriately.
RE: financing
I just financed a 1999 American Eagle through my credit union. Most of the better-known RV-specific lenders won't finance a coach older than 10 years. Credit Unions are usually small enough that they can be much more flexible with these type of loans. Also, many credit unions now have very lax membership requirements -- the one I used only requires that you a resident of that county. Pick up the phone and start calling.
RE: last minute camping trip on Memorial day
Quite a few of the state parks designate a certain number of sites as "non-reservable." Usually if you get there reasonably early you can find a site. Hit the state park websites for the states you're traveling in and check it out.
