Man, that had to hurt. I sure wish they sold rigs like this back when we bought ours, which was to support our son's motocross racing. This has to be the perfect setup for bikes, and with a separate power unit you can get around once camped.Originally Posted by henzilla
I bet you get another one!
Ian
We were talking the other night, maybe the day after it rolled away, and H said” we could take the trail…” stopped mid sentence and dropped the F-bomb laughing!
I won’t say never again cause nothing like having your home base nearby wherever you are.
Her sister sold her bumper pull and got a Winnebago Dodge setup. Perfect for her solo and ok with one of her besties. She asked last night if the new place is wired for her! The PO did have a trailer on the hill so I know one can get up there.
Ouch on fuel pump, the rv forums can be scary to read lately!
Steve Henson-Mod Team
No one gets out alive, Live accordingly!
Saw this and figured I'd introduce mine...
We bought a 2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor during the Covid summer. Spent that school year home schooling the kids and spent 11 weeks on the road. July will be 3 years with it and we've put around 35k miles on it all around the country. I think we've hit 30 states with it so far and a lot of great memories.
Even though it was drivable when we bought it, we've done a huge amount of work and done it all ourselves. I've also done a lot of modifications including converting from a big giant mechanical fan to electric fans (lots of work went into that), 1200W rooftop solar, and an interior remodel.
We tow a 1997 Land Rover Discovery behind it, which is a great toad. We have a motorcycle trailer, but our trips are almost always with the kids, so it doesn't usually get hitched behind. With all three of them riding dirt bikes now, maybe at some point we'll be able to head out west to some better riding than Kansas offers.
bus.jpg
-Ted
2022 R1250GSA, 2001 R1150GS
Very cool story….and planning.
OM
"You can do good or you can do well. Sooner or later they make you choose". MI5
Moderator Team.
2009 F800GS 1994 TW200
Nice rig! … cool color combo.
About 5 years ago we made the investment in a refurb at the Lazy Daze factory in CA (who, unfortunately, just closed permanently). Outside of mileage, a near-new camper for 25% of new.
Then, this year, after very close consideration of using my motovan to pull a new Oliver Trailer (built like tanks) we decided to keep our LD and add a toad.
The downside is no moto when pulling toad. I hope I can get used to that.
Of course my motovan works, but momma won’t fit in that along with the bike. First world problems!
95CAC148-5A0C-44AA-B5F2-11914820F24F.jpg
Go soothingly through the grease mud, as there lurks the skid demon.
__________________________________________________ ________
'67 Trail 90 || '86 R80 G/SPD+ || '13 CB500X || '14 Grom || '19 CB500X
As an aside, I tried using a “wheels down/flat towed” vehicle. With the inability to back up more that 6” and the specific transmission requirements not to mention the electrical (battery) considerations, I would suggest to people now that ask, putting the “toad” on a trailer.
YMMV
OM
"You can do good or you can do well. Sooner or later they make you choose". MI5
Moderator Team.
2009 F800GS 1994 TW200
I considered that because I didn't want to sell my Subaru WRX, which can't be flat-towed. I could also put my Tacoma in it with a bike in the bed (somewhat risky haul...)
The problem with a car/truck on a trailer is that the trailer is HUGE and doesn't fit into anything but the chock-a-block pull-through campsites inhabited by 50' long rigs. Not my kind of "crowd"
But you're right... we bought that older CR-V because after 2014 they could not be flat towed, due to a CV transmission. I hope I can deal with the not-backing-up situation... with the toad, I will always be traveling with my wife.
That, and I cannot stand Jeeps.
Thanks for the kind replies. We completely lucked out on the color scheme - I like it as well. We were lucky most of all that the bus had been repainted as original paint from that RV would've looked like crap. The seats/couches had also been recovered/updated, so our overhaul of it ended up being some aesthetic, and then some mandatory when a water leak and major floor rot forced us to tear into things. If you're looking for ideas on RV customizations, I have a bunch.
Regarding a toad vs. trailered vehicle, I wasn't super in favor of the toad option because the only vehicle we had that could be used for one was my 2017 Ram 3500 diesel (which actually has more horsepower than the bus). We ended up buying the Land Rover specifically as a toad, which I didn't want to do as we had enough vehicles. But we've really enjoyed the "adventure car" and it's been great. The lack of backing up is annoying, but in 30k+ miles I've only had two times (both my fault) when I've had to disconnect the car because I misjudged and needed to back up when I couldn't. I think the overall inconvenience of that is way lower than the inconvenience of having to stash a trailer (not to mention buying one) that I would've otherwise had. We liked to boondock a lot and so ability to be compact in those locations helps a great deal.
