TXiceman

It is good that they are checking the people for ticks. We certainly don't want them to spread.😜 HEADING WAS CORRECTED. Ken

As Kirk noted, be sure to read the chassis owners manual and follow it for all service and maintenance. If it is a diesel, oil, air and fuel filters are very important to a reliable diesel. For the resr of the RV, read and follow the oweners manual for each piece of equipment. Ken

Like noted, what will your total length be when completed. Some state are 55', some 65' and some longer for total overall length. Another issue is the tag axle and scrubbing in a turn. Are you going to lift the axle in turns? Ken

Dave, i have heard of several with issues converting to the Hopper3, plus portable antennas won't work with the Hopper 3, we have also decided to stay with the VIP 722 for the future as well. Ken

Water quality will effect the life of the pads. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind the minerals. Hard water areas will coat the pads fast. Ken

We have the Traveler antenna and use a 722 and a 211Z receiver on the antenna. I'd love to add the DPH432 switch and a Hopper 3, But we also have to replace the 211Z as it would no longer work. Additionally, the Hopper will not work with any of the portable automatic antennas which we do occasionally use when we get under trees. Ken

Kirk, yes, 5ers do need occasional repairs in the shop. Where motorhomes are repaired, not all will allow staying in the coach at night. As for truck repairs, we had to have an engine replace in 2014 and the truck was in the shop for 3 weeks. The other parties insurance paid for a site for the RV for 3 weeks, a rental car for 3 weeks and repaired the truck. Our road service towed the truck and trailer to a pull through site and we dropped the trailer and took the truck on to a Ford dealer. It is a personal choice of which devil you care to dance with. Both choices have the potential for issues. With the more recent diesel trucks and diesel motorhomes, the biggest issues we see are the pollution controls disabling the engine. And both can have problems with the slide units. And 2gypsies, you have been very lucky. Ken

Big advantage of the dually is I can take it to any Ford, Chevy or Ram dealer for work or any one of many independent shops. I do not have to find and schedule a Freightliner or Cummins shop. When the truck is in the shop, I still have a 5er to live in. With the motorhome, your house goes in the shop and you are stuck in a motel or hotel. For transportation, I just rent an inexpensive car for a few days if needed. Ken

Big Rick, they also do not like engineers as jurors on civil lawsuits' Ken

The dealers have every right to make a profit otherwise they cannot stay in business....but a reasonable profit. I was in technical sales for high dollar systems, so it was not a quick sale commodity item. As Kirk pointed out, they are a master of shuffling numbers to make it look like you are getting a deal. This is why I tell them I am interested in ONE number only....I want the final total price ... out the door including Tax, titel, license fees, etc. I have walked out the door on more than one sales person that wanted to play games. I tell them up front that I was a sales professional for close to 30 years and read all the same books and took the same sales courses that they took....so no BS will be tolerated. Ken

Our daughter has a friend with a full wall slide Forest River motorhome and it has been in for repairs on the slide 4time now. They were with them on the last trip and it took 6 men to push the slide in. They have had it with the RV and are looking at Lemon Law and an attorney. I personally would not have a full wall slide. Ken

One of the fellows in the RV park was a bank finance officer and he dealt with loans for RV dealers to buy the RVs from the factory and also buyer financing for the dealers. He said typical dealer cost is 37% below MSRP and then you have dealer kick back for sales volume. So the dealers have lots of room to negotiate. Ken

It is all a matter of personal preference. We have had a Pop up, small motorhome, larger class A, Class C, bumper pull and 5ers. We lived for a year in a 34 ft class A and also 6 months in a 5er. When we were going full time, we opted for a 5er and a 1 ton diesel truck. The 5er in general has more storage and is residential than a class A in our opinion. But the more recent 5ers cutting back on the cabinets and storage in favor of cheaper blank walls. You need to rent a class C or an A and try it for a week to see how it does for you. Ken

We had Nation wide for a couple of years and they decided to bump my rates over 30% with no claims against them. Went to Geico and after the 3rd now and they have increase a few percent each year, but not much. We have found you need to shop around for the best policy rates every couple of years. Also, check for coverage from the independent agents. Ken

The clowns at Dish will tell you that you cannot use a DVR receiver in an RV. They are worried about the hard disk drive (HDD) being damaged while in motion. You have the same issue with the single receivers it you add a HDD to record programs. We have hauled out DISH DVR for better than 8 years and no issues. We just unplug the receiver from the RV since we have an inverter and it powers the entertainment unit. Ken

You can get the annual license each year by mail. Normally, you have to have the vehicle inspected within 90 days of the license registration. But, online you can order and pay the fee and check the box that you are out of state. Then you are supposed to get the vehicle inspected within 72 hours of your return to the state. Some people go a few years before they make it back to Texas. Ken

We have been RVers since 1984 and full time the past 8 years. In the past 8 years we have had to change our travel style to a more regimented and scheduled style in order to have a campsite near holidays and near destination cities. It take the fun out of spontaneous travel. If you want a week in a state or Federal park you head better schedule months out. The weekends are booked minute they are open. Being full time, we like to stay in an area for a couple of weeks to a month or more. Monthly sites are also difficult to get in many areas as the parks are full of permeant tenants and construction workers. Ken

Barbara, you should now by now that you cannot explain science or math to non-science types that do not want to learn. Ken

Nope, electronic. I get the statement on line and on the top of the statement...PRELIMINARY, subject to revision. Ken

I can't even file yet. Still waiting on final brokerage statements. Usually do not get them until mid to late March. Ken

We will never change the mind set of the anti-maskers that think the COVID19 is a hoax. In the park we are in, a husband and wife got COVID. It was rough but she got over it. He wound up in the hospital and dies about 2 weeks ago. Another couple both got COVID and had a few days in the hospital. They are still both on portable oxygen. There have been a few other milder cases. These are the folks that were not social distancing with big outside gatherings and seldom wore a mask. So this hoax sure get lots of folks sick.... Ken

Many states already will not sell a hand gun to nonresidents of states. You can buy a long gun, just no hand guns. Ken

We got our first Pfizer shots on Feb 4 and the 2nd one Feb 25 at a mass vaccination site in Sugarland, TX. No one asked for insurance or Medicare information. All we had to show was a photo ID and our reservation form. Ken

I'll continue to follow the CDC guidelines and wear a mask, even with the two shots in my arm. I feel that the CDC has much more scientific basis than our idiot governor. Ken

Each time you make a conversion from A/C to DC or DC to AC there is a loss due to the efficiency of the process. Just tun the 12 VDC on DC and the 120VAC on AC. Ken