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justRich

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Posts posted by justRich

  1. On 1/26/2024 at 6:46 AM, Kirk W said:

    JustRich, while I have several thoughts on some of the views expressed thus far, I am wondering what you are thinking and if your question has been satisfactorily answered?

    After reading and thinking about the responses to the question I've concluded that "for me" the answer is to have a "set aside" cash amount.  
    The "set aside" amount of cash would be sufficient to fuel the rig back to a safe port or home base in the event of a catastrophic communications failure - where ATM and credit cards might not be reliable.   

    The set aside would be stash cash and I'll probably need a vault of some kind for that.
    "Wallet cash" would be the amount that many have expressed that they carry.  For me, probably no more than $600. though that seems a little high.  

    Historically, there's always been a couple hundred in the camper but never a need for it.
    This thread has helped me clarify an answer to what is really a personal question.
    I appreciate all expressed insights - they've proved quite valuable to me.

     

  2. 18 minutes ago, Payroll Person said:

    Not using a rebate card is giving money away, as well as giving away fraud protection.

    I was thinking of cash as an emergency backup system - not really for spending - with the exception of having enough small change for the iron ranger - such as the campground at Castaic Lake in So Cal where iron ranger expressly stated no check accepted.  (i had no cash, so they got a check anyway)

     

  3. Level ground, dark nights, no traffic noise, cleanliness.

    The most unlikely site for me was located in urban Memphis, almost directly across the street from Graceland. 
    But it offered security and a local venue - we walked to Graceland and took an Uber to Beal Steet for dinner at BB Kings Blues Club.  Very unforgettable and it was a place that I'd recommend.

    So I guess the answer to your question is; "it depends".


     

  4. Getting power to the camera;
    I bought a Dash Cam Power Adapter. This one: Dash Cam Power Adapter (10-Pin Type D) for Select Dodge
    "Please note that an auto-dimming rearview mirror is required to power this adapter. "
    The adapter is plug and play - it provides a handy USB power source for radar or dash cams. And it eliminates the need to run a lot of wiring.
    Plus, it activates when the ignition is turned on. And turns off when ignition is turned off. (30 second off delay is optional)

    I put this in my 2022 Trailhawk. 
    I still have the old suction cup KDL dash cam in the 2015 Power Stroke and will look into upgrading it. (when I get around to it)
    File under: nifty gadgets

    dashcam-poweradapter.jpg

    dashcam-1020201.jpg

     

    The nitpicker in me had to have the right angle adapter for the USB plug for a cleaner look.

    dashcam-1020204.jpg

     

     

     

  5. The focus of this forum will have to be just one thing - anyone care to guess?

    Single source information sources - single point - are more time efficient. 
    Thus, specialty groups attract more participants.

    "Time" grows increasingly important. 
    Thus, broad based forums tend to suffer.

     

  6. Washington State did not require emissions testing on my truck when I lived there.
    Maricopa County in Arizona does require emissions testing on the same truck.  They first do a visual inspection - probably looking for the simple changes made by a delete.

    Personally, I would not touch that or any truck with a delete.  And I have a very harsh opinion of what should be done about deleted trucks (and their owners).

     

  7. On 1/16/2023 at 11:28 AM, jules2go said:

    Hi friends,

    I'm trying to put together a full-timing budget/plan. Please tell me what you're currently paying, on average, for a monthly site at a campground/RV park. Also curious to know how much of a shortage there is right now for monthly spots. Geographically, I'm in the eastern part of the US but am open to anywhere.  I wonder where all of these costs are headed in the coming years. Based on everything happening in the world, I can only see it getting worse, but maybe I'm being overly pessimistic. There are discussions about this topic on here, but I'm not sure how current the comments were and times have changed over the past few years. Thank you!

     

    Based on this comment I would venture that you're looking for an alternative to renting and being able to travel.
    Consider this: 4 million American will turn 65 in 2024.   I've heard that fact called "peak 65" meaning that the era of baby boomers reaching age 65 is reaching it's maximum.

    One might assume that many newly minted retirees will be thinking along the same lines that you express.  And since 300,000+ new RV are expected to be sold in 2023 one might also expect RV campgrounds to be in even more demand.

    Predicting future campground availability and cost?  Less availability, more expensive.  You are not being "overly pessimistic".  Given climate change one might consider camping in Mexico during the winter months and migrating north to elevations over 6,000 feet in the US summer months.

    Best plan might be to try for a five year rent lease.

  8. I have one GMRS and had two sets of FRS talkies.  The FRS talkies were required on a truck camper caravan that I traveled with in 2005.  They worked well.  A pair of newer FRS models are almost useless - kids toys - the older pair are better.
    I installed a CB radio which was a requirement for a planned Baja, MX caravan trip. But wife broken an arm and we didn't go. 
    Subsequently, the CB radio was fairly useless during travel.  The limited trucker chatter was more disgusting than useful.
    I un-installed the CB.

    My purchase of a GMRS radio was because of an off-roading group that I joined.  It was quite useful.
    In scanning mode, I stumbled upon a Sunday evening GMRS group that start a 6pm and check in for a little friendly chit chat.  I seems that there is one organizer that co-ordinates the check-in progress state-by-state.
    During road travel, when left in scanning mode I've found almost nothing.

    WRPT344 out.


     

  9. On 7/23/2023 at 7:32 PM, sheldons65 said:

    Please let me know how it goes.

    The portable AC arrived Tuesday and I set it up Wednesday morning.  First thing is that it is louder than I would like - I would not try sleeping with it on.  It's in a small spare bedroom with the door closed and brought the temperature down to about 70 degrees.  

    For comparison, I have a truck camper (mounted) and I leave the AC on 24/7 and set at 82 degrees.  With the slideout in for conservation purposes, the best that AC could do was 84 degrees during the heat of the day.  The camper is sitting in direct sun all day.  


    I measured the portable output vent temperature at 46 degrees this morning.  It's definitely frigid air.  When entering the room it feels much cooler after one hour of running it.  
    In all fairness, I just got it and don't have enough experience with it to say "I love it".  
    The house has it's own central air AC and the purpose of the portable unit is to chill a bedroom down to below 70 degrees for sleeping purposes.  I would not leave it running at night.

    Installation is simple.  I watched a couple of YouTube videos and read through the instruction manual. 
    The YouTube videos had very minor errors or omissions but were helpful.
    Actual installation took maybe ten minutes in a standard casement window.  I did not permanently affix the window vent assembly (yet). 
    The exhaust hose is a six inch diameter - a bit bulky and it radiates a small amount of heat from the exhaust going through it.  
    The portable works on a 15 amp outlet.  I have no gripes about the quality.  For the price and ease of installation it's a keeper.  As for extended usefulness and reliability, time will tell.
     

     

  10. If you click on the link in the previous post, in the upper left, next to "Southbound 395" are three dots.
    Click the three (menu) dots.
    Select "Export to KML/KMZ"  - - - don't worry about the options - just down load the file.

    If you use BaseCamp - you can import the downloaded KML/KMZ file into BaseCamp
    And from BaseCamp - you can export it into your Garmin - and perhaps other GPS devices

    Unknown to me, is if you can import a KML/KMZ file into other mapping programs. . .
    Best of luck to those who try, and if you can, describe it to the rest of us. (please)

     

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