RE: How many are still doing Mexico?
PS No way I'd cross the southern US border in my MH. Not when you can go to Mexico without really going there.
This is why I do not understand going to Mexico. You can see what Mexico will be like by going to South Texas/South NM/South AZ/South CA.
I lived in South Texas, so I am qualified to make this observation....
Did you live in Mexico too and that is how you can compare? I was surprised to read these statements. I have been to Mexico quite a bit, but growing up on the East Side of San Jose, I never believed that I didn't have actually go to Mexico because there would only be cholos and lowrider '69 Impalas.
I am pretty sure this is like saying not to go to China because there was a rude server at Panda Express, or not to bother with Germany because Epcot showed you everything you need to know.
But, yes, to each his own...
--kevin
Have spent a total of over one year of my life in Mexico -- Cabo San Lucas to Puerto Angel, up coast, down coast. Stand by what I wrote: Border towns suck, government is corrupt, many Mexicans generous and friendly folks. Never have lived in CA -- I prefer America -- so I do not understand what you mean by "cholos and lowrider '69 Impalas."
RE: Wifi signal booster
Check out the Airlink AWLL3055, a directional USB wifi adapter. Mine greatly improves the signal compared to my notebook's built-in antenna.
RE: What fire extinguisher do you have? Where do you keep it?
We have three, an ABC inside the front door, a Halon in the toad, another Halon in a bay. Can't get Halon anymore, but it is clean, never goes bad if the gauge is up, and works. Can't have too many, really. CO2 has its place, too, and unlike dry chemical, leaves no mess.
Hint: never install an extinguisher near a potential source of a fire (in the galley near stove, in a propane tank compartment, by an electrical panel). In case of fire, very possibly any extinguishers mounted at the source of the fire cannot be reached, and therefore they will be useless.
RE: N.C. RV owners take note
3. Given the rampant, serious crime in NC -- illegals, drugs, murders, animal cruelty, spousal abuse -- it is hard to imagine law enforcement having a spare moment to mess with trival pursuits.
I thought Maggie Valley was a nice place!
It is! A very nice place. But NC as a whole is a big state with a big state's problems, like any other (unfortunately). I was just trying to put in perspective the OP's issues with the big picture. RVers are easy bureaucratic targets who have no political lobby, and someday we may need one.
RE: N.C. RV owners take note
My thoughts are:
1. Glad I don't have NC residency, even though I spend a few months a year there. Great state, top-heavy government. This is a state that has sales tax and income tax; plus, counties and towns double-dip you on property tax. Did I mention annual vehicle excise tax? Yup, NC has that, too.
2. Hard to own a big MH and toad that won't exceed 60'.
3. Given the rampant, serious crime in NC -- illegals, drugs, murders, animal cruelty, spousal abuse -- it is hard to imagine law enforcement having a spare moment to mess with trival pursuits.
4. Another example of the great disconnect between lawmakers and the real world.
RE: How many are still doing Mexico?
The deeper into Mexico you go, the better. Friendly, generous people in my experience. Border towns suck. Government very corrupt. Unlike America, you may have to be "documented" to go to Mexico. Consequently, some Mexicans here may have trouble going there. :)
PS No way I'd cross the southern US border in my MH. Not when you can go to Mexico without really going there.
RE: Which of these options should I pay extra for?
If you plan on a lot of boondocking, heat pumps mean running the generator all the time you want heat, whereas propane heaters use 12v and you only need to run the genny a couple hours a day to charge. Also, heat pumps generally require 50 amp service. My Rev gets by fine on 30 amps with both airs running, and I find that very handy as we stay a lot in 30 amp CGs, but, as previously mentioned, only you know how you want to live. The 2000 inverter is nice -- we use ours all the time -- but again if you are not into boondocking, you won't need it.
RE: Freash water taste like hose!
To dispell the white hose myth, many new ones can taint your water with a terrible plastic taste. I had to return 3 25' white "RV" hoses to various suppliers until I found one I could live with. And yes, I soaked them and ran water through them to "break" them in, to no avail.
RE: Best way to park MH during hurricane?
People with wheels who do not use them in the face of impending danger become part of the problem, and so far as I'm concerned, they should not be compensated one dime for their loses by government or insurance.
