|
12-15-2010, 07:13 AM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
1990 34' Excella
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 84
|
Living in 34' AS Fulltime - Living My Parent's Dream....
My name is Jan - my husband is Ken. We just started living fulltime in our Airstream. We are both longtime RVers......I have been indoctrinated since the early 60s (my parents started in an 18' Caravel and eventually graduated to a 31'); my parents inheritance to us was their last 31'; that was totaled by a drunk driver - now we have the 34' Excella that we are living in.
I've always wanted to live in the Airstream - and, economy being as it is, finally convinced my husband that one location and upkeep was more than enough (we own a business in Springfield, MO.) - so - we are shedding the 'stick and brick' house and are living in the AS at our business.
It's been six interesting weeks. We've had some really interesting weather (cold) and have been making various adjustments - but they're all good. Our family includes a variety of four footed 'kiddzz' too - and they're quite happy. We have done a lot of cold weather camping - but fulltiming is different. The weather has given us a run for our money -
- Our electric at our new location is woefully inadequate.......next on the agenda is running full service (30 amp) to our site - for two RVs - and that's not an inexpensive proposition. At present we are making do for a week or two until that endeavor is complete. We heat with propane and supplement with electric oil heat. We're using a lot of propane right now - but - because the water heater element stresses the inadequate grid - almost everything is propane. Today comes the 100# bottle; and four 40s; we try to stay on top of the propane situation. I meter the electric - oil heaters are used on low.
- I'm doing some creative insulating - from the inside. Our coach has the rear twins. I removed the spline from the windows and put in foam insulation.......remarkable difference. Next, I'm removing the beds and platforms and insulating underneath from the top. I'm running pressed foam insulation up the walls to underneath the windows and covering it with a yet to be discovered material.....and new seal on the door - and replacing the screen on the screen door with plexiglass.
- The cabinet under the fridge =) - super wine cellar this time of year!!
- As for the pups - Each has his/her own crate. I lowered the dinette, covered it, and installed their crates in that area. They now have a clear observation point, love their crates, and are manageable in close quarters. What they do most is run, sleep, and eat. They now have a HUGE yard to run, can truly be watchdogs, and prefer sleeping in their own 'beds' so that problem is solved.
So far, it's been quite interesting - but I was prepared for that. I like my husband not having to drive to work (just walks across the fenced parking lot). I like my new surroundings - and I LOVE less housework. He likes the reduction in bills. Feels like home to me.
Oh yes, Mom and Dad's first AS was when I was around 8 - so I kind of grew up with these things. We traveled all over the country together - so did my kids. My husband is a 'motorhome convert'.......we can't all start out the right way.......
Jan Karnis
|
|
|
12-15-2010, 07:21 AM
|
#2
|
4 Rivet Member
2007 27' Safari FB SE
Full Timers just passing through
, Arizona for a couple of weeks and then on to Utah!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 325
|
Congratulations Jan. It sounds like you have it under control. Let us know how you make out with moisture too. We live in our 27 Safari and have discovered that keeping condensation under control is our biggest challenge. A small dehumidifier and an open vent seems to work best for us.
Keep posting and keep us up to date
__________________
Living life on the Road
|
|
|
12-15-2010, 07:48 AM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2016 30' Classic
Trenton
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 846
|
Jan and Ken, welcome to the forums. We love to follow threads posted by full-timers. I think a lot of us have a desire to give it a try some day and we live vicariously through those who are already doing it.
Oh yeah, we love pictures too. Keep us posted.
__________________
Steve
|
|
|
12-15-2010, 08:25 AM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
2017 30' Flying Cloud
2008 23' International
Keremeos
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 845
|
Welcome to the Forums Jan and Ken! I'm with TinLoaf: l love to live vicariously too. Someday . . . someday. There is a thread about where your pets sleep. We'd all love to see pics of their set-up too. I hope warmer weather is coming your way.
Lisa
__________________
Lisa and Paul
2017 30' FC | 2002 Chinook Destiny | 2008 23' Int. CCD (written off: hail!)
|
|
|
12-15-2010, 08:52 AM
|
#5
|
Registered User
1998 34' Excella 1000
1995 36' Classic 36
Spencerville
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 257
|
Geez Jan, you make it sound so inviting! I'd love to give up the house and move into the moho but we simply cannot at this point. We do, however, plan on taking a lot of trips this coming year and hopefully the following years as well....
Do make sure to post some pics as we all love to see someone doing what we wish we could be... as TinLoaf said we're living vicariously through your writings!
|
|
|
12-15-2010, 09:11 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
|
How many amp service does the building have?
It MAY be that your extention cords are too thin of a gauge.
