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RE: Port Angeles to Victoria Ferry
FYI The lowest price diesel fuel we found in Port Angeles (found by accident) was a Chevron 1/2+ mile West of the Ferry Terminal. 4.499 which was 10 cents less than Safeway, etc. Plus we get 5% cash back on the Costco AMEX card, an additional 22 cents/gal! BTW The Eastern Safeway was 20 cents higher!
We looped around the block behind the station and a had clear shot at the pumps headed East to the ferry.
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CA Traveler
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08/20/08 11:09am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: BC - Vancouver Island Fuel Prices
Thanks,
Lowest was Port Alberni at 1.369 for both regular and diesel, didn't see the above lower price.
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CA Traveler
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08/20/08 11:04am |
Class A Motorhomes
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Port Angeles to Victoria Ferry
Our experience, hope this helps someone else: From their web site I estimated $216. They did not give me a break down on the toad vs rig but the total was $172.25. Expensive but I'm not complaining for 34,000 lbs total. BTW The toad was disconnected.
This does not include the $16 round trip reservation fee. They also indicated the ferry was full beforehand. The true story is that they hold 40% of the space for drive on's. So with that information we showed up early and got on the earlier "reservation full" ferry. And is was actually full.
With the older rig I've been of that ferry with some significant ramp angles (tides can be 14 feet or so) and planned for as close as possible for high tide. The reason is the large overhang on the DP and the mud flap which will drag under the hitch. I knew if that happened the mud flap would be toast and it would I'm certain be a very expensive replacement. BTW When I exited the ferry they stopped me and first adjusted the ramp (very quick) so they clearly understand the ships changing weights involved.
They did not ask about propane and I did not volunteer any information. But they know of course that rigs have propane which is always a consideration in tunnels and ferries.
Customs: We did all the planning we could. Passports and papers for the cat. 5 bottles of wine (over the limit). Gave away a 6 pack of beer in Port Angeles. At the ferry read that we could not bring in firewood and we had a small amount. Asked one of the ferry workers and he said that they collect a truck load and then the employees bid on it. The money is donated for children so we felt good about that. Then no seeded fruit and we had bunch. So we cut it up and left the seeds in the trash.
At customs they only wanted ID, where I was going, any friends or family on the island, any alcohol (yes 3 bottles as DW had 2 in the car) and any beer. So I was through customs with the rig in a flash. They did not ask about animals, firewood or seeded fruit.
DW got in a long line for someone that asked a lot of questions. And he kept coming back to what she was going to do for 3 weeks. Each time she explained she was with a MH that had already gone through customs. Finally it sank it and she was passed through.
My advice: Plan carefully but above all answer ever question honestly, but don't volunteer any information.
Also if you have 2 vehicles be sure to have a pair of radios. We were in constant communications while DW was still in the ship and when I was several blocks away waiting so we could hook up the toad. We had decided that DW would not have cell phone access but instead added Canadian access to mine for a month. Hence the FRS radios again were well worth the price.
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CA Traveler
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08/17/08 08:46pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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BC - Vancouver Island Fuel Prices
This is an informational post only.
The price of fuel varied as we came up the west coast. In Port Angeles regular was available at $4.05/gal.
Every station we've seen on Vancouver Island is posted at 1.429/liter Canadian. And I mean EVERY station. So that nets out to 1.429x3.785 liters/galx0.94 exchange rate = $5.08/gal US. We'll be buying some for the toad. We have not seen or sought out diesel fuel cost which we should not need since our anticipated mileage is under 500 miles and we fueled the rig in Port Angeles at $4.499/gal.
OK, fuel is higher on Vancouver Island and that is so offset by this beautiful island.
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CA Traveler
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08/17/08 07:55pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Sequim, WA to Puyllap, Friday 9/5
Thanks, It's been about 11 years since I've taken 101 south from Sequim but then I was headed on down I5. But I will consider that at the time approaches.
We're in Victoria and headed North or NW. 9/4 We'll return to Sequim and then will make the final route decision.
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CA Traveler
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08/17/08 07:33pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: 1st Walmart stay, had a bad experience!
Delaine and Lindy,
I share your concern about the carts. But so far I've been in a far area which was away from the main stream shoppers. The only cart was mine which I took back to a cart area.
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CA Traveler
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08/17/08 09:37am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: 1st Walmart stay, had a bad experience!
I've had several people ask me for money at rest stops that had nothing to do with the rig. Once I didn't feel comfortable but wasn't hassled.
Two Walmart stops for us. One in Utah and one in Port Angeles, WA a few days ago. Both had several other rigs. Planning to use the Sequim, WA one in a few weeks. Another camper told me that it was set up for rigs including ground level lights!
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CA Traveler
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08/17/08 09:01am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Supplemental Brake Systems - update 8/7/06
I had a Roadmaster brake system installed in my Jeep tow vehicle being pulled by my class A MH. We've been on the road a week and the battery in the Jeep has been dead three times after we stop for the night. What are we doing wrong? Does the brake system take that much juice? What can we do so the battery stays charged? I know it's not a battery problem because the Jeep is brand new and only has 450 miles on it.New or not the first order of business is to have the battery load tested. New batteries can be defective and in any event you want to eliminate that possibility.
