new at this

[rrab1]

Hi all, we bought our first camper today 5-14-05 a 2003 keystone Montana 5er and we are looking for suggestions on where to go in the smokey mountains and any helpful hint's you can throw our way. Thank's Don & Lynne

 

[Fireman]

We really like Little River Camp Ground in Townsend TN. Townsend is called the quiet side of the Smokies, it is a peaceful little town about 20 miles from Gattlingburg and Pigeon Forge and 9 miles from Cades Cove. No traffic jams and noise, no outlet malls, but they do have a nice grocery store and the fly fishing is good. We go there every year and the staff at LRCG are great, and they have recently upgraded many of their sites.



If you go there tell Mickey that Fireman and Snicker sent you.



Fireman



Feel free to PM me with any other Questions

 

[rrab1]

Thank's Don

 

[WHazelwood]

We agree that Townsend is the place. I think the camp ground may be the Little River Camp ground. Its the last one on the left before you enter the park. We've gone there about 5 years now and its great. Easy to slip into Cades Cove early in the morning and watch the turkeys and deer and an ocassional bear. Easy to get to all the other attractions as well.

Keep grinnin,

Mostanything

 

[muddyduck]

added equipment

If you don't already have one, i would definitely get an exhaust brake if you intend to go to the mountains alot. We were out to the smokey mountains and almost burnt up the brakes on our car alone. Don't have a fiver yet, but do drive professionally and know how fast they can go downhill. Brake fade occurs quickly even before you realize it. Hope i don't get flamed here for making a suggestion. . happy trails

 

[BGlidewell]

stay away from deals gap. The motorcycles will thank you



congrats and have fun.

 

[Grizzly]

If you don't already have one, i would definitely get an exhaust brake if you intend to go to the mountains alot.



Can't have exhaust brakes with an automatic.

 

[Grizzly]

Hi all, we bought our first camper today 5-14-05 a 2003 keystone Montana 5er and we are looking for suggestions on where to go in the smokey mountains and any helpful hint's you can throw our way. Thank's Don & Lynne

How large is the 5er? If it's heavy, you may want to upgrade the Auto transmission.

 

[muddyduck]

didn't catch that he had an automatic... need to pay better attention, huh?

 

[rrab1]

Hi all, the 5er is a 2003 32' 9380 lbs. dry, floor plan 2955rl, with 3000 lbs. of carrying capacity 12,380lbs. total . Like I said this is are first rv so nice and slow is the motto of the day. Has anyone used the extended tow mirror's in the Geno's catalog, Thank's Don & Lynne

 

[PC12Driver]

The CIPA extendable towing mirrors rock! I've added a little convex wedge in the outside lower corners and the rearward visibility and blindspot elimination is outstanding. When they're extended, you can just about read your own license plate. I ended up putting a set on my Dad's truck, too. His will occasionally flutter a bit, but he's got a bug deflector so that's kinda expected.



My Dad's set arrived with a small scuff on the glass, so I called CIPA and they sent out a replacement pane that arrived in two days. That's good customer service. At the same time they sent me out a replacement pane for mine that I put a slight haze in when I cleaned it with a paper towel. No charge for that one either, even though I admitted my mistake. That's great customer service.

 

[cwsoules]

To effectively use an exhaust brake with an automatic transmission you need to modify your transmission controls so you can keep it locked up when slowing with the exhaust brake. After 30,000 miles and nearly 15,000 towing I gave in and had DTT modifications installed along with an exhaust brake. I decided that my family's safety was worth more to me than retaining the warranty on the transmission. I would never go back as it is nice to have engine braking help me keep from overheating the brakes on a steep downgrade. I also use my gages I ahd installed at the same time to keep track of vital temperatures and the boost pressure.

 

[rrab1]

PC12driver,great pic of the mirror it's what I need. I have an ez and mach 1. 5's do you have any problem with smoke/soot on the front of your 5er Thank's Don

 

[PC12Driver]

Yes, I do get soot on the trailer, but it's not a problem since it belongs to my parents! :-laf



No, I'm not that bad of a son. Keep the rv clean and waxed and the soot will come off fairly easily. If it gets really bad I use a product called Aero Glaze that I use on the company plane that works great on soot and bugs. Spray it on, hit it with a buffer, let dry and wipe off. Kinda expensive @ $40/gal, but with the buffer and a sponge bonnet a little bit goes a long way.



You can get Aero Glaze here: http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&did=19&product_id=348



What I would be concerned about those mods with an unmodified transmission. Almost 20,000 lbs and 350hp will rip through that trans in no time. Cwsoules has the right idea; get the transmission modded to handle the power and add an exhaust brake. I'll never tow without one (an exhaust brake, that is-not a slushbox).

 

[rrab1]

hope the trans can last for awhile, just let go of big cash on the 5er, sales tax due in 30 day's, need tow mirror's from Geno's. Still need all the supplies that go with owning an rv, we're starting from scratch not complaining but it's not even in the driveway yet so I'm waiting for the fun to start Don

 

[cwsoules]

You can use your cruise control to help get some engine braking. Top the hill in cruise control at the speed you want going down hill, and if the grade is not too steep the cruise control will keep the transmission locked and you will get some engine braking. With my 10. 4K 5er I found that if the grade exceeded 6% the rig would accelerate, the cruise control would unload the transmission, and I'd have brakes only. If you can not afford a transmission upgrade yet try your cruise control.