Rollincool
Always Rollin
Senior Member
Joined: 08/10/2007
View Profile
|
YoDude9999 wrote:Hahahaha...well, in all honesty, yes that was the plan, though I don't really have a full load of stuff to fill the MH (just enough to cover the floor more or less). But, this is exactly why I posted this question here. I need some REAL answers to questions I have none for and it's MUCH better to get some answers here! than it is to find out these things from experience, ya think? 
I have worked on cars and trucks for some years now.
With that said, if I were going to do what you're planning, I'd would make DAMN sure that new $1600 special checked out for at least good brakes, decent engine compression, strong transmission, frame in good shape, (no rot or patched up weld jobs), GOOD cooling system with NO leaks, tires not cracked, and halfy decent front end.
Let's not forget the brake controller for the trailer brakes.
The living part doesn't matter for the trip. It leaks, oh well, you'll get there wet.
And then, I would take LOTS of tools expecting some kind of problem just because of the year and how long this thing sat around.
Can it be done? Probably could.
Can it be done without worries? NO.
Can it be done safely? If things are checked out I described above, then at least it would be safe.
Would I do it at my age with what I know? Probably, if it checked out to my satisfactions.
Would I recommend you doing it with what you know? NEVER.
I would rent a U-Haul, and trailer for the gen 3 firebird, take it and drive down to San Jose. Get settled in with someone you know.
(if you don't know anyone,) look for a roomate wanted. Then look for a used C, buy it and move in.
That's what I would do. 
I wish you luck.
-Joe
* This post was
edited 09/20/08 12:37pm by Rollincool *
2008 Chevy Silverado 4x4 3500 RC/LB 6.0
2007 Chevy GS Conquest Super C 6340DK
2007 Chevy HHR Toad 2LT 2.4
1990 Chevy G20 Cargo Van 305 
1967 Chevy Camaro Pro Street 468/650hp BBC 
My 70's Show - Tom Kent Radio Network - KLTH - K•HiTS 106.7
|
zed1k
NS, Canada
New Member
Joined: 05/23/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
Have you considered selling the car, going out with the mh,and belongings, and buy a car when you get to cali?
|
YoDude9999
Omak, WA.
Senior Member
Joined: 04/21/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
zed1k wrote:Have you considered selling the car, going out with the mh,and belongings, and buy a car when you get to cali?
Yes, and that is an option. I'd rather have a place to live when I get there, than relying on friends to put me up until I got another rig. Only thing is, I'd still have to rely on others for rides to to/from from work until I got another car.
This is something I'll have to work with because finances and options are truly very limited.
Yo-
Yo-
Find more info at DudesRv.com
AC cooling at capacity? Test Your Rooftop AC
What's inside a PD converter? GUTS what else? (Updated 10.02.06)
Experiment: WFCO9845
|
YoDude9999
Omak, WA.
Senior Member
Joined: 04/21/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Rollincool wrote:YoDude9999 wrote:Hahahaha...well, in all honesty, yes that was the plan, though I don't really have a full load of stuff to fill the MH (just enough to cover the floor more or less). But, this is exactly why I posted this question here. I need some REAL answers to questions I have none for and it's MUCH better to get some answers here! than it is to find out these things from experience, ya think?
I have worked on cars and trucks for some years now.
With that said, if I were going to do what you're planning, I'd would make DAMN sure that new $1600 special checked out for at least good brakes, decent engine compression, strong transmission, frame in good shape, (no rot or patched up weld jobs), GOOD cooling system with NO leaks, tires not cracked, and halfy decent front end.
Let's not forget the brake controller for the trailer brakes.
The living part doesn't matter for the trip. It leaks, oh well, you'll get there wet.
And then, I would take LOTS of tools expecting some kind of problem just because of the year and how long this thing sat around.
Can it be done? Probably could.
Can it be done without worries? NO.
Can it be done safely? If things are checked out I described above, then at least it would be safe.
