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Topic: New owner, first trip, too many near misses (Read 1969 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: New owner, first trip, too many near misses

Reply #25 –
As a part time RVer, still working, and on limited vacation times, I would drive many hours per day including after dark to get to the destination.

Now retired, no schedule, full time, a 300 mile day is a long day - all in daylight.  No city interstates  in rush hour anymore either, I time it.  Prefer transiting big city areas on a Sunday now (for example from Everett, through greater Seattle area to south of Olympia in WA state).

I will run more miles and hours in non scenic areas of the USA to get through to an area we prefer.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: New owner, first trip, too many near misses

Reply #26 –
We don't drive at night anymore, the state of some roads are hard on the coach (101 into the bay area) but in daylight I get a chance to avoid the big ones
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: New owner, first trip, too many near misses

Reply #27 –
I hate driving at night.  I like to be settled in by 4pm.  If we do arrive late we disconnect the car and scout the area and campsite first.  Day or night we use walkie talkies to communicate.  My biggest reason for night driving at night is that the front of the coach becomes a big bug magnet.  The next day it isn't fun cleaning up the mess.

John M
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: New owner, first trip, too many near misses

Reply #28 –
LED lights offer an interesting option for adding additional campsite navigation lights. If I could convert my docking lights to LED that would free up some circuit load for additional lighting. I actually added four lights to a 24' travel trailer that I set up with a switch at the battery on the trailer. Helped me and my spotter.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: New owner, first trip, too many near misses

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Realmccoy –
If I could convert my docking lights to LED that would free up some circuit load for additional lighting.

Are there any identifying numbers on your docking lights?
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: New owner, first trip, too many near misses

Reply #30 –
Quote from: Realmccoy –
LED lights offer an interesting option for adding additional campsite navigation lights. If I could convert my docking lights to LED...
Should not be too difficult.  Beamalarm.com shows coaches with round docking lights used a 4" PAR36 12V/50W sealed bulb (screw terminals).

Docking Lights

Same size/configuration is available in LED - just do a Google search.  Here are a couple possibilities:

Pack of ONE (1), LED PAR36 9W (Eq to 50W Halogen) 12V AC/DC Lamp - Led...

PAR36 - LED Light Bulbs - Light Bulbs - The Home Depot
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1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: New owner, first trip, too many near misses

Reply #31 –
I'll check the lights tonight. Hadn't thought of replacing bulbs instead of entire fixture for exterior lights. New LED options being developed all the time.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.
 

Re: New owner, first trip, too many near misses

Reply #32 –
The docking lights are much more difficult to remove than you'd think. My coach currently has all four of its original docking lights plus four additional 55 watt halogen lights, and it doesn't pop the breakers. I added a pair of little "Burners" pointed straight back near the front and rear docking lights, so I can see through my mirrors while backing up at night. If the breaker ever pops I'll cut the wires to the useless docking lights and keep my little Burners that are pointed straight back. There would be no point in putting LEDs into the docking lights because they point out sideways and don't illuminate where the mirrors are looking. I think if you attempt to get one of the bulbs out of the docking lights you'll walk away scratching your head wondering what they were thinking when they designed it. It'll be difficult to get the light back together and reinstalled, even if you fail to get the bulb out... just thought I'd warn you.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)