Thinking it may be simplest to write as things happen:
Total mileage (8,000 when we arrived) 51,000 now 26.6 MPG
Just left California, highest price seen $6.79
Using gasbuddy found a petrol station a little off our route @ $4.59 and near enough to Death Valley to mean we entered 90% full.
4 new tyres fitted Front Coopper Discoverer HT3 fitted 25,000 miles ago, in Canada and original rear Michelin Agilis after 43,000 miles both down to minimum marker.
4 Kenda Klever H/T 2 @ 4,250kgs and inflated to 80 psi US regulation requires the van is fitted with LT - Light Truck tyre load rating 115/116
$225 (£185 @ 1.21) each fitted
Brake Pad wear warning light came on @ 43,256 so we had all pads replaced $125 (£103 @ 1.21) per hr 3 hrs.
I fully understand that the vast majority of the breaking is done by the front brakes but surprised to see rear pads only 5% worn, kept
to be refitted when needed.
Significant water ingress into garage, garage door seals replaced when issue 1st noted last year, not driven on on wet roads since.
There are clear dirt marks showing where the water have come in.
There seems to be gasket material hanging down, plan is to remove and put sealant along all joints.
Wrote to Swift and have approval to effect DIY repair pending taking to dealer/authorised agent upon return in April 24
Garage temporary fix:
Removed redundant gasket/seal and cleaned with solvent
Used very generous application of roofing joint sealant:
Here's hoping...
Key to a successful trip is preparation and that means research, research, research.
Talking with a Swiss couple who have a 2019 Ducato based van, they got an oil change at a US Fiat dealership that was able to provide companionable
oil filter. Personally best to plan and bring part though.
If your van is based on a vehicle available in USA, such as Mercedes Sprinter, you may be more likely to fine part but I plan for the worst bit hope for the best.
Visiting Planning
As a head-up many/most popular US attractions, National Parks/Monuments have a "timed entry process" meaning you have to book an entry time.
They may be year round or seasonal, they can be free or a couple of dollars it is simply "crowd management" system.
Our experience is they are available online 24 hrs in advance, usually vehicular or same day in person for buildings.
The timed entry process for some National Park can be by-passed if you enter the park before a specific time,, usually predawn.
Note you have to enter the park before the specified time, if you join a queue @ 04:00 but arrive at the entry booth 05:01 you don't get in.
You'll need to look at each locations website for information on this.
There may also be restrictions on vehicle type for certain attractions, Example: Glacier National Park our 8.1m/26.6" motorhome was classified too long
for most roads.
Mount Evans: is the highest mountain you can drive up and @ 26.5" we were permitted. The road is narrow, multiple very, very sharp hairpins and >1000"
drop off road but we did it. I would NOT do it again, but once started the only place to turn around is at the top.
Pike Peak: @ 26.5" we were too long, to we, or more correctly I chose to rent a Tesla 2, not driven an electric car before and not knowing the 2 has
nearly a outrageous acceleration as S & X. Tesla 3 is 2.1s to 60 so I loved the drive up Pikes Peak, Angie DID NOT.
As said before such a trip requires research, research, research to find what is best for your requirements.
DO NOT copy someone else's, us it as a guide but triple check.
You will/should have a wonderful time we have.
Talking with a Swiss couple on South Padre RV Park, the bought no spare parts for their 2019 Ducato Knaus Motorhome, but a Fiat dealer was able to source
an oil filter. Guessing Fiat 500/500X/Spider have the same filter? Better to come prepared though me thinks.
Phone, Samsung S21, cabled charging playing up, not charging or damp/foreign body warning.
Bought: Pocket Juice 10K Plus, 3-in-1 10,000mAh Portable Charger with High-Speed Wireless Charging, Black $17.88 + tax Approx £16.00
Naturally available elsewhere but a good solution if cabled charging not working.
Back home preparation:
Installed CCTV system to cover house stores 3 months and accessible, anywhere we have internet access.
Put a small 40w bedside light in every room controlled by smart plug time to come on/off.
Installed Hive heating controller so we can monitor house temperature and turned up in advance of our daughters visits.
