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RE: Mt Desert Narrows Campground, Bar Harbor, ME
At least the water was clean!!! We have stayed at Patten Pond the last five years and had a great experience. It was even worth the commute to the Island. My DW liked staying away from all the action but we were really dissappointed this year. First we checked in during a driving rain storm with no mention of the water (also had problems with the brakes on the Fiver during the last half of our trip), waited an hour, then started to set up after the major rains had passed (around 5pm). During set-up, I needed to use the facilities and saw a large sign on the mirror that said not to use the water with no explanation. Then looked around and found a "boil water notice" from the State of Maine. When I went to the office to inquire, it was closed (closed at 5pm Sunday-Thursday). I noticed someone inside so I knocked, with attitude she told me they were closed, I told her I had a question, she again said, "We are CLOSED!". I finally said it was about the water and she came to the door and opened with a "WHAT???" I brought up the boil notice and she said everything is fine, just don't drink it. She had used it for laundry, cooking, brushing her teeth, even to give to her dog, just don't drink it. They supposedly had gotten the OK from the testing company and were waiting for the State of Maine to certify it. Then she finally offered us drinking water if we needed it. We had made our reservations in April, you think we could've gotten a phone call but they didn't even do that for someone who had called later in the week for a site that night and never mentioned the water to him. I would've left but had to determine what the deal was with my brakes, which I eventually found a broken wire. I even heard someone joking that the Manager had called earlier with a "Is this the campground with the dirty water?" question and they were all laughing about it.
To add to it, activities that were always there are no down to once a week (the hayride), free things that were once there are no more, among other things. We decided that we are done with that or the other Encore Resorts in the future. We are unsure where we are staying next year but it will not be at one of the three resorts (Mt Desert Narrows, Narrows Too, or Patten Pond). And that is too bad, because the former owner did such a good job with the resorts, they were friendly, and cared about their customers, unfortunately she decided to retire.
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jwboudreau
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08/19/08 11:31am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Braking Help needed
Thanks for all you input, but I crawled under the Trailer this morning and found a broken wire, it was rubbing against the frame, so I am going to fix it to get it home and then maybe look at having it fixed in a better way when I get back home. Had this issue before and fixed it with a connector and it has worked since. So THANK YOU to everybody for your input.
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jwboudreau
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08/14/08 09:14am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Braking Help needed
The Description:
2001 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 6.0L 140,000+miles on it
1999 Starcraft 270CK Fifth Wheel
Above was recently towed back and forth from Ma to Disney and back without any issues.
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jwboudreau
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08/11/08 05:17pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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Braking Help needed
I am a whiz when it comes to electronics but not mechanics. I am currently in Downeast Maine and on our trip up here yesterday, my Prodigy Brake Controller began flashing "n.c" and then going back to "c.". Looking at the manual, it says one of a few issues,
first, the Shore Line was disconnected, checked that several times and not the case.
Secondly, it mentioned "trailer connected with Open circuit on brake line", am I right in assuming that it is referring to possibly a broken wire and a search would possibly be fruitful.
Third, "Trailer connector disconnected or corroded." It is a year 1999 trailer, if I were to attempt to breakdown the corrosion, what would I need, I remember using WD40 at one time for something in regards to the electronics, but I am not exactly sure, so I would like some confirmation.
Lastly, it states, "Loss of trailer brake magnet ground". Now I somewhat understand the idea of ground, but where in the brake system would this be found and how would I test it for problems?
Any help would be appreciated because to take it to a dealer that could deal with this issue would mean a trip up to Bangor up and down some pretty good hills that I would rather not traverse unless I really have to and have checked all the things that I could possibly repair myself.
Thanks,
Jeff
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jwboudreau
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08/11/08 04:45pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Fridge Problem as well
Glad to hear it was something so simple Jeff. I'll have to keep that in mind. Was it something easy to get to, or did they have to take things apart?.....
