Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > General Discussions about our Montanas
Click Here to Login

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-14-2017, 08:29 AM   #21
JandC
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Frostproof, FL USA
Posts: 2,362
M.O.C. #13272
Quote:
Originally Posted by carl n susan View Post
Actually this applies to Heavy Duty Trucks and Buses, not your light duty truck.....cut........
Are you? Your Profile says you live in Aurora, OH. Aurora is a city in Portage County. Therefore, it is registered in an E-Check county (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, or Summit counties) which requires...cut..
Sorry, just wasn't able to let this one go. He lives in Aurora ILLINOIS, just as his profile says....northern part of that great State. I'm not sure if he is in one of the "collar" counties around Chicago that has smog inspections or not, but I am sure he would know that himself.

There are a lot of CA residents on this forum, and then a lot of us to have driven through CA to see all the sights. I don't have to agree with the politics of an area to visit it. However, anyone that won't admit that most of CA has horrible pavement, higher diesel prices, lower quality diesel, and heavy traffic either has not been there in the last 60 years or comes from there and is just too proud to admit it isn't the greatest place on earth. IMHO there are about 3 or 4 places that are a "must see" in CA. Been there, done that, won't be back.
 
__________________
Previous: 2008 Montana 3400RL & 2014 3725RL
Current: Full Time 2022 SOB TT Toy Hauler
JandC is offline  
Old 04-14-2017, 09:04 AM   #22
scattershot
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,041
M.O.C. #5329
[QUOTE=JandC;1060984
There are a lot of CA residents on this forum, and then a lot of us to have driven through CA to see all the sights. I don't have to agree with the politics of an area to visit it. However, anyone that won't admit that most of CA has horrible pavement, higher diesel prices, lower quality diesel, and heavy traffic either has not been there in the last 60 years or comes from there and is just too proud to admit it isn't the greatest place on earth. IMHO there are about 3 or 4 places that are a "must see" in CA. Been there, done that, won't be back.[/QUOTE]


Lotta serious denial going on out there, for sure.
scattershot is offline  
Old 04-14-2017, 12:42 PM   #23
Carl n Susan
Site Team
 
Carl n Susan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,315
M.O.C. #4831
Quote:
Originally Posted by JandC View Post
Sorry, just wasn't able to let this one go. He lives in Aurora ILLINOIS, just as his profile says....northern part of that great State. I'm not sure if he is in one of the "collar" counties around Chicago that has smog inspections or not, but I am sure he would know that himself.
Oops, my bad!!! Too many Auroras to keep track of. But even Illinois has smog requirements and Aurora in Kane County (Zip Code 60505) is one of 9 counties potentially subject to mandatory smog inspections.

Quote:
<snip> However, anyone that won't admit that most of CA has horrible pavement, higher diesel prices, lower quality diesel, and heavy traffic...
</snip>
Does CA have some bad pavement? You bet. So do many other states (been on I-10 outside New Orleans recently?). It all has much to do with crumbling infrastructure (but that will be fixed shortly ). Some would argue CA diesel quality is higher. CARB requires a Cetene level of 45 over the fed standard 40. Traffic is admittedly heavier in the big populated cities. The same can be said about Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Denver, Seattle, etc. Get away from them and traffic is not an issue. As for diesel fuel price, it is close to, if not cheaper, than OR and WA. The recent passage of SB1 will change that however.

