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Forum
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RE: People setting up in your campsite
I always thought that in a park whether it's a state park or private the sites are designated and they are told to camp or park in a certain site.
This isn't the case in a lot of public parks. Most of the time you will be allowed to drive through and pick your own site. Sometimes the ranger will ask you to leave something as a marker until you're checked in and have your site tag. We've even been to some private campground where we were allowed to pick our own site.
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tonyandkaren
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11/26/09 01:25pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: People setting up in your campsite
We usually don't leave anything at our site. Most of the time we're in public parks and they use the tag on the post system. Occasionally , if a tag isn't used we'll make an occupied sign. However one time at Grand Teton National Park , we came back from sightseeing and a family had set their popup on our site and were in the middle of eating dinner. Our tag was still on the post and when we questioned them about it , they said that they thought we had left. I guess they figured that they had scored a free site for the night. We found an empty site to hang out in and gave them the time that they needed to finish eating and pack up. It took them about an hour and they were not happy about having to move. I'm still astonished by their attitude!
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tonyandkaren
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11/26/09 11:33am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Personal RV Travel blogs
I use both Blogger and Live Spaces. http://windowslive.com/Online/spaces
I like Live Spaces because it allows you to sent up a large slide show of your photographs with short captions. It's good for some of our family members with poor eyesight.
Blogger is more popular and I think a little easier to use. I use Live Writer with both blogs. It makes adding photographs in any size and location on the blog very easy.
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tonyandkaren
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11/24/09 11:03am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Considering full-timing with 6 kids... are we nuts?
Sounds like a great idea to me but it'll be a lot of work figuring out exactly how to fit everyone and everything into a motorhome! Sometimes people on this forum are not very receptive to homeschooling and fulltiming with kids. Not really sure why but if you haven't found this forum yet check it out - http://www.familiesontheroad.com/
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tonyandkaren
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11/21/09 09:53pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Newbie wants to learn about wi-fi
thanks all,
There's a thread called " WiFi ENABLED CAMPGROUNDS & REST AREAS UPDATED 06/25/09 " in the RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More forum that lists the campgrounds with Wi-Fi. That's where I read that they have wi-fi at the campgrounds we are going (Doheny, Leo Carrillo, Campland on the bay). For state parks it says:
"It has been reported California has installed WiFi in the following State Parks. AT& T is the service provider. $ 19.95 / MO"
The part about 19.95$ had me wondering whether or not you had to pay to use it.
You say McDonalds have free wi-fi?
I guess there must be a web site where free wi-fi spots are listed?
Thanks again.
That's very cool that the parks are offering WiFi but it really isn't clear whether you'll have to pay for it or not.
As far as free WiFi here's a good site - http://www.wififreespot.com/
Our favorite free WiFi spot is Panera Bread. We can usually get it from the parking lot. We like their bread so we always buy some.
Safeway grocery stores sometimes have free WiFi. McDonalds is not usually free but you can buy 2 hours for 3 dollars. This won't work for you , but people who have AT&T DSL in the houses can get free WiFi at McDonalds , Starbucks , Barnes and Nobles and many other places. This also works with AT&T aircards.
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tonyandkaren
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11/19/09 01:42pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: One last time.....
Yes ,go! Three year old kids are so much fun so enjoy the time with her whenever you have a chance.
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tonyandkaren
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11/19/09 12:48am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Newbie wants to learn about wi-fi
Try it out at your house and if it doesn't work some one here can walk you through it. If you see a little lock or some thing that say security enabled or pass word required , you won't be able to get on the network. Most people lock their house networks but if you do manage to get on then you'll know how to do it on the road.
Do California state parks have WiFi? I doubt that Joshua Tree will have it. You may have to wait until you're in a town and then pick it up at a book store , coffee shop or McDonalds.
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tonyandkaren
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11/18/09 09:58pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: build my own
Hi Gary - I think that you'd want to start with a cab and chassis and even then the frame would have to be extended. Mounting a class C would not work because of the way that they're constructed. It would be almost impossible to separate a class C from it's existing cab and chassis. I have seen pickups mounted permanently on cab and chassis so I think that a trailer might work.
