lappir

Steve I sent you a PM and will follow up most likely with another in the morning. Rod

This is good news to me, but unfortunately I will not be able to attend. I had planned to be a lot closer to Hutchinson in October, but my plan hit a speed bump keeping me over 8 hours away and working Monday to Friday each week. Depending on the weather, I may think about an overnight trip on one of the weekends, but those don't really work out well for seeing everyone. I hope everyone is able to remain safe and remember it's really the hand washing that does the most. Also important to do soap and water in addition to the hand sanitizer. I have other suggestions as far as Mask usage, but won't share unless requested. Rodney Lappin RN

want to find this later.

Best thing I've heard of to extend the life of the roof is to keep off of it. Each step puts strain on the material and causes stretching or pulling away from anchor points, then you have the bubbling roof you see going down the interstate. The trailer owner probably doesn't even know what it looks like and I don't have any or reaching out to them to say "Hey Buddy, your roof is going to fail soon!". I have fiberglass now with a lifetime warranty. The builders say it's fine to walk on. I used "Wet and Forget" on it and it made it much lighter. Next project "Some Day" will be to cover it with Solar Panels and I won't have to worry so much on how to keep the roof clean, just the panels. Rod

As a prior Weekend Warrior owner I would just park it and not worry. Leaving the tires in place or taking them off will do little. Maybe when you first start rolling you will notice a bump, but they will quickly work it out as they heat up. Worst thing for tires is to let the set. Maybe taking them off the trailer and storing in a temperature controlled location may give you another year of use, but they will age out before they wear out. Don't know of a way to stop time. Oh, and the trailer won't be able to be pulled anyway. Rod

I'm hoping to work out all the bugs on the truck while someone else owns it and pay's me to drive it. Once it's ready for the easy life, maybe I will be in a position to do the same. I agree with the fact most older trucks are easier to work on, but they will also require more and more work as they continue to age. I have been very lucky so far with my 2001 Volvo that has been retired from the hard work for over 7 years now and maybe nearing 10 years. The hardest thing with it now is having to sit for months at a time before being asked to pick up my stuff and move me to the next location. Hopefully when "WE" retire we can still move every month or so and not have to do the 1000 miles in 24 hours like we have done for a while. Thanks for your post and comment. Rod

Many have "thought" about do in a conversion and a few have actually completed one. First issue to me is the wheel placement. Most flatbeds or drop decks have fixed tandems well back on the trailer. It would make maneuvering in "Campground" difficult. Most 5th wheels and bumper pull trailers have close to "Mid" placement of the axles. Second is the height of a "Van Box" from the ground. To have a flat floor it will be above the wheels which can be near 40 inches off the ground. My Spacecraft is that way. I discussed having a "Garage with a lower floor behind the axles, but it would have been a "First" in a different way than the "other First" they tried for a trailer a bit before mine was built. There were some issues and I'm not sure how they were resolved. The original owner sold the trailer fairly quickly and the second owner tried to say it was the fault of "Spacecraft". Spacecraft had changed ownership I think before the second owner made it to the "Factory". I put a side door into a box I used for a while on my truck. It worked out OK, but I'm glad it's no longer on the truck and has a new life as just a storage box. It started out as a 15' box, I had it cut down to 10' 6" before putting the side door in with the help of a cousin. We cut down a "door panel" or "Blank" that is made for the swinging rear trailer doors. Added some large "Gate" hinges and then just used an inside securing to keep it closed. I had the roll up door at the back which allowed me to open the door from the inside. I really like my latest box that had swinging doors on either side. No wasted space up high where the roll up door used to be. I had nothing put on my roof. I started out with the Coleman Mach basement HVAC system which is totally junk. I had a retrofit of a LG Mini Split system which was very costly, but is working very well. Time will tell if it was a good investment. The first one certainly wasn't. Next you have to think about if you are going to do "Pop Outs" or "Slide outs". What are you going to use for them. Hydraulic, cables, worm gears, or something totally different? How will you make sure they don't leak? Spacecraft builds almost everything from the axles up. New Horizons will not yet do the air ride tandem 25k axles and may never do it. There is another company in Iowa that builds big trailers, but the name escapes me. A few have had them build one for them, but I haven't personally seen one. And yes, there is Racing Junk. They are build for the purpose of moving cars, tools, replacement parts and maybe offer a person the ability to clean up and take a nap. I haven't seen one that I thought I could live in. Those are my thoughts after trying two off the lot Toyhauler's and my one custom build Spacecraft. I did search high and low for an alternative, but didn't find one. Rod

