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Forum
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RE: I want to be a Mexican!!!
A previous post stated that the writer is a disabled US military veteran. Are you aware that the VA has a Foreign Medical Program that reimburses the cost of care for the connected disability? Don't know if this will come through as a link or not, but here's some info:
http://www.va.gov/hac/factsheets/fmp/FactSheet01-05.pdf
Moderator's edit: Converted the URL into an active link.
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mandofrog
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06/23/08 08:28pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Membership or deeded lot in N CA or NV?
I'm bumping this message up in hopes that a new reader may have information.
Since my original post I've remembered that there is another membership campground at Weber Lake.
Just researching all the options.
Anyone know of anything else? Thanks.
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mandofrog
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05/29/08 01:10pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Smart car
I have a Smart car and love it. It is towable 4 down. Blue Ox makes a base plate and tow bar. Smart is also expected to come out with one of their own in the near future. Do a search for smart car on this website and read the posts for "smart car inside a Damon" "got passed by a smart yesterday" and "can you tow a smart 4 down". Lots of good information.
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mandofrog
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05/15/08 07:27am |
Dinghy Towing
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Membership or deeded lot in N CA or NV?
I'm looking for membership campgrounds or deeded lots within a 3 hour distance of Reno, NV, where an RV can be left year round. I know about Tahoe Timber Trails by Truckee, but I wonder if there are any others?
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mandofrog
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05/10/08 03:28pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Seasonal sites in western WA or OR?
Sorry, I don't know how to post these webpages as links, but hopefully the addresses will help. Ocean Shores and Long Beach WA also have lots for sale that allow RV camping.
http://www.rvparkstore.com/
http://www.rvonline.com/campgrounds/camplocate.html
http://www.rvproperty.com/campgrounds_forsale2.htm
http://www.lmch.com/home.asp
http://www.laketyee.com/index.htm
http://www.outdoor-resorts.com/ps/
http://www.ospreypoint.net/
Good luck with your search!
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mandofrog
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05/10/08 02:30pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Coordinating trade in and purchase of new TT
Thanks all, we may end up taking the suggestion to finance with the dealer just to get it off the lot, then see if we can work out a deal with our credit union.
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mandofrog
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05/10/08 02:11pm |
Travel Trailers
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Coordinating trade in and purchase of new TT
We're getting a new TT and trading in the old one. The last time we did this the dealer wanted our old trailer in his possession before writing up the bill of sale. The credit union wanted the bill of sale before they would write a check. The dealer wouldn't release the new TT until they had the check. Unfortunately the credit union, upon receiving the bill of sale, mailed the check. We ended up going home for a few days with no TT at all until the check arrived.
We're going to be doing this again in a week or two and wondering how this could be better coordinated so that we can tow our new trailer home the same day that we turn over our trade in.
I'm sure there are better ways to coordinate this.
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mandofrog
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05/09/08 10:10pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Can you tow a Smart Car 4 down?
I average about 38-40 MPG in mine, depending on highway or city driving. I wish it were even better, but it still beats most any car out there that isn't a hybrid or diesel. It's also a blast to drive, the convertible I've always wanted without paying an arm-and-a-leg, and an automatic that I can tow 4-down.
Yup, I'm one happy Smart owner.
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mandofrog
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05/04/08 10:43am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Can you tow a Smart Car 4 down?
I'm towing my Smart cabrio 4-down with the Blue Ox base plate and tow bar. No problems. My local hitch dealer has set up a couple of other Smarts for towing, too. Lots of myths and misinformation out there about the Smart, but I'm surprised that a rep didn't know any better.
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mandofrog
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05/02/08 07:19pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: TV: Pickup vs. Van
We tow a 27 ft TT with an E350 diesel (regular body cargo van) that has been converted to a camper. The van has a rear seat that folds out to a full size bed, a microwave, refrigerator and a porta-potty. We looked at class B's but the ones we saw are only rated to tow 5,000 lbs. Our E350 will tow 10,000 lbs. For us, it's the best of both worlds; a TT with all the comforts of home for longer trips and a van for weekend get-a-ways.
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mandofrog
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04/12/08 09:24am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Pemex scam
From Canada, back to Mexico...
Last time I was down (flew to my home in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit), I was running late and had to top off my rental car before I returned it to catch my flight back. I only needed about 1/4 of a tank. When I went to pay I realized I was out of pesos, so gave the attendant $50.00 US (all the US money I had left). When he gave me the change I stuffed it in my wallet without checking it. I've gotten gas at that station countless times with never a problem. When I arrived home, I realized that he had given me a 20 peso bill! So, for a quarter of a tank I paid roughly $48.00 US!
The station was the Pemex in La Cruz.
My fault, I should never take anything for granted, no matter how much of a hurry I'm in. I also should have reported it, but was so quickly drawn back in to the SOS of working, etc., that I never got around to it.
I've made a promise to myself to do better next time!
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mandofrog
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04/10/08 12:40pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Smart Car inside a Damon Outlaw?