Have you considered having someone build just a box for you and then finishing it yourself? I read your blog occasionally and you seem like a pretty handy guy so that might be a good option.
Here are a couple of links - http://kenryan.com/truck/page1.htm
http://www.hackneys.com/mitsu/
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tonyandkaren
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11/18/09 05:50pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Full Time
A little more information needed - Will you be retired or still working?
Do you have good health insurance now?
Some companies require returning to the
home state after 6 months which should
work well with your plans.
You'll have to get fulltimers insurance for your RV. We have Foremost and are happy with it. Most people seem to like the other companies too.
We have an air card for internet - AT&T - $60.00 + taxes a month. Check the different carriers to find the ones that is best for the areas where you'll be spending the most time. If you be staying put for months at a time you can skip the air card and just stay at a campground with WiFi.
It is a little scary to change your life like this but remember it doesn't have to be permanent. If you don't like it you can always rent or buy again.
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tonyandkaren
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11/18/09 12:47pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Ever Been Asked to Leave?
Yes, three times but this is over 14 years of fulltiming with many nights of boondocking and dry camping.
One Walmart lot , not a super center and there may have been a sign (don't remember ). The police knocked on our door about 10:30 at night and told us that sleeping in an RV in a parking lot was against city ordinances.
One mall lot where we stopped to shop , not for overnight. A over zealous mall guard called the police because we were not parked correctly ( in the far end of a very empty lot but taking up three spaces ). The police officer was waiting for us when we came out of the mall and explained the situation which we thought was rather silly but since we were done shopping , we just left.
Once on the street in front of our daughter's house. Not really a police visit but a notice on our windshield , explaining the street parking regulations which included a time limit and width limit for that street. We moved around the corner to a street with less strict regulations.
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tonyandkaren
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11/18/09 10:22am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: New Forum Members, a little about our classic MW
Welcome - you're going to have fun!
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tonyandkaren
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11/15/09 08:31pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Trip out West and back...
Doug H - thanks for the link. As many times as I've looked at the National Parks site , I've never noticed the travel itineraries section.
Very good for planning - clicky
Taxtown - Sounds like a great trip! 60 days will allow you to take a relaxed journey. I'd recommend going slow and seeing everything along the way , then hopping on the interstates to zip back home if you run out of time. If possible get off of I-81 on the way south and drive along part of the road in Shenandoah National Park or along the Blue Ridge Parkway , and farther down stop and visit Great Smoky mountains National Park.
Are you planning on getting to New Orleans for Mardi Gras? If not at least visit the Mardi Gras museum. http://www.mardigrasworld.com/ You can stay as long as you like to wander through the warehouses after you pay for the guided tour. We've never wanted to braved the New Orleans crowds and have gone to the Mardi Gras parades in Mobile , Alabama - not as wild as New Orleans but still a lot of fun.
It would make more sense to go back to Pa. along Route 66 since you'll be so far south. From New Orleans head west and see all of the national parks along the southern edges of the southwestern states , then when you get to Arizona you can pick up route 66 and head east again. Arizona has some great sections of road , New Mexico has many old motels (nice neon) and Oklahoma is full of old 66 sights. I second the recommendation of Jamie Jansen's book - Road Trip USA.
Where to go and what to see for the rest of your trip will depend upon your interests. Any national park or historic sight is a must stop. We also like to visit big cities especially the state capitals because most of them have great history museums.
Have a great trip!
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tonyandkaren
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11/15/09 12:15pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: rookie fulltimer 2 months in
Welcome to the forum! That's an interesting way of making a living. I've always wondered if was possible.
As far as boondocking, I'm assuming that you have a generator. We have solar panels and 4 batteries but solar isn't very practical if you're only going to be out for a year. Here are a few websites to help find boondocking spots:
http://www.freecampgrounds.com/
http://www.eugenecarsey.com/camp/default.htm
http://freecampsites.net/
You can also boondock just about anywhere on BLM and national forest land. You can ask at the visitor centers for good spots or order some maps online. We usually just find an accessible road and pull off when we get to a large enough clearing.
Fulltiming can be addictive. A year might not be enough time!
