AMF -11

By the way, I think somebody must be looking out for me lately. I had located the trailer I wanted in Bossier City LA a few days ago. So I went today to find it and send them a note that I wanted to buy it, and it was no longer listed on their website.

So...I started over and asked Google to find me another one, and...it found one in Tupelo MS. Well, that's more convenient on my way to Nancy's house, lol.

Not only that, but it's the same RV place where we went to look at the very first Class C RV I liked, the one with the huge dinette in the rear. We didn't get that one, but we fell in love with the sales person there, so here we are back to his place, and he's working up the contract now. Small world.

(08-01-2026 11:09 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(08-01-2026 09:48 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  This is what I'd do if I was you, I'm not, I'm better looking but anyway. I would get a fifth wheel or a trailer. Here's why, with an RV you would probably need another vehicle to do errands even if the RV is small. Towing a trailer is very easy and you'll always have a primary transportation mode. When you go on vacation, what do you do? You check into a motel/hotel and use your car/truck to move around and see the sights. This would be the same thing except your motel moves with you. Find a good spot, park it and roam around the sights with no worries about park rules, roads, the RV breaking down, etc. and then having to move into a motel anyway until your RV gets fixed, which could take a LOOOONNNGG time. But, if your vehicle breaks down just tow it to the dealership which would fix it immediately and then live in your trailer in the meantime.

I know, RVs are nice and sexy but for convenience sake I think a trailer or fifth wheel would be 100% better. I love RVs too but my common sense, ie. laziness would steer me towards a trailer and another plus, they're a whole bunch cheaper and most of the time NICER than an Rv of comparable size.

Just my two cents.

PS, sorry but I wrote this before reading your new posts, and I as you know by know, agree with you. I'm glad you saw the light. Oh, and you won't need to buy insurance for a trailer as your truck insurance will cover it...another plus.

Another bit of advice, get a trailer because you can always use the truck bed as storage. With a fifth wheel your hitch will be getting in the way, with a trailer not at all. Just get an accordion cover for the bed and you'll be able to leave whatever you want on the bed and not worry about where you'll put stuff in your new trailer. I have an accordion cover on my truck and I love it. It's an "undercover Flex" but I can't remember the manufacturers name. It's lockable too, don't get the fabric one, it's too easy to tear into, mine has metal cover.

The only thing you got wrong was that better looking part. But we're def the two best looking 78-79 YOs on here.

You're not a match for thatRVgirl!

On trucks. We had a 2016 Suburban and 2017 Silverado. Both had to have their transmissions replaced about 70-80,000 miles. I don't know if its a problem with newer models, but it was very common in that time frame. Definitely something to research. Especially since you will be towing. The Silverado also had its engine replaced at about 95,000.

(08-01-2026 10:48 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(08-01-2026 11:09 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(08-01-2026 09:48 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  This is what I'd do if I was you, I'm not, I'm better looking but anyway. I would get a fifth wheel or a trailer. Here's why, with an RV you would probably need another vehicle to do errands even if the RV is small. Towing a trailer is very easy and you'll always have a primary transportation mode. When you go on vacation, what do you do? You check into a motel/hotel and use your car/truck to move around and see the sights. This would be the same thing except your motel moves with you. Find a good spot, park it and roam around the sights with no worries about park rules, roads, the RV breaking down, etc. and then having to move into a motel anyway until your RV gets fixed, which could take a LOOOONNNGG time. But, if your vehicle breaks down just tow it to the dealership which would fix it immediately and then live in your trailer in the meantime.

I know, RVs are nice and sexy but for convenience sake I think a trailer or fifth wheel would be 100% better. I love RVs too but my common sense, ie. laziness would steer me towards a trailer and another plus, they're a whole bunch cheaper and most of the time NICER than an Rv of comparable size.

Just my two cents.

PS, sorry but I wrote this before reading your new posts, and I as you know by know, agree with you. I'm glad you saw the light. Oh, and you won't need to buy insurance for a trailer as your truck insurance will cover it...another plus.

Another bit of advice, get a trailer because you can always use the truck bed as storage. With a fifth wheel your hitch will be getting in the way, with a trailer not at all. Just get an accordion cover for the bed and you'll be able to leave whatever you want on the bed and not worry about where you'll put stuff in your new trailer. I have an accordion cover on my truck and I love it. It's an "undercover Flex" but I can't remember the manufacturers name. It's lockable too, don't get the fabric one, it's too easy to tear into, mine has metal cover.

