Spring is coming ...
 

On 3/18/14, 7:35 PM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:25:13 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:

On 3/18/14, 6:04 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/18/2014 5:40 PM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:03:16 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 3/18/2014 3:25 PM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:18:37 -0400, H*a*r*r*o*l*d
wrote:

On 3/18/2014 1:36 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:15:14 -0400, H*a*r*r*o*l*d

wrote:

On 3/18/2014 12:55 AM, wrote:
On Mon, 17 Mar 2014 21:49:28 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Mon, 17 Mar 2014 17:21:20 -0500, Boating All Out
wrote:

If I had the money to spend I'd design a light trawler capable
of 15
mpg.

===

There's no such animal. Even small sailboats do not get that
kind of
fuel economy under most conditions.

I get around 8-9 MPG at hull speed in my boat.

I get around 8 or 9 mpg in my yacht.

===

How long do your tires last?


Don't know. They look new.

I'm going to have to bite the bullet and spend the bucks for some
tires for the Silverado. About
settled on Michelin LTX MS/2. WalMart's got 'em for $216, plus $12
mounting/balancing/etc. That's
$28/tire less than Costco - which also charges $15/tire for
mounting/balancing.


You need tires already? How many miles do you have on that beast?
My truck just turned 22,000 miles. Had it since 2008. Tires are still
like new, pretty much. I think they'll rot before they wear.


It's got 57,001 miles on it right now - most of those pulling that
trailer. These tires are probably
good for another 4-5K, but if we decide to take that trailer out to
Yellowstone, which is in our
thoughts, I wouldn't try it with this set.



We tried the RV thing for a while. Just never got into it. The first
TV and major trip was in a 36 or 37 foot Pace Arrow Class A motorhome.
JiminFl should remember that one well. I bought it brand new and we
were on our way to Florida, climbing some hills on Rt 84 in Virginia
somewhere.

All of a sudden I felt and heard an explosion but everything seemed
fine. I stopped for gas and was checking to see what the noise came
from. Discovered I must have caught a rock or something between the
tires on one rear side. (It had duals on the back). Whatever I hit
ripped a hole in the side wall of the inner tire and it was flat. It
was in a pretty remote area with nothing but hills and farms around.
Finally found a truck repair place and pulled in. Nice people but they
had to special order a new tire so we camped in their parking lot for
the night while they sent a guy to who knew where to pick up the tire.

That was the first of several bad experiences with that piece of junk.
Lost the brakes on it and had to be towed with a giant tow truck.
I also discovered that the rubber fuel line for the generator was
chaffing against a frame section that had been cut with a torch by the
manufacturer of the RV and left rough and ragged. (They cut the frame
to add an extension).

Got rid of it fast.



On our recent trip to south Florida, we flew for about $225 each round
trip, got the Exit Row seats, and got there in two hours and twenty
minutes. Rented a car for the week for $198. Stayed in a four/five star
hotel right on the beach for about $200 a night. Airfare, car rental and
hotel for under $1800. I spent $20 to fill the car with gas when turning
it in.

Big, comfy RV, towed by a diesel truck...hmmm...about 1200 miles each
way, total of 2400 miles getting there and back. 10-12 mpg, let's say
12. 200 gallons of diesel @4.00 a gallon. And that doesn't include wear
and tear on your tow vehicle and trailer... $800+ for fuel. And all
the wonderful sights along I-95. Blech. :)

It's a 15 to 20 hour drive in a car. Been there, done that. So, a full
day each way, and then you have to sleep for half a day when you get
there or back. Three days lost in travel and aftermath of travel.

Food on the road, three meals a day, at least $50 a day per person. Say
$125 for food on the road.

Six nights in a first-class beachfront RV park. That I don't know...but
there were no such RV parks where we were. $75 a night? $500?

And you really truly have to enjoy driving and driving and driving. I
*hate* that.

Yellowstone is about 2200 miles from here. Twice as far as Hollywood-Ft.
Lauderdale. Oi!

