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Date Posted |
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RE: Trip Cost
Dave, you did very well - we spent about $9,800 on a 63 day trip in May-June of this year. We covered 14,000 miles and fuel cost was just over $4,200 (Chevy RT210 averaging 13.0 mpg). We averaged $67/day for gas, $27/day for campgrounds (most nights). Our eating costs were $11.76/day for groceries and $10.48/day for eating out (not all that often).
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kenuck
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11/10/08 06:07pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Changing Automatic Transmission Fluid
Don't know how accurate it is but you may want to check the following:
http://www.digi-panel.com/digidevicesweb/trannyoil.htm
They have a table showing oil "life" at 175F and below to be 100,000 miles but only about 25,000 miles at 215F. They also say "Transmission oil and filter should always be changed more frequently when driving with heavy loads (RVs), typically at least every 25,000 mile intervals, since converter outlet temperatures then normally far exceed the ideal 175 F"
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kenuck
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11/07/08 05:38pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Changing Automatic Transmission Fluid
I had my transmission fluid changed recently at about 27000 km (~17,000 miles), but only because I knew I'd "cooked" it a couple times. I have a ScanGauge and watch the transmission temperature - try to keep it below 200F. On several occasions I've run it up to about 210F before pulling over to let it cool down.
Our RT210P is quite heavy and transmission temps. go up quickly on long steep grades - particularly if they're rough and twisty so they have to be taken at low speed.
I think I'll go with synthetic oil next time - better high temperature tolerance. Still looking for some way to keep the temperature down, however...
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kenuck
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11/07/08 02:17pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Roadtrek International:Is it worth it?
JMHO but I've not found membership in FMCA/Roadtrek intl to be worth it. Might be if you're a "joiner" and like going to their rallies, etc. The Roadtrek newsletter is mostly about club activities, lists of executives of various chapters, etc. The glossy FMCA magazine is mostly about A class motorhomes. We used the trip planner service for a 2 month cross country trip, but then ended up not following their itinerary (we found other points of interest online and changed our plans). Very few campgrounds we've stayed at offer an FMCA discount - mostly AAA or Good Sam.
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kenuck
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10/20/08 05:36pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Leaky Roadtrek sewer hose
The replacement hose they installed was green with black spiral stripes and a little stiffer than the old white one. They said it was a Roadtrek replacement part and should last much longer than the first.
Do you know the brand of hose? I wonder if Roadtrek has finally decided to change brands? Our CleanDump hose is clear with blue spiral stripes and it was recommended by the Denver Roadtrek dealer, but they said it was not a Roadtrek part.
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kenuck
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10/20/08 10:06am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: First (annual?) B Out West Social - Is over!
I posted a trip report for the benefit of the Roadfood.com crowd on their board. I interspersed it with food and scenery. They like to see food so I gave them food. I was so busy making hot stew I forgot to get my camera out at the potluck. :)
Great report Davydd, here are some pix from the potluck
http://coopertravels.adwin.ca/img/gallery//76-774.jpg
http://coopertravels.adwin.ca/img/gallery//76-775.jpg
http://coopertravels.adwin.ca/img/gallery//76-776.jpg
We got back to BC on Sunday after some beautiful sights at Crater Lake and along the Oregon coast.
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kenuck
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10/14/08 04:41pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: First (annual?) B Out West Social - Is over!
The Out West B Rally wrapped up with dinner and show at the Bar-M Chuckwagon. Heavy rain as we arrived, followed by a beautiful rainbow over the restaurant!
http://coopertravels.adwin.ca/img/gallery//76-771.jpg
Everyone enjoyed the western show...
http://coopertravels.adwin.ca/img/gallery//76-772.jpg
...including a demonstration of Julie and Chino's rope twirling skills
http://coopertravels.adwin.ca/img/gallery//76-773.jpg
Thanks again to Julie and Chino and their team for organizing a great rally - hopefully the first of many.
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kenuck
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10/05/08 10:51pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Leaky Roadtrek sewer hose
Diane,
Thank you very much for forwarding these posts to me!
Although there were some failures in the field, the hose that Roadtrek uses is the best quality hose that falls within the guidelines we have to abide by. The issues that did occur were replaced under warranty. We do provide a one year warranty on the hoses, which I believe is the longest in the industry.
Actually the CleanDump hose has a 3 year warranty - we'll see how long it lasts. Not sure if the 1 year warranty from Roadtrek "rolls" or not - in other words does each hose have a 1 year warranty, because in my case the first went in about 8 months and the next about 4 months later. In any case, I really don't want to have to replace the hose before each trip I take.
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kenuck
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10/03/08 08:44pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: First (annual?) B Out West Social - Is over!
We're in Estes Park, CO tonight. Lots of Elk and the aspen are quite nice, but the trees were even better in the Tetons a couple days ago. DW took this one:
http://coopertravels.adwin.ca/img/gallery//74-745.jpg
others at http://coopertravels.adwin.ca/travels/13/
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kenuck
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10/01/08 09:15pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Leaky Roadtrek sewer hose
Agreed. We spent the day driving down to Denver and back to get a new (and hopefully better - not the Roadtrek part, but one recommended by the dealer; made by Cleandump) hose installed ($180) - now lets see, who do I send the bill to at Roadtrek?