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tonyandkaren
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11/12/09 11:58am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Best cupboard door latches?
We have ones called Double Roller Catch with Prong https://www.makariosrv.com/products/Double-Roller-Catch-with-Prong.html
They seem pretty cheap and simple but our cupboard doors never come opened unless we forget to close them completely.
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tonyandkaren
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11/10/09 09:26pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: New Forum? RV Construction and Reconstruction
I'll put in another vote for DIY forum.
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tonyandkaren
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11/10/09 03:36pm |
Forum Technical Support
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RE: FT RVing for seasonal jobs
Some more questions! My parents only travel during the summer, and put their hi-lo trailer up for the winter in our barn. What features would be absolutely essential to have if I live in a trailer full time during the winter? (I'm interested in studying bears!) Also, working in Alaska is a goal of mine. Is there anything important to have in a camper for camping/living in Alaska? Also, would it be safe to leave my dog in a camper in Alaska?
Are travel clubs a good idea, and any suggestions on which one, or couple of ones I should consider?
What about a mailing address? I'll be in the same place for several months, so I would like someplace to get mail.
Thanks so much!
Rachel
For camping in the winter -Enclosed and heated fresh,gray and black tanks and dual pane windows are essential.
For fulltiming - Most of the time federal or state park employees are given a site with electricity ,water and sewer hookups even if the park doesn't have these things available to the other campers but you may end up doing research out in the wild so preparing for that would be a good idea. You'll want large holding tanks , preferably matched closely in size so that dumping and taking on fresh water are done at the same time. For electric power you'll need a generator or solar panels and a battery bank. A generator can run the air conditioning - solar power will not but is great for everything else.
Other things that we consider important are good cross ventilation ,screened windows that open and a Fantastic Fan.
When you looking at trailers , try each one out for livability. How comfortable is the bed , couch , dinette? Is the bathroom large enough? Is there enough storage where you need it? I think that 20' will be plenty large enough as long as you get a floor plan that works for you.
Hold off on the travel club until you're actually living in the trailer and can tell if you need or want one. There are many types of reduced rate campground clubs so you'll have to do some research.
A fulltimer insurance policy should have roadside service so won't need AAA , etc for breakdowns.
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tonyandkaren
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11/10/09 11:32am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: What got fixed, and can you un-fix it?
No problem here- RVNet ,Foxfire,Vista and campground WiFi
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tonyandkaren
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11/10/09 10:42am |
Forum Technical Support
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RE: FT RVing for seasonal jobs
Your parents will be a big help.
If it were me I would look for a 4 seasons trailer with good insulation, Duel pane windows, insulated tanks and a really good weight capacity. The better the insulation, the less utilities will cost.
I also would start by getting a real gross weight on the truck. That will tell you how heavy a trailer you can pull and stay within the Gross Combined Weight Rating.
If you are buying used, pay attention to possible water damage, overall condition of the roof and suspension.
There is a large group of full timers here on the web. Most of them are really helpful. Several groups of single ladies as well.
I think your idea to travel is wonderful. I wish I would have thought of it at your age.
Good Luck.
Very good suggestions from Sailbad. You should be able to get a good price if you buy a used trailer but do check carefully for water damage and make sure all of the appliances work.
Bigfoot is one manufacturer that makes a four season trailer with heated basements and dual pane windows either standard or as an option
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tonyandkaren
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11/09/09 04:41pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: What off-line games for a period of no internet?
You can download free trial games from this site.
http://download-games.pogo.com/?refid=10
I don't think that the games are worth the purchase price but you can play any of them for an hour for free. Once they're downloaded onto your computer it keeps track of your time and cuts you off when the hour is up. No need to be connected to the internet.
This is a safe game site. We have an account to play online but still download free trials sometimes to play when we're out in the boondocks.
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tonyandkaren
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11/09/09 01:09pm |
Technology Corner
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Is this a class C?
Take a look at this homemade camper - http://www.mrsharkey.com/busbarn/kevin/kevin.htm
The rest of MrSharkey's site is interesting too. Good reading for all of us stuck in bad weather!
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tonyandkaren
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11/08/09 06:25pm |
RV Lifestyle
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