Jinx & Wayne

You made me smile with my morning coffee. The most famous use of this phrase is from Voltaire's "Candide." He was referring to the British Navy's execution of Admiral Byng for losing the Battle of Minorca in 1756. Voltaire said, Dans ce pays-ci, il est bon de tuer de temps en temps un amiral pour encourager les autres. A reasonable translation is, "In this country, it is thought wise to kill an admiral from time to time to encourage the others." I do write reviews. I hope to survive the process. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

I have been less than happy with the good Sam since it missed a 10'6" in Ohio. I use several apps and sources for route planning. I am a real fussy planner for travel. I hate surprises. And I have discovered that GPS's all have a twisted sense of humor and are not to be trusted. I use them as a tool, but do not tow using one. For clearances I generally rely upon AllStays Camp and RV. It shows many campgrounds, rest areas, clearances, diesel stations, walmarts and other stores, Cracker Barrel, repair shops etc. It is a pretty good source. For tunnels I go online and read the regulations and specifications for a particular tunnel. Grades and mountain road descriptions are found in Mountain Directory. The MD was about $26 for combined East and West when I bought it. I have it downloaded to my phone as well having it available online. Nothing I've found comes close to this resource for mountain driving. Route planning has evolved over time and is pretty complex for me. I find thorough planning makes for less stressful travel. Did I mention that I hate surprises? We are 57 feet, end to end and weigh about 25,000#. I start with a paper atlas - I like Rand McNally. It gives me a feel for how the roads run, general topography and distances. I use that to establish a tentative route. I look at the route for clearances (AllStays) and grades (Mountain Directory). I look at google earth to determine whether there is any major construction on the route and to answer questions about lanes and shoulders. If I have more questions I read the highway description in Wikipedia. Once a route is established I write out a turn by turn description of the day's travel including distances. I use Google Earth's street view to look at the approaches to turns and interchanges, exit ramps and merge lanes, and signage when I write this out. That way I often recognize a turn/exit as I approach it. Jinx and I go over the directions before going and she navigates using them. Yes, it takes time. It works for us. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

We've only been full time for three years. Winters are spent in Florida. The first year we left there in May traveled about 5000 miles up through GA, TN, KY, IN, MI, WI (ferry across Lake Michigan), OH, NY and PA then back down the coast to FL for a total of about 5,000 miles. Last year was just up to Maine for the summer and then back to FL, about 3,500 miles. This year we looped further west and are going up the Mississippi Valley, across the norther tier and them back down to FL visiting Outer Banks and Charleston in particular. That will be about 6600 miles. Next year is still evolving but looks to be a loop further west. The length will depend upon where we decide to winter but will probably start earlier and be closer to 7,500 - 8,000 miles. Travel patterns are about 300 miles per travel day followed by a week or more of non-travel. Currently in NW Wisconsin and turning east Sunday. We arrive in Maine for two months beginning 8/1. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

To quote Ron White, “You can’t fix stupid.” Wayne & Jinx

It is funny that this thread sprang to life today. Jinx and I are talking about extending our time on the road by several years and are thinking about a Class A. Although we love the 5er she is less in love with driving the dually confined areas such as in towns. We will have to re-read this thread. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

Supply and demand. DC has lots of places visitors want to see. Baltimore too, and that is pretty close. Land and house prices are out of this world. That means few campgrounds and higher prices. We stay in the area twice each year to visit the grandchildren. We've found two campgrounds. Both are expensive. Both are half an hour from the family and further from Washington and Baltimore. I was just looking at the prices of campgrounds around Zion and Arches NP's. They are no bargain, either. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

The content of our RV's is probably less expensive than the content of emergency response vehicles. A new ambulance without contents runs about $120K and up. Furnishing it is another $180K or more. Target. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

Only organic dry ice. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

I understand that the Mobley plans are no longer available except to people who are grandfathered in. Are there available equivalents? My Verizon "unlimited" plan throttles back affter 22GB and becomes almost useless for streaming. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

My observation is that fivers with that level of vibration absorption are only slightly more common than hen's teeth. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

Absolutely! A fiver is a constant 7.4 earthquake. At that is traveling at 60 mph max with an improved suspension. And we are loaded properly (Smartweigh confirmed). Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

And if you leave the turntable plate in it bounces madly. Some microwaves have internal sensors (Our Sharp microwave/convection is one) It is also fragile. When we move we put the plate on the sear of a recliner. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

Happy camping. And sincere congratulations on your new truck and trailer! Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

Actually, both of them have four letters. Sorry, not enough coffee yet. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

I posted this on another thread, but It applies here, too. Escapees Branson was full over Memorial Day Weekend. I know some are leaving today (Monday). Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

Escapees Branson was full over this Memorial Day weekend. I know of several who are leaving today (Monday). Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

I won't let it happen again. 🎃 BTW, Jinx (DW) doesn't post here yet. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

Welcome aboard. My experience was similar to fpmtngal's with one exception. While some thought we were crazy to sell everything and go RVing, they all knew I was still nuts. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

No offense or correction was intended. I had no doubt that your information was accurate. I was simply adding a caveat that this situation may not last much longer. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

If there is a blowout I will just shout "MOO" a couple of times. Between that and the sound of the blowout I'm sure any EPA monitor will think it is just another exploding cow. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

School is still in session. Most of the new Rvers appear to be families. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

Maybe we should just switch to methane. It is a more potent greenhouse gas. Farmers could sell cow flatulence at roadside stands. We could just pull over at a farm, a farm hand could back in a couple of cattle up to the rig and, presto, we would have a better world. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

You may need to fill out an EPA hazardous materials release incident report (in triplicate) when mounting new tires. I'm having way too much fun here. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

This would not have happened if you had added volume stabilizer during the winter solstice. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

TXiceman, Do you change compressor hoses for the tires on the other side of the vehicle? Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