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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Decisions
Your budget is an issue too. A Travel Trailer is considerably cheaper than a Class A or C. However, you may have to factor in the cost of acquiring a tow vehicle too.
I've owned a B, a C, and now a TT. I like the TT the best. However, as a long time boat owner, I have some skill in backing up, hitching, and so forth. If you're by yourself, I'd give pause to having a TT. Instead, go with a small C/B+.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/16/09 04:01pm |
Beginning RVing
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protective bag for 15" flatscreen
I'd like to take it from my TT to my boat without danger of harming it. Any suggestions?
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/15/09 12:57pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: I want a laptop...why???
Since you don't use it much, get a used laptop via Craigslist. I do business with a guy who buys, refurbishes lease returns. Thinkpad was $200. Dandy machine.
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shadowz
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04/15/09 12:55pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: The sales tax game
The TT I just bought is licensed in Montana, where it's a one time registration. The seller kept in Washington (where I live) for a few years and never registered it. He never had a problem with a police officer. I'm tempted to do the same.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/11/09 11:58pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Catalytic Heaters
We have both...a wall mounted catalytic heater and a Optimum radiant 400/800 watt electric heater. We use the latter almost exclusively. Both will get a freezing TT up to temperature quickly. Once accomplished, the 400 watt setting will keep you cozy through the night.
If boondocking, the best all night heat source is a low watt electric blanket with a quality inverter.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/11/09 11:47pm |
Travel Trailers
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WD question
I just brought my new-to-me TT from the doctor's office, getting some minor repairs and mods, chief among them was a WD/Sway bar hitch. Very pleased with the price I paid. $450, including installation. Another full service outfit quoted me $700. Also pleased with how it handled. Going 65 on I-5 was a breeze. No more porpoise action.
But...at low speed, like 10 mph, the unit groaned.....literally. It sound like a muffled human in pain. Is this normal??
A funny aside. When I picked up the TT, there was a gawd-awful smell in it. Thought it was mildewed towels from an earlier leak. Ran the FF full blast but it still wouldn't disappear. When DW walked in, she zeroed on to the frig, where she discovered a bag of broccoli gone bad. The nose of experience.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/08/09 12:52am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: SAVE WA STATE PARKS... PLEASE READ!!
The train has left the State of irresponsibility headed for the city of disaster.
I've only lived in Wash. for 3 years, having spent 47 years in Oregon. There are some definite tax advantages in Washington. Our property taxes are a 1/3 of what they would be in Oregon. Also, no income taxes, and sales tax is easily avoided through the net or going to Oregon, just 30 miles away.
But...walk in Seattle's downtown and you see few police patrols. Vagrants rule the street. In one walk, I saw two men urinating on sidewalk trees, one was wearing a dress. You don't see this in Portland. The homeless are not catered to there.
Health insurance is 25% more in Washington than in Oregon, due to the puzzle palace's policy of guaranteeing access to those with pre-existing conditions, i.e. buy insurance after you get sick. The independent RV service guy who worked on my TT is 60 years old. He pays $1300/mo. for a high deductible plan.
And....there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.
Makes you just want to sell out and hit the road, fulltime.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/06/09 11:11am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: took the plunge today
With a weight distributing hitch, you might be all set as long as all the numbers add up (weight and towing capacities).
Agree. We bought our first TT 10 days ago and after a maiden voyage, we realized that a WD hitch with sway bar was desirable....but not essential. We pick it up tomorrow. We also had the brakes and bearings overhauled.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/04/09 08:51pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: SAVE WA STATE PARKS... PLEASE READ!!
SP's are for working and retired people to enjoy, yet they are being cut. Homeless people, most by their own choosing, have their lifestyle supported and enabled by the same working people.
-Greg
1. Washington State Parks are for everyone to use. No one has to show proof of income to visit our parks. (Thank goodness for that.)
2. No decisions have been made; no parks have been closed yet.
3. Some people are homeless by choice; but "most"? hmmm... you have evidence to support this?
Re. #3, smell their breath, check their urine, then figure out for yourself the choices most of the homeless have made.
I did an internship at a mission. These men chose their addiction and it's consequences, despite ample opportunities for them to change their path, through honest work, religion, self-help progams. I don't begrudge their choice. In America, you have the right to be stupid. I simply don't want to pay for it.
I'd rather pay for parks that are low in fees, thus open to all, and high in quality.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/04/09 08:47pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: SAVE WA STATE PARKS... PLEASE READ!!
We just spent 5 days in Seattle doing a tradeshow and things seemed to be going great but then this week I read about budget cuts for police and schools so I guess all is not well. The city is very nice and we left a lot of money there.
Have you noticed the amount of homeless people there. For good reason....Seattle houses them. Guess who pays.
Ironic isn't it. SP's are for working and retired people to enjoy, yet they are being cut. Homeless people, most by their own choosing, have their lifestyle supported and enabled by the same working people.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/04/09 04:01pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: SAVE WA STATE PARKS... PLEASE READ!!
PAWA wrote: "I understand that our state revenues are in a severe decline and spending must be reduced."
Not true at all. State revenues are increasing over 2007/2008 levels. The problem is that our governor and legislature increased state spending more than 33% in that two year period and the level of state revenue GROWTH will not support the increased level of spending. The legislatures "solution" to this shortfall is to cut or close down popular services - which naturally leads to public outcry and a willingness to allow ourselves to be taxed at a higher rate.
The solution to our 9 billion dollar shortfall is simple - freeze state spending at the 2007/2008 levels. Nothing gets closed and services remain what they have been for the last two years. Unfortunately that would mean that state unions wouldn't get raises (just like the rest of us), illegals wouldn't get increased health care and our legislature wouldn't get re-elected.
talk is talk and cheap... if you have all the answers. run for office and show them how to do it...
