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DougC

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Posts posted by DougC

  2. Posted · Report reply

    2014 Four Winds 31 L house on a 2013 E450 chassis.

    I did purchase the Banks Stinger package (the Stinger excludes headers), and also purchased the OTTMIND engine calibration module which matches the fuel curve to airflow improvements by the Stinger upgrade. Between the two items I think I got about 70% of the performance benefit of the full PowerPack option. Both were installed by Banks in Azusa, CA.

    We then took a 600 mile trip using highways and back roads, I did notice improved engine performance on uphill grades, in that there were fewer down shifts (seldom to 2nd gear, most down shifts were 4 to 3) along with staying in the higher gears and maintaining speed for a longer period of time and distance.

    Substantial gas savings was not noticed.

  3. Posted · Report reply

    I have a 2014 Four Winds class C 31 L MH on a Ford 450 chassis.

    Yesterday I drove (speed usually 50-60 mph)from Las Vegas to San Diego CA on I-15, a windy highway in the open desert.... and felt the wind... I thought there must be some after market product that would help with the rocking of the MH.. my reaction to the wind was to slow down under 50 mph... not sure what else to do.

    Doug C

  6. Posted · Report reply

    Howdy,

    We are also wanting to RV to Alaska and would prefer sharing the trip with small group. We've looked at professional caravans but prefer something less formal and structured.... I've been RVing since 2003.

    We are based in Palm Springs, CA. and have a 2014 Four Winds Class C, 31 ft on a 450 Ford Chassis(I've had 3 class A's, a travel trailer), the toad is a 1990 Isuzu Trooper stick with 4 x4. During the past 5 years we've been to Washington DC, Vancouver, and this year spent 3 mos. on the road touring NorCal.

    Please let me know the status of your planning ....

    Thanks and Merry Christmas.

    Doug

  8. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Tom,

    I just wanted to add my two cents that I tried to follow several suggestions on fuel mileage on the FMCA forum, and it seemed to help. We just concluded the trip

    Total miles driven from Palm Springs CA to College Park MD, 2,863 miles, driven in 7 days or an average 400 miles per day. FYI, to have a more relaxed trip we concluded that we should have planned at least 9-10 driving days (300 miles per day average), with a rest day about every 4 days. That will be our planning technique when we head down the East Coast and then back to California later this month. But, we have had a good time getting here...

    We got better than anticipated miles per gallon with the RV. I planned 6 miles per gallon and it appears we averaged 8-8.5 miles per gallon. We did follow a number of suggestions from one of the forums discussions regarding improving diesel fuel mileage. According to the Garmin we have, our overall average speed was 54-55 mph. In reality, I did attempt to cruise on the Interstate at 65 mph and did use the economy mode on the Allison transmission. Tires are at 120 psi front and 110 psi rear. And I worked at talking advantage of rolling hills (and there was a lot of them.) But I think keeping the highway speed at 65 mph had the most impact.

    DougC

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Tom,

    An interesting subject and timely for us...

    You may know from our blog that Trudy and I are leaving in the morning for a 4-5 week trip in our 2003 Newmar KS. This will be the first time Trudy has used an RV at all.

    We are both in our mid-late 60's and have been pondering the meaning of life, our kids are grown and on their own. We met on a blind date in December of 2007 and have been together since. We are both in reasonable good health, considering our ages. I still work in a school district but will retire in July. Trudy retired from casinos a few years ago and works part time now.

    I had the RV and now we are going to use it.... we've had limited talks about where to live, how to live, what to do with the RV. Do we become full-timers? Is sounds appealing.... this month long trip will help provide an answer to that question.

    The full-timer forum discussion is interesting... we'll follow the forum discussion and offer our experience and thoughts.

    Doug

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Tom,

    Thanks a lot for the information, it's just what we are looking for.

    Our planning revolves around being in Washington DC by June 11, which is our daughter's birthday. The trip is about 2700 miles, the Boss wants to stay in the Taos NM area for two days and Nashville TN for two days. Soooo, with 9 days we could average 300 miles a day, but with the 2 day stop overs, it pushes up our average daily distance to about 400 miles a day... however, the trip back, down the East Coast and back to the West Coast, we have a bit more time...

    Again thanks for the information.

    Doug

    Doug,

    You plan trips differently than I do! I plan to go see stuff and then pick the campgrounds. But OK, in Flagstaff there is the Lowell Observatory where Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto. Not too far north of Flagstaff is the Grand Canyon. East on I-40 from Flagstaff is (about exit 233 I think) Meteor Crater formed by an impact of a small asteroid, quite impressive. Also in the same area east of Winslow, AZ is the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. Both are worth a stop along the way. The Painted Desert is best at sunrise or sunset, beautiful colors. The fossil trees in the Petrified Forest are amazing.

    Amarillo has the Quarter Horse Museum. You can also get a 64 oz. steak at a restaurant east of there (check the billboards). If you can eat the whole steak in an hour you get it free! Don't eat for a week and maybe you'll have a sho at it! South of Amarillo is Palo Duro Canyon with some interesting features. We've had a nice hike there to the Lighthouse Formation.

