Tuomotus

Tuomotus

Friday, December 7, 2012

The Beast is Back!

After 7 weeks, (yes 7!) the beast is back from the repair shop.  I'm not going to name names.  There were several small issues that we wanted addressed before moving into the coach full time-
A slide out ram was leaking fluid
A basement bin door hydraulic arm was coming loose from the door.
The ceiling was drooping in the living area causing me to think I was in a Dali painting (think melting watch).
Oil change
Serpentine belt replaced
I'm sure there is more, but you get the picture.  I guess when you tell the service writer they can keep it as long as they need to, they take you at your word.  It's all good though since we are not living in it, but I certainly hope when we are full timing it, we can get in and out of service places quickly.

I am happy to have it sitting where it belongs and really can't wait to start loading up all the new goodies we got for it.  We took this as the next chapter and we are leaving lots of old behind.  It's been really fun getting all new stuff.  We didn't get this cool of stuff when we were first married almost 27 years ago.

I am a big fan of the Fabulous Beekman Boys.  They used to be on Planet Green, but the Cooking Chanel has picked up their 2nd season and I hope they pick up more.  I enjoyed their book the Bucolic Plaque, it is a fun read and the show is simple harmless fun.  Anyway I digress....They call their time away "the year of sacrifice" as one works in the city and one works the Beekman farm.  We are in our year of sacrifice as we sold a beautiful home and moved into a rental so we could hit the road next spring.  It hasn't been that much of a sacrifice since there is so much less to clean and take care of!

We've done some additional modifications-I'll post the photos next week since we have our beast back!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Modifications made to a 2007 Phaeton

Our coach of choice is a 2007 Phaeton.  The price was reasonable, the miles low and wow did I love the maple cabinets.  We did decide to do a few modifications to make it more "ours".  We recarpeted the entire coach, removed the furniture and replaced the living area with two Euro Recliners and ottomans.  We traded the small dining chairs with full size dining chairs that surprisingly matched the valances.  
 New larger TV with Sound Bar for those great action movies.
 The mirrored wardrobe doors were removed and two cedar lined closets were created with additional drawers in the middle.  A ceiling fan and a new sleepnumber bed was added.  

A new cabinet was installed in the toilet area.

In addition to the cosmetic modifications, we have added solar panels to the roof, upgraded the satellite system and added a basement freezer on a sliding base.  We are looking at a cell phone booster & tire monitoring system.  Next and right before we hit the road are new tires.  It takes a awhile to get all this stuff done and I'm sure we'll make more changes once we are in there full time and traveling down the road.

Counting Down!



We are counting down to the last day of work for us.  After January, we will be footloose and fancy free.  Sold the house, check.  Bought the coach to live in as full-timers, check.  Bought the four wheel drive flat towable toad, check.  Make the modifications to make the coach truly liveable, almost check.

The great adventure starts in March, 2013.  Can't wait.  Follow along as we make modifications, plans and probably change things up as we set off to the full-time RV lifestyle.