Holiday in the Florida Keys
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Canton, Ohio
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Holiday in the Florida Keys
At the end of November, I'm going to drive to the Keys for my annual holiday. Done this for the last 6 or so years. I once asked this group if they knew of any good mechanics in the Keys, but didn't get a terrific response (got a terrific response from the members, just not for the mechanics). However, I've noticed during this last year, that we have other people on the Keys with Dodges, who surely are having to get their Dodges serviced. This prompts me to ask, are there any reliable mechanics on the Keys these days? I was hoping for maybe of a list of mechanics down the length of the Keys, who you might trust with your trucks?
John
John
#2
Proprietor of Fiver's Inn and Hospitality Center
Wow, why do you need a "LIST of mechanics down the keys"? Do you plan on breaking every few miles? Hope not - - these babies don't break. The keys are for fun, not breaking - - except they break your wallet.
Be sure you hit Bahia Honda State Park and set up camp for a while. Gorgeous. Good sites right on the water if you reserve ahead (which is the only way to make sure you get in). 37 miles north of Key West. You can snorkle amoung the tropical fish right off the back of your fiver. Step out for coffee, then back in the water while the misses takes a picture of you from the window of the fiver. Nice place. Good fishing, too. Great beach. Private. Hey, I gotta go - - hooking up and heading south to Honda land.
SnorklinBob
Be sure you hit Bahia Honda State Park and set up camp for a while. Gorgeous. Good sites right on the water if you reserve ahead (which is the only way to make sure you get in). 37 miles north of Key West. You can snorkle amoung the tropical fish right off the back of your fiver. Step out for coffee, then back in the water while the misses takes a picture of you from the window of the fiver. Nice place. Good fishing, too. Great beach. Private. Hey, I gotta go - - hooking up and heading south to Honda land.
SnorklinBob
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Canton, Ohio
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by FiverBob
Wow, why do you need a "LIST of mechanics down the keys"? Do you plan on breaking every few miles? Hope not - - these babies don't break. The keys are for fun, not breaking - - except they break your wallet.
Wow, why do you need a "LIST of mechanics down the keys"? Do you plan on breaking every few miles? Hope not - - these babies don't break. The keys are for fun, not breaking - - except they break your wallet.
[i]Be sure you hit Bahia Honda State Park and set up camp for a while. Gorgeous. Good sites right on the water if you reserve ahead (which is the only way to make sure you get in). 37 miles north of Key West. You can snorkle amoung the tropical fish right off the back of your fiver. Step out for coffee, then back in the water while the misses takes a picture of you from the window of the fiver. Nice place. Good fishing, too. Great beach. Private. Hey, I gotta go - - hooking up and heading south to Honda land. [/B]
John
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm green with envy! Hit Bahia Honda this past June courtesy of Fiver Bob's advice! You're gonna love it and they do have the porcelain facilities so that the wife doesn't have to use the trailer all of the time!
Unfortunately I can't help you with the mechanics as my truck was great all the way there and back (7,800 miles roundtrip).
Enjoy!
Ken
Unfortunately I can't help you with the mechanics as my truck was great all the way there and back (7,800 miles roundtrip).
Enjoy!
Ken
#5
Proprietor of Fiver's Inn and Hospitality Center
Ken,
I am setting up reservations tomorrow for the Honda for 1st of March. Going down and meet my Canuck cousins from Ontario. Love it there. She wants to go rumble "on the square". She has heard about it, so she has to watch the crazees see the sun set. There are some kooks hang out in that square. Fun.
SquareBob
I am setting up reservations tomorrow for the Honda for 1st of March. Going down and meet my Canuck cousins from Ontario. Love it there. She wants to go rumble "on the square". She has heard about it, so she has to watch the crazees see the sun set. There are some kooks hang out in that square. Fun.
SquareBob
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you make me wanna puke!
Yah, the square was a pretty interesting spot! Especially the guy with the cat show!
Parking and maneuvering the dually was pretty interesting though. The father in-law just scratched his head at a couple of places that we actually fit into!
Enjoy
Jealouscanuckken
Yah, the square was a pretty interesting spot! Especially the guy with the cat show!
Parking and maneuvering the dually was pretty interesting though. The father in-law just scratched his head at a couple of places that we actually fit into!
Enjoy
Jealouscanuckken
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Canton, Ohio
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by FiverBob
She wants to go rumble "on the square".
She wants to go rumble "on the square".
John
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: near Magnolia, Tx.
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So far I have been lucky enough not to need a good mechanic down here. I know of a couple decent general automotive mechanics ... but none that specialize in Cummins. There are a few marine diesel mechs around ... don't know how much good that would do.
Are you military, retired military or DOD ?? If so ... you can use my shop on NAS Key West. At the very least it is a nice place for you to use a lift and do it yourself if need be.
Have fun .... give a ring when you come through.
PISTOL
Are you military, retired military or DOD ?? If so ... you can use my shop on NAS Key West. At the very least it is a nice place for you to use a lift and do it yourself if need be.
Have fun .... give a ring when you come through.
PISTOL
#9
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Canton, Ohio
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry to not respond before now Pistol, for some reason I never saw your reply, or I might have called, it would have come in handy. While down there I did end up needing a mechanic.
Remember this post? I think FiverBob jinxed me.
Originally posted by FiverBob
Wow, why do you need a "LIST of mechanics down the keys"? Do you plan on breaking every few miles? Hope not - - these babies don't break. The keys are for fun, not breaking - - except they break your wallet.
replied by John H
I always try to plan ahead. It seems with each long trip, something always happens. Last trip I blew the transmission pan gasket - TWICE. One before that, a seized front brake caliper. One before that, bearings in the rear end. The list comes in handy for knowing who's closest.
