Search the Community

Looking to go from Fresno, CA to Salem, OR. I have a 24ft 1977 class C with a Ford 460 engine. I’ve never driven further than Ventura, CA to Fresno, CA (about 4 hours up 99 to I-5). I was wondering what is the easiest route for a beginner, preferably easier on the old engine as well.

need a bit of group advice, a little background to help clarify Hubs is ready for retirement date set at 8/31/2021, I will continue to work full time, my job is fully remote and will continue to be. We have been until recently been/are residents of California for our entire life. Hub is a union guy and has a pension that we believe will qualify for the exemption of California income taxes. My employer is multi-state and I can easily establish my residency in Florida for income tax purposes Mid-May we established domicile in Florida, turned in our CA CDL's, established a physical address/mailing address in Bushnell w/ Escapees, contracted w/ a family lawyer attorney in Florida to set up our estate plan, bought our Ford F450 in Florida,, found our rig (Alliance 40v13) in Texas and have secured all the proper financing for that purchase and pick it up in 2 weeks. Now we really really need to chat w/ a CPA/Tax professional who has experience helping us unravel ourselves the best way possible from California. Looking for your recommendations, Thank you! The Becks (Heather and Tim)

RVing the Imperial Sand Dunes near Glamis California! In this video, we test out our new to us Nash 17k travel trailer, boondock at the Imperial Sand Dunes, and go offroading. ↙↙↙ RV living takes us to Southern California to explore the Glamis Sand dunes. We boondock near wash 6 close to the railroad tracks. Our new travel trailer does great but it has a few small issues we will work out over time. We take the prerunners out in the dunes and have a good time getting a few trucks stuck. We hope you enjoy this video, thanks for watching.

RVing Baja California is a very exciting experience, but can you take a large RV to Baja? In this video, we break down the pros and cons of a large RV vs a smaller truck camper and driving to Baja California. After almost one month in Baja California, we are back. We had a great time in our truck camper boondocking on beautiful beaches. The whole trip we were thinking to ourselves, Would we take our 5th wheel to Baja? When we headed south to the U.S. border in a borrowed truck camper this kept going through our minds. With our experience, this video should help you make the right choice if you are planning on heading south to Baja Mexico.

RVing in Baja California Mexico is destined to be an adventure! As digital nomads we are constantly traveling around America, for these next few videos we will be Overlanding Baja California in our truck camper. Lately, we have been Overlanding or talking about going small for various reasons. In this series of videos, we borrow a 1974 Bell truck camper for a few weeks while we are RVing/Overlanding Baja California Mexico. In this video, we give you a quick tour of the truck camper we will be living in. Show you our new Lion Energy Safari LT and portable solar panels that will fulfill all of our power needs for the trip. Cross over the Mexico border and head south into Baja California eventually ending in San Felipe Mexico. We really hope you enjoy this small series of videos! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM13GFMR9z0

In this full time RV living travel vlog we are finally back on the road as fulltime RVers. Spending the summer in Southern California with friends and family we are excited to hit the road. Our remote jobs allow us to hit the road in our 5th wheel. Heading towards Arizona for one last family get together we stop off at Barstow CA not even long enough to bother unhitching our fifth wheel toyhauler. Then we arrive at Pirate's Cove Resort and Marina where we have the luxury of a full hook up RV site. Living out of an RV fulltime has allowed us to travel all over the country, come along as we get back on the road.

As we go dispersed camping on BLM land we decide to discuss our thoughts on car camping vs RV living. Both methods of camping have their own pros and cons. Overlanding camping (car camping) is great because it allows you to get off the beaten path on to offroad trails and more remote camping locations. RV camping allows you to bring everything with you, we have been on the road fulltime for over 1.5 years and absolutely love it. While most fulltime RVers opt for RV parks and campgrounds there is another option. That is boondocking, probably the closest you can get to off grid with your motorhome or travel trailer. We hope you enjoy this vlog. Don't forget to subscribe! https://youtu.be/wKKIiXlXz7c

Just like the title says, we got kicked out of a National Forest! We had been RV boondocking in Southern California when a forest ranger arrived and told us to leave! In this video, we describe how we were approached while boondocking. Free camping is an awesome way to get outside but sometimes unexpected things can happen. Due to some recent fires in Southern California, the state closed a few National Forests for safety reasons. Unfortunately, we were boondocking in one of them! This is what we encountered while boondocking in California in our fifth wheel. Please make sure you subscribe! https://youtu.be/QHyCJCsLMGY

This travel vlog has a little bit of everything. RVing in a dispersed camping area often brings unwanted critters. We finally catch a mouse in our fifth wheel and have an eventful travel day. The day starts off with an unwanted mouse in our fifth wheel. We try to keep a clean and secure house but they still find a way in. Then it's time to move on, stopping at an RV dump station along the way. We provide some tips when dumping your RV and filling your freshwater. Picking a VERY remote RV boondocking location might have been a bad idea, when we arrive the spot is taken! We hope you enjoy the video. Please don't forget to SUBSCRIBE!

