Approaches to trekking

G and I aren't usually the "jump in the Roadtrek and wing it " types. But we did just that in December 2013 a couple of weeks after taking delivery of our 210P.  That 2500 mile initial trek was a lot of fun and it ended well. But we did take some risks by doing that. Those types of risks might not be prudent for everyone.

There is an old expression "Be prepared and take advantage of opportunity when it is presented. "

I've been asked about our approach to trekking. Here is a quick summary of tools, etc. that we use and approach to such travel.

First and foremost we like to have our treks be as pleasant as possible, under prevailing conditions. So we do things to facilitate that.

Our first trek, overnight at a rest stop:

I put together this list and asked G her comments. She's partner, co-pilot and navigator!

1. Communications Tools A smart phone with internet access is essential. We carry a PC for more serious internet tasks. ·
2. Weather and inclement weather planning We closely monitor the weather, using 10-day forecasts when planning. When trekking we recheck each and every day. This is mandatory when travelling longer distances and at certain times of the year when fast moving storms do occur. We always carry rain gear and clothes for cool to hot weather, even in summer. 
3.  Insects and other pests and physical well-being We carry bug repellent, tick removal tool, a small medical kit. 
4. Trip and Route Planning Tools 

• Clio App (history, museums, culture, etc.) 
•  Allstays App (truck stops, campgrounds, overnight parking, stores, RV Dealers & Service, etc.)
• GPS [Real time - Verizon Navigator for online traffic (or Google Maps Traffic), etc.]
• GPS (Trip planning – Garmin, TomTom , Microsoft Streets & Trips 2013)
• Printed maps (Nationwide Rand McNally for truckers, local street and highway maps. 
• Sources for travel information We do online searches before and during travel. G as Navigator also consults printed material. Good Sams, KOA, AAA materials Roadtrip USA (a book by Jamie Jensen), FMCA membership data including the "cyberrally" email service.

5. Travel in Realistic Segments. We break each trek into segments which allow for a reasonable amount of daily travel. 

6. Use the distinction of “sightseeing” travel vesus “distance” travel.   We use two different aspects for travel segments. These are “sightseeing” and “distance”. We have different expectations and goals for each of these approaches. We use both approaches when trekking.

7. Be Flexible because Things do happen. We do our best to simply accept what occurs as a challenge rather than as an impediment. It’s good to have a plan “B”.

 8. Set maximum daily travel limits This is determined by objective or “time to distance”. For example, travelling at 70 MPH for 10 hours allows a maximum daily distance of 700 miles. However, there are bathroom breaks, meal stops, stretch stops and gas stops to consider even if we are going for distance. I use 60 MPH as a realistic average speed for distance driving on interstates, and that may be pushing it. However, it is prudent to combine these agendas for the stops. So we look ahead using the Apps to find truck stops we like and can provide the amenities per stop. Experience is a good teacher.  

9. Have Reservations To avoid booked campgrounds we make a reservation. We may do this the “morning of” but usually several days in advance as we progress along our route. In busy seasons, or in popular areas making reservations weeks ahead may be prudent. Sometimes months ahead is necessary. It is really comforting to have the security of knowing we have a place for the night before arriving.

10. Duration of the Travel Segments and Multi-night stays When trekking we may travel for the better part of one day, stay overnight and then travel the next day. However, this means we setup each night, and get back on the road each morning. To make segments more enjoyable we prefer two nights minimum in most locations. That allows us to stretch for an entire day, get up a little later on that first morning at the campground, explore the area, have a nice meal and even a campfire in the evening before settling in for the second night. 

11. Incentives We like to have something to look forward to each and every day. It may be a museum, or painted churches, or strolling through a town, or even driving to see an ancient bridge. And of course there are state and national parks, too. 

