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RE: CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS
Thanks for the reply - I'm pretty sure I'm going ahead with the BB, then add tethering as needed. It seems that I can get to most of what I typically need with the BB (weather info, google map) so I might not need to tether that much. We'll see!
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TriumphGuy
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08/03/08 08:34am |
Technology Corner
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RE: CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS
Just want to do a double check here - we've got LG (8300 I think) phones and have done the 1X backdoor from time to time. We have a family share america's choice plan.
Looked over the last few pages - in summary, it looks like Verizon is shutting off the backdoor?
I am considering a BB for myself and going to NW plan - but then it's $30/mo to tether, on top of the data plan I would be paying for to use the BB?
*sigh* I knew it was coming...
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TriumphGuy
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07/30/08 09:51am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Atlanta CG near I-85 (west or east)?
get through Atlanta in between rush hours
I have nothing useful to add to this thread. I just wanted to thank you for making me laugh so early. :B
LOL that is like rolling the dice... :)
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TriumphGuy
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07/27/08 05:26am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Atlanta CG near I-85 (west or east)?
Hello all,
We originally were planning to leave after work on a Friday, stay a night somewhere then make the rest of the trip the next day (that's why I was only considering around Atlanta for the stopover). I considered the Wally World thing but with no power to run baby related things - that idea didn't last long...
However after some deliberation I've decided just to take the day off, leave in the AM (get through Atlanta in between rush hours) and then make a halfway stop.
To that end, it seems that Pine Mountain RV resort is the ticket:
http://www.pinemountainrvc.com/
The last time I checked them out they were just another ok rv park, but apparently they have been bought out and re-done, so we'll see. The reviews on rvparkreview.com sound good. I plan to stop there on the way, as well as back again, hope it works out.
As far as our route, I'm planning to go the same way we did last year - I-85, (I-285 around atlanta) then to I-185, cross into AL at Columbus, GA, some random roads to get to US431 (you're right that's a convoluted set of roads, threw me for a loop last time), 431 to Dothan, US231 I think to I-10, I-10 West to US331 south, etc...
I seem to remember a decent Flying J in Dothan. Any other tips for fuel stops? I also remember not much west of Atlanta... :)
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TriumphGuy
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07/26/08 12:31pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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Atlanta CG near I-85 (west or east)?
We're headed from Greenville, SC to Topsail FL later this year, would like an overnight off of I-85 either west or east of Atlanta. I see some on rvparkreviews.com but they are questionable... any tips?
Thanks!
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TriumphGuy
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07/24/08 06:37pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Early 20s Considering Doing This
I'm with Joy on this one, get some realistic numbers and see how it adds up. Living single and minimalist can go a long way, but some things are non-negotiable (i.e. cost of fuel). Again, get someone to help you get started. Other than that your flexibility is an asset, use it to find jobs to make ends meet.
I have an old friend who made this work in college (and after) - not living out of a motorhome, but working odd jobs to pay rent and survive while playing gigs, etc. (He and I are polar opposites, I work for _the man_ but I'm trying to negotiate telecommuting one day (to travel), two approaches to the same thing I guess). I see no reason why you couldn't make it work. I would suggest to keeping the rig cost as low as possible, and be patient to land a deal on something good. Others will need to chime in here but given what I think your income would be I would try to keep your motorhome cost as low as possible. Below $20k would be an old used one, but if kept well shouldn't give you problems. Lots of selection out there so you should be able to find a gem. You don't need 3 slides, Corian and all that other stuff for sure!
I know you didn't solicit life advice, just RV advice - but don't shut down your future options. I'm 32 and had plenty of friends back in my 20s who were going to stay single and never have kids. They changed their minds and now are married with kids (and loving it). I'm not saying not to go RVing - far from it - just keep your future in mind when you go for it. Maybe try to keep saving while you're living out of the MH...
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TriumphGuy
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07/18/08 08:25pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Good Year Marathon ST225/75R 15D comments please
Won't do the Goodyear ST again. Trying Denman E rated now.
I really think it's a shot in the dark. I had two Denman E rated blow on me, two trips in a row (two weeks apart). Yet the Carlise & Marathons (LRD, which were right next to the Denmans & older) were fine.
Thankfully the Denmans failed without the tread coming off, maybe because of the nylon cap. Good thing, made it far less messy and no damage to the trailer.
