RE: Windshield Wiper Replacement Blades - Best?
I bought a pair of Rain X Lats as a result of this thread. After two weeks, I'm very pleased. Heavy rain, medium rain, light rain, and nearly dry, these blades have been great so far.
Thanks for the advice.
-- Rob
RE: Disappointment - Michigan State Parks - Mclain
Actually, according to my Streets and Trips program, from the center of Sterling Heights, Addison Oaks is 26 miles, Pontiac Lake is 31, and Algonac is 34. None are particularly close, but all are at least within an hours drive I would think.For the record, I live in Sterling Heights and have camped at all three. Addison Oaks is the closest, and my Streets and Trips shows it at 13 miles as the crow flies, 16 by car. That's to the corner of Sterling Heights, which is a big place -- from any corner to the center is another 6 miles by car. The fastest way in from Addison Oaks is a little longer distance-wise, however: 32 Mile Road east to M-53 (8 miles) then south to Sterling Heights (12 miles). That'll put you at the center of the north edge, and will typically take 30-35 minutes.
Pontiac Lake is probably next closest. The fastest way in from there is to go north and pick up I-75 via Dixie Highway, then south to M-59 and east to Sterling Heights. That's about 45 minutes.
Algonac is a little farther, but not much. The best bet there is go north to Marine City Highway (26 Mile Road), then west to I-94, south to M-59, and west to Sterling Heights. 50-55 minutes is about right.
Of these three, Addison Oaks is the nicest IMO, but the biggest drawback is they don't take reservations. If you're coming in midweek, though, I doubt it would be a problem to find a site (before a holiday weekend is tougher, though).
-- Rob
RE: Disappointment - Michigan State Parks - Mclain
Unfortunately, there are absolutely NO RV parks anywhere near Sterling Heights. The closest will probably be Algonac State Park, about 40 miles east, or something in the Pontiac/Holly area, just about as far west.Not true. Addison Oaks is maybe 15 miles north. Pontiac Lake State Park is about 20 miles west. Both are mostly freeway drives into Sterling Heights.
-- Rob
RE: Disappointment - Michigan State Parks - Mclain
My husband and I are planning on a trip to Michigan next spring / summer to visit relatives. We are looking for a campground near Sterling Heights, MI. that would have 40 foot camp sites.I'd recommend Addison Oaks. The only drawback is they don't accept reservations.
-- Rob
RE: What can a Dodge 1500 Quadcab 4x4 really tow?
Personally, I think that's a little too much trailer for your truck. I have a similar rig, but with some important differences. First, the dry weight of my trailer is 5800#. Loaded at the scales, it comes in around #7400. Yours is 800# heavier. Second, mine's got a 3.92 rear end, where yours is a 3.55. These two factors will probably pose GCWR problems for you. Third, and most important, yours is a 4x4, which substantially reduces payload (because of the extra weight). I'm right at GVWR with my rig -- your heavier trailer and 4x4 would probably put you well over GVWR.
Since I already had the 1500 when I got the trailer, I decided to stick with the truck. I've been happy with the pulling performance of the Hemi, but at the next opportunity, I plan to upgrade to a 2500 chassis.
-- Rob
RE: Changes for 2010 SuperDutys
The only way you can maintain the same road speed in a lower gear is to run the engine in a higher rpm range.I agree 100% with everything you said.
The diesels have a lower max rpm range, so there's only so far you can downshift it and so fast you can spin it before you run out of headroom.And this is an oft-overlooked advantage of a high-revving, wide-powerband, gas engine: when you need extra rear-wheel torque you can downshift because you're not RPM-limited. Of course, a diesel provides more torque at lower RPMs so downshifting isn't needed as often.
-- Rob
RE: Changes for 2010 SuperDutys
Well if we are going to allow it to just downshift, and not maintain speed.
Might as well just buy a 5.4 gas and tow with it.
I was rather under the impression the diesel was popular for its ability to tow with such ease, and ability to hold its speed up the big hills.A downshift to a lower gear puts more torque to the rear wheels. This combined with the higher horsepower of the engine at higher rpm means more speed or the ability to maintain speed with less effort. No reason to slow down because of a downshift.Hannibal is right. Downshifting doesn't slow you down, rather it raises RPMs, and therefore power. I don't understand the obsession with towing in OD. The whole point of being able to shift gears is so you can adjust the final drive ratio to the task at hand (think about your mountain bike). Empty and flat? Choose a higher gear. Towing uphill? Choose a lower gear. Many of the automatic transmissions in today's trucks have the ability to lock out higher gears. If 4th gear is too high for your needs, lock it out. The tranny will shift normally up to 3rd and stay there. This is no different than using a shorter rear-end with the tranny in OD. If the final drive ratio is the same, the engine and wheels won't know the difference.
-- Rob
RE: Disappointment - Michigan State Parks - Mclain
Michigan State Park campgrounds were always lacking in facilities....most have only electricity (some with only 30A or even 20A), a very few have water, and only a couple have sewers. And yet, they charge the same as a full-service private RV park with pools and other amenities.I hear this a lot, and it certainly depends on what you mean by "facilities." If you mean concrete and plumbing, then a private park is your best bet. If you mean trees, trails, beaches, and nature, then a state park is the way to go.
I agree the $78 for 2 nights the original poster was charged is a lot. I pay $25-$29 per night, depending on the park. But most RV parks I've seen in MI are nowhere close -- many charge double that or more. To each his own, but for me, paying $20-25 extra per night for plumbing is just crazy (especially when my trailer has holding tanks).
-- Rob
RE: Disappointment - Michigan State Parks - Mclain
I'm sorry to hear about your negative experience, but don't you think it's a bit presumptuous to judge the entire state park system because of it?
