Congratulations. Stop on by sometime.
Chuck Norcutt
(now in Florida and surrounded by truly major RVs)
Moose wrote:
> I gues it may be time to 'fess up to part of what was engaging me enough
> that folks though I might be off-line a bit ago. I was engaged in
> serious GAS activities. Lengthy travel by motorcycle through India, or
> pretty much anywhere, doesn't attract me, but there are other ways to
> travel.
> <http://galleries.moosemystic.net/MooseFoto/index.php?gallery=Miscellaneous&image=IMG_0282is.jpg>
>
> A lot of time has gone into this RV. When we were in Acadia last Fall,
> we talked to a couple with a neat looking van conversion. Sort of like a
> pop-top VW, but on a larger, more powerful Ford van. We've often talked
> about how we would like to see more of North America. We are blessed to
> have so many people with whom to stay in New England and a few other
> places, but we'd also like to see other areas, perhaps especially the
> rest of the West, at least at first.
>
> A few weeks ago, I followed up on line and discovered the world of RVs
> that are converted vans. As it turned out, an RV show was scheduled for
> the last week in Jan at the local county fairgrounds. So we wandered
> down and went through much of the show. After looking at endless
> alternatives. We particularly liked one brand for layout, quality of
> fittings and workmanship, etc. And, the dealer was selling a hardly used
> one for a customer for a lot less than a new one. After another visit,
> when I got to look at and test drive the used one, I was pretty excited.
> it is in like new condition, with 6,500 mi on it, which is nothing to
> the Mercedes diesel designed for hundreds of thousands of kilometers of
> commercial use. But nailing down some numbers, it became clear that the
> total cost was almost certainly outside my comfort zone.
>
> When I was talking to my younger son about other things and mentioned we
> were looking at RVs, he was very interested. Unbeknown to me, he an his
> fiancee had been talking about how they would like to have an RV. In
> fact, they were planning to rent one for their honeymoon, for an
> estimated cost of $5,000!
>
> Sooo, we took them to the show that Saturday, showed them all around so
> they could get a feeling of what the alternatives are, then to look at
> the model we were interested in. They really liked it. They had an
> initial concern that it is really only for two adults and maybe a young
> child - and they have plans. ;-) Once I told them how it would easily
> tow a pop-up tent camper for kids, they got excited.
> <http://www.pleasureway.com/models_dodge_ascent.php>
>
> After some family discussion, some talk with salesman, etc., we worked
> out an informal, family joint ownership/use agreement. Nick's paying
> about half the initial costs and covering part of the monthly expenses.
> I made an offer which was accepted, got financing right there and will
> be picking it up on Thursday. I'll probably end up using a different
> financing alternative, but this allowed us to close the deal quickly.
>
> Should reliably get 20mpg. Some folks report 22. The basic chassis and
> drivetrain are designed and have been used in Europe for 20± yrs as
> commercial vans, so RV use should be no strain at all. Other than
> needing to be aware of length and height, it drives like a car. Zooms
> right up freeway ramps and is easy to maneuver around town.
>
> Of course, it was raining when we picked it up and has been raining off
> and on since. The kids managed an initial, two night jaunt to watch the
> BIG wave surfing at Mavericks. We were going to go to Monterey/Carmel
> the start of this week, but the weather was against us. Not that one
> can't travel in the rain, but we'd like our first outing to have
> pleasant weather. Maybe next week.
>
> We're in discussions about possible destinations for the spring through
> fall.
>
> A. Travelin' Moose
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