This is the story of how we began RVing. As survivors of the Las Vegas mass shooting, mental health awareness was crucial in our process of overcoming PTSD & transitioning from weekend warriors to full-time RVers. While hiking near Mammoth Lakes California we discuss what drives us to be physically active and the everyday decisions that positively affect our lives. We talk about going to therapy for PTSD, hiking, being in nature, and how RV life can have both positive and negative effects on mental health. Life is all about choices, we have chosen to be happy and make positive choices to better our lives on a daily basis. We hope this video helps someone who is struggling out there.

In this video, we take our tow rig offroad. Our Ram 2500 was originally bought and built for Overlanding. Over the past year, it's been towing our 5th wheel toy hauler all around America. This is full time RV living! About 1.5 years ago we took the leap and decided to start living our lives differently. Bought a fifth wheel and hit the open road, our Ram was originally built with a different purpose in mind. Overall it does great in both fields. Come along as we hit the 395 HWY and do some 4x4 in the Eastern Sierras. We really hope you enjoy the journey, don't forget to subscribe! https://youtu.be/I4of_vAjCi4

We are on a California getaway! Located in the Owens Valley beside HWY 395, Mono Lake is a strange sight to see. Mono Lake, one of the oldest lakes in North America, is famous for its tufa and bird watching. In this travel vlog, we take you to Mono Lake California within the northernmost district of Inyo National Forest. The Eastern Sierras house many incredible sights to see. We start out at the boardwalk on the northern side of the lake. Then we head over to Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Visitor center, eventually ending up on the shores of Mono Lake at Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve. We really hope you enjoy the video, don't forget to subscribe.

Tubing might be our favorite summer activity! We escaped the extreme So Cal heat by floating the upper Kern River. This river can be dangerous if you're not careful. Follow our recommendations for a safer float! Do your homework before by knowing the current flow of the river, and bring a spare raft and a paddle too! We like to float in either August or September, when the water is low and slow. 🛶 We hope you enjoy the video, don't forget to subscribe on YouTube! https://youtu.be/0Bw8sI4ra8k

This is not normal! Normally RV life allows us to RV America at our own pace. In this video, we make a long drive with our fifth wheel toy hauler from Jackson Wyoming all the way to Southern California. Towing an RV long distance can be daunting. While making the tedious haul we decide to share some simple tips and tricks for making RV travel days better. There is no right and wrong when it comes to travel days. We hope these small tips are useful and you enjoy the video. Like always please make sure you SUBSCRIBE and hit that like button, it really helps us out!

What is social distancing? RV living can be tough. Dealing with isolation while living in a RV can be even harder. After almost 6 days we decided to go out and explore with friends, while keeping our distance! Right now keeping our distance is very important to help stop the spread of COVID-19. It's completely changed the way we think, travel and live daily life. Heading out to the desert to explore, we talk about precautions we are taking to stay safe and avoid contact with others while still trying to maintain a bit of adventure. Hope you like the video and please SUBSCRIBE.

Do you know about the abandoned Nazi camp in Los Angeles? It's called Murphy Ranch is a ranch built in a canyon near Los Angeles in the 1930s by anti-semitic sympathizers. Come along as we take the 4 mile hike into Rustic Canyon to explore the old ruins. The area has been covered with vibrant graffiti that almost makes the area feel like a walking art show. Some of the older buildings have been destroyed but there is still a lot intact. Enjoy the video and please subscribe.

Hiking Southern California has always been a favorite past time of ours. In this video we head to the local Santa Monica Mountains to hike Boney Peak! We encounter rain, steep eroded trails and even get lost! While hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains near Newbury Park we come across some rough terrain. The trail ends up having some light climbing. With rain showers and even getting lost for a second, this is a video you will not want to miss. Dont forget to subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSFxIBuLyE8&feature=youtu.be

Manzanar Japanese Internment Camp is located in the Owens Valley just north of Lone Pine California. Rv living allows us to explore this country on our time and terms. Rounding out our long weekend in the Eastern Sierras we head over to Manzanar National Historic Site was once the home of over 10,000 Japaneses Americans that were rounded up during WW2. The museum has many exhibits, videos and recollections. This museum is full of history and leaves us a little uneasy. We hope you enjoy this video, please make sure you subscribe.

