RE: Yuma - propane vs electric heat
With the relative warm winter weather in Yuma, the cost of providing supplemental heat is almost a non-issue....With the average winter month temperatures in the mid 50's, and high's in the 70's, combined with an average 75% sunshine, I spend more on propane for the BBQ.
Data gathered from this site
Regards
Gemstone
RE: Is a GMC 3500 enough for a 18,500# Teton
I'd like to correct/expand on the following information provided earlier in the thread.
Hi,
I just fear that the transmission is really not up to towing this trailer around for hundreds of miles. Yes it is heavy duty enough (barely) and will work fine. But will it work well? Not really.
There is a couple of people on this forum that are driving used Volvo class 8 trucks that have had the center rear axle removed, making them into a class 7, but registered as a class 5, with a maximum 25,000 GVWR, and it still retains it's 40,000 pound (and more) GCVWR, so it can still tow 22,000 pounds with ease. (Actually there are more than a couple of us, even more on the Escapees site, and we drive more than just Volvo's....there are Pete's, KW's, Internationals, and Freightliners. Some are still registered as class 8's typically with two drive axles, some like mine have been singled, and are registered as a class 7, no need to drop down to a class 5)
The engine are 400+ HP, with over 1,200 foot pounds of torque, and a transmission built for more than that. Some have a autostick transmission, without a clutch pedal, it is a manual transmission with a computer pushing in and releasing the clutch for you, as well as figuring out the best gear to be in for a given speed, and if the Jake Brake is on or not.
Selling the third rear axle brings in a few hundred dollars, as well as selling those extra 4 tires. So the $34,000 - $45,000 purchase cost (plenty of trucks available for $20K or less) is offset by selling some of the spare parts. And the frame is shortened a few inches too (certainly an option, but far from necessary). A air ride hitch for RV capacity is installed, with a 25,000 pound maximum capacity (taken from the Trailer Saver web site: Our standard configuration is for trailers up to 5,000 pounds of pin weight and up to 32,000 pounds of trailer weight. We offer a third air bag kit which takes us up to 7,500 pounds of pin weight.), so you can tow just about anything without fear.
The trucks are much taller than the GM that you are looking at, but the better turning radius is because the tires can turn so sharply. The truck is just as wide as the GM dually, and wheelbase is about the same (after removing the third axle and shorten the frame). Most over the road Volvo's also have a large bunk, and queen bed. They are also surprisingly efficient. Averaging about 7-8 MPG (my KW gets around 10 mpg) when empty or towing a light load such as that trailer.
Good Luck,
Fred.
Regards
Gemstone
RE: Dentists in Mexico
Here is a link to Los Algodones. Poke around on the site, you will find Dentists listed, their services, and how to contact them for an appointment.
It's a long drive from Tempe to LA, do you intend to stay in the Yuma area while being treated?
Regards
Gemstone
RE: Best (warmest?) snowbird spot in southern Arizona?
While this may be your opinion of the best weather in AZ, it doesn't do much for a lot of folks wanting to escape waking up to this.
Thanks, but I much prefer the warmer winter climate of Yuma. IMO, Benson is much better visited during the monsoon season, when sunsets can be spectacular.
Regards
Gemstone
RE: Best (warmest?) snowbird spot in southern Arizona?
Use this site.
In the dead of winter, I've seen it as cold as 36 degrees in the early AM in Yuma, but that usually increases to at least the high 60's by late morning. Winter winds in Yuma are calm compared to other Colorado River basin towns. There are lots of things to do in and around Yuma, Hiking, biking, boating, fishing, the community offers many programs for the winter visitor...you just have to do a little research.
Read about Yuma or any other city/town of your choice here.
Regards
Gemstone
RE: HELP! AT&T Cellular kicking us out!
AT&T (and Cingular before them) does this when you exceed the details in the fine print in their contract. That is, when you routinely over the course of 4-6 months, make more than a given percentage of calls outside of your home area, and specifically when you rack up lots of minutes in a location where they don't have their own service and rely on a "partner" to provide service. In the latter case, you may have a "no roaming charge contract", but when your calls are going over a "partner's" system, AT&T is paying full roaming charges to the partner, while not being able to pass that cost on to you. This gets rather expensive for AT&T. I believe all carriers contracts contain this language, but AT&T is famous for invoking the clause.
Percentage wise, more RV'ers are happy with and use Verizon, where no one has come forward to say they have been treated like the AT&T example.
