RE: Good Sam's Scam(Watch your credit cards)
Yeah, same thing happened to me.
It appears that if you used a credit card to pay for renewal, Good Sam automatically assumes they can charge every year thereafter.
I called Good Sam to get the charge reversed and was told that they could only refund by check in 6-8 weeks. That sure is not good customer service.
I immediately went to my credit card account and disputed the charge. My credit card reinstated the money and now Good Sam has to prove they actually have permission to take auto-pays from my credit account.
RE: Trip to Death Valley, stayed in Beatty, Nevada
There are not enough adjectives to describe the beauty of Death Valley! After eight years on the road, including three visits to Death Valley, we decided to stay for a bit... Been here for 18 months working here at the resort at Funace Creek. (By the way, living in an RV in the hottest place on earth can be done.) We have yet to see everything we want to see. :)
Wow, you must have some decent AC in your rig. I was in Needles,CA at 110F last year for 2 days and the rig got unbearable, ended up driving around in the truck during the afternoon. Course we are from Victoria, BC and 90 degrees is a serious heat wave.
I have to say, you have some great photos of the valley. There are lots of RVers visiting the valley in the summertime. But, travel into the valley requires some planning.
For the human body, the heat index helps due to the low humidity. 120 degrees feels like 105-110. Drink LOTS of water. You won't pee more, just sweat more. And, sweating helps with cooling the body. Avoid carbonated beverages, they dehydrate. Avoid caffene, it dehydrates. If you have an adult beverage, for every ounce of alcohol, drink a quart of water.
For the RV itself, heat is heat. Make sure your rig's cooling system is in excellent condition. Limit your travel to early mornings. Especially when climbing out of the valley, the best time to drive is probably in the early morning... between 3 and 8 AM.
Visiting the valley in the summer will give a new appreciation for what the old miners experienced. The valley is... just different in the summer. Hard to explain. Maybe it's just the emotion of the place.
RV living in the valley is off topic, and I apologise. But briefly, 4 season RV, properly maintained AC unit (on your FW, add the second AC in the bedroom), mirror mylar on the windows, tower fan to help circulate the air, shade cloth over the top of the RV, and most of all... siestas in the afternoon. ;)
On Edit...
I've never seen anyone on the forums actually living in Death Valley. So, anyone with questions can contact me and I will try to help.
RE: Trip to Death Valley, stayed in Beatty, Nevada
There are not enough adjectives to describe the beauty of Death Valley! After eight years on the road, including three visits to Death Valley, we decided to stay for a bit... Been here for 18 months working here at the resort at Funace Creek. (By the way, living in an RV in the hottest place on earth can be done.) We have yet to see everything we want to see. :)
RE: LED's - Not always a Bright Idea
Brightness is not really an issue with me. I find the lower amount of light to be more pleasant. Heat however is an issue.
The 921 draws 18w and really hot.
I've changed bulbs to;
901 which draws 4w
918 which draws 7w
908 which draws 9w
923 which draws 11w
I use mostly the 901 and 918. If I could find LEDs that produce a similar amount of light as the lower wattage bulbs, I would bite.
RE: Undercover Boss RVing TV episode
I wonder if he is going to KOA corporate owned parks or to franchise parks. I think it would make a difference in the results.
RE: eReaders, Library Books, and Full-Timers
My question may be a little off topic, however it is about ebooks and reading. I am not really interested in buying more gadgets so, does anyone have recommendations on where to obtain "books" to read with my laptop?
RE: Personal Preferences changed again
I just checked mine.
In preferences, I have two email addressed listed. When I click on them, all the boxes listed show up, and most are checked. However, I never receive email pertaining to any of the checked boxes. Am I missing out on something? Not that I really want to receive more junk email.
RE: In the vows or just a woman thing?
You know... I wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole.
Maybe your real question is, "where to locate a therapist in your area?"
RE: question on weight in pickup for winter driving
Whatever you use, make sure you secure it. I once had a friend that got into a wreck, and the sandbags which were saturated with water and frozen solid, flew up and crashed through the rear window of his pickup. It nearly killed him. So whatever you use tie it down!
RE: Host is now building Earth Cruisers
In some states a TC must be registered and licensed, in others they are hauled as cargo. Wonder where these fall?
RE: Auto Change Over Regulator Replacement?
Make sure your pipe dope or teflon tape is rated for propane fitting use. I use the yellow teflon tape with no problems.
RE: Travel Trailer Tires - Which Ones And Why?
Sure a lot of activity in the past 12 hours on this topic. Check out the information Rodger Marple posts on his website for an experts input.
From his website...
About Roger
Before retiring, Roger Marble spent 40 years in the tire industry, working for a major manufacturer developing tires for applications in North, Central and South America. During his career he worked on many kinds of tires -- heavy truck, passenger, light truck and Indy-car types
There is a lot of information about RV applications he provides here. http://www.rvtiresafety.com/
His information and the fact that there is NO empirical data supporting the notion that tires made in China are inferior support my statement that there are other factors that result in tire failures. Sure, there are a few indiviudal experiences that are exceptions. But, to make a general statement that China made tires are to be avoided at all costs is not supported. (And, yes I have looked for it.) If I am wrong, prove it.
