To all: Those are some great suggestions. I think they would all work very well actually. I think the best way for me to get back to you each would be to tell you a little more about me.
When I purchased this house, I thought well wow I can do the remodel and then have elegant parties in my beautiful view home but nobody would even come up here (it's kind of out of the way from the city which is good) and the remodel never got close to being completed because the economy took a dump and I got very sick. What happened next was a long period of isolation and this is good for nobody on the planet. We need each other so much more than we know!
Like so many, my finances have been in a perpetual mess for as long as I care to remember. I do now have a way to go to clear all my debt and be left with 1500 a month in pensions. That plan does not however include living here so that is how I ended up with the idea of RV World and it is a dam good one!
While 1500 is not much, I think it may be enough, with the correct plan, to actually see my bank account go up for the first time ever and not be constantly in the red and I can't afford to pay attention!
Taking my situation to another level:
How to proceed? I love my truck! It is paid for and is a wonderful and strong machine. It features the problematic 6.0L V8 Diesel which now has over 130K on the clock. In diesel world, this is not much but for
this engine, it is time to take some steps if I want it to last and especially if I use it either with a "slide in" or to pull a TT. The EGR cooler was the first error the manufacturer, International, made. It is square and fills up with back gunk which eventually kills the motor. I have got to change it and there is an aftermarket "round" one that replaces it. Everyone with this engine knows about all the issues I face. The second one is a real biggy!
The head bolts! Bolts can be replaced with studs to take the mystery out of forever driving with this engine. I love the engine and would love to take care of both of these issues. I think I would do that right away by hanging out here for a while and saving up for the repairs. That would be after the solar installation on whatever I end up with. Got to have as much power as I can get from the sun!
Better to just let you read the engine article for yourself. This is the best one I've found and of course, it came from "Diesel Power Magazine!"
6.0L Ford Power Stroke Engine - Ford Diesel Trucks - Diesel Power Magazine
historyljc, Thanks for the warm welcome and I'll stay in touch so you know how I'm doing in this odd time of my life!!! Morgan
MSHappyCampers, you know I've heard this from many of you already and it does concern me. A good Lance for instance is no cheaper than a good 5th wheeler but makes my truck so much easier to drive. There are many decisions to be made for sure. I really hate cramped environments and silly to even imagine trying to record my music in a camper although anything is possible... Thanks for your response. I'd love to speak with you again. Morgan
dsbike, Your suggestions are sound however at this point in my life, it is really a lot about the $$$ and the word "rent" just doesn't make the smile return to my face if you know what I mean ::: You speak as though you know something about home recording. Are you a musician too? I know I stand the chance of meeting many other like minded folks out there and this is exciting to me because it is something I have needed for a very long time.
To better respond to your post, a little about my music and the way I currently create it! My home and studio are secluded. The only thing I ever hear out there if I'm using an open mic are the SAN base leg jet liners far too high above to be much of an audio problem and the crickets here in the San Diego County back country. Going from this to anywhere out there where somebody could walk right up and start pounding on my RV walls is a dread! I have considered the BLM thing and would have a pair of Doberman doggies with me in that instance and also, modern recording can easily be accomplished completely through a high end set of head phones so it is totally quiet outside of the rig!
Then there is the security factor. I've considered building my studio into a slide in so it goes everywhere I do and then pulling a tongue type TT but in terms of TT's, the 5th. wheelers are soooo much better in every way but that negates the slide in altogether. I dislike the idea that my truck bed would be sort of "unused" other than that massive hitch back there but that's the trade off isn't it!?!
I'll leave you with this interesting idea I'm sure I'm not the first to think of although it is kind of out there. Since I'm a sound engineer as well as a player and producer, it would be quite easy to get a Doberman "patch" and set it up to play through a highly powered 15 inch speaker facing the inside of the door so I can just press a button and anyone outside my RV door would hear that awesome Dobie earthshaking snarl! I love it. Sort of the same effect as ratcheting a 12 Gauge pump and then saying... "Come in?" Thanks again to all and let's talk soon, Morgan
Welcome and glad to meet you!
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