RE: Name Your Favorite Campground - Vancouver to Edmonton
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Wa are considering a separate return route, probably through the Okanagan.
Please keep the suggestions coming.
We have never been up the Prince George route. We plan to visit friends in Quesnel and that is why we are taking the interior route up to the Yellowhead.
We have family & friends north of Edmonton, but would like some thoughts on good campgrounds (need full services if possible) near Edmonton.
thanks again,
Roy
RE: Slide covers, are they a must?
I thought about installing a topper on our slide. However, how do you clean debris off that gets on the roof with a topper?
As we all know, it is windy at times and that is when the twigs and leaves get blown around and under the topper onto the slide roof.
What do you think?
thanks,
Roy
High End Desktop Replacment - Suggestions?
We are looking for a laptop that will be a desktop replacement. It will not be used for use on airplanes or daily travel use (portability), except in the 5er.
Uses would include:
- continuing with work/work (ACAD, MS Project, Excell, Word, Access, etc.) at home
- take with us on our road trips, for planning purposes, occassional television, videos and checking up on our favorite websites
We are looking at high end Core 2 Duo or Quad core CPU.
17" LCD screen, not sure of what spec on the LCD
4 Gb RAM
high end video card(s)
considering solid state storage or RAID 0/1
blue-ray
If you have any suggestions, they would be appreciated.
thanks,
Roy
Name Your Favorite Campground - Vancouver to Edmonton
We are starting to plan for our trip next summer from Vancouver Island to Edmonton. The route is Vancouver, Hope, Kamloops, Quesnel, Prince George, Edmonton, Calgary, Banff, Kamloops, Hope and back to Vancouver.
If you have any favorite campgorunds anywhere along this route we would be happy to hear from you. One of ours on the Coquehalla is Lac leJeune PP, although it is less desirable now since the pine beetle went through a few years ago.
So come one, come all, let's hear about those great campgrounds you have stayed at.
thanks,
Roy
RE: Locking 5th wheel so can't be stolen
If someone really wants your 5er, they will take it. I've thought of this several times over the years. Let's face it, that is what insurance is for. Relax and plan the next trip. Whatever happens in between hopefully will be covered by your insurance.
cheers and happy RV'g
Roy
RE: Question about rear kitchens:-)
We have a Corsair Excella 26RKS.
Appliances are located on the passenger side, between the door and RR corner. All tanks are forward of the axles, with grey nearest the front, black next and then fresh (closest to axles). Our pin weight is 17% of total, 1,700# to 10,000#.
5er pulls very smooth, with MOR/ryde pinbox on a SuperGlide 16K hitch, 5er also has shocks and 235/8016D tires and 6,000# axles.
Roy
RE: Cracks in Front Cap
The longest crack, ~3 1/2" long, is located at the left clearance light cavity, at the edge where the flat surface meets the cavity. I have pictures, just not sure how to post.
I'm not sure allowing the cap to move would have prevented this, but preventing the front from flexing would. When the front flexes (as occurs when washing it) the inflection point on the upper left side is right at the edge of the cavity where the crack is located. The cap is dished inward when traveling on the highway, stressing this point constantly.
I wouldn't be surprised if another crack appears on the other clearance light cavity.
Roy
RE: Cracks in Front Cap
Took the 5er into the dealer's shop yesterday for repairs to the cap.
They will be removing the front cap to repair it. I discussed my thoughts on the issue with them. I indicated I would expect there to be a support system behind the cap, such that, it could not flex inward as much as it does. They were going to see what they would find and get back to me. I also suggested they contact the cap manufacturer and request a copy of the drawing of the assembly which would show the reinforcing. If they only repair the existing cracks, and make no other changes, I would expect cracks to appear again in time.
Your thoughts would be appreciated if you have any knowledge on what the cap manufacturers typically design into the cap in the way of a support system.
thanks,
Roy
RE: Cracks in Front Cap
Thanks everyone for your feedback.
Does anyone else have any experience like this or know of someone who has had this issue?
I'm most interested in how things were resolved.
thanks,
Roy
RE: Cracks in Front Cap
routemaster:
Could you provide some more detail on the location of the cracks in the front cap?
The longest crack, located at the clearance light cavity does look like an egg crack in my front cap. This crack can be readily explained as this is the location of the pivot of the flexing of the fiberglass and natural place for a fatigue crack to start.
Roy
RE: Does it get any better than this?
driveby...
Looks quite enjoyable. Reminde me of the 2 weeks DW and I spent up island earlier this month. As far as bears go we missed the one running through the grocery store parking lot in Port McNeill, but, we did see another one on the way back to Alder Bay Resort.
We just spent 3 1/2 days at a local spot, new to us, Westwood Lake RV Park in Nanaimo. It turned out as somewhat of a surprise. The campground is only 200 feet from Westwood Lake, a great place to swim and kayak. There are also many trails in the area, including one around the lake that is 4 miles long.
Had a great time.
Roy
RE: Cracks in Front Cap
fordsooper...
It's a 2007 Corsair Excella, only 2 trips on it, although last year's trip to Ontario was long at 10,000 km, and 4 weekends locally on the island.
The front has never been hit by anything, except bugs of course. It's still in like new condition, inside and out. The outside looks even better than when we bought it as it has had 2 coats of fiberglass wax with several cleaning jobs, same for the wheels.
It's interesting that the 2008 model year has a new design front cap that is much stronger than the 2007.
Roy
RE: Cracks in Front Cap
Jack, I think you are right on.
I talked with the manufacturer last fall about the flexing issue. He said there should be a support system behind the cap to prevent the flexing. I had explained to him that I was surprised the cap would flex inward like that when pushing on it during washing. He had asked me to take a few pics and send to him. I didn't at the time, however, I will now.
The flex / pivot point is right at the corner of the cavity for the clearance light. This is the location of the crack that is 3" long. I'm thinking of placing a mark at each end of the crack to see if it grows.
Anyone else have any feedback?
thanks,
Roy
RE: Cracks in Front Cap
The cracks as indicated are reasonably short, and on the front cap.
I'm suspicious that they have been caused by deflection of the cap while traveling. I have seen on many occasions, 5er's traveling in the opposite lane (oncoming) and you can see the cap delected inwards from the force of the air against it, at highway speed. I suspect this is also happening to mine, as it deflects inward when I wash it, as it did today when washed.
Roy
Cracks in Front Cap
I noticed some small cracks in the front fiberglass cap today when washing the 5er. Most are located at the passenger side edge, near the top, and, a larger crack (3" long) located at the clearance light opening.
Who else has experienced this or knows of anyone who has? What did you do? Anyone go back to the dealer / manufacturer for assistance?
thanks,
Roy
RE: Tire pressure
I run 65 psi (recommended) in our Goodyear Marathons, 8,000 miles in last 14 months, no problems, even wear (negligible), on 10,000# 2007 Corsair Excella.
Roy
RE: mileage with a diesel
On our return trip (10,000 km) from Vancouver Island to Toronto last year we averaged 11.5 IMPG, based on total distance driven divided by total fuel consumed (hand calc). Average hwy speed was 60 mph.
Truck is 2004.5 3500 RAM CTD QC SB Auto 4x4 3.73 gears.
5er is 10,000# and 12' high.
Take a look at our rig (profile) and you will see another barrier(!) to good mileage (picture taken during a stop on the trip, east of Sault Ste. Marie).
Roy
