3 weeks on the road, what i've learned so far

[steveh2112]

1) i've got way too much crap in the van. barely any room for us. this morning we dug out some clothes for good will and put a few bags on the back with the bike so that helps.
2) didn't need the solar panel. i can charge the laptop in library/starbucks, etc and lights use next to nothing. driving the van every couple of days is easy enough for charging the house battery.
3) need to keep an eye on gas station prices, it can vary from $2.89 a gallon here in pahrump NV to around $5.00 on 395 in eastern sierras CA
4) paid camp sites are nicer but often noisy. boondocking is great for quiet if you don't mind digging a hole to shit in

so far, so good and the van is awesome

i filled up in south lake taheo at $3.09/gal and figured in running $18 for 100 miles at the moment, and that's a lot up up and down mountains

 

[highdesertranger]

that $3.09 must have been on the Nevada side. yeah going south on 395 you want to fill up at Topaz lake the next station a few miles down the road is in kalifornia and is almost 2 bucks a gallon more. thank you kali for trying to save the world. that kali station can only stay in business by sticking it to the tourists. good to hear everything is going good. highdesertranger

 

[my_vantasy]

Good observations. These are things us planners can keep in mind. Thanks!

 

[masterplumber]

Gas Buddy is a great app for finding the best price. It can search via zip code, or what is near you using the gps in the phone. You can also search by the type of fuel you want - regular, premium, diesel, etc...Sometimes you can drive 2 blocks off the freeway and save significant money.

 

[steveh2112]

Gas Buddy is a great app for finding the best price. It can search via zip code, or what is near you using the gps in the phone. You can also search by the type of fuel you want - regular, premium, diesel, etc...Sometimes you can drive 2 blocks off the freeway and save significant money.

yep, i was just checking that out, planning my gas stops.

 

[AsphaltGypsy]

Gas Buddy....great info. I will be stashing that away for future use.

Thanks!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Might wanna rethink that solar panel. Keyword here...Boondocking

 

[GotSmart]

Might wanna rethink that solar panel. Keyword here...Boondocking

The panel made a difference when I bought things like a cup size water heater and a electric oven.

 

[Canine]

Disclaimer - I don't have solar yet and depend on driving to recharge the house battery, as well as I have in the past been able to recharge all small electronic devices while in a coffee shop, public library or at work.  However, there's no more work (yeah) and I'm not finding the coffee shops in the small towns near scenic areas to have much in the way of ac plugs.  If they do, some local is camped out on them.  So, I am wishing I had the small solar at times, therefore, don't jettison yours quite yet.

Another option is to get two house batteries and then if you do enough driving you have double the range/amp hours available.  Understand that that their size, type and age must match, Sternwake's many patient answers on this subject can be found through a search or by visiting the Electricals section of the forums.

Getting rid of clutter is key, I ruthlessly reduced so that I would have room inside for rainy days, glad I did because Colorado has been miserable, forcing me to move on earlier than planned.

I've only been out away from the Phoenix heat for two weeks now but am glad for your tips and feedback. Yes gas prices are an issue, I've used GasBuddy for years, it really saves you (that and I try to never drive too long in Cali').

You didn't mention food much other than the cup sized water, I have found that most gas stations with convenience stores have a microwave. Not all but most. The major truck stops usually do. That and the hot water tap from the coffee machines will make your hot beverage, cup of soup or Ramen decent enough. The other thing is I do walk into hotels during the day, (Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, Comfort Inn or Super 8) and I am able to get hot water and use the lobby to charge the phone and auxiliary battery, as well as they often have a downstairs public restroom. It may not be advertised as such (public use) but no one has ever stopped me, course, I don't look like a skid row bum either. Stay clean and wear decent clothes for the hotel stops and you fit in. The best time to go to these places is after their rush of morning check outs (after 11) and before their evening check-ins (before 4).

A warning, some "travelers" try to slip in and eat at the free breakfast, I wouldn't recommend that, you could be run off or at worse arrested for theft. When you are my size you are too noticeable for that!

I presume you are using a cooler and ice (as I) for the occasional cold storage need. There are local fresh berries out in the northwest now, which is a plus. I've not found that the "blue ice" do any good, though frozen bottles of water work well for a couple days and you need water anyway.

Well, time to go, I'm off to the eastern side of the Cascades, eastern Washington and Idaho are next on the list.

Later,

Dusty

 

[rvpopeye]

I also think you will find the need for the solar panel eventually.

 

[steveh2112]

i haven't used the fan yet since CA in the mountains has been cool but NV/AZ is another story of course. maybe i'll need more power for the fan in the next part of my trip

 

[Canine]

Even a 12 v fan won't tax your battery setup the way you drive and recharge, yet if you stop for awhile(days) you'll need an alternate power source. However, I can almost guarantee that you won't stop for days on end in most valley parts of AZ unless you are up in altitude... Unless you are wanting a steam bath... Been there too often, it's not fun.