Rented 2 garages from local council to store cars, took a few viewing to find 2 that were truly dry and secure. The forecourt has cctv coverage as it's secluded
nature was used for drug dealing so cctv installed to stop that but bonus for us. Ran cars to near empty so when refilled should be 95% fresh fuel, over inflated
50psi to try and prevent flat spots. Batteries removed and on charger at home. MOT garage within 100 yards
Food update:
Bush Zero Added Sugar Beans: Heinz are 7% added so, it's in the sauce.
Stand alone the sauce is "watery" and the beans taste oddly sweet but within a meal not really noticed so an acceptable substitute.
Dinty Moor Beef Stew:
A very acceptable stew.
Latest Diesel price $3.29 - £0.66 per liter @ 1.24
Swift Kon-Tiki driver side side garage.
The original pathetic piece of plywood was replaced with a few weeks of taking ownership, it just was not strong enough to support much weight.
Replaced with leftover shelving material.
The issue now is the 3 air gun installed nails and sparse glue gave out.
Batons too thin to fix with screws so refitted using Expanding Gorilla glue and 3 screw below, hopefully it will last.
Saw 3rd incident of driver pulling away from fuel pump with nozzle still in filler.
All 3 were drivers who put nozzle in, engaged lock (we don't have them in UK/Europe,but you can see on the handle where is "should" be) and went into shop.
Came out got in their vehicle and pulled away. Fortunately hoses are fitted with quick release and fuel cut off so no significant spillage.
Not a UK/European issue as you you can't "lock the handle", AND you can't drive off as your keys are most likely "in the filler cap lock".
I've not seen a vehicle with a locking filler cap despite, what Americans view and very high fuel prices.
Could have "sold" the van several times during trip, 24 mpg (US gallon) 4x US motorhome mpg, even the small ones.
Lack of AC and 20 litre black tank and issue but AC can be added black tank benefit of emptying into toilet if more often noted.
Possible going to regret choice to go East and then come back to Zion & Bryce Canyon as it's seriously sub 0c overnight, but topped up LPG and only for a few days.
Planning our return trip and discovered Jacksonville & Brunswick require gas certificate and they can only be issued for tanks with purge valve.
Bottles can't be shipped from either port. Baltimore & Halifax do not require certificates bottles just have to show as empty.
A little odd there are different requirements for ports in USA and the van will be going back on a ship that has picked up in the ports.
So additional an additional 1,850 miles and 30 hours of driving.
Had a slow puncture a week ago, pressure monitor alarmed, got a plug glued in at @ truck tyre centre, they did not have equipment to remove tyre and patch from the inside. Following morning had the puncture patched from the inside.
Some damage from a rock knocked into the road by the semi in front of us
All 3 panels damaged with draw and left hand panel being pushed backwards an inch or so.
Submitted claim on US motor insurance and things work a little differently. The insurance company have estimated the repair cost
and made payment $1,192 less $1,000 deductible.
Then when repair is completed I submit invoices and balance payed or returned.
Also following the rock damage we sent images of the damage to the dealer we bought the van from asking them
the order necessary replacement parts, knowing Swift, ironically not swift parts availability.
We subsequently received and email from dealers parts dept saying they could not identify the parts needed from the Swift parts manual. They have forwarded the images of the damage to Swift asking them to identify parts required.
Stating "their (Swift) descriptions aren’t great and they don’t show photos against part numbers".
Personally how poor can a description be that it's not possible to identify these parts.
I can't recall if I mentioned the additional locks & protective plate we had fitted.
Locks hook into side panel and plates prevent "harpooning", which is thieves shoving a screwdriver through door
panel and activating central locking mechanism behind key hole. It's a common issue with vans, for the tools, thought being it would
make the thieves move onto an easier target.
Forgot to include, AdBlue/DEF miles covered for a 2.5 USG (9.46 ltr) has been "erratic"!!
We've recorded the mileage after using each complete container and mileage covered has been between 600 - 1400
miles.
Had glasses fixed in Walmart, arm fell off after loosing fixing screw. They used a "universal" screw. Softer thread than
normal screw and tapered. Once installed the excess it trimmed so "flaring" then end so it will not come loose.
They replaced the missing screw and the remaining one, FOC and I was shopping in store.
Chatting while work being done, I asked if they could produce glasses based on an English prescription, and after getting
it from van, they said they could.
