akadeadeye
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Posts posted by akadeadeye
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I know this topic has probably been "exhausted" (har, har) but I want my understanding to be clear.
I have an Engine Brake and an Allison 3000 transmission. I use the engine brake quite often when descending hills and mountains but would like to learn to use downshifting as well. Can the two be used at the same time? If I am applying the engine brake in either low or high mode, do I even need to worry about also manually downshifting? If I downshift to, say, 3, and reach a levelling off part of the mountain will it automatically upshift or do I have to do that?
Don
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This is a route for your towed, not your MH and your towed, unless you just want to "outdo" the next person. Sheer dropoffs, no guard rails, and often fallen rocks and debris are what you encounter along this route along with overly tight turns, even if you are on the inside lane, you are subjecting your MH to the rocks on the right. Oh well, if you have enough Evel Knievel in you, go for it. Otherwise, pick another route.
Don
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Try the Good Sam Trip Planner. I have been using it and like it.
Don
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I guess I need a tutorial on how to use this new Forum website. Why did you change it??????????
Where do I go to see the New Content like it was before for each Thread, instead of each individual post as they happen which is what I see now. I don't want to see each individual post on everything. I want to see the subject matter and be able to choose what subject I want to pursue. Help.
Don
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It sure would be nice if we had a reference point which summarized all the changes so we know where everything is compared to where it was. If this has been done, please post where it is. If it has not been done, please do so. It is very frustrating if you assume all of us can intuitively figure out what you have done.
Have a good day. We are not.
Don
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Don, that tunnel at Zion looks really cool. I missed it on the website
Gary
It's cool going through it in a toad but I don't think my pucker would last long enough in our big rig!
Don
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The tunnel he refers to I believe is the one in Zion NP. For big rigs they have to close it down to traffic and you have to drive in the middle of the tunnel which has many many curves. It would not be fun. We have seen Zion twice approaching from the east. A good plan is to drive a little north to Glendale, UT stay at Bauer's Canyon Ranch RV Park and use the toad to drive through Zion. If you don't have a toad then, yes, you should take the southern route and approach Zion from the west.
I second the notion to drive west from Durango to Cortez, squeeze in Mesa Verde, head southwest to four corners, Monument Valley, travel through Page, AZ and see Lake Powell and the Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River. Spectacular!! I also agree that traveling through Farmington is kind of like an intermission with no popcorn.
A very scenic trip you have planned. Hope you have time to see Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks while you are parked in Glendale, UT.
Don
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I do have a question, that I have been meaning to check on in other counties of Texas.
My coach is registered in Galveston County and last year I paid $882 in tag fee, this year it was $762 (might have been a type-o). Is it the same in the other Co? State is by weight, but I don't know how much that is....anybody?
Carl
Carl, Mine is about $360 for Kendall County, Texas
Don
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Carl/Bill,
I found the reference to Tow Dolly in the Texas Motor Vehicle Registration Manual. It is under Towing Devices in the Table of Contents and is on Page 2-20. It says that Tow Dollys do not need to be registered. I suppose this means they don't need to have license plates but it does not specifically say that.
Don
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Carl, not arguing about what the local cops told you. What I quoted is from the Texas Motor Vehicle Registration Manual
The part on "tow dolly's" is under semitrailers.
Fun fact, tow dolly's for use behind a motorhome are not registered or controlled but the dolly behind the main wheels on a ready mix truck to spread the weight are licensed.
Bill
Bill, I read the section on semi-trailers in the Manual you mentioned but I found no reference to tow dolly. I know this is a pdf document, but can you point it out?
Don
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Joe. I agree, surprised me too!
Bill/Don. It's kind of like this: When I went to the DMV in Galveston and asked for the book so I could upgrade my license for a 26,001 + MH. They told me I did not need an A or B, so did a State Trooper that was there! So, if I was stopped by a cop...would I just tell him to ask Galveston? Per the cops in Gladewater, TX. I need a plate on my trailers...per the Sheriff Dept. in Edwards County, TX. I need plates on my trailers, even on my property, because it has a road that cuts thru 75 ac. of a 2 section Ranch property. I don't argue with them...
Carl
Carl, I agree with the confusion from one DMV office to another. I looked at the Texas DMV and trailer requirements and could not find "tow dolly" either being required to have a license or being exempt from a license. What document did you use in order to get your license for your dolly? I do not have a VIN for my dolly and I believe all I got from the place I bought it from was a receipt, not a bill of sale. What do they use to "register" a dolly?
Not arguing, just trying to find out a source in the law. Not successful so far.
Don
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Joe. I agree, surprised me too!
Bill/Don. It's kind of like this: When I went to the DMV in Galveston and asked for the book so I could upgrade my license for a 26,001 + MH. They told me I did not need an A or B, so did a State Trooper that was there! So, if I was stopped by a cop...would I just tell him to ask Galveston? Per the cops in Gladewater, TX. I need a plate on my trailers...per the Sheriff Dept. in Edwards County, TX. I need plates on my trailers, even on my property, because it has a road that cuts thru 75 ac. of a 2 section Ranch property. I don't argue with them...
