I spent part of the long flight on Thanksgiving Day making a prioritized list of RV changes and additions. So far, priorities 1-5 have been defined ranging from "need" to "nice to have". Some of the accessories in the "need" category are things that I used on previous RVs but no longer have. I had just included them when we sold the last travel trailer as most of the items were getting kind of old. Priority 1 items are things that I have defined as safety related or essential. Things like water and sewer hoses, battery monitor, TPMS, bedding (mice got into the mattress), voltage and water pressure regulators and a second propane tank. Priority 2 items are things that I think we need to make a long trip less stressful. Examples of these items are deep cycle golf cart batteries, generators, a better converter, a large-ish inverter, LED lighting, Wi-Fi repeater and a backup camera. Generators is plural as two 2KW generators are easier to handle (lighter) and can be run in parallel if we need to run the A/C. Not to mention that sometimes it's nice having a "spare". Most of these priority 1 and 2 items will be aquired/installed before our trip this summer and some of them have already been picked up.
I spent a lot of time looking into installing solar panels to minimize generator usage and it is a priority 2 or 3 depending on the charge controller selected. The solar is also in the "interesting" category as it's something new to me. I still might try and install some solar before or trip this summer but maybe only do 200 watts instead of the planned 400. I originally had a cell phone booster as a priority 3 but dropped it to 4 since I don't "need" access to the Internet. The Wi-Fi repeater was left at priority 2 since it is relatively cheap.
Bridget and I are currently in PA on a quick trip to visit her dad. We left on the red-eye on Thanksgiving morning and arrived in Baltimore at 4:30 pm. Lots of time sitting in one place. But I still managed to get my activity circles closed (see previous post). And Thanksgiving dinner was at a Cracker Barrel. Here at the assisted living home the Christmas decorations are starting to line up. They are getting ready for the next major holiday.
BTW, this post was written using BlogTouchPro on the iPhone so pictures aren't "clickable".
BTW, this post was written using BlogTouchPro on the iPhone so pictures aren't "clickable".
I don't mind reading about RV farkling (or traveling), too, Richard. We don't have one just yet but it's on the list, and I like learn more about the topic and people's experiences.
ReplyDeleteBefore motorcycles there was usually some sort of camping thing in the driveway. But not for the last 8 or 9 years. When I picked up the truck back in 2005, the plan was to look for a fifth wheel trailer. It's just taken some time plus a couple of bike purchases interfered with that plan.
DeleteI look forward to seeing which TPMS system you end up with RichardM...I looked at the RV lock you feature, but didn't pull the trigger yet on it. Your comment about it being nice to have a "spare" generator triggered a thought that perhaps it'd be a good idea to carry along the little Honda 1000i generator for the longer trips that are planned. I am also thinking a minimum of 200 watts in terms of solar but am hoping for lighter panels to come around.
ReplyDeleteI shopped around quite a bit and finally found one with enough flexibility and range. Many required some sort of repeater to reach the trailer tires. Since this trailer does not have a permanently mounted genset, I thought that the lighter 2 KW would be more convenient. They are small enough to store in a truck bed mounted toolbox.
DeleteI almost ordered solar panels last night as there was a decent discount on Amazon. 400 watts including all of the cables, brackets and charge controller for less than the price of just the panels. But I wouldn't be able to test them or check for shipping damage as they wouldn't ship to Alaska. But I'm not in a rush and can wait for another good deal.
so, do tell, which ones did you find? make and model? link perhaps? :)
DeleteEeztire TPMS w/8 sensors (expandable to 22) for vehicle combinations up to 54' long. No repeater needed and tracks temp and pressure. I'll do a post when I set it up on the truck.
DeleteThat's the ones I set aside for later purchase on Amazon....
DeleteQuite a few comments on the limited range of some of the cheaper ones.
Deletenever seen a lock like that for a rv style door
ReplyDeletewould be useful as said for getting into without a key
i would probably still forget the number for it though
I hadn't heard of them until the last year or so. But I like having the option of a combination in addition to a key. And you could always store the number in your phone or use a number that you could lookup.
DeleteI think it is still a farkle even when for an RV. I didn't realize they made those locks for RVs but it seems like a great idea so you don't have to have a key with you.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was looking at it I was trying to figure out what I would do if locked out. Several ways but all would take time and effort. This seems simpler.
DeleteI like the lock. We actually just installed one on our trailer. Ours a do-it-or-die situation. Oilburner had been camping and lost the keys. The spare set was IN the trailer. Still waiting to get the locksmith bill.
DeleteThat was exactly the situation that I wanted to avoid. Losing the key with the spare inside the trailer. And Bridget's two dogs inside. This seemed like a good method especially since it still had the keys in addition to the combination and remote.
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