This time I blew the TPS, had to buy a new one from Keys Diesel up in Marathon, nice people, ordered it directly from Cummins for me. Half the price of Dodge.
Separated a tire tread (luckily while not towing), got two new tires.
And finally squeezed the #1 exhaust manifold gasket about 3/8" out from between the manifold and the head.
I tried to loosen the manifold bolts myself, but couldn't budge the third one I tried, so in fear of breaking off a bolt and really getting stuck, in desperation I took it in to Duncan Auto Sales in Key West, and they replaced the gaskets. Didn't charge too much, and the work looked neat and clean, so either they are not too bad to use, or I came out lucky.
LookingforfiverbobwithabigstickJohn
Remember this post? I think FiverBob jinxed me.
Originally posted by FiverBob
Wow, why do you need a "LIST of mechanics down the keys"? Do you plan on breaking every few miles? Hope not - - these babies don't break. The keys are for fun, not breaking - - except they break your wallet.
replied by John H
I always try to plan ahead. It seems with each long trip, something always happens. Last trip I blew the transmission pan gasket - TWICE. One before that, a seized front brake caliper. One before that, bearings in the rear end. The list comes in handy for knowing who's closest.
This time I blew the TPS, had to buy a new one from Keys Diesel up in Marathon, nice people, ordered it directly from Cummins for me. Half the price of Dodge.
Separated a tire tread (luckily while not towing), got two new tires.
And finally squeezed the #1 exhaust manifold gasket about 3/8" out from between the manifold and the head.
I tried to loosen the manifold bolts myself, but couldn't budge the third one I tried, so in fear of breaking off a bolt and really getting stuck, in desperation I took it in to Duncan Auto Sales in Key West, and they replaced the gaskets. Didn't charge too much, and the work looked neat and clean, so either they are not too bad to use, or I came out lucky.
LookingforfiverbobwithabigstickJohn
#10
Proprietor of Fiver's Inn and Hospitality Center
Originally posted by John H
LookingforfiverbobwithabigstickJohn
LookingforfiverbobwithabigstickJohn
SixerBob
ps: sorry about the problems. Just have to chalk it up to the fact that Cummins was smarter than you are - - it didn't want to leave Paradise. And, did we like Bahia Honda????
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Canton, Ohio
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by FiverBob
Just have to chalk it up to the fact that Cummins was smarter than you are - - it didn't want to leave Paradise.
Just have to chalk it up to the fact that Cummins was smarter than you are - - it didn't want to leave Paradise.
And, did we like Bahia Honda????
John
#13
Proprietor of Fiver's Inn and Hospitality Center
Hey John, I am soooo glad you liked it. That is undoubtedly one of our favorite camping sites. And you were just about in the campsite that we were in last time - - I think the pic is still under my pictures. Don't know if you did it, but the snorkeling is great right behind your Rv there and under the bridge - - gorgeous tropical fish all around there - - also a few big sharks. HMMMMM
It is 84 here today - - having a heat wave - 59 last night.
It is 84 here today - - having a heat wave - 59 last night.
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: near Magnolia, Tx.
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
John,
Man ... you stacked up the repairs down here, eh ? To be honest with you I am surprised with the service you got at the dealer. They tend to rape us when our young sailors go there.
I have driven by Bahia Honda quite a few times but never had the occasion to camp there. Looks like a real nice place. If you don't mind me asking ... what did you pay per night ?
Well, if either you or scaredycatbob make it down here again before March 11 ... give me a shout. I'll either have a hot cup of coffee or a frosty adult beverage waiting for you. I gotta stay off of Duval Street though ... just a small scuffle, that's all .
Cheers,
PISTOL
Man ... you stacked up the repairs down here, eh ? To be honest with you I am surprised with the service you got at the dealer. They tend to rape us when our young sailors go there.
I have driven by Bahia Honda quite a few times but never had the occasion to camp there. Looks like a real nice place. If you don't mind me asking ... what did you pay per night ?
Well, if either you or scaredycatbob make it down here again before March 11 ... give me a shout. I'll either have a hot cup of coffee or a frosty adult beverage waiting for you. I gotta stay off of Duval Street though ... just a small scuffle, that's all .
Cheers,
PISTOL
#15
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Canton, Ohio
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by PistolWhipt
John,
Man ... you stacked up the repairs down here, eh ? To be honest with you I am surprised with the service you got at the dealer. They tend to rape us when our young sailors go there.
I have driven by Bahia Honda quite a few times but never had the occasion to camp there. Looks like a real nice place. If you don't mind me asking ... what did you pay per night ?
Well, if either you or scaredycatbob make it down here again before March 11 ... give me a shout. I'll either have a hot cup of coffee or a frosty adult beverage waiting for you. I gotta stay off of Duval Street though ... just a small scuffle, that's all .
Cheers,
PISTOL
John,
Man ... you stacked up the repairs down here, eh ? To be honest with you I am surprised with the service you got at the dealer. They tend to rape us when our young sailors go there.
I have driven by Bahia Honda quite a few times but never had the occasion to camp there. Looks like a real nice place. If you don't mind me asking ... what did you pay per night ?
Well, if either you or scaredycatbob make it down here again before March 11 ... give me a shout. I'll either have a hot cup of coffee or a frosty adult beverage waiting for you. I gotta stay off of Duval Street though ... just a small scuffle, that's all .
Cheers,
PISTOL
When we stayed in Bahia Honda, we were only paying about $32 per night. BUT, we didn't get full hook up, only electric and water.
I have a vivid imagination, so I don't need any explanation about what happened on Duval Street, I try to stay off there without having been in trouble. It's bad enough during the day, but it is just wierd at night. It's the first street I've ever been on in any city, that the nerves in my back were crawling. And, I've been a lot of places in the world I'm not owning to, and I won't go back.
John