Carl
Carl, I checked with our county treasurer today about license fees and registrations and she said none were required for car tow dolly's. I guess some are doing it different than others.
Don
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In Texas, if it has a wheel or more, it's considered a trailer and have to have a plate that's up to date. Also lights. The only exception to that is if it or what's on it will be used in a parade or 100% of the time on private property you don't need plates, just light....if a county maintained road runs thru the property, then you need plates, lights and brakes if over 2,500 pounds.
Hope that makes sense! It never has to me...
Carl
Carl, I believe your information is incorrect. Before I bought our dolly I was told by a DPS office no plates were required on a tow dolly in Texas. I have towed it around 19 states in the past 6 years with no issues.
Don
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Check out Bauer's Canyon Ranch RV Park in Glendale, UT. Small family owned park with only about 22 spaces but it is clean, quiet and very convenient to Bryce, Zion, Cedar Breaks. We have stayed there twice to do what you are going to do.
Don
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Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
Don
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One thing to consider when selecting a tire brand is the question of support service and product availability especially if you don't carry a spare.
Tireman9, In your experience, is Toyo as readily available as Michelin, or vice versa. I am having a hard time locating six XRV 305/70R/22.5 in my neck of the woods.
Don
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I know there are some recent comments about availability on the XRV 305/70R/22.5 but I know nothing about Toyo and a dealer who handles both said I should try the Toyo since he couldn't find but 4 Michelins in our area. What about Toyo? Should I wait for the Michelins? I will not be replacing until Spring, but trying to plan ahead.
Don
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Stephen, So sorry to hear of your accident. My wife is also paraplegic from a motorcycle accident. We have a Newmar Allstar wheelchair accessible class A motorhome we bought new in 2009. It is a diesel mid-engine design on a Spartan chassis. Newmar discontinued this chassis build but now still offers wheelchair accessible units in the Canyon Star, Ventana, and Dutch Star. The Canyon Star has a gas engine and is lower in price. You might check with Jon Steinbring of Steinbring Motorcoaches in Garfield, Minnesota. He is a top notch guy and is a large Newmar dealer. I know he runs across a used wheelchair accessible unit from time to time. Tell him "Don from Texas" referred you to him. I'm sure other options are out there. I am just not familiar with any other than Newmar.
It is going to be difficult to find a totally accessible unit that isn't somewhat pricey. Some issues to consider are whether you can traverse the length of the coach in your wheelchair with slides "in". You can with the Newmar coaches. The height of the bed is another issue. For some, it is always too high because it is built over the bedroom slide mechanism and cannot be lowered to accomodate a normal transfer. If you have some good upper body strength you still might be able to do it, but you could need assistance.
Newmar tends to install the wheelchair lifts so that assistance is required from another person, but you can modify this so that you can be the one who operates the lift from inside or outside the coach. Keep in mind that the door must be on a remote mechanism also since it obviously has to be opened from the inside or outside before the lift can work. I do these things for my wife but if I were not there, she would have to have some significant modifications to "take my place" so to speak.
Good luck on your search.
Don
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I second Brett's mention of Buckhorn in Kerrville. There is also Alamo Fiesta RV Resort in Boerne, TX, right down the road from Kerrville closer to San Antonio and close to Boerne, a quaint little German town.
Don
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National chains have on line booking ( KOA, Jellystone, etc.) the smaller parks have pressure from several outside sources and seem to reply on "word of mouth" or some of the newer online peer review website / apps like "RV Parky" Many of these camp grrounds are family owned 20, 30 and 40+ years they have a very loyal local customer base and just don't require on line registration to "meet" their business model.
This goes to jrwitt's point. Large chains have all the bells and whistles. And you pay for it. KOA's prices are almost always the highest in any area you will stay. Actually, we like small mom and pop parks if they are clean and in good areas. I don't mind calling to make a reservation because I understand the limitations of the budget on these small businesses.
Don
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How do you check boost. I don't find a boost gauge on my dash.
Don
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I am trying to find out what specific type of coolant to add to my generator. Unbelievably, I called Cummins South Plains outlet near me and the lady in the parts department first told me that RV generators did not use coolant. Oh boy! Nothing she said after that was believable to me. Reviewed manual and it said use ethylene glycol 50/50.
What do you use? Are there coolants already 50/50 mixed?
Don
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Be sure your tank gauge is set to a higher psi. My tank is rated for 150 psi also but there is a gauge where I can lower the psi. There is an adjustment knob to do this. I had this problem once and finally noticed that someone had messed with the gauge and lowered it to 100 psi. I raised it to 150. Problem solved.
Don
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Joe,
Now that you have your Ice Cream readily available you might need that 125 lbs. savings. You may just shift the location of that weight elsewhere.
Herman
My waistline is safe until Blue Bell returns to the shelves.
Don
Downhill Downshifting and Engine Braking
in Engines
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Tom, This is the info I was looking for. Thanks for your reply. All good comments by others as well. I have just never manually downshifted, always relying on the engine brake in either high or low setting, but wondering if combining the two is advisable. I doubt we will encounter any grades steeper than 9-10% and slow and easy, plus the engine brake has worked before, but I do find myself using service brakes a little more than I want to so I was wondering if I should be downshifting as well.
Don