The only thing you got wrong was that better looking part. But we're def the two best looking 78-79 YOs on here.

You're not a match for thatRVgirl!

On trucks. We had a 2016 Suburban and 2017 Silverado. Both had to have their transmissions replaced about 70-80,000 miles. I don't know if its a problem with newer models, but it was very common in that time frame. Definitely something to research. Especially since you will be towing. The Silverado also had its engine replaced at about 95,000.

That would suck. I'm pretty sure I'm going with the F-150.

I'm certain about the trailer. The dealer is already prepping it for pickup in Tupelo on the 13th. So I have 10 days to get a truck.

P.S. ThatRVgirl is likely younger than my older granddaughter, lol.

(08-01-2026 10:48 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(08-01-2026 11:09 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(08-01-2026 09:48 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  This is what I'd do if I was you, I'm not, I'm better looking but anyway. I would get a fifth wheel or a trailer. Here's why, with an RV you would probably need another vehicle to do errands even if the RV is small. Towing a trailer is very easy and you'll always have a primary transportation mode. When you go on vacation, what do you do? You check into a motel/hotel and use your car/truck to move around and see the sights. This would be the same thing except your motel moves with you. Find a good spot, park it and roam around the sights with no worries about park rules, roads, the RV breaking down, etc. and then having to move into a motel anyway until your RV gets fixed, which could take a LOOOONNNGG time. But, if your vehicle breaks down just tow it to the dealership which would fix it immediately and then live in your trailer in the meantime.

I know, RVs are nice and sexy but for convenience sake I think a trailer or fifth wheel would be 100% better. I love RVs too but my common sense, ie. laziness would steer me towards a trailer and another plus, they're a whole bunch cheaper and most of the time NICER than an Rv of comparable size.

Just my two cents.

PS, sorry but I wrote this before reading your new posts, and I as you know by know, agree with you. I'm glad you saw the light. Oh, and you won't need to buy insurance for a trailer as your truck insurance will cover it...another plus.

Another bit of advice, get a trailer because you can always use the truck bed as storage. With a fifth wheel your hitch will be getting in the way, with a trailer not at all. Just get an accordion cover for the bed and you'll be able to leave whatever you want on the bed and not worry about where you'll put stuff in your new trailer. I have an accordion cover on my truck and I love it. It's an "undercover Flex" but I can't remember the manufacturers name. It's lockable too, don't get the fabric one, it's too easy to tear into, mine has metal cover.

The only thing you got wrong was that better looking part. But we're def the two best looking 78-79 YOs on here.

You're not a match for thatRVgirl!

On trucks. We had a 2016 Suburban and 2017 Silverado. Both had to have their transmissions replaced about 70-80,000 miles. I don't know if its a problem with newer models, but it was very common in that time frame. Definitely something to research. Especially since you will be towing. The Silverado also had its engine replaced at about 95,000.

Ford and GM currently run a jointly developed 10 speed in the half tons. The major issue with it was CDF drum failure, which for ford is fixed as of the 2024 model.

Ram uses an 8 speed from ZF that is also used by BMW. It’s probably the best transmission available in a half ton.

Both the 8 and 10 speeds give you an ultra low first gear of 5:1 (compared to 3:1 in traditional 4 and 5 speed transmissions) which means you don’t need as deep of a rear gear to tow with the newer transmissions. So with the four or five speed if the trucks max towing capacity was with 3.92 with the 8 or 10 it is probably rated the same with 3.55 or 3.21.

"The only thing you got wrong was that better looking part. But we're def the two best looking 78-79 YOs on here. 03-lmfao" Triple

That's because the others are dead, no competition from them.

(08-02-2026 10:08 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  "The only thing you got wrong was that better looking part. But we're def the two best looking 78-79 YOs on here. 03-lmfao" Triple

That's because the others are dead, no competition from them.

That is actually so true. I was thinking about that the other day. My wife has a giant family, most of whom live around here, and I converse with other peeps, like in here, on a regular basis.

It dawned on me recently that I know exactly 2 people who are older than I am. My BiL's mother is about 84, and one of my best friends, whom I know in person and talk to almost daily online, is 7 months older than I am.

