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RE: Bill giving residents priority at booking FL state parks
You do understand that you're telling the snowbird crowd you don't want our money coming into your state don't you. What we spend for state park sites is only a small part of what we spend at area businesses and attractions.
Not at all. State parks are typically heavily subsidized in terms of operation and facilities and hold prime land that most private parks could never afford.
The snowbird folks who use them heavily are taking advantage of that subsidy. On a modest scale, that's fine but if it's keeping out the folks who pay for the bulk of that subsidy (residents), it's certainly reasonable to tilt the table in favor of the locals a bit more.
Plenty of private parks available for those who want to visit florida.
I think you’ve got that stick by the wrong end there friend.
The “taxes” that “heavily subsidize” those parks are a mere fraction of what they’d be without the massive influx of tourist dollars.
According to the State’s own annual numbers, 131 million visitors, $98.8 BILLION in spending and $27.6 BILLION in direct taxes collected. Add to that 1.6 million jobs in tourism and $57.2 BILLION in wages by those employees.
Take a $100 BILLION out of the economy and see what happens to the taxation rate …..
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JaxDad
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01/24/23 06:37pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Bill giving residents priority at booking FL state parks
Florida residents not getting sites at Florida state parks vote in Florida elections. Out of state RVers not getting a site don’t .
This is an interesting point to me, the Senator’s ‘home turf’ is Tampa and the Gulf coast from Clearwater north a ways.
This area doesn’t strike me as a hot bed of campers nor home to very many big camping State Parks.
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JaxDad
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01/24/23 05:54am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Flying J / Pilot to install megachargers for med/heavy trks
We can pick ice vs. EV or Fossil vs. Renewable.
But the battle is between old established money the future captains of industry.
The old money will try to slow things down and hang on as long as possible.
I’m not sure I buy into that at all. The ‘future captains of industry’ are losing market share at a pretty dramatic pace.
They are losing that market share to the ‘old established money’.
Tesla’s market share in 2021 was about 78%, last year it was down to 58%.
On the other hand, Ford saw a 126% gain in EV vehicle sales. They are currently number 2 in EV sales.
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JaxDad
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01/23/23 06:08am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Class C without a house battery bank???
If it’s a 2015 unit that makes it maybe 8 years old. If they were decent batteries from the factory and it was a newbie owner they’ve prolly never had an issue (or read the manual) and so are blissfully unaware there are house batteries.
Especially if it’s been parked the last couple of years because of what’s been going on.
That and it’s amazing to me how many people buy a completely self sufficient living space then never use it anywhere but on full services.
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JaxDad
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01/22/23 05:24am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: RVIA Certificate?
Obsessed with the truth, the fact they’re legally required on an RV and the fact that there’s actually required for safety, yes, absolutely.
No. Always funny when someone says "it's the law" and they don't have a clue.
RVIA is a trade group, nothing more. No manufacturer is required to join nor abide by whatever RVIA wants. Private trade groups do not write laws.
Here's what RVIA is from their website. www.rvia.org
"The RV Industry Association is the national trade group representing the manufacturers and component suppliers producing approximately 98 percent of all RVs manufactured in North America. Our organization unites the diverse RV industry and forges alliances to form a strong, single voice. Working with our members, we advance the industry and drive growth and innovation across the outdoor business landscape.
Membership is available to companies and businesses actively engaged in manufacturing RVs and Park Model RVs as well as those providing a product or service, directly or indirectly, to an RV manufacturer, Park Model RV manufacturer, component supplier, aftermarket supplier, or other wholesale participant in the industry. There are membership categories for RV Manufacturer, Park Model RV Manufacturer, Supplier, Manufacturer’s Representative, Finance Firm, and Associate."
If you had actually read the posts you’d have known that it was said more than once that the RVIA seal is NOT legally required, there are other groups that can offer the same certification, what IS legally required is CERTIFICATION.
Sorry(ish) for the caps, but as was just pointe$ out, some people seem to argue merely for the sake of arguing, even in the face of the facts.
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JaxDad
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01/20/23 07:13pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Winterizing & Summerizing for Snowbirds
Ive been told the frost heave could damage the foundation of a home if you turn your heat off.
Never heard of that before, ever.
I have a cottage that we don't use in Winter anymore. We shut down at the end of October and go back early April.
