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RE: Top Class Bs for towing?
We traveled cross country pulling a 15 foot trailer with home goods in our Galleria - Sprinter 3500 from AK to NY and back. We checked with the Sprinter dealer and the RV dealership to be sure that the van could to it. They kind of laughed and told us it was fine. We did add Sumos to the springs so that helped the handling. So when we had the van checked after arriving back in Alaska, the Sprinter people said that the van was in good shape. Before leaving AK, and again before heading back from NY, we had the brakes and other things gone over. When we got back we had them check brakes again and they were still fine.
The van weathered the trip better than my DH. If I you have ever driven the Ice Fields Parkway, you might understand his anxiety.
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fullmoonoversalem
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01/04/20 04:23am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Is 70 the age to stop towing
I just met a woman who is 81 and just drove up the Alaska Highway. Yep, in the winter. She is going to stay with her grandson who is in the Coast Guard here in Alaska. Her DH dies last summer, she sold everything, bought a Winnebago Revel and drove it up. She was still practicing medicine until 2 years ago when her husband became ill. She plans to find a place for a base from which to travel in the next couple of years.
She had a thorough physical, and took some kind of driving course - she will email me the info - before starting out in early October. She spent some time semi-stranded in a couple snow storms, but did well. She is from Maine, and I know how the winters are there. She was well prepared.
I sure wish her well and a lot of miles in her future.
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fullmoonoversalem
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01/04/20 04:16am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Night stops with RV
There is a Walmart in Alaska that hires summer help and they stay in the lot. We noted this in other Walmarts across the country. I know that it looks like they are exceeding what is expected when you stay there, but they are essentially employees living there for the summer. We were placed with them in a "no overnight" store (we didn't see the sign) towards the back of the store where it was not obvious. It was really quiet there too.
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fullmoonoversalem
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11/04/19 01:43am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Is 70 the age to stop towing
As I was writing my last post, one of our resident bald eagles came to visit. She (we think) is munching on something near the tree outside our door. In winter we seem to have a whole flock hang around. I wish I could figure out how to do pictures. When I do I can post the one I took of her.
I would like to see those pictures. Just follow This post and you can post those pictures,easy peasy!
Will do. I will get to it as soon as I can. We had 2 moose out there today. Mom and her last year's young one. Last summer sand hill cranes by the dozen. Pets are frowned upon here, so we try to coddle the wildlife.
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fullmoonoversalem
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11/04/19 01:37am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: What Did You Do To Your Class B Today ?
... The Truma heater works really well. It takes a lot to impress me anymore but the Truma really does what it says. Having electric central heat and hot water makes a huge difference on our trips south when the temps are in the 20’s. Having the propane backup in case we “get caught on the road” is a plus.
Dave
Dave,
I used the B to sleep over at a friends in 9 degree weather. There were a few cold drafts, but the truma is a champ. And quiet. It uses to little propane too.
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fullmoonoversalem
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11/04/19 01:35am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Friends from the "OOP'S" thread.
I feel bad for you guys who are having all the bad weather and low temps. It is hard to imagine that you have colder weather than we do here where we live in Alaska. We have been in the 30s to 40s depending on the time of day. It has been raining a lot, some fog and quite a lot of black ice - and moose - on the roads. I am sure that the winter weather will be here soon and will probably happen when I have to go to Anchorage (150 mi) for doctor appointment. Oh, I looked on the Airport Temp in Prudoe bay and it said it was 19 degrees. Accuracy unknown.
I got a new calendar for the new year and am trying to plan some outings now. I plan a trip for every weekend, even if it is only just a mile or two away. We have been dreaming of giving up all our stuff and hitting the road full time, but can't figure out how to get started.
Stay healthy and safe.
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fullmoonoversalem
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11/04/19 01:30am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: RoadTrek 200
We went from A to B and love it. We spent 5 months in it and were still speaking at the end of our trip. I could full time if we had the opportunity. That would mean getting rid of stuff and pulling a big trailer full of hobby stuff.
One couple that I met had a tiny TT that they used for storage of things like a canopy, tools, etc and then had an extra bed for guests and/or “alone time.”
