bizsmith@yahoo.com

This is our second Texas State Park with about the same problem. First was Choke Canyon, now in Garner. They are in wildly expanding oil fields with a lot of new power lines. I think the power company may be having trouble keeping up with the expansion.

My built in surge protect seems to be set at 132 and it has shut down a couple of times. My voltage monitor is not extremely accurate but I have seen it indicate 131 several times. On my 50 amp service, one leg seems to be "wild" with the other leg holding at 124-126. Unfortunately, it seems the 30 amp breaker on the pedestal is tied to the wild leg and the 20 amp to the stable. I could live with the 30. I agree that loads would tend to stabilize the fluctuations but that does not seem the case here. Another unfortunate aspect is that the park electrician does not believe there is a problem. The fluctuations do not occur when he is on duty. I don't think he could do anything anyway as I think the problem originates at the power company. His solution was to swap the pedestal breaker which of course didn't really do anything.

By far the biggest problem I have had in parks (especially state parks) has been low voltage. The electronics in my coach shuts down on low voltage. I can use a buck boost transformer although I don't like to because it penalizes other campers on the same circuit. My problem here in West Texas is just the opposite. The park voltage can swing high enough that the surge protection will shut the coach power down. This usually happens about bed time. Apparently the power companies do not regulate well enough. What can I do about this? Not only annoying but it is not good for the frig, microwave, etc.

I just ran across RM RV GPS for iPad. Has anyone used this app? Does it mimic the RM 7710 or 7720 GPS? It is pricey for an iPad app at 99.99 and cautions battery depletion is very rapid.

My toggle switch cost was about $10. The steps are always where we want them to be.

Top Sail has a longer walk to the beach but there is a shuttle that runs several times a day. Top Sail is formerly a privately owned resort that the state bought. A tad expensive for a state park but very nice. One of our favorites.

To sum it up it's not FMCA forums that does the spell check it's your computer system.

As I post from my iPad it does auto spell check.

I gave up on automatic steps a few years ago. Problems such as yours prompted me to operating the steps manually with a toggle switch. Now I know people are going to say I take the chance of driving off with the steps extended but I say my step monitor (wife, copilot) is more reliable than my auto system became. I just got tired of fixing it.

I can't comment on the specific coaches you mentioned but I would not hesitate about a 5 year old. By that time the bugs should be worked out. Having spent some time in a large RV maintenance facility, the real headaches seem to be with the new ones.

Two Rivers in Nashville has its ups and downs but is convenient to the Opry and downtown.

So many complaints about the 7710 and now the 7720 complaints are appearing. I intend to hold off for a while.

iPhones have the hotspot feature which allow connection of your computers when you have cellular service. My wife's iPhone is AT&T, mine is Verizon. One or the other is likely to work better. Occasionally neither works but it gets better all the time.

This is what I was afraid of. I really wanted to try the 7720 but it looks like RM is off to the same old stuff as with the 7710.

I have USAA auto insurance. Now before someone jumps all over me that auto insurance is inadequate, my home insurance is also USAA and will cover items not included in the auto insurance.

Who said anything about using them on the open road?

I certainly would not recommend rvheadsets. The broadcast band is prone to interference and range is very limited. I tried a set and they performed very poorly. Cell phones with headsets would be my recommendation.

I agree you can find all kinds of written propaganda but I would believe recommendations from FMCA forums before I would believe the propaganda.

Rand McNally is offering $100 trade in of your old GPS for the 7720. Based on some bad reviews of the 7710 here in the forums I am leery of trying the 7720. Does anyone have any experience with the 7720 to report?

We just stayed at Brazos Bend State Park. Not on the coast but not far. It will join other Texas State Parks as a favorite. We have stayed in a large number of prize winning state parks in Florida. Texas state parks are as good or better. We are headed for Sea Wind on Baffin Bay near Riviera. It is a county park but operated like the big resorts in "the Valley." I can't report yet but it looks very Impressive. All the amenities of a private park and all sites are full hookup.

Ft Pickens would be my choice.

Ft Clinch SP is a nice place, we don't stay in private parks so no recommendations.

Same drive train and the CRV is towable. The problem is that the Element handbook says that it is towable only for short distances (2006 and later) and they will not honor the warranty if towed for long distance. Chances are you would never have a problem but I didn't want to take that chance. So I did not buy an Element when they stopped production. I really liked the interior arrangement and sometimes I wish I had taken the chance.

We know there are hundreds of RV Parks and we need help choosing one for about six weeks starting mid December. We are not looking for cheap nor are we looking for luxury. PRIMARY CRITERIA--PET FRIENDLY for a quiet 40 pounder that likes LONG walks. 40 ft CLASS A with parking for TOAD. Organized activities are not a priority and a swimming pool is not necessary. Handicap is not a necessity but a consideration. We don't play golf. We know there are FORUM readers out there that can and will help.

I recommend Homewood RV Park on I 35 at exit 176 just west of Ottawa. A very small park but long level full hookup pull thrus 20/30/50 amp. Not many so stop early. A great stop for snow birds, easy off easy on to I35. There are also easy back-ins. $22 per night + $2 for electric heat if you're honest. A very clean Ma and Pa campground. The sign is very small so don't miss it.