Nigel, My youngest brother was born in 1962 so you didn't choose the correct one. My oldest children were born in in 1976 a year after High School Graduation in 1975. While it has been common in my area too for people to consider retirement at age 65, I think my "Social Security" lists my retirement age at 67 to get the "highest" benefit. I do think sometimes I could pass for someone younger and actually fooled an age guesser at a carnival once in my 30's. He picked me at 21, but I had a much younger friend and her two young children milling around me at the time. Pretty sure when we met it was just me. Thanks again for the complement. I'll try to not act my age. Rod

There is a winner. I won't say who for a few days. Will give Nigel the chance to take a guess. Rod

Jeff, Sorry to hear your situation is still going on. I had hoped TT would be able to weather the issue, but it seems they are more specialized than I thought. I have only talked to one Trucking company so far. The person I spoke with in S.E. MO. said "business is good" Was talking about $.48 per mile and at least 2500 miles per week. If I's take a route with lots of "Drops" I could make $50 per hour or $50 per drop which ever is more. I know they stretch things a bit, but I'm not looking to make a ton of money driving. I would rather they pay me enough to keep up with my bills (which are pretty reasonable right now) and then allow me to purchase the truck after they have depreciated it out all they can. I will then ensure they pay me well enough to keep me driving for them or will move on to someone who will. I am pretty sure I would like the driving part, especially when there is a destination in mind and a time frame to get there. I have seen a lot of the USA so far, but would like to see a lot more, while I still can. I have very much enjoyed my Travel Nursing Career, but am thinking it's time to actually start moving more often and not going back to the same places over and over. Rod

Nigel, Thanks very much for the compliment. Now here is the riddle. The year I was born and the year I graduated High School have the same 4 numbers. It happens more than I thought it did, but I learned it about me many years ago sitting in front of a pair in a similar situation who talked loudly through out my plane ride. Rod

It's been a while since I had any new comments and I just reread the topic. Despite the comments regarding how to make a Million, most of the rest were helpful and I thank you. I am finishing my 13 week assignment as a Travel Nurse. The location has asked me to stay, but I am not a person who will ever work for one place for any more than about 11 months in one time. In my 30+ years in nursing I have determined that about myself. It has been nice working again. I "personally" started looking for a new position two months ago. Unfortunately my "Recruiter/Representative" didn't start at the same time as I asked him to and when he did send me information on a acceptable position I would want to be submitted to he failed to do so and submitted me to another location. At the same time one of my current coworkers needed to take some time off so I have agreed to extend for another 8 weeks. I had made some appointments for next week. ( when I expected to be traveling to my next position) so will be just taking a week off between. During the upcoming week I plan to visit a couple of "Local" truck companies. There area at least three that I can think of that have a fleet of at least 5 trucks and a couple with 20 that I know of. I visited with a company in S.E. Missouri a week or so ago at a gathering of some older fancied up trucks. The driver recruiter was interested in my but had reservations about my not yet having a CDL. He said the "Insurance companies" look at the length of time holding the CDL and don't care how much experience a person has actually behind the wheel. Typical corporate mentality. With my domicile in South Dakota I will have to determine where I can obtain a CDL. I have called and emailed the Drivers licensing bureau, but have had no response so far. I will be more persistent when I am off next week, on getting an answer. The trucking companies I will be contacting may have insight. If you are still reading, I'm going off topic a bit. It still seems on topic to me, but in a different way. I have been in health care since the late 1970's in some way shape of form. I commented about that in an earlier post. I am sad to say with all the advancements I have seen in our abilities to provide better care of people the opposite seems to be more prevalent right now. In my own ways I am trying my best to combat this, but it's always going to be a loosing battle, because the one with the most money wins. I am close to the usual retirement age, but am in no way ready to even consider not working by choice. If something happens to prevent me from being a productive member of society. I will park my rig and stay where it is. Hopefully it's where I will be able to live out my last days in comfort. A second thought was brought up by a friend who recently saw some photos of my home. He said "why not rent a truck to pull your rig when you need to move?" It's not really possible was my response. I could more easily "Hire" someone to move it for me and may consider that if my plan for a different truck does not work out or I am unable to keep my current one on the road when I need it. My alarm went off a bit ago. I got up before 3 am this morning and need to start getting ready for work. Thanks to all who have read this and will make comments. The writing it down is a big part, but the best part is reading the comments. Rod

I was looking at Super "C"s before finding my HDT option. Glad I went the way I did. If I ever go to a single unit it would be with a Volvo cab with a flexible walk-through to Studio Sleeper about 32 ft in total length. Sort of like a Super C, but not quite. I'd have to think hard about if I wanted a slide out. If I did I think I'd want it at the back and not on the side. Rod

Thanks for the info. Would like to put my Davy Crockett on a slideout, but with my basement doors it would have to extend out 8 foot to be usable. I'm sure I could find something that would work, but would rather do something else. If you have photos of your slide device, maybe I'm thinking wrong. Rod

