StellersJay

Tom, a friend is using an approx. $30 steam generator from Walmart to help loosen the adhesive. He says it helps and does not damage his paint. The process was tedious, but I just worked at it an hour or so at a time and then stood back and admired my work. ;-) Sam

We attended the Balloon Fiesta last year with the Four Corners Airstream group. That is a great experience! We could see the assentions through our MH front window, while we had the generator nunning, listening to the local NBC station describe the activities, and drinking hot coffee. I know you will enjoy the experience. FMCA also has a Balloon Fiesta Rally that sounds GREAT! Happy travels in your motor home! Sam

Our 2004 Airstream Land Yacht has (or had) a plastic coating that was applied to all the leading surfaces below the windshield. During the last couple of years, the film started cracking and looking ugly. I hope the photo I attempted to attach below comes through. It shows the extent of the cracking. Yesterday, I completed the task of scraping all the 3-M film from the front of our rig. I left the film on the dark blue paint that is below the grill on the front of the rig, since it did not show the cracks in the film like on the lighter blue paint. Removing the film is a time consuming job, but with the aid of a plastic scraper that uses orange, plastic, double edge blades that look like a razor blade, the job was completed without doing any damage to the paint job. The orange, plastic double edge blades are called Miniscraper and are at http://www.miniscraper.com/. I purchased the blade holder with 25 blades plus a box of 100 blades from Amazon. I probably used 30 to 40 blades on the project. A sharp blade works much better than a dull blade. The paint finish, after cleaning and polishing, looked like the finish on the rest of the rig. Only damage was where the original installer "scratched" the paint as they trimmed the 3-M film around the edges. I parked the rig where the front would be in full sun. My thought was that the heat from the summer sun would make the film easier to remove. After a couple of sessions in the sun, I decided that it was easier to scrape the film while the rig, and the scrapper (me), was in the shade. Early in the process, I tried a heat gun, but was afraid I would apply too much heat and damage the paint. Using the cold scrape method, I can't see anywhere that I damaged the paint or clear coat. The process is slow. If I got too aggressive, the cracked film was even more difficult to remove. I took my time and let the sharp corner of the blade cut the adhesive layer between the 3-M film and the paint. If, after a number of strokes with the blade, I got a strip of plastic an inch wide I thought I was doing good. I worked on the film removal about one to one and one-half hour at a time. I probably took maybe 15 to 17 hours total to remove the film. I purchased Turtle Wax Label & Sticker Remover at Walmart to remove the adhesive. It comes in a 10 oz. spray can. After removing the film, there was a lot of adhesive left on the paint. To clean the adhesive residue, I would spray the fluid on, let it set a couple of minutes, then use the plastic scraper to assist in removing the adhesive. Two or three applications left the surface clean and ready to polish. Sam

Have you weighed your truck? I had a 2002 2500HD Duramax extended cab, long bed and it weighed just over 7000 pounds on the truck scales at Flying J. Not much difference, but while evaluating, it could make a difference. BTW, the Duramax/Allison is a great combination. I towed before I got the MH, and the Duramax did all I asked and still got, for that size vehicle, decent mileage. Sam

Also check your airbags (bladder inside front coil springs) for correct air pressure. Mine are at 70 PSIG. The valve to fill the airbags on my rig is on top of the radiator. To find yours, trace the hose that comes out of the bottom of the air bag. I'm with Brett, alignment is critical, as is air pressure. My Workhorse chassis unit seemed to road wander more than was comfortable when I got it in 2009. I installed new Michelin RV tires, had tires balanced, had it aligned, installed new air bags and now it is very well behaved on the road. As Brett says, they do not drive like a car, but presently it does not require constant steering wheel corrections to maintain the proper highway course. If you do not have a tire monitoring system, check your tires before every trip (check tire pressure when tires are cold) and as oftem as needed during the trip. Feel of your tires at every stop you make. Sam

