2009 RV Recap

Sadly, we only made one trip in old Violet this year.  In March we went to San Diego during Lauren's spring break.  I had been working on Violet for a few weeks getting odds and ends fixed and applying a good polish.  At 22 years old, I'd say Violet still looks decent at ten feet.  Mom took the picture shown at left and sent it to me at work.  This during a particularly difficult time - work wise.  What a morale booster!  We stayed at Santee Lakes Campground just outside of San Diego.  Actually, it was more in-town than out.  Santee Lakes were made to reclaim waste water.  You might think this would be a smelly place to stay, but it was really nice with hundreds of birds nesting in the area.  We got a spot with one of the lakes right out the back of our rig.  Lauren and Mom rented a paddle boat and in general we had a nice time staying there.  I would recommend it to anyone planning a trip to the San Diego area.

We spent an afternoon on Coronado Island.

We found a beach parking spot on the South side of the Coronado Hotel.  The beach was really nice.

I forgot to take our camera to Sea World and haven't developed the disposal camera pictures yet.  Now I'll need to find where I put them so I can get them posted.  We did the "Breakfast with Shamu" and it was well worth the price.  I expected the food to be lousy, but it was a really good buffet style spread.  I think I went back 3 times.  We were able to sit right next to the tank for the show.  Real nice for the ladies and for me I got a show and good grub too!

On the way home we stopped at the tower off I-8 shown below:

If you tow a trailer or have a motorhome over 22' long and bring along a toad, DO NOT attempt to drive up to their parking lot.  No matter how big the (old hippie) owner says the parking lot is - it isn't.  I had to un-hook the toad, un-hook the tow dolly, back down and get everything turned around.  Took 45 minutes and by that time I was determined to see that stupid tower.  Take my advice - save your money and head on down the road.

The rest of the summer was spent in limbo due to my job situation.  Next year will be different!  I plan to head out a least once every-other-month.  Even if it's only 5 miles up the road to McDowell Mountain Park.  We hope to take advantage of living in an area where you can go RVing year-round!

Future Frenzy

Once I get done messing around with batteries and other "easy" stuff, I'm gonna paint old Violet.  I've got the GM paint codes and know a place in Mesa that will mix it up for me.  I'm going to use the roll and brush method. Here is a good link on how to paint fiberglass.  I hope to start the prep work around Feb 1st.  Should be fun!

More Battery Stuff

I check on these batteries at least 2x per day.  They are "off gassing" nicely and are charging at 13.30 volts.  I am easily entertained.  While my daughter looks forward to Santa, I'm anticipating doing a load test on Dec. 29th!  I'm living a wild life!

Battery Maintenance

Both batteries are now on a "maintenance" charge for the next two weeks.  They seem to be "off gassing" nicely.  The manual said it can take that long to desulfate badly discarged and sulfated batteries.  Considering I've done almost everything you can to kill these batteries, I'm going to give them the full 2 weeks before hooking up a load tester.  I hope Checker or Napa will have one I can rent.

Batteries Continued

The 8D is on its second charge/desulfate  at 2amp and as of this morning all appear to be a go.  I'm thinking it should be fully charged and on a "float" charge by this evening.   Crossing my fingers this will be the case.

Update 3 p.m. Dec 10:  The battery is now on a "float" charge.  I may lug the other 8D in and start it charging tonight. I can then check the voltage of the charged one after it "rests" for 12 hours.

Update 5 p.m.:  I've disconnected the charger and now have 13.07 volts!  I'm excited about that!  I'll re-check tomorrow again.  I've now hooked up the other 8D and it tested at 7.59 volts to start.  I'm charging it just like the last one and hope for the same results.  I've decided to use my two-wheeler as the new battery cart -

I think I'll fabricate a second tier for the 3 deep cycle house batteries to sit on.  This will make it easy to wheel them in & out of the RV and to keep them charged.  I plan on keeping them indoors and out of the heat going forward.

Heating Up!

As the Quartzsite trip nears, I'm looking at either getting sleeping bags for us or installing a catalytic heater. The Olympian Wave seems to be a popular choice by many RV'rs.

The Wave 6 is about $250 + shipping on Amazon.com.

 

Update:    I'm looking at Mr. Heater now -  
Portable and I can get it at Northern Tool for $99 bucks.  Maybe Santa will bring me one?

Cheaper to Keep Her

I've recently been looking at Skoolies as a future project.  Thought I might sell old Violet and convert a bus which would take me about 8 years I reckon to do.  Anyway, Jake's school bus is a nice example of what can be done with recycled stuff an not a whole lot of modifications or fabrication work being done.


On the other hand Sporty Ricks bus takes a little more skill at welding.
 

