oldcodger

We joined Escapees in 2010 before we had a tow or toad because we did some research and thought it seemed like a good club that we could be a part of when we go full timing, which we did in 2013. We have had many adventures and will try to continue to as long as possible. Two trips come to our minds as high lights. The first being an opportunity to visit with the founders, Joe and Kay Peterson on our first visit to Rainbows End in October of 2010 about two months before Joe passed. Remember them both as warm and welcoming to two complete strangers. The other was a trip in April of 2015 to Appomattox Court House for the 150th anniversary of the surrender of The Army of Northern Virginia to Federal troops. The reenactment was well worth our visit with great pictures and great pageantry. Dave

In my experience fleet based operations are all "private truck not for hire" i.e HEB grocery,Walmart,Coastal Transport etc. They do not carry product or freight other than their own. All commercial trucks carrying for hire including trucks leased to companies or businesses, to my knowledge, must display current IFTA stickers. Dave

As Jay Leno says on TV, "I gotta guy.................... Dave

I just changed insurance carriers the end of April from one big national company to another. We have almost the same declaration page with the same coverages plus additional coverage for the contents of the rig which is our home. This is saving us over $1,000.00 per year. But there is a but. You need to domicile in California or Texas and I am limited to 12,500 miles per year on the tractor which is licensed in Texas as a private truck. Dave

Yesterday at Walmart/Murphy fuel in Pflugerville TX. regular was $1.35 and diesel $1.88.

Txfamilycamper: Welcome to the forums and to fulltime rv'ing. I have a couple of questions. The first is you say your f 350 dually will weigh 14,000 and your toy hauler will weigh 20,,000 for a combined weight of 34,000. I looked at the curb weight of the f 350 on the Ford site and it weighs 7,500. I am a little confused. I don't think you will be putting 6,500 on your hitch when you hook up. My semi tractor weighs 17,000 alone and my two axle 42 foot fifth wheel weighs about 17,000 also on CAT scales which 34,000 give or take when I am fully fueled with about 200 gallons. That is why I am confused by your weight totals. Thank you, Dave

We have done Florida and Arizona and between those two we liked AZ better. We have also done Port A / Rockport area for several years and it was nice and we made many friends that we keep in touch with. We now stay in the RGV on the west side in a park north of Edinburg. Large sites, in the country with the closest park over two miles to the east. No heavy winds but the occasional ground fog that would last a few hours. We like the people, the price and the activities that this park has plus easy drive to Progreso/Nuevo Progreso Mexico. The only negative that some folks would have is that you travel about fifteen miles into the Edinburg/Pharr area for groceries and restaurants. Dave

Have had good service at Southern Tire Mart, located at 9665 US 290 East in Austin. They do all types of state inspections for rv's and other vehicles that need it. They have big bays and easy in and out of their property. Dave

Since we are in the Des Moines area for several months we have decided to try and put new flooring in the 5er. Would like any recommendations on flooring craftsmen as we do not want to DIY since our knees couldn't take it any more (smile). No more carpet. Some type of laminate or tile. Thanks for any help with this. Dave

We have stopped at four KOA parks in the last five years, with two being used multiple times due to one being close to a major highway we and the other one close to our son. The visit to the close-to-highway park will probably BE the last one as we will use a private park down the road from them. Workamper who was at the desk this day instead of the owner who we are aquainted with decided we wouldn't fit in the open pull throughs which we had stayed in many times, and determined that 1, would have to disconnect truck if we used them or 2, park on north side in the open where no one was and extremely bad wind and rain was in forcast. This was Kansas. Or 3 we could upgrade to premium site in main park and pay 20.00 more. We had res's and it was starting to storm. Not wanting to argue at the desk we took the premium but we wrote the owners are still waiting an answer. Will keep value card as we will use it to stay near son and nights cover the cost of card when stay at that park.

Adventureland Amusement Park in Altoona (Des Moines) Iowa hires 300 plus work campers every season. Without the work campers the amusement park an water park could not operate. Check out the website and go to employment. You will be outside but you also need to like to be around and interact with people of all ages. We will be doing the season again this year.