rpsinc

Easy on the barb throwing.  

Surely there is a message of the importance of safety in our activities of towing these big trailers down the highways.  Even with the greatest attention to safety and SOPs, ACCIDENTS do happen, and sometimes others can influence the outcome.  We can learn many things to help each of us by listening to the comments of others, as our individual circumstances are unique to each of us.

On 3/8/2015 at 7:18 PM, Mastercraft said:

I was surfing this place called Surplus Center and they have cylinders for $50 that look like they would be perfect to add mid ship leveling to the coach. Just plumb them in parallel with the existing rear jacks. If it's the same diameter cylinder, it would share the load with the rear one....may make it easier on the frame with two more jacks.

But you would be driving them with a 12YO pump that was engineered to do the original job as intended, not the upgraded design you are after.  I just took the same Lippert system off an '05 3 axle Teton.  Installed the Big Foot.

48 minutes ago, richfaa said:

Well we are home at our S &B in Ohio today.  We were 6 months on our Florida  lot.We have been on the road since 2006 and are slowing down.We only have two functions planned this summer and both are rallies one in Nebraska and the other in Indiana. We intend to go back to our RV roots this summer and camp with our dear and long  time friends in our local  camping club. To make it short we are getting old and our USA map  is full.

Both Helen and I need some medical work done and the Montana Big Sky needs a going over.We are gonna be at the S&B for awhile. What ever lifestyle we have been living since 2006 it has been a good one.

So very well said!

1 hour ago, MikeShatt said:

Hello,
new member here. I am in the process of my conversion, and would like to know from someone that would know the min. that I would need to do to my truck (2003 VNL 660), to be able to license it in Washington State as a motorhome, so that I would not need a CDL to drive it. At this time I do have the Jackalopee wired up, and working, I have an inverter that runs my fridge, and microwave. What else must I have at min.
Thank you,
Mike

Likely not the correct forum subject to post this under.  Find something that is closer to what you want or start a new subject and you can get more info.

My understanding is that the vehicle needs to be self-contained in order to qualify as a MH 

On 4/3/2019 at 3:12 PM, rpsinc said:

In '05 we moved to a 35K population town, unincorporated at the time but with a nice small PO.  We got a PO Box as we did not want mail delivered to our residence(rural and without a mailbox).

No, you have it backwards.  See the post from earlier: 

On 4/3/2019 at 3:12 PM, rpsinc said:

In '05 we moved to a 35K population town, unincorporated at the time but with a nice small PO.  We got a PO Box as we did not want mail delivered to our residence(rural and without a mailbox).

1 hour ago, pjstough said:

Did your daughter have the mail addressed with her name C/O your name, or had you informed the USPS that she would be getting mail at your house?  That would be the proper way to have had it addressed, or had the USPS carrier known to expect mail for her, it should have been delivered.  If it was not addressed that way, or the USPS was not informed she would be getting mail at your house, how was the USPS supposed to know it went to your house, and not someone who have moved away a long time ago, or was simply misaddressed?

Unfortunately logic is not a skill that is a part of most people job description.  I understand how things SHOULD be done, and yes I communicated with the PM at my PO several times about how they made me put a mailbox in because they wouldnt continue forwarding my mail sent to the house address.  

But the other side of the comment above is we still get mail addressed to the person using our PO Box # before us, and we've been renting that box for almost 15 years.  No logic in that.  But on the other side, I see how many pieces are handled daily and I get that things happen, people arent perfect and mistakes are made.  But as a small business owner, it COSTS me when me or my employees make a mistake.  I dont know if those similar consequences apply elsewhere, whether USPS or not.

Better work ethics need to be taught and implemented as well as rewarded so that we can turn some of the lax attitudes around.  We all can do individually and then provide better examples of what should be done.

16 minutes ago, Barbaraok said:

Mail forwarding has always been only for a year.  Why hadn’t you notified your clients of your PO Box?  

They were notified and so were the renters.  But things happen.  Mail forwarding may have always been for a year, but the document I filled out was called PERMANENT Mail Forward.  Why doesnt the USPS change their form to reflect what they do?  Seems so typical of what government does too often.

Its not only in Surprise.  In '05 we moved to a 35K population town, unincorporated at the time but with a nice small PO.  We got a PO Box as we did not want mail delivered to our residence(rural and without a mailbox).  We were directed to fill out the proper form for permanent mail forwarding from our home address to our PO Box.  We did this.  A little over a year later, we get a call from a customer that got their payment check returned(I'm a self-employed contractor).  Took the matter up with the PO and learned that "PERMAMENT" mail forwarding, as the form is called, is ONLY GOOD FOR 1 YEAR.  They forced us to put a mailbox in, and low and behold, someone hit it with a car.  Had to reinstall it.  

I dont know why the USPS writes guidelines that they dont follow.  Permanent should be permanent until the author decides to change it, oh, wait, yes I did say author because I dont think they understand that I am their CUSTOMER.  I feel more like a hostage.

I have made my reservations and will be attending.  Coming from SE Riverside County, CA, near Jojoba Hills.

On 3/28/2019 at 2:10 AM, jean_rockyroad said:

But we are not a big couple, so it wasn't a big deal. 

Mattresses are like pants, not 1 size fits all.  Gotta find what works for you/me.  Info and recommendations are great as it provides a place to look for the best deal for each of us.  

I just love this forum!

Better opportunity by putting this in the correct subject:  RVs, Tows, and Toads for Sale 

11 hours ago, Twotoes said:

Call your insurance company. They will know the value. 

They will know the value AS THEY SEE IT.

19 hours ago, mptjelgin said:

Or perhaps there is no need or reason to change?  We've always lived conservatively and feel no need to begin spending more money just because we have it. 

