The adventure begins

[SheketEchad]

Wow, you've done a lot in a very short time. Nice set up as well. Happy trails to GA, thankfully you weren't on the road THIS week! Look forward to reading your Captain's Logs.

 

[highdesertranger]

nice review I liked it.

couple of things I want to point out,

if you have a positraction/limited slip/a locker or any other type of traction device on your axle, running 2 different size tires will destroy the axle.

I guess it's ok where you are at but out here in the west you are not allowed to dump your cassette into pit toilets and potta potties. something to keep in mind.

highdesertranger

 

[cherterr]

Nice thread!

 

[MG1912]

nice review I liked it.

couple of things I want to point out,

if you have a positraction/limited slip/a locker or any other type of traction device on your axle, running 2 different size tires will destroy the axle.

I guess it's ok where you are at but out here in the west you are not allowed to dump your cassette into pit toilets and potta potties. something to keep in mind.

highdesertranger

Many thanks! I do indeed have the 10.5" Sterling 3L rear axle 3.73 limited slip. The truck camper folks gave me the same info, and we decided we would only put the spare on the front axle (and only in an absolute emergency).

Thanks for the heads-up about proper cassette toilet disposal in the West. I'll remember it!

 

[MG1912]

Here is an extreme example of how high the step-up into the camper can be. This was the most level location I could find on the pictured field, where I stayed for two days, on top of a hill that dropped off precipitously at the back of the camper. Most locations won't be this bad, but it does illustrate the height. I may soon be looking into an after-market step solution.

In other news, I finally weighed my rig at a CAT scale today, with all of my gear in the truck and camper, a full fresh water tank (40 gallons), a full tank of diesel, and a full cassette toilet reservoir. Front axle is at 4,920 lbs. Rear axle is at 6,760 lbs. That is below my GAWR for each axle (5,000 lbs. and 7,000 lbs. respectively), so that is a huge relief. I'm slightly over the door jamb sticker GVWR, but that was calculated for the weaker, stock 275/70R18 tires. I currently have 295/70R18 tires rated at 4,000 lbs. each. My truck has the Sterling 10.5" axle rated at 9,500 lbs., so I believe I should be fine with the current configuration of the truck and suspension.

 

[SheketEchad]

You're going to need a grappling hook for that first step! And don't forget at night 0_0

 

[MG1912]

I’ve now been living in the camper for 2 ½ weeks. I have never owned an RV before, never had a truck, and never lived in a vehicle before. It has been a learning process. I’m glad I’ve taken a few weeks to stay close to family and the camper dealership as I ease into this new lifestyle. Everything is new to me. Yesterday, one of my propane tanks ran out of LP. I’ve never had to deal with propane tanks before. I had done a lot of research ahead of time and knew the solution was to switch the regulator over to the other tank, but I didn’t know how to actually do that. I had to Google it and then, hesitantly, do it. Last night, my batteries dipped to 12.5 volts, and the ZAMP charge controller told me the batteries were half-full. This is the first time I’ve run my batteries down to 50%. I had never plugged a 30 amp RV to a house before, so that was a learning experience. Thankfully, I had a 30 amp to 15 amp adapter. And today, I emptied my Thetford cassette in a public bathroom for the first time. I walked into a Rite-Aid and just asked the manager if she didn’t mind, and then I wheeled my Thetford cassette into the men’s room.

Before I got my truck in July, I had never even changed a tire before. Since then, I’ve jacked the truck up and taken all of the tires on and off several times -- when we installed the shocks, upper StableLoads, and mud guards. I’ve had to learn how 4x4 works and when to use it because I’ve actually needed it a few times in hilly and muddy terrain here in rural New England. I got a truck tire pressure gauge that goes to 100 PSI and a VIAIR air compressor, which I had to learn how to use this morning for the first time in order to bring my rear tires up to 80 PSI. It took me 15 minutes because the first thing I had to do was unpack the VIAIR air compressor…. and stare at the unassembled parts I didn’t know anything about.

My cousin, the mechanic, laughed at me when I proudly showed him my recovery strap this morning, a behemoth 33,000 lbs. rated strap. He asked me how I was going to use it. Well… I hadn’t figured that part out yet. He had laughed because he knew I didn’t have any D-rings or chains, and he knew the giant strap eyes wouldn’t loop through my truck’s tow hooks. What is a D-ring? Okay, more learning in order. So I spent a good portion of the morning today learning about my truck, hitch ratings, Grade 80 vs. 100 chain, etc., and spending time chatting with my cousin. I’ve now got a chain sling, web shackles, and recovery hitch receiver on order.

In short, this new lifestyle has entailed a lot of learning. The camper is working out great. I still need to replace the wobbly dinette table and replace some of the cabinet pistons, and a few other things. I need to gain more skills and get a few more pieces of gear.

