lappir

Had heard good things about this item, so less than 3 years ago I bought one. Seemed to work as advertised up until a few days ago when I got it out to help with my recent Tool Box project. Charged up the battery at my newly located and hopefully where I will always have my charger (maybe after removing the one for this). Put the battery on and pulled the trigger and it maybe did a half turn before stopping and hasn't move a mm since. I've tried recharging the battery but it shows a full charge. I tried assisting with the move thinking it maybe had a "Dead Spot" but nothing worked. Just got off the phone with the Harbor Freight help and they suggested finding a "Qualified Technician" to investigate further and maybe have parts at their disposal. "Harbor Freight has no replacement parts and since you didn't opt for the "Extended" Warranty replacement is not an option."

So I'm preparing to become a "Qualified Tech" and open the stupid thing up. Anyone operated on one yet? 

Rod

Thanks

The big black box used to live on the Gold Truck where the front axle used to be. With the White truck having both I needed to find a new place for it. Before I left for the HDT Rally I found it would fit in the box with the Motorcycle, so I strapped it down for the trip. Pondering all winter on what to do with it. I mounted a small vice to it and maybe I'd already mounted the Montezuma Tool box to it before leaving Iowa too. Anyway earlier this month I thought of mounting it to the inside of the box at "Workbench height.". 

The box has a couple rails built into the walls for "E" Track and I looked at multiple hardware locations before buying some carriage bolts. First ones too small, but would fit into the groove easily. Went to 1/2 inch and all I had to do was grind off two opposite sides and it would turn into it like a "T" and the 1/2 inch shoulder fit the slot almost perfectly . Cut up a chunk of old implement tire I had and made a 4inch long bumper to hold the bolt in place and provide some vibration dampening (Maybe). So far it feels very secure in it's position, but going down the road on it's first road trip will b the test. 

The last photo with the Craftsman tool box and a scrap of Angle Iron is an idea to mount the Angle under the box for more support. At one point I thought of putting a wooden support, but not sure that would be necessary and would rob me of some storage under the box. 

What have I done wrong or maybe didn't think of? 

Rod

I'm so happy to report Tuna came back on Saturday and just passed her post walk-a-bout in the wild Vet exam. I was told I am a very lucky Cat Person. 

Thanks to my Daughter in reminding me to apply the "Tick and Flea" medication right away to both Cats and I also gave them their first "Heart Worm" meds for the season. 

I'm not on the search for the right "Collar" that will accept some sort of a 'Tracking' device. I am less than happy with the "Microchip". The reader has to be within a few millimeters of the implant to pick it up. Does not help at all with finding a lost animal. Only if they are turned into an Animal Shelter or taken to a responsible Vet Clinic and are scanned.  I don't think "Pet Link" is informed about the scans unless there is a question about ownership of the pet. None of the Vet's have verified the address I have listed for my Pet's because it's always different from what I give them as my personal address. Will never pay for a Microchip implant again. 

Rod 

15 hours ago, crl19971 said:

I fixed the link. It should work now.

Yep, the link works now. I sort of miss my Mini at times, but the Jeep loads much easier. I also can't to a dark colored car. '

Good luck with the sale. 

Rod

1 hour ago, crl19971 said:

We are selling because we no longer own the RV. We switched from a Class A to a 5th Wheel. Mini Cooper has 46600 miles. Super easy to tow. Hook the car up using the Blue Ox towing system that is included in the price, put the car into neutral, and lock the door. I don't think it gets much easier that that. It only weighs approximately 2500 lbs so it is easy to tow. We couldn't even tell it was behind us even in the mountains out west. Price includes the Blue Ox Tow bar. If you are interested in the Thule bike rack, we can work out a price.

Price is 20,500 and it is negotiable. See Facebook posting for pictures. I couldn't get pictures to load. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/887849704574901/pending_posts/8405763646116765/

Couldn't get the Facebook link to work. 

Yes Derek, I did. Got a 43 inch LG and it's working OK. 

Thanks for asking, 

Rod

Registered, but it's not all that easy. 

https://nationalhdtrally.org/registration/

I hope this is the link to registration to the 2024 Rally. If it is and someone can pin it to the top I think that would be good. 

Rod

6 minutes ago, justRich said:

Remember what they say: "location, location, location"
If you get it right, property will perform as well as the stock market without the markets, at times, wild gyrations.

Your question is for investment advice - and the answer is "it depends".

 

Wasn't really asking for investment advice, but about the experiences of those who contribute to this forum. I've found for the most part all members are honest, straight forward and supportive.  The answer to almost any question can have "it depends" in it's reply. 

