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AllCatMan
USA
39 Posts |
 Posted - 06/13/2003 : 00:21:22
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I HAVE ASKED BEFORE AND REALLY GOT SOME GREAT INFO..... BUT I NEED MORE.
EVERYBODY WITH EXPERIENCE OR OPINIONS I (AS WELL AS OTHERS) REALLY WOULD LIKE YOUR INPUT.
*WHEN RV-ING WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS.
*HOW LONG IS THE TYPICAL PHONE HOOK UP?
*HAVE YOU USED YOUR CELL WITH UNLIMITED USAGE AS WELL AS A HOOK UP FOR YOUR COMPUTER?
*COST DIFFERENCE OVER HOTEL, 1/3 ?
*ACCESS TO MOST RV PARKS?
*SIZE OF RIG? MINE IS A 26' TERRY TARRUS LOOKING FOR A 5TH WHEEL WITH SLIDES OUTS.
*SET UP WOULD BE THE SAME EACH TIME AND MORE ROOM TO CARRY EQUIPMENT.
WHAT ARE THE CONS??? `I ENJOY RVING AND I AM COMFORTABLE TOWING THE RIG TO WHERE EVER BUT THE APPLICATION OF THE LOGISTICS AND THE UNFORSEEN MAKE ME HESITANT. PLEASE IF YOU RV ADJUST OR USE TO LET US KNOW THE WHY, WHERE, HOWS, AND ALL THAT STUFF..
THANKS
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Join in the Chat Room nightly 7cst/8est. |
Edited by - AllCatMan on 06/13/2003 00:36:10 |
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KsAir
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2003 : 10:11:09
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| Being new to the Cat life, I would also like to see some RVing Road Warriors respond to your posting. |
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csiemens
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2003 : 16:27:17
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I have a new 5th wheel to replace a smaller one that I used last some last year.
There can be a substantial savings over the Extended Stay, but it really depends upon the city. I think that most private parks charge about $25 to $35 per night, with weekly and monthly rates available.
I try to stay at parks that provide phone hook-ups with the site. I just carry a cheap phone and phone line in the RV, then hook up into their system. I bought the longest phone line possible so it really doesn't matter how far away I am from the plug in. You can receive and make calls on those lines. I also carry my cell phone with the most minutes possible to purchase. I use both phones.
I really prefer staying in my RV. I can carry all of my equipment and the RV is set up as my 2nd home. Mine is a 24' with only one slide out, but I have it set up the way I want it so I really don't want to stay in a motel. Also if you need to move to a new location it is easy to pack up.
I did join the KOA and they give a little bit of a break on their parks. In Sacramento I got a site along the river, so had a nice view when I was working. Just get a campground book or get online for lists of campgrounds when you know where you are going.
Chris Siemens |
Chris Siemens |
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345
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2003 : 22:18:10
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Many of the better parks have a internet connection in the club room that you can use free. If you use AOL, there is a local phone number for access just about everywhere. Wire your RV for phone plug in, and many parks have phone connections at your site. Still have to call local phone co to turn on, usually same day or within a couple days. Unless I am working for a co that requires faxes or file transmit, I use cell phone and usually dont use more than 1200 min/mo.
I prefer my 30 ft MH and tow a front wheel drive van on a dolly. Dont like driving big diesel pickup in city traffic, and having one vehicle at storm is going to cost you several days of work when breaks down. MURPHYS LAW !!! Having the same bed to sleep in every night, no smoke from down the hall in the middle of the night, and no one else has key and no reason to be in room when you are absent is worth a lot for peace of mind. Have been RVing 30+ years and never had a problem in campsite. Get a generator set with 5500 to 6000 watts, and 2 A/C units. You will need them if work hurricane, utilities may be out 2-3 weeks.
Most parks have a monthly rate that is equal to 2.5 weekly rate. I have paid $150 month in San Antonio to $210 week in Ft. Lauderdale.
I have desk set up with printer, answering machine, telephone and docking station for lap top computer. Dell has given best service. DO NOT CARRY A DESK TOP COMPUTER IN RV. The hard drive will fail as it will not withstand bouncing and vibration.
