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Forum
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Hey Folks-Look OUT for DEM BOLTS
Just a fair warning for all those of you (like I was) that have not inspected the basic hitch system. I had a stock hitch that was bolted on at the Newmar Factory. The bolt sheared off on the Alaska Highway and the hitch went 90 degrees snapping the tow bar. Safety chains help towd in place. Analysis of the problem cheap bolts holding the hitch to the coach. they should have been grade 8 bolts. Look yours over and check it out. yes the alaska Highway is a bruiser but you can get into this on other roads. I was very lucky, the next person might not be.
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shirlock1
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08/27/09 07:34pm |
Dinghy Towing
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Cassier is late Sept
We still are in alaska and its almost Sept. We hope to get back up to Fairbanks by mid month to catch the Northern Lights and then boggy down to catch our son in Washington in early Oct. Wondered what the condition of the Cassier is and whether it is a viable route in late sept. If you were trying to make time would you choose the cassier over the Alaska highway?
Thanks
Jim
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shirlock1
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08/27/09 07:04pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Place to store a motorhome in Fairbanks for 111 days
Anyone know a good place to put my 38 ft motorhome in Fairbanks for 11 days while I go rafting?
Thanks
Jim
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shirlock1
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06/18/09 03:03pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: tires, prices and which one
IVYLOG, that is good advice but here is my problem for your further consideration. I am the second owner and don't know how much milage is on these tires. I have not yet gotten weight. In the last year and ahalf drove across country and drove recently to elkart. running proper pressure. HOWEVER, last owner put different sizes on front and rear. I have 275/70/22.5 front and 255/80/22.5 on rear. that sort of screws up your suggestion. Centainly could have the tire center inspect, and as you can see I am not at that magic 6 yr point yet, but will hit it on my trip. The alcan does chew up tires. However, I may be a bit of a worry wart. If I can get to fairbanks by my July 3 date (thats about 23 days to go from Elkart Ind) then I am golden and am not as concerned about breakdowns after that other than the expense on the road). I am not sure why they put the 70 series on front, perhaps they were concerned about the fit? Likewise going to a 255 on the rear, I would have thought they would have been wider. Anyone with a 99 era DSDP have any thoughts on this? If I do need to replace then I think I should go back with all the same size to accomodate a future replacement along the lines of your suggestion.
Jim
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shirlock1
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05/11/09 05:57am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Recommended Tires
I have the 1999 DSDP and it had the tires replaced 5 1/2 yrs ago with the 255/80/22.5 on rear and 275/70/22.5 on the front. Not sure why the previous owner went that route. I may consider replacing prior to a 16K mi 18 mo trip and wonder about that set up? It has been working well so don't know any reason to change but wondered you thoughts.
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shirlock1
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05/11/09 05:25am |
Class A Motorhomes
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tires, prices and which one
I have a Newmar Dutch Star DP 38' on a freightliner chasis. I currently have Michlen XCA tires that are 5 1/2 yrs old and am planning a 16 K mile 18 month trip starting with a trip to Alaska. Have to be there at a certain time that is doable but does not leave a lot of downtime for a tire problem on the alaska Highway. Considering a tire repl and wonder what I should go with. Camp world tells me goodyear has an up to $80 rebate per tire but always thought of Michlen as a better tire. So first question which brand. Once I choose that I see that Michlen (and I assume goodyear) offers a range of models and some are characterized as regional and some long haul. Any guidance on the type? The XCA3 seems to be the top of their line am I wrong. Lastly what do you think these should cost? Any any suggestions on how to keep that cost low. I could get them on the road. I will be traveling from the DC area to Elkart Ind then up to Great Falls Mont and over into Canada and up to the alaska Highway. Any benefit in getting them in Canada ? Long winded but thanks for reading.
Jim
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shirlock1
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05/11/09 04:33am |
Class A Motorhomes
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Best Toad?
I know these generic questions drive the forum bonkers but here goes. We just decided that the lifter samurai that we were going to tow is not going to meet our needs. We want a small to med 4 wheel drive car and both drivers are proficient with manual so man or 5 spd does not matter. We are going on a long 16K mile trip starting in Alaska so stone damage is possible. We want to tow 4 down and are price/value concious. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Jim
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shirlock1
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05/09/09 06:02pm |
Dinghy Towing
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Saab 9/5 5spd as a toad
Has anyone used a Saab 9/5 as a toad? I do not see it on motorhomes 2003 dinhy list. Any idea what the issues are if it should not be used as a toad?
Thanks
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shirlock1
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05/04/09 02:50pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Who is driving to Alaska this summer?
Were headed up there around June 1, got to get to fairbanks by July 5th to get up to ANWR to raft the kangakut river. Spending most of the summer in Alaska and returning in Sept after a bear viewing in Lake Clark NP. Second trip up was there for a quick month up and back in 2001. Hearing about Mt Redoubt makes me think everyome should be hauling an extra panty hose for an air intake prefilter incase you get in the area of an active blow.
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shirlock1
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04/25/09 08:08pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Is 69 cents/min (verizon) the best phone rate thru canada?
We are leaving for Alaska in a month and I just talked to verizon and they tell me that the international calling applies thru Canada and that calls in canada with Verizon are 69 cents min and not part of my nationwide plan. Is that the best way to go? I figure my blackberry will be dead (as in turned off at switch) since the data plans are $66 month. Does anyone have any suggestions for me. I have a blackberry 8830 which has a place for a sim chip if I go to europe. I figure there I can just buy the local phone companies prepaid chip and I am fine. Anything like that in canada where I can get another companies chip?
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shirlock1
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04/25/09 12:14pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Best place to see the bears
Perhaps I should add We would like to see them in a bit of an action enviornment like feeding on salmon at the falls or something like tha. Preferably not feeding on RVers at the campground!
thanks
Jim
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shirlock1
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12/21/08 10:29am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Best place to see the bears
We are in Alaska next summer. I was looking into the McNeil bear viewing station lottery and I see that it is $350 each user fees plus the air to get there. Not sure I want to do that any other places where the experience might be similar? I am also trying to set up a tentative schedule, Late June I will be in ANWR and after that need some recovery time but want to try to get the best timing on bear viewing so if you are recommending a place plese let me know when you think the viewing would be best. Thanks so much.
Jim
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shirlock1
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12/20/08 08:02pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Advice on windshield sun shade for driving
I am looking for recommendations on a good sunshade for my 1999 newmar Dutch Star DP. I have seen the daynight shade with motorized service and that might bee a great purchase but pricy and they say that need two units to fit across because of TV int eh way. I am looking for a driving shade and don't mind using my existing curtains to close up at night. Presently It has the typical folding visors that are pretty useless.
Thanks
Jim
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shirlock1
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11/15/08 09:48am |
Class A Motorhomes
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