Hey guys, it's me, I have been full timing now since Thurs, April 2nd...I am loving it and learning a lot! First thing you learn, your laptop battery dies really fast LOL

The first 13 days I spent dry camping in the desert, an excellent and necessary experience. I was used to tent camping, but weeded out many unnecessary things I had brought along. I am now headed, from CA to Escapees. I left on Tuesday and have had some good luck boondocking and wanted to share. Last night and tonight, I found small towns, the first in AZ (Eloy) now in TX (exit 138) where the smaller motels allow you (and truckers) to boondock in their lots. It is well lit, seems safe enough and plenty of traffic. I use the ice machines and soda machines and the front desk folks are okay with a cup of coffee in the morning. I am soooo stoked, I feel so safe here. Last night I "camped" outside a motel 6 and tonight a super 8. Escapees is a day and a few hours away as I had to deal with really high winds in AZ and NM, but TX is proving to be an easy ride. There speed limit is 80mph, there is no way I am doing 80 towing my Scamp!! I had one good scare with sway in the wind, but managed it well. Feeling really good about all this so far, loving my Scamp and living quite comfortably.

Just wanted to give you all a quick update and will be back when I get near Escapees and have full hookups, miss you all, except, now, I am one of you

Monica:
What items did you decide to "weed out"?

How are you recharging your laptop?

Thanks for the Motel 6/Super 8 info. That's good to remember. I didn't know that at all

Florida is 70 MPH but most do 80 while I poke along with tow at about 55, always looking out for that single-finger, friendly wave from those passing me.Texas is 80 MPH?

Hi, If you found Eloy, you really are off the beaten path - amazing - went to high school down the road.

When you stay in a motel's parking lot, do you ask first or just park?

I also am interested in what you found was unneccessary. Through the years, I've done a lot of camping and car travel with my dog and learning of another's solo coping is helpful. Thanks for posts.
Pat

Here's a tip for you and your laptop. Purchase a little 75 watt inverter that plugs directly into the cigarette lighter in your vehicle. Then, plug the laptop into it, charging while you drive. When you stop you can plug the inverter into the trailer DC plug and charge the laptop as well as use any other AC items that uses less than 75 watts.

You'll find them in guess where. WalMart auto section. I have several inverters. They are not that expense and often you find a 2 pack that's even cheaper. The bigger inverters, size wise, that have a short cord attached to the plug usually have a fan which is noisy. I've found that the small 75 that plugs directly into the outlet works for all I use.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I purchase a DC splitter which I plug into the cigarette lighter in the Jeep then I can charge both the laptop and cell phone at the same time while driving. I only use on inverter for the laptop the cell phone has a DC charger.

Another way to go is to get a 12v charger/cord for your laptop. It's a bit more efficient than going through the 110 and then back. I have one made by Targus, but there are other brands too. I do have one of those small cigarette lighter 110 inverters (that Joy mentions) for back-up, as they're so inexpensive.

So how does it work with those motels? You just go in and ask and they let you use the parking lot and all the conveniences (ice, coffee....... wi-fi?) for free? Did they ask for a fee? If not, did you compensate them anyway? I ask because I'm not very bold about those things, but if I knew "the ropes" I might be.

And yes, what are you eliminating? We're curious!

Raya

Here in Texas, the speed limit for vehicles towing travel trailers is 60 in the daytime and 55 at night. The 80 mph is for "the rest." Though our state could use your hard earned money in the form of a traffic ticket fine, I would honor the posted speed limit for travel trailers. Enjoy your travels!

ditto on Joy A... the little inexpensive inverter in the unused cigarette lighter plug is all you need to charge the laptop and phones while driving. Sounds like you're traveling a lot right now.
In the trailer, the 12volt inverter uses a lot of juice for the computer if boondocking. No need to really charge it then if we don't have signal anyway. (We don't have an aircard, yet...)

Monica,

Congratulations on your first three weeks . . . your confidence will continue to grow and it will get easier and better and "funner" the more you motor on down the road (at 55-60 mph where life is more relaxed and safe for us little trailer people). How are you connecting to the web? Wifi, or do you use an air data card to plug into your laptop? When do we log onto your blog??????

Congratulations on ur first three weeks.
Love to hear more about the 13 days in the desert and pics!!

Be safe and keep ramblin along. Very interested to hear all the escapees details when you hit there.

