lappir

Reading is reading in my "BOOK", as long as it's FUNdemental. Rod

Not sure what the differences are, but I'm sure there are some. While Diesel is flammable, it's not all that "EXPLOSIVE" unless many things happen at the right time. Gasoline is explosive with just a spark. Most "Gas tanks" are no longer metal, are most often mounted between the frame rails and not outside of them. Remember the gas tanks behind the seats of Pickup Trucks? How about the Ford Pinto? Remember most rules are made for those did something dangerous in the past. If you can mount that tank safely and ensure it's never overfilled and is vented properly you could use it for a long time. Any one of the potential issues could cause a huge hole in the wallet though. JMHO, Rod

Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I have come to terms with it and yes I have searched the "You Tube" quite a bit in addition to other sources. I guess my first cat's were the more docile kind and it was 20 years ago, so memory may have been stretched. My daughters cat is a perfect gentleman whenever I took care of him. The worst thing was he found out how to open on of my wardrobe drawers and find his way back under the shower. I wondered why some of my dark colored socks would come out of the clean clothes drawer covered with cat hair that I knew wasn't there when I put them in the drawer. I have a harness and have taken "Tuna" out for a walk, but all she wanted to do was crawl under the trailer. Need to just load her up in the Jeep and go to an area where there is nothing to hide under and see what happens. She is pretty good about coming to me when I call her (at least inside) and doesn't get weird when picked up. Sorry to hear you are "Grounded", hope all is well. I have made a reservation and have the time off for the HDT Rally this year, hope to see you there if things work out to get ungrounded. I was hoping to have a nice cool summer in North Dakota, but it's turned out to be the hottest summer they have had for a while. It's also has been extremely dry and I'm on a gravel road about a mile to get to the park. I gave up trying to keep my vehicles clean, I just keep them covered. Until the next time our paths cross, Rod

Depends on where it is, but I sometimes go in and prepay a little over the amount I know it will take and advise the cashier I may have to "Turn Around" to fill the other side. Have had them come out and block the pump while I turned around before, not often, but.... I'd sure like to have more money than brains, but enough brains to know when to stop spend foolishly. Some have "Spouses" for that. Rod

Not lazy, and you could go for a long time never filling the non drivers side tank if you wanted to stop for fuel more often. I would try to use the "20 gallon max" fuel discounts in the truck, but figured out it was much more trouble than what it was really worth. For those who travel every few days or weeks it would be much easier. With my truck it sits for months. I do try to keep it fullish when sitting. Rod

I had the appropriate pressure "Cross Fire" equalizers installed a few years ago. The next time I purchase new duals I will install a new set. I have had trouble free use and it's great to just walk by and see the pressure is good. Some tire dealers dislike them, but I'm sold on them. Rod

I'm hoping they are the real thing. Sure seemed like it when I bought it used from Craigs list. Guy said he bought it at Lowes, but never used it. I used it last weekend and was very happy I replaced my prior quad fold ladder. Sure I could do the same thing with the quad, but it took forever to get it folded or unfolded they way it needed to be. The Little Giant releases work very well and finding the correct height took very little time. The "Stabilizer extensions" worked great on uneven ground. Rod

It's been over a year since this post on a Blue Beacon. What do you think of it today? My brother told me a long time ago to avoid the "Acid Washes" that some of the truck washes use. They look really good coming out of the wash, but then in a few days the gloss is gone and everything sticks to the surfaces. I didn't believe him completely but avoided the big rig wash shops for quite a while. Fast forward to on winter leaving Iowa a bit later than usual, running through salted roads and arriving in Florida without a rain to wash anything off. I stopped at one of the wash places pretty close to my destination and had the full wash. Asked for them to "NOT" use the Acid, but apparently that didn't work. Noticed pretty quickly in the Florida sun how the prior shiny surfaces started looking dull. That was on my old trailer, swore I would never do that again. Oops, near the "Factory" I was bringing the rig in for service and it was Filthy. There was a local wash at the same exit and I pulled in to check it out. Asked ahead if they used the "Acid Wash" and was told NO, and apparently they didn't that time and I thought all was good. Used the wash a few times and then the employees changed, should have realized it, but didn't . I now have the dull finish on my newest home and despite may attempts to "Wax it" back to gloss it's not working. One day I will go with the "Wrap", but not for awhile. Rod

