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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Phoenix to Toronto, May 2020
Yes, we go through the area when we go east or west, it is usually bearable. There is a short toll section that is not worth avoiding.
Then again, you could catch I-70 at StL to I-69 in Indy, and stay with that to the bridge. You still have to deal with Indy and that is not usually terrible. Ft. Wayne and Flint are not usually any issue except at rush hour. Any urban area is not all that good. Even Lansing can be a bear on a Football Saturday.
If you do get near Detroit, plan 2 days (or three) for the Henry Ford, Greenfield Village and maybe the factory tour.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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01/20/20 01:13pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Phoenix to Toronto, May 2020
I like most of what is written here, but I will suggest you target to pick up I-94 and take that to where you can get I-69 (near Battle Creek) and take that to PH/Sarnia and the 402.
My one big caution is that you fuel before you leave the US. You may have to go down to the surface streets to find fuel (I don't know if the Duty Free at PH has this), but if you see the fuel prices in Canada....
If you come back close to Detroit, ask me for interesting stops.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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01/17/20 01:46pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: China shipping
This is why I often look for a USA seller when looking on Ebay.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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01/15/20 08:44am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Folly of searching for used cargo trailer
Phil,
I was searching too, and I went to Detroit Craig's list and put in "Cargo Trailer" and a ways down, you can pick "All,Owner,Dealer". If you pick "Owner" the list gets shorter.
Oh, and you are right, there are lots of "owners" that are also dreamers. And don't even bother with FaceBook Marketplace.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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01/13/20 11:01am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Requesting solution from knowledgeable RV.NET collective
As you are planning to parallel a pair of 12V jars.
Your plan will provide far less available power than you had before.
I suggest that you start by looking at Sams or Costco for 6V golf cart batteries to replace the T-105s.
Then, go and by a good 4 stage converter charger and take good care of these.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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01/08/20 07:59am |
Tech Issues
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RE: flying with kids
Boy,
It has been multiple decades since we did this....
How Long a flight?
The 3 will be tougher, but the 5 can probably bring a book.
Now there are electronic games that should keep them occupied.
Good Luck.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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01/02/20 09:45am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Is Socializing a Dying Thing in the RV Community?
In our own build specific groups, this is a non-issue, but we have not had this issue in any campground or parking area. It gets even easier if you also join RVillage or other RV social group. Yes, this is one, but it does not have the specific areas of interest that are available at other forums.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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01/01/20 10:54am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Thinking of replacing ASME propane tank
Were I you, and unless you have real fear, I would just keep repainting the gravel damage and not worry about it. There are no coaches in our chapter that are newer than 1978. The only LP tank failure that I have heard of was a leak at a weld seam on one of the coaches newer than mine (iirc it was a 76). An acquaintance with an exposed tank painted all the impacted surface with truck bed liner years ago.
Manchester Tank is one of the best suppliers out there, don't even bother trying to get help from Camping World or General, just look them up and try to go direct. A coach as new as yours they might just have some in stock.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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01/01/20 10:41am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Black Ice Detectors
Forth,
You have a lot of very good advice here, there is one that has been overlooked. One that has worked well for us forever.
If you can, plan an extra day in the schedule.
When traveling in an RV in the time of year for winter storms, always have previsions and fuel (all) for three days of sitting still. When it gets bad, it can easily take a whole and complete day to get back to safe conditions. Find a safe place to hunker down. Turn the heat on and watch the mayhem go by. This is why we travel in our own coach.
Why Three Days?? Because it is pretty sure to take the day for the roads to be worth trying, so there are two days. They third day is just for reserve. We have not yet needed all three, but one never knows.
I had worked this way for a while, but once we (I, DW, DS and DD) were on our way back to Michigan when the weather closed in. We got of the highway just west of the Delaware Water Gap and we got the last hotel room and the last Pizza to be had. The lesson was confirmed.
Matt
I forgot to add, that in decades of automotive testing, I have never seen a reliable black ice detector. I do remember testing three and then getting repairs to two test vehicles. The third only needed a new wheel.
Again.
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Matt_Colie
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01/01/20 10:14am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Genny ok in ABQ?
The monthly exercise bit is from the people that sell parts. If it is gasoline powered, that is most of the problem. You need to drain the carburetor. In ABQ, the problem is going to be the old gas in it.
You can fly there irregularly and run it, or when you get back, try it then. If it does not fire right up, remove the carburetor and clean it. If no gaskets get torn, just put it back the way you found it.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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01/01/20 10:00am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Failed Smog Teas
Tuna,
You have another decade or two before you are grandfathered out.
