remoandiris

3 hours ago, jorddarb said:

This whole insurance thing makes my head hurt.  I retired in Feb 18.  My wife retired in Dec 14.  We are both in the VA system with over 50% service connected disabilities.  I still pay for Tricare Prime so it will cover my daughter in her last year of school.  She ages out in Feb 19.  We are full time and I wonder if Tricare select would be a better option for us after my daughter is no longer eligible for prime.  As stated above I am a little miffed that we have to pay at all, but all things considered it is cheaper than the civilian health insurance.  The new choices of dental and vision are a good thing, but further complicate the whole thing for me.

Do you mean you retired from the military in Feb 18 or from a second career?   

Which Prime region are you in?  The west region is pretty big, so Prime in that region might be easy.  

We are half timers (may go fulltime in a year or so) and are Prime East regioners.  Never had a problem if we needed care or labs out of region (included once when there was still a North region a few years ago).  Plus, you get 6 urgent care visits a year without prior approval, so that helps make things easier.  

I have also thought about switching to Select, but have yet to find a valid reason (or even a cost savings) to do it. 

As for dental, many times you can get a dental exam, cleaning and x-rays for under $100 as a new patient.  If you move to a new place once or twice a year, you can't beat that.  Many times dental work (crowns and fillings) will be about the same cost (or a little cheaper) if you pay out-of-pocket vs. an insurance policy premium plus co-pays.  If you plan to winter somewhere along the southern border, there are lots of people who get dental care across the border in Mexico.  

On 6/13/2018 at 4:01 PM, JRP said:

I'm not sure if your glasses are too rosy or you lead a sheltered life, or you're choosing the wrong words to describe this complex situation. When you start traveling around the country you will find dozens of trailer parks in all areas of the country, filled with folks forced to decide between fuel for travel or food for survival.  

Something tells me those people would be in the same situation if they lived in a S&B.  

IIRC, the break even point of taking SS at 62 vs waiting until 70 is 82 yrs of age.  Meaning if you wait until 70 to take SS, you make up the difference in 12 yrs.  Maybe you'll live longer and be ahead.

I plan to start collecting at 62.

No, NOT with the MyDish app on your phone.

And I don't know if it will work, it is just something I noticed today.

Under "My Profile", there is the "Address" section, showing the service and billing addresses.  You can't change the service address, but you CAN change the billing address, and then check a box to also make it the service address.  

Next time I move, I will change the billing address to the new location and click the box, changing the service address.  Then I will immediately change the billing address back to my home address but not tick the box to change the service address.  It "should" work, but we'll see.

If it doesn't work, using chat to change the service address has been pretty easy, most of the time.

Something tells me your stock mattress is not too firm, but it is too thin and the platform is what is too firm.  Regardless, the "rv queen" is only a little smaller than a standard queen.  Use a measuring tape and measure your RV mattress.  Then go to any mattress store and measure a queen there.  You'll see.

Test out a few mattresses while you are there.  Keep in mind some of the "bed in a box" mattresses give a 100 night try it out guarantee.  If you are in one place, it doesn't matter.  But if you are nomadic, it may make a difference.

An rv mattress is a little heavier than a standard mattress, but not a whole lot.

BTW, we were in the same position as you a few years ago.  Bought a regular mattress and are happy.  May change to a king next time though.  I'll live with the overhang from the platform.

1 hour ago, GlennWest said:

See I have to remove it and repair area. Also would rather have it flat here for solar panels later. Be simpler just to board up. 

Seems like you answered your own question, especially since you plan to keep the coach for a long time.

7 hours ago, NDBirdman said:

I do have a friend that needed an ambulance ride not to long ago.  They took him to the hospital an hour away.  When VA got the bill, they said EFF YOU!  They said he could have made the ride to the VA hospital albeit another 1.5 hours away.  They sent him the hospital bill and ride bill.  Right now he's trying to figure out how to pay over $30k for just the ride.  Yea, you have to be careful with the VA, know where they are and if possible, they do have a number to check in and get their permission first.

4 things;

1, have your friend keep kicking it back to the VA, regardless of how many times he is rejected

2., have him call the ambulance company/customer service/billing number on the bill and tell them he has to pay the cost out-of-pocket.  Sometimes the costs will be drastically reduced if not covered by insurance.

3., have him contact his Congressman/Senator about the VA shafting him.  If his doctor says the 1 1/2 extra drive could have killed him or caused other serious issues, he is in a stronger position.

4., have him contact a local tv station with one of those consumer protection reporters.  If they find the story interesting, they may take up the mantle and get him some relief.

Depends on how long you plan to keep your rig.  

11 hours ago, mptjelgin said:

 I chose the  "5-150 PSI ACCUTIRE Digital TIRE Pressure Gauge LCD Display MS4021B".

+1.

On 7/5/2017 at 5:15 PM, Matilda and John said:

Does anyone know if the law that protects housing rights for people with semotional support animals would apply to campgrounds?

"The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 requires the landlord/property manager to make a reasonable accommodation to their policies and allow the tenant to have an emotional support animal. This includes species, breed, and weight policies."

Your best bet is to consult a lawyer.  Google returned conflicting results.

This says it applies to rental properties like apartments, physical buildings and such.  Zero mention of campgrounds/RV parks.  

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/does-the-federal-fair-housing-act-apply-your-rental-property.html

This one shows a Mobile Home/RV Park owner lost a case based on the Fair Housing Act.  It is not an ESA-related case, so it may not be applicable..

http://www.woodallscm.com/2016/03/rv-park-owner-settles-discrimination-case/

According to this campground's web site, the FHA ESA section does NOT apply to campgrounds.  Look about halfway down on the front page under "New Information".

https://www.mountainbreezecamp.com/

You may already know this; an ESA is NOT covered by the ADA.

I don't understand why people say "Happy Memorial Day".  There is nothing happy about it, IMO.  The first sentence in your second paragraph accurate.  But similar things can be said about Christmas, Easter, and other holidays.  

Florida also considers it a separate trailer and illegal to pull behind a 5er. However, I have seen plenty of out of state 5ers pulling them and never seen one stopped by LEO. I considered getting one, but was too worried about the stresses on my 5ers frame as well as finding a good hitch to mount under there.

Here is one brand not often mentioned on forums.; http://www.toy-tote.com/

I would guess it also depends on how often it is expanded and contracted. I had one that lasted 2-3 yrs. I'd trim it back and it would crack again, so I replaced it.

Another possible solution. One type handles up to 300 lbs and they appear to be very adjustable. Watch the video and consider the possibilities.

http://www.doityourselfrv.com/get-large-dog-into-rv-hauler/

Any park charging for dogs or limiting dogs usually gets told I will take my money elsewhere.

Agreed. If they actually provided services for dogs, like a nice fenced-in dog run, I might agree to paying a few extra bucks a night. Unfortunately, some parks think they can supplement their rates with extra charges while providing no extra service.