Woodalls directory is a must, and Trailer Life and others have park directory on CD. Delorme Street Atlas and GPS; can zoom down and find grocery, gas, Office Depot and Post Office.
Look for Flying J for low gas prices and propane. |
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sbeau4014
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2003 : 23:38:25
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| We have a 40' 5th wheel with 3 slides and has a lot of room in it. My wife and I with our two full size lab retrievers live full time in the RV and was a switch going from having a big house. We almost always stay at a park that has phone hook-up at the site and monthly rates because we are almost never at a storm less then a month. Phone hook up usually runs from $30-$45 plus $12-$20 per month fee. We always need fax and email capabilities and it is real handy having a local phone and fax number. Monthly rates have run us from as low as $250 to as high as $450 and some parks will charge extra for electric for rigs our size. We had a 7500 watt generator built in when we ordered the RV which will power everything within the rig at the same time if needed, and have had to use it numerous times. When we shopped for a rig, we had a work environment in mind and bought one with a large desk built in. It is set up so as we can have two full functioning offices in it. It is great always sleeping in your own bed, cooking in your own kitchen and having your favorite dog curled up around your feet while you are working. When we get to a site, it takes us about 2-3 hrs to have everything set up and ready for living/work for months on end, and the fridge and pantry are already stocked. I worked cats from hotels for 20 yrs as a staff and ind adj and have been doing the RV route for a little over 2 years now. There is no comparison between the two. Not only is there quite a bit of $$ savings(since we full time in the RV our only "extra expenses" to work a storm are the phone hook-up, paper, ink and gas), but mentally it is a lot more relaxing and enjoyable being home every night. |
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gdplum
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2003 : 14:47:51
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quote:
Originally posted by AllCatMan
I HAVE ASKED BEFORE AND REALLY GOT SOME GREAT INFO..... BUT I NEED MORE.
EVERYBODY WITH EXPERIENCE OR OPINIONS I (AS WELL AS OTHERS) REALLY WOULD LIKE YOUR INPUT.
*WHEN RV-ING WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS.
*HOW LONG IS THE TYPICAL PHONE HOOK UP?
*HAVE YOU USED YOUR CELL WITH UNLIMITED USAGE AS WELL AS A HOOK UP FOR YOUR COMPUTER?
*COST DIFFERENCE OVER HOTEL, 1/3 ?
*ACCESS TO MOST RV PARKS?
*SIZE OF RIG? MINE IS A 26' TERRY TARRUS LOOKING FOR A 5TH WHEEL WITH SLIDES OUTS.
*SET UP WOULD BE THE SAME EACH TIME AND MORE ROOM TO CARRY EQUIPMENT.
WHAT ARE THE CONS??? `I ENJOY RVING AND I AM COMFORTABLE TOWING THE RIG TO WHERE EVER BUT THE APPLICATION OF THE LOGISTICS AND THE UNFORSEEN MAKE ME HESITANT. PLEASE IF YOU RV ADJUST OR USE TO LET US KNOW THE WHY, WHERE, HOWS, AND ALL THAT STUFF..
THANKS
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glen |
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Todd_Summers
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2003 : 11:04:10
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| I bought my 35' motor home while on a 1 year assignment (mold) in Houston. It worked out really well for that assignment. I just returned home (Lubbock, Tx) from a 2 week assignment in Terre Haute, IN (3 weeks including travel time). I don't think I will take my RV again on a long distance assignment again for several reasons. Longer term assignments are required to realize any cost savings. The gasoline required to arrive and depart eats up any savings from RV park vs hotel. And it is getting to the point that these "RV Resorts" are charging almost the same as a hotel. Plus with an RV you have ongoing maintenance issues that must be dealt with whether on assignment or not. In a hotel there is zero maintenance, other than having your room cleaned and the sheets changed periodically. The reason my travel time was so long was due to mechanical problems and tow dolly problems and 50' of windsail going down the highway in high winds and being passed by semi's like you are sitting still, etc. etc. etc. I may still use it on closer storms , but not on assignments more than 1 state away. The cost of gas keeps you from saving any $ unless you are there for more than 4 weeks. Yes it is nice having everything already packed and set up but, when you think about it, it only takes a couple of hours each to set up and break down in a hotel, and you don't have to wait on the phone company, you already have a phone line, fax line and in most cases voice mail and a data port. I was fortunate in Terre Haute to be allowed to make my initial contacts from the office, and they had a data port in the RV park office, but this is not always the case. Also DirectTV has mobile accounts available for satellite tv and high speed internet connection all from your dish. This is something to look into for the RV'ing adjuster. After this last long haul, I just haven't decided yet if I want to be an RV'ing adjuster or not. |
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Catmannn
42 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2003 : 06:11:20
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Todd,
You are not along in having R/V problems. I have a friend who's roof blew off while on the road, and one that one of the plumbing supply lines broke and flooded the 5 wheel. Both of these units took a long time to get repaired.
