Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Suggesting for coordinating the trip to CA from MD for purchase??? (Read 4 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Suggesting for coordinating the trip to CA from MD for purchase???
Yahoo Message Number: 24662
We purcased the 26.5 MB teal LD from Alex's posting. Ya!!!!! We are to going, and fly out to LA area.  I think we will have two weeks to make trip back.  Not as much time as I would like, but it will be an adventure.  We have not thought of a route, ins. tags etc.  I will check the archives, and if anyone want to give us some advice, it would be greatly appreciated.  Sharon in Annapolis MD
Re: Suggesting for coordinating the trip to CA from MD for purchas
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24675
Quote
We purcased ... trip back.... advice, it would be greatly appreciated.  Sharon in Annapolis MD
I'd like to put up the question of tires and hot summer driving through the desert for discussion. Been wondering about this myself.
I was taught in automotive, that many people blow out tires in the desert during summer because they enter the desert with normal pressure. The heat is so extreme that the tires over pressure and blow out. I was advised in automotive, to deflate tires some when driving in hot summer desert to avoid this. I'm wondering what you people do...what RV people in general, do with this?

Personally, I would cross the desert at night if I can. Avoid low elevation desert as that is where the heat is the most extreme. I don't think the choice of low elevation would effect you. That would mostly be the choice of I8 versus I10 heading east. I8 has much more low desert. You wouldn't choose that anyways, I don't think.

I would take I15 toward Vegas. It has it's share of low desert. But you can't avoid it all together.

One route I would like to take is Route 70 through southern Colorado. Through Glenwood Canyon, it is absolutely beautiful. An engineering marvel of a freeway.

BTW: Congratulations!

RonP
Re: Suggesting for coordinating the trip to CA from MD for purchas
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24680
snip "I was taught in automotive, that many people blow out tires in the
 
Quote
desert during summer because they enter the desert with normal pressure. The heat is so extreme that the tires over pressure and blow out. I was advised in automotive, to deflate tires some when driving in hot summer desert to avoid this. I'm wondering what you people do...what RV people in general, do with this? "
A friend of mine had a blowout with his big class A, going across the Mojave in the summer. This caused quite a bit of damage to his rig. The advice he got from the CHP officer and the tow truck operator, was that by far the biggest problem with RV blowing tires in the desert heat was UNDERINFLATION and the added heat this builds up.  They both recommended that he carry the MAXIMUM the tire allows and be sure the rig is not overloaded. While this causes a hard ride, it runs the coolest that it can. You can take this advice for what it is worth. These two men had the most experience in this area than most. Myself, I try to stay out of the desert in the summer and if the weather is hot, I do add extra pressure (in the morning while cool).

Chris Hunter
Re: Suggesting for coordinating the trip to CA from MD for purchas
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24681
I think we will have two weeks to make trip back.  Not as much time as I would like, but it will be an adventure.  We have not thought of a route, ins. tags etc.  I will check the archives, and if anyone want to give us some advice, it would be greatly appreciated.
Sharon in Annapolis MD

Your "best" route choices back to MD from southern CA are I-40, I- 15/70, or I-10.  Each has some good points and some drawbacks as far as road surfaces, "scenic stuff" and/or attractions along the way.
One good source for what to see/do along all the U.S. interstates is "Crossing America: National Geographic's Guide to the Interstates".  (Buy.com has the latest edition (January 2003) available; for some reason, Amazon offers only the 2001 edition.)

You might also use this handy address for links to all states' DOTs to check up on construction and other conditions which might affect travel -- www.dot.state.tx.us/othertrans.othertrans.htm

And, do let us know why someone would sell a 2003 LD with about 700 miles on it?  (It is probably not a "happy" reason, unfortunately.)

J.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Suggesting for coordinating the trip to CA from MD for purchas
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24688
Sharon, Congrats! I would take the I40 and start early, I don't know the exact address but basing on it's area code it's somewhere on the eastside of LA(Pasadena, El Monte area). Preferably I would take the 210 east to get to I15 going to Barstow, then take the I40 east. If you do it on a weekday you'll avoid traffic due to weekenders going to Las Vegas...I would get gas after I get to Arizona, I love "LOVES", they have cheap gas. A good place to stop over too, theres one in kingman Az. Another good source of cheap gas are Costco and Walmart, they're all over I40. Flagstaff Az. is also a good place to stop there's a lot of campsites or you can boondock in a walmart or sam's club(which I did, last july 4th.).
Like other members say, I wonder why the guy/gal sell his LD so soon? I agree with properly inflating your tires, to avoid problems. Make sure oil was changed, too! Happy trip, your LD can take the heat of California/Arizona...
I can vouch for that!
 edd w/ 2003 blue 26.5MB recently made a trek to Arkansas and back to SoCal.