Quote:
IMHO there are about 3 or 4 places that are a "must see" in CA. Been there, done that, won't be back.
Only 3 or 4 places are "must see"? OK, that's what you think. Others don't agree. It is your choice to visit or not. If fuel and traffic are someone's greatest concerns, then CA is not the place for you.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB

Carl n Susan is offline  
Old 04-15-2017, 08:53 AM   #24
dfb
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,250
M.O.C. #17163
What is California doing with all the gasoline tax money now? If it is not going to repair roads, then they are STEALING from the drivers..
Next gripe is their 55 mph speed limit while towing. Really? We drive Hiway 395 north of Reno to Susanville. This is 100 miles of two lanes. The SPEED limit for those not towing is 65... On our last trip with about 20 cars behind us, a pickup nearly got into a head on with a semi while passing us. This law is EXREMELY DANGEROUS! The new tow vehicles are very capable of traveling the posted speed limits. California has their head up their rears!
dfb is offline  
Old 04-15-2017, 08:59 AM   #25
dfb
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,250
M.O.C. #17163
As far as towing in the right lanes? Forget it! While on the 10 coming into LOUISIANA, our 5th wheel was damaged! Curtains and trim came down. Axles bent..until the rough parts of our hiways are fixed, I'll be in the fast lanes...Another bad area is coming into Oklahoma City on the 40....Drivers should file a class action law suit against the states who are spending fuel taxes elsewhere...sue the states for damage to our vehicles, malfeasance, collusion, Fraud....
dfb is offline  
Old 04-15-2017, 10:23 AM   #26
Mike117
Montana Fan
 
Mike117's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Ferndale
Posts: 273
M.O.C. #16033
Yes and the folks in Olympia are thinking about it here in Weed Country. I mean Washington. Was in Cali for visit and had the experience of a fool split the lane.
Mike117 is offline  
Old 04-15-2017, 12:13 PM   #27
cub22908
New Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: St. Charles
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #18398
Quote:
Originally Posted by carl n susan View Post
Oops, my bad!!! Too many Auroras to keep track of. But even Illinois has smog requirements and Aurora in Kane County (Zip Code 60505) is one of 9 counties potentially subject to mandatory smog inspections.
Diesels not emission tested in illinois, only gasoline vehicles.

Dan
cub22908 is offline  
Old 04-15-2017, 05:02 PM   #28
Bad Moon
Montana Fan
 
Bad Moon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Medford
Posts: 498
M.O.C. #18546
Quote:
Originally Posted by carl n susan View Post
As for diesel fuel price, it is close to, if not cheaper, than OR and WA. The recent passage of SB1 will change that however.
Not even close. CA is higher (by about $0.20 ) than WA and OR before SB1, according to this:
https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/
__________________
2016 Montana High Country 310RE
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LT CC 4x4 Duramax
Bad Moon is offline  
Old 04-15-2017, 09:41 PM   #29
Carl n Susan
Site Team
 
Carl n Susan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,315
M.O.C. #4831
I last made the I-5 corridor trip at Christmas. The prices were very close at that time. I will be making the trip next week and will check. The Gov and its averages tend to be unrealistic. Today, I paid $2.65 in CA. Gasbuddy (https://www.gasbuddy.com/ ) tells me diesel is currently $2.69 at Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville, OR (my usual stop) and $2.65 in Seattle at the Arco station(s).
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB

Carl n Susan is offline  
Old 04-18-2017, 09:34 AM   #30
allmi01
Established Member
 
allmi01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Aurora
Posts: 48
M.O.C. #13124
Wow. My Bad, sorry to all. I did not mean to start a war o this subject but give a warning and maybe get some clarification from the CA residents.

My 06 F350 has some non-CARB certified modifications such as a non-CARB certified exhaust, a non-CARB certified turbo, and on-CARB certified injectors.

From what I have read and have also heard, since the GVW for the F350 is 12K I would need to comply as in CA I am a commercial vehicle.

I agree air quality is very important to all of us. The work done by the EPA in general has improved air quality greatly. Having CARB dictate to out of state vehicle owners that they must comply with 2010 EPA emissions levels even if your vehicle was built prior to that date ( and that is DPF's and DEF) amounts to a bill of attainder which is huge no-no legally however the US EPA granted CARB special privileges and so CARB rules stand.

For me, it is not worth the risk. Would I love to go to Yosemite and Big Sur, sure I would. There are a lot of wonderful places and great folks in CA.