I'd have to dust up on that.  I like both these conversion you can see them and lots more on Skoolie including some real hatchet jobs.  I also thought about converting an old moving van like the one on Planet Mechanics - sorry can't find a photo, but that might be more of a stretch to get the wife's buy-in on a Gypsy wagon :O)

The Timeless Ride

I came across this adventurer and would like to pass it along.  Click on Hubert  to see where he is at.  There is some beautiful photography too.  While I admire U-bear, I'm not willing to give up my portable bed or bath just yet to strike out to the unknown.  I think I'll follow along for the ride for awhile though.

Charging Batteries

 

Across the parking lot from my daughters music lesson is a battery store.  Lucky me!  I was able to purchase the BatteryMinder I had been stalling on getting.  Here is a picture of the unit -

I've hauled out the 8D Werker battery and it is now on a slow 2A default charge.  It had an initial charge of 7.4 volts.  I think the chances of recovering any functionality is slim, but worth a try.  I'll report back in 3 days with the results.

Update 12/9:

I came home from work to see the charger flashing red.  That sent me to the instructions which said the battery is not fully charged due to being too big of a battery or discharged too much to complete a full charge on one cycle.  I checked the volts which have risen from 7.6v to 12.33v - YEA!  I reset the charge at 2amps again and hope for the best.  I'll report back in a day or so.

Battery Decisions

If you wait on making a decision long enough, you can always find another choice to confuse the matter.  I was set on parting with a $100 bill for a new batter charger, but delayed getting it ordered on-line.  While checking out the available RV's on Craigslist I came upon these two 8D AGM batteries for sale.  Used only 2 months and have been kept alive with a trickle charge....humm.  These are $520 a piece new and the seller wants $150 each.  Humm?  A hundred bucks here three hundred there and we're talk'in money.  Once I confirm the date these batteries were manufactured, about the only other test would be to check their current state of charge (12.7-12.8 volts).  Do I get these superior AGM's and hope they are ok or chance bringing the old flood acid 8D's I have back to life?  One new 8D will be more than the 2 used ones.  I'll order the battery charger as I need it anyway and sleep on getting the AGM's tonight.

OK.  I've sent an email to the owner to ask the age of these batteries.  Now I can go to sleep :O)

Odds and Ends

It has been a few days and a holiday since posting last.

 The above bus was listed and sold on Tejas Coach Works. As the saying goes - "a dollar short and a day late".

I was watching the news a few days ago reporting on the RV industry and how some manufacturers are rehiring laid-off workers.  The news showed them literally running from one work station to another slapping in staples, screws, etc., as fast as humanly possible.  I'm glad they have the work, but the image of workers running with their tools back and forth to assemble an RV really turned me off.  Would you want to buy an RV assembled this way?

Quartzite is looming and my battery issue is still unresolved.  I'm also needing to install a propane ceramic, vent-less heater or get some sleeping bags to keep warm.  I'd like to install a 6-8 inch porthole/hatch on the bottom of the fresh water tank to enable me to throughly drain and clean the tank.  Darned if I didn't loose the marine web site where I can buy them.  I also need new pull down straps for my Carefree awnings which I haven't ordered.  So, with all this needing to be done and the trip getting closer by the day, I'm working myself  towards another RV Frenzy!

Amazing Bus

Check out the AMAZING BUS CONVERSION.   I, on the other hand, am working on a finely hand crafted deluxe linoleum floor in the bathroom.

A Throne of my Own

Our first trip in the motorhome was down to a bird sanctuary near Sierra Vista, Arizona.  The wife proclaimed "this is a wonderful machine!" after trying to use the public facilities before retreating to our mobile "throne".  Today we were at a park in town and an hour from home when I needed to use the facilities - YIKES!  It made me wish I had the mobile throne with me everywhere I go.  Today's experience reminded me of one of the many reason's we love our RV!

How to read tire date codes

Your RV tires Should have a 4 digit code beginning in the year 2000.  The example below shows this tire was manufactured in the 51st week of 2007  (LMLR5107).




Prior to 2000 tires will have a 3 digit code with the first two being the week and the last digit being the year.  The tire below was manufactured in the 40th week of 1998.


If your RV has a 3 digit code, you should seriously consider replacing them as they are beyond their useful life and could fail.  Most RV tires wear out due to age even if they appear almost new and have plenty of tread.  Ozone penetrates the tire even if they are covered.  Ozone causes the rubber to become brittle over time.  Same with UV radiation which causes cracking or checking.  I've been told to apply Johnson's Floor Wax to slow down thees effects.  I have not tried this yet, but I will do some additional investigating and report back at a future date.  I have not found where a manufacturer gives a useful life, but most say to look at replacing them after 6 years.  For my rig this means budgeting $400 to $500 per year for future tires.  You should keep your tires clean, properly inflated, covered and use a non-petroleum dressing on them such as Premo while in storage to get the most life out of them.

