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2gypsies make a good point about how to cut costs of the total trip be able to travel with the high cost of fuel this year. I feel the same way.

Just fyi...Valley of Fires Recreation Area in Carrizozo, NM (not to be confused with Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada) has just gone on a reservation system using Recreation.gov. According to the person I spoke to in the office, the reservation system just rolled out today April 4th. It isn't clear to me if there will be any first come-first served sites. The reservation system looks to be a work in progress. Here is a link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10060263?tab=campsites

Franco-bolli, Guy Gipson maintains the database and has been doing so for years. You might want to contact him with your questions. His contact info is on the first page. We have used the database as a reference and, if it is a fairground or similar facility, we always call to confirm whether they still allow RV parking even if the listing is current. If something has changed, then we normally email Guy with the info. We do not stay at pullouts or out-of-business parking lots so can't comment on that type of Days End. Art

Rynosback, Yes, I did email them and plan to make it a base to explore DC.

Thank you all for your suggestions and tips. We'll take a look and determine a route. Your info will help us be aware of what we are in for in this populated area.

Argo, Thanks for the reminder about no propane in tunnels. Although we were born and raised on the east coast (NY & NJ), we've never traveled there in an RV. Nearly all of our travels have been out west. Just a good reminder. Thanks.

Trying to figure out the best route from Easton, PA to Arlington, VA Streets&Trips has us going 78>476>95>495 into Arlington. Wondering if there is a better route (e.g., continue on 78 to ???) Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

We are planning a trip to Washington, DC in September. We're thinking about staying at the Arlington-Fairfax Elks. Has anyone stayed there and can offer any info on the lodge parking. Connie

Finished reading "Nomadland: Surviving America in the 21st Century" by Jessica Bruder (haven't seen the movie yet). The author does correctly capture what it is like working at Amazon, picking sugarbeets, or being a workamper in national forest. However, if you knew nothing about fulltime RVers and read the book, you would think that EVERYONE who travels fulltime does so because they are destitute and needs a cheap way of living. I would have liked a little bit more statistics on the working population she was writing about.

As 2Gypsies mentioned, I would recommend an RV Driving class to get somepractices and basics about how driving a motorhome is a bit different than driving a car and get other tips. Then, as Barbaraok mentioned, practice. Don't let anyone tell you that a woman can't drive "one of those things."

Hi, Thanks for your comments on our Dometic RMD8555 refer problem (flashing lights, freezing fins, etc). About a week after I made the post, the problem with our refrigerator just “went away.” No flashing lights, no freezing fins, temperature normal (as normal as a Dometic refer will be). However, we still took our Van to a RV service center today (Monday) to have it checked out. After consulting with Dometic and running some diagnostics, they concluded that our refrigerator was operating normally. The Tech mentioned that we are keeping our A/C too high (we normally keep the A/C at around 85). By lowering the A/C to, say, 80 will allow the A/C to reduce the humidity within the van, especially if we are opening and closing the fridge. The tech also mentioned that we should be turning on the Frame Heater and set it for 4 hours on really hot, humid days (we have not used the Frame Heater). The controller within the fridge was flashing when the outside temperature was above 95 with the humidity at about the same temperature. The A/C was set to about 85. Well, we will be monitoring it to see how it goes. Thanks for your responses. Art

Greetings, We are having new problems with our RMD8555 refrigerator. Here are some of the things we’ve done to try to figure out the issue. Problem/Symptom: With refrigerator on electric: Interior buttons flashing – On/Off button, Electric, Temperature Level. No acoustic signal. Temperature very low, -8F, in freezer and 28F in refrigerator, which hasn’t been the norm in the past. Lots of ice buildup on both refrigerator & freezer fins. Defrosted refrigerator. Turn on electric. Same problem of flashing lights after several hours minus the ice buildup. Next test, put refrigerator on propane overnight. No flashing buttons and no acoustic signal. Next test, put refrigerator on battery while driving to next location. After two hours, no lights flashing and no acoustic signal. Next test, put refrigerator back on electric. Flashing lights return and ice beginning to build up on fins. No acoustic signal. Temperature dropping in both refrigerator and freezer but not too low yet. The “Indicator” column in the troubleshooting section in the Dometic manual doesn’t cover the exact symptoms we are experiencing. I’m thinking the problem lies when the refrigerator is on electric but not sure the exact problem and fix/remedy. Comments, suggestions, what am I missing. We are on the road fulltime so it makes things a bit more complicated as far as setting up an appointment with a dealer (if we can get one), etc. Thanks, Art

We have an appt with Ketelsen RV at their location in De Soto. We do use rvservicereviews also as a reference. A number of the places we called in the Des Moines area were booked out for at least a month. Thanks for your replies.

