Jack Mayer

We have boondocked a fair amount in our HDT. Realistically, it does reduce a "little" where you go if you are coming from an offroad capable 4x4 pickup. But with a large trailer behind you even the pickup is not going very far offroad - at least in rigorous conditions. So boondocking has not been a major issue for us. We do check things out carefully first. And we do not go into loose sand at all. But you would not in a pickup, either - at least not with a big trailer.

Blues, thanks for the info. That does represent a path forward. One I hope is not needed, but one I am willing to pursue if required. Thanks for doing the homework on it. As for those that imply that none of us here are actually DOING something other than complaining I would ask where you are getting your information. Because you are wrong.

Mike and Suzan Craven swung by today to say hi (and dump their tanks). We will get together with them and Kari and Nick Ploysa (and son) sometime in August to tell tales and show off the new coach. That is, if Nick can stop playing with his new toys - he is now a "train guy"....conductor in training.

I suppose that some people think this is a trivial issue and don't see the "big deal". I would bet that almost all of those are not affected by this law. I'm affected by it big time, and it IS a big deal for me. It FORCES me to come back to the state - on THEIR timeline - and incur that expense. For no real beneficial reason. Simply another government intrusion into private life, in my book. There are good reasons for some government programs and restrictions. This is not one of them. I have no choice but to take a "wait and see" attitude, since there is nothing of significance I can do, and I have no choices for domicile that are better.

While SD is very RV friendly it is very health care hostile, and always has been. Even before the ACA (affordable care act) I checked SD almost every year for health insurance. In my case it was always higher and more restrictive than what I could get in TX. I realize this is a moot point for many people that still have care provided by previous employers retirement plans, but "most" people no longer have that afforded to them. I have 2 years to Medicare - I've never wanted to age so fast....it will solve many issues - although be no cheaper, really. Well, maybe a little. Like Phil, we have few alternatives for domicile that will work for us. This TX policy will probably force us to a totally different domicile, and may even force me to a commercial drivers license. Actually, at that point I will seriously consider ditching the truck and trailer for a bus.

I sure hope they resolve it, since SD and FL are two states that are not viable for us. We will have to stay in TX and deal with synching three registrations to a single month and then make sure we get registered/inspected each year until there is a viable option. Probably when I turn 65. SD has no viable insurance for me - The one option does not have an appropriate network for ME. It may work for other people. Plus I do not trust they will continue to support RVers. Just my personal opinion. FL has code in place that precludes me using my truck to pull a 5er without a CDL and all that implies. I gave up my CDL because I did not want or need it.

Rick, piggyback one of those bad-boys down here for me....I'd take it in a flash....I'll even pay your fuel both ways. Silver preferred. Once you get it here, I'll take it over to Scrap and he can put on all the cool "accessories" he gets to play with. (Gee, that sounds like a good plan to me...what could possibly go wrong....)

You "can" overload a rear axle on a singled truck, but it takes some doing and a heavy pin weight. I'm close on my tractor with the smart loaded, full fuel and my 6200lb+ pin weight. I also have a lot of tools, and a large drom box. I'm not over, but I would be with a Jeep set up for offroading.

Jim, Welcome to the world of fulltiming. Some days will be like that - but not many, fortunately. And less as you gain experience. Good job!!

We got to Woodland Park, CO - Diamond Campground - yesterday after a 477 mile drive. Yes, I actually drove 477 in one day. I was going to let Danielle drive but the darn seat jammed in my position. Something to fix later this week. We will be here until we leave for the HDT Rally in the fall. Woke to snow this morning....

Robert and Heidi should still be there.....

I think this is an excellent idea and a prime example of how the Club changes with the times, and acts to serve its membership. Yes, it is a business, but it works on MY behalf in most areas affecting my fulltime lifestyle. I know of no other Club that serves a fulltiming membership in this way. Could I fulltime successfully without the Club? Yes, I certainly could, but it would not be as convenient or easy. One can second guess the motivations and process of running the business all they want - it serves no real purpose to do so, since we have no real idea of the internals of the business. Personally, I measure my relationship with the Club (on one level) on the RESULTS of their business decisions.....and I like the results over the last 16 years of membership. They have shown time and time again that they do things in the best interests of the Membership, while maintaining a business.

