Community Forums

Billdog350 · 10-02-2022, 06:25 PM

Hello evreryone, I've been finding LOTS of excellent advice via google pointing to posts on this forum by lots of very kind and knowledgeable members. Thank you in advance for your advice and welcoming nature!

While I spent a large part of my youth camping with the Boy Scouts (backpacking through Philmont in New Mexico, CT, RI, NY and VT), my wife and I are on to the next phase of "glamping" where we have heat, ac, power, showers, etc.....my back can't handle sleeping on the ground anymore!

After considerable research and shopping, we ended up with a 2007 Holiday Rambler Neptune 36PDQ. Cummins 5.9 with Allison 2500, 4 slides, solar array on the roof, 39k miles, recently redone floor and upgraded TV and a few other items. From what we have determined so far (we haven't been overnight with it yet) most of the system works property between heat, hot water, AC, Onan 8kw genset, inverter, etc.

However we did unfortunately find a cracked exhaust manifold while inspecting the motor closely. Sadly these aren't available new from Cummins right now (supply chain, etc) so I ended up removing the old one myself, replacing every oil and coolant line on the turbo area, welding and repairing the manifold, removing 7 broken exhaust bolts, and I'm in the process of putting it all back together. Should be around a $1000 job between parts and tools, Cummins quoted me $7000 for the job, once they can get the manifold (120days?) and that was the minimum. With the broken bolts, I'm sure it would have ended up much more.

Once we get it on the road, we may get to enjoy a little camping this fall before most campgrounds close up for good.

Any suggestions of good places within a few hours of central CT areal?

MSHappyCampers · 10-02-2022, 07:03 PM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We’re sure glad you joined the gang here!

Congrats on the new rig! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Hpozzuoli · 10-02-2022, 07:37 PM

We just got back from Hidden Acres near Foxwoods. I believe they will be open for a bit longer. I also think the KOA off exit 91 or 92 is open year round. Most other places will be closing come Columbus Day weekend.

**TonyDi** · 10-02-2022, 08:01 PM

Nice to have you here with us.

Check out the Camping Locations forum. You’ll find lots of ideas there.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f38

RangerZ · 10-02-2022, 08:53 PM

Hello bill! Also from CT here. We will be doing either hidden acres or sun outdoors this weekend to spend one of the last weekends around these parts. Will spend some time in mystic and maybe shoot over to RI. Most places here close after Columbus Day weekend. One of those could be a good shakedown trip for you. We don’t quit though. We will head south sometime in December for a couple of weeks

LynnD · 10-03-2022, 01:49 PM

Hi Billdog350! Welcome to IRV2! Good to have you here and I look forward to reading about your adventures. Sit back, relax and please, above all……stay safe out there!

PABO05 · 10-03-2022, 06:09 PM

Congrats on your new rig.

May you have many miles of smiles

Nice job.

KenZ71 · 10-03-2022, 07:25 PM

When we had our 40 foot Phaeton went to Hammonasset once. That was enough.

Harvest Host: March Farm in Bethel CT was incredible. Friends have been trying to get us to join them at Friendly Beaver, New Boston NH.

I too spent considerable time in a tent with Boy Scouts. I much prefer our current tent.

Billdog350 · 10-04-2022, 01:16 PM

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to welcome me (us) and also to provide some suggestions locally! We will definitely look them up once we get our rig on the road! i'm anxiously awaiting bolting things back up, firing things up, and planning our next trip!