Verizon, AT&T, and others, have a small device about the size of a pack of playing cards that can be used to access wi-fi. Our Verizon unit is called a Jet Pack. Cost was $50 per month and it comes with 5 GB of data. Is is supposed to provide a secure wi-fi connection. We purchased the unit in CA and used it, as required, across I-8 and I-10 and had service anytime we needed it. The device does work while mobile as long as you have a cell phone tower signal, but the 5 GB of data can be eaten up quickly if you watch movies or Skype. The service is 4G when available, and on a 4G connection it is very fast. A number of devices can connect to the Internet through the Jet Pack (I think it is 10), but access is password protected. You could consider a device such as this for when you need secure Internet access and use the open wi-fi services such as in campgrounds, rest stops and McDonalds for general web surfing when you don't need a secure connection. For general Internet access, I really like my iPad, but still use a Windows lap top computer for general computer work. Sam

Our 2004 Airstream Land Yacht (30 ft. with one slide, 8.1 l gas) is listed as 122 inches high. This unit was produced through 2005 and comes in 26, 30, 30 with slide, and 33 ft. lengths, all with the 8.1 GM engine. Sam

Sounds like the start of a sequel to Robin Williams' "RV" movie. ;-) Despite all the troubles, you state, "The next six days were the best days we have ever had as a family." This sums up the ultimate goal of the RVing experience. Glad you could say that, in spite of all your problems. Welcome to the forum. You have paid your dues; now for more fun adventures. Sam

If you carry firearms, be aware of the rules. Sam

If at all possible stay on the Baloon Fiesta Grounds. We attended last year with the Four Corners WBCCI (Airstream) group. We dry camped on the grounds with "front row" RV parking for the event. The ticket booth to get into the grounds was about 100 feet from the front of our MH and the Balloon Museum grounds was adjacent to where we parked. My observation and opinion: If you have to drive into the event, the traffic is very heavy and the roads near the Fiesta Grounds are like one large parking lot. Therefore, you have to leave early, long before dawn, to get to the event by the time the assention activities start. Problem is, after the long drive, and a usually cold wait (remember the altitude -- the mornings are cool to cold) the events for the day may be cancelled due to high winds. It was nice to sit in the MH, turn on the generator, make a pot of coffee, open the front curtains and watch the morning activities. We turned on the local NBC TV station to get ongoing coverage of the activities. There are also Smart Phone apps for daily schedules, balloon information, and such. FMCA also has what sounds like a good Rally for the Balloon Fiesta. Bottom line, this is a great event to have on the Bucket List. We enjoyed it very much, but were thankful we didn't have to get the toad out into the heavy (stopped) traffic. Sam

Check your hydraulic fluid level. It only has to be low by a very small amount for the alarm to sound. Been there; done that. Al least on my jacks, the "up" sensor is a switch in the hydraulic fluid tank. Be sure to read your book or information posted on the hydraulic unit to see what "fluid" is required for your system. Mine takes automatic transmission fluid. Sam

As an aside, when you get into Louisiana, take I-12 (North Route). It is shorter and much smoother than I-10 which skirts the north side of New Orleans. Rayne, Louisiana has a nice convention center and RV park just on the south side of I-10. Spots are grass, but level and large. It is easy walking distance to eating and grocery places. If someone isn't on duty to collect, you can pay at the police station. It is on the corner where you turn off the main street into the RV park. I think the last time we were there they charged $20 per night. Sam

One of our early camping experiences was at Lake of Egypt in Marion, IL. It was our first time out for the season and my brother and family camped next door to us. It was also their first time out for the season. About 2 a.m., they knocked on our rig's door and said they had to go home, something was all over them. We later found that a bird had nested in the refrigerator vent and during the night, chicken mites from the birds came into the camper and found new hosts. As a child, I worked around chickens, so I know how bad chicken mites can be. If you get one, you feel as if you have them all over you. Lots of stories from 50+ years of camping. Sam

My 2 cents---If the rig is stable immediately after the jacks are deployed, you most likely do not have air in your hydraulic lines. If the rig is initially stable but becomes less stable over time (shaky), then I would expect a slow leak (either internal - valve leaking by, or external) in the hydraulic system. Sam

Near Evansville.