I am in the same boat these days, have been full timing since march 30th, but i'm up in southern British Columbia. I envy you being down south and enjoying warmer weather. It's still dropping below 0C here (makes for some chlly nights). It is amazing how long a deep cycle battery will run a laptop with the inverter. I think they are an absolute must!

If you don't already have the data card for your laptop, that is also an incredibly handy thing to have. Sometimes i find myself feeling a bit lonely and the interent anywhere i go is a nice comfort to have.

I was parked at a motel here in southern BC and politely (or not so politely) asked (told) to leave as it was private property! hahaha. OOPS! Guess i should have asked first!

how long are you planning on full timing?

Neat! You're full-timing in a trailer very similar to mine (Steveo that is). I don't hear of that too often Do you have a blog? I really enjoyed British Columbia when I was there, although I was lucky enough to be on a boat with a diesel heater

Raya

If you have Verizon, and the right cell phone, you can use their Mobile Broadcast Connect service to 'tether' your laptop to your cell phone for internet access. Because it is a 'feature', not a plan, you can call #611 and have it turned on or off as you choose -- If you leave it on all month, it's $60, same as a data plan, but if you turn it off and on, it only costs $2/day when it's on.

Personally, I prefer to use the inverters rather than mess with a 12VDC cord for each appliance -- A couple of inverters will serve for ALL your appliances, present and future -- The electrical inefficiency of the inverter is not significant. I have had a number of laptops over the years and would have spent a lot of money getting the 12VDC power supplies for them, plus some are not as efficient as others.

Pete: You seem to be knowledgeable about a lot of things, so I'm asking for your opinion regarding the reliability and ease of use of the Verizon Mobile Broadcast Connect service you mentioned in this thread. I have Verizon but have never looked into using them for my Internet connection while on the road.

Russell

if you are looking at long life for a laptop battery charge, you may consider one of the Netbooks. I recently purchased the Acer Aspire One d250

It is small (But so am I!) and it is MORE than adequate for net surfing and other consumer level activities. I am really enjoying mine. I have my "big" laptop for doing my work things on, as trying to do detailed graphic editing and web stuff is easier on the higher resolution screen, but the #1 advantage to the Acer is this:

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The screen is LED backlit, which helps loads. I run photoshop and other resource sucking Adobe apps, all MS Office apps, and the usual package of browsers, instant messaging programs, music apps etc.

The little webcam that is built in is actually pretty good. I'd turn it on for ya.. but I don't want to scare ya!

The DISADVANTAGE is that it does not have a CD drive, but with jump drives and SD cards, it is hardly missed. I did have to get a small USB CD drive to load in the Office app.. it didn't like being copied to a jump drive for installation. Thats the only issue I had with loading software.. all else I had installed from my jump drive easily.

It sure is nice to actually use a laptop on my lap without feeling weighted down.. or get the burning sensation on my legs! (Be quiet you evil thinkers)

I have had it running up to 8 hours on the battery before I plugged it back in to charge, which only takes an hour... WITH the thing running.

It was a whopping $349... they were out of red ones I am stuck with a very pretty blue...

William, I have used Verizons Broadband service for several years now. I have the "Air Card", a usb device not much bigger than a jump drive. I have been VERY happy with it.

I am currently workamping where I get free internet, and the coverage for Verizon here is non existent for Broadband anyway, so I was able to put the service on "Vacation" hold for 6 mos.. no charge for 6 mos, and no change in contract.

It is almost as fast as DSL, but it does have limitations in fringe areas. I am really surprised.. this is the first area I have been in where it plain does NOT get any signal at all. (I have to have a roof antenea for my cell phone here too!)

Congratulations on your big step. You will find a wealth of good proven information at escapees for your travels and safety on the road. Remember, there are no victims, only volunteers. Pick up a couple of quality matched key locks for the trailer hitch, one locks the lever down and one to lock one of the safety chains to the tow vehicle. Also splurge for the lock that fills the ball socket when the trailer is unhitched. Another basic is a locking club that fits across the steering wheel. High visibility of course. Those simple steps eliminate 97% of the opportunistic thefts and will give an element of security when you are asleep in the trailer. Also be sure to buy a simple low cost 12 ga like a Mossberg with the 20 inch barrel, loaded with 00 buckshot for security in the trailer. Keep it out of sight but easily reached when you are in bed. The police understand that it does not look radical and why it is there. The 00 is accepted as that is what they use. It is effective and defensible in a court of law. Your own self confidence that you exude because you have prepared wisely will deter many would be thieves. Have fun and enjoy an independent life on the road as many of us do.
Jim Garvin 08 Casita 17 Currently Reno,Nv

