Sun Sail

The sun sail was a stunning success. It took three tent poles, one 4 ft wooden dowel and a 9 ft triangular sun sail. However, after two days of use we decided that it made a significant improvement in comfort.

We've been at a number of camp grounds or areas where there is limited afternoon shade. If the vehicle is pointed into the sun, even with Reflectix in the window the interior temperature at the front of the vehicle can become very warm. Last year, in Texas heat, the front of the vehicle was so warm I couldn't open the engine compartment without burning my hand.

The sail is held in place with two carabiners. This allows quick removal in the event of a storm. The poles and guys can be left up at night, or when storms move through, as they are this evening. So I lowered two of the poles, unclipped the shade and then folded and wrapped it, and put it in the storage compartment for the night, with our folding chairs.

Keeping the Mud Daubers Out

Screen held in place with magnets

One of the issues during the warm weather months is mud daubers, those industrious, solitary wasps that build nests made of mud.

They build these in all sorts of places, reportedly in RV furnaces and hot water heaters.

Recently, I've had ants attempt to set up in the water and shore power compartment of the Roadtrek. I now keep the power cable off of the ground. Then there is a red squirrel family that likes to hop around on the RT at about 4:30am or so. I heard the "thumps" again this morning and parted the curtain to look out of the rear window. And there, about 6 inches away and sitting on the spare tire was that red squirrel. We were eyeball to eyeball for a few seconds and then is scurried away. Is it going to set up shop in the heat pump/AC compartment?

Currently I'm dauber proofing the hot water heater, furnace and refrigerator compartments. These are "spare time" chores and the sun sail took precedence. Weather also interferes. We've had a lot of rain recently and I haven't found the access to the shop which is hidden somewhere in this Roadtrek.

I had purchased about $8 of aluminum screening at the local hardware store. This I've used to make a passenger window screen. I also intended to use this for the furnace and the hot water heater, which is why I purchased aluminum screening, rather than plastic. The furnace and hot water heaters have exterior steel covers and so attachment with magnets is easy. I purchased some 3/4 inch diameter x 1/16 inch neodymium high strength magnets. These are being used for securing aluminum screening to the passenger window, furnace and hot water heater. All three of these areas are steel and so the magnets stick easily. I'm epoxying steel washers to the interior of the Dometic refrigerator vents. Magnets will then be able to attache the aluminum screening.

Fastened this way, all of these are readily removable, which was a requirement.

I'll post more photos in a few days, weather and time permitting.

West Coast Trek - Lighthouses - Cape Meares

During our West Coast Trek we stopped at many lighthouses from Cape Meares in Oregon to Point Reyes in California.  This post will be the first in a series on those lighthouses.

Lots of seabirds:

Next on the itinerary: Oceanside Beach

Adding a screen to the vehicle passenger window

Trekking in my view is to be living a life of moderation. This is consistent with other aspects of my life.  To that end, using nature's breezes and ambience is far superior to air conditioning, etc. That's my opinion and my quest.

Our Roadtrek came with optional screens for the rear and side entry door. These are a good thing. The screen in the rear entry work well, because we don't enter or exit from those doors. I only need to unzip the screens for access to the storage below the rear king-sized bed/sofa.

However, the screen for the side entry is another issue. We enter and exit frequently via this door. I'd say it's obvious that a plastic screen with zipper won't survive long in that location. So we haven't used it.

However, to get good cross-ventilation we need a goodly sized front entry or exit point for those breezes. The side entry window includes a screen and the window pivots on a vertical hinge, and opens about 1/2 inch. This area isn't sufficient for the air movement we need. It is also a problem if the weather turns inclement.

The front of the vehicle also gets a lot of sun (infrared) load if it's pointed that way. In other words, the front of the vehicle gets hot. We really like the heat pump/air conditioner in the rear, but the front of the vehicle remains warm.

So I decided to improve the airflow. To that end I fabricated and installed a screen on the exterior of the passenger side window. With such an arrangement, we can open one of the rear doors with the screens attached and we'll get the cool breezes we love, sans insects.

This was easier than might be imagined. In fact, I'd suggest that Roadtrek offer this as an option for buyers. The screen rolls and is easily attached to the exterior with magnets. The thick black edging in the photos is not used to adhere the screen to the vehicle. Magnets at 8 points will be used.

To construct this I used aluminum screen, but it would be easy to do the same with a plastic screen. I purchased the aluminum to bug-proof the refrigerator and hot water heater ventilation.  I may post on that in the future.

