ONE OF A KIND. HDT RV. Smart Fortwo Hitch. RV Fulltime Living. RV COUPLE. RVing. Harvest Host
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 лис 2023
- Leaving the family farm on a beautiful day but we have some stops to make and a few errands to run on our way to Alabama.
The Onan generator doesn't work. In January we'll be boondocking out west and it needs to be operational. We get it serviced and troubleshoot the non-starting issue. We don't want to take it to Spacecraft Manufacturing for repairs since they are not on our route.
A Harvest Host is always a nice stop and Bono, AR is very quiet except for the 1am rooster crowing!
Driving on a Sunday is nice with no traffic through Memphis and we arrive at the Hoover Met RV Park which will be our home for 2 months as we get some things done to the Smart (Pathfinder) and the semi-truck (Voyager).
#rvlife #spacecraft #fulltimerv #customrv #hdt #whataburger #hdtrailers #harvesthost #harvesthosts #campendium #wanderlust #boondocking #lg #vanlife #classc #thormotorcoach #motorhome #rvroadtrip #traveltips #travelhacks #rv #travel #travelvlog #campgrounds #van #rvliving #rvcouple #rvliving #thankshanks #rvtravel
RV Camping
We like to "Switch it Up" between resorts and campgrounds and boondocking is always an option.
We draw inspiration from Keep Your Daydream KYD, Less Junk More Journey, Finding Our Someday and Changing Lanes. We normally travel in an HDT similar to UA-cam channels Suite Travels and Watts on Wheels. I also get some ideas from the editing style of Happily Ever Hanks (Happilyeverhanks) #thankshanks and believe it or not, I actually learned something from MRBeast Mr Beast video's as well.
Our journey is the destination. We want to share in our experiences in our discovery of What's Next.
I get my music from:
Epidemicsound.com
Tracks:
Eleven Thousand Feet by Adriel Fair
Runaway Reel by Moorland Songs
Amazon Shop (no extra charge to you)
A convenient way to see (or buy) the items you see in the video's which may help in your adventure.
www.amazon.com/shop/bigtruckb...
We use the TSD card for diesel fuel and save a bundle each time we fill up our Big Rig. We also use it to fill up our Onan generator.
The big blue boards (XL version) we use sometimes to get us "un-stuck" is from:
Gotreads.com
Our Class C is built by Thor Motorcoach on a Ford F550 chassis. It's a production build Magnitude model XG32. We tow our red Jeep Wrangler Sahara behind it. We've made some modifications to it so that we can boondock comfortably. Lithium batteries, Victron 3000w multi-plus inverter, dual alternators charge while traveling and mods to the water system greatly enhance it's boondocking capabilities.
Our extreme completely custom 5th wheel is built on a semi-trailer chassis with air suspension and air brakes. Completely loaded it weighs 42,000 lbs rolling down the highway. And we do roll down the highway nearly every week. You see, we believe that if your home has wheels they should be used.
Vehicles:
2016 Volvo VNL780 "Voyager"
2016 Smart fortwo "Pathfinder"
2019 SpaceCraft Custom built semi-trailer 5th wheel "Orion"
2023 Thor Magnitude XG32 Class C "Curiosity"
2017 Jeep Wrangler Sahara "Artemis"
Power system:
3250 watts of solar with Panasonic panels
30.1 KWH of Lithium batteries
2- 4K watt Magnum Inverters deliver power as if we are on shore power
2- 4K watt 240v Cotek Inverters deliver additional power for our LG Mini split HVAC and stove
Coachnet is our roadside assistance company we use but hopefully we don't use them too often. LOL
We are not sponsored by Whataburger but I do enjoy them anytime I can get my hands on one. They used to be just out of Texas but they have expanded.
BIg Truck Big Travels video's are based on our personal experience and not meant nor portrayed as experts in anything we do or say. It's our life on the road and our opinions are not meant to be construed as advice. Enjoy life on the road.
Oh dear Dad jokes 😂😂😂😂 gotta love em .
😆 thanks... there's more on the way!
So semi funny story. I’m not sure if you remember but, my husband got the same drone that David has. He is doing great learning to fly it. However, we found out we had a nest of yellow jackets on our house. We could see them outside flying around the roof. I had ALREADY called pest control to come out. So, Joe decides he wants to fly up there to see what’s up and take some pics. As he is flying up the side of the house the drone lunges forward, hits the house and crashes to the ground! Props are mangled and battery cover is snapped. He is crushed. I immediately tell him not to fret. I will get him another one for Christmas. He takes that to mean Christmas is now and gets another one. Then we find out that DJI can do repairs. So, only $50 later he now has 2 drones and is under strict orders by me, no more flying by the house until his skills improve. 😂. OH! And the yellow jackets are now GONE!! 😂
That's good, Jodie. Flying close to immovable objects is a little dicey... glad it worked out! The yellowjackets probably saw what he did to his drone and figured that if he does that to something he owns then no telling what he'd do to some pests! They hightailed it out of there!