Again, apologies to all for all the furor I raised.

Mike
allmi01 is offline  
Old 04-18-2017, 11:30 AM   #31
Carl n Susan
Site Team
 
Carl n Susan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,315
M.O.C. #4831
Understand *ALL* pickups in CA are registered as Commercial vehicles (yes I know there are a few exceptions, but not applicable to us). So your being commercial doesn't differentiate you from any other CA pickup.

A 2008 F350 has a GVWR less than 11.500 unless it is a dually. If it is, then the GVWR is closer to 14K. But it doesn't matter. Pickups in CA don't have to stop for weight stations or any of that hoopla. The weigh stations are busy enough without every pickup on the road stopping there. Plus, if you have a privately owned tow vehicle (including a MDT or HDT) pulling a RV, you are exempt from the weight stations.

As I wrote before, there are (hundreds of) thousand modified diesel trucks on the roads of CA. CA residents are sometimes subject to smog checks which is where they catch these mods. As a non-resident, the checks don't apply to you.

Come on over to CA, you have nothing to fear but fear itself.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB

Carl n Susan is offline  
Old 04-18-2017, 01:42 PM   #32
Bad Moon
Montana Fan
 
Bad Moon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Medford
Posts: 498
M.O.C. #18546
Here are GasBuddy average gas prices:

http://then.gasbuddy.com/GB_Price_List.aspx

This is relative, since they don't have average diesel prices. Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and California are in the bottom 5 (i.e. highest prices), with Oregon average $0.25 cheaper than CA. Is it enough more to keep me out of CA? No, but I make every effort to avoid filling up in CA. Not because of the money as much as the politics.
__________________
2016 Montana High Country 310RE
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LT CC 4x4 Duramax
Bad Moon is offline  
Old 04-18-2017, 02:50 PM   #33
vipermanden
Montana Master
 
vipermanden's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: North Lake Tahoe
Posts: 639
M.O.C. #18510
DFB,

Been on hwy 10 coming into New Orleans from Beaumont Texas, and you are right! Also going to go to Oklahoma City on hwy 40 on the way home! Can't wait! :-) How do you know axles are bent? So far my Mor-Ryde legacy 4100 smooths out the bumps pretty good. It's my Dually that make me feel like someone is slammin my butt with a metal two by four!!
__________________
2017 3820FK Legacy Edition full body paint Montana, For Sale this November, 2018. 2016 Ram 3500 long bed Dually Cummins Turbo with air bags
vipermanden is offline  
Old 05-19-2017, 08:35 AM   #34
dfb
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,250
M.O.C. #17163
Quote:
Originally Posted by prndl View Post
From dmv.ca.gov

A noncommercial driver license is issued in the following two classes:

Noncommercial Class A
Noncommercial Class B
A Noncommercial Class A license is required if you tow:

a travel trailer weighing over 10,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) which is not used for hire.
a fifth-wheel travel trailer weighting over 15,000 lbs. GVWR which is not used for hire.
a livestock trailer that is not for hire, weight over 10,000 lbs. GVWR but not over 15,000 lbs. GVWR, and is operated within 150 miles of the farm by a farmer to transport livestock.
A Noncommercial Class B license and endorsement is required if you operate:

A housecar over 40 feet but not over 45 feet.