It has no heat all winter, never had a problem, it gets to -30C more often than not. It's been 35 yrs now.
Frost heave is a very real issue, but not one you can make a ‘blanket statement’ over.
There are so many factors involved, full sun, full shade, sun on just one area, dry soil, sand, clay, etc, etc. that can make a huge affect on the whole process.
The frost heave issue arises when there’s a constant freeze / thaw cycle with damp soil, the moisture causes expansion of the soil, the next thaw cycle causes more moisture to fill the voids and the next freeze cycle causes more expansion.
It mostly affects foundations that are more exposed to the atmosphere, like piers or shallow ‘rat walls’.
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JaxDad
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01/20/23 06:02am |
Snowbirds
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RE: RVIA Certificate?
I have little faith in some decal with a number provided to an RV manufacturer by an Industry group they are intimately associated with that attempts to tell me how great my RV was built. I say that having had loose electrical connections which **** near caused a new TT to be reduced to ashes along with at least half a dozen plumbing leaks in same, along with dozens of other build issues. That along with knowing the amount of absolute junk that is pushed out of Northern Indiana. You folks realize just how deep in bed the RVIA is with the RV builders? Who do you think pays the RVIA folks salaries?
You seem to be confusing construction and design principals with build quality.
Life safety standards (your fire comment aside) are what the seal is demonstrating.
Not any confusion at all. "Manufacturer certifies compliance with standard for recreational vehicles NFPA 1192"ringed with "Electrical-Plumbing-HVAC-Fire Safety"
They keywords are "manufacturer certifies".
That's comparable to...... "Corner drug dealer certifies your bag of first class heroin is not cut with Fentanyl"
Given the number of postsone can find online ( just search around any brand specific forum or FB group) about new rigs delivered with electrical issues such as loose connections and pinched wires, plumbing issues such as leaking water or LP gas systems, HVAC issues such as crushed, blocked, or debris filled ducts, one could come to the conclusion that compliance with a self imposed requirement is nothing more that a big pile of bullsheet.
Ive read some of your past posts on this subject. You seem to be obsessed with preaching the importance of RVIA stickers based on your own opinions.
Obsessed with the truth, the fact they’re legally required on an RV and the fact that there’s actually required for safety, yes, absolutely.
If by “my opinion” you mean the law, sure, I can agree with that too.
But again, you’ve never heard of sloppy builds in cars and trucks? Huge recalls with regards to major safety items?
Have you forgotten about the massive GM recall just a few years ago? Over 30 million vehicles recalled, GM paid compensation for 124 deaths and $2.5 BILLION in fines and settlements.
How about Toyotas unintentional acceleration problem? About 2.5 million (in just the US, 9 million worldwide) vehicles recalled.
Ford’s recall of 23 million vehicles because of faulty ignition switches that could cause an electrical fire while you’re driving down the road.
Water leaks in an RV? How about the Tamara air bag and seatbelt recalls? Over 65 to 70 million vehicles spanning nine different vehicle makers covered by this one. Safety advocates are still chasing it, trying to get a further 42 million more cars included in it.
What do they have to do with RV’s? Open the door of your own ride, you’ll see the company that built it certified it too.
Ever fly somewhere? Yup, those planes are certified by the same folks that built it too …..
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JaxDad
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01/20/23 05:42am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: RVIA Certificate?
I have little faith in some decal with a number provided to an RV manufacturer by an Industry group they are intimately associated with that attempts to tell me how great my RV was built. I say that having had loose electrical connections which **** near caused a new TT to be reduced to ashes along with at least half a dozen plumbing leaks in same, along with dozens of other build issues. That along with knowing the amount of absolute junk that is pushed out of Northern Indiana. You folks realize just how deep in bed the RVIA is with the RV builders? Who do you think pays the RVIA folks salaries?
You seem to be confusing construction and design principals with build quality.
Life safety standards (your fire comment aside) are what the seal is demonstrating.
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JaxDad
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01/19/23 05:40am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: RVIA Certificate?
I don't think I've ever received a birth certificate for any RV from the RVIA, but there's a sticker and serial number next to the front door.
I've never been asked to see "my papers" before though.
