RE: Fleetwood battery connections
We too have a 1994 Fleetwood with one 12 chassis battery and two 6 volt house batteries. I can't find anything among all the manuals specifically for the rig that describes how to hook up this combination. However, I do know that the 6 volts must be "wired in series", as opposed to two 12 volt deep cycles being "wired in parallel." "Wired in series" means that one cable goes between the positive post on one battery to the negative post on the other. Then each remaining post has a cable that goes to "load," that is, your battery control panel. This information is from Trailer Life's "RV Repair & Maintenance Manual" by Bob Livingston, an extremely helpful book to have.
Ours then has a ground cable that goes from the negative post on the 6 volt that is closest to the 12 volt chassis battery to the negative post on that chassis battery.
The positive cable on the chassis battery also goes to the "battery control panel."
If that is not helpful, I suggest you post your question on the "Tech Issues" forum on this site. I've gotten lots of help there.
RE: banking ????? for fulltimers
We stayed with CU we had been with before we started fulltiming: savings, checking, debit card, cheap credit card, online banking, auto deposits, auto withdrawals, Wally World for cash; now and then get a paper check we have to mail to them and wait for deposit to show up online; they provide special envelopes.
How to get moho moved, professionally
We are fulltimers, and for medical reasons we need to move from WI to OR. My DH is receiving in home hospice care, so we have to fly. Anybody know about professional (bonded, insured, experienced, etc.) drivers for hire to move our moho for us? With or without toad, two cats and a dog.
RE: when its done and over with???
Although I've only been full-timing since March 07, I haven't owned a s&b since April 01, and I never intend to again. My only child is 35 and is this week moving from WI to OR for an exciting job that is probably only temporary, one or two years. My spouse is dying and I'll probably be alone before the year is out, but if my genes are as good as both my grandmothers, I'll probably be around for another 30-40 years! That's way too long to be making "end of journey" plans. I intend to continue to full-time and travel until I get tired of it, or can't do it, and when that time comes, where my daughter is will probably heavily impact what I do, not so much because I want to live with her, as because I don't want to be more burden than necessary; so I'll settle near her, but it won't be in a s&b! (they are way too much work; taking care of moho is bad enough!)
RE: Escapees website
I got an additional message through folks at the Gypsy Journal Rally that the CARE Center had been evacuated, sending everyone to a nearby hospital. The word we had received before Kirk forwarded this message from Mark was that they had no power, no phones and no gasoline available for generators. It sounds to me like if they accomplish Mark's hopes on Wed or Thur they will be doing great!
RE: Fulltime in a class A motorhome
I do all our driving and set up; DH is ill w/cancer. I feel much more comfortable with MH than I had w/ the TT we had before. The hitch for our toad is more handleable by me alone than the trailer hitch was. I like the added sense of security when we're boondocking of simply being able to turn the key and take off. I like having a built in generator, and lots more basement storage. Also, MH is easier to park than a 5er, for me at least. Our toad is a Honda Civic hybrid so all our running around is at 45 mpg. My DH never gets out of his passenger seat to do anything. We stop when we need to use the facilities or make a snack. Stopping is good for us and our dog; we always take a little stretch; keeps the stiffness out of old joints. Just me personally, would never consider a 5er.
RE: Pretty quiet here...Texas 08/09
Does anyone know if there are better or worse places for singles? Not looking for a partner, just don't want to be "odd one out" all the time.
RE: Retirees - Decision to Retire
Money wasn't the question (and we don't have much: SS & a pension each, period), it was did I want to spend the last few months, maybe a couple of years, of my husband's life (he has terminal cancer) working 50+ hours a week at a very high stress job, or did I want to enjoy some time with him, helping him to do the final things he wanted to do. As to money, we get by, even tho 27% of our income goes to medical expenses. Fulltime RVing does not have to be a high end lifestyle in order to be enjoyable. We have about 3/4 of the income we had before, no taxes, no new clothes, no eating out (he can't do it), no tv (don't miss it at all), actually drive less even tho we've been in 10 states in 18 months. If we think about buying anything, we first have to figure out what we're going to get rid of because there's no spare room. I don't think it's about money; it's about choices and re-examining what really is important to us.
RE: Paying bills.
I would "ditto" everything "Rockhillmanor" has suggested: debit card, automatic deposit of income checks, and talk to your bank about getting your bills paid. I would also suggest that you find a good mail forwarding service, and plan to have things sent to wherever you are every once in awhile. But, if you really want to live this lifestyle, you may have to "just get over it" in regard to your hesitations about some things such as online banking, a debit card, etc. However, there are people who have been living this life for more than 20 years, back when none of those things were available; maybe, they'll have some suggestions for you . . . if any of them are on this forum.
RE: Gas millage for a GM 454 engine ( Miles per Gallon)
We get 6-9 mpg with our '94 Southwind, 33', with a 454, towing a 3500 lb car; never go more than 58 mph. Variation depends on mountains, winds, etc.
