not again, 12V fridge, lithium and sell the Nash
First townrun after I got back to Timberon took nearly 14 hours from leaving my acre to shifting into 4WD to get up the slope. The next townrun took 14.5 hours. I have got to find another place to live next summer. Wish I had an idea of where.
I know, a poor photo, but the first chicks I’ve seen this summer.
I took a drive over to the book exchange in Timberon last week. One of those libraries on a post. Have not been along those roads for two years. Quite surprised at the number of new homes that have gone up. Also passed two new RV parks. Hadn’t heard about those. Not standard parks with rows and slabs however. Looked more like a scattering of rigs under large trees. More to my taste. Didn’t take in much since I was driving. These roads are twisty and hilly.
I wonder if people do much research before making a decision to build here. You might have read some of this before.
The postal service closed the PO here three years ago because they couldn’t find anyone to take over the running of it.
The water lines were put in back in 1969&’70 and the plastic pipes were not top of the line. There have been many breaks over the years and the water in the section has to be turned off until repairs can be made.
Back when the power lines were being put in, the forest service cut swaths for the power poles through the community. Trees grow and fall on the power lines from time to time and power to the section is turned off. It can take a few days to get electricity back to the affected homes.
Sierra Propane closed down last year. Those of us who have an RV with 7-gallon tanks now have to drive to Cloudcroft or Alamogordo to have our tanks filled. Propane trucks drive in from those towns to fill homeowner size tanks but won’t fill the small tanks.
Robert Realty, the local realtor that I used, closed.
There were two wild fires before I came here, which destroyed 15 homes. And a smaller one two years ago.
And let’s not forget the 2 ½ - 3 hour drive to Alamogordo and back. I WANT OUT OF HERE.
I know, it’s hard to believe but these are the new set of stairs I had installed. And this damage occurred only 25’ diagonally across from the ponderosa. I am going to try straightening the stairs enough to pull them out and use, using a come-a-long, a tow strap, a tree and the Ford’s towing hooks. Maybe the gods are saying to stop pulling a trailer on this access slope.
During Covid, demand for RVs increased as many thought RVs were the safest way to travel. But you might remember the widespread product shortages and supply chain issues.
RV manufacturers couldn’t build RVs fast enough to meet demand. If their regular suppliers couldn’t supply the components needed in a timely manner, they found other suppliers and products to complete the RVs.
The standard propane/electric absorption RV refrigerators (the kind I’ve always used) couldn’t be built and shipped fast enough. As a result, 12-volt RV refrigerators became the solution for many RV manufacturers. They could be readily supplied, cost less, were easier to install, as there is no need for exterior vents, no need to run a propane line and no need to install a 120-volt outlet. Pretty much the norm now. Wait, what? Having a fridge that runs on propane is kinda important when off-grid. Now we have to use ones that run off a battery?
The Arctic Fox R25 will come with a 10 cubic ft. fridge/freezer that runs on 12 volts—battery, only, no option. I’m thinkin’ guano. The trailer will need a lithium battery for this and new solar panels (leaving old ones on Nash). I’ll be going from 160 watts of solar power to 400 watts. The $4,000 400Ah lithium battery will weigh in at 94 pounds! Never thought I would have to ask for help to move a battery. I mean, I can move twenty AA batteries all at once with one hand, no problem.
It should work out but the biggest disadvantage of 12-volt RV refrigerators is that they require substantial amounts of 12-volt power. Hence the need for lithium batteries. Have to see if my small 1,000 watt Honda generator can help out in a pinch. Really know nothing about electricity. Anyone have an answer?
Hate to have to purchase a cooler (bulk) and ice.
From what I have read online, I should be okay. It was just unexpected, haven’t been keeping up with updates in the RV world.
One morning a huavelina stopped by for a snack. Maybe she came across the cracked corn. Another morning two were out there, then three. This shot was taken out the dirty galley window, not conducive for taking photos. I’ll be moving the Nash to the summer orientation in a couple days. Sure I will be seeing more wildlife.
New this summer are cows. Two cows, a bull and three little ones. The open east gate to Timberon is not far from my property. Beyond it are ranchers and plenty of downed fencing. One morning had me thinking about all the cowpie fires I’ve sat next to out in the the high desert. Before me was the first cowpie I’ve seen in a long time. Just need a bucketful of dry ones.
I wonder if I will ever go off-grid hard wall camping again for a month or so. I’d like to. I sure experienced a lot and took some good nature and wildlife photos. M&M also enjoyed the lifestyle. Damn, I hope I do not become common.
When I get back near Timberon after the Silver trip, I am going to try and sell the Nash 17K. I would like to hold onto it, and have a trailer/cabin on the propery but do not want the upkeep. Average price is $7400. I’ll list it for $5,500.
I’ll put up a trailer for sale sign down on the road. Word of mouth might work but only people on ATVs or ORVs drive by. I can also post a notice on the town’s kiosk.
I recently recalled times when a teacher rolled in an overhead projector. Did she need a break? Was it Friday? Or had our class been on good behavior?
Back off!
The ball is in your court. Pick it up and move with it.
Each of us is built of everything we do.
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RVwest article ‘Following a Free Spirit’
RVwest article ‘The Space Between the Places’
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