RE: Tent Camping Near Orlando?
Try Moss Park, an Orange County park - see http://www.orangecountyfl.net/dept/cesrvcs/parks/ParkDetails.asp?ParkID=29. This is a beautiful naturalized setting, and is pretty close to the area you specified (South Orlando/Hunters Creek).
RE: Sony's new DSLR has almost 25 MP's
Viewed as what it is, a full-framed "flagship" camera, $3,000 is pretty reasonable. The point of this camera is partially to show that Sony is serious about the SLR biz and doesn't want to be a "fringe" player like Olympus or Pentax (no offense, they both make great cameras) but go head to head with Canon and Nikon as serious pro-quality tools.
A lot of people buy Canon Rebels based on the fact that they see pro's using Canons, even if the pro model Canons share nothing but a mount and a nameplate with the Rebel. It's called the Halo effect. The point of this $3,000 camera is to sell more $600-$1,200 cameras.
This is no different from when Minolta (the predecessors of the Sony SLR line) brought out the XK to compete with the Nikon F2 in the seventies. You have to have a "pro" model for your "consumer" models to be taken seriously.
RE: GPS widget
The data is already saved in your Garmin GPS as a .gpx file. You can copy that file to your computer when you connect your GPS with a USB cable.
There are utilities that will allow you to view this file overlaid on a map. Look at: http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/. Lots of other mapping software will read that file too, look at: http://www.topografix.com/gpx_resources.asp for a list.
RE: TT: Buy new or used?
We have ruled out used for the simple fact that we can buy new from a wholesaler for not much more, and often less. I think lots of people here buy at full retail, then when they try to sell they want their money back. I'm not the kind of person to offer someone 50% of their asking price, so we just don't bother.
In fact, if my wife sees me looking at the RV section of Craigslist, she just tells me "don't waste your time."
So anyhow, you might want to price some floorplans you like at someplace like rvdirect.com, and see if you really are saving any money by buying used.
Anybody used gasbuddytogo.com??
Pretty neat mobile application. However my question is how do you get it to display diesel prices?
I have a blackberry, so I can go to the main gasbuddy.com website, but it has a lot to navigate through just to get to the diesel prices. But since the "togo" app was made for mobile users, I'd rather use that.
Please note that I don't have any text messages included in my plan, so I am not too interested in getting the prices "texted" (SMS) to me - although I am aware that it will do that too.
Thanks - Dave
RE: Exercising Fulltimers
DIYGuy - that's really cool. I particulary like the carved wooden holders for the tandems.
You should consider going to some of the local centuries and other big organized rides to provide support. I have seen lots of riders abandon on events like that over little things like cut tires, broken chains and even a broken QR skewer!
Sunnybrook Brookside or Pilgrim Legends?
Well I thought we had our choice narrowed down to the Sunnybrook Brookside 297 BHS, but just happened upon the Pilgrim Legends 31LBHS.
We plan on taking our family of six on an extended trip from Florida to Alaska as well as touring the great parks of the west-so we are looking for something sturdy and comfortable for a big family for an extended time.
Here are our requirements:
Quad bunk - not interested in the ones with slides in the bunk room, just four plain bunks in the back for our four kids.
Need to have either available or standard: 8cf fridge (or bigger) and 10 gal water heater.
Needs to have something other than the usual "booth for 4" dining area (freestanding table in the Brookside/U-dinette in the Pilgrim).
We had pretty much settled on the Brookside, but then I saw the Pilgrim (online) with its u-shaped dinette, lighter weight and twin "bike doors" and now are having second thoughts. We have seen the Sunnybrook in person, don't know of any local dealers with the Pilgrim, so we may order from a wholesaler. Any opinions on either of these trailers or any better ideas?
PS: we will be towing with a 7.3 PSD Excursion, so hopefully we should be ok towing either of these big boys.
Thanks - Dave
RE: Dining at Disney
Just off the top of my head:
If you want a Luau, keep in mind that there is a Luau at Seaworld as well as the one at the Polynesian Resort at WDW.
The World Showcase at EPCOT has some of the best dining in the parks, Mexico and Norway are recommended, but they all are nice. Of course you have to want "international" food, and I'm not sure what you like.
Also at EPCOT, there is a restaurant in the "Living Seas" pavillion where you can dine watching sharks and sea turtles swim around in a huge tank (think entire wall of the restaurant).
I would avoid the Rainforest Cafe(s), there are two on Disney property. Too gimmicky and expensive considering the options.
If you like celebrity chefs, Downtown Disney has Wolfgang Pucks, and Universal Citywalk has Emeril's.
There is a great restaurant at the Animal Kingdom lodge, but it is African food and you have to be a little adventerous.
Disney MGM has a 50's style nostalgia diner where the wait staff are all actors and rollplay for your entertainment.
That's all I can think of for right now. You said you don't want uber-fancy, so I have left off a few that might be too fancy.
RE: Dining at Disney
We will be going to Disney in September. While we are there we will be celebrating our 19th anniversary. We are looking for a dining experience that could handle about 20 people and is a lot of fun, reasonably priced. White tablecloths and fancy wine is not what we are looking for.
Any suggestions?
Will you and your guest have park passes? I just need to know whether to suggest restaurants in the parks (which require admission) or just those in the resort area(s) that do not.
RE: Orlando East/North East Side....
That's a tough one. I live in the area you are describing and don't know of any campgrounds right in/around Oviedo.
The two best suggestions I have for you are:
1) Consider a campground in Sanford, I know there are two, Twelve Oaks on 46, and Town & Country on Orange Blvd.
2) Try the KOA on Highway 46 in Mims - I know it seems a ways out, but it's not really a bad drive into the Oviedo area. Depending on where you need to get to in the Oviedo area, it may be quicker than coming in from Sanford.