Does your manual tell you to remove any fuses or whatever and have you done that? If so and it's dead at the end starting from a full charge then you may well need to add a charge line from the MH.
BTW We've now had the battery on our new 04 CRV replaced twice by Honda. First time at no cost and the second time at $24 prorated. And they are alleged to be 100 month batteries.
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CA Traveler
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08/12/08 08:49pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Protecting RV from converter going haywire?
I don't like the idea of causing a short to blow fuses to solve a problem as compared to a disconnect type of setup. With the kinds of currents that are involved it would be my preference to disconnect rather than to cause a short. Normally we like to avoid shorts whenever possible and hope that a fuse or CB protects us when they do occur. Plus a short means that you then have fuses to replace.
Another approach would likely be even better and that is to disconnect the AC side of the converter or converter/inverter when abnormal DC voltage is detected. The converter already has a problem of some kind and leaving it's AC connected even with the DC disconnected may not be the best idea. Now the disconnect device is a very low cost relay plus the voltage detection electronics.
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CA Traveler
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08/12/08 09:33am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Protecting RV from converter going haywire?
Gdetrailer,
An alarm is better than nothing and would likely be the lowest cost. A converter may or may not have an internal fuse and there may or may not be an external fuse between the converter and the batteries. If not then a second fuse has to be added and the SCR’s have to big enough to blow both fuses at the same time.
Yes a mechanical relay is not as reliable as electronics. However, how many times in the life of the rig is it going to operate? Zero, Once or Twice perhaps. With solenoids rated for many thouslands of cycles reliability is more than adequate for this application. Funny that you didn’t like my idea but though that Brets link to a mechanical device was OK.
I used the common term inverter/converter to convey the combined units. In that case the inverter is a factor because it determines the wire and fuse sizes. And the fuses can be 200A and more. So bigger SCR’s.
The case is not closed and one needs to look at all of the factors for a particular setup.
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CA Traveler
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08/12/08 09:20am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power Problem
Loose or corroded battery cables are another possibility.
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CA Traveler
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08/12/08 08:35am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power Problem
Load test the batteries, you never can be sure they are OK, 1 year old or not.
What do you mean "test positive for charge"?
Some converters disconnect the batteries from the house power when on shore power. Perhaps you have one of these and it's failed???
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CA Traveler
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08/11/08 10:17pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Sequim, WA to Puyllap, Friday 9/5
Thanks for the input.
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CA Traveler
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08/11/08 07:27pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Generator to run 50amp service?
My 7500 gen has a upgraded neutral from the gen set to the ATS to the panel to handle the 62A.
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CA Traveler
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08/11/08 07:05pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: 50 amp plug?
The electrician is correct. You have a 240/120V 50A 4 wire plug which is the same circuit and plug used by many household ovens.
Your rig may not have or use 240V appliances. I have no 240V appliances but the EMS detects 240V to decide about load shedding so I really have one 240V appliance.
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CA Traveler
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08/10/08 10:55am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Any full timers in Brookings, Oregon?
It's known as the Banana Belt and has some of the best coast weather. I have a friend that lives 15 minutes up the hill and he has much more sunshine than the 101 areas.
He said the two main industries logging and fishing are on the decline and he's helping to improve their education so that they can find alternate jobs.
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CA Traveler
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08/10/08 09:15am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: using toilet we get bad odor
Does your toilet capture and hold fresh water after it's flushed?
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CA Traveler
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08/09/08 09:36am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: INTERNET/CELL PHONE SIGNAL BOOSTER
Techie has a good point.
Consider the Wilson dual band antenna, amplifier and inside panel antenna. This way you have better cell phone and air card coverage and both are wireless. In the $400 range. A friend gets 50 mile range to a cell tower with this setup and they often boondock.
You could a second external antenna for the rig and move the amp and panel antenna when traveling.
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CA Traveler
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08/09/08 08:57am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Short Term Storage of RV
I would not even consider leaving my rig in a parking lot type situation. If you do then anticipate that it may be stripped when you return.
Find a secure storage lot that has a opening for the amount of time you need.
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CA Traveler
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08/09/08 08:26am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Protecting RV from converter going haywire?
I'm with the over/under voltage alarm group.
I see several difficulties with the crowbar approach:
1. You would need 2 fuses between the converter and the battery with the crowbar connected between the fuses. The crowbar would then have to have the capacity to blow both fuses. You clearly don't want a sustained short on either the batter or the converter.
2. Converter currents tend to be high like 40A+ so the components would have to be large enough to handle the loads until the fuses blow.
3. A disconnect latching solenoid and related circuit would likely be a better approach for the above. ie It opens and latches open.
4. And for anyone with a converter/inverter the inverter current draw is likely much more than the converter so even heavier components are required.
5. Plus resistance in an inverter circuit is very important so adding to that problem with additional components would have to be considered.
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CA Traveler
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08/09/08 08:18am |
Tech Issues
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