RE: Fuel efficency experiment
Jim;
I did a similar experiment with my 2005 GMC Duramax. Our trailer is a 32ft Jayco, so slightly heavier.
We pulled from Wisconsin to Arkansas and traveled thru Illinois where speed limits for campers and vehicles pulling trailers is 55mph.
At 73-75mph in Wisconsin, Missouri, and Arkansas I would get 9.5mpg. Dropping 10mph in Illinois to 63-65mph I got 12mpg. Driving 1800 miles I would save 45 gallons @ $4 a gallon is $180.
I have been trying to find tips on the internet on air boxes, chips, etc. and it seems like the simplest gas saving method is to slow down.
I try to keep the speed lower, but still be safe on the interstate. Like a previous poster mentioned, going 55mph when the rest of the world is going 75-80mph can be a bit dangerous
RE: need help with major fiberglas wall damage repair please
If this is any consolation, I am pretty sure I know where the gash came from.
We just returned from a trip from Arkansas to Wisconsin and as I was showing the camper to a relative when he said, "where did you get that red mark?" On the left rear of the trailer about 2/3 the way up was a red scratch about 3 ft long. Upon thinking about this for endless nights, I came to the conclusion that it came from one of our gas stops. I do not recall the name of the gas station, but as many of you know, when you need gas, and you need diesel gas, and the exit sign says there is diesel at the exit, you usually take it. If I recall, it was not a truck stop, but just a regular gas station and the diesel pumps were on the far right. Made it into the pumps just fine, but departing required a hard right turn as there was not enough room between the pumps and the building to make a left turn to get out. I am sure this is where we received the red gash. Making the hard right out of the pumps swung the rear of the trailer to the left, hitting a sign hanging off the post at the pumps, leaving the mark. Luckily it was not a deep mark and was removed using some "oops" cleaner.
RE: Camp Restore - New Orleans - info please
Thx Charlie. My comments were not designed to raise or stir a debate, just share the decision struggle I am faced with, especially when help and lack of attention is needed just to the north in Iowa from the flooding.
RE: Camp Restore - New Orleans - info please
MCDDY, I guess that is one of the things I struggle with, is the fact that so much money was raised for Katrina victims, but yet as you say, 95% of the work has been faith based groups, and there is still so much left undone.
I cannot help but to ask myself "there has been enough money raised to rebuild New Orleans 2X over, but yet seems like there is still so much left to do".
RE: Camp Restore - New Orleans - info please
Thanks all. If I go there, it will be for a week and I will take my camper. Something about staying in your own bed, etc. And I think the only way I would stay in the camper there would be to stay right at the camp so I am right there for the organization of the projects and sharing fellowship with the team.
Still praying about it, trying to decide. I just started a new job, so time off is limited. Keep the info coming.
Camp Restore - New Orleans - info please
I am considering a mission trip to Camp Restore in New Orleans. The camp is a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod operation that works in New Orleans to help citizens rebuild from the Hurricane. I have read about the camp on their web site and a few from our Church are going there in November. I need some feedback from fellow RV'ers that may have attended the camp, as I am considering taking my trailer there and camping while on the mission.
Heres my question - I have been told there is a small RV park at the camp. How safe is it there? From Google Earth, it looks like an unsafe part of the town. I have seen so many news programs about how the crime rate is extremely high in New Orleans. Am I a total idiot to consider taking my camper there? Any info you can provide on the camp, neighborhood, safety in the area, or any other useful info would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance all.
RE: TT crash, Gumball rally
Don't know about all of you, but I am heading out this weekend to buy a new brake controller. Mine is an inexpensive plug in type that I have had for years, and maybe was originally purchased at auto parts store or even WM. It has a dial to increase the braking on the rear, but no manual control that allows me to apply the trailer brakes while mashing my accelerator.
Thank you for posting this as it has changed at least one persons attitude about trailer brakes and may have saved a future disaster if I am ever in this situation.
Maybe some of you could suggest a good trailer nrake that does not cost a fortune, but provides what is needed.
Thank you, God Bless.
RE: campground north of Des Moines on 35
Sounds like the one I found called "Whispering Oaks". Like I mentioned, I have read mixed reviews on this campground and I am looking for options.
Thx.
campground north of Des Moines on 35
Looking for an overnight stop on the north side of Des Moines off interstate 35. We will probably get an hour north of Des Moines and be ready to stop. Looking for a campground with full hookups, not too expensive, and close proximity to interstate 35.
Found one in Story City called "Whispering Oaks" but read mixed reviews. I am looking for other options and your feedback.
Thx in advance.
RE: Jayco FKS322kitchen window leak - resolution?
Thx Bob. We may have spoke before. I tried that about a year ago and it did not solve the issue. BTW, 0000 steel wool will take off excess caulk real well.
Why they would put a seam on the side and not the bottom of a window trim, I do not know.
RE: Jayco FKS322kitchen window leak - resolution?
Spent about an hour today running water over different portions of the area in question. Nothing. The leak does not always show up. Last Saturday morning we had 2 inches of rain in an hour, and there was no leak. But a week prior, we had another rain storm and the leak showed up.