I used Passport America on a trip this Fall and Winter from IN to CA and back through FL before going home to IN. While travelling, we used PA almost every night. As stated earlier, each park makes their own restrictions, so you have to read the information in the book or website. There were no problems receiving the discount per the rules in the directory. We very seldom called ahead, but we stopped between noon and 2 PM. We generally try to avoid the parks that are too far away from our travel route. Also the park description usually gives a good indication of the type of park. Some we stayed at were basically a gravel pad with services and others were a resort type park. I have been a PA member for many years and think it is a good value. As an aside, if you have a smart phone or other such device, get the Gas Buddy app. It will find the closest station or best price for gasoline or diesel. You choose your parameters in the app. We saved a lot on gas during the trip by uning the app. Have a great trip and take time to "smell the roses" on the way. Sam

Red light cameras are installed to generate revenue. Safety benefits, if any, are a secondary issue. IMHO Sam

The bottom line is, red light cameras are for revenue generation. Safety benefits, if any, are just a secondary benefit. IMHO Sam

I have been in Marvin Ingram RV in Montgomery, AL a couple of time. I have not had any personal dealings with them, other than to look at a couple of coaches, but think that they would be on a short list of dealers worth checking out. http://www.ingramrvcenter.com/ Sam

When we had a trailer, we stayed at http://www.cityofgolden.net/play/recreation-attractions/clear-creek-rv-park/ It is a short walk or drive from Golden, CO and is a good base camp for exploring the mountains (Rocky Mountain National Park), Buffalo Bill's Grave and Museum, Coors Brewery, and Denver. Would need to call ahead to see if the park can accomodate a your size rig. Sam

We stayed at a Passport America park in Holbrook, AZ while we visited the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest. Be sure you have your Golden Age Passport. The PA park was clean. It was an old motel that had been closed, but it was OK. The National Parks are just a few miles east of the PA park. We always enjoy Benson, AZ. We stayed at San Pedro Resort. It is a clean park and has some good bird watching opportunities at the north end of the park at a bird feeding station. We took a side trip in the toad to Tombstone, AZ and Bisbee, AZ. You will need both ACs for the hot afternoons. Main thing we found on the grades was to not get in a big hurry going up the hills and gear down and keep speed under control going down hill. We also took a side trip to Cortez, CO and stayed at a nice PA park. From there, it is a very short drive to Four Corners and Mesa Verde. Mesa Verde is well worth the trip. Afternoon sun seems to be best for photo shoots. There is a nice drive to Four Corners, but Four Corners itself is just an Indian Market and a monument at what was formerly thought to be the four corners. You may want to get your photo while standing in all four states. If you have a Smart Phone, get the Gas buddy app. We used it a lot on the trip and found Sams Clubs to have the best price for most of our fill ups (worked for us since we use gas; diesel not available at many Sans Clubs). You may have to disconnect your toad at some stations. We didn't, but some were tight. It is a looooong drive across Texas on I-10. Sam

Don't forget backing. I assume by a car hauler, you mean a trailer that will carry the second vehicle. If your set-up is capable of being backed up, remember the possibility of the corner of the trailer hitting the corner of the motor home.

We winter at Land Yacht Harbor in Melbourne, FL (http://www.landyachtharbormelbourne.com/). It is an Airstream park, but there are many other brands in the park. It is a shareholder owned park, approximately 300 shares and many of the shareholders winter at LYH. We own our land and all the facilities. It is a No Pets park, and there are restrictions on the length of rigs that the park can accomodate. The rent is reasonable and it is very close to shopping, and such. The beach is about three miles east and Disney about 60 miles west. We have stayed at LYH since 2004 and in Melbourne since 2000. Sam

I like the Enchanted Trails RV Park on the west side of Albuquerque. It is next door to Camping World, close to the Interstate interchange and easy to get to. The camp ground has a nice store and laundry room. It is not far from Old Town. As I recall, it is a Passport America park. There is also a flying J, just one or two exits west. Sam

We made a recent two and a half month trip out West. We drove a total of 4940.4 miles and used 533.978 gallons of gas for an average of 9.25 MPG in our 2004 Airstream Land Yacht, 30 ft. motor home with one slide and towing a Toyota Corolla. The trip took us from southern Indiana to the west coast and back to Melbourne, FL. Our speed was typically 60 MPH and I also took the rig out of cruse control when aproaching a hill to prevent premature downshifting. We were mainly on I-44, I-40, I-17, I-10, and I-8 with a side trip from Albuquerque, NM to Cortez, CO. We used the generator, but probably no more than a total of five hours. This rig has a Workhorse chassis, GM tranmission, and 8.1-L GM engine. Sam