RE: RV Storage Condos - 7 Years later
Ted, I met you early on in your project in Beaumont. I know that times were rough in the beginning but you pulled it off and I congratulate on your success and the success of you helping with the 'other' new project going on now!
I'm on your email list and get updates.
Safe travels,
MM.
RE: MPG for Various Class A Motorhomes
If cost is your objective, finding cheaper diesel is a easier option. I typically save $0.30 to $0.40 /gal over truck stops. Current example, in Boise, ID, Maverick is $3.05 and Flying J is $3.35 (per GasBuddy). That's a 9% reduction.
X2 - there is some (false) idea that because it's a truck stop the prices must be better. WRONG! I regularly drive by a couple truck stops during my commute and their fuel (diesel or unleaded) is consistently 8-10% above what you can get it for if you shop around a bit. I think with various "club cards" you can get some of that back.
We are about 65 ft. long (coach, tow bar and tow vehicle). I would worry about trying to fit in some places just for cheaper fuel. Convenience is a major plus with the size of our coaches.
I have a fuel card with Profit Tools that allows me to get .10 below the CASH price listed on the pump. And, I get to do EVERYTHING at the pump and do not have to go inside.
I take a picture of the pump with my i-phone for a receipt and the funds are removed from my checking account at the next business day.
A couple of requirements are:
-$25.00 membership fee each year
-I have to pump at least 100 gallons to avoid a $1.00 processing fee (silly charge).
-.10 discount not given at non Love's fuel stations, just cash price.
Since we have a 230 gallon fuel tank, pumping 100 gallons is usually not a problem. I start looking for fuel at half a tank. The most I've ever pumped is 159 gallons. Only once was less than 100 gal.
As mentioned, the ONE major advantage is that I don't have to go inside to pay.
Safe travels,
MM.
RE: MH trip to Keys & New Orlean lessons
mark, re the rv park...clean? quiet? safe? neighborhood?
It was clean and safe when we were there. Quiet?? Don't recall any excessive noises but it is right in the middle of the city on the edge of the French Quarter.
Anytime I'm looking for a RV park in an area, I check out www.campgroundreviews.com (used to be www.rvparkreviews.com).
You can read the reviews of the park to see what others are saying. Keep in mind, it's not cheap.
Safe travels,
MM.
RE: MH trip to Keys & New Orlean lessons
A couple of years ago I bought 'Road Wrap'. You can get it in various sizes, I bought a roll that is 18"x100'. I haven't used it yet but it would be perfect for the LOVE BUG situation.
We did get caught in a 'LOVE BUG' swarm going to Florida a couple of years ago, hence me buying the Wrap after that. They were a major mess!
..... New Orleans.....
Back in 2008 when we had the '08 Dynasty, we stayed at the French Quarter RV Resort just outside of the French Quarter. We haven't been back in the Motorhome but would stay at the French Quarter park again.
I just checked the 'reviews' and they are getting nice responses. At the time we stayed, they offered golf cart rides to the edge of the Quarter for drop off and pick up.
MM.
RE: One thing I'm not crazy about with new cars
One feature that one of the cars we bought has the ability to 'look around a vehicle'. It has a small camera built-in the corner of each front fender along with parking sensors.
I can hit a button on the dash to activate the camera's, the screen on the dash is split showing the view on the left and right sides of the car. At first, I thought that it was a goofy option but it has come in handy a couple of times.
When I'm pulling out of a parking lot and there are cars or any large vehicle parked along the street, you can't always see around them (it could be a tree or shrubbery). The car has a long nose (V-12 engine) and when utilizing that feature, I can see around the vehicle blocking my view with ease.
MM.
RE: Boarder crossing insanity - CBP gone crazy...
In 2008 we decided to tour a small portion of Canada in our 'new' motorhome (2008 Monaco Dynasty).
Several years before we had taken a tour of the wine country in California bought A LOT of wine. Some of that wine made it into the motorhome in the upper cabinets in the dining and living area on the driver's side.
They let us pay the tax/fine.
It came out to $182.00 if I recall correctly.
After paying the fine, the guard told us that we have been flagged in their computer.
Safe travels,
MM.
I know it’s ‘a day late and a dollar short’, ok, 10 years late and many dollars short, but if you had said you were “transiting Canada” you would not have been ‘flagged’ and would have gotten your $182 back when you left Canada with the unopened bottles.
