Monday, April 29, 2013

WE HAD OURSELVES AN RV MISSION THIS MORNING

IMG_3466
SHARING THE COUCH
Despite a drizzly dreary fog shrouded start to the day we had ourselves a mission this morning. Yaaaaaay:)) Gotta love any kind of mission with an enjoyable purpose.
IMG_3469
NOT SHARING THE COUCH
When we bought the Sunseeker a few months ago in Quartzsite Arizona we knew that if it didn't work out for us we could always re-sell it in Canada, re-coup our money & probably make a few dollars to boot. Want to emphasize that we did not buy it with the sole purpose of re-selling it though. We're just not into buying & selling things. Our 2 day quick shake down cruise to Borrego Springs last February told us we were going to have to make some major changes to the rig if it was going to be comfortable for us. Our trip home earlier this month verified that so we've been sitting on a few decisions these past number of weeks. We had also held off having a solar system installed as well before leaving Congress. Wanted to be absolutely sure we were going to keep the rig.
IMG_0144
DSC_0001 IMG_0155
26’ WINNEBAGO ACCESS…WE LIKED THIS ONE WITH THE ROOF MOUNTED SATELLITE DOME
A reader had inquired awhile back if we had started any renovations yet & of course we had not because we were still not totally convinced this was the right RV for us. With all the pluses the Sunseeker has we just couldn't get around a few of the negatives. The dinette we could have had removed & replaced with a couple recliners etc but the tiny bathroom was not changeable. And it's the first rig we've had with the bathroom sink outside the bathroom & we decided that is not something we like. Sleeping in the upper bunk is fine for me but with the recent problems I have been having my right hip & possible hip surgery in the future, climbing in & out of an upper bunk was probably going to be a problem. The corner bed is a bit difficult getting into & out of plus nearly impossible to make so that has been another concern. Other than those problems we love the Sunseeker. It's a dream to drive with it's quick & nimble handling. Lots of pep & fits into any gas island with ease. Great storage, nice upgrades, etc. But in the end after much thought & discussion we find it's 23' is just a tad inconveniently small for us. We have decided to look for a 26 footer & that's where we were today.
IMG_0145
 2011%20Access%20Premier%20003 IMG_0152
2011%20Access%20Premier%20001 2011%20Access%20Premier%20004
 (3 of these pics are not mine)
Kelly had spotted on-line a 2011 26' Class C 'Winnebago Access' at an RV Dealership in London Ontario so our mission this morning was to head over & have a look at it. We were curious about the floor plan etc. Aunt Jean, Kelly & I had the Sunseeker rolling for London through a drizzly fog about 9:30. We took the Sunseeker because we wanted to get an outside idea of what kind of a trade in value they had to offer. As expected the salesman grossly low balled us which indeed did reaffirm our best option is to sell the Sunseeker privately.  (NOTE:  No, we are not planning on buying this Class C.....just looking)
IMG_0140
IMG_0142 IMG_0143
We did like the 26' Winnebago Access we looked at though. The rig had one slide & we liked the idea of both the driver & passenger seats being able to swivel rearward. Bathroom size was acceptable & nice to see the sink inside. Kelly especially liked the walk around bed. Couch folded out into a blow up air bed & we were surprised at the kitchen counter space. Not too crazy about a blow up air bed though. This rig had a nice surround sound system as well plus in roof satellite. Sitting on a Ford Chassis with a V-10 engine I liked the beefy front end look of the cab. Also liked the large storage area at the rear of the rig. The floor plan & 26' length convinced us this is the type of vehicle we will be keeping an eye out for now. We did look at an older Kodiak Class B but it was just simply too old & too dated. We don't mind going back to maybe a 2011 if we find the right one but do not want anything older than that. If we do not find the absolute best deal we will just keep our perky little driver friendly Sunseeker:))
IMG_0141
HERE’S A CLEVER IDEA…STORAGE SPACE FLOOR LIFTS UP TO REVEAL IT IS ACTUALLY A TABLE FOR SETTING THE BBQ OR WHATEVER ON
IMG_0150
DOUBLE PANE WINDOWS & ESPECIALLY LIKED THESE MD SOLAR SHADES
IMG_0146 IMG_0147
NICE COUNTER SPACE & WALK AROUND BED
IMG_0149
Weather smartened up a bit on the way home & we stopped at a Tim Horton's for lunch in Lucan Ontario. Couldn't dally too long though because Kelly had a Doctor's appointment mid afternoon. Chest pains had returned. That appointment has led to her having to go for an echo cardiogram. We'll wait & see what the results of that test determine.
IMG_0165 IMG_0166
SOUPIN IT UP AT TIM HORTONS
I was really surprised at how easy the motorcycle fired up Sunday with the new battery installed. I barely hit the starter switch & the bike was running. How nice compared to last summer when I had to crank & crank & crank it. And I don't know how many times I had to pull the battery out to recharge it. How nice to roll out of the Park & head the bike down the road for the first ride of the season. The big wind driven grin usually spreads across my face right about the time I hit the top end of second gear popping it into third & feeling that power punch grab hold. Nice:))
IMG_0164
STOPPED FOR GAS ON THE WAY HOME AT A PETRO GAS STATION ONLY TO SEE THIS SIGN ON THE PUMP…NOW WHAT THE HECK DO DEW WORMS HAVE TO DO WITH GASOLINE??  THERE WASN’T EVEN A LAKE NEARBY……..
GROANER'S CORNER:(( In California's Sonoma Valley, where vineyards cater to wine snobbery, a woman phoned the classified ad department of a newspaper. She offered for sale what sounded like "well-aged Caumeneur." The ad-taker was unfamiliar with that particular, wine, but was used to the infusion of French words into the local vocabulary. "Could you please spell that?" she asked.
"You know," said the woman impatiently, "C-o-w M-a-n-u-r-e."
-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.