Gina...Thanks for the quick reply re. Verizon Mobile Broadband service. I've had Verizon for my cell phone for several years and it has served its purpose....mostly...I do run into quite a few areas where there is no usable signal but this is no problem for me cause the main use is to call my daughter now and again....she gets a little ansy when I haven't called for 2 or 3 days...I bring a computer with me when I travel but use it mainly for navigation with a gps. I'll call Verizon tomorrow and see what this is going to cost. Thanks again.

Russell

If they quote you $59 for 5gb be sure and ask how much the tax and other charges will be. I didn't even think about it and it added $20 a month.

I just got mine a couple of weeks ago so can't tell you how well it works away from home.

Bill K

I wouldn't spring for the full data service PLAN at $60/month and a service contract; instead I would get the Mobile Broadband Connect FEATURE for $60/month OR $2/day when turned on. Same data limits (5GB/month). Might be a slightly different daily limit but it is high enuf for normal internet use, just not a lot of music or movie download.

If one is a Full-Time RVer, it wouldn't make much difference, but for those who only travel a few weeks a year, it will save some bucks.

BTW, as I recall, it's possible to lower the taxes on your bill by arranging to sign up for it in a lower tax area -- Join the Yahoo group and do some archive searching; there even used to be a link to the various tax zones.

Here's more on MBC, including the phones that support it:

http://b2b.vzw.com/productsservices/wirele...ndaccessconnect

You also have to have a way to connect your computer to your cell phone, USB cable or BlueTooth, but you don't use a data card.

As I understand it from reading the Yahoo Internet by Cell Phone group, only the phones in the *left*-hand list qualify for the $2/day feature -- The smart- and PDA-phones in the right-hand list are on monthly rates. In the Rate Table, the daily rate applies to the right-hand column.

The Rev A specs only result in faster UPLOAD speeds; downloads are the same for Rev 0 and Rev A.

Most Full Time RVers were reporting best non-city (away from population centers and interstate highways) cell coverage was from either Verizon or Sprint, but a lot depends on where YOU travel.

I don't have any advise. I just want to give you a You Go Girl!!!!!! cheer.
I love reading/hearing about women fulltiming, or RVing solo. It's empowering.
See you on the road...

The broadband service is unlimited.. not 5g. BUT.. if you read the fine print, they do get a little annoyed at file sharers, webcam servers and frequent movie downloading.

Verizon's fine print for the so-called 'unlimited' broadband service plan with a data card indeed specify 5GB/mo, in fact the Data Plan now carries the 5GB name -- All of Verizon's broadband services now have that limit, as do other major carriers, like Sprint and AT&T.

You may find that in the contract they printed as part of your service agreement when you first signed up. If you look at the table of examples in the VZW link below, you will see that they are all keyed to 5GB (And you'll notice that they didn't put movies in the table).

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/c...+broadband+plan

I did notice that VZW now offers the data card plan on a month-to-month basis as well as one- and two-year contracts.

Here's the fine print for Sprint:

"Data Usage Limitation (Mobile Broadband Cards, USB Modems, Embedded Modems and Phone-As-Modem): The amount of data transmitted over our network is measured in kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). Sprint reserves the right to limit throughput speeds or amount of data transferred; and to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if usage either exceeds (a.) 5GB/month in total, unless specified otherwise or (b.) 300MB/month while off-network roaming. 1024KB equal 1MB. 1024MB equal 1GB."

AT&T comes right out and calls theirs a 5GB Plan:

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-ser...nnect-plans.jsp

I would find the 5GB limit to be a bummer were I still a Full Timer because I would like to watch a movie or two by downloading from Netflix or one of the networks and I would quickly exceed the limits.

don't know what ta tell ya Pete.. that is not my plan and my contract has no limits stated. however, it does list the restrictions I stated above.

here is my plan.. had it for several years. Long enough that I am no longer ON a contract.. I am month to month

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I think Mike has the same plan I do.. Mike, have they ever argued about your usage?

Monica, good for you and your initiative. Good luck and safe travels.

Gina, Monica and others don't forget your venerable old iPod as a storage device, if you own one. It's also a mini hard drive if you have it configured as such.