This would put anyone in a frenzy

Honey, do you know where our fire extinguisher is?


Follow the link below to an expert on RV fire safety.


Fire suppression systems for your RV

Batteries and Chargers

I won't be going to Quartzsite this year without resolving my battery issues.  I must admit they died a slow death due to my lack of knowledge and neglect.  Here is a picture of the (2) Werker 8D batteries needed to crank the engine. The picture doesn't do justice as to how big they are - each weigh 130 lbs.  I took one down to Batteries Plus   to see if there was any warranty left, which there wasn't, and to buy a new one is about $300 each - Ouch!  So, I lugged  it back home with the bright idea of adding new acid and charging it up as the cheapo fix.

After pumping out 3 gallons of acid and replacing it with new and then applying a charge for a day or so, all I managed to do was boil out some of the acid (see pic).  Then I gave up for the summer months (leaving them in the 100+ heat) until I had the inspiration to work on them again.  Long story short, see my link on batteries and read it at night when you can't sleep.
All you wanted to know about batteries and then some.

I haven't given up on the 8D's and tonight I will be ordering a new battery charger.

I looked at the Battery Tender brand which is recommend on several RV sites.

It's about $60 + shipping.

I chose the BatteryMINDer because it has a desulfator/conditioner function.  In reading the many reviews, It sounded like some people had luck in reviving their old batteries to a functional state.  That is what I'm hoping for.  Otherwise, I will be buy new ones.  Either way, I need a charger that will keep them charged without boiling them.

I will update this blog on the results.  It will take a week for delivery and from what Ive been reading about another week to desulfate the battery - if it can be done.

Case of an RV Frenzy!

RV's and Dogs

Ever notice how many people with RV's have pets?  Ever see an RV for sale that said "we have dogs, cats and smoke like chimney's" in the description?  We have two fine motorhome dogs - Sammy and Ashton.  Sammy was a stray and Ashton we got at the dog pound.  Sammy rides up front on his mini dog bed.

He's a rascal and once got up on the left driver side arm rest and shifted our rig into gear.  This while I was outside getting some forest info and the rig was running.  Good thing the air brakes work!

Ashton is part dog, part chicken and likes to lounge on the couch.

Tonight we are off to look at another cattle dog mix that was rescued.  I'm not real keen on having 3 dogs, but the wife and daughter out voted me.

Update 11/22/09

Here is "Loosa".  Named after an Appaloosa because of her coloring and markings.   We got her from Fedwell Farms a rescue for cattle dogs.  Any dog that won't eat the chickens, bother the goats or chase the geese must be good.

Studded Snow Tires and Hard Times

I'm taking a detour from my chronology of events to discuss my "toads" bald tires.  When we lived in Colorado, I had a set of 4 studded snows put on my toad.  Then had them removed and the street tires put back on which are now bald.  If it were not for the austere times we live in, I would just buy new tires, but I've got these snows with plenty of tread and studs!  Normally, I would just have them mounted and be on my way, but the wife won't ride with me in Phoenix with studs clickety-clackety-ing as we go.  No problem.  I'll just have Discount Tire "de-stud" them.  Well, no such thing exists here in Phoenix anyway.  Ok, I'll pull them out my self.  Here is a picture for your enjoyment -

Plier's or vice grips will not work.  Some web-site recommended softening them up with soap which I didn't try.  Imagine trying to pry a slippery stud out.  The best method is shown below:

Yep, a small regular slot screw driver and a good padded glove.  You've got to dig down along side of the stud and get the end of the screw driver under the flange of the stud - see below:

Then pop them out.  Make sure your wear safety glasses as they can fly out and hit you in the eye causing you to spend all you saved doing this job on the doctor.  Figure about 40 minutes per tire.  I recommend doing 1/2 of the tire with one hand and the other 1/2 with the other hand.  This way both hands are equally sore the next morning.

I'm off to Discount Tire to have them put on the old "toad".

Well it took another day before I got the tires on, but here it is... and a picture of old "Gumby" the Toad.

Gumby has 135,000 miles now.  I'd say she's a 10 X 8, that is a "10" at 8 feet.  :O)

I should have borrowed money from Mom for this one!

