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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Burns, OR to the coast
There are a number of routes depending on where on the coast you are going.
N. OR coast, take 26 or 22.
Central OR coast, take 126.
S. OR coast, take 158.
Personally, I would avoid 20 through Sweethome though. The road is more narrow and windy than the other routes. Additionally, an ongoing landslide just before you get to the S. Santiam River has you on gravel for a short section.
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SteveAE
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08/21/23 08:20am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Hyw 199 from Grants Pass to Crescent City California
x2 what mtnbbud said.
There are a couple tight spots, but big rigs run up and down that road all the time. Just go slow and enjoy the scenery (you'll be along the Middle Fork of the Smith River).
The smoke is from the Flat Fire (named for Oak Flat CG along the Illinois River, near where it started) that is just a couple miles south of Agness. Presently, most of the smoke is going south(ish) which would likely impact Hwy 199 (i.e.; there will be smoke)
Have fun.
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SteveAE
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07/21/23 01:15pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Interesting mpg last trip
Sounds like a nice truck and an interesting comparison. Certainly an improvement in fuel efficiency. Thank you for sharing.
Interesting that (with your new truck), you are seeing a 22% increase in fuel usage for a 13 mph increase in speed.
I think I'll keep poking along at about 55.
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SteveAE
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07/20/23 10:58am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Trip to Alaska
.... after a quick sidetrip up the Dempster to the Arctic Ocean.
There is absolutely nothing "quick" about the Dempster. Beautiful drive, but plan a two or three days each way. Tombstone Park is amazing though.
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SteveAE
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06/23/23 07:16pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Trip to Alaska
X2
Take both routes! Go up on one and return on other.
Roads are about equal.
Fuel is available on both routes. Some distances between fuel locations vary. You need to use good maps and watch signs for distances. You know how big of tank you have, your mileage and driving habits.
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SteveAE
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06/23/23 08:18am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Idaho 75 (Sawtooth Scenic Byway)
Fairly easy drive.
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SteveAE
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06/21/23 07:09pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Hensley Arrow tips
Agree with other posters. Patience, Hitch Helper, a back-up camera (helpful....though I did it for years without), and more patience.
I mainly dispersion camp (boondock) and often find myself jackknifing the trailer into just the right spot between trees or rocks. When I unhook, I mark the location of each of the tow vehicle wheels (with a rock) and leave the hitch alone. Makes finding the sweet spot easier when I hook back up.
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SteveAE
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03/22/23 04:58pm |
Towing
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RE: Looking for a TOAD for our New Travato
Knowing nothing personally about this topic, but curious. A quick internet search yielded a couple possibilities in your desired weight range.....and several others that were darn close. Maybe take a look at this website. Good luck and safe travels.
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SteveAE
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03/06/23 07:06am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Pet Boarding when visiting Disneyland
Maybe try looking on Rover.com
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SteveAE
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02/22/23 10:00am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Cassiar Highway
I can't speak to the cruise line rules.....though how would they know?
However, if you haven't already bought a SPOT, take a look at In-Reach.
Worldwide two way texting and email on the Iridium constellation for a reasonable price (IMO).
As far as renting one, not sure if they do, but try REI. They have stores in both Seattle and Anchorage
Thanks for this. I have checked the REI website, but unfortunately I don't think they rent them out.
I just did a quick internet search and found several companies that rent satellite phones. They ship them to you and you send it back when you are done so your starting and ending locations shouldn't matter. Probably more convenient than trying to find a store at both ends. Didn't look any further into it than that, but maybe that would work for you?
Safe travels.
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SteveAE
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01/29/23 10:56pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Cassiar Highway
I can't speak to the cruise line rules.....though how would they know?
However, if you haven't already bought a SPOT, take a look at In-Reach.
Worldwide two way texting and email on the Iridium constellation for a reasonable price (IMO).
As far as renting one, not sure if they do, but try REI. They have stores in both Seattle and Anchorage
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SteveAE
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01/26/23 06:40am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: DISCUSSION: 8 ft + crew cab vs. SUV
I think it depends on:
- what a person wants to carry and/or tow with the vehicle
- if it is used as a daily driver in cities or primarily for traveling
- budget constraints
- any future plans, dreams and schemes
We have a new 3500 crew cab diesel that is primarily use for travel. Only the dog uses the back seat .... but maybe someday I will get a truck camper so I may want that space for storage.