12. Shared responsibilities I do most of the driving and G is the Navigator. We approach trekking as a partnership for all. When the children were young they participated in my camping outings, too. Current duties have been determined by practical experience. I don’t mind driving for hours and I am inclined to travel near the speed limit. G prefers to travel at 5 MPH or so below the speed limit, but is willing to do daily planning and logistics. I view a 5MPH deficit as accumulating as much as 50 miles over 10 hours. That’s nearly an additional hour of extra driving per day. (10 hours @ 50 MPH = 500 miles per day. 10 hours at 55 MPH = 550 miles per day. The difference is 50 miles per day). Bottom line: If we are going for distance it is prudent to put the faster driver in the driver's seat.

13. Planning the Route We determine the rough route before beginning a trek. We establish goals. We then do some online research of communities and sights along the way. When researching these communities we look for festivals and the things that make each community unique. The day of arrival makes a difference. Some locations fill up with weekend travelers. Holidays can produce special problems or issues. 

We own a RT, a travel trailer and a 5th wheel. The manuals provided by RT were the best of the three. Howevever, our 2013 210P has minimal high tech or proprietary equipment. We have no fancy diesel engine, no Alde heating system, no proprietary lithium batteries, etc.

The manuals provided by Roadtrek with our 210P. I downloaded most of these from the manufacturer's website as pdf files. I've put all on a PC as well as the many "service manuals" I found on the internet. I carry a copy on a flash drive.  I've also read and studied all. Waiting until problems occur is too late to begin reading, in my opinion.

I've downloaded all of the service manuals for everything. Our 210P has performed extraordinarily well while travelling and living in it with ambient temperatures from 5F at night to 103F during the day. That's been the way it has been for 33,000 miles. We have lived in it for up to 110 continuous days and we have experienced good factory/dealer support. I suppose one could argue that "things have changed" since 2013 and a some people on social media insist that it so. That's not been my experience. One could also argue that "I am lucky" but I prefer that old definition of luck: Be prepared and take advantage of opportunity when it is presented.

I will admit I am probably unusual. I spent years reviewing class Bs before a purchase. We rented one before purchase. Then upon buying I took a lot of it apart to figure it out. And, oh, I read all of the manuals and tried everything. That includes stuff that wasn't clear to me in the manuals. After I thought I understood the tech I tried it all and practiced everything including winterizing and de-winterizing. I learned every valve, fuse, etc. and G and I even purchased certain spare parts to take with us.

Gee, I wonder why we've had great treks? Just luck of course!

Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

Living in "Candominiums"

"Living the RV Dream, "Full Time RVing", "RV Boondocking", RV Solar Living" "Fifth Wheel" living, "RVers on the Road" and the list goes on.

There are many expectations for RV living and lots of social media groups which provide insights and opinions. There are also many ways to live the RV lifestyle, as many as there are RVs on the road.  This is not a "one size fits all" situation. For example, we trek in a Class B (Roadtrek 210P). Since December 2013 we've trekked nearly 22,000 miles in it with some treks of up to 110 days (90 days interrupted by an overnight hotel stay in Bisbee AZ). We think of the 210P as our mobile motel room and our gateway to the outdoors. It is very comfortable. But we have friends who simply cannot grasp why we would do this. Some are tied to their abode and the big city they live in. Others have tried country living and hated it; (think "Green Acres"). Others had a short RV experience with their children in tow and after about two weeks in a metal can had enough of the "camping" adventure.  Some need the internet and cable TV and don't want to pay the price to get these on the road. And of course, some have work, job or family commitments and simply can't get away.

Obviously, this lifestyle is not for everyone and there are different lifestyles to pursue. That is my point. For every hearty endorsement of the RV lifestyle and experience, there may be an opposing view. Which is why there is a "full time RV Hell" social group.  Which makes me wonder. RVs are mobile and so if one doesn't like their current location, then move on. If the rig is a piece of junk, then move on.

Some call their rigs "tiny homes" and some call them "candominiums."

