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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Football Junky...but hate DirecTV
My problem with DirectTV is when I am not using the RV for several months. I am required to call DirectTV and purchase the cheapest TV package they have ($29.95) per month for each month I am not using it. If I don't do that, they will require me to start another 2 year contract each time I start to use the RV again.
I believe the NFL package is around $250 per season - but it is a decent service - if you like football.
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KO
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09/04/14 04:34pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Austin, TX to Orlando, FL
My travel speed is also about 62 MPH. I drive a 38' Class A diesel. I find I do have to stop every 2.5 to 3 hours to stretch and walk the dog. Weather can be severe in the gulf coast and may slow or stop your travel.
There is a KOA right off I-10 at the Milton FL exit which is just east of Pensacola. They have a pool so kids can go jump in and burn some energy.
The campgrounds do seem to get a bit harder to find in the AL, MS and LA states. They are there but typically further from interstate.
Houston traffiic will definitly slow your average speed down.
The trip can be done as you planned - but it will make for some long days. When I drive my car (not the RV) I make Tampa to CA in 2.5 days but that is 14 hour days behind the wheel.
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KO
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08/27/14 10:34am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Diagnostic Charges
Thanks for quick turn around. It must be covered as you all have replaced the black box 3 times but I had to pay for the diagnostics this time.
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KO
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08/25/14 10:11am |
Good Sam Extended Service Plan
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RE: Austin, TX to Orlando, FL
I drive Tampa to Yuma 4 times a year (2 round trips). All the info provided is correct - especially the Mississippi River bridge being a PIA.
I am not sure if Gulf Shores is your half way point or only stop enroute. If this is your only planned stop then the following comments apply.
My first thought is I think you are a bit agressive on driving Orlando to Gulf Shores in 1 day. I usually drive Tampa to Pensacola on day 1 - though I could continue to drive but I stop around 4:00 PM.
Not sure where you are coming from in the Texas Hill country but - San Antonio and Houston are absolute nitemares to drive! Especially if you hit them in or near rush hour traffic. I always time it so the first city I hit will be around 6:00 AM which makes the second city around 10:00 AM. If you do hit trafiic - I think Gulf Shores is way to agressive in one day.
My most favorite rest stop in the U.S. is the Stenner Rest Stop on the Mississippi side of the Mississippi/Louisana state line. It has dump stations and wonderful parking for RV's.
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KO
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08/25/14 10:08am |
Roads and Routes
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Diagnostic Charges
I recently had some work done on my electric awning. I have had this looked at 3 times in the past. Each time the "fix" was to replace the black box but within days it would stop working. The problem is - I was on the road for some time and was never able to take it back.
This past week I had a guy come out and fix my awning as Yuma AZ has 108 degree heat and the awning is a nice fixture! Repair guy told me that the Good Sam Extended service does not pay for diagnostic time. If this is true - why is that?
KO
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KO
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08/25/14 09:52am |
Good Sam Extended Service Plan
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RE: Gas vs Diesel (I've read the FAQs!!)
I have nothing to add to the diesel climbing except my experience. I have driven my 38 ft 34,000 LB RV (powered by a CAT 330) on I-70 over Vail Pass towing my car. I think this is one of the hardest long climbs you will encounter on the intersate system. I had plenty of power going up and was passing many other vehicles.
The other part I enjoy is the braking capability the Allison 6 speed transmission provides (not to mention the engine retard). I have learned to pay more attention to coming down then going up.
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KO
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05/08/14 09:43am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Holiday Rambler or Fleetwood
I would go after the 400 CAT as I know there is no DEF required. My CAT has given me no problmes. I think the Holiday has a better chassis but both are good vehicles.
just my 2 cents... Which is worth about that!
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KO
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05/07/14 10:10am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: CareFree Awning Stop Working .... Update & fixed
When I say it doesn't work - it does nothing. I know it will extend and retract as it does each time it comes back from repair but then a couple of days later - D-E-A-D!
Again, I have had 4 of the black boxes replaced and I now have a handful of remotes.
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KO
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05/07/14 10:00am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Finding a friendly place to fuel up.
Skyline Drive will be a nice drive. There are some tight curves. Tunnels can also get your blood pressure up as they can be tight - take them slow.
Getting fuel is an important skill to get early on your RV career. You don't have a lot of time to figure it out as you approach a gas station. Do plan your departure! As someone else said - look for end fuel pumps - they are also the usual pumps that have the diesel.
You can use the truck stop/plazas. They are usually a bit more expensive but to me well worth the expense due to ease of access. To use a truck lane, pull up to pump and then go inside and give them your CC or cash. They will ask you how much to authorize and give them a high number - that way you get filled. Go back out and full up your tank. Truck stops usually allow you to fill up from left or right side. You can also clean your windshield with the long handles window cleaners. Once vehicle is filled, move vehicle well forward so next truck can move in and start their fill up. Time is money to these guys. Once you have filled up and moved forward go inside and complete your transaction and then depart the truck lane.