We tow the same 22' travel trailer that we used to tow with our 1/2 ton truck .... but maybe someday we will get something bigger and/or a 5th wheel.
We also carry a full size Side by Side on a heavy duty Tonneau Cover and still have full use of the (secured and weather proof) bed area below the SxS for storage (more toys). No way could a Suburban, short bed truck (the SxS would stick out too far and hit the front of the trailer) or even a mid-sized toy hauler (toy haulers have to be parked where you are going to ride) do all of this.
So, for us, the long bed crew cab was the only logical choice. And "hopefully", as life changes and evolves, the truck will be flexible enough to change with us.
Good luck with your decision.
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SteveAE
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01/24/23 06:14am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Armada to Pull 33' Lightweight TT
Sometimes, tow capacity isn't the whole story.
While the vehicle may be able to tow the trailer on the interstate just fine (all be it, probably slowly going uphill), you might want to investigate how well it do the much more critical task of slowing/stopping it....especially on steeper grades.
Perhaps you could rent/borrow a similarly sized/weight trailer for a few hours to see how it would work? Not on I-5, but up and down some long, steep, hills (i.e.; West or North/East entrances to Death Valley).
When we started RV'ing, we towed our 22' trailer with an older (2006) Toyota Tundra. And while we were within the tow limit, and didn't mind being passed by bicycles going uphill, it really sucked to have brake fade dropping into Death Valley (or similar). Switched to a 1 ton diesel and instantly learned that there was a night and day difference in the towing experience between being on the edge vs. having lots of margin.
Anyway, something to chew on and hope this helps.
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SteveAE
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01/10/23 08:30am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Best route from Salem, Oregon to West Valley City, Utah?
Awesome story. You are making a wise choice and I hope you have a great trip and reunion.
It's super easy to remove the bench seat(s). So, unless you have a bunch of people going, just take it out and leave it at home as it would be a whole lot more comfortable sleeping on the floor. A big foam pad (or one of those blow up beds) for underneath and a bunch of blankets (or sleeping bags) above and you'll be fine....unless it just happens to be during a rare cold snap.
Don't forget that, if you go over any of the passes (almost impossible not to), you will need to have tire chains for the front tires along just in case. If you get them at Les Schwab, they are more expensive, but you can return them if not used (just don't lose the receipt!). Or just get them at Walmart as they are probably a lot less expensive than Schwab.
Hwy 20 east to I84 would be the quickest and shortest route. About 3 hours to Bend and then another 12 hours from Bend to SLC (have driven it sooo many times). Tons of good places to stay along that route too.
Safe travels and Happy Birthday.
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SteveAE
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12/30/22 03:42pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Best route from Salem, Oregon to West Valley City, Utah?
Welcome to the group.
I hate to be just another nay sayer, but I tend to agree with others here. Not so much about the route (I wouldn't hesitate to go straight over the mountains, through Bend, and out to I-84 at Ontario), but in the capabilities of your tow vehicle.
I had a similar vintage Dodge Grand Caravan. Great vehicle for bebopping around town and carrying stuff, but not so good for towing. Tow capacity is 2000 pounds and it was about all it could do to tow my raft trailer (about 1500 pounds). My guess is that your trailer is a little over 3000 pounds.
Two suggestions:
1 - Fly to Utah. Between the price of fuel and the extra costs you are going to incur to get your vehicles ready for the trip, plus the possible costs due to breakdowns, it would probably be much less expensive.
2 - Leave the trailer and just take the van. Set up a little sleeping area in the van (either on the floor or build a platform to sleep on with gear storage below you), cover the windows with Reflextix insulation at night to keep it a little warmer inside. Shower at truck stops and go out to eat. We did just that many times.
Best wishes and I hope you get to visit your family.
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SteveAE
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12/26/22 09:17am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Fun in the snow...
My Polaris (General) is still on the truck after coming home a couple days ago after a few days of riding at the Oregon Coast. Been too busy plowing and shoveling to unload it....besides, it's now covered with snow too. Probably should just leave it and hitch the trailer back up and head to warm(er) Southern Arizona.