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TriumphGuy
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07/18/08 08:09pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Advice on elevation/safe roads into Virginia
Never knew that about Salem Civic Center! I'll have to look that up if I need to be in the area.
I've driven US220 also between Roanoke and I-64, going to/from Douthat State Park. Not a bad stretch of highway at all, scenic and not much traffic, no problems with the 2 lane section.
Love them Hokies!
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TriumphGuy
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07/09/08 06:19pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Advice on elevation/safe roads into Virginia
I've driven the section of I-77 between the US19 "mountaineer expressway" (near the Tamarack exit, north of Beckley) all the way to I-81 and south the Charlotte. Also been on I-81 in that area of Virginia as well.
IIRC, I-81 will not be much to worry about, there is a long downhill north of Blacksburg (and thus a grade to pull coming back). But I think I-77 was a bit more work. Still, I was able to hold near 55mph up the grades, using the truck lane of course. One or two slightly hairy sections but for the most part easy with some patience. As mentioned above just be aware of the hills and you'll get used to working the up and downside.
BTW have fun in Salem! If you get a chance, go to the Homeplace restaurant. Just up the road from Salem and fantastic country food, served family style. Good price too. Just no reservations so get there early.
There is no official webpage I could find but here's an unofficial one:
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/kdesrosi/thehomeplace/
Enjoy!
Curious to know where you are staying? I've never camped near there (used to live in Blacksburg though, VT hokie...)
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TriumphGuy
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07/08/08 07:32pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Transmission Temp on Ford 4R100
It all depends on WHERE the sensor is located. Most of the time the sensor on the 4-100R is located in the test port inside the pan and temps can run anywhere from 150 to 220 degrees depending on ambient temperature and how hard you're working the tranny.
Ditto. Our F250 has the same tranny and my sensor uses the test port. Generally 150-160 degrees with the auxiliary cooler installed. Highest I've seen was pulling up a grade with 15mph curves, got up to 200deg. Glad I had the cooler.
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TriumphGuy
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07/08/08 07:21pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: GFI beast down but not out - w/h or fridge?
thx will try before the next trip.
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TriumphGuy
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07/07/08 07:14pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: GFI beast down but not out - w/h or fridge?
LOL I like your odds. If I figure that's it, simply replace with another? I guess I can test the new one in-store with a multimeter to see if there is continuity neutral-ground (or hot-ground)...
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TriumphGuy
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07/07/08 04:06pm |
Tech Issues
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GFI beast down but not out - w/h or fridge?
Hello,
Went camping this weekend and the GFI beast reared it's ugly head. I knew I had a GFI problem already (trip the garage outlets when plugged in at home) but hadn't yet encountered a campground GFI 30amp. Well this was the trip. Yay.
Went nuts trying to figure it out (didn't have a cell phone signal so couldn't search here!). Tried one breaker at the time and the problem eluded me, until I figured it could be a neutral to ground fault. Finally figured out it was the w/h circuit, so disconnected it and ran it (and the reefer, same circuit) on gas. Family happy, micro works again so we can have popcorn. :)
So I'm okay with not using the w/h or fridge on electric in the near future but I'd like to figure this thing out. I think it's not the fridge, as during my troubleshooting I unplugged it from it's outlet and still got the gfi trip. I saw mentioned that w/h elements could be to blame - if I remove the element and still get a gfi trip, what else (aside from the wiring to the appliance itself) could it be?
Thanks!
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TriumphGuy
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07/07/08 03:38pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Another Rotted Roof
2nd on the eternabond - rotdoctor.com has some great stuff for rot repair (spent two months on my own problem earlier this year).
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TriumphGuy
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06/21/08 08:05pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Another Rotted Roof
2nd on the eternabond - rotdoctor.com has some great stuff for rot repair (spent two months on my own problem earlier this year).
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TriumphGuy
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06/21/08 07:59pm |
General RVing Issues
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After 2 months of work, the delam repair is done...
..plus some other good news as well. Found a buyer for our old 5er!
I've been working on this darn Wildcat for 2 months. 8 Saturdays and 8 weeknights. Between me and two friends there is ~120 man hours and $250 in the project. A great buddy let me use a 40ft long covered work bay for the project, extremely helpful.
I have pics and will update you guys with a step by step when I get them organized. I really want to share what I discovered with this repair as info on how to do it is not widely disseminated. Not that how I did it is the end-all be-all, but it's what I did has plan A morphed into plan Z in short order.