Different strokes, of course. But... Oi!


And you brag about your 'twin-dieseled, Volvo powered trawler. What a joke.

I won't counter your silly argument. Not worth it. You like the view from 35,000 feet. I don't.



Even a long, slow boat ride down the ICW is better than a long, slow
drive down I-95. The beauty of the view from 35,000 feet is that within
the United States, it doesn't last very long. It's a six hour flight to
Jackson Hole. How long is the drive? 40-60 hours? :) Of course, if one
is "retired," time has little meaning.

Oh, and I hardly "brag" about boats, cars, motorcycles, et cetera. I
barely mention them.

Spring is coming ...
 

On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:20:27 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/18/2014 6:25 PM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:04:04 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/18/2014 5:40 PM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:03:16 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/18/2014 3:25 PM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:18:37 -0400, H*a*r*r*o*l*d wrote:

On 3/18/2014 1:36 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:15:14 -0400, H*a*r*r*o*l*d
wrote:

On 3/18/2014 12:55 AM, wrote:
On Mon, 17 Mar 2014 21:49:28 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Mon, 17 Mar 2014 17:21:20 -0500, Boating All Out
wrote:

If I had the money to spend I'd design a light trawler capable of 15
mpg.

===

There's no such animal. Even small sailboats do not get that kind of
fuel economy under most conditions.

I get around 8-9 MPG at hull speed in my boat.

I get around 8 or 9 mpg in my yacht.

===

How long do your tires last?


Don't know. They look new.

I'm going to have to bite the bullet and spend the bucks for some tires for the Silverado. About
settled on Michelin LTX MS/2. WalMart's got 'em for $216, plus $12 mounting/balancing/etc. That's
$28/tire less than Costco - which also charges $15/tire for mounting/balancing.


You need tires already? How many miles do you have on that beast?
My truck just turned 22,000 miles. Had it since 2008. Tires are still
like new, pretty much. I think they'll rot before they wear.


It's got 57,001 miles on it right now - most of those pulling that trailer. These tires are probably
good for another 4-5K, but if we decide to take that trailer out to Yellowstone, which is in our
thoughts, I wouldn't try it with this set.



We tried the RV thing for a while. Just never got into it. The first
TV and major trip was in a 36 or 37 foot Pace Arrow Class A motorhome.
JiminFl should remember that one well. I bought it brand new and we
were on our way to Florida, climbing some hills on Rt 84 in Virginia
somewhere.

All of a sudden I felt and heard an explosion but everything seemed
fine. I stopped for gas and was checking to see what the noise came
from. Discovered I must have caught a rock or something between the
tires on one rear side. (It had duals on the back). Whatever I hit
ripped a hole in the side wall of the inner tire and it was flat. It
was in a pretty remote area with nothing but hills and farms around.
Finally found a truck repair place and pulled in. Nice people but they
had to special order a new tire so we camped in their parking lot for
the night while they sent a guy to who knew where to pick up the tire.

That was the first of several bad experiences with that piece of junk.
Lost the brakes on it and had to be towed with a giant tow truck.
I also discovered that the rubber fuel line for the generator was
chaffing against a frame section that had been cut with a torch by the
manufacturer of the RV and left rough and ragged. (They cut the frame
to add an extension).

Got rid of it fast.


We kicked around buying a Class A for a couple months. I liked the idea of having a pickup and not
having to tow a 'toad' for running around. We've been very happy with the Open Range fifth-wheel.
Some friends traded in 5'er for a Winnebago Journey when we got our trailer. They're not happy, plus
they spent about three times what we did - and we've got the truck *and* the trailer. I'm still
thankful your wife wanted to keep the one you had on the Sprinter chassis. Don't remember which one
it was. This 33'er is just the right size - and roomy enough to handle another couple as well.



