Second Chance

Obviously, I would second this. We started out in a Grand Design Reflection fifth wheel and, when we saw that we were going to stay on the road long-term, we moved up to a Solitude ordered "our way" (dual pane windows, residential fridge, solar, etc.). Ironically, the Solitude we have is almost an identical floor plan to our previous Reflection - just wider, taller, and with a lot more glass (for that open, airy feeling). We've had no issues with the unit itself, just vendor supplied things like the convection microwave and such. GD has been very good in responding to warranty requests and our on-the-road lifestyle that means we're not always near a dealer. Rob

I was in 27 years and retired from the Army - never heard of the method described. (I spent a year in the field in a third world setting where it wasn't an issue.) My wife spent about half her life in Latin America and Spain where nothing goes in the toilet except human waste. It was that way when were spent February in Ecuador this year. The reason being that their plumbing systems are hundreds of years older than ours and the diameters and turns cannot handle anything but human waste (and sometimes not even that). The TP in the trash can can get nasty, though. Now... I'm with Pat & Pete. We are full-time and, in those seven years, have never had an issue with the black tank in either of our fifth wheels. We use septic-safe TP (breaks down so quickly it even comes apart when I try to use some to get something out of the shower drain when its wet). Saturday is our dump day. I use the tank rinser, do a second four minute fill and drain, and then add fresh water with the rinser while the gray tanks are draining. Even all of the OEM tank sensors are clean and work! We use no chemicals. Rob

You did tell her that with the emission systems, diesel trucks don't have that characteristic smell any more, didn't you? I have found The Mountain Directory to be extremely useful - not just out west, but places in the east, too. I would recommend purchasing and downloading a digital copy (several formats and platforms). I never plan a trip without it: https://mountaindirectory.com/ Rob

Like Kirk, we haven't had experience with any services except Escapees. We signed up in 2015 and get a veterans' discount off the $115/year for level B (I don't remember how much). It hasn't changed in the past seven years. Rob

I don't know if this will be of any use to you, but the guy in this video is a certified RV inspector and has a YouTube channel. This video is his take on the best brands of travel trailers - at different levels - and he talks about both new and used: Travel Trailers I know you say you're not there yet, but here's his video on travel trailers vs. fifth wheels: TT vs. 5W His channel has a number of other interesting videos, too. Rob

10 years is a good run and we really understand the pull to be near family. Keep us posted on your transition progress, too. I hope you'll be staying around the forum as I value your input. Rob

Kirk, If you read on Hughes' site, they state specifically that the Autoformer is not an auto-transformer. Hughes Autoformer The misfortune of the similar naming has caused a lot of confusion. An autotransformer (in this case "auto" meaning self rather than automatic) is a transformer that uses a single winding and core with multiple taps. Autotransformer Wiki The Autoformer is a different animal and does not use that electrical configuration. Rob

We also have a truly unlimited plan with no throttling - though we are grandfathered in and the plan is no longer available. Rob

If you stay in southern NM (which both of the places you mention are), the chances of snow any time of the year are very low, especially at the lower elevations - but it can still get cold. We had 15 deg. temps in Las Cruces (about an hour from White Sands) in February last year. You cannot use your UTVs/ATVs anywhere in those to parks, though. If you search for BLM land and access you'll find places you can go. Rob

I'm trying to figure out how to do something like that without too much changing of things - my 50-amp cord connects to the trailer on the outside rather than inside a bay. Rob

Thanks. We have a hard-wired PD 50 amp EMS with a display inside near the distribution panel, so we have constant voltage monitoring and the protection of the EMS. My plan is to do as you do - only use the Autoformer when needed. Rob

