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Posts posted by Second Chance
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32 minutes ago, D&J said:
We just moved back into our trailer so we are using our X2 portable dish with a 211K receiver and it still wants to find 129 and of coarse it can so it won't finish it's setup unless I manually tell it view tv. That also means if the power gets interrupted when we are gone it will not automatically set itself up. Will a new Wally eliminate this problem or will I have to contact Winegard for updated software.
Denny
The Wallys will update themselves via satellite when firmware is available. I'm guessing that Dish hasn't gotten around to - or hasn't bothered - to update the firmware for the Wallys, yet.
Rob
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8 hours ago, 2gypsies said:
I just saw my internist today and she recommended not getting all three together.... do RSV separately.
Our internist just told us the same thing. Since we've tolerated the flu and COVID vaccines together in the past, it's OK to do that again - but wait at least a week to get the RSV.
Rob
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For us (full-time eight years, now) the only real frustration was getting back at least once a year to where our health care providers were located. They were not conveniently placed on the travel patterns and routes we found ourselves establishing. We fixed that situation a few years ago by finding new providers (we absolutely loved our old ones and hated leaving them) in a place where we spend a lot of time near the critical mass of our grandchildren. There are other good reasons to stay for longer periods in this area besides the grandkids, so it just made sense. We have no major frustrations now... with the exception of our aging bodies.
Rob
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In order of impact/importance to us (sort of...):
- Replaced OEM mattress with Tuft & Needle foam mattress
- MORryde independent suspension with disc brakes
- LiFePO4 batteries (already had solar) to support the residential fridge
- Washer & dryer (vented)
- Replaced sleeper sofa with Ekornes Stressless recliners
- Replaced theater seats with Lambright dual reclining loveseat
- Replaced cooktop with combo induction/LP unit (and removed LP oven - we use the convection microwave for baking)
- Replaced dinette chairs with storage ottomans (same width as table so still seats 4)
- Installed water leak detectors in strategic locations (part of YoLink smart RV system)
- Quick-connect setup in utility bay for flushing black tank
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) sound bar with Sub Mini in entertainment center
Those are the major ones I can think of now.
Rob
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43 minutes ago, 001952119 said:
Dish informed me that satellite 129 has been eliminated. They now utilize two satellites.
This is true - and has been for a while.
Rob
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3 minutes ago, Kirk W said:
Passports do not have an address anywhere on them so the address used is not a factor. They are only proof of citizenship and identity. They stay with you no matter where you choose to domicile or reside.
I understand that Kirk. We have both lived and worked overseas.
Rob
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We are long-terming on a military installation and have a PO box with street address at the Post Office on post (still have our Escapees address, too). Of course, being on a military installation, this Post Office handles a lot of passport business and does the photos, too. I was handed the forms and instructed to bring them back, have our photos taken, and everything will be sent off from there. The passports will be returned to our PO box on post.
Rob
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I second Linda's recommendation for reading on rvmobileinternet.com. They are the go-to people on this topic.
The sticking point in your question is "remote places." Although Verizon has the best 4G coverage nationwide, there are many places you can't get coverage with any of the carriers - and the more remote the more likely that is. With Starlink, you can have internet wherever you can see the sky and you have power for the system. It's pricey, though. I've not done it, but I'm guessing you can set up VOIP for phone service that way, too.
We have a grandfathered unlimited data plan on a Verizon 4G MiFi hotspot that has served us well for a long time... but we don't boondock.
Rob
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In 2015, we had all our vehicles (including a 36' fifth wheel with truck) inspected at Harrison Body & Paint Shop at 1806 N Washington Ave, Livingston, TX 77351. They were able to accommodate us and I don't recall any issues with the size of the rig.
Rob
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To correct some misinformation... exchange and commissary privileges are limited to:
- Active Duty or Reserve Uniformed and Retired Uniformed personnel.
- Recipients of the Medal of Honor.
- Honorably Discharged Veterans when certified 100% disabled.
- Military Members of Foreign Nations when on duty with U.S. Military Service.