This is a photo of the screen, temporarily held in place with 8 pieces of electrician's tape. Magnets will be used to do this in the future. The 2 inch black edging is "duct tape" which provides a thin surface for magnetic attraction and also seals the edge of the aluminum screening. I installed the black duct tape in two layers "back to back" with the aluminum screen sandwiched between.  However, about only 1 inch of the screen is sandwiched between the tape. The electric window can open and close while the screen is in place.

When not in use (when the vehicle is travelling, etc.) the screen is rolled for storage:

If I were wanting to get "fancy" I'd purchase tape which more closely matches the exterior color of the Roadtrek. I leave that for Roadtrek to offer!

Here's a photo of the screen while being constructed. If one wanted ultra-precision, I'd suggest the old trick of taping newspaper together to fit the area and then using that as a template. My parents did that to purchase a pre-cut linoleum floor back in 1955 or so. It worked then and it will work now.

After installing this, I asked G what she thought about it. She said it was a real improvement. Mission accomplished!

Add an external 120V receptacle

Every motor home or camper van may seem to be deficient a feature or two. I purchased a Roadtrek 210P and I've made a few improvements to tailor it to my personal "tiny home on wheels" lifestyle.

One thing the 210P does not have is an exterior 120VAC receptacle. This may not be a problem if the site one rents has a meter with both 30A RV power connector and 120VAC ground fault receptacle. In such a case, all that is required is an outdoor rated extension cord and we can power up lighting, an induction heat plate or even a boom box. However, if the campsite has only a 30A RV power receptacle then we face a dilemma. The only way to get power to an exterior device or extension cord is to leave a door open and use one of the ground fault protected 120VAC receptacles.

That solution was not acceptable to me, and so I decided to add an exterior 120VAC receptacle. The following video shows how this was done without violating the integrity of the RT body and fiberglass shell.

Alaska Trek - bald eagles

On our Alaska trek we took the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour. I've provided a previous post about that tour.

This post includes a video of the bald eagles we encountered, while on the tour.

Alaska Trek - Crab Fisherman's Tour

On our Alaska trek we spent a short time in Ketchikan and we took a trek on the Aleutian Ballad. The Aleutian Ballad was featured, and became famous on the Discovery Channel’s Emmy Award winning television series, Deadliest Catch. "On season two of that program, viewers watched in amazement as a crab boat was hit by a massive rogue wave, rolling it onto its side during a treacherous storm. That boat was the Fishing Vessel Aleutian Ballad, "

When we visited Ketchikan, Alaska, we took the opportunity to step on board and into the amazing world of Alaskan crab fishing via the "Deadliest Catch Crab Fishermen's Tour."

It was wonderful and we experienced a lot of nature, including swooping bald eagles!

On our Alaska trek, this was one of several highlights. Yes, it was overcast, and yes, it did begin to drizzle. But we were under a steel canopy, the seas in the inland passage were calm, the temperatures were mild at 55F. So we had a really enjoyable time on this 3-1/2 hour "adventure."

I've made a brief video of only a small portion of this wonderful, guided tour on a fishing boat which has been voted "Best Alaska Tour."

I may prepare and post a second video, including the eagles and other scenes not included in the first video. A link to the website for the "Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour" is included in the post.

Here's the link to the official website:

http://alaskacrabtour.com/

Alaska - Tracy Arm Fjord

Sawyer Glacier - Our Destination

This is a continuation of treks and things we've done which took us away from our normal lives. I've expanded this in recent years as time and $$$$ permits. We have taken some treks with relatives who are getting older and had expressed a desire to do things they had not yet done. It's good to do these things while we are physically able and with family or friends.

One small group was an Alaska trek which included a cruise up the Tracy Arm fjord to the Sawyer Glacier. This was the second glacier I've seen in my life. I was able to walk on the first one with mountain goats. The trek up the Tracy Arm was a leisurely one on a cruise ship. No hiking required or possible. 

I'll post a video in a few days, but for now here are a few photos. .Update: The video is at the end of this post.

Maneuvering in the Fjord

Early in the morning we continued up the Tracy Arm Fjord to Sawyer Glacier. Sunrise was about 4:00am and I was outside by 5:00 to watch our progress.

As we proceeded slowly into the fjord, we passed waterfalls, floating ice and seals. The scenery gradually changed and we encountered more floating ice as we grew closer to the glacier.

First View - Sawyer Glacier

Seals in the Distance

Here's the video link, uploaded May 31:

Alaska Trek - Whale Watching

During our Alaska trek, we did some whale watching. I was amazed at how 'lush' and vibrant the waters were.