Maybe Sonny Bono is in the Arctic?😂
Maybe...just maybe...you never know! Thanks
That is awesome that you were able to line up the bed removal, new drive axles for the HDT and a replacement hitch! Great when a plan comes together! "Sunny" Bono Arkansas - OMG I laughed....You need to add a drum-roll and a Cymbal for an added effect!
Thanks 👍You're correct. I should have done that! It's great when a plan comes together.
I’m glad you “Cher-ed” that Sunny Bono joke with us! 😉. Glad to see the big rig back out again. Great job guys.
Yes! Thank you! Love the puns!
I live right down the road from the hoover met. Welcome to my city
Thank you. Great location! Sondra grew up in Homewood.
I love you to. Thanks for having me along. God bless you. ❤
Thank you very much, Brad. Appreciate your time each week watching the channel.
So far so good 👍
Thank you 😊
Thanks for sharing 😊😊😊
Thank you for watching.
Your family farm looked beautiful, but I will miss the artic. I hope everything worked out with the axle swap, a tip make sure they put the bolts in so the nut or huck is on the outside of the frame and the bolt head inside of the frame rail. Stay safe and healthy.
Thank you. We'll check with them on that and we appreciate your comment. We love going out to the farm.
Love the jokes and your video
Thank you. They are corny but very "punny"!
Hi guys... Beautiful sunset there at the end... Sonny Bono joke was a hoot... If you haven't had the axles put on yet... Every tandem truck comes with a differential lock...thats One set of tires on 1 axle will pull and the opposite set of tires on the other axle will pull... You can still get stuck... Have them go the extra mile and put on ..interaxle locks also... That way all 8 tires on the back will pull you out When you lock them in.... Happy Thanksgiving.... Thanks for the video... Stay safe...J&A
Thanks, J&A. We have the diff lock but I'll check on the interaxle lock option. Thank you as always for watching and commenting.
What a beautiful sunset. As always, thanks for sharing … even though I didn’t understand the technical stuff, I’m glad you were able to everything improved to your rig. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Glad you enjoyed it. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. It should all work out which we are excited about. Thanks
Those mums were truly phenomenal in color!
They were amazing! We couldn't believe the vibrant colors! Thank you
I had two smart 4twos. The first one was the 2nd one sold in the USA (The first one went to Roger Penske who owned the exclusive distribution rights in the USA for smart. I was a Penske Corp Executive and had loved using smart's in Europe ) and the second was a Brabus edition (was the only way I was going to own anything Brabus). I never thought about putting a trailer hitch on one 😯 Great information. Thanks for sharing all of the details.
Thanks for sharing! That's very interesting. Appreciate your comments.
"I have 6 inches" hmm good of you to let us know.
😆 🤣 😂 hmmm... not bragging... wouldn't be with those stats! 🤔😉🤣
People pretending to be truck drivers; but not asking truck drivers questions…. Would recommend a diff lock too; that way all 4 duals are turning….
Yes, we have that and will have it on the 6x4 config. We can also disengage the traction control to help.
LOL ......."this is for u Sonny that we're in Bono and it's sunny Bono - Arkansas" .......OMG Bono - Cher.......😀😀😃
😆 I think that was one of my better ones! Glad you enjoyed it.
I love the guy with the Cigarette in his mouth fixing the hitch,
That's pretty funny. Classic! Very nice guy and super capable. Lucky to have him helping us.
Thank you for CHER-ing you Sonny Bono joke!😝
😆 that's good! Wish I'd of thought of that!
that’s one of the things i do is diesel generator repair, engine,generator head and electrical! i loadbank the batteries every service just to make sure they aren’t slowly failing 😁👍
That's an excellent idea and a great practice. Our batteries were showing proper voltage at 13.2v but had no amps for the genset start. Grrrr...thanks for the comment.
You are not used to having all your amenities!😄
😆 no, we are not! We're enjoying it though! Thank you
Hope modifications go well. Your jokes remind me of what our grands call “Grampy jokes” HA HA 🇨🇦 ❤
I love it! Thanks!
David is great with those jokes . He is a real PRO BONO.