Not only have I outlived almost everybody in my universe who is older than I am, I have lost significant others younger than me. My wife was 3 years younger than I am, and my college roommate, probably my best friend ever over time, and a few months younger, died 5 years ago.

Meanwhile, I just got an "A++" physical from my GP, and the same from my cardiologist. I now see both once a year for checkups. I feel great, can see well, have nothing at all medically wrong with me other than mild allergies. I am a very fortunate dude.

thought you might get a kick out of a few 'alternatives' ...

#2 Deddle is my fave...

^^ Ha, with any of those, I would have to hire a driver, a maid, a cook, etc.

Of course, if I could afford any of those, I could hire the help, too.

Hey Stink, I like #1, duh. But any of them are top shelf.

If you guys would like to start a fund for me...

First part of my RV rig is on deck for tomorrow. An F-150 XLT with the tow package. Headed there in the morning to hopefully round one up. They have 72 new ones on the lot. Gemini already pinpointed the one I want. I just have to get there first.

Thought of you, TripleA, when I read this.....

I am terrible at backing trailers.

(08-05-2026 09:41 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  Thought of you, TripleA, when I read this.....

I am terrible at backing trailers.

Yeah, we'll see how I am pretty soon. Hopefully, I'm a fast learner, lol.

Well, I'm now under a week until launch day. T-6 days. Yay!

Now the process begins to trade in or sell my sedan, buy an F-150 to haul my new travel trailer, then buy the trailer.

Then on or before Aug 24, I will hit the road for South Dakota to set up my domicile and begin my new adventure.

I say the 24th, b/c my sister also sold her house in Collierville, and closes on that day, so then we will both be homeless, lol. At least until she buys a lot and builds her new house.

Me, I'm permanently homeless as of next Wednesday. On purpose, lol. I just couldn't see sitting in this house where I lost my wife and waiting around to die. I need something to do.

Traveling around wherever I want and seeing and doing things I've never experienced before seems like a fun plan, as long as my health holds out.

For now, I'm in good shape. Just got an A++ physical from both my GP and from my cardiologist. Let's hope it stays that way for a long time.

I'm finally very close to getting through all the personal agony and work it took to get here, and now the fun part is near. Wish me luck!

(08-05-2026 09:57 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(08-05-2026 09:41 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  Thought of you, TripleA, when I read this.....

I am terrible at backing trailers.

Yeah, we'll see how I am pretty soon. Hopefully, I'm a fast learner, lol.

For commercial RV parks you can book pull through sites at first, but there won’t be many when you boondock.

You can use a large parking lot and soccer cones to practice backing in 90 degrees to a site and chasing the turn around the corner. Make the site narrower over time, and also practice making the road narrower, some places the road your on and backing into a site perpendicular will be skinny so you have to watch front end swing.

"Now the process begins to trade in or sell my sedan, buy an F-150 to haul my new travel trailer, then buy the trailer." Triple

My son just bought a 65 thousand dollar Tundra, it's a sweet vehicle but I had to co-sign...isn't that why God made dads? Anyway, when I asked him about his old truck he said he wanted to sell it and I asked him why not trade it in as selling a vehicle is a big hassle, and I speak from experience. We asked the salesman about a trade in and he told us that he could probably get a better deal through Carmax than through them. So maybe you could look into that.

(08-07-2026 09:32 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  "Now the process begins to trade in or sell my sedan, buy an F-150 to haul my new travel trailer, then buy the trailer." Triple

My son just bought a 65 thousand dollar Tundra, it's a sweet vehicle but I had to co-sign...isn't that why God made dads? Anyway, when I asked him about his old truck he said he wanted to sell it and I asked him why not trade it in as selling a vehicle is a big hassle, and I speak from experience. We asked the salesman about a trade in and he told us that he could probably get a better deal through Carmax than through them. So maybe you could look into that.

Its a lot easier selling than it used to be. We've used our credit union for the last 3 vehicles we've sold. You don't get much for trade in.

We take a few pictures, describe it, and then they put it out there a few days for dealers to bid. If the bid is good enough, they come and pick it up from your house.
Haven't used CarMax, but I think its pretty easy too.