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kenuck
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10/01/08 08:01pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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Leaky Roadtrek sewer hose
Is anyone else having problems with the small diameter Roadtrek sewer hose? We bought our RT210P last September - started on big trip May 2008 and the macerator pump went (1st day out). Finally got it replaced in Ohio (mid May). The dealer said the hose had some small leaks so they replaced it (with a heavier duty version). Here we are on another trip and the hose extension sprung a big leak (1st day out again). I managed to splice it with a short length of solid pipe, silicone and hose clamps. Couple days later it sprung another big leak - under the van this time! Was going to try splicing again but on closer inspection, it looks like the hose is ready to split in several more places.
Heading down to Denver to get a replacement and then try to find someone to install it. Are these hoses only good for 6 months? Has anyone tried replacing the permanent parts with pipe? That delicate hose is very exposed and could be easily damaged. Also, it doesn't seem to take flexing very well. Any ideas apppreciated.
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kenuck
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10/01/08 07:30am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: First (annual?) B Out West Social - Is over!
Well we finally got away about 10AM - DW had to put about a hundred plants "to bed", setup watering systems, etc.
We're in Lakeshore RV park in Chelan, WA. We came via the Cascades Highway (Hwy 20) - beautiful country even in the mist and rain. We're definitely going back when we have more time to explore.
Off tomorrow to Missoula, MT.
See you all soon and drive carefully.
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kenuck
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09/25/08 10:30pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Grants Pass to Gold Beach along the Rogue River
Thanks paulj - that gives me enuf info to work on. I'll probably get down there and see if it looks like it has enuf scenic value to justify the time and effort.
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kenuck
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09/20/08 08:06pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Grants Pass to Gold Beach along the Rogue River
Or if you have driven to Seton Portage (either from Bridge River or D'Arcy. But if the Duffy Lake Rd makes you uncomfortable, stick with 199.
Thanks for the very detailed info..Must confess I've not tried those roads in BC yet, though they look interesting...how would the Rogue river road compare with the roads to the lookouts on the north and west slopes of Mt. Baker?
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kenuck
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09/20/08 06:18pm |
Roads and Routes
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Grants Pass to Gold Beach along the Rogue River
What are the roads like from Grants Pass along the Rogue river - paved, gravel, dirt? Drivable by Class B?
Going from Crater Lake to the coast and looking for most scenic route.
Thanks
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kenuck
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09/20/08 04:33pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Rocky Mountain NP to Moab Utah along the CO River?
Julie, this is from an earlier post of mine (my remarks in bold)
RE: Colorado River Road, CO
The River Road - leaves #9 just south of Kremmling - up the hill after you cross the river. At that time it was gravel but usually in pretty good shape - unless it hasn't been graded recently - then can be some washboard. At State bridge you have to go north a couple of miles on the pavement to reconnect with the River Road to continue to I 70 at/near Dorsero. Thanks. 60 miles of gravel doesn't appeal too much (we're on a fairly tight time line). I guess I'll probably take either Hwy 9 from Kremmling or 40 from Granby down to I-70. Just noticed that, according to the FMCA atlas, the road is paved from Kremmling to State Bridge and back from Dorsero almost to Burns, so the gravel portion is fairly short - may be worth checking out when we get down there.
BTW Julie, Google maps allows you to "pull" the route over to wherever you want.
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kenuck
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09/16/08 08:16am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Rocky Mountain NP to Moab Utah along the CO River?
They're driving a class B, as we are. We're both going to Moab for rally Oct 3-5th. We're going to be in Estes Park Sept 29-30 then thru RMNP and down the Colorado; Julie will probably be ahead of us - if not maybe we'll see along the road somewhere!
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kenuck
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09/15/08 11:51pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Downsizing
We took our 210P on a 2+ month trip this year with it packed pretty full. Found when we got back that there was a lot of stuff we hadn't used. This summer we took an 8 day trip with 4 friends and their baggage (they slept in motels). Found we had lots of room to store the things we needed. For a two week trip coming up I've taken the tire off the back and stowed it under the bed (makes us shorter, 43 lb lighter and better weight distribution) and we still have lots of storage space.
As others have said, theirs no point lugging a lot of stuff that never gets used. Also, watch your weights and weight distribution - the 210P has a fairly limited CCC
We leave the bed made up and eat at the front. We put a 3-4" memory foam on the sofa and use regular sheets over a bed heating pad (it will run off the batteries if need be and it's quiet). With a good comforter we're good down to freezing outside (just turn the heater on about 20 minutes before getting up in the morning)
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kenuck
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09/15/08 09:28am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Chains on a Roadtrek?
Is the 210 the same as the 190 in this area?
Don't know - perhaps someone with a 190 could chime in...
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kenuck
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09/15/08 09:12am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Chains on a Roadtrek?
I'm curious as to how they mounted the airbags and how they routed the fuel filler line around it.
Installed by local RT dealer.
http://coopertravels.adwin.ca/img/gallery//70-734.jpg
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kenuck
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09/14/08 01:10pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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