Journal: https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/journals/month-7-of-late-gap-year-usa-road-trip.413/
You can follow our misadventures @ https://www.polarsteps.com/JezAng/7186963-gap-year
Total mileage (8,000 when we arrived) 51,000 now 26.6 MPG
Just left California, highest price seen $6.79
Using gasbuddy found a petrol station a little off our route @ $4.59 and near enough to Death Valley to mean we entered 90% full.
4 new tyres fitted Front Coopper Discoverer HT3 fitted 25,000 miles ago, in Canada and original rear Michelin Agilis after 43,000 miles both down to minimum marker.
4 Kenda Klever H/T 2 @ 4,250kgs and inflated to 80 psi US regulation requires the van is fitted with LT - Light Truck tyre load rating 115/116
$225 (£185 @ 1.21) each fitted
Brake Pad wear warning light came on @ 43,256 so we had all pads replaced $125 (£103 @ 1.21) per hr 3 hrs.
I fully understand that the vast majority of the breaking is done by the front brakes but surprised to see rear pads only 5% worn, kept
to be refitted when needed.
Significant water ingress into garage, garage door seals replaced when issue 1st noted last year, not driven on on wet roads since.
There are clear dirt marks showing where the water have come in.
There seems to be gasket material hanging down, plan is to remove and put sealant along all joints.
Wrote to Swift and have approval to effect DIY repair pending taking to dealer/authorised agent upon return in April 24
Garage temporary fix:
Removed redundant gasket/seal and cleaned with solvent
Used very generous application of roofing joint sealant:
Here's hoping...
Key to a successful trip is preparation and that means research, research, research.
Talking with a Swiss couple who have a 2019 Ducato based van, they got an oil change at a US Fiat dealership that was able to provide companionable
oil filter. Personally best to plan and bring part though.
If your van is based on a vehicle available in USA, such as Mercedes Sprinter, you may be more likely to fine part but I plan for the worst bit hope for the best.
Visiting Planning
As a head-up many/most popular US attractions, National Parks/Monuments have a "timed entry process" meaning you have to book an entry time.
They may be year round or seasonal, they can be free or a couple of dollars it is simply "crowd management" system.
Our experience is they are available online 24 hrs in advance, usually vehicular or same day in person for buildings.
The timed entry process for some National Park can be by-passed if you enter the park before a specific time,, usually predawn.
Note you have to enter the park before the specified time, if you join a queue @ 04:00 but arrive at the entry booth 05:01 you don't get in.
You'll need to look at each locations website for information on this.
There may also be restrictions on vehicle type for certain attractions, Example: Glacier National Park our 8.1m/26.6" motorhome was classified too long
for most roads.
Mount Evans: is the highest mountain you can drive up and @ 26.5" we were permitted. The road is narrow, multiple very, very sharp hairpins and >1000"
drop off road but we did it. I would NOT do it again, but once started the only place to turn around is at the top.
Pike Peak: @ 26.5" we were too long, to we, or more correctly I chose to rent a Tesla 2, not driven an electric car before and not knowing the 2 has
nearly a outrageous acceleration as S & X. Tesla 3 is 2.1s to 60 so I loved the drive up Pikes Peak, Angie DID NOT.
As said before such a trip requires research, research, research to find what is best for your requirements.
DO NOT copy someone else's, us it as a guide but triple check.
You will/should have a wonderful time we have.
Talking with a Swiss couple on South Padre RV Park, the bought no spare parts for their 2019 Ducato Knaus Motorhome, but a Fiat dealer was able to source
an oil filter. Guessing Fiat 500/500X/Spider have the same filter? Better to come prepared though me thinks.
Phone, Samsung S21, cabled charging playing up, not charging or damp/foreign body warning.
Bought: Pocket Juice 10K Plus, 3-in-1 10,000mAh Portable Charger with High-Speed Wireless Charging, Black $17.88 + tax Approx £16.00
Naturally available elsewhere but a good solution if cabled charging not working.
Back home preparation:
Installed CCTV system to cover house stores 3 months and accessible, anywhere we have internet access.
Put a small 40w bedside light in every room controlled by smart plug time to come on/off.
Installed Hive heating controller so we can monitor house temperature and turned up in advance of our daughters visits.
