TMT: Too Much Technology

[John&Vicki]

My second career was spent in high tech, which I really enjoyed - it was fascinating to be involved in the early days of the internet. So I’m not a Luddite by any means. But I have become discerning about the use of technology in every situation. There are many times when primitive and simple is simply better. There many threads here where folks complain about problems with devices of theirs that in my opinion have been needlessly automated or made needlessly complex.

For example, there is a current thread about problems with a back flow system. Which is of current interest to me as I just watched the process yesterday. I was behind someone with an Airstream Interstate (beautiful rig) yesterday who seemed to be having his share of problems with his back flow system. Things appeared to eventually resolve but our wait was longer than normal.

When it was our turn in my much more primitive and simpler rig, a 1990 25’ Excella, we used our normal back flow system. After I drained the black tank my wife poured two buckets of water into it through the toilet before I closed the valve. Seems simple, easy - and effective.

It’s easy to overdo things with complexity and technology as most of us are attracted to it, including myself. It makes for an effective marketing and selling point, but it’s not automatically better. Among other things it creates more complexity, more failure points, and less opportunity for DIY.

Cheers,
John

[Countryboy59]

Back flow system? You mean the flush fitting next to the water inlet?

[John&Vicki]

Yes. “Back flow system” should say “Black tank flush”!

Maybe I’m just too old for modern technology. My grandpa always said a poor workman always blames his tools.

[SilverWind]

I'm so glad that I don't need to do periodic firmware updates on my 68 Caravel, as is required for the current Classic 30 series to function.

The fifty one year old 68 Caravel has basically everything that's found on my 2017 Serenity, except for a black tank flush. I've added USB ports and an inverter to service our modern tech devices.

The over-the-top tech features on the Classics is so un-Airstream and in my opinion makes camping needlessly complex.

[Gsmblue]

The line is different for everyone. I have a cellphone booster, Bluetooth connectivity for battery monitoring and sat radio.

I read about power awnings and the alde system and i think there is a line there for me.

[Bill M.]

“ So I am not a Luddite.......”

Sure you are.

[ROBERT CROSS]

....read the sticker 😎

Bob
🇺🇸

[rmkrum]

Hey, I know exactly where I am in the ‘60s still!!

I may get older, but I still refuse to grow up!

(Love the sticker. Where did you find it, Bob? Please share a source...)

Wish I could find my “Artesian Search and Rescue Team” bumper sticker. 20 points for anyone that remembers and explains the reference!

[J. Morgan]

I start thinking that every time I read a thread about rebooting a thermostat. [emoji4]

I built my trailer intentionally simple, all to lessen the number of failure points.

So far so good. [emoji4]

I figure there are five computer boards in my trailer....

Water heater
Furnace
Inverter
Charger

There could be another in my fridge, and maybe my just installed air conditioner.....

[skyguyscott]

Its a truism that our grandparents were old fashioned and our grandkids don't know how to live simply.

My Grandpa was a farmer born in the 19th Century who never learned to drive a car and only late in life tried to drive a tractor. My uncle recalls him approaching a fence row shouting "Whoa! WHOA! to the tractor. When returning from a trip to town, he used to routinely fall asleep at the reins, only to awaken at the gate, the horses waiting for him to open it.

As an old boy scout who used to sleep in heavy canvas tents we hauled in on our backs, I think ANYONE glamping in an Airstream of any vintage is wallowing in technology, me oh-so-happily included. Hot showers at will, Air conditioning! TV! (in color, even!) I seem to remember our weekend scout camps as endless chopping and hauling firewood, interrupted on occasion with some cooking and cleaning then more firewood chopping. (And evening snipe hunts)

So, having hauled, cooked in and tried to clean a blackened iron pot or tin kettle in my day, I have to hide a wry grin hearing Airstreamers worry what constitutes too much technology over perfectly chilled refrigerated beverages, encapsulated as we are in microwave-equipped, mobile, electrified gleaming silver aerospace hulls.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Hey, I know exactly where I am in the ‘60s still!!

I may get older, but I still refuse to grow up!

(Love the sticker. Where did you find it, Bob? Please share a source...)

Wish I could find my “Artesian Search and Rescue Team” bumper sticker. 20 points for anyone that remembers and explains the reference!

I just went to a a local vinyl sign shop showed them this photo of the one I made and had them design a more fitting one for the new trailer.

ASRT....save the water.💦

Bob
🇺🇸

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I just went to a a local vinyl sign shop showed them this photo of the one I made and had them design a more fitting one for the new trailer.



ASRT....save the water.[emoji97]



Bob

[emoji631]

Also drink the Colorado KoolAid!

[OTRA15]

If you guys can remember the 60's, are you sure you were there?



TMT in the newer AS models? Definitely! Imagine the service problems as these electronic systems age, and go out of warranty.



No thanks!

Keep on truckin' . . . don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy . . . movin' to Montana soon . . . gonna be a dental floss tycoon!

Peter

PS -- Great thread, John, thanks.

[xrvr]

I still laugh at the old p ost few years ago when someone cancelled a two week vacation because his electric jack was broken and his tank monitors were inaccurate. Ruined his whole summer over things were never needed.
V

[smithcreek]

Originally Posted by xrvr

I still laugh at the old p ost few years ago when someone cancelled a two week vacation because his electric jack was broken and his tank monitors were inaccurate. Ruined his whole summer over things were never needed.
V

Which probably kicked off a 12 pages of posts about Airstream Quality (or lack thereof), at which point the thread was hijacked for another 8 pages of arguing about Propride/Hensley vs. WD hitch vs. towing on the ball.

[lsbrodsky]

Originally Posted by smithcreek

Which probably kicked off a 12 pages of posts about Airstream Quality (or lack thereof), at which point the thread was hijacked for another 8 pages of arguing about Propride/Hensley vs. WD hitch vs. towing on the ball.

You forgot about the 1/2 ton vs 3/4 or 1 ton hijack as well.

[xrvr]

Yup!

[GCinSC2]

You guys forgot tires too.

[rmkrum]

I was there in the 60s. But I never went to Woodstock.

“Just passing through”—Mr. Natural.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

You forgot about the 1/2 ton vs 3/4 or 1 ton hijack as well.

And not to be left out, gas vs. diesel!