RE: Pacific Coast Highway Closed?
Hi.
I came up the 101 from S.D. last week.
At that time there were some 200 plus fires going in the northern half of the state.
At Camp Roberts area the was a lot of smoke, but! No active fire that could be seen.
After we left Windsor, Ca. the smoke became thicker.
In Cloverdale we stop for fuel, and lunch were able to see two CDF contract assualt helo's, w/bag's full heading for a drop point. Somewhere to the North/Northeast.
There were CDOT sign stands post along the HWY giving warning to watch out for slower moving Fire Rig's Truck, and to give them the ROW.
The amber alert signs were also used for the same "Fire Info".
But! There no road closures or detour's.
Since there are now some 300 plus fire's things may have change a bit.
Have a safe trip.
RE: US Highway 101 problems ?
Hi.
I to have been following the HWY 1 or 101 thread fore several week's now.
I will be making to same route. Just starting a little further south, El Cajon, Ca. 20-Jun / 20-Jul.
I made this run in 1997 w/ a 23' FW, this time it will be w/ a 31' FW.
The driver is in for a work out.
I made the run through downtown S.F. from Felton, Ca. near Santa Cruz. Don't remember just how I got to the Golden Gate Bridge. But! I did it. My wife ploted the route then, using "'94 version of trip maker".
The road I was on had some problems: Biker w/surfboards, parked car in right lane "No Parking" signs posted, people stop in the lane to hold conversation with sidewalk occupant's.
The road on the north side of G.G. was somewhat narrow and curve. You will find several grove's of tree's growing near or over the roadway.
There is one tunnel on this road in Oregon, R/S clearance is marked at 10.0'. Several have hit this area in the pass. Center height? You will need to crowd the center W/L. Hope there isn't any vehicle in tunnel at that time. I wasn't that lucky! I waited for a clear opening. Not sure what part of Oregon coast the tunnel is located at? I'll know after this trip.
Have a great trip!
RE: Cal. SR-299 McKinleyville to Redding?
Just take your time, the section from Arcata/Blue Lake to Willow Creek has several long grades, just watch your braking going downhill. East of Willow Creek you follow the Trinity River most of the way and that is a beautiful drive. As Coolbreeze01 noted, it can be a little warm when driving along the river, but July shouldn't be too bad. And actually it will be hotter over in Redding so the trip on 299 will sort of get you prepared. Nice restaurant in Willow Creek and there are good places in Weaverville too.
Thanks for Info.
Please tell me more about the down hill's. Are they similiar to the Vail and Loveland grade's on I-70?
Much Thank's.
RE: Vegas to Tahoe and California Coast, etc.
If you are going in to Reno. Then CR-55 is south of Reno. How far ? It maybe to far south for you travel requirements. I-80 is an interstate, It will still get you to I-5.
RE: Vegas to Tahoe and California Coast, etc.
You didn't mension where you were going to visit the coast.
I made the 101 run in 1997. I was pulling a 23' FW.
Most is 1 or 2 lane road some divided, and some is not. From Santa Monica to Santa Cruz.
Some windie, and some not. For the most part all was good roadway.
From the north side of the golden gate to cresent city 1 lane road.
I wouldn't go to San Fransisco with any trailer,. Parked cars (Not necessarily in the curb lane), bikes, and Driver doors open with drivers talking to people on side walk 15 to 20 min's.
There is only one area I would stay away from when towing.
That would be the WEST Side travel route that borders Lake Tahoe.
I followed it with my tow vehicle only once, and will not to be repeated.
Hwy 49 has some of the same limitations as well. I went north from Bass Lake, on the return trip I saw the sign not recommed for vehicle with trailers. I now know why. I just wish the sign on the north direction.
RE: Vegas to Tahoe, etc.
Hi. All!
Have you tried using mapquest to plan a travel route?
Place your first stop city and state, and your starting point city and state.
Then see what it gives you.
You can list camp grounds and / or list your favors the ones you want to stop at.
Then simply repeat the city and state each time and you will have a route.
You can figure out the mileage you want to travel and any stops along the way as well.
It can be adjusted for time or distance.
Sometime ago we used I-15 to CR-395 and cross over I think CR-50 from Lake Tahoe to San Diego. SR-50 will take you to I-5. There was one long up or down hill on the Tahoe side. As long as you do this in the summer months no snow.
I-5 is an inland route not close to water front. You will have to use 1 or 101 for the coast route. Some areas of CR-1 not recommend for RV.'s sharp and close curves. (2 lane road, 1up / 1dn.). You will spend much of you time in the other lane.
Cal. SR-299 McKinleyville to Redding?
Hi. All!
Does anyone have info on using this route when towing a 31 FW. Pro's / Con's? Limit's Yes / No? Starting point McKinleyville east. July 10, T/F.