The inability to bring a motorcycle with the toad is an annoyance, but given that we've always gone places as a family, not enough of one to really matter. I wouldn't realistically ride separately from everyone else. When the kids get older and my wife and I start making RV trips ourselves, we'll probably then just trailer the bikes.
-Ted
2022 R1250GSA, 2001 R1150GS
H got a call from new owners insurance asking for pictures at sale… The rig is now residing on TX/OK border and got a recent hailstormThey will pay their claim after that exchange. I had taken every possible angle including roof and undercarriage just in case!
We kept it , and other units, under awning unless in use to control environmental issues as much as possible. We see so many parked out in open and always wonder about sun and hail exposure long term. Had a bud replace skylights and a/c cover several times. Realize it’s not an option for most owners.
Still strange seeing empty bay next to shop
Steve Henson-Mod Team
No one gets out alive, Live accordingly!
This morning on The RVers, there was what was supposed to be a segment on how good RV service can be. Having been involved for years, it’s was really a segment on how and why having an RV repaired is so problematic……..even and especially with warranty issues/work.
OM
"You can do good or you can do well. Sooner or later they make you choose". MI5
Moderator Team.
2009 F800GS 1994 TW200
Instead of what I may pull, maintenance of the tugboat way up there. Have kept up with general maintenance and very few issues on current truck… that said…
After a year of several 1200 mile round trips either pulling our now gone Toyhauler or cargo trailer and more runs to come, putting some serious miles on my 02 3/4 ton Cummins Dodge. Replaced front hubs and brakes OCT21 and some control arm bushings. Probably 10k miles later, just got truck back with complete front end rehab. Everything but shocks as they were new a few months back. The last run home I heard a lot of rattles though steering felt normal.
Mileage 210K.
Drove home in a completely new truck! Not a rattle or bang or noises when turning and it seems much tighter in feel. The tech said one of the control arms was sketchy and looking at old parts I kinda swallowed hard seeing the total amount of wear. Every bushing was due to say the least. Looks like a new truck down there
Was fine with price as the price of new truck makes that a no brainer.
Don’t use the truck as a daily driver unless I need to haul something typically, so a new truck just isn’t on the list. Will keep this tractor a bit longer! Figure 300K and will revisit.
Had almost made one more trip but had that gut feeling that I needed to do something now. I had passed a late model 3/4 Ford with similar sized trailer as mine my last return trip along the center barrier blocking fast lane with front wheel folded under his truck
Anyways, don’t overlook the part in front of the trailer! Safe towing!
Steve Henson-Mod Team
No one gets out alive, Live accordingly!
Steve, this is a great resource for all trucks Cummins powered-
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/
Geno’s garage (part of TDR) is a great source for both aftermarket and OEM parts.
I did shocks all around and steering stabilizer recently on my 2003 SRW 3500 4X4 and yeah, it makes a difference.
OM
"You can do good or you can do well. Sooner or later they make you choose". MI5
Moderator Team.
2009 F800GS 1994 TW200
Thanks
I looked at scope of this repair and definitely glad I let the local guy do all of that and alignment in a day
I’d still be beating on something about now
Even had them do the serpentine as that has bamboozled me on occasion.
Go Dodge!
Steve Henson-Mod Team
No one gets out alive, Live accordingly!
The serpentine belt is a crazy swap for sure. When I replaced the steering linkage parts on mine- later there was a recall, I did a Redneck alignment here in the yard.Thanks
I looked at scope of this repair and definitely glad I let the local guy do all of that and alignment in a day
I’d still be beating on something about now
Even had them do the serpentine as that has bamboozled me on occasion.
Go Dodge!
When I end up doing ball joints, the beating will start. I will do both drive axels as assemblies.
OM
"You can do good or you can do well. Sooner or later they make you choose". MI5
Moderator Team.
2009 F800GS 1994 TW200
Is the RV industry softening? There is talk of it. Here is a thread from one of the RV forums mentioning the manufacture Grand Design-
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/gran...es-621152.html
I have been a towable from Grand Design and would rate them “better than average”.
OM
"You can do good or you can do well. Sooner or later they make you choose". MI5
Moderator Team.
2009 F800GS 1994 TW200
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