RE: Week, Month, Seasonal
Can't offer waterfront, but we're in a "seasonal only" campground in southeastern Wisconsin. There is a fishing pond; no license required; and people actually catch fish in it. There is also a heated pool. It has no sewer connections at sites; a weekly appearance of the "honey wagon" is included in the rent. Yes, we're expected to mow our own grass. Most people have been here for years and have their own mowers; so a neighbor lets me use his. Our site is too tight for the big riding mower the groundskeeper uses, or he would mow it for me.
RE: KOHLER 7000 Gen needs a service - where?
I think 520 hours on a '91 is not a lot of hours. We have a '94 with an Onan 7000 generator in it, and it has 689 hours; I think even that is low. But it depends on how much dry camping you do.
RE: New RV'er, 1st camping trip questions
My '94 Southwind, 34' gasser, is 30 amp. The 30 amp plugs are very distinctive from a 50 amp; I don't think you can make a mistake and plug into the wrong one. I cannot run both ac on 30 amps, shore power or generator. There is usually a on/off circuit switch on the power post in a campsite. I make sure it is "off" until I get the plug in; then switch it "on."
Oh, I just re-read your post: you don't actually say whether your rig is 30 or 50 amp? Do you know which it is? Makes a big difference in what it will do.
Now I know this next thing is a very debatable issue, but we run on refrigerator on lp when driving down the road; some turn it off. I turn it off whenever we are going to pump gasoline.
Have a great time!
RE: DC lights fuse blowing repeatedly
Thanks everyone. With your suggestions I have narrowed it down to the light fixture; don't know yet whether it's the socket or the wiring. Bulbs are the same. Will explore further another day. For now, I have all the other lights working and no bulb in that socket.
DC lights fuse blowing repeatedly
I put this on the Escapees forum; am putting it up here as well.
I could use a little help, guys. My DH is not up to this stuff anymore. It started with a 12 volt light bulb dying. When we replaced it with one from a lesser used light in hallway, the 20 amp fuse blew. I changed the fuse and it just immediately blew again. Next day, in the daylight, I tried it again; and again the new 20 amp fuse blew.
I was looking at the wiring diagram on the cover of the DC fuse box. It indicates that this set of lights: closet, bath & bedroom should be on 3 different fuses; but there are no wires to two of them.
This is a '94 Southwind; we've had it in fulltime use for 15 months; had no trouble like this before.
Any suggestions? I'm very electrically challenged.
RE: Eeeekkkkkkk!!!! (The problem with indoor/outdoor cats)
My two indoor cats have been very helpful in a number of campgrounds over the past 15 months that we have been fulltiming: about 3 different places we got mice in the motorhome, always at night. As you can imagine they didn't last long. Fortunately, the cats had no interest in them for food and just left them on the floor for us after they killed them, playing with them, I suspect. I know where they get in: around the gas pedal, not exactly a place I can use that spray foam stuff that hardens like a rock. So we'll keep the kitties.
RE: If you lost your mate would you....
Reading this has been very helpful, including the humor. My DH & I will celebrate 25 years in September. No summer ever went by that we didn't go camping: tent, popup, hybrid TT (we fulltimed in that for 10 months). In '05 I traded truck for a Honda Civic hybrid and sold TT because DH was diagnosed with terminal cancer (treatment possible, but no cure). As soon as I was able to retire, 2/07, we bought a MH because I was sure I could handle it alone. We set out on a fulltiming journey that took us to 10 states, visiting all 7 children and DH's two brothers, enjoying the Rockies, the Winds, the ocean and the desert. In all likelihood I will be in it alone before this year is out.
As a pastor, I have always advised grieving widows/widowers to not make changes in their lives for a couple of years; it takes that long for the mind-numbing part of grief to pass, a time when one is more apt to make decisions that one later regrets. So I intend to take my own best advice. I will continue fulltiming for at least a couple of years, connecting with LOWs, WIN, SKP Solos, as well as SKP Class of 2007. I believe, from observing many senior women over the years, that feeling like a 5th wheel with couples is our own problem, not an issue for the vast majority of couples. Therefore, I will work at fixing my own attitude issues. Beyond that couple of years, I'm making no plans.
As to another spouse, . . . I'm well aware of the advisability of "never say never." But I doubt that I will be interested in another mate. My DH and I have been very good for each other, eventually, after much work on each of our baggage. I have other things I want to do more than I want to do that work all over again.
Thanks for this thread.
RE: Year One---Bad Weather--Now What?
Roanna, I would ditto BarbaraOK; there are lots of places where the weather is much better than Amarillo in the winter! Rio Grande Valley would be one; even Tucson, Az, is warmer than Amarillo; and Yuma is even better yet. If you aren't an Escapee, (www.escapees.com) I suggest you join. There are great Escapee's parks in southern Texas, New Mexico and Arizona where you would be welcomed, and helped to learn about the outside stuff with your 5er.