Exemptions: Holders of a commercial Class A or B license, a noncommercial Class A license, and all fire fighter license classes.
How can a trailer weigh over its gvwr....? We are 13000 with a gvwr of 16000.... No way would we EVER WEIGH over that unless we put a car on top of YHE trailer..
dfb is offline  
Old 05-19-2017, 09:25 PM   #35
boat391
Montana Master
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ronan
Posts: 513
M.O.C. #5756
Much easier than you think. Mine is 16,000 GVWR also and mine come in at 15,600 fully loaded fresh water full all tanks empty. We boondocks most of the time. By time I pack for a two week trip out we come in on the heavy side.
Most people don't boondocks and would not carry as much extra stuff as I do. We travel with our two big labs and all there food on board. Plus a generator and extra gas. So if you do the math it adds up quick. I hope this give you a clue as to how you can add weight fast. Happy travels
boat391 is offline  
Old 05-20-2017, 06:56 AM   #36
dfb
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,250
M.O.C. #17163
Ours weighed 12200 out of YHE factory. When loaded for a trip, clothes, propane, BBQ, tools with no water we hit 13000..... ours is also 16000 gvw... we have 3000 that can still be added.
dfb is offline  
Old 04-25-2018, 08:31 PM   #37
mtlakejim
Montana Master
 
mtlakejim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
Quote:
Originally Posted by carl n susan View Post
I just drove I-5 north from Bakersfield a few days ago. That stretch was pretty much all repaved 3-4 years ago but, due to the heavy truck traffic, it is starting to show some wear. The trick is to straddle the white line if traffic is light. Otherwise, run with your tires on the right-hand fog line and you will miss most of the damage.

On the subject of the 55 MPH speed limit, I have been towing in CA for 50+ years. You are safe at speeds up to 62 MPH or so. Try to flow with the trucks as they know what works. The Fed-Ex guys are the best. They push the allowable limit constantly. The CHP occasionally executes a "Zero Tolerance Policy" exercise and then they will ticket anything over 55 MPH. If the truckers are slowed to 55, you had better do likewise.
I totally agree with you and this applies to ANY state! Going with the flow of the professional truck drivers (at least the ones that are driving smart) is the best way to go.

I always make it a habit to get between a couple of good truckers, get a little front cushion and relax in the "rocking chair". If EVERYONE would drive with the FLOW of the traffic at the same speed (regardless of the speed limit) and with a little safety cushion we would all be much safer. But alas there are simply to many idiots out there that think they are Mario Andretti or want to drive way to slow (particularly in the passing lane).....
__________________
James & Irene Wilson
Bee Branch, AR.
2017 Ram 1 ton diesel duallyCrew Cab/Long Bed
2018 Montana High Country 381TH Garage Full of Toys
mtlakejim is offline  
Old 04-25-2018, 08:32 PM   #38
RonD
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Placerville
Posts: 357
M.O.C. #8962
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark N. View Post
I keep reading posts over the years about pulling a 5'er in CA and special licenses and such. Is there something important I need to know about making a trip into CA with my Montana? I've already done it twice from my home in Utah, but will be doing it again. Was I unknowingly breaking some law? Now I'm worried...
California is really the same as every other state, just keep your speed down the limit is 55, but under 62 should be fine, the stories you read, are exactly that stories, were just like everywhere else
RonD is offline  
Old 04-26-2018, 01:03 AM   #39
Carl n Susan
Site Team
 
Carl n Susan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,315
M.O.C. #4831
Political and religious comments are prohibited on the MOC per the Community Rules. http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...ork&page=rules Consequently numerous political and off topic posts have been removed.

Let's try to remember this is a RV forum and keep our comments focused on that.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB

Carl n Susan is offline  
Old 04-26-2018, 09:30 AM   #40
JABURKHOLDER
Montana Master
 
JABURKHOLDER's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Cuyahoga Falls
Posts: 698
M.O.C. #18572
Lot of California bashing going on here. Over the years, I have lived in California three different times. Can't remember a time I didn't love it. One exception was rush hour near L.A. but that was my own fault, I didn't plan properly. On the way to the Utah Spring Rally, we will be staying in the San Diego area for a week. Looking forward to it.


Still waiting for the big quake that turns my Nevada property into ocean front property.
__________________
ATC/NAC Jerry A. Burkholder, USN (RET.)

Rule #1. The Chief is always right.
Rule #2. When in doubt, refer to rule #1.
JABURKHOLDER is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:37 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.