Thank you very much for your reply. 

Rod

15 hours ago, Jim Paterson said:

For me, the advantage is the ability to run a 12vdc router instead of the the 110vac needed for the StarLink router. I use a Wi-Fi ranger osprey.

Would a small inverter to power the 110vac use that much more power on just a Star Link Router? 

Rod 

5 hours ago, Chad Heiser said:

I’m traveling home from Oklahoma for the next couple of days, but after that will be available.  My contact information is on my website (in my signature).

Where were you in Oklahoma? Rolling Retreats? I'd hoped to get "Flex Armor" on my drome box roof, but things are preventing that this time. Maybe after the HDT Rally in the Fall. 

I rode there a month or so ago to buy a water pump. Longer ride than I thought it would be, but I had the time. Next time I'll stay away from the 4 lane roads. 

Rod

Not sure what type you are looking at and how it might help you. I recently met a person who spent a lot of money on a device to assist in parking their small light weight travel trailer and found it to be not even close to being worth the money spent. 

If you are able to rent one and it works as you like, you then have the option to purchase one. Would be great if the rental place would allow you to buy the one that worked, but that doesn't often happen. 

Rod

30 minutes ago, Kirk W said:

I believe that you are thinking of the requirements to hold a driver's license, register a vehicle, or register to vote? It so, the same is true for the vast majority of states.  Most states have physical address requirements for those functions and that address must be residential and not a business address. It's something to consider for any one going fulltime. 

Even if I purchase property it will not change my domicile in South Dakota. I will not be permanently living at any one location until I can no longer travel, at least that's the plan. 

Rod 

13 hours ago, Kirk W said:

Norman, OK?

Yep. 

12 hours ago, rickeieio said:

Rod, another thing to consider is that some states are not very friendly to the idea of having a RV as a residence.  For instance, in Ohio, in order to claim residency, you must live in a permanent structure.  A house trailer skirts this by being raised up and set on piers or a foundation, then anchored to it.  Just one more thing to think about....

My trailer I think could qualify as a "Mobile" home and I could take the wheels and tires off of it to "Tie" it down. Mentioned that to the "Planning Department" employees I was speaking with. I have their "Code" and it's very grey in it's narrative. Leaves it up to the person in authority to determine what the black and white answer is. Those I spoke with didn't have the authority and the only way to really get the answer is to just do it and see what happens if an inspection is actually done. 

I was told I could apply for a "Building Permit" to get that inspection, but it seems like a lot of work and maybe money on a property I don't own and would not purchase if the "Permit" was declined. Sort of a Rock and Hard Place situation. 

I'm done looking for now. Maybe in the coming Fall I will have more information on how to approach and also if my youngest is any closer to knowing what she will do with her degree when she is finished with school. My older children live in an area that I will visit in the spring, summer and fall, but cannot live there between Thanksgiving and Easter usually, at least not unless I purchase some expensive land in that area. If the youngest chooses to be closer to her Mom in Florida then Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah or maybe Colorado may enter the search. Graduation is supposed to be in 2025. 

Rod

Well the thought of buying property in this location took a big hit today. You can "Park" your RV for unlimited time on certain designated areas, but you cannot reside in said "Home". At least not within the City Limits of Norman, and they have a large area that back in 1956 the annexed to build Lake Thunderbird. Of course that's the side of town I like the most. 

There may be ways around, but now that I've stirred the pot I would for sure be looked into if I happened to request a "Building Permit". 

Rod

2 hours ago, Larry and Robin said:

Well here an update for us: we purchased a 2021 DRV MX450 in March and got it home with my 2017 F350 SRW. Uneventful but certainly could have used a bugger truck. The trailer pulled fine completely empty, but took it easy 60-65 mph and drove very defensively.

Changed our reservation from a cabin to a pull thru spot. Arrive on 4/24

Made an offer last week on a 2022 Volvo VNL860 white, 455 hp, 2.47 gears, 412k miles. They accepted. Really nice truck although I wish I could have found it in gray or silver. Truck is in Fort Worth and wont get it until after the rally, then start conversion.

Look forward to meerting folks then.

Looks like a very nice Volvo, congratulations. Bring it all to the National Rally in October. 

Rod

Thanks again to all who have participated and for Kirk starting another post and poll for us to share how old we all are. 

I turned 67 in January and stopped working the year before in February. Applied for the SS payments when I was at full retirement age and right now have no debt. I might borrow a small amount of money for the right property, but only if it has a house on it that I could rent out while still living in my Home on wheels on the property any time I wanted to. 