We were not disappointed, and the sea lions cavorted for us. The naturalist laughed at their behavior and said they were like large dogs and love to show off.

Stretching Our Legs - Hummingbird Hawk Moth

While trekking we like to stop from time to time and simply stretch our legs.

State Parks and forest preserves are great places to do this and discover nature. We both like the smell and feel  of the forest.

On one such walk we came upon the Hawk-Moth, which many confuse to be a hummingbird. The video slows down the beating wings so they can be seen. In fact, to the naked eye the wings are a blur.

Warren Dunes May 2015

This year, we plan on spending some time along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. To that end, we visited the Warren Dunes last week. Of course, where we go this summer will be determined in part by the time available. Currently the schedule is busy.

The dunes is a fun spot. It's popular with hikers, bathers and youth groups. According to the Michigan DNR "The rugged dune formation rises 260 feet above the lake and offers spectacular views and excellent for hang gliding. The park has three miles of shoreline, six miles of hiking trails and is open year-round."  Entry via motor vehicle requires a "Recreation Passport" which is $9 daily and $31 annually for non-Michigan vehicles. 

In the Spring there are the swallows. During the fall, there is the migration of Monarch butterflies. Here are two videos. One was made a week ago, the other last fall. 

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Thetford Toilet Repair

Last fall we detected a problem with the Thetford toilet. The following video describes it, how it was a minor fresh water supply line leak and how it was repaired. Having TFE paste and the proper tools were a necessity.

Spring Startup - Oh, Oh, the slide has jammed

We have a long term plan. That includes shorter term components.

We took the RT out of winter storage and moved it to the location we decided upon last summer.

My experiences with a camper van includes two peak periods. One is prepping it for the winter storage and the other is taking it out of winter storage. After that, we enjoy.

Now. I admit I'm new to this. So there are always mini-adventures in taking the RT out of storage. Was anything damaged by the winter freeze? Did anything break or fail? Was my "winterizing" regimen successful?

So, when we power up the RT we check everything and look for issues or problems. As I like to tell my friends, this is like powering up one's home each spring after hibernating for the winter.

This year, we did encounter a problem which I would put in the "show stopper" category.

I check most of the major systems in the fall, make preparations for the winter and then recheck in the spring. I also took the RT to the Chevrolet dealer for the 15,000 mile service, which includes new wipers, replacing the engine oil with new Mobile One synthetic, rotating the tires and a good general check of the entire vehicle. After a clean bill of health by Haggerty Chevrolet in Wheaton, we drove to the location of the RT for the next six months.

Setup was uneventful. But on the morning after, the large slide-out would not open. This is a "show stopper" as opening this slide-out is essential for dumping the grey and black water tanks. Of course, if we can't open this slide-out we can't get to the BBQ, or the lawn chairs and firewood, either!

I was successful in solving this problem. The following video indicates how, and some other spring preparation:

Our "Tiny Cabin on Wheels" - Class B versus Larger

Different strokes for different folks is the old saying. Recently, there was an internet discussion about the pros and cons of the widebody class B's. I provided my opinion.

Our "Cabin on Wheels" home until November

We looked at a “widebody” Pleasure Way before our purchase decision. The XL is a “widebody” class B with a length of 22 ft 9 inches, about a foot longer than the Roadtrek 210P.

We never looked at a Class A. We're into "living a life of moderation while supporting the infrastructure."  That means paying taxes to support schools, roads and so on and trekking. I'm not practicing or promoting a life of tax avoidance while trekking the U.S.

There are trade-offs in all Class B’s. For example, we decided against a Roadtrek 190 because it was simply too small for our intended use. That’s a critical factor when making a purchase decision; what is the intended use? I would also say that our purchase decision was a compromise of features and dimensions. Our ideal vehicle would have the interior and storage capacity of the 210P in a 190. Ha-ha! I can also say, we’ve had 190 owners come over and look at the 210P and sigh. Yes, they too would like the larger interior, storage and refrigerator. However, they also like the "park it in any any all space" convenience of the 190.

Here's an example. Last year, we drove to the upper level of the Capulin Volcano National Monument in our 210P.  That road was built in 1925 and is narrower than current standards. According to the National Park Service "Large vehicles, such as tour buses and motor homes, struggle to navigate the tight S curves and narrow lanes without encroaching on the opposing lane of traffic. As a result, in 1994 the National Park Service implemented policies that restricted the length and width of vehicles safely able to negotiate the Volcano Road alone. To ensure safety, Capulin Volcano National Monument instituted traffic control protocols. Rangers control traffic at both the base and rim of the volcano. Traffic is altered from two-way traffic to one-way traffic to ensure the safe passage of oversized vehicles."

