Carlos

Those are the types of rational answers I was looking for, thanks.

We spend around $45 for the combined streaming service costs. Not a huge difference from your cost. But lots of my friends and neighbors were spending well over $100 and even $200 for it. There are so many options out there that it's hard to compare. Just yesterday I got an offer from our cable company to add TV for only $10/mo over the cost of internet. I really thought about it, then realized that we probably wouldn't use it anyway. I think the structured format is exactly what will kill regular TV. There's just no reason to search for things based on a "channel" or a time, it should be based on specific shows, genres, and the like, no matter where it comes from. That takes adjustment, but in the end, that seems to be where younger people are going. My mind has never worked that way which is why I was happy to switch to online only as soon as it was practical. The millenials I know are more courteous and respectful than the previous generation, so there is hope.

My neighbor was recently given an early out from AT&T/Direct because they are already seeing a massive shift away from TV over old-style delivery systems. While it may not be directly generational, that's definitely a component. He said he was basically only installing services for retired people most of the time. If you take a room full of 60-somethings or even 50-somethings, a couple will be doing streaming. If you take a room full of 20-somethings, a couple will be using the old tech and the rest will look at them like they are insane. I'm 54, we switched to streaming only over ten years ago. But then, we're a tech household; two network/VoIP engineers working from home. We've helped a few neighbors convert, and they simply wouldn't have without us. They are all in the late 40s to 50s range. Standard TV systems are dying with the generation that still uses them.

As much as I love newer technology, I can't understand the use of these batteries in RVs. The cost per amp-hour is so ridiculously high that you would have to account for 30+ years' worth of battery replacement to pay for it. And by then, we'll have much better and cheaper batteries. So what's the perceived benefit? 220aH of lead-acids (110 usable) costs $200. The Lithium batteries go for between 10 and 20 times as much.

Thanks. I've owned and worked on a lot of boats. They all have those folding mounts for the VHF radio, so it's something I was used to using. The clamp idea just sort of came together as I looked at some things on Amazon. I keep a small two-step folding ladder/stool in the basement, and use that to release the clamp and put it up/fold it down. The roof height on my trailer is 9'. There are some crank-up antenna mast options, but they tend to be expensive. Look at things meant for ham radios or professional radios. The FM antennas on cars were extremely light-duty and wouldn't be able to hold up a radio like this.

They have a two year warranty. I glanced at them briefly while shopping recently, but bought what I think is a better value. These are heavy compared to others with more power, and are slightly louder than many others. Some reviews said it actually couldn't put out the rated power.

A far as mounting, here is what I did. It's a marine mount ($8) and a piece from a dead VHF antenna (free). You can use a marine antenna extender ($30), I just happened to have a dead antenna to cut up. The holder is a piece of HDPE (Starboard) that was laying around, and a QuickFist clamp ($4).

We have an old system from Wilson that just does 800/1900, so it will need to be replaced. But it has done a great job. Both separation and direction matter. The internal antenna is large, and covers about 180 degrees. The external antenna is a Wilson "trucker" with its own ground plane. That is attached to a small piece of EMT (electrical conduit), which I can strap to the top of the ladder, OR put it on another piece of EMT to get it really high. EMT is cheap and easy to deal with, and there are connectors to quickly attach two pieces by hand. The radio unit has manual power adjustments to fine tune it for the area. We move the inside antenna around as needed. Sometimes pointed out into camp when we're outdoors, or pointed inside when needed. Never pointed towards the outside antenna. This has worked exceptionally well. Unfortunately those frequencies aren't always the best choice or even available, so we'll need to buy a new system. Also we're selling the motorhome and have a new TT to outfit. But the high EMT mount will probably be my method again.

The "powersports" dealers here do. Those are the ones that sell side by sides and other stuff besides bikes. But they all sell at retail as far as I've seen. I used to own a Honda generator and had found the best price here: http://apdpowercenter.com/gen_honda.html

We don't use it that way at all. We use our phones as hotspots and to make posts/texts and yes, calls. We run a business while traveling and sometimes customers want to call us.

Attach the antenna to a TV antenna mount. I replaced my existing TV antenna with a cell antenna, since obviously, TV is useless these days. So it raises the same way the TV antenna did, from inside the rig.

I went with one that had nearly as many service centers as Honda. I paid less, got peace of mind, a more powerful generator, and it weighs less.

And for thieves, you just need to have a lesser opportunity/reward ratio than the rest of the campground. My friend with a junky open-frame generator doesn't have to worry about theft if he puts a string on it and there are unlocked good generators.

Wow. Your definition of "honest" really scares me. I certainly hope you are not right, and I know know that for my close friends, nothing like that is true. That theory is much like the hoodlums I mentioned from school.

Agreed, even the lightest little cable lock is a deterrent to casual theft. There are different levels of dishonest. Growing up, I knew a couple of people in my school who literally thought that "if it's not locked, it's not stealing if I take it."

Motorcycle cable locks are a good option for this. That's what I'm using, because I have one that I never use on the motorcycle. Someone gave it to me, and I'm simply not at all in fear of my motorcycle being stolen. So it became a lock for "stuff." The advantage of this one (and many motorcycle locks) is a built-in motion alarm. So in any camping area, it would draw attention to a thief.

Running a pair has distinct advantages. I decided that the disadvantages were too many for my needs and expectations, but it's worth looking at. Good: Can carry just a single during winter (no AC). Have a backup if one fails. Weighs less in combination than one larger one. Bad: Double the maintenance and chance of failure. Slightly louder (measured it myself). No electric/remote start. A little more setup and parts (not a huge thing). More expensive.

That's a super efficient/well running AC. I used to have a Honda 2k that would rarely start the 7k AC in our boat. On most attempts it would fail.

For that size you will need a minimum of 3,000 watts starting power, and more if you have multiple things running. Note that your converter/charger is one of the loads you have to count on, and it's normally on all the time. For a full timer you will want to be able to run the AC along with other things. The microwave is another big power user (1500-ish watts input for a 1000 watt rated oven). I just got a new generator today, and really like it. I bought one larger than the minimum so we wouldn't have to worry about it. And I wanted dual fuel because propane is just so much cleaner and less smelly. I just posted about it here:

I wish I'd had a TPMS on my motorhome when an inside tire got a leak while driving. That put all the pressure on the outside tire, which then threw a belt. Filled the inside, swapped the outside, and back on the road. I would have saved a tire if I had TPMS. Very similar thing happened on my dual-axle boat trailer.

I wasn't saying I'm against TPMS, I've been shopping. I added it to my motorcycle, and my vehicles both have it built in. But I guess I'm surprised that someone would say "unless you check every day." I don't stop for gas without a walk-around and check.

Wait, who doesn't check their tires every day and at every stop? I also touch the hub to feel temp, and check the hitch/related items.

Neither of those make anything that I was looking for however (small TT). Never bought a new house, but did buy a five year old that had a glaring stucco defect. That was a result of being built in the housing boom.

Yup, so many posts here start off with "how much can I get the price down" instead of talking about details. I'm not sure that I regret buying new, but I was aware that I'd be going in dealing with a bunch of issues out of the box.

Ah, I see. I roast my own at home, so I'm familiar with the difference from ground compost served at most places. I feel like I need to try Tim Horton's, but fear the Canadian wrath if I end up not liking it. Anyone know a good source of replacement foam for furniture? Local sources seem very expensive.