StraitRVing

Handhelds are nice yet they have a limited transmission range of a few miles if you are going radio to radio without using a repeater.  Radio to radio is also known as simplex.   To improve the transmission and reception range when not going through a repeater, you can use an external antenna while stopped.  I use a role up j-pole antenna.  It is kept in my backpack.

On behalf of the Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families BOF, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Keep those that are deployed in your thoughts and prayers.  

Best regards,

Richard "Doc" Strait, USN Retired

Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families BOF Point of Contact.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families BOF!

Many great answers here.  Many things cause them to go off.  We had the same problem with it going off in the middle of the night, especially on cold nights when the outside temp was at or below 35.  Turns out it was a low voltage in the campground at night for some reason.  I confirmed it with my meter at the pedestal.  I was told by another camper that colder air on those cold nights (below 35 outside) in the RV can set it off if we keep the temp inside too low.  During the colder nights, we usually keep the thermostat set at 64 at night when we are sleeping.  The camper said it dealt with water/ice crystals in the air.  I do not know if that is valid or not. 

Spoke with the RV service center and they said it could also be caused by an issue with the inverter.  They said to check the inverter for loose wires, signs of arching, etc.  

I also had it happen when the house batteries were getting low on fluid.  Low fluid caused low voltage.  I check the battery fluid levels every week now.

As RV_ said, make sure you have a military ID that shows you are 100% service connected and entitled.  They do not take the VA cards.  Ray also is spot with his recommendation of militarycampgrounds.us.   That site is owned and run by Larry and he does a fantastic job.  

A suggestion I have is to visit the base campground's webpage (if they have one) and look for updated information.  Then, give them a phone call and verify it.  Or, simply give them phone call.

Best regards,

Richard "Doc"

Thank you everyone for the feedback.

Best regards,

Richard "Doc"

On 8/3/2020 at 10:04 AM, GR "Scott" Cundiff said:

I10 is very rough a you come into Texas from LA - also construction and congestion.  Just be ready.  Some people complain about the long Atchafalaya bridge just west of Baton Rouge.  The seams in the roadway set up a rhythm that is just wrong for certain wheelbases.  Also, traffic can back up going over the MIssissippi bridge on I12 at Baton Rouge.

I20 is pretty bad at Shreveport.  Lots of potholes.  I thought the rest of the drive was okay except for Monroe which was a repeat of potholes.

Either way is generally fine, but you might need to slow down in the rougher sections.

I also tried taking Hwy 84 from Natchez to Alexandria to Leesville.  I was going to stay on the state highway over into Jasper, TX.  Just as I was getting ready to make the turn at Leesville I noticed a sign warning me of low clearance on the bridge crossing into Texas.  Wouldn't have fit!  Detoured down to DeRidder to continue west.  Cost me about 30 miles.

Some people talk about crossing LA on 190 which parallels I10 - haven't tried that one one yet.

Thank you very much for the information "Scott."

Howdy everyone.

At the end of October I will be headed from the Houston Texas area to the Mobile Alabama area.  I have heard for year that I-10, I-20, and parts of US-190 through Eastern Texas and much of Louisiana are in bad shape.

Does anyone have an update on that?

Suggested routes?  Does not need to be the quickest or shortest route either.  I am retired so I have the ability to take my time.

Thank you.

Richard "Doc" 

Howdy.

Does anyone engage in leather work here?  I have thought about getting back into it as a hobby as my wife and I continue full-timing it.  

Best regards,

Richard "Doc"

That is pretty kewl.  Thank you for sharing it.

Best regards,

Richard "Doc"

On 7/14/2020 at 12:13 PM, Kirk W said:

So do you create your own contract and ask them to sign it? I have always asked for them to list specifics by email but recall only one or two places that had anything like a contract, out of about 30 different locations we have volunteered. 

I think the better word choice for us is a written agreement verse contract since we are not being paid money.   We only recall one place that had an actual contract (titled that way too) that was presented to us.  The rest were written agreements that were signed by both parties.  The details were what was contained in the email exchanges and phone calls.  The campground and us worked together on writing up the agreement most the time.   

23 hours ago, Kirk W said:

You get this from state and federal parks as a campground host? Or from a national wildlife refuge for their wide range of positions? I always exchange written agreements about the hours and required duties with any location we plan to volunteer but to date have never had an actual contract. 

