backpacker1

My 2016, Dynamax DX3 motorhome came with two Samsung Smart LED TVs. We use them primarily for over the air and RV Park cable. At one RV Park, the manager said I needed to use his remote for reception from his cable provider. I tried the remote on one of our TVs. The remote did not get me a clear picture. Worse, I can no longer receive a clear cable picture with any RV Park cable. Over the air and Internet reception is not affected. The bedroom TV is not affected. Anyone know what might be wrong with my television?

Ben and All, Ford publishes annual guides, entitled "RV & Trailer Towing Guide" on towing their vehicles as well as using their vehicles to tow. See http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/ Their Guide for 2016 says the 2016 Fusion can be toad. You should also go to the Ford Internet site and find the "Owner's Manual." Use the index to find the page. They give instructions on how to safely tow a Ford. I am considering a Ford Edge. The guide says that two of their powertrains for the Edge can be towed, The guide does not mention a third. The Owner's Manual say the third powertrain cannot be towed. The Owner's Manual also states that the negative (black) cable from the battery should be removed for towing. There are additional instructions given on preventing damage to the transmission. I am new to towing. I am looking for a vehicle to tow. Can anyone tell me how best to power the braking system, including the tail lights, when the negative cable is removed from the battery? Gerard

Hello Nick and Tom, Thank you for your responses. My wife and I have backpacked for many years. We found with age, backpacking wasn't working as well for us as it once did. As backpackers, we traveled solo, with loosely organized groups, and once with a commercial mountain climbing school. My preference is the loosely organized groups for the camaraderie and strength that comes with numbers. I would have thought with an organization like FMCA, there might be such a group heading north this summer. Best regards, Gerard

This morning, I received an email from FMCA entitled, "Ultimate North American Road Trip." The email from FMCA forwarded an email from the Office of the Governor of the State of Alaska and Ministers of the Provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Yukon Territory. The email reads, "On behalf of the governments of Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon, we invite you to experience the Ultimate North American Road Trip, an epic adventure that takes you through Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon on the way to Alaska. The email goes on to offer planning information. Is someone leading a caravan trip to Alaska during spring or summer 2016? If not, is there any interest in a trip to Alaska? Gerard

I have high quality cables and dual wheels. I have been advised to install the cables by running the inner wheel up on a board to raise the outer wheels clear of the ground. My motorhome is on a Ford E-450 chassis. Putting the cables on with the wheel off the ground looks doable. Otherwise, installing the cables which I have looks impossible. My motorhome was not designed for operation in subfreezing temperatures. Installing cables is only one of several challenges I could face if I operate under subfreezing temperatures.. Gerard

Hello George, I frequently make the trip back and forth from the Portland, OR area to the LA area and sometimes east from there on I-10. In the winter, I usually take U.S. 101 north of LA all the way to Reedsport, OR and then east on Oregon 38 to I-5. I find U.S. 101 a more pleasant drive and, for the most part, I do not have to be concerned about snow or subfreezing temperatures. U.S. 101 will take you west of the Siskiyou Mountains and the Pacific Coast Range. Once into Oregon, if you want to head east to I-5, take Oregon 38. It will take you east to I-5 without the high elevations and "carry chains or other traction devices" signs encountered along other east/west highways crossing the coastal range. I carry chains as Oregon requires, but try to maintain my record of never using them on my motorhome and, further, I avoid the mountain passes where Oregon requires that you carry them in the winter. While snow is uncommon in the Willamette River Valley, if forecasted, continue north on U.S. 101. Winters are mild along the California and Oregon coasts. You are likely to find state park campgrounds to be open and utilities available. Many of these parks are on the Pacific Ocean and attractive. The stretch of U.S. 101 north from San Francisco to Eureka, CA moves inland. I usually try to plan the trip so nights are near the Pacific Ocean and the mild camping conditions it offers. Do not take U.S. 199 out of Crescent City, CA. It goes northeast over the mountains on a narrow winding road. CA 1 is scenic, but slow. Have a safe trip, Gerard

Bill, The point is for appurtenances, such as, slide toppers and awnings, the legal width for these devices is 102", plus 4" for appurtenances on the left and another 6" for appurtenances on the right, for a total of 112". That is the case in Oregon, according to Oregon law, as I read it. Other states might have similar provisions. Most references, such as by the Automobile Association of America, on vehicle width and much of the discussion on this thread focused on just 102". As I stated when I started this thread, I am considering buying a new motorhome. I do not want to buy a new motorhome with the knowledge that it violates my home state's width restrictions because the slide toppers or awning put the vehicle width beyond 102". For the reasons stated in the previous paragraph, the new motorhome will not violate my state's width restriction. The point for anyone reading this thread is as follows: Should you ever find yourself accused of violating a state's width restrictions because you motorhome is wider than 102", do not be too quick to plead guilty. Read the law for yourself. Gerard

My thanks to everyone that responded. There appears to be a good understanding that 8 1/2 feet (102 inches) is the legal width, but not a good understand as to how slide covers and awnings are allowed to exceed that limit. Further research for my home state found this provision extracted from among the Oregon statutes, Chapter 818 — Vehicle Limits 2013 EDITION VEHICLE LIMITS OREGON VEHICLE CODE 818.080 Maximum size limits. This section establishes maximum size limits for purposes of ORS 818.090. Except where an exemption under ORS 818.100 specifically provides otherwise, any vehicle or load thereon that exceeds a maximum allowable size as determined by any of the following tables exceeds the maximum size limits for purposes of ORS 818.090: (1) A vehicle or combination of vehicles, as appropriate, exceeds the maximum allowable size if a dimension of the vehicle, combination of vehicles or load thereon is beyond an applicable maximum size allowable on the following table: ______________________________________________________________________________ TABLE I Dimension Limit applicable to: Maximum limited: allowable size, in feet, for dimension limited: (1) Total outside width................................ Any vehicle................................. 8 ½ 818.100 Exemptions from size limitations. This section establishes exemptions from the maximum size limitations under ORS 818.080 and 818.090. The exemptions under this section are in addition to any exemptions under ORS 801.026. Operation in accordance with one of the exemptions described is not subject to ORS 818.090. Exemptions are partial or complete as described in the following: (15) A recreational vehicle may exceed the maximum width established under ORS 818.080 if the excess width is attributable to an appurtenance that does not extend beyond the body of the vehicle by more than four inches, or if a passenger-side awning, by more than six inches. As used in this subsection, “appurtenance” means an appendage that is installed by a factory or a vehicle dealer and is intended as an integral part of the recreational vehicle. “Appurtenance” does not include an item temporarily affixed or attached to the exterior of a vehicle for the purpose of transporting the item from one location to another. “Appurtenance” does not include an item that obstructs the driver’s rearward vision. The entire vehicle code can be found at https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/lawsstatutes/2013ors818.html Gerard

I am shopping for a new motorhome. Many motor coaches are 101 inches wide. In addition, they will frequently have a few more inches on each side for slide toppers or awnings. Total width is over the 102 inches maximum, excluding safety devices such as mirrors, allowable in most states. Are these motor coaches in violation of state law, or am I applying the law incorrectly? Thank you for whatever advice you might provide. Gerard