Dang RV

A blonde goes into a coffee shop and notices there’s a “peel and win” sticker on her coffee cup. So she peels it off and starts screaming, “I’ve won a motorhome! I’ve won a motorhome!” The waitress says, “That’s impossible, The biggest prize is a free lunch.” But the blonde keeps on screaming, “I’ve won a motorhome! I’ve won a motorhome!” Finally, the manager comes over and says, “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but you’re mistaken. You couldn’t have possibly won a motorhome because we didn’t have that as a prize.” The blonde says, “No, it’s not a mistake. I’ve won a motorhome!” And she hands the ticket to the manager and HE reads…
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Went through the Columbia Gorge to Newberg, Oregon for the weekend and on the way back, I finally had time to stop at Multinomah Falls. I usually drive right by it in the middle of the night but I finally caught it during the day and they just make it soooo easy to get to. Your steering wheel will almost veer off to the left inside the freeway median all by itself.

I did go up over the falls bridge and to the closer lookout point where you get totally soaked. It has a great view of the Columbia river below.

Note: This posting is updated as new ideas and technologies emerge and are tested.

Something that both motels and RV parks must face, is the need for wireless internet access. The internet has become so much a part of modern society that many people work over the Internet for a living while others communicate with employers through it, do some form of online banking even if it is only to check their account balance, pay bills online, lookup driving directions, purchase amusement and concert tickets, etc. Even when camping for a weekend, the Internet can be a great boon and necessity. Many motels and RV parks are currently adding access. I have read an article about the state of California looking into addin it in state parks. Personally, I won’t stay at a motel or park if they don’t provide it either free or paid (at a reasonable price).

Unfortunately with wireless, the coverage is not even. Some spaces will get better signal strength than others while some will not get the signal at all. At RV parks, there is also an issue which I recently faced when a huge motor home came in next to me, parked at the very edge of the front of his space, and completely blocked my signal. I had to hitch up my trailer and move it 4 feet to the very front edge of my own site thus losing the parking space in front. An external antenna would have helped in this situation but I had not yet found one at the time.

I have found several devices to improve signal and make your internet life on the road much easier. Let’s take a look at them below…

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Spring is here and just like in a house, it is time for spring cleaning. Time to get rid of unneeded things you pick up on the road, time to reorganize space, and time to clean. Trailers can get pretty dirty on the outside during winter and on the west coast, they also tend to get mold growing on windows and side panels. It is up to us to make our homes attractive again and clean up around the park to show the surrounding community we are not “trailer trash”.

Today I washed my trailer and truck. That is not an easy thing to do with a high standing trailer and issues that keep me from bending over or putting real “elbow grease” into it but I managed to do a fairly decent job with the help of the right tools.

A telescoping mop is essential for me. Mine goes from an easy to store 3 feet to a lovely 6 footer. It reaches all the way up to the roof with my feet flat on the ground and swivels every which way. No bending required and no standing on ladders. One sculpted handle and a another padded handle certainly help. RV stores sell them but I found mine at Walmart.

I also got to test a new hose that appears to be ideal for RV folk. I love a good “As Seen On TV” gadget, especially when they really do work. Found at Home Depot, a 50 ft. flat hose made of vinyl in 3 separate channels. It is very light weight, takes up little space, comes on a reel, and includes a 6 way spray. The 3 channel design keeps it from kinking and allows using it on the reel without unreeling it, unlike other single channel flat hoses. Carrying it while using it was easy and reeling it back in even easier. The flat spray and jet position worked the best on the nozzle. This is definitely a must have for washing vehicles and using with a Tornado black water tank cleanout or the clear cleanout hose attachment. Cost was only $19.95. If you go looking for one, it will be in the garden section with the hoses but it comes in a 2″x16″ box. Make sure the carry handle and sprayer are also in the box.

Yep. Time for a new tow vehicle. I started out with a GMC Sierra Z71 K1500 truck which I truly love riding in and it towed my trailer very nicely on flat land. However, mountains were a bit too challenging for it with my trailer attached. After checking around the RV park and getting lots of helpful advice from other RVers, I decided my truck was fine for smaller, lighter weekend camping trailers but was not for my 26 foot full-timing trailer. I need at least a 250/2500 vehicle that can tow up to 9200 pounds which would be around 20% above the max GVRW of my trailer for safety. 

A regular truck is the norm and can tow both trailers and 5th wheels. I might want a 5th wheel someday but discovered I am really very happy with my current trailer and not in any hurry to change. I also have a cat with me who has to ride in a small cage in my truck which is not very comfortable for her on long hauls.

So, I opted to purchase a GMC Yukon XL K2500 instead with an 8.1L engine and 4.10 gear ratio. It can tow up to 12,000+ lbs. Overkill I know. A 6.0L with 4.10 gears would also have worked or and 8.1L with 3.73 gears. I have been looking for several months and this is the one that finally came along at the right price with everything else I wanted. Who knows, maybe I will want to get a bigger trailer eventually and this new truck can certainly handle it. Gas was not an issue because I work over the Internet rather than commuting.

 The new truck has heated seats, heated mirrors with remote adjust, rear window defroster, ac all through it, cruise control, CD, sunroof, 4×4, tow haul mode, Onstar, leather seats, compass/temp in the rear view mirror, adjustable lumbar support,  bucket seats, remote door locks, passenger radio controls and headphone links, etc. Kitty will be happy with the space once I put up a divider for her.