Your pick-me-up truck is also legally required to have that little plate in the drivers door jamb that says it was built to FMVSS spec. and I’d bet you’ve never been asked to show it either. However that’s likely because they know that a company the size of Fiat Chrysler will build to spec. The same is likely true of any ‘major’ brand RV, it’s a legal requirement that no company will turn a blind eye to.
The target of these kinds of laws is to give the required tools to tell some hippie in a converted cube van or school bus that he can’t stay there.
I bet if you showed up in a 2022 “Dedmiston Camperama” they’d ask to see the ‘birth certificate’.
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JaxDad
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01/18/23 03:58pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: RVIA Certificate?
Saying “RVIA Sticker” is like saying “Kleenex”.
Lots of companies make “facial tissue” but only ONE company makes “Kleenex”. You can blow your nose into either.
The RVIA label is merely a certificate that says the RV it’s affixed to meets NFPA / ANSI life safety standards. In your case the manufacturer chose a different route to accomplish the same thing.
From the company’s website “Your new trailer has been constructed to conform with or exceed federal and state safety requirements. Quality assurance methods and/or functions meet or exceed standards prescribed by ANSI/NFPA 1192 or CSA Z240 as approved by the agency having jurisdiction in the United States or Canada.“
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JaxDad
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01/17/23 05:43am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: BlueTooth ear buds and phone on airplane mode...?
wa8yxm,
I love wired. However my cell phones no longer have an earphone jack. I can get an adapter--but it is one more item to loose.
I don't have blue tooth ear phones either. I may have an excuse to buy some noise cancellation ear phones as my existing ones no longer cancel.
Don, if you’re referring to a newer iPhone the lightning plug doubles as a headphone socket, but of course you need lightning earphones.
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JaxDad
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01/16/23 05:34am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Canadians buying fuel
Also be sure to call your bank or CC company before you leave.
When you try to pay at the pump there’s a much greater chance of it being flagged as a suspicious transaction.
As a pilot I’ve come across just about every potential fraud ‘flag’ there is over the years. Like paying for gas, then a few hours later try to pay for dinner a thousand miles away. LOL.
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JaxDad
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01/11/23 07:54pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Harvest Hosts
Deadticket,
That be the case, you need to look long and hard at BW, a lot of us welcome dogs and can have power available for a fee.
Matt
Agreed Matt, I have 2 BW sites and allow (well-mannered) dogs at both and offer 15 amp electric for free to my guests.
Several BW places that I stay at have a runway and allow me to fly in & out. I doubt you’d find any HH locations that fit that bill.
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JaxDad
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01/05/23 05:47am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: A spare wheel might be harder to source than you think!
I think you missed my point; I have no doubt that if I call for tire service truck, unless it is for antique with split rims, the guy that shows up will know what he is doing.
OTOH, I would not place a bet, if cripple A or some other service that declares they can't mount a tire on wheel could safely jack up the RV, or deal with a tire larger than a car. Will he have wrench to fit the larger nuts? Or one to handle the torque to remove?
I would not bet on that. I called AAA to change a tire on the side of an interstate in PA, I had a spare but didn't want to try and change on such a busy highway and a narrow berm. I warned them the spare may be low on air. After about 3 hours he showed up with a light weight jack that could not lift my F250 with an 8' popup camper. I finally told them to jack up the frame and I used my Ford jack to jack up the axle. They got the spare out from underneath and it was low. He took an inflater like you might buy for $50 at Harbor Freight and started inflating, every 10 minutes or so it would stop and need to cool down. Finally at about 35lbs he said that's good. I said it was suppose to have 75lbs and he said that was probably why the other tired failed. It had a 1" hole in the tread like a ran over a hole saw. I limped off the interstate and found a gas station and paid 25 cents per so many minutes to fill it.
This is the prefect description of my expectation of the tool and mindset of whoever Auto service would send out. Once they start with the idea spare must be on wheel to be useful, qualification requirements are not much above McDs, and tools will likely be minimum for average car.
When I last called a Tire service, when asked, "yes I have spare, but prefer not to use" When truck got there he had no trouble jacking up axle, used his inch drive air powered impact on the lugs, removed tire from wheel, inspected inside, plugged and patched the hole, remounted tire on wheel, wheel back on axle. In short, the mobile service, and service at shop where same except for inventory of tire. When he was done, I had no need to go to shop to finish the job.
Now given this was on a loaded 7 axle RGN rig, but I have no doubt they could service any RV.
