Now I’ve Seen Everything!

[Jon in AZ]

This falls into the category of “what were they thinking?”

A motorhome-turned-tiny house! According to the ad, “not for travel but can be moved a short distance.” Not sure how, since a large bed appears to occupy the former cockpit… and let’s not talk about GVWRs…




Just to prove I did not photoshop this, here’s a link to the ad…
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/rvs/7559596634.html

[Iowa Dave]

From Ghostbusters
“He’s an ugly little spud isn’t he?”

[Kevin A]

Oh, Dave, you got me laughing with that quote!

[Raz]

I guess because they could?

Ad says Bounder, so they must have started with a class A as opposed to a city bus. Has a title. Think DMV knows what they issued a title for? Must need a tow truck to move it.

[Jon in AZ]

...or perhaps because an old motorhome is very nearly unsaleable these days.

A tow truck is going to have trouble with the extended rear porch overhang.

It reminds me a bit of the book I read as a child, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. Except that was fiction.

[Meadowlark]

Good grief, Jon, you're aging me. I'm a freaking dinosaur. I well remember Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne!!

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Meadowlark

Good grief, Jon, you're aging me. I'm a freaking dinosaur. I well remember Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne!!

Take heart! The point of the story was an obsolete machine (and its operator) found new life and purpose.

[Iowa Dave]

I know the story well, I’m just trying to find a new purpose in life. I have a 1/1/2 horse power Waterloo gasoline engine from 1915 that could run if I’d put it all back together and re-Babbitt the rod bearing.
But I’ve been busy growing groceries.
Iowa Dave

[tractors1]

waterloo boy? I used to be part owner of a Rumely.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4evzX39_9tA

[Iowa Dave]

My uncle was George Preston of Belle Plaine Iowa. He was quite a character. His wife Blanche and my mom were sisters. George bought an Oil Pull years ago and displayed it in front of his place for many years. As you know they have a following and eventually, long after George passed, his son Ronald sold the Oil Pull to a fellow over by Marshalltown with the promise that when he got it restored he would bring it back to Belle Plaine for the Fourth of July parade. However Ron’s gone now and his daughter Mary Helen carries on the legacy of the Lincoln Highway and Prestons’s corner.

There are a number of steam and fuel oil tractors in Iowa. The big gathering is the Old Settlers and Threshers reunion in Mt Pleasant iowa every labor day weekend.
I’ve been around that stuff pretty much since I understood the workings of machinery. It’s fun for me.

https://prestonsstation.com/the-legacy

Iowa Dave

[jerrybob]

Love those old tractor pics.....classic machines. I restore old horse drawn vehicles....no motors but very cool. We just added this 1880 Goddard Vis a Vis sleigh to our museum collection last week....she is big and a real beauty.

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Jerry
Saw an Oliver 77 standard on a trailer yesterday on interstate 80 in Illinois. Best looking tractors ever in my mind were the Ollie’s 66,77,88.
My grandpa farmed with horses, never owned a tractor. My dad hauled a lot of coal, firewood, and whatever else with a sledge in winter in the late 30s and early 40s. His favorite horses were Belgians.

It’s pretty common in eastern and southern iowa to see Amish and Mennonite farmers using horse drawn implements when you’re in their areas. Nothing like seeing them plow with a good looking hitch in the spring.

At several eastern Iowa parks there are hitching rails near the picnic areas and designated horse and buggy parking. I wear an Amish made belt. No electrical cord on it but it keeps my pants up.
Happy Thanksgiving
Iowa Dave

[jerrybob]

Thanks Iowa Dave....Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. Love the history....I am a historian and restorer of the horse drawn vehicles.....I love their history....wish they could talk. Over the years.....have worked on 40+ vehicles. Our museum has 63 vehicles on display....plus thousands of 19th century artifacts......would love to show you if you ever come out West. My good buddy restores old Oliver and Cletrac crawlers......he has done several over the years......we have picked up some that hadn't moved for years......he get them all running and usable.....hardy little bulldozers when running. Have fun....

[sunnyone]

Originally Posted by jerrybob

Love those old tractor pics.....classic machines. I restore old horse drawn vehicles....no motors but very cool. We just added this 1880 Goddard Vis a Vis sleigh to our museum collection last week....she is big and a real beauty.

That sleigh is so beautiful.
Where is the museum?