    In Oklahoma City is the memorial to the victims of the Federal Building bombing, the first terrorist attack on the US. Also in Oklahoma City, a happier place to visit is the Cowboy Museum. East of Tulsa on I-44 at Claremore is the Will Rogers Memorial, if you are a fan of Will Rogers, this is a nice stop. Also in Claremore is the Jim Davis Gun Museum. A massive collection of guns of all kinds, from frontier days to WWII military. The collection includes much more than guns, well worth the stop.

    Turning the corner in Springfield, MO as you head south to Branson, you might want to stop at the original Bass Pro Shop. They have a good restaurant in the store!

    In Nashville, I wouldn't miss spending a day at the Grand Ol' Oprey Hotel. Shopping, dining and just walking through the awesome atria is worth the stop. There are numerous bars with CW music/dancing in Nashville, check the campground host for suggestions, bring your boots for scootin!

    East of there through the Smoky Mountains, it is beautiful country. Great Smoky Mountain National Park is southeast of Knoxville. Knoxville itself is a pretty city. Before you get to GSMNP, you will go through Pigeon Forge. If you are a fan, stop in Dollywood! We had an interesting evening there!

    If your route takes you through Asheville, NC, you must stop and see the Biltmore Estate, http://www.biltmore.com/visit/ . A truly amazing mansion built by one of the Vanderbilt descendants. More rooms than you can tour in a day! This is spectacular, we toured it at Christmastime in 2003 and they had a decorated Christmas tree in every room! Have lunch in the stable!

    From there to College Park, you are in Revolutionary/Civil War territory, take your pick of battlefields and historic sites. Of course the whole Washington, DC thing is at your door step in College Park. My only advice is to find the Metro parking lot and ride the train where you want to go. Take water to drink in the summer or be ready to buy it, hot and steamy but well worth the time and sweat!

    Now, if you want to visit antique shops...

    It is hard for me to know exactly what your interests are, these suggestions are things we have seen and visited along your route and reflect our interests. Enjoy the trip!

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Howdy Fellow Travelers,

    As we begin our West to East then North to South then East to West trip this coming Saturday we are looking for suggestions to see, do, or eat... and for input from folks who have previously traveled the byways and highways of America.

    Our trip route in general is East on I10, North on I17 Taos NM, East on I40 to Amarillo TX, East on I40 to Oklahoma OK, then North-East on I44 Branson MO, US-60/I24 to Nashville TN, I24/I40/I81/I77 to Hillsville VA, I77/I81/I66 to College Park MD.

    Campground reservations are in Flagstaff AZ, Taos NM, Amarillo TX, Oklahoma OK, Branson MO, Nashville TN, Hillsville VA, ending in College Park MD.

    Your suggestions are appreciated,

    Doug, Trudy and Dale the Dog

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Tom,

    I like your planning method better.... I've concluded I'm being a control freak... my better half (Trudy) has told me several times to step away from the computer and campground listings.... go have a beer, play with dog, and for me to practice the Yoga Lotus position (I'm not sure what that is :rolleyes: )

    I've been a project planner and scheduler for the last 20 years, so it is hard to break the work habits. I've kinda concluded I can't control every detail of the trip... such as doggie (people too) rest stops, weather, traffic. While our goal is 300 miles per day, there are just too many variables.

    For the long stay in Washington DC we are staying at the Cherry Hill RV CG.

    Thanks for the feedback... I'll now go try the Yoga Lotus position (if I don't get back to the forum right away, it's because I injured myself just trying to do the Yoga :) )

    Doug, Trudy, and Dale the Dog

    Doug,

    It is interesting how different people plan trips. When we leave on a cross country trip I have no idea where we will be staying. We use the Trailer Life Directory and Woodall's Campground Directory as our reference. Generally, we will determine where we want to be the next stop on the trip and then look for a suitable campground in the area. If we plan to stay for a while we'll be pickier about our campground, if it is just a night or two, we can flex a little and take a less desirable campground. We don't plan on spending a lot of time in the campground generally so we aren't as concerned about the campground facilities beyond the full hook-ups.

    We almost never make reservations in advance. In fact, I hate to have a schedule that I have to stick to. If we decide it is too far to a campground for a day's trip, we can stop somewhere along the way or change to a different campground without having to cancel reservations. If we are finding campgrounds near full or worried about getting a space at a preferred campground we will call ahead before arriving at the campground. We typically call an hour or two before our arrival in this case. That way it saves us a drive to a full campground and allows us to re-route to a campground with space without wasting fuel or time. We have seldom found a campground so full that there wasn't some kind of space available.

    Once we have reservations at a campground or a series of campgrounds then we are committed to a schedule. Did I say, I really don't like schedules? I had enough of them when I was working! With no schedule then we are free to do what we want when we want.

  13. Posted · Report reply

    In getting ready for the four- to five-week cross-country trip and I've concluded that picking RV campgrounds is the most difficult and time consuming part of the trip planning. There is either too much information or not enough, I'm not sure which. I have used the Good Sam online trip planner because of the various planning options that can be turned on or off.