Would I do it at my age with what I know? Probably, if it checked out to my satisfactions.
Would I recommend you doing it with what you know? NEVER.
I would rent a U-Haul, and trailer for the gen 3 firebird, take it and drive down to San Jose. Get settled in with someone you know.
(if you don't know anyone,) look for a roomate wanted. Then look for a used C, buy it and move in.
That's what I would do.
I wish you luck.
-Joe
I'm thinking your advice is sound, thanks.
|
enf
Fresno, California
Senior Member
Joined: 01/09/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
If you'd like to drive to California and avoid most of the mountains, take either 97 south to I-5 at Weed or take 101 all the way to San Jose. Either route is much easier to drive than I-5 over the Siskiyou mountains.
1999 31' Gulfstream Yellowstone Country Club
2000 Mazda B2500
Two traveling kitties, Zoe and Scooter
|
|
|
YoDude9999
Omak, WA.
Senior Member
Joined: 04/21/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
enf wrote:If you'd like to drive to California and avoid most of the mountains, take either 97 south to I-5 at Weed or take 101 all the way to San Jose. Either route is much easier to drive than I-5 over the Siskiyou mountains.
When I moved out here to WA with the u-haul and car on the trailer, it was at the end of January, right smack in the dead of winter. I took the 97 route for most of the way. There was nothing but snow and blizzard all the way through all the mountain passes. I truly feared for my life at times following semi's at 60 MPH letting them blaze the path through the snow for me. That was some serious white knuckle driving and there were a few times I felt the rig come "unglued" from the roadway. Needless to say, I'll never do that again!
|
YoDude9999
Omak, WA.
Senior Member
Joined: 04/21/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks for the help and advice guys. I'm scrapping the whole idea and am going to rent the u-haul and trailer again to make the move back to CA. From what I see here, it's the better, safer idea which has been tried and proven already. At least I'll get there BEFORE winter this time around.
Yo-
|
ron.dittmer
Near Chicago
Senior Member
Joined: 02/26/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
To the original poster.
You mentioned.......
- delapitated 19 foot motorhome
- 1985 firebird
- just enough stuff to cover the floor of a 19 foot motorhome
What is the condition of your 1985 Firebird's engine, transmission, frame, and brakes? If the car is in good condition, it may be economically feasible to get a class-II or III hitch mounted, and rent a very small enclosed U-Haul trailer. Those trailers are light weight and can hold a lot of bulk, as long as it isn't heavily loaded.
Drive the RV to a junk yard and get $300 to $400 for it. Take that cash and get a new hitch mounted to the car, with extra cash for gas. These days junk yards are giving big money for junkers.
When loading the trailer, be sure to distribute the weight so there is little tongue weight on the car. Take the trip at a slow pace (50mph) and you'll get there safely.
Just a thought.
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
See The Inside by clicking on "View Profile" and scroll down
|
YoDude9999
Omak, WA.
Senior Member
Joined: 04/21/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Basically I've scrapped the whole plan and come up with a new one.
1. Thin out my belongings to the point that there's only enough left to cover the bed of a pickup.
2. Give rig, thinned out belongings and car to someone in trade for pickup.
3. Load pickup with what ever is left. Install tarp in case it rains.
4. Go.
If that situation doesn't work out, it's back to rent the u-haul and trailer and go that way.
* This post was
edited 09/25/08 08:20pm by YoDude9999 *
|
PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 12/23/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
New plan has merit...and you could tow a small 5X8 U-haul trailer with the Pick-up. Also, you might want to look for a pick-up with a shell on it, then you don't have to worry about the tarp! If you are able to get a truck with shell, you could tow trailer...and sleep in back of truck!
How about at Truck Camper.....towing a trailer....then you would have a place to live....a vehicle to drive to/from work...and bring some additional stuff to put into storage when you get there.
Glad to see that you are looking at a wide variety of options....
Good luck.
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris
The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008
The Pets
|
|
|
|
