OUR ROAD TO FULLTIMING
May 24, 2000: OUR TRUCK DECISION
I have been trying to gather my thoughts in the last week because we have dealt with many issues, mainly a "big truck" (on which we put a deposit) and our many, though minor, medical concerns. At first, I was just going to write about our experience with the truck, but I feel that the medical issue is something that many, who are planning this lifestyle, need to address also. This installment will be about the truck, on which we have placed a deposit, and I will follow with another installment about medical concerns.
As I have said in previous installments, we have decided to purchase a medium duty truck and a large fifth wheel for our fulltiming rig. In the last installment of our "Road to Fulltiming" series, I said that Ron had "found the truck of his dreams". The downside to this find was that the price of this "show truck" was more than what we wanted to pay, although the truck was equipped with many more options than we ever thought of having on our tow vehicle. While exploring our other options at another dealer in Salem, OR, we found out about another "body" option. (Dealers refer to what most of us would call the "bed" as the "body".) Because Ron wants as much storage as possible in the "body", we were really impressed when we looked at the Highwayman site. This company is also located in Oregon.
Despite a medical scare with Ron (which I will discuss in the next installment), we flew to Oregon last week and met with the sales representative, Larry Smith, at the truck dealership, Brattain International. Larry had arranged to have a truck belonging to a customer there on the lot so that we could see exactly what the "body" would look like. We were very impressed with the Highwaymen body, with the amount of storage in the unit, and with the construction. Larry then sent us to an upholstery shop that upgrades the interiors from what the factory installs. These seats---the driver's seat, the passenger's seat, and the rear seat---are far more comfortable, believe me!!! After much discussion, pros and cons, we decided to "go for it"!!!! The overall cost would be significantly less than the "show truck", and this truck would be what we wanted!!!
For those that might be interested, here are some specs:
- 2000 International 4700LP crew cab
- 275 HP engine
- Allison 6 speed transmission
- Longer wheel base (accommodating the "body")
- Trailer Saver air hitch
- Upgraded seats with our color choice
- Rear seat with fold-down back with our color choice
We will be taking delivery by the end of June, barring any unforeseen circumstances. We are now concentrating on completing our backyard, cleaning the mini-blinds, and cleaning to carpets of our home. The "For Sale" sign will go up shortly; we need that money to pay for this new toy!!!
As an addendum to the previous installment, regarding Mail Boxes Etc. in South Dakota, I subsequently decided to go with one in Sioux Falls instead of Rapid City. The reason is as small as $2!!! But, as we all know when fulltiming, every dollar counts!!! Each of these establishments charges a fee each time that they forward mail to you wherever you are. I found that the Rapid City MBE charges $4 each time; I then found that the Sioux Falls MBE charges $2 each time. Those $2 will add up in the long run, so we now have our residency in South Dakota!!!
We are making progress; the road is beckoning; it won't be long now!!!!
November 1, 1999 THE BEGINNING January 25, 2000 THE DOWNSIZING BEGINS February 6, 2000 RECEIPTS AND TAX RETURNS March 12, 2000 THE FIRST "DENT" April 27, 2000 DUMPSTERS, DOCTORS, AND TRUCKS July 2, 2000 BITS AND PIECES July 21, 2000 MEDICAL CONCERNS July 27, 2000 STEPS TO A FULLTIMING BUDGET August 8, 2000 OUR TRUCK DELIVERY SAGA September 15, 2000 AN UPDATE ON OUR PROGRESS October 2, 2000 SIX WEEKS TO GO!!! October 15, 2000 MORE HURDLES CONQUERED November 14, 2000 ALMOST THERE!!! December 21, 2000 ELKHART.....FINALLY!!! December 21, 2000 LET THE COMEDY BEGIN!!!