I always thought I needed a "Laptop" with my travel. In the early days, yes I probably did because it was unusual for a desktop to have "WiFi" already installed. I bought many laptops because one thing or another seemed to go wrong with the "Battery or Charging" systems, or they would Overheat according to the techs. I purchased an "All in one" several years ago and will never purchase another laptop. The all in one is 1/2 the price of the laptops I would buy. It has touch screen (that I don't use) and had built in WiFi connect-ability. It's also simple to unplug, drop in the box and carry with me if I choose to. I can move it to the truck and as long as I have shore power it works the same. I take it to my Mothers when I will be there for an extended visit and she can still use her computer if she likes. I have a tablet for the waiting rooms or my new Samsung Note is proving to be quite useful. I do have to carry a keyboard, but have decided to just buy an extra one and leave it at my Mothers. Thinking of trying the new "Split Keyboard". I have one of the "Wave" ones and like it better than the standard ones I have to use at work all the time. If I like the Split one I may start carrying one to work too. It has to be a USB connection though, no Bluetooth on the work devices. I did look at several of the Surfaces before getting the all in one and something just didn't set with me. Not sure what it was. Rod

Cast Iron all the way. It is heavy and not for everyone, but it's my go to for anything except high acid sauces. Wish I hadn't given away my Dutch Oven many years ago. Would like to find an enameled one to make a large pot of tomato pasta sauce in. Now to upgrade from the single portable to the residential 4 burner cook top. Rod

Good question. Is there room in the RV panel for it and would it overload or unbalance the panel?

Not that it's going to make a huge difference in they typical person here, but when you put a new tire with an older tire. The new one wears down to the size of the old pretty fast, or so I've been told. If you are able to run "steers" on the rear and they are the same size as the drives, get two new steer tires and move two to the back. Maybe the size will be a bit more close. When it's possible to buy another two, do the same. Seems like a good idea to me, but won't work with super singles. Rod

My truck was singled long when I purchased. I did have the option of a short at the same time, but liked the looks of the long better. I had no idea what I was really doing at the time and maybe still don't. Since the initial purchase I have gone from an ET Senior to a conventional hitch. It is a slider, but I have set it and haven't moved it since. The frame behind the axles has been lengthened and then shortened depending on the size of my Drom box. I'm pretty sure I'm done with the frame work on this truck. Had I known I would have been able to get the trailer I have now when I was looking for a truck I would have stayed tandem on the rear and most likely would have gone with the super singles at some point. If I'm able to replace my current HDT someday I will go that way. Life is full of choices, each of us have the reasons why we do what we do. Sharing the experiences here is a way of finding things to think about that you may not have known. Thanks to all who participate. Rod

My truck had the plastic ones with lights in them when I got my truck. Had one light issue, but otherwise they have been pretty good. The do need replaced fairly soon. I'm noticing the sides are not completely attached to the top's any more. Rod

Since I don't use Facebook anymore, will there be additional information posted here? Rod

It took a little bit of time and internet searching, but I am back with the PDANet+. Was close to calling today to see about reactivating my S5 to use only as my data port. Will see how it works with the new WiFi connect. I used it before with my Tablet, but never with the PC until this morning. Rod

I didn't have one put on my Spacecraft. I wanted nothing on the roof in preparation for full solar panels some day. I have used a couple of the Clearview. Started with the indoor one in South Florida and it worked well there, but not in Iowa. Got the longer range one and if I get it high enough it does a good job. Much better than the Satellite Dish that the current RV Park has. As soon as I hear the rain drops it seems the Dish looses it's signal. Rod

Ray, Thanks for your reply. I have tried to remember what we used to call the box for weeks now. Rotor Control is what I think now. It could have been just the rotor or the rotor box. Anyway, thanks again. I have looked at some of the Military Surplus internet sites and see some extending masts. I would mount it to the frame of my truck so I don't think the wind would flip it over. I used some 2 inch pvc pipe for the trial Put a short section of a cheater pipe I had where I connected the two pieces together. I thought a T connector with a short stub to assist with turning would work but it didn't work out too well. Would work apart over time and quicker each time it seemed. Put some sheet metal screws through the joints and fixed the pipe in place with the same. Stood up to some pretty good winds. Can't find a photo I took right now, but may try to attach later. Rod

I picked up a "Clearview" antenna a few years ago and have been pretty happy with it except in North Central Oklahoma. Getting it to 30+ feet in the air was the only way I could pull stations in from OKC. With the Oklahoma/Kansas winds it was a bit difficult keeping it turned the right way all the time. I am in search of an extendable mast and then maybe I will be able to find an antenna rotator from the 60's. Anyone remember having to turn the dial on top of the TV to turn the outside antenna the right way to pull in the stations? Rod