Community Forums

Okiedoke · 01-23-2015, 12:04 AM

I've squeezed our 102" wide MH into some tight spots, but didn't realize what a problem it can be until driving onto a ferry with 96" wide lanes. Two workers guided me in, with the guy on the right motioning me to the left while the guy on the left side motioning to go right.

frankdamp · 01-23-2015, 10:14 AM

We're fortunate on the Washington State ferries because they carry a lot of big trucks. The lanes down the center section of the boat are wider. A real gotcha, though is your entry steps. We were lucky in that our MH was built when the steps could be disabled in the closed position. We were on a trip a couple of years ago, when folks in a new DP ahead of us opened the passenger door and the steps deployed into the driver's side of a fairly new Mercedes alongside them

lanerd · 01-23-2015, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okiedoke

I've squeezed our 102" wide MH into some tight spots, but didn't realize what a problem it can be until driving onto a ferry with 96" wide lanes. Two workers guided me in, with the guy on the right motioning me to the left while the guy on the left side motioning to go right.

Two guides???? This has got to be confusing! How do you know which one to look at?

On our trip on the Alaskan Ferry system, we got on at Haines. This was my first time putting my mh on a ferry and once in the parking area of the ferry, I had one guide. I made the mistake of taking a look into one of my mirrors and the guide slammed his palm into the front of the mh to get my attention. He then proceeded to chew my butt, and told me to watch him and him only. I'm not sure how he knew where the back of my mh was or how close I was getting to vehicles next to me, but he put me into a spot that I had only about six inches on the drivers side and about a foot on the passenger side. He warned me to deactivate my steps so they wouldn't come out when I tried to open the door. I could only open the door wide enough for me to squeeze out.

We also stopped at Junea, Sitka, and Ketchakan and at each spot, I only had one guide and you better believe I kept my eyes on him constantly!

Ron

MRUSA14 · 01-23-2015, 11:38 AM

What if your steps can't be turned off? (Mine can't).

djbmsu · 01-23-2015, 11:59 AM

We took the ferry out to the Outer Banks and the brilliant guides parked us on the left side of the ferry, "NEXT" to the center partition. About 3 inches which of course did not allow for the door to open. So on a 97 degree day we could not get out and was told I had to shut down the generator. Uh Huh right, come in and turn it off if you can but the A/C is staying on.

DraginRat · 01-23-2015, 12:13 PM

There is a ferry across a narrow channel between Aransas Pass, and Port Aransas in South Texas. Anything from a one-ton dually and wider has to straddle two lanes. No problem.

Ken Gasbarri

coupevilleDF · 01-23-2015, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankdamp

We're fortunate on the Washington State ferries because they carry a lot of big trucks. The lanes down the center section of the boat are wider. A real gotcha, though is your entry steps. We were lucky in that our MH was built when the steps could be disabled in the closed position. We were on a trip a couple of years ago, when folks in a new DP ahead of us opened the passenger door and the steps deployed into the driver's side of a fairly new Mercedes alongside them

How did you NOT deploy the steps? I know how to leave the out, but not how to keep them in when you open the door. Ours should work the same as yours did unless they changed in the 2 years or the workhorse is different than the Ford.

Even though we live on the island, we have not taken the ferry yet. Easier and cheaper to take the bridge. But one of these days we will want to go to the Olympic Peninsula.

Fred and Bonnie · 01-23-2015, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coupevilleDF

Even though we live on the island, we have not taken the ferry yet. Easier and cheaper to take the bridge. But one of these days we will want to go to the Olympic Peninsula.

Yep, never intend to take the ferry, just don't need the hassle or expense.

Fred

datrbone8 · 01-23-2015, 03:44 PM

I'd like to do it just for the boat ride

coupevilleDF · 01-23-2015, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datrbone8

I'd like to do it just for the boat ride

I did that yesterday round trip with the truck to run errands. Just not with the GT. Only a 15 minute ride.

cc8375 · 01-23-2015, 05:49 PM

We have seen coaches on the Cape May- Lewes Ferry get parked near a post where they cannot get out. When we are in a group. I try to park then go and make sure others are ok. Sometimes if your stuck by a post you can turn the wheels Hard all the way and inch forward so you can get out.

Ray,IN · 01-23-2015, 05:57 PM

The long-route ferry from Sidney Nova Scotia to Newfoundland is an ocean going vessel. Takes 14 hours one-way. It has 8 lanes each, of semi's and RV's on two decks with an additional outside lane for autos and motorcycles, and one deck for autos only. I think my pucker factor was at maximum being this was my first ferry trip. Some of use MH's had to zig-zag to miss each others mirrors entering/exiting the ferry. I was amazed at how laid-back and yet fully-alert, the deck hands were at directing this operation.
The deck hands did goof however. They parked a MH with handicap tags right next to a bulkhead. No way to get the wheelchair out of the MH. They had to stop the loading procedure for 35 minutes, back some semi's and MH's out of the ship/ferry, reposition the handicap MH so the ramp could be deployed, then resume loading.

nothermark · 01-23-2015, 06:31 PM

Only 1 ferry ride so far across the James River in VA. Fun. With the C we could get out the cab doors but I would not have wanted to get in the house door. ;-)

firedoc · 01-23-2015, 10:00 PM

We have some paint on our driver side mirror that belongs on a Washington State Ferry. Loved the ride to San Juan Island, especially since the National Park Service paid the fare!