-- Rob
RE: Changes for 2010 SuperDutys
I'm not sure I see the problem. If the final drive ratio is higher than you want at any given time, just drop to the next lower gear.
-- Rob
RE: Interlochen SP, Mich:Never been, how is it?
There are some nice sites on the lake, but of the hundreds and hundreds of sites, most seemed rather tight and devoid of any sunlight.Ummmm, shady sites is kinda the point of camping in a state park.Believe me, we love trees, and we camp almost exclusively in state parks for that very reason, but there's a difference between "shady" and "devoid of sunlight."
Personally, I don't understand the hype.I can't say I understand the "hype" comment.Well, many posters have said Interlochen is one of their favorite state parks. We've been to quite a few MI state parks, and we find most of them have more to offer than Interlochen. That's all I meant.
-- Rob
RE: How much do you tow with your Hemi?
I pull 7400# with no problems (see sig for details). I'm not sure why you think 2500 RPMs is revving high. That doesn't even come close to harnessing the Hemi's power, which peaks somewhere around 4400 RPM. I typically cruise at around 2700 RPM in 3rd gear, and let it downshift when it needs to. Get those RPMs up and let that power loose!
-- Rob
RE: Interlochen SP, Mich:Never been, how is it?
We were out that way a couple weeks ago, and based on all the hype I'd heard about Interlochen SP, we decided to do a drive through one afternoon. Personally, I don't understand the hype. There are some nice sites on the lake, but of the hundreds and hundreds of sites, most seemed rather tight and devoid of any sunlight. Coupled with a lake you can't swim in, and little else to do without getting in the car and leaving the park, we just didn't find enough redeeming qualities to bring us back.
-- Rob
RE: Michigan CG recommendation
Plan B...if the MI trip is a total bust, then I can always look forward to our upcoming trips this year to Mammoth Cave, KY...two Ohio State Parks...and Hocking Hills, OH for my nature fix and no hook-ups!!I doubt you'll find it's a bust. Like I said, Indian River RV Resort is a nice enough place, and you may well find it's the happy medium you're looking for.
I haven't been to Mammoth Cave since I was a kid, but we went to Hocking Hills a couple years ago and it was awesome.
-- Rob
RE: Michigan CG recommendation
I don't think Muskegon will give us that true up north MI feeling. I think we are going to cancel our Hoffmaster res ... and book a full h/u ... site in Indian River or Petosky area.I'm not sure what you mean by that "true up north MI feeling," but by my definition, Hoffmaster will give you far more of it that any KOA or RV Resort in Petoskey or Indian River. Note that Petoskey is a large, crowded city (with a very nice downtown district, BTW).
we want a peaceful, full of nature surrounding. The Indian River RV Resort and Campground looks very nice...wooded, private and maintained...Indian River RV Resort is a nice enough place, but cancelling Hoffmaster and booking there because you want nature is about as backwards as things can get.
We love nature, hiking and new experiences but also like the conveniences of full h/u and a full service CG.For the most part, those two things are at odds in MI. Full hookups usually imply neatly-lined rows of trailers, much like like a neighborhood subdivision, and often coupled with concrete everything. Maybe you'll get a few trees, but you'll have to leave the campground to enjoy any real natural beauty.
To each his own, but we get far more vacation value by actually "living" in the natural surroundings rather than commuting to them. We couldn't possibly give that up for plumbing. Besides, our trailer has holding tanks for water -- don't they all?
Also have to have wi-fi, so that limits our selections.Yes, it does. You can certainly scratch off any of the state parks. I'm not sure you'll find what you're looking for (nature, full-hookups, and wi-fi), but if you do, please let us know!
-- Rob
RE: Michigan CG recommendation
There's plenty to do near Hoffmaster. If you get tired of the beautiful sandy beach, incredible overlooks, and world-class sunsets, Michigan's Adventure amusement/water park is very close by. Take a tour of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes at Mac Woods Dune Rides, or if you're really adventurous, rent a jeep at Parrot's Landing and drive them yourself. Or head south down to Grand Haven or Holland. Grand Rapids has Meijer Gardens and the John Ball Zoo. Or take a day trip down to Kalamazoo and check out the Air Zoo.
Have fun, and enjoy!
-- Rob
RE: HARD TOP TONNEAU COVERS???
So...anyone out there have any ideas, suggestions, etc. on a new bed cover for my truck???Check out the Advance cover -- it's very similar. I don't know how (or if) the designs have changed since I bought mine in 2003, but back then, IMO the Advance was superior in every way to the Fold-a-Cover.
-- Rob
RE: Another "weight" post, this one will really set you off.
Do not load your vehicle heavier than the GVWR, OR either the maximum front or rear GAWR.I interpret that as do not load over GVWR, OR GAWR of either front or rear. That is exactly how it reads. It is worded as a either/or statement meaning that you have to follow one or the other but not both. If they had used AND, it would mean follow both and not one or the other.Your logic is flawed. The "do not" applies to the entire OR clause, so after grouping, it means "do NOT load over (GVWR OR GAWR-front OR GAWR-rear)".
In formal logic, De Morgan's Law tells us "NOT (a OR b OR c)" is equivalent to "(NOT a) AND (NOT b) AND (NOT c)." In other words, the warning says "(do not overload GVWR) AND (do not overload GAWR-front) AND (do not overload GAWR-rear)." This is exactly as it should be.
-- Rob
RE: Another "weight" post, this one will really set you off.
Bottom line is the rates are suspect because they just don't add up.I'm not sure why you feel they need to add up. Just because each of my legs is capable of supporting 100 pounds, does not mean my body can support 200 pounds. I still have to consider the capacities of my arms, back, and a bunch of other stuff.
-- Rob
