garykd

Hi DougC, The answer is, it all depends. 1. How much time do you want to spend on it? 2. What talents (crafts, photography, calligraphy, etc) do you have? 3. What technologies (digital camera, different lenses, computer with graphics program, etc.) will you have? 4. How much will you spend? For me, I'm not interested in a journal of any kind. I create memories in the mind. The wife makes family albums as a hobby. She has all the above mentioned tools and technologies to present our adventures with great flair. The bottom line is what is your passion. If it is not making a journal, a spiral notebook might be best. If it is a hobby, then acquire the tools and have fun.

Time are a changing fast. The J has changed the rules for using the truck islands and receiving the cash price. Their web site was recently changed to indicate one can use the RV Value card and any CC at the truck truck islands and receive the cash price. Hooray for the J. Go to Flying J RV Value Card and read #3. Now that they have changed their attitude, I will, once again, patronize the J for fuel and food.

Hi DougC, Consider calling Michelin (800-847-3435). They will send you a book about RV tire maintenance. Ask for the chart that shows pictures of side wall cracks and what they mean.

Hi DougC, My recommendations are: Branson - Branson KOA 800-467-7611 After many trips to Branson, trying different CGs, this is where we now stay. 1/2 mile to the "strip" and easy in and out. All the usual amenities. Sites with trees and without trees. Most all sites are quite level. The CG is very well maintained. There are no roads level or straight in Branson. The shows you will see may end after sundown. This is why I like the KOA. It is an easy drive from a show to the CG, well lit roads. On the negative side, Shenanigans is also close to the strip, but the layout is very tight (very narrow sites) and the hill and turn once in the CG will wake you right up. Also, consider staying away from America's Best CG. It is located far from the strip. The sites are not level. I found the staff less than helpful. Nashville - Along Music Valley Drive there are three CGs next to one another (Camping World is there too). A Yogi Bear 615-889-4225), Independent and a KOA (800-562-7789). We stay at Yogi or the KOA. The independent has small sites (length and width). All three of these CGs are expensive. They are about 2 miles from the Opry and the Boat Cruise. If you don't mind a bit of a drive (about 15 miles from the Opry) consider Nashville Country RV Park 615-859-0348. It is a Passport America Park. With the rack rate you'll save about $20 a night over the previously mentioned CGs on Music Valley Drive. With PPA you'll save a bunch more $s. This CG is about 1 and 1/2 miles from exit 98 on I65. All the CGs are clean and well maintained. It comes down to convenience vs a drive to get to the Opry. In the Washington, DC area, Cherry Hill CG is, for my $s, the only place to stay. While not all like the amount of kids/families in the park, the total package they offer just can't be beat, for touring DC. There are some worn and torn spots. If you go to their web site, try to get a site close to the CG entrance. This place is huge. If not near the entrance you've got quite a hike to get to the office or the bus. (Public transportation to DC is the best way to get in and out of DC, for a tourist). There is parking next to the bus stop, but can fill quickly. Have a great trip and be safe.

Hi TireGuy, Your questions will require a considerable amount of research to answer. My coach and toad are 62' in length. For me, I do this: Let's try #3 first. The coach and toad are for traveling Interstate highways to get me to the next CG. Federal highways can be considered, but be careful. Secondary roads are only for getting to and from the Interstate to the CG. The toad is used for all sightseeing and area touring activities. Question #2 is, by state law. Consider purchasing a 2009 Trailer Life CG Directory. You're going to need a directory for this trip. On page 25 & 25 are the rules of the road. Go to Trailer Life Directory website. In addition consider purchasing the Mountain Directory East and West (two books). Go to Mountain Directory website to view their products. Question #1 will need to be addressed by you as you speak to each campground when making reservations.

Hi toshapet, Neither FMCA nor Motorhome magazine lists the Prius. One could conclude the vehicle cannot be towed, unless on a trailer. Remco go here for application chart on the Prius can get a little complicated. Consider calling Remco (1-800-228-2481) to determine what is best for your year Prius. The best source of information is the owner's manuel. It is the only place, in writing, where the manufacturer states if the vehicle can be towed and under what circumstances.

For those who feel an auxiliary braking system is not needed for their toad, read this then make a decision.