Here's the short version:
I bought my Wildcat used last fall. Checked the thing up and down, inside and out (or at least thought I did). Unfortunately we were still in drought when I bought it and the soft spots weren't soft. Or at least the ones I checked. Then it rained soon after I bought it. More and more rain. Everything showed itself. Essentially, the sealing/caulking/trim at the top of all four corners wasn't tight, so water had been getting in there for years.
So.. I basically removed the front cap and the rear wall, pulled out the wet insulation, bleached the mold (wasn't much at all, in front, more in back) used CPES and Fill-it from rotdoctor.com to harden up and fill in the rotted wood, replaced some 1x supports, put it all back together, used 2 layers of Eternabond in the troublespots, caulked up with RV Proflex (bought from camping world).
This was one heck of a project. I've learned a lot, including: 1) how units are put together 2) how I wish they were put together (changed some things on the rebuild) and 3) My next unit is going to get the fine-toothed-comb treatment when the time comes. I don't ever want to have to do this again. Of course, I'd be glad to help you out if the leak-lady comes to visit you too! :)
Going camping this weekend, hooray!
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TriumphGuy
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05/01/08 06:09pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Buying new 5er
We've been camping for about 4-5 years now. Some of my experience:
We are now on our 3rd rig. This is very a-typical for me, I generally buy vehicles and keep them for a long time. However I had a feeling we would "move around" a bit with the RV thing - and I ended up being right in my case. I found a good deal on our first TT, then sold it 2 yrs later for about $500 less. Did the same with our last 5er, and now have our current one. If you have any inclination that you will "hop RVs" a bit, keep that in mind and don't ignore it. We don't have the money for buying new and depreciation, so we've bought used units when the time was right. It sounds like you're going new, so make sure you consider things like resale value, as well as doing all you can to negotiate your best price.
In our case, our "needs" changed as we continued camping. I hesitate to use that word as we could have done fine in our original TT - most of the world lives in less than that. However we were looking for another truck and things sort of - snowballed. Ended up in what we have now (see sig) and then got a good deal on a 5er to get more headroom (I'm 6'3") and well... you've heard it before.
As far as what to compare when considering what do buy, try your best to get a handle on the "internal" quality of the unit. Most anyone can build a camper that has nice carpet, countertops, fixtures, etc - but was it put together right? Open up baggage doors, etc and get into as much as you can to try and figure out how the unit was put together. I had the back wall off of my 02 Wildcat (for unrelated repairs) and lo and behold, I found a much-too-long staple coming through the roof (didn't need to be there at all, but at least it was under the EPDM) which barely missed an electrical wire. How many times does that happen ... more than I'd guess!
Anyway, to make this even more long winded - keep the weight and aerodynamics of the unit in mind as well. The American Star we used to have was built great and was probably the best unit I ever owned. But it was heavy for it's length. Our Wildcat is a better layout for us but there are places where I wish it was put together better. However it tows better down the road and is bigger - 1mpg better towing (didn't believe it the first time). Compromises...
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TriumphGuy
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05/01/08 05:53pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Update EPDM replacement cost
Just curious, is your roof just worn out or have some tears? Eternabond works wonders (sorry if this is the 100th time someone has told you that)...
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TriumphGuy
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05/01/08 05:34pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: 3500 wheels and tires on a 2500HD GMC
Double check for sure, but last I remember, dually wheels and tires are actually smaller than SRW wheels and tires. For example, my 2000 F250 takes LT265/75R16. A friend has the same year F350 and he has LT235/85R16. The 235 has a lower weight rating, but b/c there are two in the back it can carry more load. OR maybe I missed the point of your post, are you looking at getting wheels from an SRW 3500? At least in my Ford's year range they were the same, not sure about newer models...
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TriumphGuy
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05/01/08 05:32pm |
Tow Vehicles
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Grayson Highlands water situation?
Hello everyone,
We're planning for our annual summer trip up to GHSP and I just saw the disclaimer on reserveramerica.com about the water situation. Does anyone have any information on it? It talks about options from turning off hot water in the bath houses to closing them altogether and trucking water in. I hope it doesn't come to that? I really enjoy the place but I don't think DW & DD would go for "dry" camping...
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TriumphGuy
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05/01/08 05:29pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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