Documentary on mobile living

[Stacy]

it's not really a cheap way to live, if you are on the move. Fuel mileage--5-7 mpg. Then, they have at least 6 large-sized tires, that are not cheap to replace.

Good point, and I wouldn't want to drive a big RV around all the time anyway. But a small trailer or a van might be doable, if I could pare my possessions down and put a comfy bed in it.

But, they're not insulated extremely well, so when winter arrives, that will be a problem.

Agreed, I would have to be sure to be a step ahead of the weather and make sure I'm somewhere south of here before it gets cold. But then I could see myself getting tired of that after awhile, whether it's a few years or a couple of decades. By then, I'll have done some traveling I probably wouldn't have done otherwise.
Of course, it's all just fantasyland for me at this point. I should probably take a long car trip or two to see if I'm still interested after that.

[Alan]

There's always a show being done about some novel, alternative lifestyle. That's why it's entertainment. But, it's not really a cheap way to live, if you are on the move. Fuel mileage--5-7 mpg. Then, they have at least 6 large-sized tires, that are not cheap to replace. I've seen people set them up for awhile in cheaper, old mobile home parks, or in backyards of suburban/rural homes. But, they're not insulated extremely well, so when winter arrives, that will be a problem. They are made for what they are made for---50-something retirees who want to travel the USA on extended vacations, and combine car-jocking with camping in scenic, semi-wilderness areas, and avoid hotels, en route. . You see several of them every night at the walmart parking lot, along I-44.. But no, I cannot see living in one, long-term, unless you are homeless and on a fixed income. It's strictly a temporary thing.

You know we've been practicing this for several weeks each year for the past 7 years. We get a little better gas mileage, around 10mpg in a Class 'C' motorhome, pulling a small trailer with the motorcycle. The poor insulation is a problem when it's cold, we found that out a few years ago after spending several nights at 14,000 feet in the Grand Tetons, in July no less.

We'll both be retired in a few years and the plan is to follow warm weather in the motorhome for 5 to 6 months each year and return to our home base the rest of the year. The other part of the plan is to do shorter trips on the motorcycle, pulling a small trailer with life's essentials, including a tent. We're hoping to do the west coast in that manner next year. My wife says she's ok with it as long as she can call dibs on a motel every 5 or 6 days, I think that's a fine idea myself. If that little adventure works out, we'll take the bike down to a customizer in Western KY and have them turn it into a trike, just like this one:



I'm really looking forward to a mobile lifestyle. As a matter of fact, I can't wait....

[Packy]

Well, that's nice! It looks really EXPENSIVE. I'll bet your Grandson likes going for a ride on THAT.

[Packy]

You know, if you ever gt tired of it, I bet you could sell that for a pretty penny, and get ahold of an old Packard that's in pretty good shape.

[kib]

... I actually thought your unedited post had some interesting questions, Packy. Is this thing safe at speed, Alan?

[Packy]

... I actually thought your unedited post had some interesting questions, Packy. Is this thing safe at speed, Alan?

I don't want to spoil anyones' fun--especially my own, kib. But, I stand by my theory that Harley's & other Motorcycles are best suited for older guys who don't have a pension or a fat 401k to look forward to. Why, just the other day, a young man of 45 with a very bad attitude was out on his motorcycle here, and spent some time eluding the police. He finally hit a semi that was turning, and that collision concluded his life.

[Alan]

... I actually thought your unedited post had some interesting questions, Packy. Is this thing safe at speed, Alan?

Three points of contact are always safer than two. Just to be clear, I haven't converted my bike yet, it's just part of the mobile lifestyle plan. The picture is of a bike just like mine, after conversion. I'll continue to ride mine on two wheels for a bit longer but the realization that my knees and legs will not always be able to safely support a nearly 900lb bike, not including passenger, forces me to plan for a more secure platform. So, our retirement plan is to spend roughly half the year traveling in the motorhome and shorter periods on the trike, tent camping while maintaining a home base for the rest of the time.

I didn't get a chance to see Packy's original post but any and all questions are welcome.

[Alan]

I don't want to spoil anyones' fun--especially my own, kib. But, I stand by my theory that Harley's & other Motorcycles are best suited for older guys who don't have a pension or a fat 401k to look forward to.

Why would you say that?

[Packy]

Uh--three points of contact are safer than two? Well, it may prevent a dented gas tank, as a result of dumping it when parking or maneuvering at very low speeds. But, my experience with the 3-wheeled bicycles vs conventional 2-wheels says definitely not. Okay--at very low speeds--more stable. Maximum stability when stopped. But, as speeds increase--you will have a false sense of security, and reach a point where the 3-wheeler acts like an early(pre-1965) Corvair or a Jeep CJ or a Ford Explorer with huge, underinflated Firestones--push it, and it will suddenly, without warning, reach out and grab you and flip! 4 points of contact are vastly more stable than 3. S'why the mechanical advantage of such a configuration(3w open vehicle) over other conventions is next to nil, and there are many drawbacks as well. Unless, of course--getting hit with a june bug at 70 mph is something you consider a plus. Lots of people have tried making a better mousetrap or reinventing the wheel--even with some success. But, usually it is the novelty factor & not sound engineering that gives it appeal in the marketplace. Hope that helps you some.

[Packy]

Here's plan B: Go with a three--wheeler that has two front wheels, and one drive wheel on back. Also, the front wheels should have independent suspension. Then, you can have a bigger cowl/windshield between the two front wheels that affords you much better protection---from flying objects that may injure you, and aerodynamic forces on your body, something that causes fatigue. It may also help restrain you, & keep you from flying off the cycle onto the pavement, in the event of a collision or a trip into the ditch.