Scampers

Tnx all, Certainly will look at additional options for Internet service, but so far Verizon has had the only coast-to-coast coverage... well we found holes in the coverage like Flamingo Campground in the Everglades and when Death Valley. Perhaps Mobile Internet Resource Center will have some suggestions. Since I am still working with students I occasionally need to transfer zipped data files that can be 30-50 GB. Seems the Netflix, PBS etc that we stream to our ROKU stick will still work when Verizon throttles back the bandwidth and we have exhausted the current monthly allocation of 15 GB on the unlimited plan. Clearly I will not have my office capability when on the road with external storage for research data ranging from 2-10TB in size. I will bring a USB port expander so 5 of the external HD can be linked directly w/o worrying about networking. I have not given this sufficient thought in the past as we traveled in a 19' fiberglass Escape TT . So off to learn what may work with the new coach and since the WI-FI ranger is already included I just need to see how best to use it. Cheers, Bat Dude

As we have moved from a small closet [Escape 19' trailer] to a small apartment [Holiday Rambler 36'] as one of our friends suggested we now have TVs. Well it has about 2 more than we need. 😉 After 25+ years of living in the jungle w/o TV we have not been too excited by cable etc. and even at home only stream what we watch or PBS over the air. We have used a Verizon Hot Spot for years traveling with our trailer to escape Mich. winters 4+ months on the road below the freeze line. My wife recently discovered she can stream some things from her phone at home to the TV. Apparently that as well as Chromecast still use bandwidth and WI-FI. If we only used the Hot Spot it will quickly run thought the monthly allocation as using the Hot Spot as a router has huge band width costs. We were surprised, more like bit in the butt when we were sharing some text documents back and forth between our computers like we do at home when working on research papers. It all counted as Verizon BW!! So now we use USB memory stick to transfer between our computers. There is WI-FI Ranger on the new coach, but seems not yet matched to Verizon. What I am looking of in info on a portable router for WI-FI that I can use like our larger one at home. The router will share files stream to the TV etc w/o using BW from the Hot Spot. Any suggestions? Cheers, Bat Dude

My new Porter Cable is tank-less and 120 VAC. New rig is off for what I hope a quick warranty repair-fix. The microwave only runs off of shore power and not also the generator as needed. Also the windscreen is apparently leaking at the top and we had 2+ cups of standing water on the inside in the "trough" of the windscreen.

We are heading to Quartzsite with our new MH. Last time in the area with a 19' TT we stayed in a commercial slot just north of town. Now Plumosa Road is beckoning...100 gal fresh water tanks and on board generator with the new ~35' rig.

Awesome, Just received my Porter Cable from Amazon!

Tnx all! Seems no way to change my "log in" name as were initially were in a 16' Scamp fiberglass trailer. Now have a 19' Escape fiberglass and now a new Holiday rambler Invicta (gasser). Big wheels 235/80 R 22.5 Michelins like diesel pusher are 110 PSI. So all of the suggestions have been great. Given Ford restricts out 4 down TOAD (Fore Explorer) to 65 MPH that is well within the range of the MH tires which max out at 75 MPH The Escapees people are simply AWESOME with the depth and breadth of knowledge. I may go initially with a thankless model with 120 VAC then see how it goes. Next I need to add the TST system for 6 wheels. Cheers all,

Hi all, New to our class A motorhome. Having attending the Escapade a few years back in Tucson and re-reading the RVers Ultimate Survival Guide tires are one of the most critical links for travel saftery. It does seem far too many big rigs I have seen on the road are really traveling faster that tires are rated and as speeds increase above 70 MPH the load rating decreases. Scary. In any case I need to buy a compressor so I can keep the tires correctly topped up. Our small 12 VDC compressor used for our 19' travel trailer will not do the job. What do folks use as a compressor? I am also going to install a TST temp and pressure monitoring system. Bat Dude

Having lived int eh "jungle" in Central America for 25 years we did not have TV or anything beyond what we needed for our conservation work and daily needs. So we will not likely fill the new MH with over the top "Stuff. As it is this thing came with 2 more TVs than we wanted/needed but no option NOT to have them. We may remove the one in the bedroom and use that space for something else. Always amazed seeing the pile of "toys" some rigs have piled outside their rigs, many seem never to be used. OTH if folks are full-timing they do need to carry everything with them even if they only use it infrequently. Tnx again for all of the good tips.

