I sent her a link to Fretz - did you get that, Lifey?
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I sent her a link to Fretz - did you get that, Lifey?
Yes, thanks. I had already emailed them, but have not yet received a reply. On the other hand, I have already had a further question from Keystone. I shall wait and see what they all have to say. I see this morning that there is mail from the salesman and Ford dealer in Doylestown as well. So starting to look good.Quote:
Originally Posted by glc
Where would I be without you guys!
Lifey
Edit: Just got an email... Fretz are fully booked up for my timeline, and booking well into April.
This happens time and again, and I am constantly puzzled why I can't do this on my own. The first link Dave posted was for an Auto Electrician. On that site there is a link to ERA. And their site has a link to find members.
So far I have found two within 50 miles of Doylestown. (Curiously, Keystone Auto Electrical Repair Shop is not one of them.) One near St Paul, and two near Orland Park IL - friend's location. Just contacted said friend on Skype, and he reminded me of the place where I had my brakes attended to, and said that Ken does that work as well.
Keeping all my options open.
Once again, a single mention in this thread opened up a world of information. (And I am still no further along with the packing!)
Lifey
Heading for the Horizon
Well guys, I think this is it. I cannot imagine what can possibly derail from here.
The title has been issued. The plates are with the salesman. The insurance policy is in my possession (via email). Everything has been paid for. It's finally all in place.
The trip to Doylestown is complete. Four nights in Doylestown with Couchsurfers, during which time Jerry, from the Keystone Auto Electrical Repair Shop will install the auxiliary battery in the van. He was able to listen to me, to the way I travel, and where I travel. He researched the WAECO to make sure he knew exactly what it was I would be using and how I would be using it. Has agreed to install it on 29th, and will need the van for around four hours. A most reasonable quote. In fact, half the cost that two RV places quoted. But then, if you read what-not-all they wanted to do, it blows your mind away. People who deal with those vehicles are not capable of embracing the mindset of a minimalist. All they can do is think BIG!!!
I am most fortunate that an artist Couchsurfer in Doylestown has invited me to come to Philadelphia with her on Fri 30th March, when she will be teaching art as part of a project called Villages for Humanity. Even though I have transited twice through Philly, I have never visited there, and could not possibly pass up this invitation. It will be great to see some of the place at grass roots, in the company of a local.
Sat 31st I will drive to Newton, where I will then spend the next 9 days with the family; and where my little fridge is waiting for me. The final touch, my Garmin Nuvi should arrive in the mail whilst I am in MA.
On the Tuesday after Easter I will set out for St Paul MN, via Detroit and Orland Park IL. Plan to take the route through Canada without any sightseeing. And yeah, I have already booked my hotel along the way. Now I am living with the fear of something delaying me, and losing that hotel booking.
After spending a few hours in Detroit - two places I want to visit - I shall continue on to Orland Park IL where I will be staying with friends for two nights... friends whom I met on the last trip to AK. And on Friday 13th - oh! horror! - I will drive to St Paul MN, where I will spend the weekend with son's in-laws. (Hopefully snow will be gone, and construction not yet started. Wishful thinking!)
This is not exactly winging it. 21 nights already organised. I can't believe I have actually done this. But be assured, after this it's freestyle all the way.
So, until I post a Field Report, all that's left to say is thanks to each and everyone of you.
Lifey
Heading for the Horizon
Do you have someone lined up in Newton to help you install the fridge?
Have a good trip.
Keep the rubber side down!
Mark
Well not exactly the hour, but it's getting real close to the start of your adventure and I'm quite sure you must be 'Pumped up' with excitement and anticipation !!
I hope you have a smooth journey over there, and that all works out well with your new purchase and all that goes with it !! Have a wonderful time and I for one, can't wait to to get updates and follow your next incredible journey through text and pictures on RTA.
Have a wonderful trip !
Dave. [And of course from Lezli who says Hi !]
Thanks Dave.
Yes, it is 37 hours till the flying kangaroo takes off, on it's long haul to LAX. I will be so glad when I am on board. At least then I will no longer worry about what I have forgotten, and what I still need to do.
And right now I should not be here typing. Still nowhere near packed.
Lifey
It's good to know that after all this time you have finally picked up your vehicle and are ready to put it to the test !!
For anyone looking in, follow Lifey's adventures around the USA in the Ford, Here.
Safe travels.
Dave.
Thought I would introduce the new sibling for my Ford E150.
Around Christmas it all became too much. I was missing life in my little van. I was missing life on the road. But without a van, it seemed unthinkable.
I started my search, and after considering and looking at dozens, Toyotas, Mitsubishis, Fords (nothing like my E150) and more, I was lucky to finally find a VW. Got it at Easter time, and since then, life has been hectic getting it ready for my first trip.
I was fortunate to learn of a business where they restore old VWs, especially Kombi campers and bugs. The owner was very interested in working on my Transporter, as he rarely sees them, but is starting to get enquiries. We've made a pact to do all the work at a price I can afford, over an extended period.