- National Guard not in Federal Service.
- Red Cross Personnel who are U.S. citizens, assigned outside the U.S. with the Military Service.
- U.S. Civilian DoD Employees when stationed outside the U.S.
- U.S. Citizen Employees of Firms under contract to the Department of Defense when employed outside the U.S. Military Transition Personnel.
- Retired Ship’s Officers and Crew members of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA.
- Ship’s Officers and Crew members of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA.
- Dependent family members of personnel listed above.
- Contract Surgeons.
- Non-DoD Federal Departments/Agencies as determined by local commanding officer.
- Dependents of members of the armed forces, commissioned officers of the Public Health Service or commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association who have been separated for dependent abuse.
Sales tax is not charged at the PX or commissary, but commissary patrons pay a 5% surcharge for the "improvement of commissary facilities." Here in Maryland (where we're staying on Aberdeen Proving Ground), some prices at the commissary are better than Walmart and some are not. There are also things we can get at Walmart that we can't get at the commissary - and vice versa. Maryland does not charge sales tax on food, so if prices were the same at Walmart and the commissary, we'd be paying 5% more at the commissary because of the surcharge.
Rob
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This requires a paid subscription, but it's the best I've found. I've planned 3,600 mile trips with 30+ stops. It has a lot of features, too.
Rob
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On 6/7/2023 at 11:12 AM, Bellboy61 said:
any problems with West Lake tires what is recommended
As Linda stated, the title of your post needs to reflect the topic of your question.
Westlake tires are a mixed bag. The smaller, load range E tires have a poor reputation for failure with damage to the trailer. The heavier load range G Westlake tires are a decent tire and very few reports of failures if cared for properly (proper inflation pressures, frequent checks, etc.). Any brand tire can fail, though, if not appropriate for the load or properly inflated.
Rob
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The Wolf Pack toy haulers are not at the upper end of qaulity and get 2.5 stars (out of five) on RVInsider. I would recommend looking into the construction of the chassis (Lippert? Rail size?) and have a qualified RV inspector or certified RV technician give it a good once-over. It would be money well spent.
Rob
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7 minutes ago, Dennis Henderson said:
We LIVED on the Blue Ridge Parkway for 3 seasons while we managed a visitor center/restaurant at milepost 339 called Crabtree Falls (used to be Crabtree Meadows) on the North Carolina section. I would NEVER recommend anyone travel the BRP with a large rig. It CAN be done, but it won't be pleasant. You will be so busy watching out for bicyclists, motorcycles, slow-moving cars, and trying not to let any wheels go off the paved surface that it will totally ruin the drive for you. It is also very hard on your brakes. Even the passenger/co-pilot won't enjoy the ride as it will be too stressful. Once again, I am sure there are those who have done it and will say "pooh-pooh" it was easy, but I witnessed too many folks pull into the campground at Crabtree Falls who said they would NEVER do it again and ask how they could get off the BRP as soon as possible. That's another problem. You can't just take any exit road that comes up. Many of them are extremely dangerous for large or heavy vehicles because of switchbacks and steep grades , so your options are limited and you MUST do your research ahead of time. Good luck to you.
Denny and Cindy Henderson
Currently at Curry Hammock State Park in the Florida Keys
Having been camp hosts near the parkway in NC, I'll second this advice.
Rob
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2 minutes ago, rpsinc said:
It has always amazed me how many insurance companies are BIG sponsors of motor sports. I am an NHRA & NASCAR fan, and there are so many insurance companies that are sponsors on these teams and on the events. It has caused me to wonder how much profit do these companies make to be able to doll out so much money as sponsors.
According to a U.S. Treasury Department report from 2019, the property and casualty insurance companies – of which auto insurance represents about half – had more than $68 billion in net income for 2018.
Rob
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If you search any of the forums, you'll find too many discussions on this topic to count.
My wife found a very good description of extended service plans a while back (they are not warranties, but rather insurance policies with lots of fine print). They are another form of legalized gambling. The company is betting that nothing breaks that would cause them to pay out more than you paid for the policy; you're betting it will. As in all forms of legalized gambling, the house usually wins. Otherwise, these companies wouldn't be in business or make a profit.