Rented 2 garages from local council to store cars, took a few viewing to find 2 that were truly dry and secure. The forecourt has cctv coverage as it's secluded
nature was used for drug dealing so cctv installed to stop that but bonus for us. Ran cars to near empty so when refilled should be 95% fresh fuel, over inflated
50psi to try and prevent flat spots. Batteries removed and on charger at home. MOT garage within 100 yards
Food update:
Bush Zero Added Sugar Beans: Heinz are 7% added so, it's in the sauce.
Stand alone the sauce is "watery" and the beans taste oddly sweet but within a meal not really noticed so an acceptable substitute.
Dinty Moor Beef Stew:
A very acceptable stew.
Latest Diesel price $3.29 - £0.66 per liter @ 1.24
Swift Kon-Tiki driver side side garage.
The original pathetic piece of plywood was replaced with a few weeks of taking ownership, it just was not strong enough to support much weight.
Replaced with leftover shelving material.
The issue now is the 3 air gun installed nails and sparse glue gave out.
Batons too thin to fix with screws so refitted using Expanding Gorilla glue and 3 screw below, hopefully it will last.
Saw 3rd incident of driver pulling away from fuel pump with nozzle still in filler.
All 3 were drivers who put nozzle in, engaged lock (we don't have them in UK/Europe,but you can see on the handle where is "should" be) and went into shop.
Came out got in their vehicle and pulled away. Fortunately hoses are fitted with quick release and fuel cut off so no significant spillage.
Not a UK/European issue as you you can't "lock the handle", AND you can't drive off as your keys are most likely "in the filler cap lock".
I've not seen a vehicle with a locking filler cap despite, what Americans view and very high fuel prices.
Could have "sold" the van several times during trip, 24 mpg (US gallon) 4x US motorhome mpg, even the small ones.
Lack of AC and 20 litre black tank and issue but AC can be added black tank benefit of emptying into toilet if more often noted.
Possible going to regret choice to go East and then come back to Zion & Bryce Canyon as it's seriously sub 0c overnight, but topped up LPG and only for a few days.
Planning our return trip and discovered Jacksonville & Brunswick require gas certificate and they can only be issued for tanks with purge valve.
Bottles can't be shipped from either port. Baltimore & Halifax do not require certificates bottles just have to show as empty.
A little odd there are different requirements for ports in USA and the van will be going back on a ship that has picked up in the ports.
So additional an additional 1,850 miles and 30 hours of driving.
Had a slow puncture a week ago, pressure monitor alarmed, got a plug glued in at @ truck tyre centre, they did not have equipment to remove tyre and patch from the inside. Following morning had the puncture patched from the inside.
Some damage from a rock knocked into the road by the semi in front of us
All 3 panels damaged with draw and left hand panel being pushed backwards an inch or so.
Submitted claim on US motor insurance and things work a little differently. The insurance company have estimated the repair cost
and made payment $1,192 less $1,000 deductible.
Then when repair is completed I submit invoices and balance payed or returned.
Also following the rock damage we sent images of the damage to the dealer we bought the van from asking them
the order necessary replacement parts, knowing Swift, ironically not swift parts availability.
We subsequently received and email from dealers parts dept saying they could not identify the parts needed from the Swift parts manual. They have forwarded the images of the damage to Swift asking them to identify parts required.
Stating "their (Swift) descriptions aren’t great and they don’t show photos against part numbers".
Personally how poor can a description be that it's not possible to identify these parts.
I can't recall if I mentioned the additional locks & protective plate we had fitted.
Locks hook into side panel and plates prevent "harpooning", which is thieves shoving a screwdriver through doorpanel and activating central locking mechanism behind key hole. It's a common issue with vans, for the tools, thought being it would
make the thieves move onto an easier target.
Forgot to include, AdBlue/DEF miles covered for a 2.5 USG (9.46 ltr) has been "erratic"!!
We've recorded the mileage after using each complete container and mileage covered has been between 600 - 1400
miles.
Had glasses fixed in Walmart, arm fell off after loosing fixing screw. They used a "universal" screw. Softer thread than
normal screw and tapered. Once installed the excess it trimmed so "flaring" then end so it will not come loose.
They replaced the missing screw and the remaining one, FOC and I was shopping in store.
Chatting while work being done, I asked if they could produce glasses based on an English prescription, and after getting
it from van, they said they could.
Journal: https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/journals/month-7-of-late-gap-year-usa-road-trip.413/
You can follow our misadventures @ https://www.polarsteps.com/JezAng/7186963-gap-year
