Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Preparations

Our new home:
We decided to purchase a 5th wheel trailer based on recommendations of numerous old-timers living the RV lifestyle. We discovered and purchased the perfect used trailer at an RV dealer 8 miles from our home. The first piece of the puzzle that just dropped into our laps. Made by Sunnybrook, we named it Sonny.

A tow vehicle was required which we found effortlessly on e-bay. Ol’ Blue is a two-year old, one-ton, extended cab, long-bed GMC diesel pick-up truck, and we bet you can guess the color. We found it on a Thursday and by the following Tuesday Jay was on a plane to Detroit to drive it home. He got 21 miles per gallon and an opportunity to visit his cousins in Ohio en route.

Although RV parks have electrical hookups to provide all of our modern day needs, we installed a generator to enable complete self-sufficiency if we happen to find an open field somewhere that looks like it needs someone to occupy it short-term.

We spent September, October and into November customizing areas of the interior to accommodate computer stations for each of us and maximizing storage areas. We removed the existing dinette set and recliner and installed our desks. The cavern containing the multi-function TV, VCR, DVD unit, that weighed a ton, became a shelved storage cabinet for our office supplies. Chris’ computer monitor doubles as our living area TV.

Experienced RVers told us that trailer tires have a propensity for blowing out at the most inopportune times. So, we decided to avoid the excitement and put on new tires traditionally made for trucks. Installing the monstrous (some assembly required) hitch in Ol’ Blue was the last major piece of the puzzle needed for us to take a test drive around the block with Sonny. All systems GO!!!


We were ready to show our friends and family our new toys via an Open House celebration. It was a tremendous success with many in attendance who Ooooed and Aaaahhhhed at the spaciousness and comfortable details of Sonny. At one point we had 20 people inside with room to spare.





Next we will be loading our clothes, food and other supplies then moving in to camp in the driveway while we work out any other bugs/discover things we need/and settle in. The weather has turned very cold (into the teens this week during the day!!!). Where is Global Warming when we really need it?



!!! Five weeks to blast-off !!!

2 comments:

Bryan said...

Sonny looks quite comfy. Hope I'll get a chance to see her whenever you swing through eastern NC. A suggestion for your next blog - give us voyeurs a hint of your planned itinerary. Bon voyage!

Betsy said...

Logical step for you guys, looks like loads of fun - thanks for letting us follow along.