    I did find one trip planning company but they only plan trips on the western part of the country ... not the Midwest or East Coast. Hmmm, there might be a potential business waiting to be started.

    DougC

  14. Posted · Report reply

    We will be leaving from Washington, D.C., and heading down the East Coast, using I-95 to I-64, at Norfolk, Va., we pick up U.S. 13, then U.S. 17 Jacksonville, N.C., then U.S. 17 to Charleston S.C., then U.S. 17 to Savannah Ga., then I-95 to Lake City Fla., then I-75 to Tallahassee, FLa.

    Any thoughts regarding RV campgrounds would be gladly appreciated. Thanks.

    DougC

  15. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks Jack for the information.

    I just received a Michelin RV Tire manual... they state changing tires at least every ten years... sooner with cracks, etc.

    Doug

    Facing the same thing on my 2003 Country Coach, same size tire.

    Seven years is my limit, so I am replacing the Toyo tires that came on it. Tread still good, and no cracks, just too much age. I figure one blow out will cause a set of tires cost in damage, even if I do not wreck, so will replace them this week.

    Looked at Michelins, have them on all my cars, but found some questionable comments on that size tire, 22.5R12.

    My coach is first class, and the folks that built it really knew what they were doing, so I am going with Toyo that originally came on it, and cost about $1,200 a set less than Michelins.

    YMMV

  16. Posted · Report reply

    There is a nice state park near Tyler, Texas if you get down on I-20. I don't know anything about I-40. When we are up in that area we have relatives who we stay with.

    RV Park, Tyler State Park, 903-597-5338, 789 Park Road, Tyler Texas 75706

    Thanks for the information.

    DougC

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Thank you for the information, it is helpful.

    DougC

    Here's Michelins "official" stance on cracking. This is from the Michelin RV Tire Guide.

    "If the cracks are less than 1/32" deep the tire is fine to run. Between 1/32" and 2/32" the tire is suspect and should be examined by your Michelin dealer. If the cracks are any deeper than 2/32" (1/16") the tire should be replace immediately"

  18. Posted · Report reply

    I used a Roadmaster Falcon 2 on a Saturn and Jeep, both worked fine.

    DougC

    I am looking at a new tow bar and was considering s Roadmaster Sterling tow bar. Does anyone have any comment on this tow bar as far as ease of use or any other comments?

    I am also looking at the Roadmaster Falcon 2 and the Blue Ox Avental. DOes anyone have any comments on which of the three they would buy and why

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Howdy,

    Ok, it appears we have the FMCA blog started... we now have to figure out how to have family and friends, outside of the FMCA community, read the blog. I find that is easier said then done.

    By now, after a days worth of blog stuff, I probably have a number of blogs set up out in the Internet universe, none of which are connected to each other or FMCA.

    Soooo, it seems to avoid retyping everything, I have to decide to continue with the FMCA blog and then copy and paste the blog into an email account for family and friends, or go with a separate Internet blog. However, right at this moment, I'll pause for a cool one.

    Doug

  20. Posted · Report reply

    Brett,

    Again thanks for the Allison information.

    I have another question. my 2003 Newmar KS has 32,310 miles on it which is about 5,500 miles on average driven per year (not very much.) Ususally I just get in the RV, turn the key on and put it into gear (I've never used the economy mode).

    Now I'm planning the 7-8,000 trip in June and would like to get the best performance out of the engine/transmission and also not abuse the engine/transmission.

    So I plan to use the economy mode and down shift as needed. When in mountains I'll move into regular mode. I usually leave the exhaust brake on, which I find helps both in stop and go traffic and coming down a hill.

    My question is about accelerating and general highway driving. From a complete stop is it better to slowly depress the gas pedal to come up to speed or to fully depress and let RV come up to the appropriate speed (safety first) and then back off the pedel?

    Then, for highway crusing, again safety first along with speed limits, does the Cat 3126 perform better at 60, 65, or 70 mph? While the RV will get up 75 mph, I find 65 mph is a comforable highway speed. The Michelin tires 275/70R22.5 I think are rated for 65 mph.

    Also, I'm told that when coming off the highway that the engine should idle/cool down a few minutes before it is shut off. Does that make sense?

    Thanks again,

    DougC

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Tom,

    thanks for the help... I found the blog stuff.... I'm told this is intuitive (not sure what that means!). anyway, we'll start to tell our trip story...

    Doug

    Doug,

    When you are logged in, go to the community page and look at the top of the page. There is a line that has My Controls, View New Posts, etc. I think that you can go to My Controls and look at the left side of the page for the menus. There should be one that says My Blog. Mine won't give me a choice to start a Blog but I think that is because I already have one. If you click on the Blog menu item it should come up with a page for creating a blog. Name it, put your names as desired on it and start with your first entry.

    There may also be an entry on the community page next to My Controls that says My Blog. Clicking that entry may bring up the start a Blog page. If neither of these suggestions work, just start probing around on the My Controls page and you should find it somewhere. It can't be too difficult, I found it! :rolleyes:

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