I think I will buy some EternaBond and cover the entire roof front seal as I noticed some hairline cracks in that seal (where front of RV meets the roof). I will start there and see if that does it.
RE: question about camping...What do you think???
A few things I would do.....first, when they walk thru YOUR campsite, say "Excuse me, can I help you?" I am sure they will look at you strange and say "just walking to the bathroom". There is your opportunity to tell them to use the road or walkway and not YOUR site, or maybe charge them a toll charge for cutting thru your site. Second thing you can do if find out what site they have and go walk thru their site, dump your coffee on their site, etc. Another thing you can do is address the issue with campground hosts and share your experience on RV Park Reviews. Although it may not be the campground hosts that are cutting thru your campsite, they are responsible for enforcing park rules (if there are provided rules about cutting thru others campsites).
Remember, you most likely paid the same for your site as others have paid, and it is YOUR site. Bottom line, you are the customer and have the final say with your vote on where you stay and voicing your opinion on the campground.
As a footnote, I had this similar experience last summer at a private campground. I mentioned something to the person and they told me they were full timers. Excuse me? Do full timers that are at the campground for months get the right to cut thru my camp site because I am a weekend warrior? I voiced my opinion and info on where the full timer was camped, with the camp hosts. They just smiled and said, "Yep, that is the way ol' XYZ is. Just ignor them". Needless to say I told them I would never stay there gain and would share this info with anyone I could and I have posted this info on many RV review sites.
RE: Wisc. Dells....what is your favorite........?
Thx Chuck D. As I mentioned earlier, this is a family deal and there will be kids involved, so we are trying to find something for the whole crew to enjoy. Based off the feedback I received from the family, the things I listed to do was what most of us were interested in doing. Although you and Will may not like what actual Wis. Dells has to offer, that was not the point of my inquiry. (note to self, don't invite Will and Chuck) ;-) So I was as specific as I could be on the information I was seeking.
I do appreciate your feedback on the eats. Thank you.
I was born and raised an hour away from Wis. Dells. I know how "touristy and hoakie" the place can be. If it were just the wife and I, it would not be my choice. But as a group, this is where most wanted to spend part of the week.
RE: Black Streaks
Bar of Lava soap tucked inside a sock. Get it wet, scrub the streaks off. Lava has a slight abrasive, and the sock keeps the abrasive from scratching the trailer.
Works good to get bugs off the TV as well.
RE: Wisconsin Cheese Factory Tours
Spending most of my life in Wisconsin, and have visited quite a few cheese factories, my favorite is in Rudolph, WI. Dairy State Cheese. Located about ten miles north of Wisconsin Rapids, this is by far the best cheese factory in the state. Try the cheese curds. Be sure they are warm and fresh. Yumm!
RE: What a time to get interested in RV'ing!
Ellen makes a great point....camping is still the best "bang for the buck". Where else can you get a lakeside accommodation for $20 a night and sleep in your own bed?
As for gas prices, remember a few short years ago when we were all crying because gas got over $3 a gallon? We survived. Heck, back in 2001, gas was $1.50 a gallon. We survived.
You are in a very unique situation. Go for it. Enjoy life. You have sacrificed to get to this point, now enjoy.
God Bless.
RE: Water pump
Had the same issue with our Jayco. Read on this site that the noise does not come so much from pump, as it comes more from the pvc pipe attached to pump. The Pump vibrates and sends the vibration thru the pvc pipe.
The remedy I found was to disconnect the pvc from the pump and install a flexible rubber hose between the pump and pvc pipe. I have not done this modification yet, but is seems to make sense.:S
RE: Camping World, Dealer or WallyWorld
We always walk by the RV section at Wal-Mart to see what they have added. I have noticed that over the past three years, they are growing the RV section. Some previous posts mention that "not all Wally Worlds are created equal". You are correct. I spent almost twenty years working for WM and they will tailor the assortment for the community. I have three WM's within 15 minutes of where I live. All three have a different amount of RV items. One carries nothing, one carries one 4ft section, and the third carried 8ft of RV products. I was recently in a WM near Grand Canyon, and the assortment was even larger. I think I even seen a small package of Eterna-bond in the RV section. Someone is paying attention to what RV'ers need at WM.
We enjoy shopping at CW, but our closest one is two hours away. We will periodically buy on line, especially if they have a "free shipping" promotion going on.
As for our dealer, I think he is concerned about selling RV's, but not concerned about keeping the customer coming back. His accessory prices are very high and he tried running seminars, and had a good turn out for the first few, but dropped them. I have requested he start them up again, but seems to be falling on deaf ears. I guess I know where I will NOT go for my next RV purchase. There is another dealer a little closer, and although we did not buy our RV from them, they have a great selection of RV accessories and a great service department.
RE: Wisc. Dells....what is your favorite........?
We have already chosen Holiday Shores. We will have a bunch of family members coming in from all over the US and a bunch of kids. Looked like Holiday Shores has the most to offer for kids, campsites, cabins, etc.
Hey car guy, isn't that the fifth season in Wisc? Fall, winter, spring, CONSTRUCTION, and summer?:B
