Boudicca908

This summer I experienced my GM Silverado's engine braking -- it was the first time that I recognized what it was doing, and it is fantastic. I'm glad you had the tools to measure temperature and the knowledge to recognize what was happening, and what to do @jd1923

After this year's journey through 19 states, I will admit that -- as I dodged left and right around asphalt potholes and cracking concrete highways with large chunks missing -- my thoughts have wandered into the same zone mentioned by @jd1923 above. Our interstate system (and other roads) are in shambles, literally crumbling. And the conditions vary by county and state lines, changing significantly as one crosses administrative boundaries. I have followed the sage advice of many owners on the forum: keep the tire pressure on the low side, and go slowly enough to be able to dodge debris and potholes. The "BUMP" issue is impossible to dodge, so going slow in those areas with heaving swells or significant shifts in height at bridge junctures is very important. It's a wonder that the DOT seems to maintain the frequent signs reading BUMP AHEAD but doesn't (or can't?) fix the problem. I have earmarked Newfoundland on my wish list as well, and hope to go one day. Like a trip to Alaska, it will require special preparation and forethought, but I hope not to shy away from adventures due to challenges.

Ain't that the truth! This is a great looking little toaster oven.

I drove south along I-95 today, from Savannah to Titusville, and there was a lot of debris on the interstate. Enough to force drivers out of a lane for about a mile in one section. Traffic was steady but not too bad, and I didn’t encounter any issues with flooding (contrary to the google maps warnings).

Thank you for the input!

I am looking for general and specific input regarding recent road and fuel-stop conditions in the past week, for travel from the mid-Atlantic region down to southern Florida. I am heading to Lee County (west coast) but I feel inclined to stick to the east coast until I get as far south as Titusville. Yesterday, I received confirmation from two state parks that they are going to be closed. Today is 10/15; I will be leaving Chesapeake VA around 10/18. I will be taking my time heading south. I have perused the FPL website (power outages) trying to gauge where I might encounter fueling problems, but it's not specific enough. With the heavy south-bound snow bird traffic, I am a bit concerned about getting stuck somewhere without a landing or without fuel. Has anyone driven I-75 or I-95 south from I-10 since Milton? How about any experience post-hurricane driving the gut (interior corridor) south of Orlando via US-17? Thanks in advance for any help.

I'm curious about the size of that Pelican case (I think I have an old one at home) -- any chance you can also post a photo of the case open with the SL nestled inside?

My brother sent reports from my place in Lee County Florida. All is well. Flooding in the neighborhood stayed below the door thresholds, and all but one resident had moved their cars ahead of time, so our neighborhood residents avoided vehicle damage. (Every vehicle had been totaled during Ian in 2022). I'm feeling grateful.

I'm interested in hearing if it will fit.

I drove through that campground this summer (without OTT in tow) to check it out. I had wanted to stay but it was full. There are quite a few sites that would be okay (if tight) to fit, and there are also quite a few that are "pull through" although I would call them an "apron" as they are essentially a space where the road is widened to accept a TT and TV. A couple I spoke who said they were happy with the apron site they were using, though it meant that when they sit outside or grille outside, all the traffic is immediately adjacent to their space (dirt and dust and noise). If there are true pull-through sites, I didn't see them. Since the Great Sand Dunes NP campground was full, I stayed at Zapata Falls and it was wonderful. A few sites there are large enough for OTT. The host can talk to you about the individual sites. Also, there is a nice hike to Zapata Falls adjacent to the campground. Zapata Falls is the name of the cg that the Neumans refer to (above this post)... photos from Zapata Falls campground.

Your solution looks great, and effective. I may try to find someone who can drill a hole like that for me. Thanks for posting.

These are all excellent tips for being prepared. Those who face storms on an annual basis should (but don't always) know these standards for preparation -- it's always good to share lessons like this, especially given so many people who have moved around the country in the past few years. Many people have no experience and therefore don't understand the reality of the situation until they face it personally. I am so glad that your family (and others here in the OTT forum) are safe. I have several friends who live in the W NC and E TN region, and from all reports it's going to be years of work to return to "normal" -- Lee County Florida is still repairing from 2022's hurricane Ian, so I can attest to that possibility. It's so much work. Sending positive thoughts to all in VA, TN, NC, GA and FL who have been impacted. And thank you to those who have given us first-hand reports on your areas.