Today I met  a few of the potential neighbors. One very friendly, one friendly and the other that doesn't associate with the neighbors "Because they all come here and then die". His wife was nice thought. 

Rod

Thanks for thinking of something I didn't when I  posted about the property thing. Age certainly makes a difference. For many years I felt I'd never "Retire" would just keep on working. Now that I've given the not working a chance, it's really not that bad. 

Rod

23 hours ago, Chalkie said:

Elevate the pan on our induction top and you get to hear annoying beeps and an error message flashing.

But you can put a dish cloth or paper towel between and not get any beeps. Don't leave either there if I'm not right there watching, but it does make clean up of the splatters if you have any a bit more easy, especially if the cloth is damp. 

Rod

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and thoughts. 

I am trying very hard to do my due diligence with the city, county and state to make sure I don't have a surprise later. 

The property isn't exactly bare land. In 2020 there was a fire and a "Mobile Home" was destroyed. Also at that time the power was disconnected and never turned back on. There is a "Well" on the property, but until power is hooked back up (or maybe I can take my generator out) I won't know if it still works. The most recent owner put an inexpensive metal building up and it looks like never used it. Trash still remains from the fire and I wonder if it was also used as a "Dump" by someone. One of the "Google" earth views shows a pile of something and there are still "Tire" tracks in that area, but it doesn't look like the loaded and moved the stuff. Most likely buried. If I only could determine what it was. 

Monday the power company is coming out to review what it will take to bring power back. I have spoke with an "Environmental" inspector, but their "Phase 1" evaluation is what I've already done so I'm not paying them $2000 to tell me what I already know. I did not inquire what the "Phase II" evaluation would be where they would actually probe and maybe take some soil samples. Probably a lot more than what the property is worth. 

The Poll will stop in a month. I will continue to check for replies and post if anything interesting comes up on my side. 

I've spent the past several winters in the area, but was still working. I've enjoyed this winter not working and am pretty sure that will continue. I won't be staying in the summer months though unless I find a good job that doesn't keep me too busy. 

Rod

I thought I'd never stop working. But that seems to have changed. I finished my last Travel Contract in February 2023 and haven't taken a Nursing paycheck since. Planned to over the winter, but things didn't work out as I expected and I'm sort of glad. 

The past year I've been able to survive on the SS monthly payment and have dipped into one of my retirement accounts for a little extra, but the advisor assures me it won't cause me to go "Broke". 

I've spent the past few winters in the lower Midwest and  have enjoyed some cold and snowy weather without the deep freezes of the Midwest where I grew up and am thinking about purchasing a spot to park during the winter months October to May and they I will head to the cooler weather locations during the Summer. If I can finally get the job I've been waiting to interview for in this location, the decision would be made. Since it's still not certain, I'm wondering if I should proceed in the acquisition of one of the two plots I have looked at. I know I will be here again next winter and the spot I have stayed at is in a good location, but it's also near an ambulance service that uses their sirens every single time they go on a call. 

So I'm asking. Is real estate really the best investment? 

Rod

Two years ago at the HDT Rally we had to do some bearing work. Luckily there were folks prepared with new bearings, others with the proper tools and a Muffler Shop was found to press out and reinstall the races and to the surprise to most of us they packed the bearings at the same time. Not sure what the cost was, but I think we were happy to miss part of the mess. 

Even then we all got a bit of grease on our hands and clothing. Marks of honor in my book.

Rod

23 hours ago, Second Chance said:

That's backwards. Induction "burners" work by exciting the magnetic/ferrous atoms in the pan or container which then heats the food.

Rob

Rob is correct with how the food is heated, the amazing part (to me) is that if there isn't liquid all the way to the rim that area does not get hot until after the container is removed from the burner, and then it doesn't get as hot as the lower portion where there is contact. At least that's my experience. 

Rod

18 hours ago, Ray,IN said:

I only use a wye when staying long-term. Every wye I have said drinking water safe on the tag, even the brass 5 hookup wye I bought for use at a rodeo grounds CG with once central spigot for every 20 spaces. Then other campers would use their wye on the end of their hose to feed another camper. If everyone did that, 25 campers had access to water from that one hydrant to re-fill their fresh water tank.

The CG had a honey-dipper to empty waste tanks.

I'm sure the ones I've used in the past were drinking water safe. But it's been a long time since I bought one. The County Fairgrounds where I've stayed in the past (not during the Fair). does the same thing. They are packed in very tightly for that week and the two or three hydrants have maybe 50 hoses hooked to each. Most do fill their tanks, but some don't and complain about the pressure. 

Rod