Random RVing Thoughts

Mom with certificate of Appreciation from her Grandson William 

We have finally launched for our third summer of full-time RVing. We are heading north for cooler climates.  Departing Tuscaloosa after spending a nice Mother's Day weekend with my mom, we headed north and since we had to pass by Red Bay, AL, we stopped over to have a local expert check our slide alignment.  We have noticed some hydraulic fluid on some lines and have broken a couple sheer pins on the electric slides (isn't that a dance?).  A quick stop in Red Bay should make sure we are in top shape to make our way north and west all the way to the Oregon coast.

I though I would post a couple random thoughts for people who may find this blog in their research for full time RVing.  Now in our third year, we do not feel as if we have seen nearly as much as we want to see in our great country.  We don't know when this adventure will end for us, but that's OK because we are making it up as we go.  The planning part of me had us doing this about three years.  What we have found is that life events as always get a vote and you need to be able to adjust and adapt frequently.  So make your plans, but don't expect them to survive the next bend in the road.

RV task assignments for each of us kind of came about naturally.  When we get ready to roll out, I take care of the outside stuff and Pattie takes care of the inside stuff.  We don't get our feelings hurt when the other one double checks that each task was done correctly.  After all, whatever happens we are both in this together.

Cleaning the windshield

One of my tasks is to clean off the top of the slide toppers.  Slide toppers are tensioned fabric that rolls out and in with the slides (The Bus has four slides or slide outs as some people call them).  They keep debris off and shed water that would otherwise land on top of the slide and get pulled into the gaskets along the slide top.  I take a folding ladder and a battery powered blower (Ego 56 volt "insert Toolman grunt" here) up to blow stuff off the fabric.
Another one of my jobs is to clean the windshield, mirrors, and wipers.  A great feature of Class A motorhomes is the huge front windshield that gives you a great view of the countryside as you drive through it.  No use in looking at it through bugs and poop.  We start each trip with a clear view.
As much as possible, we travel with our gray and black tanks empty and the fresh water at least half full.  This is part of being prepared for plans to change.  We want the ability to stop overnight anywhere with no services (hook-ups) available.  Having some water on board allows us to flush the toilet, wash hands and dishes, and even a quick shower.
Pattie makes sure everything inside is put in its proper place with drawers and inside doors secured.  We use colored reusable wire ties in strategic places to secure certain items and as reminders.  Once outside jobs are finished and she has everything secured inside, we bring the slides in together watching and listening to ensure they work properly.  This has helped prevent major issues.  Like when a AAA battery or writing pen has gone missing and rolled under the edge of a slide.  Some crunching noises can get expensive, so it is best to listen, watch and be prepared to stop slide movement.

Reusable rubber coated wire ties. Not so much to hold the cabinet shut as it is to remind you that you are the first one to open it and be prepared to catch something that has shifted in flight.

Once all the slides are in, we lift the leveling jacks again listening for strange noises.  Then we both exit the coach and do a walk around the outside checking that I did my tasks properly and that the slides are in, hatches are closed, and antennas are down.  We usually disconnect power as our last step.
We hook up the Jeep together double checking all the connections.  Pattie takes a FRS radio outside and we check our brake and turn signal lights.  Then she walks alongside the Jeep as I pull forward to ensure the tow bar is locked correctly and the Jeep's tires are rolling freely.

All these little things we do the same way each time and so far we have only had a few minor incidents (a drawer flying open, a cargo hatch opening at speed, etc).   I relate it to a boat captain or aircraft pilot who do the same routines and follow their checklists.  We made our own checklist and are happy to share it with others.

Thanks again for keepingupwiththejopnesrv!

Life Changes

In the spring of 2011, we drove down to Auburn, AL with our oldest son William to visit Auburn University. He liked Auburn University and decided this was where he would pursue a engineering degree.  Although Pattie and I both graduated from Auburn, we did not pressure him to go there (I don’t think we did anyway).  For housing, we decided to buy a mobile home and rent a space in a park dedicated for students.  In 2014, his brother Chris also decided Auburn University was the place for him to pursue a degree in Fine Arts.  They lived together in the mobile home at Auburn until this past week

Pattie and I began full-time RVing in the summer of 2015 and used the mobile home in Auburn, AL as our legal address after we sold our home in Maryland.  Our mail came there and the boys would forward it to us as needed. We traveled back to Auburn several times a year to visit them and do maintenance on the mobile home.  It had become familiar.  We attended a local church, had our favorite restaurants, and occasionally reminisced about our time on campus.  Suddenly, this has all changed.

Auburn Mobile Home Served Its Purpose

William graduated and got a job in Columbus, GA so we moved him to an apartment in Phenix City, AL. Chris has been selected for a one-year apprenticeship with a theatre company in Atlanta, GA and will finish his degree on-line.  We spent the last several weeks moving furniture in several different directions, selling off unneeded items, and preparing the mobile home to sell. Fortunately, it was the perfect time to sell property in Auburn as there is a housing shortage and buyers are scrambling to find a place for the 2018 Fall Semester.  The mobile home sold in one day without any advertising.  

It seems like just the other day they loaded their cars and headed to college.

While all these events are blessings, it is a bit sad to realize that our sons are truly stepping out completely on their own. The pseudo home in Auburn will no longer be there for us to worry over.  Our familiar stop over in Auburn will no longer be necessary.  The lack of bills associated with keeping two sons in college will be welcome.  Then there is the decision about a legal address or domicile.

We decided to use William’s address in Alabama to prevent a lot of changes in licenses, tags, voting, taxes, etc.  For mail, we have set up an account with a mail forwarding company specializing in supporting RV customers (RVMail).  With all these things in place and family members on the path to being settled, it is time for us to head west to the northern tier states that we have not visited. We are a little sad and a little excited.  I guess the windshield is larger than the rear view mirrors so you can see where you are going more than where you have been.