Thank you for sharing your story -- and this important reminder. I am so glad you and yours weren't injured. Having survived a head-on (that totaled a Volvo) I will say that the experience will probably always be with you. It's wonderful that you've taken steps to get back in the saddle. Best wishes!

Yesterday it was time again for my Zerks to be greased. I asked my cousin to take a look at my L-shaped fitting, and advise me whether I was using it incorrectly (it didn't seem to engage the zerk the way the straight-line one did). He found that a spring inside it was stuck, and fixed it for me -- but it still didn't engage as easily, and I reverted to using the straight-line fitting that came with my grease gun. I was able to get this task done in 2 hours, including the time I take to haul out my tools and grease and then put everything away -- a record for me. I think it just took time for me to get to know the feel of those hidden zerks, to be able to connect to them without using a mirror or the L-shaped fitting. Happy Day!

I have several touch lights that are acting wonky now, but I've been waiting to be in a location where I can take time to investigate it. One of mine doesn't come on, and another won't go all the way off (it glows faintly at night), and both of these plus a third one sometimes flicker. I've taken the covers off, trying to re-seat them but that hasn't resolved the issue. I will open a ticket as well, eventually.

Hello to the Oliver I spotted on September 9th, heading west on I-90 toward Spearfish SD -- I was heading east. I've been on the road for five months and this was the first Oliver I've seen this year!

I'm interested in these, as I will be in that area this fall.

My grease gun, assorted accessories, extra tubes of grease, paper towels and disposable gloves are neatly stowed in a kitchen garbage bag (flat) in a plastic crate in the bed of the truck, because I could imagine the mess. My trips are long distance (partly because I live so far south) so I will always carry my grease gun along. I will look at these when I get home (another 2 months!) and I appreciate the suggestions from everyone here.

@mossemi I just registered this suggestion in my brain. Might be a very good addition for my tool box. Will look at these.

Welcome to another Florida OTT!

Congrats on that! My TV is a 2023 Chevy 2500 Silverado HD -- and I love it. If you can, find the one with the larger console (in lieu of the dinky console and "3rd" front seat. The only comparison I can make though is to my old OLD 1977 Ford 150 that I purchased used in 1993 -- it was a Florida Power & Light Service Truck and it had those great tool boxes on the sides, and it was ORANGE because, you know, Florida Power & Light. I bought that truck when I was started a major house remodel. I loved that truck, too, but it was much rougher on the road than my new Silverado. I suggest the test ride as mentioned by others. There is a decent handle to grab to pull yourself up -- and in my opinion the FLAT SHAPED permanent step is a must-have add-on with this vehicle. I had to order that step separately from the truck.

Yes -- I now have both 1/4" and 5/16" wrenches. Plus I purchased a socket and a short-handled driver in order to access the zerks that are hidden 'around the corner' (not accessible with a regular wrench). I have two different sizes, because the existing zerks need 5/16" -- but the replacements need 1/4" (the head -- or would you call that a nut -- is different). These tools fit -- we tested them. The threads are all "28".

UPDATE: So, the hardware person I initially spoke to was a machinist; but he was out sick the next day. The person that helped me struggled to figure out what size tool was the correct one (and we tested several zerk fittings, since it was mentioned that there might be more than one size). I purchased $80 in tools and zerks that day. In the process, the problem zerk was totally mangled and man helping me couldn't get it out -- he advised that I go to an auto repair to have them pull the wet bolt, in order to remove the zerk. None of the five local shops could see me until the following week! So I moved on south to my next destination, stopping along the way to make an appt with an auto repair. Yesterday I met up with Seth at Ol' Reliable in Walsenburg CO -- hats off to this great auto repair shop. In 10 minutes he had that zerk out, my new zerk installed and grease applied. I watched him -- he gently tapped the socket squarely onto the head before he attached the driver. "The guy was using the wrong size tool," he said. $20.

There is another thread here on the forum that discusses hitch locks. YouTube has some demonstrations of locks being broken. Since I knew I was going to boondock a lot this year, I upgraded my hitch locks (I use two) including one around the collar (stays on even when I'm towing) and then a Ft Knox Locks. I can't seem to get my photo to upload, but you can find these online. https://ftknoxlocks.com/

May I suggest Fort Davis --- where you can see the historic Fort Davis, go to the McDonald Observatory (make reservations ahead of time!) and visit the Chihuanhuan Desert Nature Center? https://www.nps.gov/foda/index.htm http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/ http://www.cdri.org/