I've had my Smart for about 2 weeks. It holds 2 people, easily. My DH, at 5' 11", can stretch his legs straight in front of him in the passenger seat. There's a lot more room than you would think in the rear for groceries, suitcases, family dog, etc. The seats sit high and the car feels quite roomy inside. So roomy that I forget I'm in such a tiny little thing until I look back and realize there's nothing there!
Although I hope to never test the safety of any car, it has air bags front and rear (driver and passenger) and you're surrounded by a steel cage like the ones used in race cars. A recent safety test only gave it a 3 out of 5 rating (although it still passed the test) on rollover potential but, unfortunately, it didn't test how you would actually fare in a rollover. All other ratings were 4-5 which is excellent.
Road noise is not a problem, it's about the same as my previous Toyota Matrix. The ride also doesn't feel any bumpier than any thing else (although I'm sure that luxury cars are smoother, I wouldn't know - I've never had one!) So far, with only 500 miles (city & highway) on it, I'm getting close to 40 mpg. Premium is recommended, but I'm reading that lots of owners are using regular, with no difference in performance or mileage.
The transmission is manual with an automatic clutch. You have 3 choices; put it in automatic and go, use the shift knob, or use the paddles on the steering wheel. The full automatic mode starts out with slow, rocky shifts, but the more you drive it, the smoother it gets as it learns your driving habits. The real beauty of it is that it can driven in automatic but can be towed 4 down. Blue Ox makes a base plate. I've heard that there are others, and that Smart is about to come out with one, too. We had the BO installed last week and have towed it 1x with no problems. I plan to use it as a daily driver until I retire next year, then it will be mostly used as a dinghy.
The biggest drawback is that all service is suppose to be done by a dealer, and I live 2 hours from the closest dealer. It uses special oil and filters (recommended oil changes only every 10,000 miles) but other owners are converting their cars to make it easier. Heck, I won't mind driving to the dealer once a year for oil changes, and only having to do it that often makes up for the higher cost of the oil and filter. Some people are having maintenance/repair work done by their local Mercedes dealers. As far as overall reliability - that remains to be seen, but, for me, the benefits of the car outweighed any concerns.
So far, I love my Smart!
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mandofrog
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04/10/08 12:16pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Our Mexico trip was one in hell.
Moisheh, do you know what the insurance does cover?
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mandofrog
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04/08/08 07:22am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: trailers for little car to be towed behind class c
I think the website may be down or I would have posted a link, but www.smartcarofamerica.com has an owner's forum with a couple of threads on towing. Blue Ox makes a base plate for the Smart. One of the threads has the part number. We're getting ours installed next week. Can't wait to go camping!
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mandofrog
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04/05/08 11:33pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: More than one?
We have a 27 foot TT that we tow with an E350 converted camper van. The van is perfect when we want to get away for a night or two. I think we've got the best of both worlds!
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mandofrog
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03/22/08 10:18am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: A Note of Caution and Something to Think About
Some registered sex offenders were 19 year olds who had sex with a 17 year old, or a college guy who was arrested for mooning someone or streaking across campus. Not all sex offenders are violent madmen who rape womeon at random or have sex with 4 year olds. In some states, the laws don't separate the two. We need to use caution at all times, but also use common sense. Besides these guys are being watched, they're probably far less dangerous than the ones we don't know about yet!
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mandofrog
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03/16/08 11:21am |
General RVing Issues
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Home base location?
Retirement is on the horizon...
I know which states don't have personal income taxes and which states don't have sales taxes but what about locations where you can live in one state but shop in another? Vancouver, WA (no income tax) and Portland, OR (no sales tax) are good examples.
Does anyone know of other locations where this is possible?
We won't be on the road full-time so really aren't looking for cost of registration, licensing, etc., to decide on a location.
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mandofrog
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03/15/08 03:03pm |
General RVing Issues
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Savoy vs. Starwood
Looking at the Savoy and Starwood 32 FKD models, which appear to be the same other than decor. While researching this forum I read a comment or two that the Savoy is better quality than the Starwood. I asked the dealers of each model what the actual difference is and both said none at all. They are both built on the same assembly line in Indiana and are backed by the same Monaco warranty and service.
Hoping that the posters of the above comments might read this and give some comments as to their thoughts that Savoy is superior to Starwood.
Also - any ideas why both models say the wood is cherry but the Savoy looks like oak? The Starwood looks like what it says it is.
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mandofrog
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02/03/08 10:23am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Outback by Keystone--Any Opinions?
We have an '06 Sydney 27 RLS Outback and love it. Other than a problem getting the oven pilot to stay lit and the micowave going out (both related to the appliance manufacturers, not Outback), we've had absolutely no problems.
We are considering selling it, but only because we're interested in something larger for full-timing.
As suggested, go to Outbackers.com and do some research. The members are very supportive and you'll find tons of info - both positive (the majority) and negative.
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mandofrog
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02/03/08 10:11am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Savoy 32FKD
How do you like your Starwood?
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mandofrog
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01/27/08 03:55pm |
Travel Trailers
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