My life's next chapter

Right now I’m just trying to make the rig livable. The latest issue I’m tackling is overhauling the propane storage/distribution system. My rig was originally licensed in NY State and the underside rust is everywhere. The 32 gallon ASME propane tank and associated cast iron pipe distribution lines looked horrible. I pulled the tank, drained the small amount of propane that was still in it and yesterday I dropped it off for sandblasting and priming. After I pick it up, I’ll paint it light gray and remount it under the rig. The lines were a different story, 19 years of rust and pitting made a mess of them, I’m sure being connected to copper feed lines going to the furnace, water heater, stove and frig accelerated the rust because the tank wasn’t nearly as bad. I just purchased all new piping and will mount it in place tomorrow morning. So far the propane systems cost about $120, not to mention the realization that at 65 I’m not getting any younger. Hell is beginning to make its annual appearance, fortunately if I start early I can still get about 3-4 hours work in before the heat becomes unbearable for me (I’m the guy who used to take his kids tent camping in Northern Wisconsin in January and loved it!).

Most everything else is coming along fine. I have one of the two roof-top AC’s working well with the promise of the bedroom AC working soon (it appears to be a switching problem as it runs fine off the generator). The fresh water, gray water and black water systems work well. I haven’t tested the water heater and stove yet. I’ll work on the furnace in the fall.

I’m going to spend the next few summer months getting used to living in the rig. I’m putting what’s left of my stuff in storage and want to have it accessible so I can take away or add things as needed. Come fall I’m going to work over the engine and drive train and take a shakedown/pheasant hunting trip to South Dakota. After that, who knows? I just know I’ll be outa here!

Steve