Recent content by StarryNights

I continue to like the current 10 day forecast for Yuma, and what I assume will be the Van Aid location. https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/az/yuma Tuesday, 2/6 has light rain with about 1/4" spread out over many hours, maybe just right to keep dust down...

WeatherUnderground is usually pretty accurate. Forecast doesn't look all that bad with any rain looking like showers. Await location, which I assume is near Yuma.

I probably should have posted this sooner, but if any of you would like an in-depth evaluation of different Chinese diesel heater brands, sizes, controllers, etc. you might want to check out this YouTube link done by VanLifeUKsurvivorsguide site: As for Vevor, I think they are simply a...

More good comments. I checked Amazon (search diesel heater fuel tanks) and you can see some metal and plastic ones. One specifically says for Espar units, but it is a little small at 7 liters. Maybe not though because I haven't used even 1 liter yet in 5 mornings of use! I'd like to see that...

Lots of interesting replies! I have a diesel van, so think the diesel heater remains the best choice since I was able to simply tap into the main diesel tank. I have NEVER smelled diesel exhaust. If outside you can smell a little on startup, but not once running. As for fires, diesel is far...

I'm another 80-year-old that likes to keep warm too! In 2019 I installed a Chinese diesel heater and it has run flawlessly since. I use it winters in AZ, so it is not in continuous use. Install is not hard and may be the least expensive system to fuel. They draw about 120W for 2 minutes...

Agree fully on cast iron, but a good carbon steel pan once seasoned works just as well, is lighter and heats faster. Look up carbon steel pan on Amazon and you will see many examples. Read the reviews. Not cheap, but last a lifetime.

For 3 years I got by fine with 100AH @ 24v of lithium (same as 200AH @ 12v) and 400W of flat-mounted solar; never went below 60% SOC. I'm full electric, no propane, cook on Induction and have a large (130L) always-on 12v fridge plus the usual array of phones and laptop, all running on 12V. I...

Fast Trip to Quartzsite! Left from NH about noon Tues 12/6. Intended to stop for 2 nites with daughter in Ft. Wayne, but she said to stay away as she suddenly caught really bad cold. So, it became a straight through trip and I arrived in Q at 10PM last night. Really lucky in that weather was...

For lists, see iOverlander.com. Make sure that Place Types, has 'Water' checked along with anything else you want. For Quartzsite, I like RV Pitstop and I have never heard of anyone having an issue with the water. Up to 40 gallons of filtered salt-free water used to be $2.00 at the large...

Well, you could get in line for a 2023 Sprinter. These will only have 4 Cyl configurations (1 gas, 2 Diesel) and there is an AWD option. See https://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/sprinter/2023/

A big thanks to Tom M for the excellent detailed writeup on how to get Visible setup for RV use. I'm a NH snowbird wintering in AZ with an AT&T phone on a family plan but needed much more data - so for last winter added a 2nd phone on Visible to use mainly as a hot spot. I bought a used LG-V40...

Yes, but NH has no Income tax and no sales tax and ranks as one of the lowest for overall tax burden in the country, much lower than other Northeast states: https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-highest-lowest-tax-burden/20494. There are also significant property tax adjustments for available...

Great idea for someone that doesn't want to move every 2 wks. Even better, I met a guy in LVTA with a van from MI that had just bought a used Class A for about 10k. Yes, gets poor MPG, but it will only be driven a few miles a year to and from an inexpensive storage site. Van will be used for...

If you are looking for the fees to stay in LVTAs, they are outlined here: https://www.blm.gov/visit/la-posa-long-term-visitor-area I had friends staying in Quartzsite LVTAs (there are 4 big ones in Q) but I usually prefer moving around and camping in free BLM sites that are all over the area...