Quote
We purcased the 26.5 MB teal LD from Alex's posting. Ya!!!!! We are to going, and fly out to LA area.  I think we will have two weeks to make trip back.  Not as much time as I would like, but it will be an
2003 Mid Bath
Re: Suggesting for coordinating the trip to CA from MD for purchas
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24690
Quote
The advice he got from the CHP officer and the tow truck operator, was that by far the biggest problem with RV blowing tires in the desert heat was UNDERINFLATION and the added heat this builds up.  They both recommended that he carry the MAXIMUM the tire allows and be sure the rig is not overloaded. ...> Chris Hunter
I called the Highway Patrol in Blythe: That may be personal opinion of an officer. The Highway Patrol has no opinion or offers no official advise.

I called  Blythe Freeway Towing. 1005 West Hobsonway ... 760-921- 2869. He said: No way. That doesn't sound right. He said my opinion on underinflating sounds right.

He also told me to call the Good Year Dealer in Blythe. He said: No way, under no circumstances should you do that in any vehicle, I don't care what it is. All tires, in this extreme heat will overinflate and overpressure. He told me my thoughts on underinflation are right.

I left an email with Michelin Corporate Offices. Asking their opinion. I would like to know how much they should be deflated under normal? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Please people....We're talking about during the middle of the day driving in the low elevation desert in summer. If I were to cross the desert at night during summer, I would use normal inflation.

Also! Very Very Important! I found the coolest link at the Michelin site. For those of you who love your Michelin Tires!...
http://www.michelinman.com/promo/2003bobblehead.html?source=mid Add a real touch of class to your LD's dashboard! ... VBG

RonP
Re: Suggesting for coordinating the trip to CA from MD for purchas
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24692
I thought I would ask if you intend to bring the RV by LD's factory? Call them and ask if they would be willing to go through it with you? Make sure everything is ok. Make sure you understand everything? Since this RV is so new? Might have to pay them a little for their time? Might do it for free? I think it would be a good idea. Especially since you intend to drive it so far so soon. And you'll be able to see the factory. Maybe even have something added that you would want for the RV? Satellite? Solar Panel?

RonP
Re: tire pressures in desert driving
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24696
Let's apply common sense. Every expert and tire manufacturer agrees that underinflation causes a tire's temperature to rise, due to excessive sidewall flexing.
Doesn't matter what temperature it starts out at, its temperature will *increase more* (and more rapidly) if it starts out underinflated than if it starts out normally inflated.
That's simple physics, and there's no way around it.
 Now, there seems to be an idea floating around that blowouts happen when the tire's *air* is too hot, making the tire pop like a balloon. But that's ignoring what excessive heat does to the tire itself. Tires don't burst from too much air. They burst when the carcass fails. And what is most likely to cause carcass failure? Too much heat in the rubber and too much sidewall flexing--both of which are caused by underinflation.
 Forget what some Highway Patrol officer says. Forget what Joe's Towing Service says.
Just look at the facts and the physics. Underinflation *always* causes higher temperatures in the tire carcass than normal inflation. It *always* causes excessive sidewall flexing. And those factors are universally agreed to be the primary contributors to blowouts (other than road hazards, of course).
 The moral is clear: underinflation is always a bad idea, in deserts or elsewhere...*especially* in deserts, where tires are already under stress. Overinflation is a bad idea too, though it's less dangerous. The best policy is normal tire pressures and careful driving at moderate or even below-average speeds. (Remember, driving fast is another way of putting high stress on your tires.) You don't have to be a tire expert to figure that one out! ;-)

-- Andy Baird
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: tire pressures in desert driving
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24703
just some thoughts to thing about here...
1- i do not yet have an rv
2- i have lived in the HIGH desert for 15 years now
3- underinflated tires in the heat will overstress the sidewalls of
 the tire.
a little common sense..if your worried about the heat raising the tire pressure then drive your rig some and then set the tire pressure.
Normally tire pressure is set/or measured on a cold tire.
Jim Gilmore
Re: tire pressures - Real world experience today and altitude quest
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24705
I just drove back from Lake Tahoe today in my LD and the temperature was about 110 degrees when I got into the Sacramento Valley.  While driving through Placerville, an SUV was towing a trailer right in front of me when his tire on the trailer blew.  Fortunately I was far enough behind him and alert enough to avoid him and the debris.
 About an hour later, outside of Vacaville, a pickup truck right next to me blew his rear tire.  Stuff was flying everywhere and he skidded off to the left onto the median strip.

