BillAdams

AZ is a big State with very different weather. Any idea where you would like to go?

Cut the wire so you never see a full indication again? What a terrible option to have built into a coach when the sensors are known to be inaccurate and/or fail.

I was responding to this post: There is nothing destructive about my comments, just an observation that saving that old number is of no real value to me and of no real benefit to anyone. If you disagree, that's OK, too.

If weather appears as though it might be an issue, you can detour your trip to Memphis, Little Rock and Dallas and then I-20 to I-10 and you will add just over 100 miles to the trip. You will avoid any serious weather you might encounter in ABQ or Flagstaff (7000 FT) but still have excellent driving conditions. If weather is not a concern I would take the shortest route which includes Flagstaff as ABQ and Flagstaff are both excellent cities to visit and there is lots to see and experience at and between your destinations. If you go that way be sure to stop at Meteor Crater. Just watch the weather forecast. If it looks bad, don't move. Were you in a hurry? If so, take the Southern route. If not, take the Northern route, enjoy the trip, sit when bad weather is predicted and move when it's not. You really cannot go wrong.

I just use 1/1/xxxx. No need or reason to post your actual birth date.

Remember that each and every KOA is an independent business and not owned or operated by KOA. Not everything everywhere works as it should. I do believe that the KOA's charge too much and some have no facilities to justify these additional charges. However, if you cannot be sure of your plans or if simply MUST be there, the KOA option might be OK.

If you are talking about me when you say "Bill" do you think a number is important? If I just pay my fees I can get my old number reactivated! Oh boy, I will be able to show I have been RVing longer than you! I guess that's important, much like FMCA members who have numbers ending with a letter indicating they are the child of some other really old member. Does that number actually mean anything or get you any added benefits? Of course not. This is not meant to be a negative, just an observation on how we view many things with rose colored glasses.

Here is the legal wording: The Arizona tax on gasoline (motor vehicle fuel) is 18¢ per gallon. Use fuel (diesel) is taxed at two rates in Arizona. If the use fuel is used in the propulsion of a use class motor vehicle on a highway in this state, the tax rate is 26¢ for each gallon.A "use class motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that uses use fuel on a highway in this state and that is a road tractor, truck tractor, truck or passenger carrying vehicle having a declared gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds or having more than two axles. If the use fuel is used in the propulsion of a light class motor vehicle (such as a pickup truck) or an exempt vehicle (certain school buses, government and non-profit vehicles, see 28-5432.C) on a highway in this state, the use fuel is taxed at the same rate per gallon as the motor vehicle fuel tax (18¢ per gallon). (See 28-5601, 5605, 5606.)

Swipe your Pilot/Flying J card at the truck pumps and you get the discount! Now you just have to decide if you want to do that or not.

The AZ tax discount applies to diesel fuel only.

If you travel a lot as we did, you find that there are some very cool things about KOA in general and some of the KOA parks specifically. In December of 2012 we needed to get from Vegas to Denver and along the way we wanted to stop at the KOA in Richfield, UT. Turns out that campground is closed that time of year but there was a sign that said find a site, hook up, have a great night. Yep, full 50 amp service for the overnighter at no charge at that time of year. We were completely blown away, found someone to thank (and verify) and posted our positive experience anywhere anyone would listen (like here)!

You must draw a line somewhere. No, 26,000 or 26,001 make no difference but you can't make rules that cover every possible scenario. It also is NOT an RVer issue. It's a size issue. Some will twist it to show favor to their opinion but that's just not the case. There is no law in place that applies to RVers only and many owners with large or small vehicles either find this to be an advantage or not. The AZ tax on fuel is 26 cents per gallon. However, AZ offers a discount (not a penalty) to diesel fuel users with light weight vehicles. Maybe this was originally meant to promote the use of diesel engines in light weight vehicles. I don't know and I would speculate that you do not either. However, it's the reality and what you can do is not pay the AZ tax (27 cents including excise) or CA 38 cents, NM 22.875, TX 20.0, NV 27.75, UT 24.5. No matter where you fuel you will be paying a lot of tax. If you don't pay what the State charges then move on to the next State. If you live in AZ and you don't like the tax, vote out the law makers. If you don't live in the State vote with your wallet. Which State do you want to pay taxes to? They are not going to be avoided. By the way, CT charges 54.9 cents per gallon. I wonder why I have not seen anyone complaining about this?

I keep seeing statements like this and I simply do not understand them. When you fill up in other States you pay taxes as well and you don't ask them to discount your gas 8 cents because you are an RV. Also, there would be an assumption that Gas RV's are not paying taxes. They, of course, are, there's just not a discount for a lighter weight gas RV as there is for a lighter weight diesel vehicle. The tax is applied to heavy duty diesel operated vehicles be they 18 wheelers or RV's and they have very specific requirements to receive this discount. If you do not fall within those parameters you are not entitled to the discount and if you do you are. So, if you have a coach with a tag axle you do not qualify for the discount. If your RV (any diesel vehicle) weighs in excess of 26,000# you do not qualify for the discount. Now, everyone wants to rush off to some other State that does not offer a similar discount just so you can pay that State the same taxes you would have paid in AZ. If the fact that you don't qualify hurts your feelings, simply buy a smaller RV without a tag and under 26,000# and you can save yourself about $8 per fill up.