Lets see if I can remember all the RV "attempts" we had:

First was a Fleetwood Bounder Class A. Brought it back to dealer after
about 2-3 weeks. There was something seriously wrong with the front end
on it. One of their mechanics test drove it and agreed. They offered to
return all the $$ we paid. Instead, we paid more and went for the Pace
Arrow Class A. I had remembered the name as being a quality rig from
years past but didn't realize the name had been purchased by Fleetwood.
It was a cheap Fleetwood with the "Pace Arrow" logo on it.

I can't blame the flat tire on Fleetwood, but I *can* blame the side
panels that started flapping in the breeze due to being held on with
sheet rock screws screwed into wood strips that were glued to the frame.
Then the brake line that let go. Then finding the generator gas line
chaffing against the roughly cut frame. So, got rid of it before it
fell apart or exploded. Had if for about a year, max.

Next was a Chinook Glacier. That was a nice rig and quality built. By
this time I was losing interest in the RV scene but Mrs.E. wanted one to
go to horse competitions. She wasn't comfortable driving the Chinook
(too big she said) so we got the Sprinter. I liked the Sprinter, but
we very rarely used it.

Meanwhile, my daughter and her family were into camping and convinced my
wife and I plus my son and his wife/family to get trailers. So, we
bought a 37' Raptor toy hauler fifth wheel, a Ford 350 diesel to pull it
with and I set up the rear section to haul two motorcycles. That didn't
last long. The rear section became a kennel for my wife's three Westies
that she had at the time.

We all made our first camping trip to someplace in New Hampshire and had
the most miserable week I've ever had. Hot, humid, thunderstorms
everyday and mosquitoes that could pick you up and fly away with you.

I've told this story before, so I'll leave out the water leaks in my
son's new fifth wheel and my return to New Hampshire in the middle of
the night to rescue my daughter's family and trailer after the front end
of their tow vehicle let go.

By this time I had enough with the RV and "camping" scene. Put the fifth
wheel up for sale and sold it to a couple who drove down from Canada.

I like boats much better.


We did have a leak at the rear picture window that bugged the hell out of us. Took it to the dealer
three times, plus I re-sealed around the window. All to no avail. Finally the dealer realized it
wasn't the sealant around the window, but the window itself. Water was coming in through the frame
of the window. They ordered a new window, frame and all. When it arrived and they took the old one
out, they found the water damage was also between the inner and outer walls, and was causing
delamination on the inner wall. So...they replaced the whole rear end of the trailer. That was no
small job as they had to remove and reinstall all the lights, inside and out, the cabinetry inside,
the window and so on.

But, we've had some hellacious rain since then, and it's stayed dry as a bone. So we're happy with
it. There'll probably be more problems, but hopefully they'll be manageable.

One thing I *really* don't like about motorhomes is that the generator must be run to get any decent
cooling in the rig - even while going down the highway. We were passing one on I-95, just as we got
next to it, something made a loud 'bang' in the generator compartment. I think he blew the engine in
the thing. Scary.

Spring is coming ...
 

On 3/18/14, 7:45 PM, Poco Loco wrote:


One thing I *really* don't like about motorhomes is that the generator must be run to get any decent
cooling in the rig - even while going down the highway. We were passing one on I-95, just as we got
next to it, something made a loud 'bang' in the generator compartment. I think he blew the engine in
the thing. Scary.


On the other hand, isn't it illegal in many states to be riding inside a
towed RV?

--
Rand Paul & Ted Cruz…your 2016 GOP nominees, because ‘Mericans deserve
crazy!

Spring is coming ...
 

On 3/18/2014 7:54 PM, F*O*A*D wrote:
On 3/18/14, 7:45 PM, Poco Loco wrote:


One thing I *really* don't like about motorhomes is that the generator
must be run to get any decent
cooling in the rig - even while going down the highway. We were
passing one on I-95, just as we got
next to it, something made a loud 'bang' in the generator compartment.
I think he blew the engine in
the thing. Scary.


On the other hand, isn't it illegal in many states to be riding inside a
towed RV?



I think you missed the "motorhome" part.