Rose Parade HOP Pasadena Tournament of Roses December 27, 2020 – January 3, 2021 Come with us and experience the behind-the-scenes magic of the legendary Pasadena 132nd Tournament of Roses Parade where this year’s theme is “Dream, Believe, Achieve. Celebrating Education.” Come and see how these beautiful, award-winning floats are created and even help decorate them! Enjoy the vibrant extravagance of the aromatic flowers and the rich smell of cocoa and coffee beans. In VIP setting, relax and enjoy Equestfest. See the beautiful horses outfitted in stunning parade attire. Watch talented riders perform trick-riding, precision drills and amazing rope tricks. Visit the stables and learn about the different breeds of horses. Get up close. Talk with the riders and take pictures; enjoy the vendors, the music and the food court! Listen to the beautiful music of the marching bands during Bandfest, and you will quickly see why these outstanding bands have been chosen to participate in this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade. At the Showcase of Floats, you can walk within a few feet of all the floats and see the meticulous workmanship that went into each one. You can ask questions of the Tournament volunteers located near each float. Escapees has a wonderful time lined up for you, so expect to have a fun-filled week! The Rose Parade is such a unique experience, and sharing it with fellow Escapees makes it even more special. Meet amazing friends, and take away new lifetime memories at the most-watched parade in the world! Registration includes: · 7 nights, with full hookups at a nice RV park · VIP seating – near the beginning of the Rose Parade · VIP seating at the Equestfest · Equestfest welcome souvenirs · Entrance into the Float Decorating area · Entrance into the Bandfest · Receive Bandfest welcome souvenirs · Entrance into the Showcase of Floats · HOP welcome bag · Souvenir HOP name badge · Souvenir Rose Parade program · Souvenir Rose Parade pin · New Year’s Eve dinner* · Catered dinners* · Professional motor coach transportation to all events · Professional motor coach driver · Your HOP hosts · Gratuities · And much more! Itinerary is rain or shine and is subject to change without notice. This HOP includes a considerable amount of walking. *Special dietary requests cannot be accommodated. RV Park You will be staying in a beautiful country setting with full hookups. If you have Escapees friends that you would like to park near, please let us know. Once you register for the HOP, you will receive all pertinent information at that time. Payment Options When registering for this HOP, you may pay half upon registration and make monthly payments. The balance is due 60 days prior to the event. You can call the HOP department and ask about this payment option. Note: Non-Escapees members are welcome to attend a land or cruise HOP. There will be a $50.00 charge for non-members. If you join Escapees, the $50.00 will be waived. To join the Escapees RV Club or to ask about prices, please call 936-327-8873. Prices for this HOP Two-person rig: $1,825.00 Additional person: $695.00 One-person rig: $927.00 To register for this HOP, contact: The HOP Department 936-327-8873 Or, email: registration@escapees.com After registering – confirmation email You will receive a confirmation email with all the pertinent information about this HOP. Please, make sure Escapees has your current email address on file. If you do not receive it, please check your spam files, or email us at: registration@escapees.com. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance We highly suggest that you protect your investment on this HOP by purchasing trip insurance. If you or a family member has a pre-existing medical condition, you might consider purchasing cancellation insurance as well. This insurance can also help with covering other unexpected emergencies while on the trip. You can get more information about this insurance, such as pricing and coverage, by calling the Escapees Travel Agency, at 855-757-8881, or email them at: eta@escapees.com. Travel insurance must be purchased within 10 business days, once the HOP is purchased. HOP Cancellation Policy If an attendee cancels a HOP, • 1 Business Day from Booking: Full Refund · More Than 90 Days to the event: 75 % Refund · 30 – 90 Days to the event: 25% Refund · 30 Days or Less to the event: No Refunds View upcoming HOPs: https://www.escapees.com/hops Visit the HOP Facebook page: www.facebook.com/escapeesrvclub and click on the event page to view, comment or post pictures on the upcoming HOPs. Escapees Events: Click this link to see the upcoming Escapees events: http://www.rvnetwork.com/forum/35-escapees-rv-club-events/ Escapees Club News: The HOPs or any Escapees RV Club information can be sent to you via Club News. Stay informed with important club updates, advocacy issues and promotion items. If you would like to stay updated, go to: https://www.escapees.com/aboutus/club-benefits Physical Needs for HOP Escapees Inc. will attempt to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled attendees when it is within our control to do so. Please advise us of any special needs as early as possible so we can make these arrangements. By attending this event, you are agreeing to the following: As an attendee, you assume all risk and danger relating to your personal property, RV, and attendance at the HOP event, whether occurring prior to, during or after the event. In the event of loss or theft, no claim will be made upon Escapees, its volunteers, employees or agents. Volunteers may be directing and assisting you in your parking areas. It is, however, the driver of the RV or other vehicle who is ultimately responsible for avoiding obstacles or dangerous situations and, is solely responsible for any damage to one’s property or the property of others. As an attendee at this event, you are granting your permission to be filmed, videotaped, audiotaped or photographed and granting the full use without compensation. See you at the HOP! Lisa Koca HOP Director www.escapees.com/hops www.facebook.com/escapeesrvclub, then click on the event page. Escapees RV Club 100 Rainbow Drive Livingston, Texas 77351 936-327-8873 www.escapees.com For Cruise HOPs, call: Escapees Travel Agency 855-757-8881

