Howde

Hello, Russel and Barbara! Some things to consider when shopping are the sizes of the slideouts and the number of them. For our first motorhome, we bought an 8 year old 32ft Holiday Rambler. It had 2 slides. We were thrilled with it at first but after using it for 18 months, we both found things that we didn't like so much. I wanted a larger kitchen cooking prep area, my husband was exhausted after 3-4 hours in the gas coach with winds and big semis passing by, our shower was very small with low water pressure, etc. So we started shopping online for RVs. We found a 3 year old 35 ft. Tiffin Allegro Bay Front Engine Diesel at a dealer near us and decided to go look at it. The first thing we noticed is that there are 2 slides in the main living area and what a difference it makes! The furniture is very comfortable. We've had it 2 years now. The front engine diesel gives us plenty of power for the eastern mountains we've traveled; no more sway from semis passing either. We are so happy with the Tiffin that we don't have any plans to trade any time soon. I concur with TButler's recommendations. Possibly a slightly used RV would provide as much satisfaction with more $$ left in your pocket. There are many used that have very little use. Also might recommend you checkout the classifieds at www.tiffinrvnetwork.com. You'll find lots of information from Tiffin owners also.

We have reservations at the Table Rock State Park in September. It came highly recommended and has full hook ups.

Jurisinceptor, it's always great to hear "the rest of the story". Most often, we read someone's plans and never hear about the journey. So glad you shared your travels. Continue enjoying the views as you travel home.

Huntsville Bob, you will want to check if the Tiffin coaches you are looking at have had their wet bay, roof rails, and driver slide floor replaced or checked. You have limited time to repair these at Tiffin's costs.

rawyllie, We have a Tiffin Allegro Bay FRED (front engine diesel) and love it. This is our 2nd year with it. Our first motorhome was a 32 ft gasser. We found the FRED so much smoother of a ride, quieter, and comfortable. My husband loves it; he does the driving. We have no affect from truckers passing us as we did on the gasser. Some of the negatives you will hear on a FRED are noisier in the cab, and heat from the engine. We haven't found any of these problems. We can carry on a discussion much easier in our FRED over the gasser. If you feel heat from the engine, you can have it insulated as many other FRED owners have done. If your chasis is a Freightliner, they have a 2 day class for FREDs. We took it last year and found it very informative. There were about a dozen FRED owners from a variety of RV makers. Everyone loved their FRED. Freightliner also will service your RV while there.

Jurisinceptor, You might want to get a hold of 2 books - Mountain Directory East and Mountain Directory West. These books are very helpful in trip planning to advise of steep grades and road conditions specifically for Trucker and RV drivers. Enjoy your journey!

Welcome, Tin Tin! We purchased a slightly used 2008 Tiffin Allegro Bay a couple of years ago and really enjoy it. You might want to join the www.tiffinrvnetwork.com forum. There is a LOT of information specific to Tiffin's but not exclusively for Tiffin owners. There is also a classified section where you will often find some great deals. For driving lessons, check out www.betterrving.com for tips on driving, parking, marking your mirrors, etc. This is published by Lazydays which has locations in Tampa, FL and Arizona. They offer driving classes and you might want to call them to see if they will offer any elsewhere, such as at some RV rallies. And that is another place to look for a driving class is RV Rallies - check out FMCA's website and also look at Good Sam's. I also would think if you buy from a large RV dealer, they would be prepared to offer some driving advice/tips/suggestions for you before you drive off their lot. I've heard some semi truck schools will also provide lessons. You are doing the right thing to ask a lot of questions and learn from other's experiences. Wishing you happy traveling.

Whatever it was I know it was sponsored by FMCA in Winston-Salem, NC. I thought it was 2011 but maybe I am incorrect. The point is that the advertisement needs to be correct. Advertisements should read on the day they are ready to entertain participants.

We had the same experience last year when the rally was in North Carolina. We were near there and extended our stay for one day so we could attend on the first day then travel home the next day. To our surprise, the rally did not start as advertised. I wrote FMCA with the suggestion to make their advertisement match their opening but apparently that fell on deaf ears. You are gentle with saying "little disappointed." I was mad at such false advertising! This is unacceptable from a large organization that does this regularly. Why doesn't anyone on the rally organization committee understand this frustration from potential attendees? I would think vendors would like to know this.