(08-07-2026 09:32 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  "Now the process begins to trade in or sell my sedan, buy an F-150 to haul my new travel trailer, then buy the trailer." Triple

My son just bought a 65 thousand dollar Tundra, it's a sweet vehicle but I had to co-sign...isn't that why God made dads? Anyway, when I asked him about his old truck he said he wanted to sell it and I asked him why not trade it in as selling a vehicle is a big hassle, and I speak from experience. We asked the salesman about a trade in and he told us that he could probably get a better deal through Carmax than through them. So maybe you could look into that.

I already have a great quote from Carvana, which I'm taking.

(08-07-2026 11:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  

(08-07-2026 09:32 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  "Now the process begins to trade in or sell my sedan, buy an F-150 to haul my new travel trailer, then buy the trailer." Triple

My son just bought a 65 thousand dollar Tundra, it's a sweet vehicle but I had to co-sign...isn't that why God made dads? Anyway, when I asked him about his old truck he said he wanted to sell it and I asked him why not trade it in as selling a vehicle is a big hassle, and I speak from experience. We asked the salesman about a trade in and he told us that he could probably get a better deal through Carmax than through them. So maybe you could look into that.

Its a lot easier selling than it used to be. We've used our credit union for the last 3 vehicles we've sold. You don't get much for trade in.

We take a few pictures, describe it, and then they put it out there a few days for dealers to bid. If the bid is good enough, they come and pick it up from your house.
Haven't used CarMax, but I think its pretty easy too.

Carvana is a snap. They offered me just $7K less than I paid for it 7 years ago. Of course, it also has low mileage, which is like a unicorn, lol. 33K miles in 7 years.

(08-07-2026 12:00 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(08-07-2026 11:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  

(08-07-2026 09:32 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  "Now the process begins to trade in or sell my sedan, buy an F-150 to haul my new travel trailer, then buy the trailer." Triple

My son just bought a 65 thousand dollar Tundra, it's a sweet vehicle but I had to co-sign...isn't that why God made dads? Anyway, when I asked him about his old truck he said he wanted to sell it and I asked him why not trade it in as selling a vehicle is a big hassle, and I speak from experience. We asked the salesman about a trade in and he told us that he could probably get a better deal through Carmax than through them. So maybe you could look into that.

Its a lot easier selling than it used to be. We've used our credit union for the last 3 vehicles we've sold. You don't get much for trade in.

We take a few pictures, describe it, and then they put it out there a few days for dealers to bid. If the bid is good enough, they come and pick it up from your house.
Haven't used CarMax, but I think its pretty easy too.

Carvana is a snap. They offered me just $7K less than I paid for it 7 years ago. Of course, it also has low mileage, which is like a unicorn, lol. 33K miles in 7 years.

If you bought pre-COVID there's a very good chance you car gained value. Speaking of unicorns I actually made money on one, still have it and between myself, wife, both kids, my sister and whoever needed a car while theirs was down. To date it has 160k miles on it and runs great. Or at least Ive been told, I havent drove it other than to move it in 6 years.


Piece of junk motor was replaced at 80k (warranty) and it got hit and totaled out that same year. With the new motor and the wreak while totaled I knew I could fix it myself for under 2k and maybe two days work. Insurance paid 16k and I bought it back at $1200.

I rebuilt it and in 2021 with a rebuilt title ******* ran a stop sign the SUV got hit in the same driver side front corner (even lighter damage) and it totaled it out again. Even with the rebuilt title which will drop value 25 to 35%, prices during COVID had shot up and I was now paid $19,500. Once again bought it back at $1,400 and replaced the fender, grill, hood, all parts under 2k and all the same black color. Bought it back the 2nd time because that new replacement motor only had 20k on it.

Paid 25k in 2016 brand new
Paid a total of $2,600 to get it back after being totaled out twice and $3800 for parts total investment $31400

total out #1 paid me 16k
total out #2 paid me 19,500

Even totaled out, twice, its still a nice clean looking suv. While over 160k miles the motor only 80k. Grandson just turned 15 and its his once he passes his permit.

Impressive. Not typical, but way impressive.

Meanwhile, I figured out the trailer, but I need more research to decide on the truck. All the trucks that can tow enough weight are damned expensive. Ford F-150, Ram 1500 Big Horn, or Chevy 1500 Silverado.

I'm down to 4 days before closing now, but I plan to stay in the Memphis area a couple of weeks before hitting the road, while I hopefully get any necessary upgrades made to the trailer or truck.