Oregon down through Nevada?
We are in Portland, Oregon right now and plan on heading down through the middle of the state heading back home to Arizona.
Our thinking is to take hwy 26 east to hwy 97 then take 97 south to 31 then take 31 all the way to 395 then take 395 down through California then into Reno, Nevada.
Once in Nevada, we plan on picking up hwy 95 just east of Reno then taking it all the way to Vegas.
So, my two part question;
Is taking 31/395 through Oregon and California then 95 down through Nevada a smart move towing the fiver in my signature OR.... Would you take a different route?
Any thoughts appreciated.
RE: Question to those who know batteries
Well, after reading all the replies so far, I think my course of action will be:
1. Find a source locally to take the 6 1/2 year old batteries to, to have them checked since I have nothing to test them with. If they still show good, I'll just keep using them until they just die, then replace them. True, I'll likely never be more than a few miles from a source that sells deep cycle 12v batteries so even in a pinch, I'll be able to get batteries. Who knows, I might be one of those who's batteries will last several years more!
2. And just out of curiosity, I'm calling Doubletree in the morning and asking why were such batteries installed in the first place. I might be surprised at the answer!
Just FYI, these are the OEM batteries that came on the fifth wheel and when not on the road, the fifth wheel stays in covered storage and plugged in with a battery maintainer on all the time and I bought one of those battery water systems where tubes from a plastic bottle full of distilled water run to all the cells and one squeeze of a bulb fills all cells equally with water. I check this monthly, even in storage and never let the water level drop more than a few drops. Perhaps this has helped them stay good this long.
Thanks for the comments.
Question to those who know batteries
My fifth wheel is a hair over six years old now and still has the same two 6 volt Interstate "workaholic" batteries that came with it from the factory. Used a lot for several years then it's been stored inside with the trailer plugged in to 110 for over a year now and while the hydraulic slides, and everything 12 volt work just fine, I'm a bit leery about taking it across country next week and having a battery or both fail out in the middle of nowhere. No one I talk to can believe that the 6 1/2 year old batteries still work and say I'm on borrowed time.
Locally, the 6 volt batteries I would need to replace these with run $160 each or $320 total. Since all I basically do with the trailer unplugged from 110 power is to extend and retract the hydraulic driven slides, the occasional DC water pump or having a light or two on or have the fridge on DC while on the road.
What are your thoughts on just getting a nice deep cycle 12 volt battery for $90 rather than $320 on two 6 volt batteries. I realize they are heavier duty but I never dry camp so is the extra capacity unnecessary?
Regards,
George
RE: San Francisco - where to stay?
Well, it appears that North of the city it is, now to find a park other than the Petaluma KOA park! From my web surfing, I am coming up the Novato RV park as being what appears to be a good choice. Another rv park is the Marin park which doesn't give much info about their park but is a 10 minute walk to the Lakespur ferry terminal.
It looks like taking the Lakespur ferry to the main San Francisco terminal then walking or taking a bus to the wharf area is the way to go rather than trying to drive a 1 ton dually truck and find parking in the wharf area.
Anyone stay at the Novato or Marin RV parks?
San Francisco - where to stay?
We want to visit the San Francisco area to do some site seeing and tow a 36' fifth wheel. We want to stay in an RV park rather than a state park but it looks like pickings are pretty slim.
All I can find are two parks in the area, Marin Park, about 10 miles north of the city and Candlestick Park just a few miles south of the city.
Two questions please:
1. Has anyone stayed at either of these parks and care to make a comment either good or bad?
2. Are there any parks I am overlooking?
Thanks