Spring is coming ...
 

On 3/18/14, 8:03 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/18/2014 7:54 PM, F*O*A*D wrote:
On 3/18/14, 7:45 PM, Poco Loco wrote:


One thing I *really* don't like about motorhomes is that the generator
must be run to get any decent
cooling in the rig - even while going down the highway. We were
passing one on I-95, just as we got
next to it, something made a loud 'bang' in the generator compartment.
I think he blew the engine in
the thing. Scary.


On the other hand, isn't it illegal in many states to be riding inside a
towed RV?



I think you missed the "motorhome" part.



No, that's why I said "On the other hand..."
I know the difference.


--
Rand Paul & Ted Cruz…your 2016 GOP nominees, because ‘Mericans deserve
crazy!

Spring is coming ...
 

On 3/18/2014 7:44 PM, F*O*A*D wrote:
Oh, and I hardly "brag" about boats, cars, motorcycles, et cetera. I
barely mention them.


Learned your lessons well, eh?

Spring is coming ...
 

On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:54:55 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:

On 3/18/14, 7:45 PM, Poco Loco wrote:


One thing I *really* don't like about motorhomes is that the generator must be run to get any decent
cooling in the rig - even while going down the highway. We were passing one on I-95, just as we got
next to it, something made a loud 'bang' in the generator compartment. I think he blew the engine in
the thing. Scary.


On the other hand, isn't it illegal in many states to be riding inside a
towed RV?

On what other hand? Your question makes no sense in the context given.

Spring is coming ...
 

On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:44:42 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:

On 3/18/14, 7:35 PM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:25:13 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:

On 3/18/14, 6:04 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/18/2014 5:40 PM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:03:16 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 3/18/2014 3:25 PM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:18:37 -0400, H*a*r*r*o*l*d
wrote:

On 3/18/2014 1:36 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:15:14 -0400, H*a*r*r*o*l*d

wrote:

On 3/18/2014 12:55 AM, wrote:
On Mon, 17 Mar 2014 21:49:28 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Mon, 17 Mar 2014 17:21:20 -0500, Boating All Out
wrote:

If I had the money to spend I'd design a light trawler capable
of 15
mpg.

===

There's no such animal. Even small sailboats do not get that
kind of
fuel economy under most conditions.

I get around 8-9 MPG at hull speed in my boat.

I get around 8 or 9 mpg in my yacht.

===

How long do your tires last?


Don't know. They look new.

I'm going to have to bite the bullet and spend the bucks for some
tires for the Silverado. About
settled on Michelin LTX MS/2. WalMart's got 'em for $216, plus $12
mounting/balancing/etc. That's
$28/tire less than Costco - which also charges $15/tire for
mounting/balancing.


You need tires already? How many miles do you have on that beast?
My truck just turned 22,000 miles. Had it since 2008. Tires are still
like new, pretty much. I think they'll rot before they wear.


It's got 57,001 miles on it right now - most of those pulling that
trailer. These tires are probably
good for another 4-5K, but if we decide to take that trailer out to
Yellowstone, which is in our
thoughts, I wouldn't try it with this set.



We tried the RV thing for a while. Just never got into it. The first
TV and major trip was in a 36 or 37 foot Pace Arrow Class A motorhome.
JiminFl should remember that one well. I bought it brand new and we
were on our way to Florida, climbing some hills on Rt 84 in Virginia
somewhere.

All of a sudden I felt and heard an explosion but everything seemed
fine. I stopped for gas and was checking to see what the noise came
from. Discovered I must have caught a rock or something between the
tires on one rear side. (It had duals on the back). Whatever I hit
ripped a hole in the side wall of the inner tire and it was flat. It
was in a pretty remote area with nothing but hills and farms around.
Finally found a truck repair place and pulled in. Nice people but they
had to special order a new tire so we camped in their parking lot for
the night while they sent a guy to who knew where to pick up the tire.

