Documentary on mobile living

[Alan]

Thanks for your concern Pacman, before I pull the trigger on the conversion I'll get with you to see if you approve. Don't hold your breath though, I might forget.

Now, back to the subject at hand. When we're out and about in our motorhome, we're constantly running across full-time RV'rs who minimize their expenses by taking seasonal jobs at parks, hosting remote camp sites, etc.,
We've discussed doing this as well, although to be honest, I'm not terribly interested in committing the time to any type of employment after retirement. I think we could easily spend an entire camping season exploring the wonders of single states. Six months in Utah one year, six months in New Mexico the next, using low cost campsites as a base and moving around the state after each one hundred or so mile radius had been explored and enjoyed.

[Float On]

Alan, I mentioned the work kampers in my previous post. There are a lot of them around here. Some work a lot and some not so much. I've really gotten to know several pretty well. One couple who are the camp hosts at a corp of engineers park kind of off the beaten path. I go down there a lot to kayak and it's a pretty quiet cove. I've helped him by going out in my kayak to logs he's wanted to pull out of the lake. I tie them off and he pulls them out. Another couple run the entry gate to the public swimming beach. Another couple are camp hosts at the state park and I run into them a lot on the walking trail. All of them around here have absolutely beautiful places to camp. I've seen some photos of the camping space for the Amazon work kampers.....not so nice (former cow pasture, no trees or water, just blah).

[Float On]

Alan, I'm seeing more of the 2 wheel in front kind of trike. Any data on which is more safe? 2 in front or 2 in back? We've got some friends who turned in their 2 wheels for 3 wheels last year and to me the 2 wheels in front just look awkward and harder to respond quickly. But that could just be from watching these 2 people in their late 70's.

[Alan]

I've done a test ride on a Can-Am Spyder and wasn't impressed with the feel, although it may just be a matter of personal style. I'm not sure which would be safer, although I'm certain that three wheels are overall safer than two. Of course, only having two wheels has yet to stop me from riding, so the major advantage I find with trikes is the ability to stop and start from a stable platform and the stability of three wheels on less than perfect road surfaces. I think anyone who's run into a bit of sand or gravel on a curve knows what I'm talking about.

[kib]

Thanks for your concern Pacman, before I pull the trigger on the conversion I'll get with you to see if you approve. Don't hold your breath though, I might forget.

Now, back to the subject at hand. When we're out and about in our motorhome, we're constantly running across full-time RV'rs who minimize their expenses by taking seasonal jobs at parks, hosting remote camp sites, etc.,
We've discussed doing this as well, although to be honest, I'm not terribly interested in committing the time to any type of employment after retirement. I think we could easily spend an entire camping season exploring the wonders of single states. Six months in Utah one year, six months in New Mexico the next, using low cost campsites as a base and moving around the state after each one hundred or so mile radius had been explored and enjoyed.

I love the idea of extended vacation camping, and DH and I have done a few little trips on his motorcycle (not my favorite mode of transport but it does keep you minimal!) Just wanted to say don't get too down on Packy about it, I'm the one who brought the safety concern of trikes back to life after he deleted it.

[kib]

I also just spent 2+ weeks mostly car camping, some of it "stealth". Nerve wracking but amazingly satisfying to feel like my essential necessary life was contained in something with a third the cubic footage of the average bathroom that also takes me down the highway at 75 mph and 35 mpg. Give me a van instead of a compact hatchback and I think I could be pretty ok with it for a summer.

[Packy]

I tell what I'd do if I were you: Trade that Harley in on a Volvo Station Wagon. Even if you get screwed on the deal, as dealers usually do, you'll still have your life. Then, you can go anywhere, camp, and not get rained on or pelted with hailstones as you drive. You could drive your Volvo all the way to Inuvik, Canada, and back, no problem. Traffic, is murder, these days. This should end the controversy. Thankk Mee.

[Alan]

I tell what I'd do if I were you: Trade that Harley in on a Volvo Station Wagon.

If I had a Harley, I probably would trade it in on something else. But I don't have one, and never will.

[kib]

If I had a Harley, I probably would trade it in on something else. But I don't have one, and never will.

Alan, just meddling where I don't belong, but have you considered this alternative to having Lehman or whomever convert your bike? Much cheaper, and reversible, maybe even DIY.

http://www.mtcvoyager.com/resources/faqs/

[Alan]

Yes, I've considered the kits which add a couple of wheels to the back but ultimately feel that the equivalent of training wheels is an insult to the bike.
I'm keen on the Hannigan conversions, if you're interested in that sort of thing, look here: http://www.hannigantrikes.com/ and imagine it pulling one of these: http://www.easyridercamper.com/Models.html