spindrift

Maybe a repost of what you Starlink folks already knew. https://www.rvtravel.com/china-hints-threat-starlink-satellite-constellation-1054b/

Starlink looks like a very good choice for when we go full time. But its $135/month fee and $600 hardware set-up is too rich for my blood.

I, like so many others have said before, have not been too interested in being up to speed on all of the latest and greatest electronic technologies. I have a cell phone so I can talk to my wife and kids, take pics and surf the internet. I know it can do much more but I have no clue. I consider myself mechanically inclined, but technology and I simply don't get along. So that's the backstory. We went camping this past weekend and I ended up climbing onto the roof to clean the vent covers. While I was up there, I noticed that the top of my Magnadyne WF-B1B antenna was missing. Apparently, I hit a low hanging branch on our way to the campground and broke the top of the antenna clean off the base mount. There are three cables coming out of the roof. One is marked "AM/FM antenna", the second is "TV antenna" and the third is a blue ethernet cable that isn't connected to anything. The antenna is circa 2019 so it has a 1' diameter dish that sits on the base plate. The AM/FM and TV antennas were hooked up to their counterparts in the dish which broke off. We have two smart TVs in the camper that I've never been able to work properly. I suppose I could order a new dish and simply connect the two cables and attach the dish to the roof mounted base. I have no clue why the blue ethernet cable was all alone...future WiFi maybe? Anyway, I got to thinking that since we've had problems with the TVs since new (whether hardware or operator error I don't know), maybe it's time to upgrade to something...just because I honestly would like to get a handle on this stuff. We absolutely need access to the internet because of my wife's work, we need our phones to work and we really would like to watch some TV when the spirit moves us. We also travel to remote areas. So, how in the world did you folks know where to start? Is there a particularly good product that has a caring and knowledgeable sales staff for this kind of thing? Are there particularly good resources available to study or RV dealerships to visit? I'm really at a loss as to where to begin. To make matters worse, my Android cell phone gave up the ghost this past weekend as well and I don't expect my new one until tomorrow at the earliest. I was crucified by two of the kids for not having an iPhone because, allegedly, that wouldn't have happened with an iPhone. I can't win.

Practice some deep breathing exercises and...relax.

Thanks for sharing. That's a good deal. Unfortunately. I just bought four cases of Delo.

How did you cut the hose...razor? The hose cut needs to be absolutely clean with no burs and straight as an arrow. You need to push the hose completely 8nto the fitting and make sure that the collar is pulled back completely.

The more time a truck sits without bringing that engine to operating temperature increases the likelihood of condensation mixing with the oil. Add to that used engine oil can be an oxidizer and you have a great recipe for the premature wear of engine components.

Yes.

Sorry to hear, Rick. One of the reasons I love dat old arn.

But it's not pre-emission. It's mechanical so it could explode tomorrow, or even tonight.

Engines are pressure washed every day of the week. All electrical connections are waterproof. My engine is pressure washed at least 2X per month. Not only do I like a clean engine, it's easier to see an issue when you see a tell-tale trail of oil and/or coolant.

Once upon a time, we had a FLR. Initially loved, loved, loved the floor plan...until summer arrived and we realized that the A/C was not adequate for having my melon that close to the ceiling surface. It simply radiated too much heat. So, it wasn't the floor plan that soured us on the FLR, it was the engineering. Buyer beware.

I passed Joe's a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I was a bit under the gun and didn't have time to stop. Maybe next time.

Great info. Thanks.

If there's a leak, your struggles will continue.

Infinitely serviceable...at least until individual parts are no longer available.

Don't take anything for granted. There are shops that can't perform an oil change properly.

I hear 'ya. Just not worth it unless there's something very, very special about the truck. Perfectly OK. I've done the same to my truck. Just don't park the truck on any white, concrete driveways or you may get run off.

That's rebuild time if it was being used in a commercial application so I'd say don't worry about it since it's unlikely you'd spend the $30-40K for an engine rebuild. Yes, the ECM records idle time.

How many miles on the engine? How much idle time has the engine seen? Both of these factors would contribute to blowby; hence the oily filter.

It's normal until it isn't. Not saying it isn't the hoses but that reason has begun to be overused. Until all of the requisite pressure tests have been done, you simply don't know.

I've never stayed here, but I've passed by; Southbound RV Park. And I'm sorry but I have no idea if they can accommodate you, but it's definitely a nice place.

@Vegas Teacher I recommend that you join the Truckers Report Forum. Equal to Escapees in regard to quality and the professionalism of its members. There are many areas of trucking. As has been said, do your research in order to identify what area might be best for your lifestyle/personality.

And that's why I said, "OR". God Bless, you're part of the few, the lucky, the very brave.

Since you specifically asked about OTR, I will tell you it's primarily a young, unattached man's game, OR you have a marriage that can sustain itself perfectly well while you're separated from your spouse/kids for weeks on end. It doesn't have to be that way with local and regional jobs available.