With all due respect here guys, calling AAA to change a commercial truck tire, to use your anology, would be like going to McD’s for dinner and complaining about the really bad steak they served you…..
I repeatedly said “reputable tire service” not teenager in a tow truck.
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JaxDad
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12/29/22 05:21am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: A spare wheel might be harder to source than you think!
And real important, IMHO, is how sure are you the guy that can't mount a tire on the side of road will be equipped both on the service truck and between his ears, to safely change the larger/heavier than normal wheel on the larger/heavier than normal vehicle?
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics there is some 13 MILLION transport trucks in the US. That’s north of 230 MILLION heavy truck tires.
Any reputable tire service doing roadside service calls will know how to dismount / mount a tire correctly.
Your call will NOT be their first rodeo.
I think you missed my point; I have no doubt that if I call for tire service truck, unless it is for antique with split rims, the guy that shows up will know what he is doing.
OTOH, I would not place a bet, if cripple A or some other service that declares they can't mount a tire on wheel could safely jack up the RV, or deal with a tire larger than a car. Will he have wrench to fit the larger nuts? Or one to handle the torque to remove?
No, I don’t think I misunderstood anything. They don’t dismount / remount 22” tires on a Caddy CTS on the side of the Interstate.
The tire service coming out to break down and mount the new tire will be quite accustomed to doing so with truck tires on the side of the road.
BTW, if you’ve never done it yourself (I’ve done so dozens of times) a truck tire on a steel rim is MUCH easier to do compared to a passenger car tire.
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JaxDad
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12/28/22 04:57pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: A spare wheel might be harder to source than you think!
Any competent tire service can dismount / remount a tire on the side of the road. All you need to carry is the tire itself, no rim.
True, but if you have Roadside Assistance, they may not cover having the tire mounted on the wheel. When we had AAA+ with RV, they would only cover removal of the old tire & wheel and mounting the spare tire & wheel.
-Michael
And real important, IMHO, is how sure are you the guy that can't mount a tire on the side of road will be equipped both on the service truck and between his ears, to safely change the larger/heavier than normal wheel on the larger/heavier than normal vehicle?
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics there is some 13 MILLION transport trucks in the US. That’s north of 230 MILLION heavy truck tires.
Any reputable tire service doing roadside service calls will know how to dismount / mount a tire correctly.
Your call will NOT be their first rodeo.
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JaxDad
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12/28/22 05:50am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: A spare wheel might be harder to source than you think!
Any competent tire service can dismount / remount a tire on the side of the road. All you need to carry is the tire itself, no rim.
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JaxDad
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12/27/22 06:35am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Feedback on $50 Onan carbs on Amazon?
What's the consensus on the cheap knockoff carbs for Onan 5500 generators? They run in the $45 - $70 range, which is a lot less than $400 for the OEM.
Anybody here have any experience with the knockoff carbs?
A neighbour is a retired mechanic, an old school ‘rebuild not replace’ kinda guy. He was an auto mechanic who gave up on stealerships and their ‘throw parts at it’ mentality as he got on in years and went to work for the local rent-all shop that was a huge small engine / chainsaw retail & repair facility. Honda & Stihl dealers.
I took my small snowblower to him earlier this fall because it wouldn’t idle properly. I was very surprised when he suggested a replacement ’knock-off’ carb for the Kohler engine in it.
His comment was the carb is $30, a rebuild kit is $50 and there’s $0 labour in rebuild time.
I asked about quality, his opinion (based on the ones he used) was that they seemed every bit as good as the ‘factory’ items.
That was good enough for me.
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JaxDad
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12/23/22 07:06am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Tampa-St Pete-Clear Water In Jan
A friend who is currently down there says that whole west coast is flooded (pardon the pun) with folks forced north (both residents and snowbirds) because of the damage following Hurricane Ian at the end of September.
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JaxDad
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12/20/22 06:59am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Fun in the snow...
We do the same thing up here, both on the farm and on trails, rail trails and logging roads.
However as I get older I find myself poking around in the snow more often in my Kubota RTV and less in my Honda Pioneer 1K-5.
The Honda is better at covering a lot of ground faster, but the heated full cab makes going slower OK too. LOL.
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JaxDad
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12/14/22 05:27am |
General RVing Issues
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