That was the first of several bad experiences with that piece of junk.
Lost the brakes on it and had to be towed with a giant tow truck.
I also discovered that the rubber fuel line for the generator was
chaffing against a frame section that had been cut with a torch by the
manufacturer of the RV and left rough and ragged. (They cut the frame
to add an extension).

Got rid of it fast.



On our recent trip to south Florida, we flew for about $225 each round
trip, got the Exit Row seats, and got there in two hours and twenty
minutes. Rented a car for the week for $198. Stayed in a four/five star
hotel right on the beach for about $200 a night. Airfare, car rental and
hotel for under $1800. I spent $20 to fill the car with gas when turning
it in.

Big, comfy RV, towed by a diesel truck...hmmm...about 1200 miles each
way, total of 2400 miles getting there and back. 10-12 mpg, let's say
12. 200 gallons of diesel @4.00 a gallon. And that doesn't include wear
and tear on your tow vehicle and trailer... $800+ for fuel. And all
the wonderful sights along I-95. Blech. :)

It's a 15 to 20 hour drive in a car. Been there, done that. So, a full
day each way, and then you have to sleep for half a day when you get
there or back. Three days lost in travel and aftermath of travel.

Food on the road, three meals a day, at least $50 a day per person. Say
$125 for food on the road.

Six nights in a first-class beachfront RV park. That I don't know...but
there were no such RV parks where we were. $75 a night? $500?

And you really truly have to enjoy driving and driving and driving. I
*hate* that.

Yellowstone is about 2200 miles from here. Twice as far as Hollywood-Ft.
Lauderdale. Oi!

Different strokes, of course. But... Oi!


And you brag about your 'twin-dieseled, Volvo powered trawler. What a joke.

I won't counter your silly argument. Not worth it. You like the view from 35,000 feet. I don't.



Even a long, slow boat ride down the ICW is better than a long, slow
drive down I-95. The beauty of the view from 35,000 feet is that within
the United States, it doesn't last very long. It's a six hour flight to
Jackson Hole. How long is the drive? 40-60 hours? :) Of course, if one
is "retired," time has little meaning.

Oh, and I hardly "brag" about boats, cars, motorcycles, et cetera. I
barely mention them.


Actually, FOAD, I'd probably not be going down I-95 to get to Yellowstone. But, to each his own.

Spring is coming ...
 

On 3/19/14, 8:16 AM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:54:55 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:

On 3/18/14, 7:45 PM, Poco Loco wrote:


One thing I *really* don't like about motorhomes is that the generator must be run to get any decent
cooling in the rig - even while going down the highway. We were passing one on I-95, just as we got
next to it, something made a loud 'bang' in the generator compartment. I think he blew the engine in
the thing. Scary.


On the other hand, isn't it illegal in many states to be riding inside a
towed RV?

On what other hand? Your question makes no sense in the context given.



Sure it does. In a motorhome, the passengers get to enjoy some of the
conveniences of the motorhome while it is underway. In a towed RV, in
most states, your conveniences while underway are limited to what's
available in the truck, because it is illegal to be inside the RV.

Got it?

Abstract thinking, Johnny. Give it a try. If you are able.

--
Rand Paul & Ted Cruz…your 2016 GOP nominees, because ‘Mericans deserve
crazy!

Spring is coming ...
 

On 3/19/2014 8:16 AM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:54:55 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:

On 3/18/14, 7:45 PM, Poco Loco wrote:


One thing I *really* don't like about motorhomes is that the generator must be run to get any decent
cooling in the rig - even while going down the highway. We were passing one on I-95, just as we got
next to it, something made a loud 'bang' in the generator compartment. I think he blew the engine in
the thing. Scary.


On the other hand, isn't it illegal in many states to be riding inside a
towed RV?

On what other hand? Your question makes no sense in the context given.


Your comment was regarding a motorhome in which people are riding and
have the generator on to run additional A/C unit(s).

Harry responds with a question regarding the legality of riding inside a
towed RV.

Made no sense to me either because they are entirely different issues.