Flexibility is Helpful
We've taken a somewhat flexible approach and while it seems there are periods of imperfection, it is also true that everything is "perfectly imperfect." Yes, it can be darn good. We do enjoy the great outdoors, truck stops, resorts, National Parks and meeting new people. We also enjoy a lot of space. That might seem oxymoronic, because our Class B is such a tiny, tiny home. However, when we open that side door we step into the great outdoors. In fact, that experience is what convinced G that she really wanted to do this. She tells me she'll never forget opening the side door on a trek through Canyonlands National Park and looking at the vista. We were in a small area legally adjacent to the road and overlooking the canyons. We were enjoying lunch. We had a vista of at least 15 miles with no one in our view; just the canyons and bluffs to the horizon.

Hiking in Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands at Sunset - don't step back!

On the edge at Canyonlands, contemplating the far horizon

Open that side door at 5:30am as we did one morning and we had a different experience, at 9F. When we encounter such experiences we are usually just "passing through" and there is better weather just over the horizon. If not, we then continue moving.

We found better weather and when the day was done we retreated indoors and had another comfy night.

We can choose where and when to stop. We're not locked into any one location. Nevertheless, we do camp in weather extremes. I do think we've pushed the limits in the Roadtrek with outdoor temps from about 5F to over 100F and some really long treks. Some might consider this "extreme RVing" as one person described our approach. Furthermore most RVs are not designed for full time living. That requires some tolerance and understanding on the part of the occupants. Not everyone is going to be satisfied with RV living.

There are Differing Experiences
Some of us aren't ready to live this way, and each vehicle may provide a different experience. We tried a 19 foot Sprinter based rig with solar and all electric (no propane). We did this because we wanted the experience before making a purchase decision for any RV. We decided it wouldn't work for the longer treks we were planning and to the locations in mind. How long? 3 months or more. On the other hand, even the 19 footer was luxury compared to the backpacking and ground camping I've done. Back then it was a sleeping bag and a plastic potty bag inside the tent when it was really cold outside. The slogan while packing and planning what to carry was "an ounce in the morning is a pound at night." Today we can bring BBQ, lawn chairs, stuff the 5 cu. ft. refrigerator, carry sufficient supplies for weeks and so on. It has been a very different experience in the RVs.

My personal history influences my perspectives. I've lived for months on end in a variety of motels. This was required by my work. For one project I lived in a motel for 11 months. For another it was 5 months. Then there have been dozens of trips of 30 days or so and even more of 5 days or so. My first such business trip was 50 years ago. My next will be in a few weeks. While motels come with clean towels and daily service, I still prefer the Roadtrek and I do much of the cooking, etc.  We use a convection/microwave, a propane range, propane BBQ and an electric induction burner with cast iron. We have multiple heat sources including a heat pump, propane furnace and electric heater. There is an air conditioner for summer, and a two fans for ventilation and cooling.

However, living in a our mobile motel room does have challenges. I've written of this before. Every time one opens the door the elements come in. Do that in a driving rain and the humidity inside will become higher than that outside. Class Bs have a lot of glass and that glass has an R-value of about 0.1, which is almost nothing. Even Reflectix has an R-Value of about 1.0 or ten times better.  If your rig has solar panels then you will be parking in the sun to get that wonderful bounty of "free" energy. That's fine at temperatures below 75F. But as the temperatures rise that rig becomes a sauna.

A Hybrid Balance
We have taken  a hybrid approach. We follow the sun, hopping from home bases, which are stationary rigs positioned in AZ and MI. One is at a small campground in a wonderful area on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. We're 2 hours from Chicago, or can easily go the the UP. The other is in a resort community in a winter area we decided we really like. These are our home bases and we can come and go as we please. There are other approaches. One can also own a condo and use it part time, or rent it to others with the anticipation of someday returning to a fully stationary lifestyle. We are currently hedging our bet with a condo.

However, if I wanted the absolute lowest cost with some amenities, I would seriously consider a Casita travel trailer or similar. The 16 foot  Deluxe has a dry weight of just over 2,000 lbs. It can be towed by just about any vehicle with a Class II hitch and is comfortable for two, but can sleep up to six. One can park it just about anywhere and that means cheap living.