Surely a person of your knowledge and caliber would have no trouble being elected…
You could then freeze your own pay, maybe donate it back to show you commitment to the good of the state…
You could save the parks and be a hero, I would love watching how that turns out for you…
I read your posts. I read 3 Dog. He is actually saying something, proposing a valid solution. Whereas, you just spout rhetoric. IMO, it's your talk that's cheap.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/04/09 11:23am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How much expense to install a digital thermostat?
Another option. when we're hooked up to shorepower, we use a $30 Optimum heater (can be found on Northern Tools or Amazon). It has two settings...400 and 800w. The 800w setting will easily heat up our 23 foot TT. The 400w setting maintains it, especially at night. Best thing...it's quiet! We have 3 of them, for use on our two boats, and now the TT. Best electric heater I've owned. Bought one...tried it out....and then bought two more.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/03/09 11:10am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Will I have any problems towing this Travel Trailer?
Great post, Marion!
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shadowz
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04/03/09 11:02am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: High End Travel Trailer ?
New Horizons is suppose to be a 5 star TT. I just got one but didn't really know it's quality until I researched this board and heard the oohs and awws of an RV service guy. Like other's described....my 23 footer is dang heavy. I wouldn't dare use anything less than a 3/4 ton towing vehicle with it.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/02/09 09:45pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: health insurance
Regarding BC/BS: In at least two states NH and SD(and I suspect all), they require you to be present in your home state for at lest six months each year. In addition they want a physical address and the street address of your mail forwarder will not suffice. They can do a database check and see if it is a business address or not. The exception to that is if you have a plan that is from an ex-employer as a pension benefit.
We used a broker in Sioux Falls that got us a couple of quotes from companies that cover you all over the US and do not require you to have a presence in the home state for a specific period and do not require an actual address.
The one we went with was Assurant.
It was still expensive - my wife's $5000 deductible policy was $566 per month but we made claims in several states with no problems.
So glad you've had no problems with Assurant. Before they became Assurant, they were known as Fortis, before that Time. I refused to represent them due to their horrible claims records. Perhaps that has changed.
While I'm discussing bad apples, be wary of the so-called National Association of the Self Employed (NASE). They exist to sell a crappy policy from the Mega Life company. If you have it, or know somebody who does, get out of it. It's better than nothing....barely.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/02/09 04:22pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: health insurance
Good question, Dave. Glad you asked. This allows me to also address and correct...
I'm glad you took it in the spirit it was asked. "free" anything always gets me suspicious, and before I bite I like to know how "free" was paid for...
So if I'm following this, in the current state of the insurance industry they use independent brokers as a way to avoid managing a direct sales force. In order to keep brokers selling the product, the brokers fees are buried in the price AND when dealing direct with an insurance company they do not (currently) undercut their brokers pricing.
On a tangent here... maybe you could explain how it is that there are identical policies from the same insurance company sold via different routes - eg through my employer and through AARP with different prices? In that case it sure seems that AARP has managed to get a better deal than my employer and my suspicion is that my employer is somehow not able or not motivated to get the best pricing. (btw it's the same with life insurance too)
You nailed it, Dave.
Regarding your tangent, group ratings vary from state to state but generally speaking, average age of the group is a big factor, followed by nature of work and gender. More often than not, an employer group can beat an association group. The exceptions are older employer groups. Your employer should enlist a broker to shop and compare.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/02/09 08:42am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: health insurance
COBRA a law that allows a terminated employee to partake in their former employer's health plan for up to 18 months. Generally speaking, it is very expensive.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/01/09 08:25pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: health insurance
Good question, Dave. Glad you asked. This allows me to also address and correct JJ's implied accusations.
Brokers are paid by the insurance companies for sold policies, just like travel agents are paid by the airlines. There is no difference in cost to the consumer. You pay the same premium by using a broker as you would going direct. Insurance companies use us because it is cheaper for them to pay us than it is to hire a sales force. Same is true for the travel industry. Commission varies by the type of insurance that's suitable for the client's circumstances. A medicare plan pays around $15/mo. An individual plan is 5%-7% of premium. Group is 2-4%. Ethical brokers never let a commission amount influence their advice. Our goal is to make our client happy....period.
As for liability, insurance companies require that we have Errors and Omission insurance, which is quite expensive. This eliminates the fly by night brokers. Also, insurance companies are picky as to whom they will appoint to represent their plans. If there are ethical problems, then they will immediately terminate the broker's contract. Finally, there is direct accountability to the state's insurance dept., along with continuing education requirements and stringent rules of conduct. Violation means license suspension, fines, and even prison time.
The phone book is an excellent place to find an agent. It costs money to be in it. One has to be both successful and serious to afford that.
Hope this helps.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/01/09 07:27pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: health insurance
I really don't recommend applying on-line. Use good old fashion paper. Also, when you apply direct, you are dealing alone with a large company on your own. A broker works for you...not any insurance company....and can direct you if you have a problem or if another plan is more suitable.
Karen....I'd give a broker a call about the residency issue.
-Greg
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shadowz
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04/01/09 12:40pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: health insurance
I'm surprised that BCBS needs that kind of proof. Have you spoken to a broker or a company rep. about that?
Regarding Aridon's comment, the horror stories are valid if you use a plan that covers the domiciled state only. However, with Blue Cross, it's difficult to go wrong. They are networked with each other via a Blue Card program. If I were full-timing and traveling, BCBS would be my first choice.
-Greg
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shadowz
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03/31/09 08:44pm |
Full-time RVing
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