Solar power

I use a couple of little solar panels to charge my power packs, also. I use them for the two batteries on my travel trailer sometimes too.
I bought the two pack 5 watt Sunforce trickle chargers. With these small little ones you don't have to have any kind of controller. In addition, they are good for keeping the battery charged up if you are storing your RV or vehicle.

Power Needs: Power Packs

I always have a power pack, with me, for power needs, even if I am living mobile in my RV. Right now, I am using two. I keep one on the floorboard, in front of the passenger seat. And I keep one in the backseat, on the floor, or in the back of the truck. I use them to keep my laptop, cell phone, etc charged up. I keep the power packs, themselves, charged up by plugging them into the DC power receptacle when I am driving.
I would highly recommend these two power packs. They are my current ones:

#1  xanrex xpower 600
Xantrex 852-2000 XPower 600 HD Powerpack
I bought this one through Amazon two years ago. It jump starts another battery and has outlets for AC and DC, and has a light and radio.  It's totally quiet.

#2 Energizer 84020 12V All-in-one I just ordered and received this one from Amazon. This one has large colorful dials and buttons, all real well labeled. In addition to jump starting another battery, it has an inverter which powers the air compressor. It can air up tires and air mattresses etc. It does make a noise when turning that part on. This battery has a light that pivots on a rod that bends. It does not have the radio.

Stone foot/leg massage and pedicure

I went to a nail salon and purchased a hot stone massage for my feet/legs and a pedicure this afternoon. I highly recommend it. It's smart to take care of one's legs/feet, it can affect your entire body. Plus, if you are like me, hiking and biking, power walking, running, can take a toll on those areas. So, I suggest taking time out and pampering and being good to your body now and then.
Feet First: A Guide to Foot Reflexology
below is first a picture of technician doing the hot stone massage. Then, the results after the massage and pedicure.

Running in the Piney Woods of East Tx

dRunning or power walking is a great way to keep in shape while living mobile. The main reason is that the equipment needed to do it, running shoes, take up very little room in your rig AND you can do it almost anywhere.

 I ran this morning in these pine woods. It is still so hot here in East Texas. 100+ every day. I would have to run real early in the morning or late in the evening to make it bearable. But... I was able to run on the trails, through these pines, in the later part of the morning today because they provided such nice shade. Also, the ground is sandy, which gives when running, thus is easier on the joints and feet. It's less jarring.

Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster: Become a Faster, Stronger Runner with the Revolutionary FIRST Training Program

Bike Rack

 I purchased a new bike rack for my truck. It goes into the hitch receiver. It also can fold down for access to the tailgate. Another nice thing is that it sets far enough away from the back of the truck that I can lift the glass part up all the way without hitting the bikes. It's sure nice to have more room in the bed of the pickup!

Fiasco of Camper Shell Seal and Getting Organized

Fiasco of Camper Shell Getting Sealed:
Yesterday, Friday, I went to Infinity in Round Rock, to get my camper shell resealed. The rubber never arrived, neither did anything else they said they ordered for me. So, I got my money back and onward I went to the piney woods of East TX.
I will just order the rubber and parts myself from the midwest office of snugtop and have it sent to a friend's house in Michigan and he will help me take camper shell off and seal it. Should be interesting.

Getting Organized:
I bought three of these in order to better organize things in my truck

Car Wash recommendation in Austin, TX

I had the truck washed inside and out at the Genie car wash on South Lamar in Austin, TX, yesterday. They did an excellent job. They even polished the headlight covers. I had the VIP service done.
http://www.geniecw.com/services/carwash.htm

Restaurant Recommendation in Austin, TX

I ate at Mr. Natural yesterday on South Lamar, in Austin TX. Fabulous food. I had a Horchata and their pecan yogurt. I also had the vegan tortilla soup.
Here is their address, phone number and menu.
http://www.allmenus.com/tx/austin/53461-mr-natural/menu/

Resealing Snugtop Hi-Line Camper Shell

The manager at Stone's Trailers in San Marcos, TX, who is a snugtop dealer, quoted me a price of almost $500 to order more of the rubber seal strips and reseal my snugtop Hi-line camper shell. $320 of that would be labor. See previous post.

I called the main Snugtop number on Snugtop's website and talked to an employee there. The man told me that what the manager told me at Stone's was not true, that the shells were meant to be taken on and off and it doesn't affect the sealing ability. He took the name of the manager from me and gave me another dealer to call. He also told me that I could order the rubber seal and do the job myself, which I was thinking about doing. But, the new place I called is going to do it so inexpensively, that I am going to just have them reseal it for me.