Hi Tom, The J cash price is received under the following conditions when using the RV RealValue Card: 1. Using the RV or auto fuel islands with any payment method. 2. Using the truck fuel islands and paying cash or using the J CC. Using any other CC at the truck fuel islands will result in the credit price being paid. I use the J RV RealValue Card and my AMEX CC at the truck fuel islands. I pay the credit price minus my RV RealValue Card discount for the month. Go to J Real Value Card Discount to see the sliding scale for the discount.. AMEX gives me 5% cash back on fuel. This is a better deal than the J CC cash price. I use the truck fueling islands for two reasons. 1. My coach and toad are 62'+ long. I consider the J RV fuel islands a safety hazard for this length. 2. Too many RVers take way too long to fuel.

Hi kavid2552, Can you try a different receiver? This may or may not solve the problem, but it might narrow down the suspect problem component.

I have what could be considered a dumb question/comment, but here goes anyway. I can understand FMCA's benefit from having a presence on FB. However, what is the benefit to me, as a member? As an FMCA member what ever I need to say, can be said right here, on the FMCA forum. The forum is neatly arranged into topics so I can focus on what my interests/skills are. FB seems more like a free for all blog than a forum. I'm not sure what the benefit is, for a member, over posting on this forum.

Hi kmackintosh, Welcome to the FMCA forum. Brett's post is correct. I may be wrong in how I read your question, but here's my answer. "which is the side the single 30 amp circuit is wired to" if you are looking at a female 30 AMP receptacle, the round ground is on the top, the blade receivers are on the bottom right and left. The power blade receiver is the bottom left. Neutral is the bottom right. To Brett, Nice to see you here, on this forum. You've got a lot of experience to share. We will all benefit from your posts.

Hi TVforMyRV, Based on what was in your post, shouldn't the rest of us have the same problem? Is this problem unique to the AS-2003 or will it affect other brand Sat antennas?

Hi satboyz, I hear ya. The first coach we bought new was a 1978 Winnebago Brave. Kept it 12 years and did only routine maintenance. Can't beat that record. Subsequent purchases have not been near the perfection of that first coach. I guess the trouble free first coach got us hooked. Once one is hooked on RVing, there is no cure. We just enjoy it.

This is another vote for Stagecoach, when in the St. Augustine area. For Daytona, consider Sunchine Holiday Daytona RV Park. Both these parks are forests. Satellite reception can be difficult. If you want Sat TV, mention this when you reserve a site.

Hi marchalpern, I'd say you are one of the lucky new owners. My signature coach has had almost 200 defects that were repaired under warranty (3 year warranty, thank goodness). In the almost 4 years we have had the coach, we've taken only one trip where nothing broke. I'm not talking about burned out light bulbs. I'm talking about major systems malfunctions. The automotive part of the coach has performed almost flawlessly (thanks Cummins, Spartan and Allison). It's the coach systems that have repeatedly failed. In 2005, Newmar was putting (shoving?) out the door about 15 coaches a day. Personally, I don't feel they have the ability to do this. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, you name it it has broke. Sometimes more than once. Both roof heat pumps and TVs have been replaced, gas furnace has broken 4 times, HWH broke three times, refrigerator broke twice, entry steps broke twice and then were replaced, main awning has broke so many times I don't remember the count (it has been replaced once), HWH jacks have broken 3 times and we are now suffering with an intermittent problem, two tires needed to be replaced (out of round), the washer/dryer combo has broken 2 times, slide toppers have been replaced 3 times, the basement doors have been replaced and average of 5 times for delamination. The list goes on and on. In the USA, coach manufacturers have no clue what quality control is. Ask any manufacturer if they are ISO certified. If you take a plant tour, ask to see their quality control process as a coach moves through assembly. Then ask to see the quality control on a finished coach as the last step before it ships to a customer. You'll be disappointed. Budget for the repairs and enjoy the lifestyle. That's what we do.

Disassembling tightening and reassembling both the coach and toad connectors should be on everyones annual maintenance list. I do this during the month I do all my annual maintenance tasks. The umbilical cables have been notorious for the wire connector screws coming loose. The umbilical cable get a lot of bouncing around while traveling down the road.

It's insurance, that is all it is. Extended warranty plans require you to prove you have complied with the manufacturer's required maintenance. No proof, claim denied. To comply with the required maintenance plan for all our appliances is cost prohibitive. Much of the required maintenance is just for legal CYA. Put the $s you would have spent in the bank. At the end of the term, you'll still have $s in the account.

Hi Peggy, The San Antonio, Texas KOA 210-224-9266 has public bus transportation right at the front of the CG.