 

[SheketEchad]

It is both a humbling and an exhilarating experience, to change lifestyles. Heck to do anything out of our normal comfort zones. Kudos to you on both your teachable attitude and your spirit of adventure.

I had no idea they'd let you empty a black tank in a restroom! Makes sense though

Fair winds and following seas, as you carry on.

 

[MG1912]

Many thanks, SE.  I just read your initial post, the one where Bob says he started cheaprvliving because of you!  Very cool.  I appreciate your kind words.

Yes, the cassette is technically my rig's black tank, but it's pretty inoffensive looking.    You can wheel it around, and it just kind of looks like a weird suitcase or something.  The cool thing about it is that you can dump the cassette in public toilets (although apparently not in pit toilets or port-a-potties in the West, according to HDR).  It still can't be dumped on the ground, as it is raw toilet waste and chemicals.  However, by dumping the cassette in toilets and the gray water tank in nature (I am using only Dr. Bronner's biodegradable soap), I will never have to stop at an RV dump station.

(image belongs to coastalmotorhomes.co.nz)

 

[SheketEchad]

Many thanks, SE.  I just read your initial post, the one where Bob says he started cheaprvliving because of you!  Very cool.  I appreciate your kind words.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hmmm, I think you must have me confused with some other stellar person, because Bob and the forum were around a very long time before I ever showed up here, lol!  And I think it was his ex wife that started this path to freedom for him unbeknownst to him at the time. But thanks for associating me with great company   (I had to go back and read my 7 year old first post to make sure I did not have an alternate universe going on somewhere!)

I burst into here in 2012 with all kinds of plans after my husband died,and I lost my job, had a rig lined up, and...well, then life dreams got derailed by actual life.  I've just stopped caring for a grandchild for 3.5 years and now am happily back playing with my dreams again.

That little thing looks very innocuous, no wonder they were accommodating. I'll be going the wonderful 5 gal compost route initially methinks.

 

[MG1912]

I must have misread Bob's post! He wrote this in your first intro thread:

"SE, I found your story very moving and inspiring. You are the reason I started cheaprvliving.com 7 year ago and your story makes every minute of time it takes more than worthwhile."

 

[SheketEchad]

I must have misread Bob's post!  He wrote this in your first intro thread:

"SE, I found your story very moving and inspiring. You are the reason I started cheaprvliving.com 7 year ago and your story makes every minute of time it takes more than worthwhile."

I think he meant 'people' like me, sit[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]uations[/font] like mine at the time, not me, personally (I've never even met Bob!)  Back then Bob answered a lot of posts and emails personally all of the time.   But hey, if Bob started it for me, look at all the good it's done for so many others! 
You do realize that I am goofing around with you in this last part, I hope.  I have a weird sense of humor so hopefully it doesn't come off wrong.

Anywho, it made me feel important for five minutes during a slogging work day, so thank you!

 

[MG1912]

Today, I will finish sterilizing my 40-gallon fresh water tank, as my intention is to drink from it.  Up till now, I have been drinking bottled water or tap water.  Following instructions I found online from rvtrader, I drained the tank, the water heater, and all the faucets (kitchenette, outdoor shower, and shower) to get as much of the water out of the system as possible.  I then refilled the tank, added ¾ cup of bleach, turned the water pump on, and ran all faucets until I smelled bleach coming out of each one.  Finally, I topped off the 40-gallon tank and drove the truck all day, as I had chores to take care of.  This morning, I will drain the tank and lines again, flush with fresh water, and then fill the tank from the CAMCO drinking water hose and inline drinking water filter.  If I did everything correctly, I should have safe water in my 40-gallon tank to drink.

In other news, I am continuing to learn and practice the daily tasks of this new lifestyle.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have two 20-pound propane tanks onboard.  I recently switched my regulator from the empty tank to the full one and wrote about it here.  Today I took my empty tank to the store to get refilled.  I walked into the store and said, “I need my 20-pound propane tank refilled.”  I was half-worried that the store attendant was going to hit me with, “Oh, what regulator do you use?”  But he just nodded, wrote out the bill, and refilled my tank.  One more new thing done.

And I faced my “nightmare” scenario I mentioned in an earlier post for the first time today.  I needed to stop by my cousin’s house to get things from storage, but one of the main roads leading to his house was closed due to road work, so I tried to find my way around without using GPS… and ran right into a low-bridge with a posted 11’ clearance.  There it was in front of me… the thing of my nightmares.  I wish I had stopped and taken a picture, but I was too busy backing up (I saw the bridge in time and stopped about 10 yards in front of it… so I did not literally run into it).  Luckily, there was a driveway right next to me for me to back into and turn around.