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SteveAE
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12/12/22 01:05pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Southern Utah with kids
That is a lot of doing for 2 weeks. There isn't much between Kanab and Lake Powell, especially once you get past Jacob Lake. Which is the entry way to the North Rim of the Canyon.
Agree that two weeks isn't a lot of time. I suggest picking one area and focusing just on that rather than trying to "see it all".
Case in point, I could easily spend a month (even a lot more) between Kanab and Page.
Note that Lake Powell is at historically low levels right now which has it's good and bad points. On the bad, it's sort of ugly with a big bathtub ring and lots of mud between you and the water. On the good, there are canyons that haven't been exposed for decades to explore...all be it, somewhat filled with silt, but they are cleaning out.
If you want a couple good books to help research places to explore, I suggest "Photographing the Southwest, volumes 1 and 2" by Laurent Martres.
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SteveAE
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11/20/22 08:39am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Southern Utah with kids
So much depends on the season and your intended route, but here are some ideas:
(note that my brain seems to be working from South to North today, so adjust as needed)
A few miles west of Marble Canyon off Hwy 89A then about 2 miles north up House Rock Valley Road, is a Condor Viewing site. A few more miles north on House Rock Valley Road, is a nice hike to some pictographs. If you have a 4x4 and are adventuress, check out White Pocket in the same area. Awesome place, but do use caution (if you try to go to White Pocket), as there can be deep sand in there.
Condors can also sometimes be seen under the bridge and cliffs at Marble Canyon (just park at the visitor center and walk out on the old bridge. Nice NPS CG at Lees Ferry.
A few miles north of Kanab, off the East side of hwy 89, there are Dinosaur Tracks. It's a bit weird parking at a truck stop/weigh station, and then you gotta figure out the trail to the top of the ridge (not marked, but lots of folks have walked there so there is a "route". Up on the ridge you will find the tracks. A little imagination (and some water to lightly spread over the tracks) helps.
A little further to the north and east, Escalante is the best. You could spend a lifetime exploring the region (I have been doing just that). Research Spooky and Peek-a-Boo canyons, check out hike up to Calf Creek falls (don't miss the large picto's), walk along (and in) the river to several arches, lots of petrified wood down the Burr Trail (you can drive it) past Deer Creek CG. Personally, I would stay at the large BLM dispersion camping area about a mile down (south) Hole-in-the-Rock Road when exploring the area or stay at Kodachrome Basin State Park (or one of the several RV parks in the area if that is more your style. Soooo many places to explore here. Much, much, much better than the Big Ditch (Grand Canyon).
I could go on and on, but then you would miss the fun of researching and finding special places for yourself. But these should give you some starting points.
Have fun.
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SteveAE
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11/19/22 10:39am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Travel Trailer electrical, - Inverter placement/hookup
There are a lot of great, very experienced, folks on here (pianotuna in, I believe, Ontario comes to mind but there are others as well), and it just might take them some time to see your post and respond.
I considered separating the solar but we get almost all of our power that way so it didn't really make sense. Hence the simple double throw/center off switch to isolate the two works .... for us. Kinda idiot proof....which, as I get older, is a nice thing.
Regards and welcome to the group,
Steve
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SteveAE
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10/30/22 01:31pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Travel Trailer electrical, - Inverter placement/hookup
We almost are never plugged in. I have a 2000 watt inverter, solar charger and regular charger (I disabled the "stupid converter") under the bed. The bed is in the front of the trailer so it's all close to the four batteries on the tongue allowing for short lengths of heavy wire to connect it all. I started out with a fancy automatic transfer switch, but changed it to a much more reliable manual two position - center off electrical switch. All outlets (including the AC which the inverter can't run but it's doesn't take a rocket scientist to simply not turn it on) are powered which makes life super simple. Wife loves being able to use the microwave. I run the refrigerator and water heater on propane. If we accidentally overload the inverter (which has only happened when I tested it to see what would happen) it simply drops off line until the overload is resolved. It took some time and money to put together, but this systems works well for us. You can get fancy and get an inverter/charger that is smart enough to take power from wherever you have it available (shore power, the batteries or both), but this isn't as economical as a little $70 switch in an electrical box.
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SteveAE
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10/29/22 09:10pm |
Tech Issues
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