[A/S] Re: Dithering

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxxxxxxx>]

Greeings Azzaz2!

Don't let the fact that you are single deter you from making the 
journey with your Airstream.  Even the lack of mechanical expertise 
shouldn't be that much of a deterrent - - I have little interest in 
making my own repairs on my RV or tow vehicle yet travel for eight 
weeks or more each summer.  There are MANY single people traveling 
the continent with their Airstreams.  

The Free Wheelers, an Intra-Club of the Wally Byam Caravan Club 
International is a group devoted to the special interests of those 
traveling alone.  The Free Wheelers typically have at least two 
Rallys and Caravans each year.  This year, there is a pre-Rally 
scheduled for Michigan, and I believe two caravans - - one to the pre-
Rally and another following in the International Rally.  I belive 
that the Free Wheeler membership stands at about 200.  

Three keys to traveling with confidence that I have learned are:  (1)
Find a mechanic whom you trust and allow him/her to thoroughly check-
out your tow vehicle prior to each extended trip.  Make it clear to 
the mechanic that you would rather err on the side of caution to 
avoid problems on the road.  In the past nine years, I haven't had 
any serious mechanical problems with my '99 Suburban tow vehicle (now 
has nearly 125,000 miles).  (2) Find an RV technician whom you trust 
and allow him/her to thoroughly check-out your trailer prior to each 
season or before each major expedition.  Again, as with the tow 
vehicle, make it clear to the technician that you would rather err on 
the side of caution to avoid problems on the road.  In the past nine 
years, I have only had two minor problems with my '64 Overlander - - 
a defective switch on the electric tongue jack, and a bad magnet on 
one of the brakes (did have a weld break on the spare tire mount, but 
that is something that wasn't on my check-list of things for the 
mechanic).  (3)Don't push for too many miles in a day.  When I first 
started towing the Overlander, I didn't think that I had traveled far 
enough unless I had over 500 miles - - learned through experience and 
advice from WBCCI friends that a more leisurely pace results in far 
less stress (I now try to limit to no more than 300 miles in a day).

Another issue, that you likely have already covered is having a good 
hitch setup with effective sway control.  

Good luck with your travel plans!

Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI/VAC/Free Wheelers #6359
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 
VORTEC/4.10 differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 
Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)