Besides the teething pangs of developing appropriate spatial awareness with regard to the size of my rig, I find myself actually enjoy the driving experience – at least on country roads in fair weather.  I like the rhythmic churn of the 6.0 diesel engine at idle and the roar it makes upon ignition.  I like the way the turbo whines in response to the throttle on the road.  I even like the handling – yes, of a 6.0 diesel carrying a 4,000-pound payload.  It just feels great; I can’t explain it -- out there on the road... just me, my truck, and my mobile home picking our way down the lane.  Of course, I’ve only ever owned old cars that all had their share of problems, so my standards for driving experiences are pretty low.  I think the fact that the truck is payload-matched to the camper and has minimal but critical suspension upgrades (the Torklift tie-down system, the upper StableLoads, and the Rancho shocks) accounts for the pleasurable driving experience.  I would imagine that an overtaxed vehicle, i.e. a truck carrying a payload way beyond its posted specs, swaying and porpoising all over the place, clunking and creaking down the road, would be less enjoyable.

I can also say that, at least for now, I am increasingly glad I chose a truck camper over a trailer for practical lifestyle reasons.  Here’s an example:  yesterday, my aunt and uncle wanted to order Chinese food.  My uncle was about to get up to go drive to the restaurant, and, without a thought, I volunteered, “I’ll get it,” as if I was hopping into a Honda Civic.  I got into my rig, drove down to the corner, and picked up the food.  I guess van-dwellers and Class B owners also appreciate this aspect of driving only two axles at a relatively-short overall length.  You just turn the key and go… and pretty much park wherever you want.  I probably would have been less enthusiastic to volunteer to make a quick run into town if I had had a trailer or a fifth-wheel, or a Class A or schoolie to navigate.

 

[B and C]

Sounds like your getting it figured out. I rinse my tank with a vinegar solution after the bleach, so I have to drain twice. I don't let the vinegar sit like the bleach though. I put a gallon or two of water in the tank and then the bleach (vinegar) and then fill. The fill is good for mixing.

 

[MG1912]

Many thanks.  Is the vinegar for additional cleaning or to clear the taste/odor of bleach, or some other purpose?

 

[MG1912]

Last night was the first properly cold night in New England I’ve experienced since I got back from Afghanistan in mid-July. It got down to 38 degrees last night. I set the furnace to 66 degrees before I went to bed, and it came on for a few minutes every hour (at least that’s what I remember from when I was awake). It doesn’t take long to bring the temperatures back up in this small space. Yesterday was a sunny day, and my two 12-volt 150 amp AGM batteries were at 12.9 volts around the time I went to bed. They held up through the night, settling at 12.6 volts (12.5 under load) just before sunrise. So it is good to know that a full night of the heating system cycling on and off in near-freezing temperatures isn’t draining my batteries below 50% -- at least not when they start off completely full -- in the middle of the night. As I mentioned above, I have had to plug in once since I got the camper. I’m sure the heater is consuming a lot of propane, though. I am still thinking about getting an Olympian Wave.

 

[VanForNow]

Today, I will finish sterilizing my 40-gallon fresh water tank, as my intention is to drink from it.                       

Bleach is strong stuff, even in small amounts, so after draining the tank you my find that the smell of bleach lingers. It may be necessary to refill & drain the tank more than once.

 

[rvwandering]

It got down to 38 degrees last night.  I set the furnace to 66 degrees before I went to bed, and it came on for a few minutes every hour (at least that’s what I remember from when I was awake).

   Try turning the furnace all the way down or even off and piling on a few more blankets. Many of us who use propane furnaces for heating run them at bedtime to take the chill off and then in the morning before getting out of bed. You really shouldn't need the heat while you're sleeping, especially since all of your tanks are inside, until the temperature gets down into the 20s.

 Congratulations on getting on the road! It sounds like you're having a great time already.

 

[B and C]

Many thanks.  Is the vinegar for additional cleaning or to clear the taste/odor of bleach, or some other purpose?

Further cleaning/neutralizing and to get rid of the odor.

 

[MG1912]

   Try turning the furnace all the way down or even off and piling on a few more blankets. Many of us who use propane furnaces for heating run them at bedtime to take the chill off and then in the morning before getting out of bed. You really shouldn't need the heat while you're sleeping, especially since all of your tanks are inside, until the temperature gets down into the 20s.

 Congratulations on getting on the road! It sounds like you're having a great time already.

That's a good idea.  I have a down comforter and an ultralight camping blanket that is surprisingly warm, but even combining both of them leaves me feeling a little chilly at night when it's cold out.  More blankets are the solution.  I remember when I was a high school exchange student in the former East Germany, I would wake up in a freezing, unheated bedroom in the morning in winter, but I was snug as a bug in a rug under a very thick, heavy blanket.  I wish I had that German blanket now!  I think with another sheet and the wool blanket, with my two current blankets on top, I should be warm enough.