Dave Ramsey and Clark Howard have commented on these plans many times, too. The standard seems to be that 80% of extended service plan revenue goes toward commissions and marketing. Only 20% goes toward paying for actual repairs, which means most people are getting a really bad deal. We prefer to set money aside regularly (earning interest) and pay for repairs as they come up.Rob
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Is this for pay? If so a commercial driver's license of the appropriate class might be required, too.
Rob
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24 minutes ago, justRich said:
It's no joke.
I used it yesterday with this question:
What are the campsites that are over 6,000 feet near Redding California?This was using "Bard" by Google.
It makes todays search engines look like stone age tools.I tried it with a similar question and the response was largely junk. It listed Marylander RV Park on Aberdeen Proving Ground (an Army installation) as "family owned and operated." I asked for parks north and east of Baltimore and it gave me a number in the DC area and as far south as Annapolis - with more errors in the listings. I'll stick to the tools I've been using for now...
Rob
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There is a web site dedicated exclusively to information on military FamCamps and RV parks: MilitaryCampgrounds.us
Rob
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Up until 2020 we spent quite a bit of time travelling in and through California with our rig (fifth wheel and truck over 26K requiring a Class A TX license). Saw LEOs of various flavors on the road, at rest stops, etc. Never exchanged more than a friendly wave with them. They have bigger fish to fry.
Rob
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I'm with Glenn and Kirk. As full-timers, it would not be convenient/possible for us to charge an EV at campsites or on travel days. Our CR-V (quite a bit more room than a Smart) is averaging 32 MPG conbination town/highway. It's also a great car for road trips (like Aberdeen to Cincinnati next week) without the rig. It'll take as long to use the restroom as it will to refuel the car...
Rob
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I'm sorry - I didn't notice that you had the TT model in the title. The loaded tongue weight will be around 1,000 lbs. The payload (tongue weight it can carry) for the truck is just as - if not more - important than the towing capacity. You can get the payload number from the door sticker on your truck ("Maximum weight of passengers and cargo not to exeed..."). That number will need to be more than the 1,000 lbs. tongue weight for the trailer, you and any passengers, and 100 lbs. for a weight distributing hitch.
Rob
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Can you tell us exactly which model of Dutchment TT you're talking about? If the 720 lbs. tongue weight is the advertized/brochure weight, the actual loaded tongue weight will be much higher.
Rob
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We have VZW phones and a grandfathered unlimited 4G/LTE hotspot. Last fall T-Mobile offered a special on their new 5G hotspot with 100GB of data so I decided to try it. We have spent this winter at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, MD. This is a moderately populated area - not like the density 25 miles down the road in Baltimore - but not out in the boonies, either. We are .52 miles from the VZW tower and about .7 miles from a tower with the other carriers' antennas on it. The T-Mobile hotspot would only get the "nationwide" 5G bands - the "ultra" bands are only available on certain streets in central Baltimore. Using Ookla SpeedTest, the speeds on the T-Mobile 5G hotspot were no better than the VZW 4G/LTE hotspot in this location. I returned the T-Mobile hotspot and considered it a $50 experiment (1 month's service fee).
Rob
New to Full Time
in Beginning RVing
Posted · Edited by Second Chance
It's not about towing capacity with fifth wheels - it's all about payload. If your truck is a DRW, you're likely OK; if it is a SRW, possibly not. Use 23% of the trailer's GVWR (from the sticker - not empty weight) to estimate a loaded pin weight.
We have been full-time a little over eight years in two Grand Design fifth wheels (first a Reflection and now our Solitude). We've been happy with both the RVs and Grand Design's customer service. They are by no means "high end" coaches (you have to double the money to get those), but have been comfortable to live in and good values. Be aware that you give up about 1/3 of your living space when you opt for a toy hauler - and the garages are notoriously hard to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer if you plan to use it for more than hauling a motorcycle or something.
Rob