MidMOTraveler

Hold on the next big spikes are coming. 

Spring Break and Easter 

Drove through the National Sea Shore from Pensacola to Navarre Beach 5/14

Public use areas are open for day use but restrooms are closed and pay boxes are covered so no fee. 
Lots and lots of people out using the beaches. 

Just keep in mind several campgrounds have closed all bathrooms and showers during this virus. 
Many are requiring “self contained only” . 

Lloyd  and Angie I suggest you look at RVing toAlaska 2020 FB page. 
They are Escapees ( Pau Hana Travels) 

Lots of information and very up to date! 
There are several of us sitting on the fence  trying to decide if and when to leave. 
Alaska RVing is an expensive trip and not one to be rushed. We were planning 3 months in Alaska and 6 weeks travel to/from home base in Missouri. 
We have our fingers crossed but have plan B. 
A couple cruise lines have canceled all Alaska cruises so lots of tourist things aren’t going to be available. 
Good luck 

I have the 2017 F 450 Insurance with National General.

When I called the first person I talked with couldn’t even find such a truck, quoted F350 so I asked for a supervisor. 
She laughed and said yes they insure as a SEMI !  I had to go out and measure the length bumper to bumper and the quote was LESS than the F350 quote, go figure, 

Effective 4/6 12:01am through 4/24 Missouri is on Stay at Home Order 

Governor issued this last night at 5:00 pm

I personally think this will be a rolling order as needed. 
If you plan to travel through Missouri check as All State Parks are closed and COE parks ( southern district Table Rock Lake) 
 

We received free admission to Yellowstone, Devils Tower and RMNP this summer. Never paid launch fees at COE ramps. 

Used America the Beautiful pass. 

So you’re not planning on checking your tires for 8 months? 

22 hours ago, gr8white said:

I really appreciate the advice.  I will definitely weigh myself but I need to set PSI before I do that because once I leave the top of the mountain that I am at, I wont come back until spring. .  Im thinking from what I have read, 70 (80 max psi) on the front truck tires and 73 on the back. The trailer I am thinking 60 all around (65 max PSI).  Would I be ok with that?

If you get your Class A something to consider would be seasonal driving. UPS,FEDEX put on lots of drivers for about 2 months. You can probably make half a years pay compared to shagging rv’s . 

I crawled under and around everything on our camper. Found what size, drive, diameter, etc; could be used. Same with pex, pipe traps etc; in addition caulk, tape and bulbs. So had a pretty good idea of what wasn’t needed. 

They can all be removed! Had 2 Ford Expeditions 5.7 v8 those things were beasts, could go anywhere. Sold the 2000 with 250k on it and never had a wrench on it except normal maintenance. 

Buddy bought an Excursion with the V10 and couldn’t afford to drive it. 

Might I add something , a caulk gun. 

In addition a small roll of Eternabond tape and 1 each tube of Dicor self leveling and vertical caulk. 

Something to keep in mind is how many miles a year you travel. The upfront cost plus higher maintenance of a diesel vs gas. The C’s on the Ford 350/450 chassis are a proven product. Easier to obtain service and cost less. Yes 8-10 mpg on the V10 but diesel fuel here is running 20% higher than gas. We bought a 5 year old 16k  miles C last year and now a 2018 4K miles Jeep toad. We’ll have just over 60k in the entire rig when I pay the bill today for the Blue Ox 4 down towing set up. 

When we bought the C we decided to purchase an extended warranty. Wholesale Warranty sent an inspector that spent 3 hours going over the entire rig. Everything passed and we have peace of mind, yes everything can break but knowing we won’t have a huge expense on the road is nice. 

Really! 

I have some ocean front property in Arizona! We need to get together! 

I have no interest in a membership type deal it’s just not our style at this time. 

I can tell you that Escapees membership and Passport America have saved us a good deal. 

There are some limitations to how long you get a special rate but savings are there. 

We met 2 couples from Lithuania this spring. They were traveling in 2  Class C 22’ or 24’ campers. They had bikes but no kiddos. Cruise America was the rental company. They had flown in to Orlando Florida and went to Disney for a week. Then picked up the campers and were headed to New Orleans. After that they were going somewhere in Texas? I think they were dropping the campers of there. Then flying to Las Vegas then home. 

They were doing it all in 3 weeks. 

Don’t know what size or type RV your thinking about. Suggest trying to rent the biggest one you might be considering for full time. Then drive it not just to and from the campgrounds. Get in city traffic, 2 lane and 4 lane and a little interstate with semi trucks passing you. 

Then don’t just book a pull through site get  a couple back in’s. You can practice set up and break down and dumping several times while in each campground, just fill your tanks with water and practice. 

Our first 5’er bought new last year is almost 40’ and it is a learning experience! 

In 2 years everything will change anyway. 

What the rv manufacturer will install might be what you can buy today! 

Before you get too deep in the planning I might suggest you check with your municipality. There are lots of places where just parking a camper can be an issue, much less dealing with utilities and sewer issues. 

Not Portland but North Little Rock Arkansas has a municipal ordinance that doesn’t allow Pit Bulls in the city. 

Just read it on KOA website as we’re staying there soon. 

A non- issue for us as any pet is to restrictive for our current travel plans. 

UPS is a first carrier, then pass along to USPS (known as “Surepost”) 

So UPS will bring it cross country then sort at the nearest facility then deliver to local post office for delivery. 

If your in really small towns it may add a day to delivery. 

We have a 2017 F450 tailgate has camera and built in ladder. Unless dead on straight gate is closed when close. 

Wife has started doing the backing and I take care of the tailgate and hook up. Seems to be working really well. 

Congratulations to her ! 

That’s why jumping from a perfectly good airplane is something some of us must do! 

99.8% chance everything will end OK ! 

No problem But don’t set the handle they are high pressure high capacity pumps. 

The back wash from the fuel fill neck will get you covered in diesel. 

Remember truck stop etiquette, usually your cc won’t work at the pump. Walk in tell the cashier you lane # and that it’s a private truck most will ask how much. I usually tell them $100 they will swipe the card, go fuel. 

Pull forward to the line making sure a semi can pull in and fuel. Return to the cashier and get a credit/ receipt 

Nows the time for a quick restroom break but if you plan to be a while park it and go in. 

Enjoy your travels !