Ahh yes, its much better to be stuck on the turnpike in the hurricane than in a hotel in the hurricane zone.
Perhaps folks who don't live in S. Florida don't understand. We have VERY FEW roads to head out of florida. Bascially I95, I75 and the Turn pike (which connects to 95 in the south and 75 in central Florida). When the keys start evacuating, a chain reaction starts that leaves the highways pretty much parking lots. A few side roads exist, but not many due to lots of lakes in the region, and poor planning.
We ran from 1 hurricane. Spent 8 hours moving 10 miles on the Turnpike (about 20miles south of Orlando). Florida never seems to make all the highways 'out only' roads like we saw when Houston evacuated after Katrina. Gasoline was non-existent, most of Florida gets its fuel from barges (not pipelines), which shut down when the winds climb, usually a day or two before the storm arrives.
Nothing like spending the night on the turnpike, wondering if you will have enough fuel to get anywyhere.
We stayed in our home for the next several hurricanes, and the RV was parked in front of the house. The only damage was the awning, which was older and didn't lock like modern ones. I wish our house had faired as well (lost part of the roof). We currently live in our RV in the north part of Florida. If a storm comes our plan is to rent a hotel room in a newer hotel, and move the RV to a Walmart or other large well draining and treeless parking lot. When you check into a hotel make sure to bring your own water and food to survive for several days, nothing is magical about a hotel.
Actually, I have spent many years in S FL, and rather than run from a storm with the procastinators at the very last minute, I always left 2 days before landfall -- before roads were cloggged and CGs full. Always had at least 3/4 tank of fuel when in FL during hurricane season, too. It's called preparation. Funny, but many folks who don't have a plan and prepare always seem to do less well in adversity than those with a plan. And I'd say, if you have an RV totalled or damaged in a hurricane, you didn't have a plan. Lot of advance warning these days.
RE: Best way to park MH during hurricane?
We have parked in two hurricanes -- by moving elsewhere out of the storms' paths. People with wheels who do not use them in the face of impending danger become part of the problem, and so far as I'm concerned, they should not be compensated one dime for their loses by government or insurance. That includes the Katrina dummies who had perfectly good vehicles in their driveways and chose to sit on their stupid fat butts while a storm of the century bore down on them. Mother Nature is boss and folks who can't grasp that concept, and who have the means to get out of harm's way but do not, deserve whatever happens to them.
RE: Extended service contract
I believe in self-insurance -- that of shouldering some of my own risks. Not talking here about fire, liability, or health insurance, but insurance that covers something recreational I own from breaking. Extended warranties make money for the underwriters; otherwise, they would not offer them. By buying into these schemes, you bet your rig will break; they bet it won't.
Some of us believe in a cradle to grave risk-free existence; some of us are willing to assume a small part of the risk that life represents.
HAGO
RE: Satellite Finder Meter Driving Me Nuts!
just plant the thing on the ground, do a sector sweep based on zip code azimuth and elevation, peak the meter, and in a couple of minutes or less, it's done. Dish Network sounds like a RPITA.
I don't think that Dish is any more difficult than Direct. It's clearly a case of operator error! :R
Made plenty of operator errors myself. :) Good luck potting the thing in so you don't miss any of those wonderful campaign ads.
RE: Satellite Finder Meter Driving Me Nuts!
Wow, and I thought I had it rough with setting my direct-tv dish using nothing but a compass and the tv's meter!! Takes me about 3-5 minutes every time!!
Yup, my single LNB Direct TV portable dish is dead easy to set up. No scew, no leveling hocus-pocus -- just plant the thing on the ground, do a sector sweep based on zip code azimuth and elevation, peak the meter, and in a couple of minutes or less, it's done. Dish Network sounds like a RPITA.
RE: Do I use jacks under slides for a long stay?
Slide jacks are only suitable for park model trailers with manual slides with the trailer on cement blocks. Otherwise, as mentioned above, if hydraulic jacks sink into the ground even a 1/4 inch, or if tire pressures go down on a cool night, the slide jacks will take up the load -- and something expensive will break.
Edited because sometimes my fingers don't do the walking so good.
RE: Tires Up Date
Thanks for the post, which reinforces my opinion that due to China's total lack of evironmental and manufacturing standards, I won't buy anything made there that my safety depends on.