Have fun and god luck on trip.
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KO
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05/06/14 10:46am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: CareFree Awning Stop Working .... Update & fixed
I have a 2006 with Carefree awning over side and another one over entrance door. Entrance door one works like a charm. The side awning has had its black box replaced 4 times and the dang thing still doesn't work. Never has and I guess never will. If someone does figure out a fix - I would sure like to know it as Lazy Days (Twice), RV World in Yuma AZ, and AL's RV Yuma cannot fix it so it works. When they do repair it - it works for about 1-2 days and then nothing...
I have given up.
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KO
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05/06/14 10:30am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Along the Mexico border???
I make the trip from Yuma AZ to Tampa FL at least 4 times per year. Sometimes in 40 ft RV sometimes in a car. I drive Baton Rouge to Ft. Stockton in a car in one day and if in RV I stop in Kerrville TX. Ft. Stockton would be my target if I were you coming from Houston.
Do fill up in Ft. Stockton as there is nothing until El Paso.
Interstates are safe - no worries. Cell Tower connecting to Mexico is a non-problem with Verizon anywhere along route.
Las Cruces NM has a really nice RV resort right off I-10 if you can make it that far.
Big thing to watch out for is fuel. Don't let it get to low as it can be some distance between stops.
Enjoy the trip.
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KO
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04/30/14 10:54am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Garmin RV 760 vs Rand McNally 7720
I wrote this review up on the RVND when I first got mine.
RVND Review
Hope this helps.
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KO
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04/25/14 10:20am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Barbecue + beer: Is it ok in every RV camp ?
As for grillin and camping - just go to RV World and look at the number of portable camping grills they have available. I always have beer in the RV fridge. If drinking beer is illegal - I just drink it inside (or use the the old Red Solo cups).
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KO
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04/02/14 10:34am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: CB channels...
I have CB in my RV. I use it when traffic is slowed or stopped. Always good to know what lane to get in and how much of a back up is involved. Also good when I get bored listening to XM radio all day. I am not a speeder in my RV but the Bear reports are good.
My CB has weather channels and I get weather warnings on it. I do leave radio on to monitor weather reports.
Saved me a lot of time coming into Baton Rouge. Traffic was stopped as their was a big accident on the Mississippi River bridge. Truckers were telling each other to get off a exit prior and head north and cross river and then back to I-10. I listened and followed and it worked like a charm.
Yes there is room for CB and RV forums on your smart phone - but CB is still king when you need to know what is happening in your immediate area now.
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KO
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04/02/14 10:23am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Wonder what an extended trip will cost?
I am not in total agreement with all of these fuel numbers. I do travel very different from what you all are describing as I need to get from Tampa, FL to Yuma, AZ on a timetable. It is also a trip I make twice a year so I am familier with the route and I have been doing this for a 6.5 years. I have a 38 ft Fleetwood Diesel towing a 1991 Honda Civic.
It is about 2300 miles one way and I do this trip in 3.5 to 4 days so my daily mileage is much higher and hence higher daily fuel costs. I do stop about twice a day for fuel (7.5-8 mpg)and have been averaging about $3.80 a gallon for a total cost of about $1140 for fuel.
While someone making the same trip over a longer time period (say 2 weeks vice my 3 days), would result in spending the same amount on fuel. Total fuel costs would be the same; however, daily fuel costs would be lower.
I do stay at Good Sam or KOA when I desire to have electric and take on water but I will boondock at Truck stops or Rest areas. I generally do this trip with less then $90 spent on RV sites.
I agree with previous comment about not including meals as you have to eat even if you are not on the trip. All of my meals are cooked in RV so my daily cost (with fuel) comes to about $325/day - again this is because of my tight timeline. If I made this trip in 7 days then my daily rate would be down to around $50/day.
I think the point I am making is daily cost is too variable but the total cost of a trip remains constant.
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KO
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03/31/14 11:03am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: fleetwood grey water drain problems
This is an interesting problem. If/when you discover problem or fix - please do post.
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KO
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03/31/14 10:15am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: texas hill country and san antonio
X2 Buckhorn RV Park
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KO
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03/12/14 10:30am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: cross country from Fl to Alaska
"TARDIS" time travelers must really be time travelers as they are talking about their travels in 3013!
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KO
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03/05/14 10:38am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: How many miles can you expect to put on a CAT 3126?
I have a 2006 Bounder with 55,000 and no problems. Like has been said before, change oil and keep maintenance up and drive often and no problem.
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KO
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03/05/14 10:31am |
Class A Motorhomes
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