Hope that helps.
RE: What is a good website for 7.3 Ford Diesel Fuel filters?
Powerstrokeshop.com has them for $17.80. The only trick is that it is an O.E. style filter and you need a seperate lid. If you have been using replacement style filter (or got your truck used from someone who did) you may have to buy a new lid to use this kind.
RE: Pondering a new KZ Spree (but difficulties intrude)
I don't think your situation is too unusual. We are interested in Jayco's, Rockwood/Flagstaff and KZ Spree's. Here we are in the center of one of the most RV intensive states (at least during the winter) and the closest dealer for any of these brands is over an hour away in a different city.
I'm really leaning towards using an out of state wholesale dealer. I figure since there really are no "local" dealers anyhow, why not drive a little further to save a couple thousand (or more). Unfortunately we have not found a wholesale dealer that carries the Spree trailers.
RE: Is Getting A/C Fixed in Florida a Good Idea?
I'm not sure that a good Florida A/C tech is necessarily any better than a good Indiana A/C tech, but if you want a good shop in Orlando, try:
Agner Air Conditioning & Radiator Service
(407) 855-7200 8021 S Orange Av Orlando, FL
RE: Scooters or mopeds?
Not to be a big safety geek, but please if you do get a scooter, remember that you are operating a motor vehicle and take proper precautions.
I would recommend:
1) taking a Motorcycle Safety Foundation new rider course (which will get your motorcycle certification so you'll be legal),
2) always wear a quality full-faced motorcycle helmet (passengers too), and
3) wear appropriate gear, I consider an armored mesh jacket, jeans and over the ankle boots to be a minimum.
I know, I know, it is only a little scooter, but the pavement doesn't care if you fell off a Ruckus or a GSXR.
RE: Ford F350 front wheel bearings (4x4)
I have owned many vehicles, some of which have the sealed bearing assemblies like are mentioned here, others with the traditional bearings. There are drawbacks and advantages to both.
In my observation, cars and trucks with the sealed bearing have much cheaper brake rotors, and you don't need to mess with the bearings every time you do a brake job. The sealed bearings also seem to last much longer.
The advantage of the old fashoined roller bearings is mainly only that they are cheaper. But you have to mess with them everytime you do a brake job, and they seem to need to be replaced a lot more frequently. Honestly, I don't remember getting 100k++ miles out of roller bearings like I do with the sealed bearings.
I have a 4x4 Excursion with 135k miles and a Volvo with 195k+ miles, both of which have sealed front wheel bearing assemblies that have never been replaced.
I just looked on eBay and found the bearing for $130.27. See Ebay Bearing
RE: Floorplans that I long for...
There is a Coachmen Captiva with a similar floorplan that weighs around 4600 lbs. It is the 270RS. I don't know how to post the floorplan, but here is a link:
http://www.coachmenrv.com/products/model/floorplan/detail/?ProductID=2&FloorplanID=27&SeriesID=4&Model=Travel%20Trailers&Series=Captiva%20Ultra%20Lite
We saw one of these when we went to a show looking for the quad-bunk Captiva. Clever floorplan, in that the kids get their own "den" during the day, but it becomes a bedroom at night. The rear slide only goes out two feet or so. Won't work for us as we have four kids and each needs to have their own permanent bed.
RE: "Pre-Pay" of Sales Tax for 2007 Sales Tax Deduction?
My take is that if you were to give the fifth wheel dealer some cash now, it would just be a "deposit" and therefore not deductible.
You may want to talk to the dealer and see if they can work with the 5r manufacturer and get the VIN of your unit before it is finished/delivered. Then, with the VIN, you actually close the deal in calendar 2007, and you would have legally paid the tax this year even though you don't take delivery until sometime in 2008. Of course this would require that you start making payments on a unit that you don't have actual posession of, and would make things difficult if you change your mind or just don't like the 5r when it is delivered.
Two other options:
1) Can you find a unit in some dealer's stock somewhere that is close enough to the unit you want? If so, just buy it in 2007 and be done with it.
2) Another option, though pretty far fetched, is to buy an "interim" 5r in 2007, and pay the sales tax on it. Then, when your dream coach is finished and ready for delivery, you use the "interim" 5r as a trade-in. In most states you don't pay sales tax on the amount of credit you got on the trade-in. So in essence you have accelerated paying the sales tax into the current year. My clients have done this with $$$$$ jet aircraft. Depending on the amount of tax it may save, it may not be worthwhile to do this for an RV.
RE: why diesel expensive?
I hate to admit it, but it is my fault. Back in August I bought a used Excursion with the 7.3 Powerstroke Diesel. I was sure that diesel cost just a little more than regular gas before I bought, but it has been more than premium ever since. Again, I apologize.
Bathroom sink in the living room???
I have been looking at floorplans with an eye to buying a trailer by next spring, and I have noticed a few trailers where the bathroom sink isn't actually IN the bathroom. In some cases it is in a little alcove, but look at this Coachmen Captiva 291QBS - it's practically in the middle of the living room:
http://goodman.rvusa.com/images/426977_3.jpg height=400 width=300
I was also looking at the KZ Spree 289KS that has the bathroom sink by one of the doors to the outside. I actually thought that might be nice to look outside while you're shaving... but still a little odd.
Does this seem odd to anyone else? Does it seem more normal in person than it looks in pictures?
RE: Want advice on new camper, help please
We have the Rockwood 8315SS and LOVE IT! When we made our decision it was between the Rockwood and Jay Feather Light. The Rockwood had more options, a bit more upscale features and we wanted the "true" heated tanks.
Rebecca
Not to hijack, but we are considering the a Jay Feather and a Rockwood Signature Ultra-lite (among several others). Why are the Rockwood heated tanks better than the heated tanks on the Jay Feather?