Ken
They were able to get at it from the vent above, which they had to remove. If he wasn't able to get it from there, he said he was going to have to remove the fridge, but that wasn't neccessary. Once the insulation was removed, he just had to reseal the vent, no problems since...
Jeff
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jwboudreau
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07/26/08 06:24am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Fridge Problem as well
Problem solved, not by me of course. Took our trip to Florida and things got worse, the Fridge and freezer were not working on electric or gas, but was working pretty well while moving but while stopped, it stopped. Made arrangements at Camping World in Orlando to have it checked out as soon as we got into Town. Turns out a piece of insulation got loose and got stuck in the ventilation shaft. While we were moving, air was moving through the vent below, but when stopped, there was no air flow. The piece of insulation was removed and problem solved, it worked great throughout our trip. Thank you to everybody for your input and help.
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jwboudreau
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07/24/08 02:33pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Fridge Problem as well
Hopefully you are right, I will check it in the morning before we leave and we should be on propane, which has worked fine as of late.
Thanks
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jwboudreau
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07/12/08 07:43pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Fridge Problem as well
It has been running for a couple of weeks now, it seemed cold when it was parked in the yard (connected to 30amp), I moved it into the Driveway and with items in it, it is not cold. The trailer is level and running on 20amp, it is the only thing running other than lights used when we are packing.
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jwboudreau
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07/12/08 07:29pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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Fridge Problem as well
I also have a Fridge problem although it is different from Brian who posted earlier. My fridge had been working fine, today while preparing for a long trip, the DW noticed that things weren't very cold. I looked and felt things inside and she was right. I then checked the freezer and that was working wonderfully. I went to the back of the fridge and everything seems in order (not that I would know).
My question is what would cause a Dometic Fridge to work great in the freezer and not so good for the refrigerator part? The Dometic Recall was done last spring and I do leave the drainage hose out. It seems to work better on gas, but I cannot run it exclusivly on Gas. Any thoughts???:?
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jwboudreau
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07/12/08 07:03pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Going Thru Hartford, CT
I usually take 84 thru Hartford very early in the morning to avoid the hassle, but friends of ours who have camped for years tell us that taking the Mass Pike out to 87 South to connect with 84 is their preferred route. I'm considering that for a change this year. We also live in N. Central MA, but take Rte 2 west to 91 south for the start of our trips.
DanET,
We take backroads to Rt 68 in Hubbardston, then take Rt 56 into the Center of Rutland, Pleasantdale Road to Rt 31, then Meadow Road over to Rt 9, then Rt 49 to Rt 20 to 84. They are small backroads but I find it is less mileage and less time then going Rt 2 to I-190 to I-290 then the Pike. As for 84 thru Hartford, I have done it several times but if the alternate route around Hartford was better, I would try it. But by what everybody says, especially on a Sunday morning, take 84 and just stay in the Center lane, which is what I do anyway.
Everybody, Thanks for all the input!!!
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jwboudreau
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07/10/08 07:47am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Going Thru Hartford, CT
Going through on 84 on Sunday am should be no problem. As an alt. route to get around Hartford, I would rate 91/691 as about 14.5 minutes of white knuckles versus 15 minutes on 84. My trick to going through on 84 is to get in the center lane well in advance, set my own pace and go straight ahead...the heck with the rest of the world. No lane shifts or squeeze plays. Don't even need to read the signs. Much easier since I figured that out.
That is how I usually do it but didn't know if the 91/691 route was easier, hearing from the group, I am better off staying on 84.
Thanks
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jwboudreau
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07/04/08 02:55pm |
Roads and Routes
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Going Thru Hartford, CT
Just looking for opinions. We will be towing the 5er in our Sig soon down to FW @ Disney and have done it before. We are going local roads to I-84, 81, 77. 26. 95, I-4. Have done the route thru Hartford several times and it annoys me each time. Some of the Routing programs(AAA, Google, MS Streets & Trips) want to take me 15 to 91S to 691 back to 84. Time isn't an issue, we will be going thru between 8-9am on a Sunday, but I was wondering if people that have done both routes prefer one over the other.:)
Thanks for the input
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jwboudreau
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07/04/08 08:16am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Bike Roof Rack
I have a Yakmima Rack that handles four bikes. I have the front of the rack facing the rear of my truck to make it easier to load. It does not interfere with my turning radias at all and I am able to get four bikes all facing the trailer without any problems...best thing I have bought in years.