The cost of operating the B is so much better than the A. We can drive it anywhere. If I did anything else I would get one of those small C (B+?) like the View or Navion or the equivalent for more storage but could not park in our apartment’s parking lot.
Going “stealth” is easier. We did overnights in parking lots with no problems at times. I can’t even get interested in Class A. motorhomes anymore, even those luxury models.
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/26/19 03:26pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Night stops with RV
Why go all the way to beautiful CO and WY to camp in parking lots, rest stops and WalMarts?
You have to adjust your thinking to understand how to utillize public land. All you have to do most places is pull off the highway and find a quiet spot. Be on the look out for private land which is mostlly posted.
Our intention when making our cross country trip this year (AK to NY and back) was to use public lands to camp along the way as were towing a trailer full of things for our son.. We got a later start than we intended and had to make up some time.. We were fortunate to find places to stop in Walmart lots, roadside rests, and truck stops. Usually we only stopped till daylight and were on the road again at dawn. Campgrouds were a luxury in which we indulged only twice and stayed for 2 days each - mostly for DH to decompress and to do laundry, etc.
Next summer we do want to do the public lands thing. Just to enjoy the land of country and hopefully Canada. This requires planning on our part. We will be looking for resources of information to access these lands.
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/26/19 03:13pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: What Did You Do To Your Class B Today ?
Spent the night in the B, or some of it. DH snoring and I did not want to wake him when I went to bed at 3 AM. The Truma heater works really well.
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/26/19 03:04pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Is 70 the age to stop towing
As I was writing my last post, one of our resident bald eagles came to visit. She (we think) is munching on something near the tree outside our door. In winter we seem to have a whole flock hang around. I wish I could figure out how to do pictures. When I do I can post the one I took of her.
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/26/19 03:00pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Is 70 the age to stop towing
I am 78 years old and have been blind in my left eye for fifteen years. For the last few years I have my wife grade me on my driving with each trip. 1 being the worse score and ten being the best. We just got back from a 175 mile trip one way through the Smoky mountains. She gave me a score of ten. So I guess I still am doing good or either she is afraid I will quit driving and we are stuck at home staring at each other.
My hubby and I are always checking each other out. The passenger has the duty to spot bumps and holes and to spot new speed limits, act as navigator as well as look for other traffic hazards.
One thing that we both did before our trip this summer was to have physicals and eye exams. I had cataract surgery and enjoy much improved vision. Night driving is my job because my DH hates driving at night.
We also take it much easier than we did when younger. 500 mile days are notw 200 to 400 miles depending on what there is to see.
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/26/19 02:56pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Friends from the "OOP'S" thread.
I didn’t mention the problem whit the master actor that we had to replace. We spent as much in repairs as we did traveling I am just glad we had the problems in NY and not some place in between AK and NY.
We are still experiencing fall here and probably will be for another week. We Alaskans like to try to make the most of our outdoor time when we know it is limited. However, I plan to try to make an overnighter in the not to distant future if the sky is clear and we have Aurora. We will probably just head up to the Seward Hwy in the evening and use a pull off unless we can find an open campground that is open to the sky’s for the night view. Our camper keeps us cozy even if we have it winterized we still enjoy taking it out.
I was remembering other trips that we made east and came back on snowy roads. This year we left early and although there is snow in Tok and some northern areas of the highway, we have none here.
I do love winter in Alaska. Besides the scenery, get to meet our neighbors and do all the community things that small towns do. Winters where we live now are much milder and easier to manage than the ones we had in upstate NY.
Have a good weekend everyone.
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/26/19 02:47pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: The Annual Class B Rally, And Other Events.
Dang! We missed this one. We didn't spend a lot of time on the computer during our cross country trip. Next year? Any B owners coming to AK next year?
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/19/19 07:21pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Is 70 the age to stop towing
Off topic but perhaps somehow remotely related:
I once watched a movie in which the main character was immortal and was around 1000 years old in the movie. This character was very sad and wouldn't have desired any other person on Earth to ever be immortal like he was. The reason -> because everything and everyone in his life that he had come to love eventually was gone or had died.
Maybe we all die after a number of years for our own good. :h
Maybe, but would it not be interesting to see what happens in the future? Maybe I could learn some new hobbies, quilt some more fabric, learn new skills, etc.