Gina, you may have been grandfathered in -- The 5GB limit is something they came out with only a couple of years ago, probably because of abuse and agreement between the carriers to not overload the trunking networks.

Although, you do have to wonder how someone can abuse an unlimited contract...

I think Gina's contract probably isn't offered anymore though, as you say, to save "bandwidth."

you guys in the states have it pretty easy with the data card interent. It just came out in canada last year! it seems like we are always a few years behind with the technology, probably because we don't have the population to support it. I feel like i might be getting the shaft cause my contract has me at 500 mb per month! (luckily its only 30 bucks) ohh well, i suppose the technology will catch up eventually! Mine certainly isn't as fast as dsl, but hell, i'll take what i can get at this point!

Good for you. I've been following your postings on the other thread. It appears that there are good people willing to help, which is nice to know. With regard to staying in the motel parking lots: While I am presuming that you asked for permission first, has the response always been positive?

I think they found it was a mistake to offer unlimited data use in terms of the network starting to clog from uses the service providers didn't predict, so they set a cap on usage. Most users will likely not even come close to hitting the 5GB cap (Movies being the exception to that).

Well, I weeded out two comforters, three sets of sheets, one big bath robe, a step for my door in a box that wouldn't fit my trailer that was in here when I got it, an alarm clock (what was I thinking?) and a few smaller items that I can't remember right now.

Yep, TX is 80mph and 65 at night. Big rigs are 70 and 65 at night. You won't catch me doing even 70, I figure with the 15" tires, 65 is my max, but slower if it is more comfortable for me. They can go around me!

I asked at the Motel 6, just cause I was confused, but at the Super 8 I just parked near the big rigs in the gravel lot. Seems that is what they are there for...

Thanks for the info, I have a WalMart shopping list going and have added that to it.

I don't think at these places with trucking parking you need to ask, at the Motel 6 the real nice woman said "Oh we don't care!" I think it is just meant to be a convience for the truckers (and me ), I did use the ice machine at each for one bucket of ice and their soda machines. I didn't load up my ice chest or anything or use the laundry facilities, for that I would have asked. There are no fees and I didn't offer anything.

I never saw a sign for travel trailers, just "trucks", and I was being passed by really fast moving vehicles towing, and by big rigs, as I was doing 60 or 65. I will google the laws here shortly and just make sure I am not speeding, not that I don't want to contribute to your coffers, but...

Yep, I am getting better, learned to plan on driving only about 5 hrs a day as to account for gas/potty stops, and breakdown/setup of camp. I don't need to hurry anywhere, don't know what I was thinking, must be that CA mentality I chose to leave behind . Don't know about my blog yet, got to do some research on free blogging sites, don't need an extra expense right now. I use an air card from AT&T, it is $60 a month, but I feel I need it.

Ah, the desert, it was very windy and when it wasn't windy pretty hot with minimal shade during the hottest part of the day. I learned to make shade by opening the back of my SUV and that created some. If you will instruct me on how to post a pic, I would be glad too.

What would you like to know about escapees? I have a huge packet they gave me I still have to go through.

I think the trick (here in the US) is to find these motels that are near truck stops and have the gravel lots for truckers to park. I wouldn't risk just parking in the lot of any motel...LOL

As far as how long I am planning to full time, well, until I figure I don't want to do it anymore, could be the rest of my life, could be 5, 10, 20 years, I just don't know yet. This is my plan for now...

I'd love to see some pictures of your trailers. See the Tutorials for all kinds of stuff here:
Basic Website Tutorials. Some of the picture ones are slightly out of date, but if you look at your screen and follow the information you'll find "like" buttons.

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Here I am in the desert!!!

Here is my egg at South Llano River State Park, a great park, very beautiful!

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Looking good girl your living my dream right now. Please let us know when you get the blog going. My friend has one with Blogspot and seems to like it and she says its easy.

Alexandra

Great going!

Look at http://www.wordpress.com, which is a pretty good blog site. They've got both free and paid options. It's not too difficult to learn, either, as long as you're a little bit computer literate and willing to read some instructions.
As for the full-timing, you go, Girl!! I'll be first in line to read your blog.

Blogspot.com also let's you have a free blog, and it's a pretty simple process. You pick a user name, sign up for an account, then start writing.

Sheryl
fiddlersheryl.blogspot.com