The Eastern Sierra region of California is a special place. Home to places like Mount Whitney, Reward Mine and Alabama Hills, there multiple hot springs, high alpine peaks, and great fishing. In this video we show you why you need to go to this region of California. Camping at the base of the Eastern Sierras we drive up Whitney Portal road, Hike to the bottom of Reward Mine and even rescue a stuck Toyota pickup truck. Don't forget get to do your part and leave no trace. We cleaned up multiple bags of trash around the area. Hope you enjoy this video!

This video we cover everything about Kernville California, from hiking, mountain biking, fishing, rafting and even skiing. Great boondocking locations and great campgrounds as well. We have been going to the Kern River Valley/Lake Isabella area for a long time now, it's the gateway to the southern sierra's! While we were in Kern for Whiskey Flat Days we decided to share our knowledge of the area and take you on a tour. This area is an outdoor paradise with year round activities. Whiskey Flat Days is one of the most popular festivals in Southern California. This festival takes place in Kernville (Formerly Whiskey Flats), Where the town is taken over with vendors, carnival, rodeo, a parade and even a wild west encampment. Hope you enjoy the video and do not forget to SUBSCRIBE!

Wow where has the time gone! The past year has been amazing but it was not without it's trials and tribulations. Rv Living is very rewarding but at the same time lot's of work. Rv Newbie? You should defiantly watch this video before you get into full-time RV Living. We have learned so much in the past year and thought it would be great to put all the information into one video. Talking about the highs & low's, the do's and don'ts and overall what Rv life is all about. Hopefully this video brings you some value, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and turn on the notifications!

In this video, we show you some of our highlights from King Of The Hammers 2020 and take you along as we spend the day spectating at various locations. King of The Hammers 2020 is an offroad race that combines rock crawling and desert racing. They have multiple races throughout the week, UTV's, dirt bikes, trophy trucks, every man challenge (lower budget & car limitations) and the main event King of the Hammers. The racers can get up to 100 mph in the open desert and they are also built to crawl the rock sections at high speeds. We started spectating this race around 2009, we have had a great time every year. To keep it safe for spectators they have taped off certain areas, we do our best to get as much footage as possible. Considering that we live in our trailer full-time and Melissa couldn't make this trip I left the trailer with her, ill show you my new RV! Hope you enjoy this video!

On our way to meet up with some fellow Xscapers we stop off at Truck Haven for some shut eye. The next day we find some free camping near Yuma Arizona, American Girl Mine to be exact. RVing is more fun with friends! A few weeks ago we met Jill and Curt at the Xscapers annual bash. Instantly being connected through off roading, they invited us down to boondock near American Girl Mine just north west of Yuma Arizona. Over the the next few days we did some exploring, off roading and smoked some delicious meats together. We also go to the valley of the names and drive to the bottom of American Girl mine, this is a fun one! Hope you enjoy!

At the Xscapers annual Bash 2020 we took our full size RAM on a jeep trail. We joined fellow Xscapers to hit Redline jeep trail. The tow rig did pretty well and everyone was glad to have us along. This was such an amazing way to jump right into meeting new people at the Xscapers Bash. Our tow rig has been highly modified for towing and off road performance, rock sliders, extra shocks and larger all terrain tires. This trail pushed us to the limit though, trying a couple different bonus lines we ended up needing a small tow strap tug! Everyone on the trail was great and happy to watch us give it a try. Looks like we might need new bumpers though.......we received some minor carnage. Hope you enjoy the video!