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RE: living in a truck camper
After 5 years of living full time in my camper and working full time at the same time I can tell you for certain that it can be done! But choose your camper with these in mind as most campers will get very cramped for 2 over the years.
Stepping over or squeezing around will get old in time so get the biggest you can handle. And no matter how much time you think you will be spending outside you'll still be spending even more time inside! Sure you think you'll be sleeping and it won't matter but if you have to crawl over each other to use the bathroom during the night that can get old. And waiting for the other to finish in the bathroom so you can start getting cleaned up for the day or to go out for dinner or to meet friends will take twice as long as it does at home so you'll need to start way ahead of time! The list goes on and on.
You also have to adjust the way you think, live and travel which each other. You'll have to learn to hurt each others feelings a bit and get over it. You'll have to learn to hurt family, friends and people you meet in your travels feelings too and get over that. People, friends and family will try to be nice and "give you" things they are certain you need. You'll want to buy souvenirs of the many places you've been. You'll want to add things that you find along the way. But sadly there just isn't any room for all these things!!! Take lots of pictures and cherish the memories but leave the goodies where you find them or you'll never get over that next mountain pass!
Also holding tanks and food storage is very limited in most campers so be prepared to be creative and also very good at planning ahead! An extra cooler in the back seat of the trucks cab is a huge help. If you haven't bought a truck yet then absolutely get an extended cab truck. If possible take out the back seat, add the coolers and some some storage and you'll thank yourself for it often!
I could go on for pages but I'm going to give you a break from me! Just in time I'll bet! lol I'm not trying to discourage you, just passing on some things I learned over the years of full time living in a camper. There are many more but you get the general idea. All that being said I still loved it and as soon as I get my next truck and camper built I'll be back at it full time!!! Happy Trails!
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bigjimcruising
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09/29/11 07:49pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Info on Okanagan
I guess I can comment since I had a 117dbl that I lived in for about 4 years full time. (no longer have it) Yes it's a big and heavy camper! It must go on a 450 or larger rig! It's a very nice camper with lots of room for living although not a lot of storage space. I also had the Onan generator, if you have a choice get something else as it's a piece of crap.
As for the camper itself: I had lots of great adventures and trips in it and mostly loved it! (they all have their quirks!) In fact you can see my rig in 2 of the owners pictures. But you must realize that it's strictly an over the road RV! Do not off road it at all! I found out the hard way that this rigs slide outs just cannot take even light off roading. Failure after failure taught me that you just can't push this rig very hard. Stick to the highways and always watch your height and you'll have a lot of fun in it. Also don't camp to long in freezing weather as the holding tanks will freeze even though they say they're heated, only the fresh water will stay liquid. However the cabin heater is great and will keep you very warm even below zero!
Last I heard the factory had sold off it's camper line but was still making trailers. Don't know if that's still true. Feel free to ask me any other questions, I'll answer what I can!
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bigjimcruising
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09/13/11 09:17pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: I-10 vs. I-40
I wouldn't take I10 unless I had some compelling reason to do so. I think I40 is a much better route. Plus you can take the 58 out of Barstow to cut more time off your route into Bakersfield. Shouldn't be a problem with your setup. And heck if you've got an extra day or two run up to Laughlin and see if you can pay for your trip! lol!
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bigjimcruising
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08/18/11 07:52pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: LA Orange Crush (22,57,5)
Ok here's another option or two. Go west out of the lodge on Trask. When you get to Euclid turn right then a quick right into the gas station on the corner. It seems pretty big with room to maneuver. You'll then be facing south so when you pull out you're back west bound on Trask. Jump across all the lanes and make a left on Euclid, stay in the fast lane then a quick left again onto the 22 fwy east and you'll be back on track.
Another idea which might be easier is to just take the RV up and get gas over the next couple days, like maybe when you dump your tanks. That way you're not having to deal with the toad until you leave. Just a thought.
Might see you tonight for Karaoke at the lodge. Lots of fun and we even have a few good singers! lol! The rest might require ear muffs!!
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bigjimcruising
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08/17/11 11:40am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: LA Orange Crush (22,57,5)
No diesel, oops! Sorry! Ok then forget the Chevron on Harbor and Banner, a long RV and toad will not do well in the Chevron station. You can go the same way and try your luck at the Arco on the right instead of the Chevron on the left. Don't go to the station on Trask and Fairview, it's way over priced and will be a nightmare to get in and out of with your rig!!
I think you might be better off going down Trask to Harbor. Turn right on Harbor then immediately turn right again into the gas station on the corner. You can get gas then pull out back onto Trask. Just block the lanes so you can go east on Trask then make your left onto the East bound 22 fwy. Everyone does this (I see it every morning!) so don't worry about doing it. It's quick and easy and your on your way to the I5 split. Stay in the right lane and you'll just veer right onto the I5 south. Again get over a couple lanes and you'll miss the I5/55 fwy merge mess.
As for going down Newhope, Euclid or Brookhurst I'd avoid any of those routes. Newhope can be busy with lots of kids and traffic and is slow going that time of day. Euclid has several choke points going south and Brookhurst is a major street through Little Vietnam, all will not be pleasant with Brookhurst being the worst of the three.
Stick to the Orange Crush, it's about as easy as it's going to get around here. Not great, just perhaps the least worst. lol!
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bigjimcruising
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08/16/11 09:43pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: LA Orange Crush (22,57,5)
First I'd check that station and make sure they carry diesel. I haven't been that way for a while but I don't recall them having it.
If you need diesel you're better off leaving the lodge going north on Newhope then a couple streets north turn right on Banner. Just before the traffic light at Harbor Blvd on your left will be a Chevron station with diesel. Best part is you can use the commercial diesel pumps behind the station. Faster flow and easier in and out. Then south on Harbor in the left turn lane, just past the fwy you turn left onto Trask again and then left onto the 22fwy. Get on the 22 fwy and stay in the right lane. It might slow a bit but unless there's an accident it will only be some slowing. You'll veer to the right to take the I5 south. Get into the second or third lane over and stay there past the 55 fwy junction. Easy from there.
As for avoiding the crush if you avoid rush hours I'd rather take the crush then fight 17th street during the daytime in a motorhome with toad. That's a major street in that area and half the people driving there are crazy and the other half insane, plus only about 1 in 5 will own the car they're driving and even fewer will be insured! Skip it if you can! If not at least stay on Trask to Fairview then cut over to 17th.
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bigjimcruising
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08/15/11 08:46pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Best route to Disnayland CA
I think you'd be better off taking I40 into Barstow, get some fuel (it's sometimes cheaper) at the Outlet mall west of Barstow. Then come on in on I15. From the I15 take the 60fwy to the 57fwy south. Stay on the 57 till it ends at the 22fwy junction. Take the 22 west and get off on Harbor Blvd. Left on Harbor (south) then just past the fwy underpass a quick right turn onto Trask. The lodge will be a short drive down Trask. Turn right into the lodge parking lot at the last driveway just before the Newhope st traffic light. You'll see the other RV's there along with the dump station if you need it. Check in with Larry and you'll be at the bar in no time! I'll see you there! Jim.
p.s. if you still want to come in on I10 then yes take the 57fwy south from the 91. The road surface is smoother then the 55fwy and it flows a little better.
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bigjimcruising
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07/25/11 04:49pm |
Roads and Routes
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