When first getting our TX licenses we were asked the same questions - do we have vehicles that are NOT registered in TX. Did not get that question when renewing.

Thanks Phil. Wait until you see the new trailer - it will be silver to match the truck. Rocky, I want a little more warmth here...20's at night is getting "boring", and the toyhauler we are moving into is old and not all that well insulated. It is a real "shock" to move into such a small space. But better than living in the truck for 3-4 months. JC, I'm looking forward to see what you did for your new trailer!

Yeah, it is cold here in Kansas, too. About 2" of snow today, but it all melted. Moving out of our trailer to our temp toyhauler for the next 3-4 months. Closed the deal on our 2012 today.

Danielle got stopped yesterday for no inspection sticker. We came into TX Sunday, the 2nd. So we "lasted" a week without getting stopped. It was a State Trooper. We have NO inspection sticker, since the car has never "visited" TX before (although it is TX plated). She got a warning, and then got it inspected. Cost $34.

Taking several bikes AND a Jeep is always going to be problematic. With a truck/trailer you have to tow doubles or you have to be overlength - assuming you want a reasonable living space. I'd rather be overlength given the two options. Another consideration is a DP towing an enclosed trailer with your "stuff". You may still be overlength, though, depending on the DP. OR, make that DP a truck conversion and tow a trailer. A stacker trailer may make you a bit shorter if the bikes will load above the Jeep.

The larger the HDT (lengthwise) the less useful it is as a daily driver. ANYTHING can be done, but it becomes more annoying as you approach 30'. That is why my Volvo 610 was built as short as it was. I could carry ONE motorcylce on it, but nothing else. It was designed that way on purpose, and it turned well within an F350 dually. I would not do that today. Today, any truck I built would be able to carry a smart. Even if you have no intention of using a smart, resale will be much better. The current smart requires 70" of deck space. The new one will require 75", assuming the rumors on its size are true.

My Jeep was a TJ with hardtop and 33" tires and typical complete offroad armor. And with all the recovery gear you need. It was 4500 lbs. Very doable in a toyhauler if you can get the 14+ length. You "could" pull such a toyhauler with the NEW 2015 F4500 or maybe even the 350 since they will have such high ratings. I'm not sure I'd be real comfortable with that, though...but it would be legal (probably).

You are not going very far offroad with a large New Horizons toyhauler...one large enough to carry a new Jeep. So do not expect to boondock way out in the desert because if the ground is at all rough, you are not going there. Also, make sure whoever you are working with at New Horizons knows the REAL weight of the Jeep you intend. It will be in excess of 4500lbs. Probably more like 5500 if it is a new 4-door set up for offroad.

I'm not sure I would say anyone is "downplaying" it. From what I understand someone from Escapees is pursuing the issue with the politicians. How is that downplaying it? Perhaps there is no info to share at the moment?

Coffee, Phil......coffee......

You do NOT have to show proof of TX domicile for 30 days before getting a license. Not unless it changed in the last 60 days. That is simply not the case. You Do have to do a bunch of other things - as documented here and elsewhere, but you do not have to show 30 days of domicile.....

Phil, it will be especially hard for you and me (and others) because of our trucks. Fl is a no-go because legally you have to have a CDL to drive our trucks and I do not want to go that route. SD is out, for US, because you can not get health insurance there that is useful out of state. So that leaves some other states....left to be explored.

I'm not "encouraged" either Barb. But I tend to take a negative view of the ability of Government to get most anything done "right". Some call me a pessimist. Perhaps on this topic.... I'm still taking a wait and see attitude and will be willing to go a year with the new law before taking action. But if it stands, I will have to leave TX. Which will be traumatic...