Cold Feet - Purchasing Part 2

We were at the Arabian horse show that year between trips to San Diego when I got cold feet on going through with the motorhome purchase.  There was another week delay as the dealer test drove the coach without securing the engine hatch which promptly blew off on the highway.  They needed to have it repaired and painted.  I guess the wife could have talked me out of it and the salesman offered me an out too if I wasn't comfortable with the deal.  Reverse psychology?  Anyway, we headed back, signed the papers and then took off from San Diego in the afternoon towards Yuma.  When you buy an RV in California from a dealer, they have to deliver it to the state line.  Can't remember the goofy reason why this has to be done, but you end up following your newly purchase rig being driven by a stranger to the state line.  In our case the old guy smoked the brakes from the Jacumba exit heading East to Ocotillo, CA.   Really made me mad.  By the time we got past El Centro it was dark and the old guy pulled off the side of the road to report he couldn't get the generator to work and the alternator wasn't working.  ?   I made him turn around and take it back to the dealer as I wasn't going to take delivery of it with everything going haywire.  He made a U-turn right there  at night in the middle of I-8.  We headed back to Phoenix.  Next blog - Pete and Re-Pete

Road to Nirvana - Purchasing an RV

Now that I thought I knew what I was doing, it was time to find and purchase that perfect Vogue.  It didn't take long for me to locate one in San Diego, CA, at which point I was told by the "boss" I could go alone.  Tom once again came through and we set out for a weekend RV hunt.  As you head West out of Casa Grande on I-8, you'll come to the little town of Dateland.  It's worth stopping at the cafe there to eat and try one of their "date shakes".  There is a campground in Dateland, but I can't vouch for it as we didn't stay or even drive through to check it out.  The next morning after arriving in San Diego we took a look at my future motorhome.  I really didn't know exactly what to be looking for or at when buying a motorhome.  Engine, check, Caterpillar? - yep it's yellow, Allison transmission? - if you say so.  Luckily, Tom had brought an article on tires and how to read the date code's.  When motorhome tires get to be about 9 years old you should start looking at replacing them.  In the case of my soon to be motorhome they were 12 years old, but looked almost new!  Thanks to Tom, I saved $3000 by having the dealer replace them.  We took a test drive (about 10 miles) and then ran the generator, AC, water, etc.  My 1987 Vogue III seemed to check out pretty good with only a few items needing attention.  The dealer would also change the oil, filter and belts.  At that point Tom and I left for Tucson with the deal waiting to be finalized the following weekend when I could return with my wife.  Next blog - cold feet.

How to choose your RV

Research and research some more.  The only idea I had in my mind was to get the biggest and best quality Class A I could afford.  I know it had to have the wife's three required elements - electricity, water (hot and cold) and potty - to include a shower.  I gave up sleeping on the ground years ago and so my thoughts were in the same line, but I also added a diesel engine and TV.  At the time of purchase we had 2 dogs, 2 guinea pigs and a fish.  All which we would haul along with us.  So, bigger the better in my mind.  I started looking a Prevost - Liberty Coach, Marathon, etc. and realized I needed a high paying gooberment job to afford one of those.  Next, my attention was on Blue Bird Wanderlodge.  We took a look at private party 1985 FC 35.  It was really nice for its age and had a fairly new engine. I ruled the Wanderlodge out for 2 main reasons: 1. It appeared difficult to work on.  How do you replace belts without a swing-out radiator?  2. The owner's wife said it averaged 5-6 MPG.  So, out with the Blue Bird.  Now I focused on a Foretravel and Vogue.  I still like Foretravel's, but they command a premium price as compared to a similarly equipped Vogue.  Quality of craftsmanship is comparable.  So, Vogue was the focus of my main search.  Now I had to face the ugly subject of price.  I finally ended up in the 1985 to 1990 range for an affordable 35-40 foot Vogue.  In a "nut shell", my philosophy was to buy the best quality fitting my criteria and price regardless of age.  There you have it.  Road Trip to Nirvana on the next blog.

In the Beginning (to be sung to the theme of Beverly Hillbillies music)

Come and let me tell you a story about a man named Jim

a poor Arizonan who's one nerve was wearin' thin

And then one day he was wantin' somethin' to do

and up come the thought of a motorhomin' foo

Gas that is, diesel #2, double slide

Ok, lame.. but I'll work on finishing it later.

I'm not sure exactly how we came about buying our first RV, but I know the wife was definitely NOT on-board with the whole idea. She had grown up power boating and any thought of going without water, electricity or a potty was out of the question. So, I'll blame the whole idea on our friends Tom and Karen who had their own RV and corrupted me with foolish talk and ideas. Well, after several months of obsessing about the idea of owning a motor home, the wife started to wear down. Next, she tried to distract me with the purchase of a big piece of furniture? What red blooded man would toss out the idea of the open road for a computer hutch? Next, she use the "you can only buy it if it's for sale locally" rule. Anyway, she say's I bullied her into the idea and "whined" until she relented (Guys, some things are worth whining for). So off to Tucson to meet up with my enablers Tom and Karen to look at motorhomes. How I narrowed down the motorhome choices in my next blog,