I don't know how far of a run you have but 8 gauge will work
without too much of a voltage drop, if you are only going a hundred feet or so. I used the grey under ground cable, that I got from Home Depot.
I guess you have code issues , but it might work to get you through the winter. I buried mine underground thru heavy PVC, but you could fly it to a pole next to your trailer. Yeah...I paid about $200 for 125 feet of
8 gauge.
|
|
|
12-16-2010, 02:17 PM
|
#7
|
2 Rivet Member
1968 22' Safari
Hereford
, Arizona
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 55
|
Hi Jan. I just joined up here too. My wife and our "kiidz" are going to be full-timers soon. Good luck! 8)
|
|
|
12-16-2010, 07:24 PM
|
#8
|
2 Rivet Member
1990 34' Excella
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 84
|
I'm not sure about having it under control - but we're moving forward and enjoying it. No matter where you live, there are 'things' to work through.......and, fulltiming is different than even extended trips. We're all smiling our way through this transition.
Jan
|
|
|
12-16-2010, 07:26 PM
|
#9
|
2 Rivet Member
1990 34' Excella
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 84
|
How many will make this move? We have 7 schnauzers - from a Giant to a tiny toy - and they're loving it - but they've been RVing since they were babies - so this is nothing new to them - and now they have a HUGE yard to run in - much bigger than our old house.
jan
|
|
|
12-16-2010, 07:33 PM
|
#10
|
2 Rivet Member
1990 34' Excella
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 84
|
I wonder.....
Our coach is set up at our shop - an older building with two large parking lots.....the AS is in the larger of the two. The electric comes in the main shop at the street - the RV is at the far corner of the parking lot - maybe 100+' from the electric box. I am thinking of running 6 gauge wire - with two RV hookups. I was told that the wire prices have gone up so much because of the cost of copper........but everything has gone up. We put in a box with a new 30amp breaker - but the line is too long. I was told to get a heavier gauge wire and run it to two individual boxes (We also have a 1978 Holiday Rambler 22' that we're going to use as a guest house and we also use it for quick trips). I want to be able to run both A/Cs, etc., ......heck, right now I'd be happy if I could just use my heat strip in this A/C to supplement with the heat.......
jan
|
|
|
12-18-2010, 06:53 AM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
|
If you're going to leave your AS permanently set up there, and not tow it here and there, might look at something like a small wood stove for supplemental heat. They put out an amazing amount of heat and you have lots of good, inexpensive wood down there.
Good luck.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 02:04 PM
|
#12
|
2 Rivet Member
1990 34' Excella
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 84
|
We're getting it 'more in control' day by day. As soon as the Holidays are celebrated we're getting our electric service beefed-up -
Furnace is working like a champ now - I think the problem was gunk in the propane sooting up the ignitor and burner - so replaced the regulator and emptied both 40# bottles completely - got them re-certified - now everything is working great. If I'm really careful I can use the electric side of the waterheater at night - so I'm not using quite as much propane. Water lines are heated, insulated, and wrapped. Hopefully the new electric service will be installed before we have any more single digits. After that we will be adding an underground phone line so my Airport Extreme will work in the RV - (it does now but not as good as I'd like) - so, as you can see, things are 'happening'....
jan
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 02:07 PM
|
#13
|
2 Rivet Member
1990 34' Excella
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 84
|
It won't be sitting all the time - but it will stay here when we make short/fast trips. The Holiday is more 'expendable' - hate pulling this 'big guy' to St. Louis or KC (too big a target). The Holiday is good for quick weekend getaways. Once the new electric service gets put in, heat won't be a problem......
jan
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 02:11 PM
|
#14
|
2 Rivet Member
1990 34' Excella
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 84
|
I think we're going with 6 gauge - it has to go from the street, through the shop (strung through the attic) - through another building (with conduit for both) - then there will be two park boxes (we have the 34' and a 22' Holiday Rambler) - and want them both to be able to use A/Cs, etc. I have a big huge 30 extension that runs from the trailer plug to the outlet - but it's cool as a cucumber.
jan
|
|
|
12-21-2010, 08:40 AM
|
#15
|
Be Calm, Have a Cupcake
Vintage Kin Owner
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 223
|
Check Voltage
Full-Time in a 34' is wonderful.
In your case, be sure to check your voltage. Probably a good idea to get a plug-in voltmeter and keep it in the kitchen outlet. Anything below 105 volts is very dangerous to all appliances, water heater, etc.
Constant resistance, less voltage, more amps, burned cables, fires, etc.
Don't worry, be happy.
__________________
Secguru
Would you rather have a mansion full of money or a trailer full of love?
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|