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jwboudreau
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05/31/08 05:00am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Flat Rock Bridge CG
We stayed there for a weekend a couple of years ago, the year after the new owners took over. It seemed they were trying to make things better. While we were there (early June) they were upgrading the electric in many of the sites. We actually tried to get a site for a four day stay later this summer but they were only taking reservations by the week. I would love to say it was great but we were in the area for a wedding and it rained almost the whole time we were there, so it is hard to get a good picture, but we were willing to go back if that helps. They were friendly and it seemed well kept. Enjoy your trip.
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jwboudreau
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05/28/08 02:08pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: 5vr bike rack idea
Some folks may not like this idea if they aren't very mobile, we use fork mount roof racks made by Yakima! Easy to load from back of pickup truck. Lay a rag on bike rack, put front fork on rag, slide bike toward front of truck, set rear wheel on rack, wife holds back tire while I move to front door, mount fork in skewer, lock, and secure back tire with ractchet strap included. Done! 2 min. job for each bike. Reverse procedure to remove. You can also load a couple kayaks. Works for us.Clic here for roof rack pic
Have the same thing for four bikes (actually we don't have to remove the tires on the kids bikes) but set it up so the forks of the adult bikes sit towards the back of the truck, just roll the rear wheel back and secure. MUCH BETTER than a rear mounted rack that destroys the bikes. Worth the money!!!
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jwboudreau
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05/23/08 06:02pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Lowrance 600c IWay GPS
I had the 350c and less than a year, the screen blanked out. Called them and sent it for service, when I spoke to them they told me two weeks. Four weeks later and a week out from our major trip for the summer I called, "Sorry, it is on back order and not sure when it will be in", after a few choice words, I relented and figured we wouldn't have it for our trip. Five days later it showed up on my doorstep. Used it for vacation with 1 1/2 warmup time to find a satellite more than a couple of times. DW went a bought me a Magellan Maestro for Christmas, great investment and Lowrance is now a doorstop. On a side note, my Dad used it for a trip and found it almost useless, again long wait to find the Satellites, Good Luck!!!
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jwboudreau
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04/27/08 11:14am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Shower Door/Curtain?
Just spray the mold with a mix of 50/50 water and bleach. It will disappear like magic.
Just so you know, the problem is not just mold, it is an inherent design problem, the creases come undone and then if you are not careful, water ends up all over the floor. My only issue with a straight shower curtain is the sink and tub are attached below which would not allow for a traditional inside/outside curtain, but it is a lot cheaper than the alternative I am looking at.
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jwboudreau
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04/15/08 12:35pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Shower Door/Curtain?
I would like to stay away from glass, I have two young children and a fairly small bathroom and could see problems with a glass door. I was actually looking at the following, Shower Tub Screen, but I am unsure if I can cut it down to match the opening (40 1/2")
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jwboudreau
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04/15/08 09:07am |
Fifth-Wheels
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Shower Door/Curtain?
We have a folding/sliding shower door in our fiver. Over the past couple of years mold has begun to develop in the creases , doesn't matter how much you clean, can't get rid of it. But I believe the problem to be is that it is too long for the shower (everything I have researched they are either shorter or considerably longer than our shower opening). I have looked seriously at the Sliding Shower door with the squeegee to clean and remove the moisture. Are you able to cut those down to fit an opening of a 3/4 tub or am I just better finding a Shower curtain and rod to fit the area?
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jwboudreau
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04/15/08 07:39am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Pulling a 5th vs. TT is like...
TT=white knuckle...hang on here comes another simi to pass us....
DITTO!!!!!
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jwboudreau
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03/30/08 07:14am |
Fifth-Wheels
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