We get it for all the campgrounds whether federal, state, public, or private.  

On 7/12/2020 at 10:00 AM, George the greek said:

Have any of you ever felt like they are taken advantage of while work camping? I'm on my first assignment so maybe this is just the way it is.. I agreed to not more than 20 hrs per week in exchange for FHU , mostly grounds maintenance. Ive not worked less than 30 hrs per week and most weeks  its 7 days . I get satisfaction on the grounds looking good and repairing equipment in the shop. It seems all work eat and sleep.   To you experienced work campers, is this the normal? should I just "suck it up" Im here and will make the best of it and finish out my agreement until Labor day. I'm asking  so I know what to expect moving foreword with future assignments 

G the G

My wife and I have been volunteer work kampers for six years.  We went through what you are experiencing too.  Even though we are volunteer work kampers, we still get a signed contract that details the hours, the type site we are placed in, job description, start and end date, and a few other things.  This has helped out.  A few campgrounds still have tried to take advantage of us still.  When we interview for a volunteer work kamper position now, we ask the campground to provide references of current and former work kampers.  We then contact those references and ask about how their experience work kamping at that campground.  If the campground refuses to provide references, then the interview is over and we move on. 

On behalf of the Military, Veterans, and Gold Star families BOF I would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Independence Day/4th of July!

Best regards,

Richard "Doc" Strait, Point of Contact

Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families BOF

I will not be participating in FD this year due to being on the road traveling.   If I wasn't traveling then I would be operating from the campsite or visiting local club FD sites.  

Best regards,

Richard "Doc"

Welcome to the forums!

I agree with all that Kirk posted.  One additional suggestion is to have the RV inspected by a independent certified RV Inspector and a certified automotive mechanic.  The cost for the inspections can save you in the long run; especially if they find things that are going to be expensive to fix.  

Best regards,

Richard "Doc"

Hi Gyadon4.

I have a Leprechaun as well.  It came with a step/running board at the driver and passenger door that was installed by Coachmen or Ford.  My previous RV we had an RV service center install them.  They told me then that a body shop could order up and install running boards too.  Due to the way they are mounted, they are not the greatest in regards to how much weight they can hold so I had them reinforced better by the shop.  

Best regards,

Richard

It is a bit tricky to say the least.  As a missionary that travels and lives in an RV full-time, it gets downright complicated.  Especially when the sending church is an independent church and not part of any denominational association. 

On 5/31/2020 at 9:24 AM, lappir said:

I do have a slight concern regarding the red triangle and the "Not secure" info on the site...

 

Rod

   

 

 

 

I too hate the fact that the forum is not secured as indicated by the "Not Secure", red triangle for some and others perhaps an exclamation point in a circle depending on the browser.  The FMCA uses the same software (Invision Community) and they have theirs secured. 

The Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families BOF would like to take time to pause, recognize, and pay our respect to our military men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice for us and our country.  Please remember those serviceman, servicewomen, and their families this Memorial Day weekend.  Let the families know that they (their loved one and them) are not forgotten.

Wife and I went from a 21 foot Class C with a gas engine to a 33 foot Class C with a gas engine.  I would say the biggest problem we have had is gassing up the RV.  Due to the length and turn radius, it can be a challenge to find a gas station that we can gas up at safely.  Longer wheel base means we spend a little more time on leveling.  Worth it for us though.  

The LP detector in our 2017 Class C draws amperage when the battery relay is off and shore power disconnected.  Dealership said that it is required now (safety reasons) for the LP detectors to be powered even when the battery relay is off and shore power disconnected.  

I am happy to say the campgrounds that doubled their rates have been turned in to the State Attorney General by many RVers and tent campers.

If you are scheduled to stay at a military campground or Famcamp or even considering it in the next couple of months, do call ahead and see if they are still taking campers.  Several are now no longer taking reservations and are cancelling reservations for those that have not yet checked in.  Larry Farquhar (USAF Retired) has a good discussion going on about it on the U.S. Military Campgrounds and RV Parks website he owns and runs.

I have seen several private campgrounds double their rates in the last week.  Their reason is because the demand for campsites is huge and the supply is limited due to the many public campground closures.