It may not be the slide seal, but something leaking at the connection between the roof of the slide out and the outer wall of the slide out. That has happened to be and I am still trying to get the company to fix. It was a design and workmanship flaw that is very clear to see. I had concerns about it when I first saw it when new, but their comment "We've done them this way for years without problems." I have had multiple problems, unfortunately it never rains when I am at the factory. Water seeks the lowest area and the easiest way to get there. Fortunately, it usually carries something with it and leaves a trail. Find the trail and both ends, you may be able to fix without replacing a "Seal". Rod

This weekend found a place to put the back seat from the Jeep. It's been sitting in the garage for weeks since I moved a desk and I sort of like it not being back there. Hoisted it up in the motorcycle garage on the truck and hope it will like it there for a while. Rod

Always have them put in new VALVE STEMS with a replacement tire. You don't want to run a brand new tire with low pressure and ruin it before it get's any miles on it. There can also be bead issues if you haven't actually broken in the new tires. They need several heat and cooling cycles to relax the rubber and get everything seated well. Rod

Or like with the insurance. They have to be connected to be covered as an RV.

Always hear "IF you don't use it you loose it." I'm finding that even though I keep using it, sometimes it doesn't do as told, or is painful later. Yoga class yesterday, brain said don't try that body tried anyway, sore today. Rod

If you have free time in October (9th to 16th) the National HDT Rally is taking place in Hutchinson, Kansas. Rigs of all shapes and sizes will be there and usually one day Spacecraft, New Horizons and maybe another manufacturer come to show off their recent "Show Rigs". That day also typically offers tours of some of the "Custom" designed units. Check out the HDT section of the forum for more info. My story has probably been written several times, but how to find it is another matter, so here it goes again. I have been a Travel Nurse since 1989. If you don't know what that is here is a brief description. A hospital is short on Nursing staff and place an order for a temporary nurse. Many companies see the order and try to find someone qualified to fill it. They offer all sorts of perks and such to nurses to get them to sign on with their company so they may fulfill the order. A contract is usually 13 weeks in length. I have usually stayed more than the 13 weeks at some locations. I considered the purchase of an RV in the early 90's to travel with, but at the time it didn't seem feasible. I had completed two "Assignments" in California and had very nice apartments with brand new rental furniture supplied at no cost. I had just left an assignment where the "Housing by Hospital" was the living arrangement and it wasn't as nice. (Hence looking at an RV). I went back to California, then Reno and finally off to Hawaii. (My plan when starting was, do an assignment every 13 weeks for 2 years go to Hawaii and then come back to settle in the place I liked the best. It was a good plan, but I have yet to find the best place to settle. (Should have bought an RV when I came back from the islands.) I did try to stop the travel lifestyle in Michigan, Florida and Kansas. (Those are other stories). After selling my last sticks and bricks house in Kansas I embarked on a find the best RV mission. I had rented my brothers Toyhauler for a 3 month trip to Florida and found out I could actually live in the space provided. IT wasn't without problems. I was less than a mile from my destination when the transmission on my Ford F350 decided to spill out almost all of it's transmission fluid on the road and stranded me in the middle of a multilane major roadway in Hollywood, FL. Had the transmission rebuilt during the assignment and had no issue pulling the trailer back to my brother in Iowa. While in Florida I attended the Tampa RV Show, visited many RV Dealers on both Coasts and really didn't find anything I wanted. I initially was set on a Class A Pusher and was going to pull a trailer with my Toyota Celica and Goldwing inside. After staying at a park for 3 months and finding it would be difficult to have everything on site I nixed the additional trailer idea. It may have been less expensive in the long run, but I didn't see it at the time. I found what I thought would be a rig good for 10 years in Utah. It was about an year old, hadn't been used much and was pretty close to matching one I really liked but made too much of a low ball offer that I didn't get it. (It was probably a sign, but it didn't get it either. What was already going on with that rig ultimately happened to mine and was not as easy a fix as the owner suggested. Maybe dodged a bullet). Anyway, that rig lasted about 3 years. I stretched it out to 5, but it was done when I turned it in for my Spacecraft. I went with a Custom built unit and while it's not everything I wanted or expected, it will last me as long as I want to keep it and will last the next owner many years too. It was born in 2013 and has had no significant structural issues and I doubt it ever will. Design errors, both mine and the company, a bit of questionable workmanship in areas have been found over the years, but nothing that would stop me from hooking up tomorrow and moving a 1000 or more miles to set up in another place. I could most likely survive a below zero winter with the proper preparations, not ready to try a full winter yet. It's first week of my full time use did see temperatures of minus 12 degrees and it's been in the snow more than once. So my final thought. I am borrowing from many people with some of these sayings and I hope they don't mind. Mission Profile (what do you plan to do), Give and take ( make a list of the have to have and the want to have. Maybe you can have them all, but maybe not). You can do anything with enough money. Finally it's a work in progress. Probably true in all forms of life, but to me most evident in the Fulltime RV life. Rod

