Head West not so young Man

[daugen]

I bet the anticipation is killing you! I've also been champing at the bit to get started, need to check and pack the wheel bearings on the 5th wheel, get the truck serviced , then I'll be ready to go. I've had all the non perishable stuff loaded for over a month now.

yup, those cans of baked beans are tucked away nicely. :thumbsup:

we never got the rv unloaded properly last Fall. A bad time, my wife was dying, the rv got basically forgotten.
Sink and bathroom faucet froze, I guess I had drained the rest properly, but don't use air, and you lose your faucets apparently.
cheap plastic things anyway. And then I found the exploding soda cans...cleaned that mess up, and things are looking pretty good.
I did get in yesterday about six different kinds of storage sliders to go in those deep dark storage holes, so you don't have to pull everything out.
What doesn't fit on the rv I'll install at home. Huge amount of storage, if you can get to it. All heavy stuff low, light stuff high. Etc. All the really heavy stuff
is down in the lower outside compartments. This thing leans enough anyway. And I've owned a big boat that leaned a whole lot and I don't care if it's a boat or an rv, I'll pass on the heeling over. If I were to own a larger boat again, it would be a catamaran. And to dream a little there's a French charter power cat down in the caribbean with a rear master stateroom with a green glass surround that goes the entire rear of the boat and wraps around the side. Huge bedroom with king bed. One could see in from the dock...
And sips diesel, they have small Yanmars because they are easy to push. Hmmmm. More lottery tickets.

until then, it's 50-60 gallon fillups on an 80 gal tank. Often a hassle because of the $80-100 max programmed into the dispenser.
anyone know how to get around that besides cash? I am not carrying that much cash with me to feed that V10 for 8000 miles.

I bought four cans of Sea Foam to dump into the rv gas tank, thinking two now and two half way. Nope, not used to a big tank, four at a pop.
I'll stop someplace in Texas and buy some more before I hit the Rockies. It was that or Techron, I've had good experience with both.

 

[wngsprd]

We're getting excited for you, too. We'll have to have a virtual going away party.

Post a new (final) map of your course, if it's changed.

Trains and autos at the Roanoke Train Museum - I think you are passing through there on your return trip. Virginia Museum of Transportation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I showed my wife your Winslow, AZ photo and she immediately began singing the song, and then explained to me that the lyrics are slightly different on the Jackson Browne version from the Eagles (one word I think). Clearly she was a big JB fan. I took a pic of her on the corner in front of an old closed up art deco diner there.

Enjoy the rest of your planning!

 

[ronjhall]

I do not think Sea Foam is needed. Should be OK. Running fuel helps to keep things clean and fresh.
I have Pilot Flying J card that allow me to fuel to as much as I want to put in tank. Usually 40 to 50 gallons. A little late to apply for that know. When I do run into the limit. I just rescan the card. Never had one that didn't allow at least 2 scans. You can also use 2 different cards. I use Flying J for most of my fuel. They have RV lanes for fueling. I can also use truck lanes because my RV uses diesel.

 

[3930dave]

The one place that I use here with a no $ limit on the pump still is Husky. They're not down your way, but I think their American affiliate is Mohawk, at least in the Western States.

That $cap issue (with a big vehicle) is enough of a PITA that it probably deserves a thread of it's own.... Truck Stops with No Limit on CCard Transactions.....

Have a great trip Daugen !

Rgds, D.

 

[MacLawn]

I'm getting excited for ye, daug! This should be a whole heap o'fun.

 

[daugen]

thanks Mac. I seemed to have passed all my "humps" to departure, and I'm all systems go. Picking up the motorhome tomorrow and will get its oil changed and lubed and then brought home for a week of getting it ready for a long trip.

Our two prior trips were short, now I have to sweat the details. And no big deal really, if I forget something there always is a supermarket or Walmart along the way. I do want to try parking in a Walmart parking lot one time, just to do it...

It's really quite amazing to have the Walmart safety net while traveling. They allow rvs to park in the back of their lots while traveling, and if I can't make it to the next planned stop, sick, whatever, just push the button on the gps for stores and the Walmarts always show up. Just go to nearest one.
Actually kind of comforting to know I can always do that along the way. And equally comforting to the store because I will go in and I'm sure come out with an armload of supplies. But since Walmarts are everywhere...it really is an interesting capability for rv travelers. I know, don't extend the slides and don't put down parking jacks that poke holes in their macadam. I'll be happy to park anywhere they want me just not over a sinkhole please.

 

[daugen]

today did not start off well. Not well at all.
The lowest lip of the front airdam caught the master flip lever on the tow dolley and
locked it from doing what it was supposed to, and I lurched forward, shredding the entire plastic
air dam to bits, and putting two big gouges in my front bumper. Just marvelous.
why this clearance issue did not happen before I don't know, maybe the position of the flip lever when put away last, I really
don't know, but I will sure study it.

The solution, after I picked up the broken parts and kicked myself in the duff a few times was right in the motorhome. The three foot long 2x12s I have for jack stand supports fit perfectly onto the ramp dolley, and lift the VW up the inch plus it needs to clear the lever and it just rolled right on quite nicely. sigh. Well, new airdam when I get back, not now, in case I tempt fate.

Motorhome is out front, everything seems to work, and I will go to work tomorrow giving it a good clean before i start packing stuff in.
So the day ended well, oil got changed, and the rv just runs great. Driver is questionable.

 

[daugen]

btw...are there any brands in the West I should stay away from? I try to stick with name brand gas.
Mostly from larger high volume places if I can. Flying J, what other brand should I look for? And the one that does oil changes?
I know it's all back there fifty pages. Except now I'm writing this down...
Actually I watched them change the oil on the rv today, out in the parking lot, didn't spill a drop, after I put the autolevelers on which jacked up the front of the rv
to give him plenty of room to get under and get to where he needed to put the portable oil pan. And the oil filter was "right there". So, I carry the oil and filter, so depending upon my mood, might do that. Particularly if I get rained out one day. I brought a mini grease gun with me, as the dolley has four zerks and the F53 Ford front end has some zerks too. I have never seen greasing machinery as a chore. Dealing with the crud pushed out is another story.
I admit to letting it build up awhile. Like on FEL fittings. And then once a year clean it off. Not hard to do. more rainy day work.
The steering always feel better after you lube, right?...

 

[ultrarunner]

Be careful when fueling...

Everytime I try to use my card for fuel 3 times in a day... it gets locked out and requires a call to get things straightened out.

I've found Discover has much higher limits than the others and have not yet tried to use Discover 3 times in one day for fuel.

 

[3930dave]

UR raises a good point about cards....

If you haven't already daugen, consider having a chat with your card company(s), concerning your travel plans/modes - that may go a long way towards avoiding having to spend time straightening out suspended cards on the road....

You aren't on a tight schedule, but if your relationship with Murphy is anything like mine, you'll end up with a card issue when you are trying to get something serviced on the side of the road, in the middle of a monsoon !

Rgds, D.