Regards
Gemstone
RE: Travel Nursing
We've been travel nursing for going on 4 years now, no regrets, love the lifestyle. Currently using VA Travel Corp, strictly VA assignments. Don't hesitate to contact any hospital HR department directly, bypassing the agencies, to see if they have "seasonal" positions....this has worked for my wife. With the return of the snowbirds, I would think the Texas RGV would have many seasonal positions open. For a traveler, the monthly publication: Healthcare Traveler is a good one to subscribe to, many agency advertisements.
As for insurance, we buy our own policy.
Good luck
Gemstone
RE: Help...We're confused
If you limit your travels to mild climates, I could see getting away with single pane windows....that said, I wouldn't want to do without my dual pane windows.
Regards
Gemstone
RE: How closed is CLOSED
From the looks of it, you have a Class C...I'm guessing you have access to your on board "rest area", so I'll assume you are looking for places to pull off of the road for a nap. Along the I-8 and 1-10 East/West route, there are numerous places one can pull off of the road for a nap....some are open rest areas with no facilities, some are small towns, some are retail establishments with over sized parking areas.
Just traveled from Yuma to Dallas, and found plenty of places to "rest".
Mile marker 54 on I-8, east of Yuma was open, no facilities, Exit 302, "Gas City" on I-10 east of Tuscon has plenty of parking.
Regards
Gemstone
RE: "What can I tow" question you probably have never seen.
You might try web sites frequented by motorheads....or racers. Try Hemmings forum yet ? IMO, 3.00 gears on a 289 will be very limiting....maybe a Pop-up ?
Regards
Gemstone
RE: NE Arizona or New Mexico Suggestions?
I'm thinking the temperatures in NE AZ won't be too much different than winter CO temps. You might try this web site, plug in your desired variables and see what pops up.
Regards
Gemstone
RE: Yuma and Foothills question......
Ken...if that is your intent, you'll have lots of opportunities to ride your bike....however much will depend on where you will end up staying. There are many older established RV parks located within the city limits...these would offer the best location for shopping via bicycle. There are tons of parks in the Foothills area and along either the I-8 corridor or 32nd Street....these would offer lots of neighborhood riding, but offer little in the way of being able to ride to shopping, while staying off of busy area streets.
For a first timer in Yuma, the choices of places to stay can seem overwhelming...I suggest that you start your research soon, google RV Parks, Yuma, AZ or just Yuma, AZ ask questions here and choose a park that seems to fit your criteria. Then use your time in Yuma to explore the Yuma area to find exactly what best suits your needs.
Yuma is much more than desert, there are over 100K acres devoted to agricultural production in the county. There are opportunities to hike, bike, fish, boat...or just loaf in the perinnial sun...there are lots of senior activities offered by the community as well.
The attached map will give you an idea of how Yuma is laid out: Yuma. As you move east, along I-8, you'll come to the area referred to as the Foothills.
Come on down
Regards
Gemstone
RE: Yuma and Foothills question......
"just slimeyour tires first as those "prickly spines" are disastrous to bike tires."
My first day out with a bike, and I had two flats....Yes, slime can work, but flats can still occur. Another option is to remove the inner tubes and have them replaced with a foam rubber tube. The material is similar to that used in drink can coolers, and is a lifetime fix. Cost me $20 a tire at a bike shop....after years of use, the tire will eventually wear completely through and the foam will still be functional.
Regards
Gemstone
RE: kitchen sink
Depends on your counter situation as well...is it Corian, Granite, or Formica....? How much room underneath ? Supply plumbing come through the sink or through the counter top ?
I've seen RV sized SS sinks at Lowes/Home Depot, and with a Formica counter, installation would be far less complicated that the other materials.
Another place to search would be online RV Salvage web sites.
Regards
Gemstone
RE: How to carry extra diesel
"Maybe start searching craigs list for the aux tank of your dreams."
Found my used 50 gal tank, with electric pump on craigslist for $100, by the time I had it repainted, plumbed and strapped down, I might have $200 invested....including the motorcycle battery I use to supply power to the pump.
Regards
Gemstone
RE: Pulling Heavy 5W Without Duallys
I own and pulled an ES TK3 with an '05 Dodge 3500 SRW, pulled great, no issues other than stopping. After just one white knuckle situation I retired the Dodge in favor of a truck with larger brakes.
IMO, dual rear wheels will only buy you some additional stability, and you will still be using a truck that is exceeding it's rated capacity. I think you'll find that when loaded, your rig will be somewhere around 19K pounds, a tad much for any LDT.
Regards
Gemstone
