Latest addition to the SSLance stable

[Panteracer]

My wife's definition of camping is going to
a Hotel without room service... looks like
something nice to have at the track

Bob

[awr68]

Originally Posted by SSLance

We still haven't even figured out how to turn the fireplace on. Personal preference would have been more cabinet storage space instead of the fireplace but that may change if we ever use it much during cooler weather.

It's electric. Need 30 amp service or a generator to use it. But it will heat that place right up! I leave mine on all night and it keeps the main area of the 5th wheel at 70* no problem. I have a small heater for the bedroom. Keep in mind we live in the NW and RV 8-9 months a year.

[Solid LT1]

Happiness is never having to worry about a case of bed bugs in your travels

[SSLance]

We tried it last night Tony and it came right on, guess when we tried it before we didn't have the 110v power up. I can see using it for heat when plugged into campground electric...to save on propane.

Here's the deal with us...the wife and I have been together 25+ years and we've been on exactly 2 driving vacations during this time (and neither one of those were what I'd call successful). Lance does not like to constantly look for places to eat or places to sleep or playing clean motel room roulette. We've recently had some lifestyle changes and now have more flexible free time than we've ever had before and we'd like to try to travel around a bit without being on a schedule and to have the ability to take our 2 dogs with us comfortably when we go. This seems like the perfect way to travel.

My Mom has lived in her Class A 9-10 months a year for about 10 years now so we had a lot of insight from her experience when shopping plus we test used my partner's Class A several times this year to get used to traveling in an RV. The things we did not like about the Class A are all taken care of with this B+...we'll just have to see if the things the B+ don't have are a big hindrance. The main thing is the lack of basement storage with the B+. So far we are fitting in everything we think we want to take with us with no problem, but we haven't hit the road with this one yet so the jury is still out. I think it'll be fine though.

Boondocking and paddocking at race tracks are also high on the list of things we'll do and I think this rig will serve us fine for those activities as well.

Our main other concern now is finding some sort of alternate transportation to pull behind the coach when we are not going to race events. So many options on this and frankly, none of them are preferable...it's more of a what's the least amount of nuisance one is willing to put up with.

[GregWeld]

You'll love this at the track Lance!

Every type of these has pluses and minuses... there is no perfect application. My toterhome is perfect for one or two people - and the three car stacker trailer holds all the cars and tools and tires/wheels etc. BUT --- it's A LOT of work to load - unload - keep clean - stock with food... and let's not even discuss the expense of ownership. I just went out to California (again) to run at Thunderhill - and put in my 10,000th gallon of diesel. Think about that.... 10,000 gallons at an average of maybe $3 a gallon??

I will say life was easier with a single car trailer and a dually.... and a decent Holiday Inn... but when I'm traveling and have all my own stuff and sleep in my own bed I really appreciate the rig.

I think what I'd really like - is a garage and condo AT a track... but now that's a different set of issues.

[clill]

Now he is gonna sell our friend Mike his rig dirt cheap.................

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by clill

Now he is gonna sell our friend Mike his rig dirt cheap.................

Really? Because it's not for sale.

[SSLance]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

You'll love this at the track Lance!

Every type of these has pluses and minuses... there is no perfect application. My toterhome is perfect for one or two people - and the three car stacker trailer holds all the cars and tools and tires/wheels etc. BUT --- it's A LOT of work to load - unload - keep clean - stock with food... and let's not even discuss the expense of ownership. I just went out to California (again) to run at Thunderhill - and put in my 10,000th gallon of diesel. Think about that.... 10,000 gallons at an average of maybe $3 a gallon??

I will say life was easier with a single car trailer and a dually.... and a decent Holiday Inn... but when I'm traveling and have all my own stuff and sleep in my own bed I really appreciate the rig.

I think what I'd really like - is a garage and condo AT a track... but now that's a different set of issues.

I did 5 away events this summer, 1 with a coach and 4 with the truck, open trailer and whatever motel room I could scrounge up.

Having the coach in the paddock absolutely makes things SO much easier for me the driver, as well as the wife (that's the only trip she went with me on and was also my first of the year). At every event after that I was jealous of those others that were camped right in the paddock while I schlepped back and forth to the room every night.

A two place trailer behind some sort of coach would be the ultimate setup, but that is way down the road for us. For now we'll have to "get by" with this rig. When we take Barney to an event, it can also double as an around town ride for those trips to Walmart and such. When not going to a race, we'll either pull some sort of small SUV 4 down behind the coach or depending on the situation maybe not pull anything at all and just use the coach itself for transportation.

It's small and nimble enough to pull into a mall parking lot with little effort and setup and takedown of camp should be pretty simple as well. Not sure how much long term in one spot camping we'll do which would necessitate another form of transportation for day trips.

Towed vehicle brakes are perhaps the biggest PITA when dealing with any sort of toad from what I've seen so far. I'm trying to figure out if a dolly would be less trouble than a toad mainly because of the brakes.

[GregWeld]

I find the biggest drawback is the potable water.... and I hold 150 gallons... but I have to watch the use, with showering etc when I'm on a 6 day trip. Two out to track, two at the track, and two back home. I could go 7 days... but that's it.

Finding water and being able to hook up and get some is the biggest problem. But then - "the rig" is a little larger and is harder to just pull in some place. You can at least go to a camp/mobile site for the night - where I can't get in them.

[SSLance]

The class A we borrowed held 100 gallons of fresh water. We were in it 6 days total, but topped the water off before we left the first campsite so really 5 days...and no showers on day 5 as we "camped" in a Pilot truck stop the night before and just headed home for 5 hours on day 5. So really just 4 full days with the two of us and two small dogs.

It still had about a half tank of water when we got home, probably because we were ultra conservative with water being newbies and afraid of running out.

This coach holds 55 gallons in fresh water tank. That will require more diligent topping off and conservation but shouldn't be an issue if we pay attention.

My head goes up into the skylight above the shower when I stand in it, so I can't see me spending any extra time in there. Get in, get clean, and get out... Plus there is only a 6 gallon water heater...that should limit the wife's shower time as well.