Houtz |
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csiemens
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2003 : 10:21:03
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We put thousands of miles on our 1st 5th wheel, on many trips thoughout the US, with only a few problems. We did have a water heater leak water once but it did not take long to fix.
We now have a 24-1/2' 5th wheel with 1 slide out. I realize that this is a bit smaller that most of the above mentioned, however, our concern is being able to get into the state parks, in addition to work.
We have already taken our unit out for several weekend, shakedown trips, and one 10 day trip. We have found that the gas mileage went down from 12 mpg w/o 5th wheel to 10 mpg with it attached.
Yes. we must slow down when crossing over the high mountain passes. Otherwise, on the flat, 7o mph is my average with no problem. And while a bit slower than I'd drive w/o RV, is still a good speed.
Chris
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Chris Siemens |
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Kelley
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2003 : 06:54:02
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Moved into our RV 5 yrs ago come August, would never go back to hotel living!.
THINGS WE LOVE:
Having our own bed
Knowing WHO slept in the bed last.
Knowing how well the last cleaning job was done
Being able to move on an couple of hours notice WITHOUT the need re-pack files, puters, clothes, etc.
Being able to go down the road while one person is still on the puter.
Being able to story clothes for the change of seasons / location.
Going "home" each evening.
THINGS WE DO NO MISS
Carry equiptment for two up hotel stairs.
Trying to figure out what to do with food in cabinet & Refg.
Looking for a bathroom while on the road.
Not being woke up by the heavy footed person overhead.
Smelly rooms & hallways.
Fighting w/hotel phone systems & hotel staff.
Attempting to get hotel staff to LEAVE THE #$%& papers alone.
COST:
How do you put a dollar value on peace of mind.
Have paid from 175.00 - 1097.00 a month.
Only place we have ever had trouble getting a phone was in Detroit. Longest wait for new line was 3 days.
Other:
We removed the dining table area & installed desk & storage for him w/ office chair. For her we removed the recliner that was never used & built in desk w/ printer & file storage, she works out of passager chair.
Desktop computers are mounted with straps, stay right where they are while going down the road. Computers gets bounced around in autos & while being carried up & down stairs. I have spent many an hour entering files while going down the road. I do plan on going to a laptop in the near future so I don't have to download so much when we go some place for a few days.
We have installed extra phone lines, built in storage for printers, book storage, modified closest, shelving, etc. Have added CD changer in the stero system, some snake lighting in work areas, water filter, hot tap (got rid of that $)%& sprayer)& goose neck faucet in kitchen sink.
We have went from TX to FL last year for a week, did not take the RV, stayed at a hotel, we were misrable. We had to work out of a hotel several winters ago while working on ice dams in Milwaukee, sure missed our "home".
Come late fall it is hard to find parks open up in snow country. At times you can find mobile home parks that will allow you to hook up there but then, RV are hard to heat with all of the undercarriage wide open to the cold winds.
We have a small SUV that we tow, manual transmission. We get about 26MPG, can turn on a dime, park anyplace. We can not carry a 30' ladder but then.... we always find a way to do the job. Did not want to spend hours riding in a p/u that was large enough to pull a 5th wheeler.
It is a personal choice. Some love it some, hate it! Just walked out to feed "neighborhood kittens", yes I still had my PJ's on, it is "my yard".
We have a 34' RV w/ one slide, cat engine, frieghliner chassie, allison trans, generator & side entry door (don't care for the front entry doors).
If you should have other questions just email me.
Kelley
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One persons dream is another persons nightmare. |
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RV-ING ADJUSTING
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