Hey! That joke didn't cost anything! I did it "pro Bono"! 😆 🤣
OK !! You win. You are the BONOFIDE CHAMPION. OUCH !!!@@bigtruckbigtravels
@jps1139 😆 that's good! I like it! A day without a pun is a day that's not "Sonny"!
Another great one, even the dad joke was refreshing aka Sunny Bono!😂
Glad you enjoyed it. I was on a roll!
Great video :)
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks
Another enjoyable episode and I love seeing the different landscapes (and campgrounds) of America.
Thank you very much. We love the different types of scenery too.
Oh yeah!. I miss Alaska and far north but not the gas prices. Paid 2.75 in Tampa area today.
LOL...definitely DON'T miss the fuel prices! That's a good price in Tampa!
So much fun to share your adventures and journey. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy holidays! Thank you. 😃
Glad to see Voyager and Orion back!!
Whew! Us too! Appreciate your time watching the channel. 😃
Loved this vlog guys ❤ looking forward to seeing the work done adding your double drives 👌 will be awesome 😎
Stay safe
Blair & Mel 🏴
Thanks Blair & Mel. We're excited to finally get it done....not excited to write the check though! Appreciate your comment and watching the channel each week. Aloha
That lazy axle are a pane, you guys are doing the right thing, i would also invest in a diff lock and x lock set up. Funny you talk about the lockable fuel cap, i stopped at a truckstop last week for lunch, i walked back to my truck and a guy was helping himself to my fuel out of my tanks,🤬🤬 so now i lock'em, it a Volvo cabover 👌🇦🇺
Nice. Yes, the 6x2 configuration has been a bit of a pain at times... the power set will be nice. They will be locked too!
You didn't stop at the Bass Pro Shop , it is pretty neat!!
Skipped it. We've stopped at them before and always nice... except some don't have the right parking layout for us.
Great video hope your new rears will be full locking rears they work absolutely great in slick and rough terrain
Thank you and they are supposed to be installed that way so we're excited.
Great video im a trucker for about 29 years a fleet owner about 11 years im buy a rv in 24 good investment i believe. Stay safe
Thank you for watching and appreciate your comments. I think you are correct.
Glad you could Cher the Bono joke
😆 🤣 😂 that's great! I love the pun.
Love following along, glad plans working out.
Thank you! Us too! It's going to be a busy November!
Glad you are back safe and sound. Great job ! Have a great Thanksgiving.
Thank you. Hope you're turkey day is a good one! It's great to be back!
Beautiful looking truck. Happy Holidays.
Happy holidays! Thank you very much!
Im a little bit Jelly that you got to hang out at RVH Lifestyles. Jack and Marc are just great guys to deal with. Im very much look foward to moving from the Pending phase of the purchase. U2 have a great sense of humour, did you see what I did there. Lol
😆 I'm liking the puns! Very nice! Thank you. Always appreciate your comments. Pending is less expensive than production! Aloha
Sorry we missed y’all to connect. We will be in the coachella/Indio area tomorrow. Safe travels. Did you leave anything for Jill at the palm desert hob lob for Jill??
😆 Sondra left a few items for her! Enjoy your visit there. We love the area. Looks like you enjoyed the Galveston/Corpus Christi area. Safe travels. See you down the road sometime.
Nice job great video....god bless
Glad you enjoyed it, Barry. Thanks for watching.
Safe driving .Looking forward to more videos.Hi from 🇨🇦
Thanks 👍We'll keep traveling!
Happy Travels ❤
Thank you! 😃
Tesla Class 8 truck would be what I would want to complete this rig. Hopefully they will be available to the public before I get too old to drive one.
It would be interesting. Not sure about charging and how that impacts RV travels when you're in the boonies.
Oh your bad bona. happy trails
You got that right! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!
I would suggest while you're having all that work done having an interlock put in so that you can have the power between the two axles fixed so that one axle won't spin. It'll fix the power between the two ideally if it was my rig I would have axle locks installed too. But it's a little bit overkill for what you guys are doing. I don't think you'll be doing too much that your RV will be stuck that bad
Thank you. We have axle interlock capabilities and the ability to turn off the traction control to allow for a little more wheel spin.
Great stuff once again 😊 Bono? Really 🤣 Have you been to his house here? Pretty cool, it was for sale when we moved here.
Excited to see what’s next!
Safe travels 😊
😆 Don, I thought you'd get a kick out of that one! We enjoy driving around the neighborhoods and looking at the cool retro styles. See you!
