[AirstreamList] Beginner

["Lewis A. Lindner" <llindner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The double transfer to the second new server leaves enough of a vacuum
to draw me out of lurking.  So here are some recent travel experiences:

Those with long memories may recall I have lurked on this list for a
couple of years, rarely posting... in part because my only tow vehicle
was my bicycle -- but I am no Latournou.  But all that changed this
summer.  One Sunday afternoon I was browsing the conversion vans at the
local Chevie truck dealer when I saw this humongous white van.  Turned
out to be a CustomCraft "Megatow", sometimes advertised on the back
cover of the "Blue Beret".  It was extreme, much more truck than we
needed... but the interior was unique, and exactly what we wanted. 
Instead of the usual swiveling captain's chairs and bench seat, it had a
folding bed immediately behind the two front captain's chairs, and the
entire rear of the vehicle was covered by a upholstered folding shelf
level with the bed.

Our two huskies love it!  With the bed folded down, the have a huge
level surface to walk on and sit on and look out of all the windows
from.  And we have lots of space under the shelf for storage, which
takes the pressure off of finding space in the Safari.  Perfect.

The real revelation came when we started towing.  Now, I've never towed
anything before -- so for the past two years I've almost memorized every
posting on the a/s lists that dealt with towing.  And I was perfectly
prepared to put out for a Hensley.  But when we got the Megatow, it was
advertised and rated for towing the newest three-axle a/s's -- two and a
half times the weight of the Safari.  So I carefully experimented, on
back roads, with just the plain ball... no problem, no sag, no
instability; like, it wasn't even there.  I picked up speed, and went
out on progressively more heavily traveled roads.  Nothing.  Finally, on
major freeways -- still nothing.  18-wheelers and Greyhounds zipped on
past -- still nothing, no sway, not a wiggle.  Unless I was watching for
them, I never knew they (or the Safari) were there.  Just punch in the
cruise control, and go to sleep (almost).  

Which goes to prove what?  I suppose, that the experienced people
(Hunter, Terry Tyler, and others) who have been saying you cannot have
too much truck are correct.  Under any conditions, I'm glad I bought a
whole lot more truck than I had planned.  We've been out three weekends
so far, and are in heaven -- no phones, no schedule, no bosses, no
responsibilities (except never to let the huskies get away -- they run
forever).  

Enough for one night.

				-- Lew #4239

'72 Safari
bicycle +