The Travels of Oregon RVing Women

What an exciting end of summer.  I decided to upgrade to a bigger rig so that two of us camping would be more comfy when friends or family came along.  After researching travel trailers, I bought a 2008 Tango by Pacific Coachworks from Frank Biggs at Johnson RV Sales in Portland.  My new trailer is light weight, 27′11″, and half ton towable.

Now that I knew how big my trailer was, that acted as my guide to buying the tow vehicle.  Frank suggested a pick-up but added a Chevy Tahoe when I asked about an SUV.  Turns out Tahoes really are for soccer moms.  I finally test drove a pick-up, after many people suggested it and my constant reply that I wasn’t a pick-up girl.  Well, turns out that I am.   After a tiresome search of used pick-ups on the web and never finding one with the big engine, axle ratio and tow package that I needed, a neighbor recommended Johnston Motors in Florence.  With my referral and introduction to Brian Johnston, he went to work finding me the Ford F150 with everything I needed.  And more.  I now own an ‘06 with warranty left and only 24,000 miles.  The silver color matches one of the Tango detail colors and looks brand new.  Stayed within my budget, sent me home with a full tank of gas, and I can’t be happier.

 The only thing left to do now was to learn how to hook up and drive this new articulated combo after driving my little old 21 ft. Chinook motorhome.  The guys at Johnston Motors took all the time I needed to go over the pick-up features before I drove it home.  The techs at Johnson RV Sales did the same with all my new trailer features including the Prodige breaking system and stabilizers that were included with my trailer, and filled one of my propane tanks.  They also tutored my first drive nearby to try backing up, parking and cornering before I drove home.  Well, my brain got full long before they were done, but I had been assured by many of the RVW gals that I could master all this soon enough.  And then there I was on my way home to the coast.  The tech had told me not to worry about the other drivers near me.  He said my rigs were real big and they’d see me coming and keep and eye on what I was doing.  So I just concentrated on staying between the lines and trying to get the feel of the road.  Made it home and had a community parking party on our RV lot as neighbors came to assist my first efforts there.

If any of you are looking for a change of rig, I recommend Johnson RV Sales in Portland, ask for Frank Biggs, and Brian Johnston at Johnston Motors in Florence.  They will help you find the right rig at your price for happy trails.     Barb

Life On Wheels is a week long training program that is conducted at the University of Idaho in Moscow every July.  If you can make it happen, I think you should try.  It is for full timers, part timers, and I wish I had timers.

Technical systems classes are offered along with life style classes.  By the time you are through, you can have an overview of your rigs systems from bumper to bumper, or learn about rig, personal, and computer safety.  Where to go and how to get there, offered by road authors who have been there.

 By the second day you can’t believe how much you have already tried to cram into your brain and wonder how much can possibly stay put.  Fortunately, most instructors give outlines that you can write all over.  And I sure did. 

There were people here who didn’t even own a rig yet and were trying to make that first buy a good one.  Considering the investment we make in our RVs, that’s not such a bad idea. 

I feel more confident when I’m on the road now, knowing a little more about this home on wheels and how to trouble shoot some of the most common problems with it.  And because of that, I can just have more fun.  After all, that’s why I’m out there.                  Barb

My first trip in for RV servicing this year was begun with breakdown.  I couldn’t get my rig to start and finally called Progressive Roadside Assistance for a tow in to the shop.  Nelscott Towing came and disconnected my drive line to tow me into Lincoln City.  Now, I’ve been towed before and previously watched the driver disconnect and reconnect the drive line so I saw nothing amiss here.  The driver said he would drop off my rig at the shop and I could check in with them the next day for the status on my repairs. 

Next day I found out that first they had to reconnect my drive line to get my rig into the shop so, that was $43 to start.  Car Care Specialists wished me good luck in seeking justice on this common practice, they said.  Progressive said they had no policy on what tow drivers disconnected or not.  My old mechanic in Portland said about half the time, tow drivers didn’t reconnect but always told him if they had not.  In talking to Paul Snyder the driver and owner of Nelscott Towing, he said the previous tow I had where the driver reconnected my drive line, well, he was just being a nice guy!  

So, with this long story, there is a warning about towing.  If you don’t want to have to pay for your shop to fix something that the tow guy does to your rig, make sure that your tow driver agrees to reconnect your drive line at the other end.  Don’t assume that the driver will be a ’nice guy’, help him agree to be one.                       Barb

This is a travel blog for Oregon RVW members only.   If you are a member and want to blog, please contact me at barbpace.rvw@gmail.com and I’ll get you up and blogging as quickly as possible, with an email confirmation.

We want to hear about where you have traveled and your impressions of other parts this big and beautiful country.  Eat any interesting foods? or recommend a great spot where you stayed.