MeanderMan
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Re: Snow-birding; Texas instead of Arizona?
We spent five winters in the San Antonio area (New Braunfels and Wimberley). It was cheaper than Arizona, there were plenty of attractions (River Walk, Alamo, shopping, music, good restaurants, etc.), and getting around San Antonio is fairly easy. Austin, not so much. We looked at the RGV and weren't impressed (too far from anywhere, lots of crime, billboards in Spanish), but after a while we just got fed up with the politics and attitude that Texas is better than anywhere else, and that everyone should carry a gun.433Views0likes0CommentsRe: Trying to decide the right size MH for full timer
We started full timing twelve years ago with a 37' gas motor home. It was great, but the kitchen was lacking and the wind buffet could be tiring. We traded for a 40' DP eight years ago and have never had a problem with state or Federal parks in the central or western U.S. The only problem we've had is in the northeast U.S., where even private parks have smaller sites. I love the space in the DP, wouldn't want a longer or shorter rig.435Views0likes0CommentsRe: One more satellite question
Depends on your lifestyle - as 12-year full timers, we've been pleased with DirecTV. We get the network feeds from both NY and LA, and during football season NFL Direct Ticket. Because we volunteer as interpretive hosts at parks and refuges, we're often under the trees so use a portable dish for HD programming. With a good signal meter, it takes me less than 15 minutes to set up.431Views0likes0CommentsRe: Best Tow dinghy
We're on our fifth tow vehicle since we started full timing, and now have the one we should have started with, a 2013 Honda CRV. 30mpg with AWD, comfortable, lots of storage, bulletproof and holds it's value better than others. Run through the gears, leave in neutral for three minutes, turn off and hit the road. With 17" wheels, it's not exactly an off-road vehicle, but it handles moderately rough, back country roads just fine.450Views0likes0CommentsRe: Electric fireplace
I have a Dimplex fireplace, and it will sometimes trip the thermal overload and shut the heater off although the rest of the system works. Turn main switch off and thermostat down, let sit for 15 or more minutes and turn switch on and thermostat up. Hope it works for you.424Views0likes0CommentsRe: roof air or basement
I've had both roof and basement and much prefer the basement air. In the living area, there is no noise except the whisper of air through the ceiling ducts. Ours, like most, is not under the bed, and if anything helps us sleep as it provides a "white noise". The main reason, however, is that I can purchase whole-house allergen air filters (14X20")from Wal-Mart or Lowe's. The improvement in the quality of air within the coach and the reduction in dust is significant. As for maintenance, I've downloaded the service manual for any A/C tech to look at, and when I had a failed capacitor and circuit card I called the manufacturer (AirxCel)and had the parts shipped overnight.508Views0likes0CommentsRe: Levelers Need Help Retracting
I had the springs replace two years ago, and about a year ago the jack started retracting slower and slower, until they quit about half way up. I tried what the HWH tech said at a rally, dry silicone spray, but it didn't help. I fabricated a piece of wood with a lever that gets them up, but finally got underneath, cleaned the seals with a toothbrush saturated with WD40, and wiped the jacks with it also. Since then, an occasional cleaning and wiping keeps them operating smoothly. BTW, I'm a full timer, and the jacks get raised/lowered an average of once a week. Personally, I think it's an inherent design problem, and I'm not going to replace any parts until the jacks lock up and won't move.456Views0likes0CommentsRe: Any of regret going fulltime Rving
This subject has some interesting answers. We've been full timing for ten years, a natural evolution for us since during my USAF career we lived in fourteen states and overseas. We often hear "you're living our dream, we'd love to full time!", but in reality, not many people are suited for the lifestyle. Unless both partners are more interested in experiencing new places and things than staying with family and familiar surroundings, it just won't work. We both have a huge appetite to see new places, learn new subjects through volunteering, and meet and make new friends. It amuses me when people obsess about an exit plan and buying a home. Why, at that age, would I want to own a home? So that I can remodel it? Build equity? I think instead that we'll find a nice condo rental and let someone else do the maintenance. But that's a long way off!539Views0likes0Comments
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