kalynzoo

Shame. Glad you were not hurt, it could have done a lot more damage if it hit the rig. As for the VW bug, they never really die. If you don't have it restored I would bet that every piece will go to maintaining or restoring another bug.

Santa Clarita, CA, just up the hill has a load of red light and turn cameras. Los Angeles has been adding them slowly. I have often wondered if my toad would be issued a ticket if the coach made the light but the toad didn't. In LA tickets are now being issued if the front license plate is missing, or if the front window is tinted, since they can impede the issuing of a ticket. Fighting the ticket is extremely difficult out here, as the camera is a presumption of guilt, and typically excuses like the drive behind was tailgating cannot be verified. Real bummer.

Good advice from Wolfe. My rig has 2x12volt plus 12v engine batteries. We seldom, very seldom, dry camp. Perhaps a single overnight with a group, but then most time is spend outside and food is prepared outside, so little power is required. During our Tracks experience in Mexico we went 5 days without hookup, but, the batteries were purchased just before the trip, and we ran the generator for a couple of hours every day, and again we judiciously conserved electric power. Last year we did not do a day without shore power, even when staying at a friends ranch we had 15amps available. Therefore, for us, the cheap deep cell from Costco or Walmart works just fine. I am now 30 months into the 36 month batteries, and it is time for new one. So this spring, before our next trip, I will probably purchase 2 cheap batteries, hopefully less that $100 each, and they will last a couple of years again. This works for me. Happy Trails.

My personal opinion based on my personal experiences, is that all three road side major players, Coach-Net, GS, and AAA will make all kinds of promises to sign you up. Then they will do a reasonable job of getting you back on the road in a temporary manner so that you can get your own repairs accomplished. Each corporation has wonderful stories of how they saved a life, saved a vacation, saved a marriage, or whatever. I have read complaints concerning each corporation on how it took hours to respond, wrong equipment was sent, damage was sustained, people were rude, etc. I, personally, have AAA. It works for my family. I have minimal expectations. I expect them to get me to a safe environment in a reasonable period of time, and I will then have to spend lots of money to fix my problems. As for your complaint, I would make noise like crazy, publicly, by registered letter, and perhaps using the letterhead of an attorney friend, and insist that some compensation be made for the tire...exchange, trade, replacement, cash. Good Luck, and Happy Trails. Don't let it spoil your travels.

In California Trucks and anything towing a trailer are limited to 55mph. A motorhome with 2 axles is not a truck and may travel at the higher posted speed. It is my understanding from seminars with CHP that buses and motorhomes are not limited to 55mph. Since I do not travel over about 62mph and usually at 55mph in my MH I really don't sweat the details. Therefore, if you like to go faster, you'll find me in the right hand lane, just wave as you pass. Happy Trails.

Our prayers, thoughts, and wishes as always are for those who serve our country. We are thankful that the heroic policewoman who brought this to an end, survived.

There are both federal and state regulations regarding the filling and refilling of controlled substances. There are also 5 levels of controlled substances, with designations based more on political decisions than medical values. Class 3 includes combination drugs such as Norco, Vicodin, some diet medication and some testosterone type medications. Class 2 tend to be single medications like morphine, Demerol, other narcotics, and many amphetamine type drugs. The various controlling agencies place a great deal of liability of the pharmacist. Even if you present a valid prescription, if the prescription is later found to be excessive or questionable the dispensing pharmacist will spend considerable time and money defending him/her self. Think Ana Nicol Smith and Micheal Jackson. So what to do if on the road? If you are refilling a Class 3 prescription, I would suggest that you give the pharmacy at least a full day to contact the previous pharmacy and be assured the prescription is legitimate. They may also wish to very directly with the physician. A chain may be able to directly transfer from one computer to another, but still give them a full business day. Class 3 prescriptions may only be transferred once. If it is Class 2 expect a little more inspection. The written prescription must be less than 6 months old and have a "to be filled before date" noted by the physician. It would help if a diagnosis is noted on the prescription, or a separate letter from the physician stating the diagnosis and stating that you are currently under the physician's care would be most helpful. This will be copied by the pharmacist for his protection. Again, allow a full business day, permitting the pharmacist to verify this information with a phone call, and permitting the pharmacist to order the drug. Many pharmacies don't carry a large inventory of controlled drugs because "bad guys" come in and steal things. If you are traveling for 6 months, then get 6 different written prescriptions each dated for the anticipated month and use a new prescription for each fill. Hope this helps. Just be patient, the pharmacist truly is putting his future and his family at risk with every controlled substance prescription he/she fill. Gary Kalyn (RPh, semi retired)

We do very well with our 10 pound mix breed dog. Our current companion, for the last 7 years, is a pic-a-po. The poodle in her keeps the shedding to a minimum. She loves being handled, makes friends with people easily, has never snapped an anyone. Just a suggestion. A thought for you. When traveling, it is often necessary to leave your pet in the rig while sightseeing. This is true of a bird, dog, rodent, etc. Will you be able to maintain room temperature, or will this interfere with your travels. Whatever you decide, enjoy, and happy Trails.

