Observations From The Latest Trip

  • The dual-battery config on the trailer did really well for the long weekend of boondocking. In fact, we could’ve gone several more days on battery power, even running the furnace at night to keep our little hybrid trailer above 55F.
  • We would’ve run out of fresh water before we run out of power; but still had about 20 gal. on board when we departed (used 25 gal.).
  • No nearby dump stations, so if we were to actually plan on boondocking anywhere, we’d need a waste solution (like a Thetford SmartTote or something).
  • The next truck will be an actual 4×4 for the extra terrain-traversing capability it provides.
  • Allison transmissions on diesel trucks are awesome. Except when you’re doing a long descent… without an exhaust brake.
  • The red-line on the 2002 6.6L Duramax is 3,200 RPM. The Allison transmission will dutifully shift down to 3rd while doing 65MPH.
  • The sound of a diesel V8 pulling 3,500 RPM is a little unnerving.
  • Add ‘exhaust brake’ to the list of improvements we’ll need to make… along with:
  1. canopy
  2. lift pump
  3. exhaust brake
  4. new tires (and full-size spare)
  5. replace trailer spare
  6. compact, quiet generator option

Yeah, there will be a few dollar signs.

Busyness, A Sale, and People Observations

Busyness

With a day-job that takes up most of the days, blogging on this particular blog becomes a lower priority. But, eventually, I get round to posting things. It’s not that we don’t think about unlocating pretty much constantly — we do, actually. It’s just that the busyness business — that is, all of the many loose ends and projects that need tending to so we can unlocate — have our full attentions.

I should make it a point to try posting things here more regularly. Maybe even just a quick RV-related thought for a day.

A Sale

On that note, I can report that we did attend an RV sale this past weekend: the 11th Annual Colorado RV Super Sale over at Mile High Stadium(‘s parking lot). It’s not an RV show with product and service vendors, but instead only trailers, fivers, and motorhomes out of the left-over stock and a few used units from a couple of the larger vendors near Denver.

We did see a C-class bunkhouse (Jayco 32BH) that we thought was rather nice as such things go, but I don’t think we’re quite to the point where a C-class would be suitable for us for full-timing. Maybe in a few more years:

Price wasn’t posted, but a look around the interwebz shows about $100K.

We did rather like some of the toy hauler fivers — I’d have my motorcycle readily available — but would prefer they had some interior bunk options rather than just the “garage will sleep six” kind of things. We’d like both kids to be inside the conditioned living space and I don’t want them to have to creep gingerly around the Wee Star every time they crawl into bed.

Also at the show was a model line that, while I’d seen online, I’d largely disregarded because of the word “luxury” in its marketing material: 2014 Reflection 323BHS.

But, we did a walkthrough and though about the options. It’s only a single ¾ bath, but with a full-sized shower instead of the corner shower stall. I don’t like the theater seating combo couch thing and would prefer to have an actual dining table for the family to join round. However, it’s only $44K, and now that I look at the numbers on their site, it’s actually lighter than I’d expected, coming in a full ton under UPGRAYEDD’s 5th wheel GVWR. She’d pull it.

For slightly less ($35K), another fiver we’d seen at another show, the Forest River Heritage Glen QBQ. Two bathrooms. With kids, that’s a plus.

But, this time round, we’re not looking at Fivers or motorhomes. Our priorities place us, for now, in the realm of the largest Travel Trailers.

Still looking. Although, while there, we saw the Forest River 380BH5, which was rather nice for a $30K porta-house.

People Observations

Also at the show, we’d overheard two common questions from salesmen to potential buyers looking to get into one for the first time:

  • “What are you towing with?”
  • “What kind of payments are you looking for?”

It’s a trap!

They don’t care what you’re towing with. If you’re looking at a 9,000lb TT and have a Kia Soul, they’ll say anything to convince you that your little car will pull whatever trailer you’ve set your sights on. They’re in business to move product — that’s it.

To the second question, this is a financial trap. The reasons are complex, but in the simplest terms, it’s a psychological tool used to trick people into thinking they’re getting a good deal: distract you from the total price of the object and focus on a much smaller portion of the whole. See above: they’re in business to move product — that’s it.

Link Dump – Helpful Articles for RVers

  • What’s The Best State For Fulltime RVers When It Comes To Taxes? [read]
    As we’ve thought about relocating (back) to Washington, this was particularly helpful for us. Even the top-six is pretty promising.
  • 7 Tips For Mastering RV Parking & Backing Into Tight Spots [read]
    Maneuvering with anything larger than the family sedan has been hard for many people. I do have a couple of recommendations that I’ve shared elsewhere: 1) There’s no shame in taking a bus driving course (yes, really) to learn from an uninvolved party how to drive and maneuver large vehicles. 2) Never let anyone who doesn’t have a financial interest in your RV to help you back it up.
  • Best Tips For RV Trailer Parking & Backing Up [read]
    Same sort of tips as the previous article, but also a couple of video demonstrations.
  • RV Height Issues: Do You Know Your RV’s Clearance Level? [read]
    How tall is your RV? Are you sure? We travel with a Good Sam RVND7725 GPS, which is great because provided you set your RV height (and length, width, and weight), it will alert you to potential obstructions on your route.

All kinds of other helpful stuff over at Fun Times Guide if you sift through it.

Twelve for the Road

Living the dream… with twelve kids, the parents, and a dog in a motorhome, full-time. Now on Nickelodeon.

Thoughts:

– They carry all the outdoor stuff they want for their travels. Kayaks, boogie boards, SUPs.

– Everybody gets a basket full of stuff and their own cabinet.

– No shower? Not sure my family would tolerate not having the onboard facilities.

– Adapt.

Is it hard? Yup.

Is it worth it? Yup.