So far I have been unable to connect to the WI-FI Ranger control panel. Sent multiple requests to support indicating neither of the 2 methods they indicate actually work. The Support reply was transparently parroting back that I should try one of the 2 methods I had noted DID NOT work. So did not read my issue??? So no joy so far. Also on our Alpine radio/tuner/cntrl panel in the Invicta if the WI-FI ranger is powered on the FM signal form our desired radio station is very static filled. When powered off the FM signal is clean and crisp. So perhaps this "add on" will be of no use to me.

Bummer noteven, no ice maker so can not have "single malt" on board... well could drink it neat. Heat sink idea of fermented barely grainy however does sound good.

That is is addictive and always something new to buy to make life more enjoyable. And of course the SKPs we have met along the way!

Tnx, Guess I will get used to having all the power I need on the road.

OK fridge...;-)

Hi all, Since we have graduated to a MH from our TT I am wondering about the standard 110 VAC fridge. When moving along the road, run the inverter or generator? The sales guy indicated if it is really warm in the couch he always ran his generator and the internal AC units when traveling. Seems like a not so great idea. But it is not propane and should not cause an issue pulling into fuel stops. In our TT we always used used 12 v DC setting for travel days and then when plugged in that topped up the batteries again. On a new learning curve with the MH

Wi_Fi Ranger came with our new HR Invicta along with the Winegard 360° antenna. Not sure the Wi_Fi Ranger will actually help anything with our Verizon Hot Spot. If the signal is weak there will be nothing much to "amplify" and we never ever use RV park Wi-Fi for security reasons. Anyone have any thing on the use of Wi-Fi Ranger?

Tnx all, Great suggestions. We added the rubberized shelf liner and seems good. Now we need to figure out what to do with all the extra space. 😉 Mostly the "basement" will be empty, aside from my plein air easel, panels and p;painting supplies. Moved from our travel trailer were a patio mat, 2 chairs and small table and tools. Based on the safety seminars at the Tucson Escapade years back best not to overload these area and increase weight.

Hi all, Well we up-sized from a 19' Escape fiberglass TT to a new Holiday Rambler Invicta. Wife is trying to figure out best way to have dishes (Corning ware) set for travel In the TT they were in a cabinet under the sink in a corrugated box with cardboard dividers between the varied plate sizes and bowls. There are only 2 of us so the set of 4 works well. We are not used to this much space. Nice cabinet over the sink with a movable shelf. Clearly we do not want dishes rattling around. Under the sink is another cabinet. More than enough space for the Instant Pot and blender/food processor. Pots and pans will go under the stove easily. So any suggestions for coffee cups, dishes and bowls welcomed. We have about a week before our first short shakedown trip here in Mich. Then in mid Nov we head to the SW from Michigan and will not return likely until the end of May. We are planing on a combination of boondocking (Death Valley and Quartzsite) and commercial campgrounds. Likely a SKP park or two. We know small trailers very well but this big rig... will take us some time. Aslo what do most find useful for the "basement" storage? Milk crates or something to keep stuff in place. Cheers all, Bat Dude

Hi all, OK now with a MH I need to figure out how to tow our Ford Explorer. It is AWD so can not use a tow-dolly as all 4 must be on the ground. Bummer, I thought that would be easy. So at the Tucson Escapade a few years back we saw the Blue Ox booth but as we were travel trailer people did not stop. Seems a number of companies make towing setups for one's toad. I am not wild about having the front end of the car removed temporarily and needing plates welded on and wondering if there are any suggestions from those of you with experience. Tnx.

Tnx, Pretty much what I was thinking.

Hi all, We just upgraded from a travel trailer to a HR Invicta motor home today. Not ready to pick up for a week as the washer-dryer combo still needs to be installed. Questions on Multi seal the dealership was suggesting for tires. The sales guy was suggesting it was great at preventing flats, but I am leery about any liquid inside the tires as it seems it would throw them off balance. Also promoting EcoRVPro ExteriorShiled coating and MicrobeRepel inside. At first look it seems the interior may be a "Scotchgaurd-like" application that would not be very safe as it likely off gasses. Any ideas or suggestions from anyone?

Hi all, In the light of the "new normal" and COVID we are feeling the need to be more self-sufficient (larger bathroom/laundry/kitchen etc.) and about to upgrade from our 19' fiberglass travel trailer to a 35' Tiffin diesel pusher. I have read that eh Safe-T-Stabiler for steering is a good addition for this short wheel-based rig. Any comments/suggestions on this? At the Tucson Escapade a few years back the safety seminars really got my attention. Cheers, Bruce Miller