Hendersonville/Flat Rock area is just 30 minutes from Asheville. We've stayed at Lakewood RV Pk in Flat Rock the last 2 years. Very nice pull through sites, some back-ins, the park models are very well kept.

We just rode through it today and had no problem with the RV. BUT the traffic was really jammed up narrowing down to the 2 lanes for the tunnel. We traveled 10 miles in one hour from exit 25 (before the tunnel) to the causeway exit 35 after the tunnel. Not sure how normal this is but we would do anything to avoid this again.

Stan, you might also want to post your question on the http://tiffinrvnetwork.com/

For anyone else that might be interested, I did get an email from the Reynolds stating that the rally officially starts on Oct 20-22. Vendors are open from 9 AM - 4 PM. The advertisements of Oct. 19-22 are misleading; FMCA needs to do a better job of advertising.

Thank you for your prompt response, Brett and MrBoyer. I was unable to find specific times for exhibits so did send an email as you suggested. I will also suggest more information such as this for day visitors; surely there are several locals that would do the same.

Could someone please give me details on the 2011 Eastern Rally in Winston-Salem, NC. I would like to know the time it opens and closes. Will we be charged an entry fee for the day? We will be driving there by car rather than RV. I believe it starts on Oct. 19 which is the day we plan to visit. We are on the road and don't have our back issues of FMCA which apparently have details. I'm really surprised FMCA doesn't have this on their website or if it's there I haven't found it and would appreciate a pointer. Thanks!

We've stayed at Skidaway several times and really like the spacious sites, lots of shade. A beautiful park! I would avoid Red Gate Plantation. We had one successful stay there, but on a road trip they called me within one hour of our arrival to cancel our reservation; someone returned that they thought had departed. On another attempt, they never would return my call. So in other words, they are not dependable. We always stop by Paula Dean's, Lady and Sons restaurant, but I think my favorite is her brother's place on the way to Tybee Island, Uncle Bubba's. And the Crab Shack, mentioned previously, is definitely a unique experience not to miss. Enjoy!

I took the RV driving class at LazyDays, Sefner, FL, with my husband. I have driven on smaller 4 lane highways but not the interstate. Most of what you learn from the class is online on videos at http://betterrving.com/Search.aspx?Search=driving%20tips&fSearch=true They teach you how to turn, back in, mark your mirrors, etc. Very, very helpful! They also have many videos and tips on RV care. So far this is the best I have found online. Last spring when we took this class they mentioned they might be taking their courses on the road so you might contact them to see if there is one coming near you. Safe travels!

As a St. Augustine resident, I will confirm that North Beach Campground is a beautiful location. We have never camped there because it is right down the road but have friends that camp there regularly. It sits on the intracoastal waterway and right across from the ocean on A1A. It has huge oak trees to provide shade. They also have a few cabins if someone wants non-campers to join them. The owners of the campground opened a resatuarant, Aunt Kate's, next to it on the river side. Within walking distance is another restaurant on the river, Cap's, and then on the ocean, The Reef. All are very good and popular restaurants. South on A1A about 1 1/2 miles is one of the best local restaurants, Toucan Terry's - not atmospheric but absolutely great food. Another St. Augustine campground to check out is Bryn Mawr, right on the ocean in St. Augustine Beach. We have not stayed there but have heard high recommendations. Between St. Augustine and Daytona, there are several campgrounds on the ocean in Flagler County. One state park is the Gamble Rogers State Park on the ocean in Flagler county. I don't believe any provide much shade on the ocean. About 40-60 miles North of St. Augustine, is Fernandina Beach which is home of Ft. Clinch State Park. We really have enjoyed this park. Camped there on the river bend which is covered with oak trees. The bathrooms are new and kept spotless. An easy walk down to the waterfront to watch the sunset or walk along the shore. They have reenactments weekends at the fort so check their schedule if that interests you. The ocean bend is open to the sun with only a few palm trees. Fernandina is a cute little town to shop and eat.