Sounds like a wonderful trip. I have often made our first stop in that direction at the KOA Blyth. It has just recently become a KOA. Well kept, nice spa, and a pleasant place to get it all together after starting out. In Tucson we have enjoyed the comforts of Beaudry's. Beyond there we've only traveled as far west as Texas. There were plenty of parks to accommodate pull through large rigs along the way. When traveling to sight see we combine Trailer Life with RVparkreviews.com, and usually call ahead the evening before to secure our next stop. This allows for an extra day of touring or resting as needed. Have a wonderful time and Happy Trails.

Having Los Angeles as my home base, I have a few ideas that may (or may not) work. Check the directory for Motion Picture support companies. Many on site production companies use services that pump out their holding tanks, and refill their propane on location. This may also apply to construction site supply companies. In Las Vegas there are two companies, I think related, that have mobile propane trucks that supply RV's. Also at the FMAC convention in Bend there was a propane service.

I can only offer my personal experience. A few years ago a local tire shop convinced me to replace my worn RV 19.5 tires with truck tires. The savings was significant. I found that the new tires gave a horribly stiff ride. I tried changing the tire pressure, incrementally, to no avail. I realize that a motorhome cannot stop on a dime, but when I drove over one, I could tell if it was heads or tails. After about a year, we were about to throw in the towel and repurchase new tires, but we saw a new motorhome at an RV show. End of story, we traded in the Holiday on a Fleetwood. From my experience I will alway purchase RV specific tires. Just my opinion. Happy Trails.

I think if you open your query with your first sentence the original owner would be most willing to be of assistance. I guess the only thing that bothers me is that a 1984 coach is a "classic." Enjoy your restoration.

I can only suggest from my own past experience to get tires designed for motorhome use. Once a local tire shop convinced me I would save considerable money purchasing truck tires. I did. The result was a ride so stiff that even though I could not stop on a dime, I could tell if it was heads or tails. I was just about to junk the tires and take my lose after only a year, but then for many reasons we decided to purchase a new coach. Again, just my opinion. Happy Trails

Probably the easiest possibility would be gunk dried on the side of the tank being registered by the sensor. After a trip I usually fill the gray and black tank to 3/4 with water, add some pinesol (any soap will probably do just fine) and drive the last leg of the trip, in my case about an hour on the road. Then I dump. A similar process with your gray tank may clear the dry stuff. Otherwise the cause, such as a bad sensor, would require more technical service. Good Luck.

We had the Splendide 2000 installed, the installer added an external vent. Venting was straight forward, a louvered plastic external square vent was placed over the round hole cut in the siding. The washer/dryer works very well for small loads. It takes a long time to cycle, but we start it and go on our way for the day. Because of the heat and moister of a wash and dry cycle I would insist on an external vent in the close quarters of a motorhome.

We have always maintained extended warranties on our MHs. The coaches have changed, and so have the companies, as we purchased what was offered by the dealers. We currently have a policy with Platinum Plus (or something like that). I do not work on my motorhome, other than light repair. I keep it clean, I change fuses, I have replaced water pumps, I fix woodwork, I actually changed the shower valve with the help of a knowledgeable friend. If a major appliance needs repair, if the motorhome itself needs repair, I take it to a recommended shop. That costs quite a bit, just for the evaluation. Over the past many years I have had the basement air overhauled, a MH transmission replaced, a string of fuel filter problems on one coach, a jack failure, and a microwave failure. Almost forgot the two frigs that needed repair over the years. Each time I relied on the warranty to find a qualified shop, oversee the repair, and guarantee the repair for my copay of $50. Yes, you MUST play their game. Call THEM first before going to the shop, make sure the shop is on their list, and start a claim. Then go to the shop, tell them you have started the claim. Make sure the shop calls for authorization BEFORE any work is started. Recently, when I had the basement air problem, it was repaired for my copay, and worked well for about a month. Then the basement air started making a horrible sound. I took it back to the shop, where I was told the shaft was out of balance, probably my fault for driving on bad roads. They then said the insurance would not cover the adjustment, since it was not a faulty part. I immediately called the warranty service, I was told, very politely, that the claim was denied because they had paid previously for a new shaft and for its proper instillation. They then called the shop, spoke with the owner/manager and the shop realized they had made an "error" and the repairs were promptly made. In short, they had my back. Many RVers will write that it is a waste, just putting the money in the bank will cover the repair later. Maybe, if you don't need the repairs for a few years. If you fix things yourself, or have a shade tree mechanic friend, you will not be reimbursed for parts or time. For me, the warranty works.