We opted for a B because we wanted a self contained unit, something we could drive everyday if we wanted to. I do admit at 21 ft. our rig is pushing the limits and it does stand out. Not exactly stealth trekking. But is has a lot of space and all of the amenities we required for trekking 90 days at a time.

For full time vehicle use, a 19 ft. Class B is probably optimal, but there are serious space compromises.

"Candominium" Living
We don't want to live in the Roadtrek full time. So what choices are there? One can find a resort with used Park models. These are really "tiny homes" and we did consider that. These are permanent and require renting a site for an annual fee. Some are really lovely with expansive covered decks, air conditioned adjacent rooms (insulated prefab buildings) and so on. Some have space for a small RV too. However, resorts do have rules about one RV only on a site. They don't allow two occupied RVs in a location designed for one. A Class B which can be used for daily travel is acceptable at such resorts.

We checked out a number of used Park models for sale. We can see why this is a popular approach. These predate the 'tiny home' movement by about 40 years. They are in many ways superior to some of the tiny homes we've seen.  One drawback to the Park model is they are not really "portable". The possible issues for a Park model include:

1. Age restrictions in the community (55+, for example)
2. Age demographics (A 55+ community may have a very large percentage of those aged 80)
3. Resort finances (A resort may have financial issues)
4. Rules and Regulations (These may be restrictive and not to your liking)
5. A lack of mobility (If you decide you would prefer to move to another resort, you will have to find a buyer for your Park model).

Of course, one can always purchase a travel trailer (TT) or a 5th wheel and put it on a site. That mitigates many of the problems of a Park model; if one decided they would prefer another resort, they can have their RV hauled elsewhere even if they don't own a truck.

Continued in Part 2

Setting up the southwest base

We've spent the better part of 90 days attempting to complete the creation of our southwest living base. It hasn't been easy.

However, this week it came to pass. We had the Redwood Cypress put into position on our location. This is something that we began in 2002, declared in 2007 and today 14 years after those tentative steps. we have achieved this goal.

The Redwood is now added to our living possibilities. 

Here is the way it looked a short time ago:

It has been a long journey/

Passive versus Active energy systems while Trekking

A Passive Solar Energy Device

When trekking we take advantage of both active and passive temperature control and other systems. Of course simple conservation is the best passive system to use, in my opinion. By practicing this hot water and energy requirements are reduced. Judicious approaches to cooking also reduce energy requirements, even if propane or other fuels are used. Solar power has a significant advantage over other energy sources if plentiful sunlight is available. This is particularly true for those planning on spending long periods in the camper or RV with a preference not to be "plugged in". However, solar power is not "free." The solar energy collection and storage systems had to be built, have to be maintained and they do have a finite lifespan. There is a cost for that and while it is possible that some of the systems will have a 10 year lifetime or even longer, some approaches will not. In other words, all solar and battery systems are not equal.

The sun sail in the photo above is an example of a "passive" solar system. It doesn't use energy nor does it rely upon mechanical devices. The awning on the side of the vehicle can shield most of that side from the heat of the sun. Reflectix reflective bubble pack in windows is another. The screen on the rear door is a third example of passive temperature control. These things, when used together can assist in regulating the interior temperature.  By orienting the vehicle to the sun and using these techniques, the interior temperature can be improved in both hot and cold weather.

Of course, many of our homes also use passive systems such as insulation, south facing windows for winter solar heat and so on.

Other passive approaches used when RVing include simple orientation of the vehicle to the sun's solar radiation (infrared energy). In the summer this includes parking the vehicle in the shade to reduce interior temperatures. In the winter, parking it in the sun and allowing entry of sunlight through windows is a method to increase interior temperatures. This is effective because the infrared energy from the sun is converted to heat on striking an object. Certain colors absorb more infrared than others. Black, for example is an excellent energy absorber while white or highly reflective surfaces absorb less energy. Infrared which is reflected is not converted to heat, so to maximize heating we attempt to reflect as little sunlight as possible. For minimum heating we do just the opposite and reflect as much sunlight as possible.