19 comments:

  1. Now there I like that coach much better, think you will be much happier with that one, good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The airbeds are very comfortable....more so than the RV mattresses are. As long as it inflates via a motor, should be no problem.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I believe Iread on a blog that they feed the worms to birds

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's always fun to look. I hope you find something that fits your needs a little better than the Sunseeker. It's amazing what a few extra feet will do for the roominess.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Liked the Winnebago. I'm sure you will find exactly what you are looking for!

    Hope Kelly bets good news from the doctor!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Should say...Hope Kelly GETS good news...duh!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good luck to Kelly and her tests!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Praying Kelly's test will all come out good.
    At first we really wanted the 23' Sunseeker. Joe especially liked the horseshoe table because we are game players and that would have worked for us. But when we saw the floor plan for the Freelander we knew it would work better. I'm sure you will have your "awh haw" moment with the perfect RV just for you.
    We always enjoy your pictures of the area where you live. So beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm not a doctor but Kelly looks tired....not a good sign with heart problems....hopes she gets a thorough total exam soon...and keep those nitroglycerins handy if you have some...if not get some...just in case. Better to be prepared...

    ReplyDelete

  10. Fingers Crossed for Kelly... The Ford V 10 doesn't get very good gas mileage... I am told..

    ReplyDelete

  11. Good luck with the test Kelly, and good luck finding the perfect rv.

    ReplyDelete
  12. kicking tires is always a fun way to spend the afternoon! wishing Kelly good luck with her tests!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Myself?? I'm ready to switch out the Hiker..It's almost 7 years old..not sure, but we may be ready for a small motorhome too..Thinking of Kelly.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I will keep you and Kelly are in my prayers....

    I hope the tests don't show any problems.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thinking about Kelly and praying her tests turn out okay. When are you going to teach Pheebs to ride the bike with you?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sure hope all goes well for Kelly. Glad to hear you enjoyed that gear shifting high torque pull that puts a grin on your face. I hope to do the same in about a month.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Both you and Kelly are in our prayers. It is good that you choose to sell your motorhome now. You should be able to get a good price for it with vacation season starting.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the pictures of Pheebs! Such a cutie! Glad you were able finally take that first ride of the season on the bike. That is always exhilarating.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The Ford V 10 doesn't get very good gas mileage... I am told..

    I would tend to agree with that statement when it is compared to a car or truck my Class C with a Ford V10 does not get very good gas mileage - about 9 mpg.
    However, that 9 mpg is excellent when compared to what a sticks-n-bricks can get!

    ReplyDelete