As long as you run the main (propane) furnace to keep the basement warm, the pipes and water utilities there should be OK. The main things to consider are: Skirt the trailer (as Kirk mentioned - lots of info on this if you search the web) Get a good heated water hose (we have a No Freeze Water Hose designed for the "man camps" in the northern tier states and Canada) Use the main furnace as your primary heat source - not the electric fireplace or space heaters. Only the main furnace will keep the underbelly and basement from freezing. (Light bulbs and other low-wattage heat sources can be placed in the basement to help). If you don't have dual pane windows, Reflectix or plastic "storm" window kits can help with both heat and condensation. Moisture control: we use a large compressor-type dehumidifier. The ACs are great dehumidifiers... but you don't use them in the winter. Use the bathroom vent after showers - but only for a short time. Remember that cooking with propane releases water into the interior (a byproduct of propane combustion) in addition to the steam from food. Use the vent hood exhaust fan if vented to the outside - but only as briefly as possible. Make "snakes" out of socks and cotton batting to stuff around the bottom corners of slides or other places where wind might blow in cold air. Leave waste tanks closed all the time and drain only when full. Watch the weather forecast and try to do this when the temps are above freezing. This will help keep your stinky slinky from freezing up. Personal insulation: It may sound old-fashioned, but I have some long johns that I wear under my pants in very cold weather. We also use an electric bed warmer (fits over the mattress rather than over you like an electric blanket). It draws little power and allows us to set the thermostat lower at night (but still set so the furnace will cycle and keep the basement thawed). I have installed some remote sensing devices made by YoLink to monitor the temps in the basement and the front compartment. They require a hub (and an internet connection for the hub), but you can set alarms to let you know if the temps drop below a certain point. Monitoring your propane tanks will help you not run out in the middle of the night. I use the Mopeka Tank Check system and it gives me precise readings on my phone (Bluetooth). Learn how to use the auto-switching propane regulator, too. I'm assuming that you'll have full hookups but remember that, in case of a power outage, the furnace requires 12VDC to run the thermostat, control board, and fan motor. If your batteries won't last through a cold night, you might want to upgrade your battery bank. I hope this helps. Stay warm! Rob

There can be quite a bit. We've been a number of places where voice is all we could get. Rob

I checked a couple of places where we stay/have stayed. Particularly telling is Lake Powhatan Recreation Area and Campground (NFS) outside Asheville, NC. We were volunteer camp hosts there for a season when we first hit the road. Coverage was almost nonexistent for carriers other than Verizon and even Verizon had dark holes in various places within the campground (different loops). The map you have provided the link to has much better resolution and is significantly more accurate than Verizon's coverage map. I then checked Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (where we currently are). There are known dead spots on post for several of the carriers and I have tested both Verizon and T-Mobile in the Marylander RV Park. Your map is more accurate for post than are the carriers' maps... by far. Thanks for providing such a useful tool (and I will explore its other uses, too!). Rob

A quick Google search found this: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada Rob

Good story, Kirk. I'm probably odd man out, but I'm afraid I can't relate. The first "crush" I had was at 13 in 7th grade. We waited until our first year of college to get married, though. It lasted for 36 really good years until she died. Rob

Congratulations, Derek. Last March would have marked 50 for my late wife and me. I thought my life was over - and then Laura came along. You won't have to think too hard to figure out my user name on the forums... Rob

Most self-storage facilities require proof of insurance coverage these days. Our renter's policy explicitly states that anything in storage is covered. We have a VPP rider to cover some more valuable single items and just provide a copy of the coverage renewal to the storage facility each year. Rob

I would echo what Linda said. Unless you plan to travel with the RV, a much better choice would be a destination trailer. Also consider park availability (can be an issue depending on where you are). Most public parks (National and state parks) have stay limits. Living in an RV is not necessarily cheaper than living in a house once you figure in the fees for RV parks and campgrounds, utilities (electric charged separately in some parks for long-term, propane for the furnace and cooking), vehicle registration, maintenance, etc. If you travel, you also have to take into consideration legal domicile, voting, and that sort of thing. There is a wealth of information on these forums and on the Escapees main web site in the educational section. Do LOTS of homework! Rob

We are mobile full-timers and don't have a lot - but thanks. Rob

I think you'll need more than a few years of warranty if you're waiting on DNBs - there are currently no known prototypes in existence.👽 Rob

The Hughes web site says it's fine to use a 50 amp Autoformer with a 50 amp coach on a 30 amp pedestal - they even have a YouTube video of how to do it and what to watch for. Rob

How many of you have and use a Hughes Autoformer? We have at least one campground we visit routinely (only option near two of our grandkids) where the voltage, during the hot season, constantly drops below 104 volts and the EMS takes us off-line. I really wished we had one this last time! Have you found the Autoformer to be reliable and perform well? Thanks! Rob

We have stayed at Ivy Acres Lodge & RV Park, Piedmont, SC (just outside Greenville) and liked it. They have a mix of long-termers and normal RV stay folks there (we stayed 10 nights once). Nice folks, too. Rob

According to their profile, their last visit was on Saturday - 15 minutes after they posted. Rob