Drop in and dribble on about nothing serious. Seriously a mad place to hang out. Better to avoid it if you're not in the mood!!! If you're determined to be sad, bad, mad & angry then move along!!!
Hi all
I have urged my parents for some time to "do the motorhome thing" and they have put down a deposit on a nice unit. However, they are VERY nervous about "what could go wrong" in general.
They are fit and healthy (in their 70s) but there is a fear of being stranded or........or .....or.
I would ask the collective for a list that I could work through with them = all the possible breakdowns, failures, fears and issues that you can come up with. Probably a scary list !
If possible, add the answer to the issue (if you have one) but if not we can all work to the best solution!
My fantastic parents need the best protection and care I can give them so they can relax and enjoy what they have worked a lifetime for. They are slowly getting into a new ipad for internet, emails and such -thats communication on the road pretty well covered. The motorhome is a 2008 Sunliner on a ford transit, plenty of solar, should be reliable.
Dad is mechanically competent and they are both avid campers.
Some will have a different opinion on this, but I would suggest they begin by "camping" in some nice caravan parks in towns/cities where they are not far from help for repairing any teething problems with the motorhome. Having said that, a relatively new Sunliner should be well sorted by now and not have many problems. I don't think a list of things that could go wrong would be very long.
If they have been campers I am sure their campground skills are good and it won't be too long before other motorhomers on the road share experiences that will give them confidence.
Just tell them Steve said, "Get out there and do it." We are only 70 and hoping for 10 to 15 years ahead on the road from time to time. There's nothing that can go wrong that isn't likely to go wrong when they are down at the shopping centre.
I agree so many grey nomads traveling around this country, you are never really on your own, once they start they will probably rarely be home, just tell them to go.
#1 and most important bagmaker, is that we as travellers are a very helpful and friendly lot, there is always heaps to help or lend a hand, as long as you're not too proud to ask for help.
From our experience in 20 months since we left the main subject was get to know your electrics, trouble is everyone has a different story as to how to keep it up and running, solar, inverters, batteries, generater etc and they'll confuse the hell out of you, but excellent publications by Colin Rivers were recommended highly to us.
What runs off 12 volt or what you need a genny for.
Where all your fuses are.
What your daily usage is compared to what your solar panels are putting into the battery, so you know if you have to supplement with genny.
How many cloudy days you can go before using genny.
Know what minimum capacity of your battery, before damaging your batteries.
Sounds scarey but reading and studying up on it will be a huge advantage, but your dad sounds like he's a smart cookie so it wont be a problem.
This forum is a ripper and will be a good resource.
Get to know how long your water tanks last, changing your usage, thrifty and being careful with it or the other end of the spectrum and full showers etc.
Have a hard look at whether they might like to tow a toad, because it can be a real pain having to pack up to go get groceries & water etc and if you are in a popular and loved place you'll loose your spot sometimes and as great as fellow travellers are, they are more than happy picking up Milk & bread but using them too much to get your stuff can strain the friendships. A toad is handy to keep your water containers too. Then you can camp up and explore the area with your toad, or just check out what the track is like into your next camp spot, the advantages are huge.
Our kids are very supportive of our new lifestyle too and I'm sure your Mum & Dad love and appreciate your support as we do our kids.
It doesn't take long to get used to this lifestyle and all that goes with it, but there are every type of person out here and all have coped with flying colours, single, married, rich, poor, dumb, smart, same sex couples, highly educated, worldly, all are equal and all fit.
They really have to give it a go with no regrets and know that they didn't sit back and wonder what it could have been like.
You are a very special son/daughter.
Cheers
Ash & Wendy They'll forget what you said, they'll forget what you did,
But they'll always remember how you made them feel.
One thing that I would suggest that you make sure that they are competent with is changing a flat tyre. Make sure the vehicle has enough jacks, chocks etc to be able to safely lift the wheel when the tyre is flat as I have seen a few travellers stuck because they couldn't get the jack under. Apart from that, as the others have already said tell them to get out and enjoy. Everybody has to start somewhere. We were all newbies one day.
Cheers
David
David and Terrie 2006 Winnebago Alpine Not all who wander are lost.
I would agree with knowing the batterys, whats possible and whats not.
Caravan parks for the first few trips until comfortable
not sure about the toad, we find we can manage parking ours OK and packing up to go somewhere isn't a chore. You soon learn to shop before you stop.
Get out n enjoy
Wobblybox on wheels
Pace Arrow. La de da, property in two continents..
At first I thought this a phishing expedition, but if genuine then as David said my advice 1) is to actually go through the motion of changing a wheel before leaving home. Especially where duals are involved, so that it does not become a duel. Having that confidence "BTDT"* is priceless rather than a surprise.
2) pack the unit then unpack it an look at the HEAP of stuff and ask; "Do I rooly need this?". Even seasoned travellers end up chucking things that should not have found a spot in the van, let alone even been on the list. On the road you can make a "I wish I'd brought XXXX" list, but believe me, the "I wish we hadn't brought that" list will be longer.
dawg in A'van watching camel herding - similar to cats.
*BTDT : been there, done that.
Experience is a wonderful thing. It helps you recognise a mistake when repeated.
Radiator / fuel tank repair epoxy
Spade, recovery gear, sand mats
Torches + spotlight
Cordless chainsaw & charger
Reflective triangles for flat tyres and emergencies
Large sheet of clear plastic film for window replacement emergency
Air Compressor / battery jump with leads
Puncture repair and tire irons, tire gauge
Wheel nut tension indicators
Tire inflation monitor system in cab
Mirrors should be safety glass or acrylic
safety glass breaking hammers
drive-off checklist
Fire safety blanket
Fire extinguishers
Smoke detector (kitchen suitable type)
Internal LPG / CO-2 Gas detector
Cyclone tie-down points on roof, full tie-down kit
Safety/security screen door
Hand tools of course
Rags
Hand cleaner
20 litre emergency drinking water
Medical chest- snake and spiderbite stuff, inflatable splints, ice/heat bag
prescription medicines and copies of prescriptions.
Prescription sunglasses, reading glasses and prescription.
A lot of that list is specific to longer trips, far from civilisation - just covering all bases.
I am sure they will be OK and confident after a couple of 2-3 day local jaunts.
Having that confidence "BTDT"* is priceless rather than a surprise.