RE: gas mileage guestimate
Hope for 12, expect 10, budget for 8.
Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!:)
Best Info at present!
I tow a 31' FW, when I get 10mpg. I've hit the big time. After 200 miles I'm looking for fuel stop anyway. Between 50 / 75 its a potty stop for someone!
If you access Mapquest. You can plan and / or set up a travel route. For the type of traveling you want or wish to do.
Several have said to by pass So. Cal. Well that will be up to you. When you decide on a route. But! I live at the southern part. T.J., Mx. is 15 miles away.
There is several way to get around the downtown L.A. Area.
That's depending on where you enter So. Cal. from.
Most of the time I go through L.A. before or after the business day, mostly after. I will pull the grapevine at night when its cool. Yes! There are a lot of trucks at that time to! But! Fewer cars to deal with. I have used the I-15, I-215, I-10, and I-210 all of which pass you around the L.A. downtown area to the east, and will put you on the I-5 north of San Fernando, and just before start of the Grapevine climb route. After that you can choose SR-99 or I-5, I like 99. Both have and are truck routes. Unless fixed the right lane sucks.
RE: New RVer; planning first cross-country trip
Hey y'all...
We are new to RVing; just bought our first motorhome a few weeks ago (Allegro Open Road 35QBA). We're planning our first trip of any real length for this June and are looking for advice on driving times/routes. We will be leaving from the Vacaville/Fairfield, CA area and are heading to the St. Louis area. Because we are new and don't have a lot of driving experience, we are thinking we should take the flattest route, which would mean down 99 to southern California and then I-40 to Oklahoma to I-44.
That being said, I am trying to figure out where our stopping points could/should be. I guess I should point out that we will have 6 of us in the rig.... 2 adults, 4 kids ages 7, 9, 12, and 16, plus a Great Dane and a Wire Fox Terrier.
This is my tentative plan. Can anyone tell me if it is realistic? I have no idea what driving times are for these routes:
Day 1: It looks like the best stopping place would be around Bakersfield or Edwards AFB (we can always use the famcamps on military bases.... although the problem there is that most don't take reservations). Needles seemed too far, and I didn't see any other good places before that to stop.
For day 2, I am thinking the Flagstaff area.
Day 3: stop in Albuquerque. I think this was the shortest drive, but seeing as the next 2 are a little longer, thought it was a good idea.
Day 4: Oklahoma City
Day 5: St. Peters, MO.
Is this realistic? Anyone made any of those drives and can tell me how long it takes?
We will be driving down to Cape Girardeau from there and then on to Huntsville, AL and come home from Huntsville. For that return trip,
I am thinking we could get to Little Rock the first day, then to OK City the second... then retrace our steps from the first trip.
Sure would appreciate advice from those of you with experience!!
Hi.
If you intend to leave the Travis area? Why drive south to Bakersfield. Why not use I-80 north of Sacremento and go east from there!
The DOD facilities ("Family Camps") can fill up fast. I have used them only once "Wright-Patterson AFB". Only one space open on the out-bound run. The only reason we got it there was a power problem, and the space was open. I was able to piggy back off another site. Until my power box was fixed, a few hours later. If you find a DOD site call ahead. There is only ONE access for BIG vehicles. You will have to contact that base for that location. Most MAIN Base Access are for auto & LT-Tks use.
Use map quest and place Travis as start and your final stop as finish and look at the possible routes, you can set up. You can keep on gas prices along the way.
I haven't used I-80, so I can be much help. I live to far south.
The 3 to 4 hundred mile driving day is about normal. I use 35 to 45 as may driving day.
My travel day starts at 0300 and I'm off the road by 1300. I do not like driving in the high heat of the day. To much un-necessary wear and tear on the RV. REMEMBER YOU WILL BE DRIVING in some of the hottest areas in June and July.
I have found that the "KOA's" follow most major HWY E/W or N/S, and fit well into my driving day. Most are with-in 2 to 10 mile's of the HWY.
I spent several weeks with map-quest setting up my travel route to and from. This gives me time to identify my stops along this and the places where we want to stop. Most of mine deal with railroads, my wife and daughter "Cracker Barral and Wal-Mart", there are a lot along I-70.
I also use the DOD facilities for "GAS" and Food.
RE: Transmission fluid change
Who Re-Built the Trans? And what did they recommend?
AAMCO did mine. W/ a life-time guarantee! I must bring it in on the month it was re-built (03). For them to check it. It's there Trans. I get to use it.
I was making a trip to Altoona, PA.
They ask if I wanted to have it flushed before I left. I said yes! And the trip was trouble free. Well except for (2) RIMS.
RE: Travel Trailer Lights Flickering and Battery Power Gone
Hi!
Is the 12v good when plug into 120?