Active systems include the use of electrical energy from a variety of sources. These include the 50A or 30A, 120VAC shore power connectors on RVs and the solar panels many come equipped with and the battery systems. The solar panels, controllers, batteries and inverters are active systems because they collect and store that solar energy, and then later convert it for use in heating, cooling, cooking and so on.

An Active Solar Energy Device

Solar on Full Sun

Of course, if the vehicle is equipped with roof top solar panels, then it may be a necessity to park in the sun to take maximum advantage of the solar energy which is available and to avoid depleting the batteries. So, there are trade-offs with such active systems. Some get around that with smaller portable solar panels which can be set up 10 or more feet from the vehicle and oriented as desired. This approach has the advantage of allowing the vehicle to be parked in the shade for cooling, while energy is collected and stored by the solar panel(s) which are in the sun. Of course, portable solar panels can't collect energy while stored in the vehicle and rooftop collectors can. So there are trade-offs to all approaches. Of course, one can use both rooftop and portable solar collectors and get the best of both worlds.

Further passive temperature control in the vehicle can be accomplished by opening widows or door(s). With the vehicle in the shade, the windows and/or doors open and good airflow, the interior temperature will be the lowest possible and will approach the outside temperature. If in the sun, with a sun sail properly positioned and the awning extended the interior temperature will be lower than it would otherwise be in full sun.  Vehicle color also plays a part. Certain colors such as black generally absorb more infrared energy while white reflects more energy.

Cooking is another opportunity for use of passive systems. Simply cooking outdoors will lower the interior temperature of the vehicle. It will also lower the relative humidity. Boiling liquids creates steam and that may lead to discomfiture and even water on cooler surfaces. There are also a variety of solar cookers on the market. If the desire is to reduce consumption of energy in the vehicle, then cooking over a wooden fire is always an option, assuming suitable firewood is available. People have been making "solar tea" forever; all it takes is a glass jar and a tea bag. If the vehicle has sufficient batteries and solar collectors, then an inductive cooktop can be used inside or outside the vehicle.

Even active system benefits can be improved and extended by use. For example, most vehicles which have coach batteries include an inverter. The inverter may also be used to control the charging of the batteries while the vehicle is on shore power (120VAC) or the vehicle engine or generator are running. However, the primary purpose of the inverter is to convert 12VDC from the batteries to 120VAC at 60 hertz (Hz). Unfortunately, using an inverter will more rapidly deplete the stored energy of the batteries because inverters are not 100% efficient. During the inversion, some DC is used, or lost, primarily as heat. That heat may also be transferred to the interior of the vehicle. So, to maximize battery power available, it is best to use 12VDC devices and avoid the inverter all together. Many plug-in devices such as laptops, or cellphones and other electronic devices can run or be charged on 12VDC. For additional interior "cooling" there are 12VDC fans available, and even for refrigerator compartment cooling a 12VDC fan is frequently used.

Using passive systems may require a shift in one's thinking and approach to some activities. It may require a change in awareness, and an inquiry into "what am I hoping to accomplish here and how can I reduce the energy required?" However, a lot of this becomes habit after a while. For example, on cool mornings we generally cook indoors and use that heat to increase the interior temperature. Later, when the outdoor temperatures are at their peak, we may cook outside to maintain interior comfort levels. This approach is necessary for other tasks such as water consumption. True, there are passive water sterilization techniques and ground campers and backpackers use them all the time. However, there is a limited capacity to the grey and black water tanks. One needs to determine just how much of a "camping" experience their trekking is to be. Many of us want it to be less camping and more like home. Simultaneously we prefer to minimize the use of shore power, generators and extend the time until the grey and black tanks are full. If so, that desire becomes a driving force for better and more flexible energy sources in our trekking vehicles. It also provides a motivation to be better trekkers.