💛💛💛💛OMG ! That is a Big A-- unit for sure 💛💛💛💛 where ever U go ya gotta stay ! Have a Happy Thanksgiving 🙏 ~peace~
Happy holidays! We can go wherever we want... but it does take some planning and research. We enjoy it. Thank you very much for your time watching the channel.
In HSV? So were we. In Hoover? So were we. (New Grandbaby) Great pizza place Capellas 4700 Hwy280. Quite tasty. Heading back to Madison in a couple of weeks. Enjoy the great weather gets cold after Thxg
Oh, I know. If not for the truck mods, we'd be in Florida right now! Oh well...we'll be in Huntsville before Christmas (hopefully). See ya!
So will we …that’s home base for us. (Husband Retired Army).
Miss the Arctic! but enjoying All your travels from my arm chair, hugs from Gramme (great grandbaby #3 could be here in the next few days, soooo excited as it's a boy) in western Canada
Very exciting for sure! I know you can't wait for the arrival! Thanks for the comments and watching the channel.
@@bigtruckbigtravels just got a notice to say baby is coming very soon for sure by morning. =)
I perceive you guys to be a little strange but, Sonny Bono!!!! Love you guys. Just found you on you tube and love your trips.
Thanks and welcome! I guess we are a little strange...but that keeps the RV lifestyle exciting and fun. Glad you enjoyed the "Sunny Bono" (Arkansas) joke. Appreciate you finding us and your time watching the channel.
Thanks for sharing as always. But I noticed something as you was pulling out you forgot something, me! LOL How many acres does your brother farm? It sure is beautiful there. You guys enjoy and we will continue to watch
We do get forgetful, Don! 😆 He leases out about 200 acres for feed corn. We enjoy it there. Thank you
👍🏽
🙂😎🤙
You are a hoot!! David........Bono?????
Oh, that was a very good one! Sunny...Bono...Arkansas...I just crack me up sometimes! 😆 🤣
They just drill a whole in your tank find alock.
That's true... I'm just trying to keep the "honest" one's honest! Thanks
Take the stops out of your steering axles,that will keep you from having to swing extra wide on turns like the ditch.
It's got a good turn radius...Sondra gets nervous. I may look into that though! Thanks!
Lucky you. We can’t find anybody to build a hitch for our 2016 smart car. Everyone I’ve talk to wants nothing to do with possible liability. I guess it may be because there is no rating on what the hitch could hold or pull, and the fact that it’s on a tiny car😏
Yes, I think you are correct. This design is very sturdy and we were very fortunate to find someone to change it for us. Thanks for watching.
Not to be nick picky, but Kilgore is in north east Texas, not south Texas, lol. Love following ya'll on your travels.
😆 You are correct. Our bad. Thank you for keeping us straight.
Great video make sure you get lockers in both😊Have you ever done the Maritimes in Canada ?
Thank you. Yes, lockers on both. We plan to do the Maritimes in a few years.
Where is the water burgers I think what you need is something like a dolly frame with the hitch the hitch can slide into the back of the mini and you have the dolly frame for the bikes
Oh, the Whataburgers are coming! Yes, the bikes will be able to ride on the back of the Smart now!
@bigtruckbigtravels take care happy camping
If I may ask...are you an engineer? Is David retired military? Man , he can really drive! 😮😊
Sondra is the electrical engineer but I'm not retired military...(thank you)...just 8 years of experience behind the wheel. Appreciate your comments.
It is going to be nice having both those axels powered. Do they have locking differentials you can control? Don't know much about these
It will be nice and yes, locking diffs.
thats alot of money 2 change diffs next if stuck dump air on tag lock it up u should b good
With the bed, not a lot of room to add a lift axle. And it is a lot of money... but it's peace of mind for us. Oh well... thanks
dont need to lift just dump rear supension air then u dont have the the air springs trying to adjust and lift suspension
Sondra, LOL when you said in English please. That is exactly what I was thinking. What hitch did you end up with ebikes? Mine has hit the ground one too many times getting off boats or big bumps? Did I miss it in video?
No you didn't miss it. We never mentioned it but ours is from Hyperax and at the time it's the only one rated for e-bikes and mountable on the rear of an rv trailer. Our old hitch on the Smart used to rub sometimes with the bikes but it won't now.
Are you going too also have to take it to Volvo for any reprogramming so the ishift communicate for the extra drive axle.
They will do that as well as redo the tag for weight (GVWR).
@bigtruckbigtravels I'll be curious if that will increase or decrease your fuel mileage. It also was a great opportunity to service the other items you couldn't get from under the bed one's its off. Any changes your thinking of doing one's the beds off.
David, when did y’all start rving?