Right on!  We have a satisfying life and dont have any interest in changing a thing, which is why I am working on the financial planning, so sustain a modest lifestyle.

My approach is that I wont depend on SS for income and if/when I become eligible, then I will treat it like a raise.  During my corporate working experience, when I got a raise, it usually went into the savings account.  We tried to live well within our basic income.  It has worked for us for the most part, although life happens and that savings has been a two way account, alot in but sometimes large outs.

18 hours ago, NDBirdman said:

Just did a quick look, probably wrong again.. surprise surprise... LOL, anywayz, your retirement age is 66 yrs 10 months?

Close 66-8 months

8 hours ago, packnrat said:

sad i get to wait till i am 67. income money thing, as i am not rich. the corrupt banking bubble took all my money.

but if i could just know at least the year i was to die, i would charge up a huge debt first.

my last hura to get back at the "man".

Unfortunately that would not be getting back at the man.  Consumers would be on the hook for all that as it would be a trickle down economy thing.

This is a bit off the recent posts BUT relevant to the original subject.  My DW will turn 63 later this month and I am 2.25 years younger than her, but I do the planning in this arrangement.

My question has to do with her bring able to collect SS on my account before I do.  I have seen some things about this but am not understanding what is available and how to decipher it.

She was mostly a stay at home mom with not lots of income to show on her SS account.  I have been the principal income provider but since younger, looking at options.

6 minutes ago, Macky & Trish Bailey said:

The only advice I can give you on your fifth wheel purchase is to give yourself some time to become familiar with it before trying to travel across the country.  Be prepared for breakdowns along the way.

I have been around RVs for over 36 years.  I have had almost all types.  I also have taken RV repair classes and have engaged in RV repair and improvements.  I am a Contractor with 30+ years of experience, and since before that I have worked on vehicles and machinery and still do.  Dont figure that you will buy a NEW RV and have NO problems.  Todays quality of new units is very much in question due to the high demand, so buy it as early as you can and become proficient in using it,  towing, setting up, breaking down, maintenance etc.  It is a different way to live and you will need to become versed in the lifestyle.  

There are many posts each day from people who are working through some issue and are looking for help.  And many of there are from EXPERIENCED RVers.  This is not flicking a switch, its a lifestyle change.  You can do it, but be pragmatic and learn as soon as possible.  It will be your house, and after your sell you S&B house, your only other option for lodging may be your truck, a friends couch or a motel.  That is inconvenient and/or costly.  Dont be afraid, but be prepared.

Enjoy the journey!

Have you considered the Nissan Titan XD with the Cummins in it??

On 5/23/2018 at 11:12 AM, stevie said:

My wife also doesn’t appreciate the chatter of a Diesel engine.

They don't chatter very loudly anymore unless they are modified.  I have an LBZ Duramax with some mods and you can hear it, esp when I'm in it, but that is music to my ears.

47 minutes ago, mickeyblueyes said:

Thanks Kirk,

I do want to be able to return to a residential setting if God forbid health issues force  it. The return on used RV units is frightening, I haven’t signed on the dotted line yet, so what ever is supposed to happen will happen. Which means if I’m supposed to have a used high end 5 th wheel, than somehow one will present it self to me in the course of getting ready. Other wise it’s a moderately priced Keystone.

I figure its like this- the return on ANY RV is frightening.

We have a 38' Newmar 5er and just purchased a 33' Teton so that we CAN go to National Parks.  Both were purchased at very reasonable prices and while they need some updating, they are quality coaches that we feel we can afford to tailor to our tastes and update as well.  Its really about what you have the skills to do, want to do and choose to do.

Enjoy the journey.

5 minutes ago, ToddF said:

Or, live for today and save for tomorrow since there is a good chance tomorrow will come. 🤗

Or find something in between that can work for you.  I just visited with a dear friend who is in the seemingly best health at 79.  All his screening results come back each year just great, but last week, he experienced a mini stroke due to 79 year of plaque, common for all of us, and now he realizes that he needs to change his lifestyle a bit.  He isnt going to sit on the couch and RELAX,  just allow others to help him with things he has typically done himself.  Certainly a lesson for me but I am only 60, although learning new things is a life long pursuit.  Glad to be able to learn from those here too.

5 minutes ago, Darryl&Rita said:

Where you are today, is a result of every decision you've ever made.

Yep, what he said!

43 minutes ago, Barbaraok said:

For years I have heard ‘friends’ deride people who work in local/state/federal governments/education, etc., as to our ‘getting’ something for nothing.  Yes, we have a good retirement, but that was because we were generally paid less than someone in private employment, we Made the determination to do with less in our immediate pockets to have a little more latter on.  

I agree.  I made the choice to be self-employed and in that lifestyle, work was/is VERY different.  Our customers affect/effect our schedules, prices, results, etc.  We do not usually get to control all of our life activities as we have those customers.  By the same token, we get to generally make more that if we had chosen a 9-5 JOB, although sometimes that means leaving for work at 4AM, driving 3 hours, working a 10 hour day and driving back 3 hours, then doing something similar the rest of the week/month.  No 401K, stock purchase, bonuses etc.  We then have to find a way to educate ourselves in the ways of savings, overhead reduction, investments, retirement planning, tax efficiencies, finding a team that we can trust to surround us with technical expertise to help us in the above noted endeavours.

Its been a lot of work so far but the challenges are from what choice I made for us and I am so grateful that I could make the choice that I thought best suited us.  Other countries and places dont have the same freedoms.

12 hours ago, RV_ said:

You had your chance, so did most others of my generation.

And a choice was made.

I appreciate that you are providing hope for the SE.