Thanks for all the flames.
RE: Travel Trailer Tires - Which Ones And Why?
Keep in mind,
There is no proof that one country makes better ST tires than another. Sometimes individuals may have a different experience no matter the brand of the tire.
.
If that we're only true! There are hundreds of posts from people with exploding ST tires under their trailers that were made in China. You really need to do your homework before making such a brash statement. While I agree that some of your comments may apply to some of the incidents, they will not apply to all of the tires that have exploded for no apparent reason. One or two reports maybe a fluke, but dozens or reports and complaints to the Feds is something to be taken seriously.
I stand by my statement.
By expanding my research beyond rv.net to the whole internet world, I can find no empirical data that supports one country's tires over another when comparing like for like. The data indicates other factors to be the issue. If someone can direct me to some independent research that proves otherwise, I would gladly change my statement.
(I'm wearing my flame proof suit...):)
RE: Travel Trailer Tires - Which Ones And Why?
1. Check the max weight rating on your trailer,
2. Check the max weight rating on your axles,
3. Check the max weight rating of your wheels,
4. Weigh your trailer,
5. Check the Load Range of the tire the TT manufacture says you can get by with.
Then,
1. Buy tires that are at least one Load Range higher than what the TT manufacture says you need. You can easily go up to the max weights for your axles, wheels, or TT (I was able to go up 2 Load Range ratings),
2. Inflate to the max recommended pressure,
3. Stay within the max rated speed of the tires,
4. Avoid road hazzards.
Keep in mind,
There is no proof that one country makes better ST tires than another. Sometimes individuals may have a different experience no matter the brand of the tire.
It's all about staying within the ratings. The brand I use, Tow Max purchased from Les Schwab.
On edit,
Check the age of your tires and stay within 5-6 years of the manufacutre date. And, keep them out ot direct sunlight when parked.
RE: Slow wifi
Thank you for the feedback. I respect your perspectives however, I come from a strong business background offering excellence and quality for services advertised.
If an organization wants to do "bait and switch" then they ought to be criticized.
Advertising wifi, only to have it function at minimal levels, is unacceptable...to me, that's "bait and switch" only there's no switching unless you have cell phone data plan.
If mediocrity is the reality, tell me in the advertising; plz do not let me find out after the fact.
We-all can agree to disagree, but CG's are forcing customers to accept mediocrity...and for those who can afford to pay the monthly $50+ data charge for their cell phones, are using that internet accessibility to avoid the unacceptable levels of wifi service the rest of us have to accept.
I too come from a business background and am a retired executive. I see no "bait and switch" here at all. Think of it this way. Walmart sells a tee shirt for $4.99, Macy's sells a tee shirt for $29.99. They are both tee shirts. Will they ever be the same quality? Is it "bait and switch"? No. For a campground to offer free WiFi to check email is reasonable. For campgrounds to offer free WiFi so campers can watch movies is... Good Lord man! Get out of the camper and enjoy the outdoors and enjoy the company of other people. You know you are camping. Right?
RE: Lewiston to Missoula
From my recollection from four years ago, that is a beutiful drive. Is the hot springs at the top still open? Many scenic stops along the way.
RE: Death Valley
If you are looking for full-hookups, Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek Ranch both have sites available. By October, the National Park may have some full-hookups available in a totally rebuilt campground at Furnace Creek, but there is no quarantee.
Come on down to Furnace Creek. The weather is great! 108 degrees today and generally cools off into the 80s at night. Really is guite pleasant. Or maybe I'm just nuts?!?! :h At least it's not 128 like it was in July.
RE: Rotten egg/sulfur smell coming from hot water.
I've seen similar situations posted here several times and I'm curious about how this situation occurs. I've owned and lived in my RV full-time for eight years, and other than flushing the tank and changing the annode rod twice in the eight years, I've never had a sulfur smell, or any other smell from the water heater. By the way the annode rod was a little over half gone each time I've changed it. For me, every three to four years seems to be the time frame to change the rod. For the most part I've been hooked onto chlorinated water systems.
So, what am I doing right, or others doing wrong? My DW says I'm just Golden. :)
RE: TV Too Old To Tow?
I tow with a 94 Dodge W/ Cummins. 4x4. Has 240,000 miles. Rebuilt auto tranny 4 years ago. Rebuilt front end 2 years ago. Well maintained. No rust. No computer. All mechanical. You couldn't get me to trade if you were to offer a new Dodge straight across.
I live on the West coast and have been to Alaska and coast to coast four times. And, I wouldn't hesitate to do it all again.
It's far cheaper to purchase something older and completely rebuild it than it is to take on the huge expense of a new rig.
