Seven months a Full-Timer ... The Big Picture

[ghaynes755]

Why would your brakes be pulsing on the trailer in 3rd gear downhill if you don't touch the brakes on the truck? Is that a feature of you brake controller or the truck?

[westcoastas]

ghaynes: I guess I could have put it in 2nd gear but I was trying to stay at 45-50 mph and so still had to tap the brakes. I'm thinking the brakes were pulsing to keep the brake temperature down, at least that's what I was thinking. Maybe someone else could let me know. Once I got to flat terrain the braking was normal.

[westcoastas]

Thanks Al for your comments and sage advice - I'll try to remember that when I get my next flat or water ends up on the floor. But you're right - the positives far outweigh the negatives and even if it goes south in the end, we'll always appreciate the opportunity to chase our dream.

I hope to show my wife your BC some day, perhaps next year. You really don't have to travel far from your front door to experience beauty.

Jeff

[Tincampers]

Originally Posted by westcoastas

Oh la vache, mrprez! A Mad Hatter fan! After living and dying with Coach Miles, life on the road should be a cinch!

Yes, I am prepared to endure most anything after putting up with him all these years. Can't argue with his success, but geez...take out the underperforming QB and try someone new!

[BigButtUgly]

westcoastas: I sent you a private message and think you might enjoy. "How I set up my Caravanner." I think I've planned for most, if not all, of what you learned in 7 months. Have yet to hit the road. See if you find something I've forgotten. Thanks

[shineybullet]

Great post excellent photos also

[phowe46]

Great post. Thanks for inspiration. We pick up our first AS in a couple of weeks. Sold the house, shedding stuff. Waiting for our new tow vehicle as well. Will be on the road FT by August. This forum is full of great info and lots of wise comments. You all will be coming along on our ride!

[westcoastas]

phowe46: Congrats on your upcoming jump. I don't know how long you've been planning on this but if it's not too long, you're right about this forum - you can find just about any question and the accompanying answers and experiences here on the forum. I really do think this forum offers new owners a fast track to becoming full-timers. I look forward to reading your experiences - it's a learning curve for all of us.

And you gotta learn to control that constant silly grin on your face.

[roundrobin]

Something happened to us while full timing that only a few (and that is a good thing) will experience. We lost our brakes on our 14,000lbs 5th wheel in one of the steepest hills in British Columbia (Manning Park mines area. Some of you will know the spot) The front brakes on the truck (F350 Diesel) were smoking. So we let go and we took the runaway lane at the bottom! That worked perfectly. Cars behind us stopped and drove me to the top of the hill where I called BCAA on the cel phone. The tow truck was there within an hour and towed our rig to a camp site at Hope BC (Wild Rose camp ground). The next day a trailer repairman came and found the ground wire had come off on the electric brakes. Fixed it, and we were ready to go again. This is the kind of stuff that can happen! We took it all in stride and fell in love with Hope BC and stayed a week....such is full timing...... al
PS 1: We have a picture of our truck reflecting in the rear window of our 5th wheel while we followed behind, on the way to Hope. So we sent that to all our friends with a quote "that is our truck and that is our trailer. What is wrong with this picture?" :-)
PS 2: I dropped my 5th wheel on the back of my truck in Ottawa. Box buckled and kept the trailer from rolling back. Forgot the chocks! $7000 worth of damage. Insurance covered it.
PS 3: Cornered my rear window with my 5th wheel on Ile D'Orleans Quebec. Blew the window out. $700. Insurance covered it.

This is a true story. I swear!. An old man (about 90 years old) towing an Airstream saw all the damages to my truck in Hearst Ontario (broken glass, buckled box, punched out tail gate etc...). I explained to him all my accidents. A young man, standing by, started laughing. The old man asked him if any of this had ever happened to him. He replied "NO" The old man told him "You haven't RV'd long enough. So just wait" This is a totally true story. Him and his wife knew WB and that is when I decided I would own an Airstream someday (and I do). This was in 2007 and I can still see the old man and his 90 year old sweetheart walking and holding hands around the camp site....... That is what RV'ing and full timing means to me.........al

[MaineStreamer]

Do you use only one Honda generator or two linked together, as often recommended?

[larryglarson]

Thank You so much for your efforts to educate us all. I understand and believe in what you say. For me the best was your pictures of your part of the country. We would have been there long ago, except for health problems, we seem to have them whipped so we will be in your country soon. If you have not been there yet a Appalachian mtn. from northern W. Virginia to south of Atlanta are very nice.

[Makaira]

what a wonderful write up .... so thoughtful. We are into month 8 of full timing. Must have just missed you at Snow's Canyon. Am interested in your comment about using Utah as "residence" for insurance. Do you have the vehicles plated there as well ... and Utah driver's license?

[Photobum]

Green Lake - Alluminator