The new place is Infinity Conversions. I called Infinity Conversions, another snugtop dealer, in Round Rock, TX yesterday. They quoted me $96 for them to order the rubber seal, new key for my camper shell, and new handle/lock for the crawl through window.
I paid that by credit card over the phone. To install both of those will be another $100.
Incredible, the difference!

Current Vehicles that I use for living Mobile

I have a 2004 sunline Solaris 25 foot travel trailer. I pull it with a 2001 Toyota Tundra double cab 4X4 pickup with a camper shell. I also have a 1998 Toyota Camry.
I have had the travel trailer and pickup in storage for the last month and living out of the Camry because gas is so high.

I found that storing the travel trailer with one of the vehicles is the least expensive to do at an RV park that allows storage. It only cost me $40 a month to store both.

This morning I will be switching to my pickup, and putting the Camry in storage with the travel trailer. I got a motel 6 room last night. I put everything from Camry into room. Now I am going to the RV park and switching the vehicles. I will take the pickup to the camper shell place, where I bought the camper shell, and get it taken off and resealed. They seem to all leak a bit, but going to keep that to a minimum. It's not the top of the topper that leaks but rather where the topper sits on the edges of the truck. Sometimes a little rain gets inside.

I have a black plastic bed liner in the truck and my son and I also installed the Bedrug over it. We just did the bottom and tailgate, not the sides. I bought it by the roll and we custom cut it. It is washable and sure makes a big difference. I especially like the part on the tailgate being carpeted, because I kneel on that to get in and it sure keeps the pain of the ridges of the truck away from the knees. It's very comfortable to sleep on also.


****Went to Stone's Trailers and Truck Covers in San Marcos TX this morning, (where I bought this camper shell used) to get snugtop Hi-Liner camper shell resealed. The manager refused to do reseal, like they had before for me, (I dealt with someone different before), saying that they were not made to come on and off the truck, that it could end up being worse. My son and I have taken that camper shell on and off a half dozen times before and after the other reseals. I called a snugtop dealer in Round Rock, TX and they are going to do it for me: Infinity Conversions

PS. Using these mounting clamps is nice because you don't have to drill a hole in truck:
 API AC101P6 Mounting Clamps for Truck Caps / Camper Shells (Set of 6)

Mobile Wifi

I have had Sprint mobile phone service for over 10 years. I have been satisfied with it. I have 5 phones on the account, mine plus 3 for my sons, and 1 for my best friend. We have the everything plan that has unlimited data also. Most of us have blackberrys but my oldest son just replaced his phone with the new Evo.
Sprint HTC Evo 4G Android Cell Phone (Black), Without Contract





For Wifi, I originally got the Sprint 3G/4G U6000 but connecting it to the usb port of my computer (a Gateway M-series) always blue screened my computer. So Sprint let me switch to a Sierra Wireless Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot. I do not have to connect it to my computer's USB. I connect to it wirelessly. No problems with it and if I want to let someone else connect to it at the same time, I can, which was not possible with the other one.

Since I have a "permanent address", that is not in Sprint, coverage zone, they do not require a contract with me for any of my phones or this mobile device, which is nice.

Books

Kindle 3G, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl TechnologyI love to read. The best way to "take" books when living mobile is to get a Kindle. This is the one I would recommend because it has 3G and wi-fi. 
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reader-3G-Wifi-Graphite/dp/B002FQJT3Q

If any of the links do not work for you on this website, please let me know. theroadwanderers@aol.com
Thanks!

Tioga George

We follow Tioga George, one of the all time greatest full time RVers, who lives mobile. Check him out if you don't already follow him.
http://blog.vagabonders-supreme.net/

Vehicle suggestions for living mobile lifestyle

ARB ARB3101US Rooftop Tent, Awnings and Camping Gear

You can live in or out of almost any kind of vehicle. The only limit is your imagination.

You can even live in an old sedan

Introduction and the Security of being able to pick up and go

Some people feel their sticks and bricks homes are security and they hesitate to leave that security. Those of us who are mobile feel that being mobile is more security. Inclimate weather-we pick up and leave.
One can lead a mobile lifestyle by walking, riding a two, three, four wheeled vehicle or more.

My name is Kathleen. I am the narrator of the blog. I have been living on and off the road since I applied to the court and was granted emancipated minor status at age 17. I am now 56. We, roadworthy wanderers, will be sharing reviews of our favorite gadgets with links, sharing how to get started, how to work on the road, our many philosphies, thoughts etc. If you have a question or comment, post it or email theroadwanderers@aol.com and we will answer on the blog or in private email. No question too simple or complex. If we don't know, we will point you in the right direction.