Car Serviced

June 1, 2013

Yes, I got the car serviced. And the camper. Boy... it's like I have two dozen sets of parents making sure I'm ready for the trip. I'll never be ready, no matter how new my brake pads are.

But just so you all feel better:

Subaru trailer hitch installed
Subaru transmission cooler installed
Subaru brake pads replaced, rotors & calipers serviced
Subaru tires rotated, filled, balanced, inspected
Subaru oil & filter changed
Subaru tie rod ends replaced
Ainer brakes checked... nearly new, so no need to replace
Aliner tires all replaced, including the spare. The rubber was aged & cracked.
Aliner wiring checked... brake lights & turn signals, electric brakes
Aliner battery replaced
Aliner fire extinguisher replaced
Aliner gas leak and CO detectors checked/replaced

But damn. Thanks, Visa... I owe you one. Or two. Thousand.

Road Trip Planned

May 27, 2013

You know how I love my apps... and Routes (now MyTRIPS) is no exception. I now have campsites booked from Seattle to Niagara Falls:

Sheridan to Mt. Rushmore — Sheridan to Mt. Rushmore

Bike Sold

May 25, 2013

Wow... That only took 15 hours. Well, 6 years and 15 hours. The sentimentality that prevented me from selling it all these years dissipated when the father/son duo came down from Canada to pick up the new project... the kid's eyes lit up. I feel good knowing that they will have father/son bonding over its restoration.

Aliner Bought

May 14, 2013

I had pretty much given up on the girl-in-camper adventure idea... all the pop-up trailers for sale online were too far away, too expensive, or too heavy to tow with the Forester. Think: 2500 lbs, $15k, in Pensacola. Just as I started researching motels that allow dogs, I found a camper. It's a barely-used 1998 Aliner. It was for sale in Brier (4 miles from my house) for $6,000. It weighs less than 1000 lbs. I made a quick visit, handed over a $300 cash deposit, and got a receipt written on a post-it note.

Shiny new trailer hitch and 7-pin wiring for the lights & brakes.

The body is ~12 feet long. The overall length from the front hitch to the spare tire is ~15 feet. The dry weight (without water, propane, or any of my stuff) is 995 lbs.

Window bubbles pop open, and the 'Fan-tastic' reversible fan (top, center) can bring fresh air in, or push hot air out. Propane tanks under the plastic cover in the front. Side panels allow access to the furnace for maintenance, the outside shower, … — Window bubbles pop open, and the 'Fan-tastic' reversible fan (top, center) can bring fresh air in, or push hot air out. Propane tanks under the plastic cover in the front. Side panels allow access to the furnace for maintenance, the outside shower, potable water tank, RV hookups, and some other stuff that I can't remember.

Exterior showing spare tire, side portal to storage space, and exterior air conditioner bump. The bubbled rear window allows for headroom while sitting on the back sofa. Side windows slide open. — Exterior showing spare tire, side portal to storage space, and exterior air conditioner bump. The bubbled rear window allows for headroom while sitting on the back sofa. Side windows slide open.

Back couch & dinette, which converts into a bed.

Sitting on the bench on the right is a solar panel that can be used to charge the battery, which I'm not sure I'll use. Maybe someday I'll get it installed.

Built-in shelf with paper towel and paper plate dispensers.

Propane stove, sink with hot & cold running water, and fridge. Propane furnace below sink.

When not in use, the toilet/shower nook offers storage or counter space.

Hose yourself down while sitting on the can. Toilet paper stays dry in the water-tight pop-up dispenser on the left. This cracks my shit up... literally.