Would the heating element "also" come on or does it only come on when it's a certain temperature outside? If it needs cold, is it currently cold enough where you are? I know nothing about your engine....just askin'.

If a campground is really in business to make money then they must first be good business folks. The first rule of business is that it is much less expensive to retain a customer than it is to get a new customer. If you want to alienate every customer who has an emergency then go for it. However, if you want to have a bit of compassion you will likely earn much more money on the back end than the "one time" money you earn with a flawed policy. As I mentioned above, I used to avoid KOA's but now use them if they are convenient for no other reason than I know that their early departure policy is one that instills a feeling of understanding for my lifestyle. I have never lost a single dollar at a KOA because my plans changed either voluntarily or involuntarily.

I avoid Class A only parks like the plague. Even though I own one, I don't want to mix with the group of folks that think they are so superior that they need this kind of exclusivity. I don't mean to "dis" the park itself for doing what they do, I just would not visit unless there was absolutely no other choice within 40-50 miles.

Fiat also owns Chrysler so it's still all one big happy family!

I would call it unscrupulous as well as one of the definitions is not honest or fair. It's certainly not fair to have that kind of a policy (IMHO). The reality is "stuff" happens that is completely beyond our control. I am even more sympathetic as my furry buddy ended up in the emergency room last night and I would have done whatever was necessary to ensure his well being. I get the part where you can't have your money back (still a stupid policy) but the re-booking option should be held up as an option. I have to say that I generally avoid KOA campgrounds but to their benefit (and the reason I do stay more at KOA's more now than I used to) is that they have a no questions asked refund policy. Gotta go? Just let them know and you get the necessary refund without question. That may or may not be true every where every time but I have never been refused one.

This is a fairly common practice. I don't know why so many campgrounds have this policy but we have seen it in hundreds of places. NO REFUNDS! Period. We now pay day by day if necessary unless you are absolutely certain there is no chance that something might change or we have specific fixed plans in that area. It's a stupid policy (and likely one you could battle if you paid by CC) and creates more animosity than would ever be created by the extra income this greed generates.

GEAR will be very much like any other FMCA RV rally you have attended. There will be good directions to get there, there will be helpful folks there to get you parked and there will be seminars (mostly sales presentations). The entertainment varies by location and event, but it's pretty hard to tell one for another. That's not meant to be a condemnation of this or any other rally, but having participated in WAY too many rallies, I can tell you that they are all mostly the same with the specific location being the reason to attend or not attend (like the never ending Rocky Mountain chapter Farmington, NM rallies!).

I made the trip starting at Monterey, CA. Many will report you don't want to make the PCH1 trip but I did it in a 40' coach with an extended Chevy van in tow. It's a great trip and one not to be missed. You will be going slow but there are many pull-offs if you start backing up the traffic behind you. Do not let them push you or bother you just be courteous and pull over when it's convenient. The view is somewhat straight down on the passenger side on a few segments but just don't have your spouse look down. You will not regret having taken this route.

Not sure about your setup, but my RR pulls air from inside the RV under the fridge where the coils are located and exhaust to the back of the fridge. If I seal everything up back there I am not sure where the air would go! I did seal up the access door behind the fridge as outside freezing air (it was -4) froze the ice maker water line when I left it as is. I taped off all the openings from the outside and used the "foam in a can" to create an air tight insulated door which allows full access to that compartment should I need it. I also left the roof vent in its original open condition to allow the fridge heat to exhaust vertically as necessary. Mine fits "pretty tight" all the way around but there is enough space that I can pull it out if I loosen a couple of screws. I don't think there would be enough air flow that could come down the roof vent and into the coach through those minor gaps that would make any difference in our interior living conditions.

Yes, you can convert your older Trav'ler to the new SWM technology. You will need a SWM8 switch, a PI29 power insterter (not the PI25 you have at home) and possibly a SWM splitter is you want to use the Genie plus a client in another room. You can find all the information you need on the Winegard website: http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/2452242.pdf The SWM8 switch will be mounted on the roof right beside the Trav'ler and you will be able to use the existing wiring running into the coach so you don't have to open the roof or run more wires inside unless you want a client where a receiver does not currently exist.

If you don't find anything like Tom describes, there are also after market rain gutters that you can install on the edge of the roof to move the water or even create a channel from the A/C output to where ever you would like the water to go. Sort of like this: http://www.trimlok.com/prod/Drip-Rail/Plastic-Profiles/All-Product-Categories_141/Drip-Rail_67.aspx

Sorry, I have no idea what it is and Google is no help.