I am sure that both of these situations were due to improper inflation and high heat.

Now I have a question regarding pressures: My tire pressures were about 5 lbs. higher at altitude up in Lake Tahoe.  Should I have reduced the pressure up there when driving back or just leave them at the correct sea-level pressure (I left them alone on this trip)?

thx,

Mike S.
2003 26.5 MB
'06 30' TB Anniversary Edition
Re: tire pressures in desert driving
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24706
I can certainly understand why tire manufacturers don't bother to talk about extreme desert conditions. They have a tough enough job just getting vehicle owners to maintain proper tire pressure. If they can do that, 99.9% of their problems are taken care of.
 I can see here that people have a hard time trying to understand the extremes I'm talking about. Have you ever been out in the desert in 120+ degree temperatures? I have. I've stood and watched pavement boil...literally...bubbles coming up through the (now) liquid pavement. That is hot. I worry about these temps and any vehicle. I used to live in the high desert. You notice I always talked about low elevation desert? It gets up to 110 or a little more in the high desert. I never worried about adjusting tire pressure there. But, over 120? I'm guessing the pavement is reaching 180? You betcha I worry...and there is reason to worry.

The only way I can see to not worry about relieving a little pressure is: If you people are running 80psi max tires, and your proper pressure for your load is only something like 65psi. Then, I could see not worrying about making up for extreme temps. I would like to know if this is the situation you people are looking at?

I don't want to argue with you, Andy. I don't intend to answer your logic. I don't mean to be mean.

RonP
Re: Just 1 question...or 2
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24711
Hello , my only questions on both of those incidents are these... what speed were you traveling.. and what speed was the suv ... and what speed was the trailer traveling. to the best of my knowledge
Re: Just 1 question...or 2
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24713
Quote
Hello , my only questions on both of those incidents are these... what speed were you traveling.. and what speed was the suv ... and what speed was the trailer traveling.
Jim,

I was going 55 when the trailer in front of me blew his tire.  The pickup truck was passing me and he was going at least 65 - 70.

Mike S.
2003 26.5 MB
'06 30' TB Anniversary Edition
Re: not to hijack the thread but...
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24715
MIke, or anybody else to put a nother bit of information on the tire picture. Does anybody here know the whole tire rating scale/chart.
I know that tires have ratings and those rating are meant to give information on use and speed and weights the tires can maintain.
I sort of think that a lot of the blowout you will see are people whom are really close to being outside the ranges of those rating for tires
Re: Suggesting for coordinating the trip to CA from MD for purchas
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24799
Sharon,

Congrats on snagging a just about brand-new LD!  I can only imagine how excited you must be.  I know you'll have a great trip home with it.  And now there'll be yet another LD
Re: Suggesting for coordinating the trip to CA from MD for purchas
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24846
Quote
Sharon,
Thanks Ted,  We are excited.  We are trying to coordinate all of the details.  Still don't know about the registration, as far as driving out of CA.  I know with a new RV you need a driver.  I was on the CA dmv web site, and could not find the info.  I will call, also will call LD.  I hope all is well at your end.  I really liked you web site.  Sharon
Suggesting for coordinating the
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24683
One way to "keep cool" in desert driving is to start early and quit early.
Find a good RV park with a pool or a shade tree, and get off the road at a reasonable time.   Am finally learning that the objective is NOT to cover as many miles as possible each day!  (Too soon old and too late shmart!!)  The Mojave is tough, but you could head for a place like Laughlin NV, if you like a bit of gambling and want to see the Colorado River.  Laughlin is sort of a kick.
From there, you'll be going up grade toward Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.
Nice place to stop!  They have a campground with no hookups so you could try your hand at boondocking.   You could then stay on 40, or swing north onto 25 at Albuquerque.  But I hope you'll be sure to plan on a bit of sight seeing along the way, and not a straight shot back from west to east.

Congratulations on your great purchase!

Bobbi 2000 RK
 
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Suggesting for coordinating the
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 24689
I don't know how long it will take to make the drive, but I would suggest that you consider a northern route home.  The sooner you get out of the heat the better!  I realize you don't have time to drive up 101 to the Olympic Penensula and Olympic National Park, then take 20 across the Cascades (North Cascade Highway).  Cross Idaho and Montana (stop off at Yellowstone and the Tetons in Wyoming) then head on home from there.  You might be able to cut up to Yellowstone and the Tetons, though.  Then you could go north to South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  Over Lake Michigan and down to Maryland.
I tend to ramble, but I'm retired so I don't have to rush home.  I guess my point is that there are numerous breath-taking views in the north as well as the south. (And that from a native Texan.)

Bon voyage, Allen