I’ve kept getting bigger and bigger outfits much like my dad and mom did .did They progressed from pole tent to motorhome. I’ve followed in their wake.
I’ve had only good experience with Traveland and their service department when I bought my RV there.
Nicolina and Ernest just bought a Thor Hurricane. It looked so skookum from the outside. Then Nicolina seeing me drooling at I stared at their new RV, asked <“Would you like to look inside? Would I.
It was perfect.
The main issue for me was the size. 32 feet. My Fifth Wheel Toyhauler is 40 feet and I’ve felt overwhelmed from the day I bought it. I use a tow truck to move it about. I love it but I don’t want to be towing it. I’m horrid at backing up. I have an Adventurer Camper with F350 which I ‘ve been snowbirding with the last few years. My Keystone Fuzion 371 stays in storage because I find it too long to haul and worry about smashing it up as I did once with an earlier RV
Nicolina and Ernest’s Thor is just perfect. I really believe I can drive a bus that big. It’s gas so I don’t need any extra licensing. Not like diesel which requires air brakes training.
Peter and Larry’s Tiffin is truly luxurious but another 4- 6 feet longer. I don’t know what it is psychologically but I really worry about taking turns with that extra length. I’ve yet to test drive the Thor but it really does seem manageable.
I’m taking Laura to Harrison’s Hot Spring this weekend so asked if she’d mind stopping by and looking at the buses in Traveland. I really wanted to buy from them again. I did well with Meridian buying the Fuzion but the whole process of financing wore me out. It was a half day of delays and by the time the papers were signed the joy of the sale had gone. I really did consider going back then though because they are a good company and had excellent service. My memory of Traveland and Peter’s endorsement had me going there first.
Laura said she’d love to come along.
Traveland is a 10 minute easy to get to drive off the number one. She immediately remembered it fondly from before. “You bought the RV here the year you took me to Italy.” She said. I’d had a medical conference in Milan, IDAA with Dr. Nady El Guebaly. A superb conference all round. Laura and I loved Milan and I’d taken an extra week so we could visit Rome. I’d rented a Vespa there and Laura and I not only visited the Vatican but rode the Vespa around Rome visiting the other famous cathedral’s. On return to Canada we so enjoyed the new RV.
Kenny was the salesman the two beautiful receptionists at the front of Traveland called out for us. He was thoroughly delightful . Asked all the right questions and took me directly to a Thor Hurricane, “That’s just come in and fits your budget and I think is what you’re looking for.’ It sure was. Second hand 2022 but only 20,000 KM on it
“Laura,” I asked, “What do you thiink of it?”
“I love it.” She said, Big smile.
I loved sitting in the driver’s seat. Panoramic view. Back up camera display. There was a couch with seats and a dinette table. The kitchen, sinks, microwave, and fridge were all just fine with lots of counter space for my cooking. What was a real treat was an outdoor kitchen with little fridge and sink and propane for a barbecue. I ‘m always barbecuing. There’s an outdoor tv but I ‘d rather be inside on the couch, watching the really big screen tv. Laura had a couple of places she could sit too. We like to watch shows together while having dinner. Vera, Yellowstone, Reacher, Bosch. Most importantly Laura liked the spacious washroom. She ‘s particular about washrooms wanting space and spending an hour in there every morning. I might get a portapotty for relief. . The attraction of bigger RV’’s like the luxurious Tiffin is that they have an extra toilet like my fifth wheel does. I’ve occasionally used it but I think we can make a solo toilet work. We’ve done it in apartments and hotels and the camper. In the camper we’ve been more often in the wilderness, I’ve just gone outside with Madigan if she was holds things up inside . Older I don’t seem to have the capacity to hold it like I did younger.
Kenny showed us the Tiffin and it really was luxurious but I just felt it was too great a challenge for me to drive. I liked the slightly shorter Thor and felt I could maneuver it more safely with garter confidence .
All the way to Harrison’s Hot Springs. I was talking to Laura about it. All the pros and cons. I’ve been thinking of a bus since I was in the south this last winter and wanting to have one for next winter’s snow bird month. As well I’d like to be able to just pick up and go camping in the summer with Laura. With the fifth wheel there’s the whole hitch and hydraulics and slides . The Hurricane only has one slide. With the camper there’s the loading and unloading and the happy jacks. It’s an hour to pick it up in the truck and an hour to leave it at the storage each trip. With the bus, like my sailboat, I can be heading out in a half hour . Peter told me that’s how long it takes him and Larry to come and go.
I phoned Anil Auluck, my accountant to run it by him. I’d already talked weeks back to my wise friend, George. He’d just bought himself a new Buick and when I saw him last at Burnaby men’s he’d said, “so did you buy it”. I’d discussed deisel versus gas with him and Kenny and Peter. Peter’s Tiffin came with choice of gas or diesel, the diesel more expensive . “Ive never regretted getting gas.” Peter said. George thought the diesel lasts longer but said as Kenny said, I wouldn’t be putting the hours on the engine in a motorhome that a truck or commercial vehicle . Longevity doesn’t count when you’ re not putting on the miles. The Class A diesel pushers are clearly the best especially new as they hold their value but the fact for me is I’m older and am only planning to motorhome the next 10 years. . I see myself continuing to work virtually for 5 to 10 years but after that I don’t know. My Dad lived to 94. Mom and he enjoyed their motorhome until mid 80’s when his eyes and energy gave out. So I think the gas is fine for me.
Actually I liked everything about the Thor Hurricane just as Ernest and Nicolina did. . Kevin Oh at TD gave me really useful information about financing because I didn’t want to face unnecessary loss taking out RRSP”s or mutual funds and such. I have the money in the bank but there’s good and better ways to take it out without penalty or the rapacious government wanting more . Both he and Anil and Kenny all ex;planned how I could do it wisely. I put $2000 down and now will be talking on Monday with Kenny moving forward. I will have a test drive next Friday.
Again I love Traveland. I also like that I’m blessed to know all these wonderful people I trust and can rely on for good advice. I tell them if they have a head wound or develop schizophrenia I’d be there for them too. .
I thought about Thor god of the Vikings and the idea of Hurricane. I’d not only survived three days of hurricane solo sailing the pacific in winter I’d been truly exhilarated going through the eye of the storm and coming out the other side. Hurricane is a positive memory for me though I have to admit it was some of the most terrifying days and nights of my life. It taught me ‘surrender’ as I could only trust in God and hold on. I did that. Here I am again trusting in God. I’m glad Laura loves it too.
Madigan was being a real brat barking outrageously when I wouldn’t let him come inside and jump all over the furniture. He didn’t understand there would be time for that only after the sale was closed. I have no doubt he’ll love it . He likes where he gets to be with me and Laura.
Now we’re at Harrison Hot Springs Rsort . I’ve been in the mineral springs and we’ve walked Madigan around the duck pond. God is good all of the time. Thy will be done. Thank you Jesus.!
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