DougC

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

Newbie Blogger here. I received some very helpful blog process information from the FMCA IT Manager and another member, but now I misplaced their responses .... Anyway, thanks for the helpful information.

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 -------------------- Doug & Trudy F407567 2003 Newmar Kountry Star 3702 Freightliner Chassis, Cat 3126-330 HP, Allison 3000 6 speed Mileage: 32,210 7.5 KW Onan Quiet Diesel Generator Precision Temp Water Heater (instant heat)

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

Howdy All, this is the first entry for our cross country trip blog.... the idea for the trip started about a month ago.... and now has growned into an actual "go do" thing.. One of the things to deal with trip planning is just too much information available... there is AAA auto club, Good Sam Club, FMCA, and others.... whew! We've sorta settled on using the Good Sam trip planner as it will identify rest areas, dump sites, fueling stations, state road conditions. We use that along with a AAA TripTik. And then Google maps gets used. The other effort has been getting the RV ready for a long trip.... the Newmar Kountry Star only has 32,000 miles on it... but I still check tires (I plan to replace the steering tires), engine tune-up, diesel generator tuneup, the 2 slides, and the list goes on. We gave up on satellite TV, it got way to complicated... and you have to sign up for two years... so we'll make do with CG cable and the RV tv antenna, along with movies.

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

Brett, Good information, the best explanation I've read about the Allison 3000 mode button. Thanks. DougC

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

OK, here is a newbie question.... how do we start a blog? You can stop laughing now thanks

Howdy, We are in the process of planning a June cross country trip, about 7,000 miles, and thought it might be fun to keep a trip jounal. It appears there so many options, which method works the best? thanks Doug & Trudy

Gary, Thanks for email, the CG information is very helpful. Doug

Thanks Gary, I called Michelin and they are mailing a RV tire book. DougC 2003 Newmar KSDP 3702 Cat. 350 with Cummings 6 spd, Jake Break, Freightliner Chassis 32,000 miles current mileage Planning first long trip, Palm Springs CA to Washington DC and back, June 2009 (est. 7,000 miles)

Brett, Thanks for information... the fingernail quick check is useful. As we are getting ready to take our first trip, a 7,000 mile trip, I'm a bit nervous about everything. Thanks again, DougC

Xplorer, Thanks for the quick reply and feedback, DougC

I have a 2003 diesel pusher with 32,000 miles. Tires are 275/70R22.5 Michelins. The tires have good tread remaining. I've been told about sidewall cracks, and I have some hairline cracks on the sidewalls. But what is a normal? Do I just change tires anytime there is a crack? Thanks. DougC

Soon we are taking our first long trip in our motorhome, from Palm Springs, CA to Washington, D.C. We are allowing an average of 300 miles per day and plan overnight stops in Sedona AZ, the Albuquerque NM area, Amarillo TX area, Oklahoma City area, Branston MO area, Nashville TN area, Hillsville VA area, ending up at Cherry Hill Park, in College Park MD. I'm researching RV parks that we could stay at during our journey from Palm Springs to Washington, D.C. Any suggestions or comments are welcome. Thanks. DougC

I'm a trying to decide on which satellite TV service to install. I understand there are only two available, DirecTV and DishTV. I have a 2003 Newmar Kountry Star with a KVR AutoTrac SF antenna. Any feedback would. be helpful. Thanks. DougC