Jacks are now working. The bottom line is I contacted HWH. The tech and I went through the diagnostics I had done. He asked some questions which I was able to answer. Fuse 8 needed to be replaced. This is a mystery to me as I had already removed the fuse and checked it with a meter. However, when I put the new fuse in the jacks worked. I tried them several times today and everything seems okay. If anyone needs the diagnostic sheets for the 325 system, let me know. HWH did a fine job on their diagnostic documents. The only problem, is my coach. One needs to get into embarrassing positions to see the control board lights.

The signature coach has HWH 325 Series, model AP9517 manual leveling jacks. Ignition key is in the ACC position. Power on light on the HWH panel is on solid when the on button is pressed. None of the jacks will extend when the extend button is pressed for any jack. The power on light blinks when any of the jack extend buttons are pressed. When the parking brake is released, the Not In Park/Brake warning light blinks. When the parking brake is engaged, the warning light goes out. It's getting dark here and I'll be calling HWH tomorrow morning. Until then anybody got a clue as to what I can do before I call them? They are on central time so the sun will be up here long before they get to work. thanks,

For Central Florida there are a couple of known items to watch out for: 1. The Atlantic coast is more expensive than the Gulf coast. 2. The snowbird traffic around Clermont to Lake Whales is terrible. These are some CGs to consider. Let me know if they hit the target or you would like additional choices. On the West coast consider: 1. Natures Coast landings - 352-628-1137 or http://www.naturecoastlandings.com/ This is an ownership resort that will have some lots for rent. It is about 10 miles North of Crystal River. It is on RT 98 right next to the old Florida Barge Canal. This is deep water access to the Gulf. Also there is a trail one can walk, bike or auto to the gulf (about 5 miles one way). There is a nice gazebo at the end of the trail. The nearest town is Crystal river. 2. Turtle Creek - 800-471-3722 or 352-628-2928 Located in Homosassa Springs - Very near the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This is the home to quite a few Manatees, in the Winter. Many trees. On the East Coast consider: 1. The Great Outdoors RV Nature & Golf Resort -Titusville - 800-621-2267 or www.tgoresort.com/ This is near Cape Kennedy (Space Coast). This is a very large resort. There are plenty of activities at the resort and in the area. This is an ownership resort that rents lots. 2. Encore Sunshine Holiday Daytona RV Park - Ormond Beach - 877-277-8737 or http://www.rvonthego.com/Sunshine-Holiday.html This CG is west of I95 (it is not on the beach). Ormond Beach is just North of Daytona Beach. The CG is fine, I am not familiar with the activities of the surrounding area.

Hi Steve, I live in South Florida. If you could provide a bit more information I could help with some CG suggestions. You are wise to plan well in advance. The additional information might include: 1. How much would you pay for the site? 2. Florida is a long state. At Christmas there are three distinct climates: 2a. North Florida (mild to freezing) 2b. Central Florida (warm to cool) 2c. South Florida (warm to mild) 3. Are you party folks or like to keep to yourselves. Different CG have different environments. 4. The OP mentions the beach and nature. What kind of nature (swamp, salt water, fresh water, forest)? Florida is quite vast, with regard to your choices. Over 11 million RVs come to Florida each winter!

Hi PIPEWRENCHGRIP, It sounds like your batteries are out gassing quit a bit. There is a remote possibility that the battery tops are so dirty that they are conducting AMPs to the hold down straps. If the battery tops are dirty, start by cleaning them thoroughly. Look at the following: 1. Charger voltage to the batteries. Maintenance voltage should be 13.4 VDC. 2. Are the battery casings walls straight (vertical). Or are they bulge outward? 3. Are the battery connections clean and secure? Especially the negative cable (on both ends). 4. How often do you need to add water? 5. The water you add, is it distilled water? 6. When running without shore power, how long will the batteries last (down to a 12.1 VDC reading)? Let us know what you find.

Hi chele323232, Welcome to the FMCA forums. It only matters what the lending institutions think of the purchase. Get a copy of the title, take pictures of the purchase and inquire at a few lending companies, banks or your credit union. They will let you know what they will do. Ask at the park where the unit is now located. They should have financing suggestions. Then it's on to comparison shopping for the best financing deal. Please post here how it all works out.

Hi Charlie, In the FT. Myers area consider: 1. Upriver RV Resort I75, exit 143, 239-543-3330 2. Cypres Woods I75 exit 139, 239 694 2191