RE: Full-Timers ????
Good heavens, by the time I'm done fishing, kayaking, hiking, exploring, jogging, reading, blogging, dining with new friends in the park, I'm so beat that I don't do the rv maintenance, cleaning, dishes, etc, that I did in a sticks/bricks. Gad, I live in a mess!
This Millennium's 4 Down & Under 2500 lbs
Simply: Is there a 2000 or better year vehicle that can be towed with all 4 wheels down and weighs under 2500 lbs (the less, the better)?
Oh, and I'll be putting a scooter on its hitch and a kayak on it's roof (ie: I think the smart4two is out). Also, new is out...I don't like that sort of bite to my wallet.
Before I decide if I want to get a clunker or go for something fun or luxurious, I'd like to know if what I have in mind exists at all.
Toad to Increase CCC? Or Can Loaded RV Safely Tow Its Max?
I live full time in a '06 Winnebago View 23J, and I recently found out that I'm overweight by about 1800 lbs. (Views are notorious for their very low CCC.) I'm doing what I can (traveling with empty tanks means 500 lbs less weight, for instance, and I'm slowly selling some items), but there really is no way I can divest myself of 1000 lbs +, so I've been rethinking my refusal to tow a vehicle. FYI: my View can tow 3500 lbs.
I'm wondering; if I do get a toad (hopefully under 2500 lbs, and hopefully a 4-down toad --- yes, yes, patience grasshoppers...I'm still learning - I do already suspect I'm dreaming...no need to get huffy!), and I put my off-road scooter on it's hitch and my kayak on the roof (thereby divesting my View of another ~300 lbs), and I put some of my stuff in the trunk of the vehicle, I could reduce my RVs weight considerably.
But am I thinking about the numbers wrong? Or am I gleefully correct: that an RV, filled to it's capacity (but not over), can still safely tow what the manufacturer says it can tow??
I guess that's really the simple question right there, but thought you'd like some background for comprehension purposes.
PS: Yes, I've posted this to the Yahoo V/N group as well. So you can think of this as a competition if you like. lol.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Hmm....thread wouldn't let me post for a while.
Anywho...just FTR, if I encounter a bear, it can, indeed, have my fish. And my gear. And anything else it wants.
I had been leaning towards both the shotgun and the spray, but because I don't trust myself to think quickly enough in choosing between the two (as a previous poster noted), and because I like the idea of a boat horn, I think I will choose it and the spray, since I won't have to choose between either and can use both at once.
Thank you all. Once again.
Oh, and I don't have a dog. I know they're a tricky business in bear country.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Wow.
See now, this is often my problem here (and elsewhere)...I want to hear all sides, and when I do, I'm more confused than when I began!!
:h
I just don't know. Shotgun and spray?? Handgun and spray?? Spray alone (might save my toes/shoulder/etc!), shotgun alone, handgun alone?
Bells on my toes?? lol Although regarding that, I should say that I do tend to forget to whistle/sing/etc when hiking....bells may be for tourists, and I do worry about what wildlife I'd miss because of them, but just maybe I should....
'Course, then I wonder...why go to Alaska then? 'Cuz I am all about the wilderness.
Oh heck! You peeps got me reeling!! Wish I'd never asked!
lol...kidding.
Still thinking. Honestly dunno.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Hmm...the more I search, the more the research adds up in favor of spray (at least for a novice to both guns and spray). Here's a study showing 92% success rate for spray (with no fatalities), vs. 67% success rate for guns (no mention of fatalities). And it addresses misconceptions as well (such as the wind issue).
Now I just have to wrap my mind around the idea. I haven't made up my mind, but I will say that it's a hard concept to swallow - a spray (an item we're all familiar with in every day life) being more effective -?? maybe??- than a weapon we're all familiar with as a dead-stopper.)
It is challenging my perceptions.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Hey ...here's some more good info, garnered via following Ron's lead:
http://www.absc.usgs.gov/research/brownbears/pepperspray/pepperspray.htm
In the above, the author suggests having 2 deterrents, in case you use you spray can on one encounter, since you may encounter another. He balances his ideas by suggesting either packing 2 spray cans (he doesn't advise using a 3/4 full one), or other items...including a firearm. Feels unbiased to me.