We read the warning signs on entering the monument and stopped at the visitor center. After we explained what we were driving we were told we could simply drive up to the top in our RT, and we did. There were no Class A's or B+s at the summit parking.

Our first class B experience was in the fall of 2013. We rented a Sprinter camper-van and took it to three of the National Parks in Utah. We also spent a night at a very large RV park in Nevada and a dealer had brought in several larger class B’s including a Pleasure Way with the murphy bed, etc. So we did have an opportunity to compare it to what we were renting. After seriously looking at a variety of Class B’s including Roadtreks we ultimately purchased a 210P.

We've had some interesting conversations with dealers. One of the purported advantages of the Pleasure Way version of a “widebody” class B was the larger interior; particularly the bath area. According to one dealer many buyers loved the class A’s but didn't like them on the road and preferred the larger interior of the XL. Again, it is about intended purpose and making a compromise. Many of the Class A users we have met tell us that they move the vehicle once or twice a year. They then park it for extended periods and it is their "large cabin on intermittent wheels.”

Our use is different and we move the RT more often, sometimes each day when travelling from one National Park or scenic area to another. However, this year we’re “storing” it in a campground on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan for 6 months. We’ll be using it frequently as a warm weather cabin and we'll then move it to the southwestern U.S. for the winter. That’s the plan, anyway.

In other words, it is our “tiny cabin on wheels” which we use when not in our larger 1320 sq. ft. condominium, with the 50 gallon hot water tank, larger kitchen, two offices, bedroom, deck and so on. When we do decide to live in our RT for extended periods, we stay at places with lots of facilities and so our RT is primarily for sleeping, cooking  and privacy; somewhat like a deluxe motel room with kitchen. No bedbugs or noisy neighbors, either!

However, I've set a goal to figure out how to make my cinnamon buns in the Roadtrek. It's got a convection oven and sufficient kitchen space. That will be one of my challenges for this summer.

I can say that my spouse liked the larger bath of the Pleasure Way. However, one big draw-back was the lack of living “zones.” If the bed was down, most of the living space was taken up. We’ve encountered that in many class C’s, too. Of course, the Murphy bed does easily go into hiding. But then, we would have one couch with table to share, or two larger chairs with table. There is no opportunity for one to stretch out to read while the other works on a PC. If G wants to sleep in, I can make coffee and go to the front of the Roadtrek and do my emails, make phone calls, or whatever. I can also exit and she has privacy in the rear. And I can do that without seriously disturbing her. Of course, if one leaves the bed down during the day, then the Pleasure Way XL is basically a bedroom with a kitchenette at the foot of the bed and bathroom. For comfort, the Pleasure Way included a furnace and an air conditioner. But I wanted a heat pump/AC/furnace because of my intended 3-1/2 seasons of travel. I wanted the ability to use a heat pump at 47F rather than using the propane furnace. Electricity, even at 10 cents per kWhr is less costly than propane.

Ultimately we decided against a Sprinter because of 1) the narrow width of the standard unit and 2) that large sliding side door. We also had some concerns about “only” 200 dealers in the U.S. As for the side door, open that door in a storm and you’ve opened half of the vehicle to nature and you will lose all AC cooling or heat in an instant. That was a real consideration. In that respect the Pleasure Way is a real improvement over the basic Sprinter.

We decided on a 210P for a variety of reasons. 1) Overall dimensions, 2) possibility of 3-1/2 season use, 3) wider interior than a standard Sprinter or a 190, 4) more storage inside and outside; IMHO for anyone taking multi-week treks with serious temperature changes, storage is a necessity. 5) Two living zones separated by the kitchen/bath area, 6) larger kitchen area, refrigerator and microwave-convection oven not on the floor, 7) Heat pump/AC/furnace available, 8) three seats up front (5 seatbelts total) and 9) pretty good gas mileage (our experience = typically 18+ MPG at 55-65 MPH).

All in all, the smaller bath of the 210P has not been a big deal. In reality, with a smaller hot water heater, one soon discovers that there is insufficient hot water for a luxurious shower. For that, we use the facilities at the camp ground or resort. The commode with a sink is the major bathroom use and much appreciated in bad weather and at night. In fact, yesterday I preferred shaving in the RT bathroom because of the hot water. The campground had only cold water available at the sinks.

Now, some of our friends don’t understand us at all, but then they never will.