***(12v system is from the Batteries. Most newer RV's have a inverter installed 120v to 12v which run all 12v components; ie: Re-charge the batteries when plug in to shore service. 12v system jacks, monitor panel, lighting, TV antenna, fans, detectors, wtr pump, Refer, and heater.***
Check the water level in the batterie(s).
Have you taken the batterie(s) out, and had it or them checked? ie: Auto-Parts store, Wal-Mart?
Have you service the batterie(s)? (clean the posts) checked the leads? + the grounds. This would include the inverter connections.
***Some RV have fuses or circuit braker's in the 12v feed line?***
It almost sounds like corrosion build up! The arching between the batterie(s) and the posts.
Is your inverter dying?
If the batterie(s) turns out to be good, that is where I would start next.
RE: 2008 Dodge 4500 or 5500 Series
Hi. Again!
Maybe I'm jumping the gun again.
It took a couple of years (94 & 95) before the RV public started to consuming them and set them up as T.V.
I guest they rattled FOMOCO a little too!
I still like my '96 Ram 2500hd, V-10, 13,600# now a classic.
It handle my 5'er ok!
Its always been a little short on brakes. That was DODGE's problem from the get go. Calling it an "HD" with the 7,400 LBS brake system left in place.
I guest the "texas truck" will get on the ball soon or latter.
Just have to wait and see.
RE: Wheel Chocks
Hi!
When you set the wheel chocks are the tires still warm or hot? They may still feel cool, But! The air inside isn't.
I have several 2x6's about 18" long. I check the ground level, and place the wood in front and behind each wheel and angel (2) to act as a wedge's against the wheel.
The following morning I will re-check the wheels chocks. Tire's are now cold, and the over night movement of us inside, now has settled the tire in place.
Adjustments there may be? Usually a hammer to adjust. Keep up on the weather forecasts!
2008 Dodge 4500 or 5500 Series
HI. All.
With the Dodge Boy's coming out with there mid-range (26,000#) truck's, anyone had a look see or looking in to them? Anyone know when there going to show up west of AZ, or NV.
RE: Carbon In Tailpipe
HI!
What type of OIL do use? Referring to base oil? Not all the stuff they add to the oil.
I assume you have broke in the engine as Ford directed?
Ford are know to use oil. It varies from one QT. each oil change to one every 1000 miles.
I did own one! On some of the older motor(s) it was the PVC system was the culprit. Newer power plants not sure where the problem is.
My current puller is not having that problem. Gaser, V-10. Not a Ford. Its one of the other guy's. w/199,172m's (castrol 10w-30)since brake in)
Have a Great Day! Jim
RE: High HC and CO... I need smog repair assistance
Hi!
I assume you did a tune-up? Before your visit with the Smog police.
When was the last time you a can or 2 of carb cleaner in the tank?
When was the carb adjusted?
I mension this on another place.
I drove a F-150 for 300,000 miles before, during, and after Cal. started playing with the somg rules to get the gas hogs off the streets.
I drove that rig for thirty years, JUST to get BACK at the smog police after they said it wasn't legal.
I was the ORIGNAL owner.
Nothing was add, modified or remove. Well 300,000 miles was added. And a coat of paint.
With the exception of Dirt, Water, Gas, filter(s), and Oil.
When it came time for my 2 yr requirement to visit the local smog police station. I would.
First Came: The tune-up. Annoying the wife.
Second Came: The (4) carb. cleaner treatment(s). TK. had 2 Tk.'s.
Third Came: The fuel system cleaner. Jeffy Lube $30. A can 104/octain.
The Place: Smog station paper in hand, be back in 2 yrs. HA! Ha! Ha! Up-your's Cal.
RE: Ford 460, which oil to use 10-30, or10-40?
Hi!
I'm not sure about everybody else, or how they feel. And don't care!
But! A long time a go. I was told you never change horses in the middle of the race. Same for OIL!
If you start with one type of oil you continue with it. Oil lube metal parts don't take kindly to a new kid playing in the oil pan.
I ran a 1975 F-150, 390, 4-b for over 300,000, still have the engine, No Truck. Cal tried to get off the street's more than once. But! It just kept passing the smog police. Castrol 10w-50. Had the truck for 30 years.
My 1996 Ram 2500hd V-10 uses Castrol 10w-30, and its just shy of 200,000 (199,200). Add its been a lot further than the F-150 ever was.
Have a Great Day!
Summer Coast Travel Route
Hi. All!
I promise I would drive the Cal., Or., & Wa. coast route (ie: 1 or 101). For the summer trip.
I did this route in 1997, w/the same TV. But! w/a 23ft FW, now the FW has grown to 31ft.
There is a under-pass in Santa Monica, anyone know if it will allow a 12ft Hi FW will pass under it, and it still 3 lane wide?
There is another tunnel in Oregon one lane each direction.
I beleive there was a Caution sign>>10ft at the right side of opening, what about the center?
Any help here?
