topgun2

Looks like things have warmed up a little bit!

No problem - I'll work on that later today. Bill edit: Mission accomplished - new thread established. And, thanks to both Max Burner and rich.dev for getting us moving on getting this thread split from the original thread.

Certainly no question on this one IF you do a bunch of winter camping and (for whatever reasons) don't mind the extra weight and size. In addition, the 20 pounders can be simply "swapped" out at gas stations, grocery stores, hardware stores, etc. if you are in dire need of propane and there isn't a refill station either open or nearby. Bill

Coy Gayle (a member of the Forum - "hardrock") is the person to contact. Bill

Steve - Some of us (still) refuse to join Facebook. Can you give us an idea of what you're referencing there? Thanks! Bill

Congratulations on the "semi-retirement" - the only thing better is the "full-retirement"! The rest of your post is above my pay grade but it sounds like ya did good. Bill

Since those tires are (at least) 7 years old right now, assuming that what you are saying is that you will not be taking virtually any trips with the Ollie over the next two years, I wouldn't do anything other than think about what tire and where you are going to purchase them when you do plan on getting back on the road. The "normal" guideline for tires is to replace them somewhere between 5 and 10 years (with 7 years being the average) regardless of the number of miles. Congradets on the upcoming new addition to the family. Sounds like you will have your hands full with a face full of smiles. Bill

Both you and your Ollie did good! Sure will be something to remember. Bill

Try watching THIS Oliver video. Bill

Steve - That's what I call a "bad" hair day!

Paul - Welcome to the Family! And really glad that you decided to come off the "Guest" list and become a full member of the Forum. Be safe out there and let us know if we can help you in any way. Bill p.s. if you have not already taken a serious dive into the Oliver University, this would be a good time (during the Winter months) to do so.

Some 65 miles of interstate 10 was closed overnight around the Florida/Alabama border!

I thought that this was/is the Truma water heater.🤔 (Note: my apologizes to Truma and its owners - just could not resist the chance to poke fun in response to all the Suburban water heater haters out there.)

Just look at all that coin you're saving!

If it makes you feel any warmer - the forecast low for tonight in Asheville, NC is 8 degrees.🥶 Bill

Perhaps - but - this would require getting the automatic control probe into the water tank and I simply didn't want to drill a hole into that tank and have to deal with pressure and leak issues. Bill

In a recent post in the thread - "Truma has QC issues…. I mentioned that I had used a mod with a meat thermometer in order to - " tell me when the water is at about 104 degrees. Then I simply take a shower using only hot water (i.e. I do not "mix" cold water with the hot in order to get the temp back down to a comfortable level). This saves propane by not heating the water to 140 degrees in the first place, saves water because I don't have to mix the hot with cold (wasting that water until I get the mix right), and saves me from enduring that short burst of "cold" when taking a navy shower and turning the water back on." This mod is fairly simple- First purchase a meat thermometer that has a "cabled" probe on it like THIS one. Next - examine your Suburban water heater to determine how the Styrofoam insulation has been placed over the outside of the water heater. Note that most heaters have this insulation in two halves that meet at about the middle point of the heater (top to bottom). Gently lift the insulation and place the meat thermometer probe between the insulation and the water heater tank - try to get as much of the probe as you can in direct contact with the tank. Secure the probe cable to the outside of the insulation and tape the two halves of the Styrofoam insulation back together (note: at this point I also added a layer of reflextix insulation over the areas of the water heater that I could reach. Finally, route the end of the meat thermometer cable such that the end that plugs into the "read out unit" comes through the fresh air return grill under the street side bed. To use - plug in the meat thermometer read out and turn on the water heater. As the water inside the tank heats up you will note the "read out" on the thermometer will start to rise. It will not show you the actual temperature of the water inside the tank because the probe is on the outside of the tank. You will have to determine what is the temperature on the "read out" that equates to approximately 104 degrees (that is the temperature that most of us take showers plus or minus depending on how hot you really want to take your shower). In my case the "read out" will show between 93 and 95 degrees. At this point, I simply turn off the water heater, get in the shower and using ONLY the hot water, take my shower. Yes, there will be a few seconds for the water to turn hot when you first turn on the water but I usually "catch" this water in a small container (if I'm really watching my water usage). The use of the stock "shut-off" valve on the shower head for "Navy" showers can be used without the momentary shot of cold water when you turn the water back on - this is due to the fact that you are only using the hot water with no cold water being on at the same time. When not using the heater, I simply unplug the "read out unit" and store it one of the kitchen drawers leaving the meat probe wire barely hanging outside the furnace fresh air return. At one point I did fashion a holder for the "read out" unit and placed it near the fresh air return grill. However, I have since removed that because the "read out" unit is not very heavy and is fairly easy to read just hanging by the cable. Questions? Bill

OK - I'm done looking and searching for that post! So as to not hi-jack this thread I'll start a new topic covering using a meat thermometer with a Suburban water heater. See - HERE. Bill

I'm working on it (finding it, that is). Might be less time consuming to simply re-do the post given that last night I went through the first 100 pages of all the posts I've written over the years without finding it!

Interesting replies to you original question! My original thought was that you were simply hitting the road and making one night stops until you got to the "destination". My bad! I had mentioned the Cracker Barrel in St. Joe even though it is not all that far from where you are starting off. I mentioned this particular CB because it is one of the better ones and certainly no matter which CB it would be, they are not a place to "camp". These are simply meant to be a place to get off the road and catch some sleep. Another place that I've stayed is a bit further up the road - Big Lake State Park, near Mound City, MO. Clean showers and restrooms, big shade trees, electric and water and dump, play ground and is right on an oxbow lake. Easy to get to off interstate 29. Bill

Don't forget about those "scupper holes" that are located in the bottom of our trailers. These are there to allow moisture to be "pulled out" from between the inner and outer shells. Bill

Cracker Barrel in St. Joe, MO Note: quite after 10pm Byre Lake Park - GPS 43.93009, -99.83665 Note: the bar/restaurant located right at the exit off interstate 90 has cold beer and a great burger. The park is located about 6 miles north of town but is free (electric is available if arranged in town in advance). Quite and plenty of room. There is a pit toilet that is basically OK. Bill

100 night - nice! Just starting to feel like home? Be safe out there. Bill

Well, not exactly. As you use the water in the tank fresh (cold) water comes into the tank. However, the water begins to heat up as it is being used. I've never actually used the 6 gallons taking a shower (or for anything else), so, I really don't know at what temp the water heater kicks back on nor how cold the water can get before all this happens. Several years ago I did a post showing a mod to the water heater where I use a "meat thermometer" to tell me when the water is at about 104 degrees. Then I simply take a shower using only hot water (i.e. I do not "mix" cold water with the hot in order to get the temp back down to a comfortable level). This saves propane by not heating the water to 140 degrees in the first place, saves water because I don't have to mix the hot with cold (wasting that water until I get the mix right), and saves me from enduring that short burst of "cold" when taking a navy shower and turning the water back on. Bill

Caption for above pic? "Three old ugly guys standing in front of a great looking camper" 😂