But I should note that an earlier posters comment about calm during an attack seems neither here nor there regarding gun vs spray: since it seems one must spray from the ground up to stop a bear. Seems to me that rational thought at that point in necessary for both deterrents. Although it must be admitted that spraying requires less accuracy. Which does seem important when one is being charged. (Not to mention that either way, it seems NOT running is the biggest issue regarding a bear attack. Frankly, gun or spray...I'm not sure I wouldn't run...although I can say that in the past I haven't run...but I wasn't being charged either.)
This has been enlightening, I have to say.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Hey ron....that's good stuff. I'm going to do more research regarding guns vs. spray.
Thanks.
Jim...thanks too for that input. I will look into it all. And just FTR, I will take classes before I purchase...if I purchase at all.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Hey Mandalay....I'm a researcher at heart...can't wait. And since I can have it shipped from the lower 48 to Alaska without having to bother with Canada, I'm checking it out now.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Hey BD....you make good sense and have obvious experience with both guns and spray and bears.
You've got me thinking. I've seen videos....but your post brings them to mind more vividly.
I'm thinking about it.
Crown....I'm so inexperienced, that I don't know what you're talking about. I have much research ahead of me for this year.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Ric....I tried that....didn't trust the sites that came up.
I think FX and 82 are on target with the S&Ws wilderness protection guns.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Ron...that's cool information.....can you direct me to it's source? I'd like to look at it because I'll be there for probably 4 months. And I have found that sources often can be unreliable in regards to long term information.
Dave....I will be alone. Even if I have a travel partner, the person will not venture as far as I will into the wilderness, and I can't see a trip to Alaska without seeing it's off-the-beaten trail wilderness.
Bottom line: I will be alone. I'd rather not, but I don't know anyone, I mean anyone, who is willing to go as far as I am....and I know I won't be back to Alaska. This is it. And I want to be as safe as I can be.
And I am one of those people who is good in an emergency. Had a lot of them... I'm familiar with panic. I'm confident I can do this...but handgun weight is an issue.
So, is there such a thing as a less hefty weight handgun?
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Exactly crown....I really, really don't want one....and less than a year ago, I would never have thought of having one. And I'd rather never need one....I hope it's a total waste of money and training time.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Oh for crying out loud. I have NO INTENTION of shooting a bear.
I can see this post was a major mistake. Jeeze. Took minutes.
Someone tell me where I can go to discuss this without the building criticism.
And those of you who use the word "we", should consider being in the outback alone.
Yeesh.
Edit: FX...the 629 weighs 53 lbs empty! I don't think I'll be hefting that.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Jim....yes...I'll be in remote areas (see above post) ....I've already had black bear encounters...but they don't consider me part of the food chain. Grizzlies do. As a solo person, I could easily be fishing in a stream and find myself between a momma and her cubs.
I'd rather not have such an experience. Believe me. But I'd rather live through it if I do.
Now please folks, let's stick to the topic: a handgun that will stop a grizzly.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
T&K...I will be everywhere in Alaska, including remote hiking trails and fishing creeks/streams.
I will stay in the lower 48...until I go to Alaska.
RE: Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
Jar head.....I've got some serious pepper spray on the way...not comfortable enough with just it.
FX...thanks...will check it out
Crown & fx....information I've received tells me that a gun shop (like Cabellas, even), will ship from US to Alaska for me.
Now, off to check out S&W 629...if a newbie can shoot such a thing without winding up hitting a cloud and me hitting the ground and the bear hitting me!
Okay....I'm Just Asking: Bear Gun
I don't, DO NOT want opinions about gun ownership, etc Let's keep this on topic:
I'm going to Alaska alone, and I want to have a handgun (re: easy to carry), that will stop a grizzly attack.
Period.
Please give me your advice about handguns, keeping in mind I have never held a gun. Moreover, if you have knowledge about sites that will inform me about such a handgun, please direct me to it. I've tried an internet search, but have reached less-than-reliable information (ie: personal opinions of seemingly non-qualified persons).
I don't want to walk around with a rifle.
And yes, I will take courses (I suppose that's where I may learn the most??) on using a handgun.
Also, I know that some travel full-time with concealed handguns that follow the law of one state, but not another. What can I do (if anything) to cover myself legally in many western states?
Moderator: if this belongs elsewhere, do please let me know....and if it's not allowed at rv.net at all...well, I sure would appreciate be directed to a reliable site.