Hi, I cannot get into my Dometic RMD8555 freezer so I need to take it to a RV shop. Does anyone know of a good RV repair shop within the Des Moines IA area? I am currently in Prairie Flower Campground. I may consider having a “mobile” repair person take a look at the refrig but I prefer to take it to a RV shop. Thanks for your help. Art

Although not exactly your travel route, our travels were in the opposite direction taking us from NM to Springdale/Fayetteville, Arkansas. After traveling I-40 from NM, when we got near Oklahoma City, we traveled the John Kilpatrick Tpke north of Oklahoma City to the Turner Tpke (I-44) to Cherokee Tpke (Hwy 412) into Springdale, Arkansas. It may be a bit out the way for you if you are heading directly to New Mexico. You’d have to pick up I-540 to get to the Cherokee Tpke.

Looking to travel from Fayetteville, Arkansas to Mountain View, Arkansas. Looking for feedback on the route suggested by the RV park. Route would be 412==> 65==>66. We have a 25' motorhome, no toad. Not familiar at all with Arkansas roads. Thanks, Connie

Although not in Oakland, Alameda Country Fairgrounds in Pleasanton might be a place to check. Lockaway Storage in Castro Valley might be another option.

We've stayed at Casa Grande RV Park and Resort. Many RVers, many of them being from Canada, stay for the 3 month season (Jan, Feb, March). The park has added a number of small "cottages" as you enter the park but the park is primarily set up for RVers (no park models yet). There are a few RVers that stay year round. Roads are paved; sites on gravel. Two pools, a spa, and some planned activities during non-Covid time. A couple of pickleball courts. Frys Grocery store just down the street. Some highway noise but not unbearable. We've only stayed at the park a week at a time but would recommend the park.

Here is the craigslist posting: https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/benson-2007-gmc-sierra-3500hd-sle2-2wd/7256749859.html The Escapees posting is under RVs, Tows and Toads for Sale.

I am selling my GMC truck (private selling). I've posted a listing on Craigslist and this forum. What other method or online websites have you used and could recommend. Thanks, Art

gypsydan, We stayed at the Rock Springs CG for two nights, off season, about two years ago. We did park in the "corral like" parking area that was mentioned. It was an odd setup but we managed with a bit of a struggle. I would bring longer water hoses, electrical extensions and dump hoses in the event you were assigned a spot in that section. You will need them. As Kirk mentioned and as you see from the photos, the fairgrounds are HUGE with multiple loops/campgrounds. I cannot comment on the boondocking area. Connie

Can anyone recommend an independent repair shop in the Tucson/Phoenix/Mesa area for our Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500? I'm looking for a personal recommendation not just a Google search We own a 2016 Leisure Travel Van, Serenity model, on a MB 3500 Sprinter chassis. We're looking to have a sway bar and new shocks installed. One recommendation was GroupOne Werks in Tucson but they do not do that kind of install. Thanks, Art

FYI...Gilbert Ray Campground outside of Tucson now accepts reservations. The reservation system was implemented in January 2020 except for Loop H which is still first-come first-served until January 1, 2021. I just discovered this info when considering a short trip there. https://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=517703

Kirk, Thanks for your thoughts. Art

Hi, I own a 2016 Serenity (Class B motorhome) manufactured by Leisure Travel Vans. The coach is built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2WD 3500 chassis with rear duallys and I have an issue with stability. From what I have read, this is a common problem with this MH. The MH sways in high winds or passing trucks. On windy days I have to hang onto the wheel tightly. I do not plan on off road traveling. To address this issue, I was thinking about purchasing these components and having a mechanic install them. 1. Hellwig Sway Bar 2. Sumo Springs – SSF-106-47 Front and SSR-338-54 Rear. Are the rear springs necessary? 3. Rear Fox Shocks 2.5 -OR- 1. Hellwig Sway Bar 2. Front Sumo Springs SSF-106-47 3. Rear Timbren SES Suspension Enhancement System MBRSP35A SES 4. Rear Fox Shocks 2.5 Would it be better to install each component one at a time? If so, what should be the purchased order? Agile Off Road in California (https://agileoffroad.com/rip-kit-mercedes-sprinter/#1564700152114-17e32dbe-fec6) has a package called Sprinter 3500 2WD RIP Kit – Starting at $3200 (plus installation). That’s more then I want to spend. Any recommendations/suggestions would be appreciated.