I'm on my 4th surflo pump on my current MH. First we replaced the classic series with the Extreme 4.0 to increase internal water pressure. That pump failed and flooded the partially sealed pump compartment. Since the pump had been submerged there was no warranty. Go figure, a water pump is not covered if it gets wet. Anyway, I liked the increased pressure on demand, so I purchased a new 4.0 pump. After about a year of service the pump began to become louder and occasionally failed, and one day, total failure. This is when I was informed by Surflo, and others that the pump is designed for intermittent use. Turn it off when traveling, turn it off when leaving the coach. Turn it off in storage. Turn it off at night after last use. This seemed rather awkward, but posts on a few RV websites resulted in confirmation that this is the policy of many RVers. It is also mentioned in the product description. So I purchased my current Extreme 4.0, I use it only on demand, turning it off whenever we leave the rig. I have also read stories from campers who have flooded the rig when a plastic pipe separated and the RV was left unattended. Thus, when leaving for the day to sightsee, I turn off the campground feed to the coach. As for the icemaker, I usually purchase a bag of campground ice, and keep it in the ice maker.

Did you check your batteries? If my house batteries are low, even if I am plugged into shore power, my bedroom will either hesitate or not move. If I kick on the engine it works just fine. The reason for this phenomena is beyond my expertize. Just a suggestion.

Whatever. Just wave at Pixie and I as you pass. She's the black and white fuzzy thing on the dash, enjoying the view.

TButler, you wrote thoughtful reply to the question. Yes, I am afraid that a few have damaged the experience of travel with a pet for others. We travel with our two small dogs. They are always on lead, as I do not want to loose them or have them injured. We keep our pockets stuffed with disposable plastic gloves so that we may be good neighbors. I have seen many others who likewise respect the sensibilities of others. Still there is something very alarming about walking a small dog or a child hand having a 30 to 100lb dog, unrestrained, charging toward your group. As for controlling children, the point is well taken. However, park owners can easily establish rules limiting size and breeds of pets. It may inconvenience some, but it is legal, defensible, and a recognized policy. Rules restricting children might be seen as discriminator, illegal, unacceptable, and beyond the scope of normal business. Thus, check the rules before making reservations, and in necessary make decisions on whether you want to camp at a destination or take the family dog.

Hi Bompa. Since you don't have a profile, I'm not sure where your storing the MH. In Southern California, I always have the gas tank full, or almost full, water on board, and 3/4 propane. During the 94 Earthquake, epicenter my house, we lived out of the MH for 6 weeks till other shelter could be arraigned. The generator was the only power on the block, and was shared will all the neighbors. Today the valley is surrounded by wildfire. It is far enough away that it will not affect my family. Although last year the fires got pretty close. If there were to be an evacuation I could either move out and relocate the MH to save ground, or I could use it as sleeping quarters for friends or family that had to evacuate. We think of the MH when not in use as a large Emergency Box. Truly hope you never need a full tank of gas, but it is nice to know it's there. Happy Trails.

Traveling over Boulder Dam, where propane is restricted, MH propane tanks are not a problem. Same was true for the short tunnel below the runway of the Las Vegas airport.

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp The article from Snopes.com is noted above. Fiction

Having had wasp spray blow back in my direction during use, I question whether the stuff is noxious, stinging, irritating, or forceful enough to hurt. I worry that someone might get hurt as they stand and spray the stuff rather than using some other substance or tool, Besides, I have only seen rather large cans. This might be cumbersome to carry in one's butt-pack. Certainly a can of wasp spray could not be mistaken for a concealed carry. For those looking for non-harmful, fully legal deterrents, perhaps a portable air-horn. Anyway, if I'm camping, and I see a guy walking with a butt-pack that looks like he has a six-pack around his belt, I'll say hi ... it might be you and your wasp spray. Happy Trails.

Dear SeaJay, very cute story...please don't forget to take your daily meds. Back on topic, we travel with two little dogs, Mia and Pixy. They are very friendly, and we find they act as a conversation magnet when we travel. People will stop to pet the dogs, a conversation is started, and the day is made more interesting. Happy Trails to you all, and don't forget to pick up after the dog.