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/19/19 07:15pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Is 70 the age to stop towing
My Dad is 94 and still drives the 3 sports cars in the garage.
I had a great aunt who bought her last Mercedes at 98 and drove across the country round trip. She died 3 days before her 100 birthday. Still driving (some restrictions) still had red hair, still golfing, still wearing bikinis while in her swimming pool.
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/19/19 07:13pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: What Did You Do To Your Class B Today ?
Regretfully winter is setting in and we are using our B less. I still like to go out and visit with him - the Galleria is definitely a guy, too many little problems and issues.
I have been taking my afternoon naps and sitting out there to read and relax. I find it a comfortable space in which to relax.
We took it for a drive today to check out the areas near us where the wildfire erupted last June. We were away and missed most of the problems associated with the fire and were saddened to see the devastation to the forests.
Tomorrow I clean - and I do mean clean. Got to get the travel dust out of the corners.
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/19/19 07:07pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Friends from the "OOP'S" thread.
Wow, looks like you all had a very busy summer, and that you are all getting ready for fall. Are many of you headed to warmer climates for winter?
The tourists are mostly gone and Alaska is mostly about community now.. We love having tourists, but we love having our towns mostly to ourselves for a while. The pot luck dinners and community activities keep us busy and in touch with each other. Camping goes on till the ice hits, and then some of the braver of us wander out to camp while enjoying winter activities.
The weather has been mild, 40s in the day, high 20s to low 30s at night. We had one now that accumulated enough so that we could see it on the trees and ground. The moose were in the back yard grazing during the snow and we had a great time watching them.
We just returned from a cross country trip from Alaska to NY, NH, CT and back. The scenery was lovely, we managed to see quite a bit of wildlife both ways. Unfortunately we were trying to make time and were towing a utility trailer so we didn't get to do the tourist thing much until we got to NY.
While in NY we had a major problem with our Galleria - due to an unasked for oil change that was done incorrectly. We were fortunate that it didn't happen on the way down in some of the more remote places that we traveled. It did happen on a 93 degree with a 90% humidity on a very busy highway in upstate NY just before closing on a Friday afternoon.
Fortunately Good Sam got us a tow, our son raced to a rental agency 45 miles to from where we broke down. While I waited (2 hours), I was able to rung the generator and air conditioning, and enjoyed watching traffic and some good classical music on the public radio station in the area.
We had excellent service from the Sprinter sercice department at the Mercedes dealer and were back at touring and visiting in a week.
The trip back was spectacular with the foliage through Canada and Alaska. We were quite comfortable in our van. Camped at CG twice, mostly to shower and launder our too well worn clothing.
What kind of trips did you all do? I am trying to catch up on posts. Haven't been on here for a while. Forgot my password. Duh.
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/19/19 07:01pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Night stops with RV
If you have an issue with no grass, you've not likely stayed in too many parks in the southwest. I've stayed in lots of parks with little to no grass.
You won't see much grass in campgrounds in Alaska either. Grass is kind of hard to maintain. The season is short, the campgrounds crowded. Land is expensive and hard to maintain all year. There are the exceptions however.
As far as hookups are concerned, outdoor plumbing for water and sewage is frozen until late May or early June in some areas. Ther are public dump stations in most towns if you can find them that will open late spring.
Having hosted at campgrounds, I heard complaints about the conditions from out of state campers quite often. However when I visited some of those states, public campgrounds (parks, etc) were just as primitive - and actually cost a lot more. We could often just look at the licence plate and figure who the complainers would be.
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fullmoonoversalem
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10/19/19 06:38pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Friends from the "OOP'S" thread.
Gorgeous day - mostly - yesterday. Out and about with our B. Unfortunately we found out that our generator will not start. I made appointment to have it looked at and serviced. Now off to Anchorage next week. Yes, we will be camping.
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fullmoonoversalem
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03/30/19 06:21am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Accessible Camgrounds and Trails
I apologize for the repeated bad behavior of one member in this thread. I've deleted his troll posts and he gave me a vague assurance that he won't return.
I hope your idea works and people contribute their experiences here.
Maybe you could start it off with some examples of your own?
I appreciate your efforts. I did not see the posts. Thanks.
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fullmoonoversalem
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03/29/19 08:26pm |
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
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