JaxDad,
I'm not sure if we were really 'flagged' in the computer or not. I was so glad to get out of there I was not going to ask any questions. And, they knew that we were just passing through because they asked what our plans were.
Anyway, once we got through all that that 'rigmarole', we had a nice time.
Entering the USA was easy-peasy. Just showed the agent our passports, a little small chit-chat, and off we went.
I'm afraid to take our big bus through. I don't want it torn up by a border officer just showing they have authority.
Our next tour would probably be with a group touring eastern Canada and Newfoundland.
MM.
RE: One thing I'm not crazy about with new cars
That's why I like to buy cars with the bumper sensor/camera package! Makes it nice since I'm getting a little older.
If I'm pulling up to a curb, like at the Post Office, I can hit a button and the front camera comes on and I can see exactly when to stop as I don't want to damage the air dam.
MM.
RE: Boarder crossing insanity - CBP gone crazy...
In 2008 we decided to tour a small portion of Canada in our 'new' motorhome (2008 Monaco Dynasty). Our trip consisted of driving 'halfway' around Lake Superior entering Canada through Minnesota and exiting into the USA through Michigan.
I made the mistake of not looking up what you are able to bring/not bring into their Country. :R When we drove up to the border crossing guardhouse, they asked the usual questions and then asked how much liquor we had on board. I looked at my co-pilot as I really didn't know.
We usually have Vodka in the freezer, a bottle of bourbon in the cabinet and some wine. Several years before we had taken a tour of the wine country in California bought A LOT of wine. Some of that wine made it into the motorhome in the upper cabinets in the dining and living area on the driver's side.
Well, since I didn't know exactly how much we had, they said pull over in the holding area. Two officer's came into the coach and asked us to wait outside. They asked how much cash we had total and I think it was less than $1,000 ($10,000 is the limit).
So, a male and female officer went rummaging through the whole interior of the coach. They found all of the wine and put it on the dining table. We probably had 20 bottles of which a few where quite nice and special. They were kind enough not to damage anything and they also never checked the bays.
I think because we were so laid-back and nice to them, they said we have two options of which we don't get to choose, they confiscate all of the overage wine that we are allowed or we have to pay a tax/fine. They let us pay the tax/fine.
It came out to $182.00 if I recall correctly. There were a couple of bottles that would have exceeded that cost. It was my fault for not checking the rules as that never crossed my mind as I had my passport and we are law abiding citizens in my eyes. We didn't bring in any guns, etc.
After paying the fine, the guard told us that we have been flagged in their computer.
Fast forward to 2013, we decided to take a train trip across Canada starting in Toronto and ending in Vancouver Canada. That was a WONDERFUL trip with beautiful scenery. Before the trip started we hired a car to take us to the Niagara Falls to spend a couple of days so that we could see it from the Canadian side (absolutely gorgeous!).
Flying into Canada and then into the USA, the officers checking our passports never said anything about being 'flagged'. It was very easy going in and out of both countries.
I remember in 2008 diesel fuel in Canada was $5.25 a gallon whereas it was $4.99 in the US. I was able to fill up in Minnesota and didn't have to refuel until we entered Michigan.
I would really like to tour Canada again, especially, in the eastern part.
Safe travels,
MM.
RE: MPG for Various Class A Motorhomes
We are heavy at 55,500 lbs. Generally, we cruise along between 60-65 mph (we always have our tow car attached). In California, the speed limit is 55 mph when towing, so that's what I do.
I would say we are averaging about 6.5-6.8 mpg overall (currently we have 51,000 miles).
Safe travels,
MM.
RE: WHAT!
I agree with Bill, they should follow the size regulations.
The SIZE of the flag does not represent our patriotism.
Camping World has had so much bad press over the years that they are grasping at something to try and put themselves in a good light (in their minds).
Safe travels,
Mark
RE: Tire Dealer trying to sell me older tires, what do I do?
I'm going to be in the same boat soon. I will need to replace my tires this year as the tag tires are dated late 2013, the others are early 2014.
Michelin is the only manufacturer of the 365/70R/22.5 that we have on the steer and tag axle, 315/80R/22.5 on the drive axle.
I will not accept nothing dated 6 months or older either and would prefer tires that are less than 3 months old. I'll wait even if the coach has to stay parked.
MM.