If you are near Newark, call Applied GMC. They will work on most and his guys are pretty smart about this stuff.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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01/01/20 09:54am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Class C vs Class A - Length
Steve,
I can tell you for an absolute fact that there is no simple equation here. The coach floor plan makes all the difference.
We have a 23'A (73 GMC), neighbor has a 26'C (98 Wini). We have more usable space.
Late Sis and BIL had an 18'A (Clark/Cortez) that worked well for they and two daughters. It was a little tight, but they made it work for weeks at a time.
An Associate has a 32'A (forgot build), and when we travel together, they come to our coach to sit and talk.
So, Shop a lot, go to shows and dealers and think about how you will use it.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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12/29/19 07:28am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Possible weak battery, what to buy, 12 volt?
Spade,
As you have a towable, you will have a hard time keeping the battery up as the TV can pretty much not be counted on to charge it because the wire length is too long.
As to what battery, you will have a hard time finding an inexpensive true deep cycle 12V jar. They are available, but they are rare. A marine battery is just a bad compromise.
But if you don't boondock often or long, don't worry about it.
So, is you want better answers:
How often do you drycamp?
How long do you drycamp?
Do you have a generator of any capacity?
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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12/23/19 07:31am |
Tech Issues
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RE: IRA and new SECURE Act
I don't much care anymore. The Abrogation of the GM and Chrysler corporate bonds took away any hope I had. I'm so glad that I didn't have big toys or a good vacation in that last 30 years. That way the scrimping and saving became a way of life and finally death.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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12/18/19 09:45am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Christmas 2019 in Vancouver part 2
I do hope that the remainder of the excursion is boring.....
Matt - also had some memorable times on the road.
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Matt_Colie
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12/16/19 07:13am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Battery monitor gauge upgrade
Before the depression, I did a lot of boat work and still keep some track of the technology.
I will advise that if you plan the work the bank near its capacity I will recommend that you look at both the Trimetric and the Victron monitors both.
These are not inexpensive devices, but are worth the cost of both purchase and installation.
If you scan E-bay, you will find many devices that look like this, but they have very little, if any, technical support available. That can matter a whole lot.
Yes, they are expensive, but one instrument should still be less than what you paid for the pair of T-105s, and you will only have to buy it once.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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12/13/19 12:20pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Flattest, warmest route to Las Vegas in January from NC
When we used to have day jobs, we often traveled at that time of year.
My advice:
Be sure that you equipment is all functioning properly. Test the water heater, furnace and the generator well before departure.
Keep provisions and fuel for 3 Days. If you get nailed by weather, it can easily cost you a day, but HEY you can just hold up someplace and watch the people that have to be out there until things clear up. That can take two days. The third is just for margin.
Keep a regular watch on the weather. This is much easier to do with a smart phone these days, it used to be a well worthwhile effort.
Matt - BTDT
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Matt_Colie
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12/10/19 09:24am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Best Water Pump
There are many to choose from and yes, mounting is important. But, in the marine world, we found that we did not want a very quiet water pump. That pump is your alarm that a tap is dripping. Many times, while enjoying other in the salon, the pump might run. This means that the owner's jump up an find out why before the potable water gets pumped overboard.
I do really like the new variable speed pumps that deliver at an almost constant pressure. Not enough to buy one yet.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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12/07/19 05:56pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Hobbies in the off season?
Glad I am not the only one that spends a lot of time working on the coach to get it ready for the next touring season. But, with a 46yo coach, one has to keep up with the maintenance.
Apart from the regular maintenance, I am still straightening out what happened when a lower control arm (not the ball joint) failed and sent us into the median at 60 mph and about a thousand miles from home.
When you start out with a coach this old, there seems to be lots of room to modernize and improve things. Some of those improvements are reflections of changes in the technology and some are just for comfort.
But, I have an "in side the S/B" project going too. We are dropping cable TV. It has lost its place in the ROI. So, we will be re-activating the the OTA antenna or replacing it and going to streaming for the few things that are not OTA.
I think I have enough to do.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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12/07/19 05:51pm |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Need Good Sources for Quality Bulk Solar Cable
I did a lot of boat work before the depression and still do some. I have several regular suppliers for cable and both are less expensive than waste marine.
http://www.genuinedealz.com/
https://theelectricaldepot.com/
https://www.delcity.net/
Be sure to shop all three as copper prices are variable.
Matt
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Matt_Colie
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12/06/19 08:40am |
Tech Issues
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