We've been camping since the early 1990's but started rv fulltiming in 2015.
could you have left Dave up in Alaska
Hmmm... it gets cold up there this time of year... so, yes, could have... but no, wouldn't want a full winter.
How does spacecraft give you the trailer bsvk with bad batteries after it was working when you dropped it off ? I am upset on your behalf
We didn't ask them to check it and the unit was hooked up to their shore power all summer so it wasn't something to check. The batteries are 6 years old so maybe it's time to change.
Record snow fall in Alaska.
Oh man! Anchorage got two snow events within a week! Wow! It takes a lot for schools to close up there. Hope you stay warm.
I think I saw you on US400 east of Augusta KS. Did you take 400 from Wichita to Dennis? Hard to miss a rig like that.
That would have been us! Woohoo! Thanks for watching and appreciate your comments.
So how about a video talking about how yall met and what you both used to do before you decided to take down the sheepskins and hit the road?
We've talked about an "origin" video so we might do something like that in the future. We just weren't sure anyone would be interested. Thank you. 😃
@@bigtruckbigtravels When you said Saundra was formerly an EE we were like, really? Very cool.
You weren't exactly clear about the generator. Is it just a bad battery? I guess you only rarely need the gen b/c of the solar?
Bad batteries. No amps. Need to beef up the cabling too. Yes, with our solar, we don't use the generator a lot but the batteries are nearly 6 years old too.
During your Bono, AR, Harvest Host stop what did that farm have to purchase?
Nothing for sale. Actually, the home was empty and it was strictly a working farm. We never saw the owners but there was plenty of equipment. Thanks
Did I hear that correctly, you stay there for 2 months? Great, informative video. It seems you spent a ton of money upgrading your VOLVO rig. Safe travels!
That is correct...give or take a few weeks. We're not sure as it depends on how long the truck modifications will take to complete. We're hopeful everything is done by Christmas! Thanks
Hate to be the bearer of bad news but your traction won't be much better with "live" tandems unless they have cross locks in addition to the power divider
Thanks and we're scheduled to have those lockers installed. Thanks.
Pulling into RVH, noticed bug splatters on the driver door window. Are splatters like that normal???
Yes. We typically get some on the side windows when it's buggy. It's a combination of our cab being slightly flared towards the doors and the air flow around our side mirrors sucks them in and splat!
Can’t you lift your Tag axle?
Nope. Very little clearance under the bed to lift the axle. That would definitely help and we looked into it but just not a lot of clearance. Thanks
So basically your turning it in to 6x4 instead of a 6x2
Thank you! Exactly 💯
What gear ratio do you guys have?
2.64 ratio
What are the chances of getting a hitch from them for our 2016 Smart?
Give them a call. I think there's a good chance. It's not a product they want to go out and actively sell but I think they'll do it under the right circumstances (maybe part of another project?). It's definitely extremely sturdy.
@bigtruckbigtravels Is it just a bolt on application?
Was hoping to get one shipped and I would install. 👍
@@bigtruckbigtravels We are in Idaho about 20 minutes from where the West Coast HDT Rally is held.
@jamesglenn520 yes. Pull off the rear fender, remove existing bumper support and bolt in its place.
@bigtruckbigtravels Sweet. I'll contact them and see how it goes. Thank you for the information and always thank you for the awesome videos 👍
How do u like Spacecraft what size How much do u weight what do u think of New Horizon would New Horizon be a little less weight 52ft to 54ft 3axle or 4 8000lb 9000lb axles compared to Spacecraft tandem 22.5 semi trailer i want to pull with a Frieghtliner M2 112 505 hp i wish u reply i wach u on UTube thanks Louis pokraka birthday
Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada
We like our Spacecraft build and how we designed the trailer. You could probably tow it with your M2-112 as our pin weight is 13,000 lbs. Not sure what your chassis is rated for on weight. New Horizon will build a good trailer and it will be lighter than the Spacecraft. New Horizon will use 17.5" tires with a max of 3 axles (I don't think I've ever seen a NH with 4 axles). It's a good choice and they will build it how you want except for some features. They aren't completely custom but they are mostly custom. Thanks for watching and glad you're along on the journey.
Lose the ebikes and get some exercise. Ride Lithium Free
Thanks for the comment. We turn them off and use the assist to extend our range... or on steep climbs...or headwinds!
Must be nice to have money. What, $2 mill for that rig?
😆 I'd sell it in a heartbeat for $2 mil! But thank you for the comments. 😃
Did you get a. New rig
No. We bought the Class C for Alaska and a few other trips but this 5th wheel has been our home since 2019. Thank you