2000 miles into the trip...

[Murff]

...to Massachusetts and no real problems except:

New Tire Minder TPMS loses a signal on occasion and beeps like crazy scaring the crap out of us. After we stop, it picks up the signal again.

May need to buy new tires for the TV. SWMBO gave the okay. Looking at the trailer tires, they may be getting close also. I asked SWMBO if she had looked a the trailer tires and she said she had. She said may be they should be replaced also. (oh, boy!) These are actually wearing out evenly and do have about 15,000 miles on them. Seems they should last longer?

There are some really rag tag campgrounds out there. Traveling I-90. Hope to find a route around Chicago tomorrow.

Murff

[Tunce the traveler]

Don't have a map in front of me now but before I hit Chicago I go down to I-80 to avoid Chicago altogether and come out near Gary. I-90 thru Chicago will give you grey hair for sure.
Have a safe and fun trip.

[RogerR]

I concur, there is no way to avoid the traffic but that is the best way.

Just past Chicago eastbound is the Shipshewana area which has some nice campgrounds, great Amish cooking, furniture and

Jayco factory tour. If you have the time.

[Tunce the traveler]

Just asked DW and she said at Sioux Falls take 29 down to 80 or farther east on 90 to 35 to Des Moines and hit 80 east. She said " if he goes any farther east on 90 he's on his own".

[robkelly]

I agree about I-80. Not knowing any better I made the trip through Chicago on I-90 - NEVER again! Of course it didn't help that at the time about 50 miles of I-90 north of Chicago was torn up for "construction".

[Racinforthefinish]

Originally Posted by Murff

...to Massachusetts and no real problems except:

New Tire Minder TPMS loses a signal on occasion and beeps like crazy scaring the crap out of us. After we stop, it picks up the signal again.

May need to buy new tires for the TV. SWMBO gave the okay. Looking at the trailer tires, they may be getting close also. I asked SWMBO if she had looked a the trailer tires and she said she had. She said may be they should be replaced also. (oh, boy!) These are actually wearing out evenly and do have about 15,000 miles on them. Seems they should last longer?

There are some really rag tag campgrounds out there. Traveling I-90. Hope to find a route around Chicago tomorrow.

Murff

When my TPMS acted up like this I took the one off and adjusted the valve core until it was just firm. They are very sensitive about settings. Never had another problem.

[kayakterp]

Originally Posted by robkelly

I agree about I-80. Not knowing any better I made the trip through Chicago on I-90 - NEVER again! Of course it didn't help that at the time about 50 miles of I-90 north of Chicago was torn up for "construction".

I don't like I-80 in a car let alone hauling my RV.
When I went camping near Green Bay last summer I went well out of my way to avoid Chicago suburbs all-together. I took I-74 to I-39 then went north

[Marcm157]

Originally Posted by Tunce the traveler

Just asked DW and she said at Sioux Falls take 29 down to 80 or farther east on 90 to 35 to Des Moines and hit 80 east. She said " if he goes any farther east on 90 he's on his own".

Sounds like advice I'd listen to. Sounds like it comes from personal experience...

[ifallsguy]

It has been a while but some of the worst Interstate I've ever driven on is I-80 in Illinois. Destroyed the right front strut on a Volvo I owned due to potholes near Joliet. Hopefully they finally fixed it, but since Illinois is broke and hasn't had a budget in 3 years, I'll continue to avoid I-80 in the Land of Lincoln whenever possible.

[Tunce the traveler]

Poor Murff, he doesn't know what the hell to do now!!! Looks like I've got to go back there for the 4th time.

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by Murff

...to Massachusetts and no real problems except:

New Tire Minder TPMS loses a signal on occasion and beeps like crazy scaring the crap out of us. After we stop, it picks up the signal again.

Are you using the signal booster on your TPMS system? Is the booster located at the front of your TT and connected to a power source that is always "on" while you are on the road?

I had a loss of signal issue on my Seneca even though I was using a booster, called Minder Research and explained my situation. They asked a bunch of questions all of which I had already checked. Then they told me with the proliferation of devices near the frequency the system operates at sometimes a second booster is necessary. They sent me one for free which I installed mid-coach and have never had another loss of signal. You may need to install a second booster (maybe in your TV?) to eliminate the problem. Call Minder, they are happy to discuss any issues and want you to be satisfied. I found that out personally!

By the way the Illinois Toll Road (I-90) from the Wisconsin/Illinois line to the western edge of Chicago is completed now, 3 lanes in each direction almost everywhere. Still some construction on some ramps but minimal impact to through travelers. Just went back and forth from Ohio to Rockford over Memorial Day. One way we sometimes avoid Chicago proper is to take I-290 to I-355 down to I-80 skirting the city. Still busy during peak periods but we haven't come to a standstill like you frequently do if you take I-90 through the city.

[Murff]

Left Madison at 8 this morning. Took I90 and headed toward 290 then 294. Not bad, even with tolls until we got to 80/90.

If someone k ows the Einstein at the Illinois DOT that closed one lane of eastbound 90 where 294 enters it so thee lanes go into one, slap him upside the head for Ol' Murff!

Murff

[Murff]

Now thay we have traveled 3000 miles our biggest complaint are the condition of our highways! Our poor White Hawk has had the hell hammered out of her on this trip. A couple of "fixed" issues have reappeared. I hope the dealer will take care of them after we return home, assuming the 20MRB can survive the journey.

SWMBO is so upset, she has been wondering if a motorhome would be a better cboice.

Murff

[robkelly]

Originally Posted by Murff

Now thay we have traveled 3000 miles our biggest complaint are the condition of our highways! Our poor White Hawk has had the hell hammered out of her on this trip. A couple of "fixed" issues have reappeared. I hope the dealer will take care of them after we return home, assuming the 20MRB can survive the journey.

SWMBO is so upset, she has been wondering if a motorhome would be a better cboice.

Murff

Welcome to the east coast! Couldn't agree more on the conditions of the highways. If you need a dealer to look at something while you're here, try Forrest Marine and RV in Tyngsboro. We're very happy with them, and IMHO their service department is top notch.

[Doug]

I would say a MH would just have more stuff to tear up, more expensive and complicated to repair and more upfront expense. Roads are hard on everything.

JMHO,
Doug