Maybe lack of maintenance or poor quality to start with. Then there are the Earthquakes in California. I have only traveled very short distances in Louisiana and don't recall the roads being bad. Born and raised in the Midwest with the freeze and thaw and then the explosions of the asphalt during the sunny hot summer days. In the late 80's in the Bay Area the roads not affected by the 7.3 earthquake were good as far as I remember. Rod

Second session today and thankfully the North winds didn't blow in the "Toxic" smoke. At least that's what they are calling it. Not sure how a wild fire could have anything more than what a campfire or fire place would have in the Smoke, but I guess "Smoking" is bad for us. Did learn of a couple other classes each week today. They are in the evening and that's not my favorite time. I'm an early riser so going to bed early is pretty easy. May try it once or twice since it's weekly and the weekend one is every other Saturday. The class was smaller today but more active. I may feel it tomorrow. Rod

States that have winter freezing and thawing temperatures have the worst roads, especially if they get a snow before the ground is actually frozen, it melts and then the really cold weather comes and all that moisture expands in the cracks and crevice's. Repeat that over and over and the road just crumbles. Add in the chemicals used to melt the ice and snow or maybe just to keep it from freezing on the road. Florida roads were mostly good when I lived there. I traveled many on a motorcycle. Kansas seemed to always be renewing a portion of I 70 when I lived there. It was usually very smooth when completed, unlike some of the other states I have lived in. Am in North Dakota today and they have "Grooves" in I 29 that make my motorcycle seem to want to wander all over the road. The few non interstate roads have been fine, but it's "Construction Season" in ND right now and many are having work done. Not sure when that season ends. My coworkers say it's either "Winter or Construction Seasons here. " Rod

Have been recommending the "Earth Children's" series of books by Jean Auel to some of my younger co-workers. Anyone currently enjoying? I'm out of books for a bit, but will find some again one day. Rod

Glad I'm still using Android.

I don't think I have had a day where I checked the forum and the HDT didn't have a new post. Anyone know what's the longest with out someone posting? Twenty One hours is what was on the counter before this post of a new topic. Rod

I have been to multiple RV Parks over my years of travel and have not found one that would accommodate your desire every day. Some might allow it for a short time, but unless you are camp hosting or doing work for the park, I don't see it happening on a routine basis. Best option is to set up a room with a door in your RV and set work time as the door is closed, do not bother. Similar to you actually leaving the rig. Not knowing what you are traveling in, if that's even possible. Good luck, Rod

And if you are not retired it sometimes takes a little longer to get settled into a routine. Trial and error seems to be a proven technique. Rod

What part of Iowa, Phil? If close to Ottumwa, Iowa you have to stop at the Canteen in the Alley. If near Marshalltown it's an Original Maidrite. Both places serve "Loose meat" sandwiches. Then on to the Pork Tenderloins. The best place is long gone, but almost any place that has them on the menue will be good. Stay away from the "Port Fritter" at first. It's a less expensive alternative. I'm assuming you are still "Motel'ling" it. One of the hardest summer places to find a spot for a big rig was Iowa. Go figure. Enjoy, Rod

Not to derail the topic and I've only heard about them, not ever used one. There used to be a very few rental places that had lot's of equipment, lift's, jacks and tools all to rent so you could DIY many simple repairs and such. One I heard about even had a well experienced mechanic (no longer working) who would hang out and offer an expert opinion. If anyone still knows if these places still exist, maybe a list of cities and phone numbers could be compiled to offer in addition to the use of parking lots. Rod

If it's anything like transferring vehicles when you move there, it's a PITA. I was a travel nurse in the 1980's and decided to stay for a bit. It took me weeks to get all the paper work and transfer two wheeled vehicles from a Midwest licensing state to the State of Florida. At that time there was also an excise tax or something and inspections. Not sure if it's the same now, I left Florida and would never live there again. JMHO. Rod