Since the cargo area was basically an empty shell, he sold me the Dynamat to put on all panels and the floor. Big job, but with six year old grandson, we did an amazing job. This has made it much quieter and will add a measure of insulation. Right now it is having a marine plywood floor installed, a house battery for the fridge and a swivel on the passenger seat.
My trip up North to the Red Centre will be with an air mattress on the floor and all my camping equipment in the crates we have always used for camping. A folding picnic table together with the swivel seat will make for a neat work / eating area. A gerry can for water and portable toilet will complete the outfit.
Future outfitting plans are fluent, changing from day to day. It was on another forum where I found a member with the same model Transporter, who lives in the same State. His outfit looks very interesting. He has been most helpful, and I will be copying much of his ideas.
Can't wait to hit the road - albeit for only 10 days.
Lifey
Nice to hear your new road trip vehicle for the 'Land down under' is coming along nicely. I'll look forward to [hopefully] hearing about your trip and seeing some pics ! [hint hint]
[As you know, we now have a Nissan Largo van with seats that fold into a bed and other 'trick' bits and we are looking forward to taking that on it's first mini roadtrip in the near future.]
Dave.
It's hard to believe that a decade has passed since I started out on this search. Ir's hard to recall and comprehend the places we went together, the adventures we had, the memories we created.......
But the time has come that I can no longer insure her. Quite a few sources have told me that one cannot insure a private vehicle as an octogenarian non-resident.
So as much as it breaks my heart, She's up for sale. And once again, those helpful members who in the end made the ownership of the van possible, have come to my assistance. She is on craigslist, and has already had one interested party respond. Until I get to NC, where she is still in storage, I will not be able to show it to anyone.
Meanwhile I am with family in Boston. Will be heading south in early August, remove all my personal stuff which is still in it, and have the van ready for those who want to see it on 9th August.
Now I have to organise myself into thinking about rental vehicles and hotel bookings........ something I have never done. Fortunately Budget have a system whereby you can rent up to 11 months, at a *budget* rate, and they take payment in one's national currency. So no currency exchange fees, all of which can add up to quite a bit - over time.
Wish me luck!
Lifey
Hi Lifey.
You sure have had many adventures and made many great memories in the van !! Time to make some more in a slightly different way.
Good luck.
Dave.
Being you have family in the US, have you checked into that option?
If they took over ownership of the vehicle (even if you "sold" it to them for $1), they could easily insure it and (at least hopefully) just add you as an "additional driver".
That definitely works within the US (the owners of the vehicle can insure it even though neither drives), not sure if it would with an additional driver being from outside the US but it seems possible...
Billy, that has already being pursued, but unfortunately once you make it to octogenarian status, and are a non resident, it is not that simple. Daughter explored that option, and even though she is not exactly living from cheque to cheque, even she said it was ridiculously expensive and the conditions attached were attrocious.
Still I have managed to get a vehicle for a month, with the option of extending it month by month for less then US$2600. Being able to pay in my card's currency, is an extra bonus. None of those bank foreign currency fees and conversion fees.
Yeah! it breaks my heart, but I think I now have a good deal and plan to make the most of it..... who knows, it could very well be my last.
Lifey
OK, I figured you might have checked but wanted to be sure, as I wouldn't have even thought of it had the situation not occurred here (but in the opposite direction, as the owners are older but don't drive any longer and the "additional" drivers are the ones using the car to drive the seniors to places they need to go). And of course all are residents, which I'm sure is the main issue (silly US companies ;).
Lifey, can't help you with insurance, but about currency issues, have you checked Revolut or Wise? Both offer a convenient way to pay in any currency for a very small fee (nothing compared to the gouging from banks). In the case of Revolut, you only pay fees above a certain amount per month (£1000 in the UK). Additionally, both offer the "true" currency exchange rate, so the cost is not "hidden" either.
Alternatively, check whether your (or any other) bank in Australia offers "travel type" credit cards, which have no fees on foreign currency payments. I have one (UK) and the conversion is done at MasterCard/Visa rates, which are very close to the true rates. For example, a quick "Australia travel credit card" search shows Bankwest Zero Platinum and 28 Degrees Platinum, among others. The first one even seems to offer When you purchase your overseas flights on your credit card, you also receive free international travel insurance covering car rental up to $3,000. It provides unlimited overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses, along with other benefits, too..
I'm not affiliated with any of these products or companies, but it could be worth looking into it.
Thanks for that information rans.
I did look at those cards when they first came out, some years ago. The exchange rate was not all that appealing, and there certainly was no other benefit.
However, my basic objection to cards of any type was confirmed when I heard Alan Joyce - CEO of Qantas - announce about two years ago, that they make more money from selling the information of their frequent flyers, than what they do from selling seats on aeroplanes. If you do not have a problem with how your information is used and to whom it is distributed, guess that is up to you. Paying cash leaves my privacy intact! [There has been a law foreshadowed at home, that paying cash for anything over $5000 will be illegal - over my dead body!!]
It always seems such a ludicrous statement when I read the various privacy policies, knowing that they want your info to make money. Basically for no other reason. Fortunately I have another email addy which I rarely check and my maiden name.
Lifey