Geocritter
Explorer
Joined 15 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Never Too Late To FullTime
Hi George, After my dear wife passed away from cancer in 2011 I was at a loss. I had to do something to fill my life and about 4 years ago I began contemplating full-time RVing. I stumbled across your blog and read your adventures. I've been RVing for the last 3.5 years in a well-worn 1994 Class A Holiday Rambler as well one very long side trip to Alaska and Western Canada in my 2005 Caravan. So far my travels have taken me over 23,000 miles. Reading about your adventures definitely helped get me started. Thanks George! Steve669Views0likes0CommentsRe: tag axle MH sagging... what to do?
While I don't have a tag axle I used rear suspension air bags to augment the worn springs on my 1994 33' Class A Holiday Rambler and they worked great. I installed them myself. The installation was straight forwards and easy, the airbags cost $300. Steve503Views0likes0CommentsRe: Hi all
There’s a lot of arguments concerning gas v diesel. I went with gas strictly from an economic standpoint and even with the poor fuel mileage it works for me. One guy, who was a retired diesel engine mechanic, went with gas simply because he knew that cost for diesel engine parts could be budget busting. On my RV, a 1994 33’ Class A Holiday Rambler, the 460 V8 developed a bearing knock at about 60,000 miles. However, I don’t blame the engine but rather the previous owner’s irresponsible attitude when it came to regular service and maintenance. I fully expect to get +100,000 miles from the rebuilt long block engine assembly I installed. But, unlike the RV’s previous owner I’ll be running synthetic oil exclusively and changing it on a yearly basis. Based on my own experience, I strongly recommend that whether you go with gas or diesel, if you purchase used, that you research the RV’s maintenance records as much as you can. Even when they’re well taken care of a lot is asked of these machines and they’ll go downhill quickly if not properly maintained. Steve186Views0likes0CommentsRe: How big is big enough?
I’ve been following this thread, which asks a common but unfortunately subjective question. There are folks happily full-timing in Class B’s while others in 40’ Class A’s lament not having enough space. When I began full timing just over three years ago I purchased a 33’ Class A, basing my needed space decision on a two year period in college when I lived in a beat-up 1950’s vintage 8’X25’ travel trailer. It turned out that for my needs my 33’ Class A is too big. Half ways through my first road trip, a 6,000 mile loop from Texas to LA and then up the west coast to Port Angeles WA and back to Texas via Denver, I began referring to my RV as “The Behemoth” and the name was not meant as a compliment! I’ve since made modifications to the suspension, replaced the engine, installed exhaust headers (more power) and I’m liking my palatial manor much better, though I still wish it were shorter, not over 30’. However that’s just me, your size needs, both actual and psychological, may vary. As it is I’ve developed a work-around that suits my full-timing needs. I typically stay at places for a month at a time and use my Class A as a home base. I use my toad, a Dodge Caravan and a 250cc dirt bike, to further explore the area I’m visiting. Of all the advice you've gotten in my opinion 2gypsies advice stands out as the most useful, though I’d never go with a 40’ RV like they did. But as I said, it’s all subjective. Steve671Views0likes0CommentsRe: Hello
Hi and welcome, I’ve been living full time in my 1994 Class A 33’ Holiday Rambler for over three years now and I love it! FWIW I took a two month Alaska/Western Canada trip this past May and June. Unlike your 2006 Alaska trip I chose to put my 7.5mpg behemoth in temporary storage and do the adventure in my 26.5mpg Dodge Caravan exploration vehicle. Two months and +12,000 miles traveling and living in my Caravan was great fun. You sound like someone who’ll love the full time lifestyle. Steve307Views0likes0CommentsRe: FT and Boondocking - what RV length?
Pyrate, as a semi-retired consulting geologist I’m pretty much doing what you plan to do, using my 33’ Class A Holiday Rambler as a base camp and a Dodge Caravan and 250cc dirt bike for exploration. If I had to do it all over again I’d probably get a shorter RV, possibly a Class C, no longer than 30’ with lots of ground clearance. Early on I had such a problem with tail-dragging over any kind of a dip I finally installed rear suspension air-bags in my RV to raise it higher, that’s the main reason I’m suggesting nothing over 30’, that long rear-end overhang can be a royal PITA for boondocking! My RV before I installed the rear air bags. Just look at how long that rear end extends past the rear wheels! My intrepid 27mpg Dodge Caravan exploration vehicle on a 2 month 12,000 mile Western Canada/Alaska road trip. Using my Caravan for this trip, rather than my RV, saved me about $3,000 in fuel costs! Early on in my adventures I visited Yosemite. No way could I get a campground in the park. However, I found a beautiful and half-full National Forest CG to stay in for about $5/night just outside the park. When I visited the Grand Canyon North Rim recently I just pulled into the nearby National Forest and camped for free. It was nice looking out my window in the morning at a small flock of turkeys just outside! Steve PS what size RV to get is very subjective and depends largely on how much space you feel you need and what and where you plan to go with your RV. If you're going to do a lot of one lane gravel roads, then a small 4WD RV with lots of ground clearance. Since I just use my RV (home-on-wheels) as a base camp I can get away with having a huge ponderous interstate cruiser RV to travel from one area to another, knowing that I can explore all over in my Caravan or dirt bike once I land.816Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tesla towing an Air Stream
prichardson wrote: Except for the limited range problem an electric vehicle would make an excellent tow vehicle. Electric motors have excellent low speed torque which is just the thing for moving heavy loads. Just look at freight trains; those locomotives are really a large diesel generator producing electricity for the electric motors at the drive wheels. BINGO!253Views0likes0CommentsRe: Camper Hacks - Love to hear your solutions
Two of my favorites. Often when I’m traveling I’ll put a can of chili or stew on the top of my engine. When I stop for lunch it’s all warmed up and ready to eat. Did you ever have problems with a failing lift gate support? Take off the support and cut a piece of PVC pipe to fit the opened gap. Reinstall the support and use the PVC to hold it open. When not in use the pipe slides down the support for storage. Some food for thought: A guy gets a flat tire in front of the local insane asylum. As he’s taking off the flat tire to mount the spare he notices a fellow watching him from the other side of the asylum fence. About this time he stumbles and drops all his lug nuts down a very deep sewer drain! He stands for a minute wondering what to do when the watcher says “Why don’t you take a lug nut off each of your other three wheels. Three lug nuts will hold your wheel on long enough to get you to a service station.” The man looks at him and says “You’re right, what a great idea! But what are you doing in an insane asylum?” The man looks back and says “Just because I’m crazy doesn’t mean I’m stupid!” What I'm trying to say is that I could go on and on about helpful things I've learned through the years, often times from people who otherwise didn't seem very bright. Keep an open mind and never stop learning! Steve2.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: COSTCO no longer wants motorhomes in gas lines?
I haven't really followed this thread but my thought is this, since you're paying an annual membership fee you should be eligible for all member benefits. If Costco doesn't have the facilities to fuel your RV they should reimburse you the difference when you fill up somewhere near by. Now if they want to wave the membership fee... Steve1KViews0likes0Comments
Groups
Bucket List Trips
Bucketlist destinations you just can't miss. Which spots stick with you?Jan 18, 202513,487 Posts Full Time RVers
Thinking about becoming a full-time RVer? Ask the experts.Dec 28, 20241,587 Posts Motorhome Group
Join in here to discuss all things motorhomes.Mar 09, 202538,709 Posts Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Apr 19, 201944,027 Posts
