Right-Sizing the Winnie

As I've mentioned before, my favorite floor plan is the side dinette with rear gaucho. Sure, you have to make the bed every night, but even when I'm inside the motorhome I want to see the outside world. It's why I go camping in the first place. Being able to wake up in the morning and look out in almost every direction is a wonderful thing and I think that is lost in many of the new motorhome designs. Also, I like that the more compact motorhomes can get you to places the big rigs can't.

Some may ask, "considering how versatile the old Winnies are, why not build such a vehicle for today?" Lo, indeed they have have and they are! Starting with the LeSharo, continuing with the Rialta, and now with the ERA and the Navion IQ our friends at Winnebago Industries have taken variations of my favorite floor plan and applied them to the wonderful world of Class 'B' motorhomes.

(Okay, I know some people consider the LeSharo and Rialta Class 'C' because they have a Winnebago box on a chassis provided by Renault and VW, respectively. As far as I'm concerned if there is no cabover bunk, or the bubble on top to accommodate one then it's a Class 'B'. So let's not quibble on that little fact, and continue with my praising of Winnebago for being ahead of the curve.)

Now, I'll be the first to tell you that these cute little campers are a pint low on testosterone. They cannot compare aesthetically with the old shoebox we know and love. Also, their small power plants really limit the useful towing capacity making them a little less versatile than the big boy, save the ERA which has a decent 5000# towing capacity.

That said, the amount of livability offered by these little guys is astounding. They have all the room and creature comforts of my beloved D21 and they get over twice the MPG! Again, fuel is a relatively minor expense in my overall operating costs, but being able to get further on down the road on a tank of gas means fewer stops. Now that is very attractive, since the high consumption and small tanks of the old Winnies can make you feel like your traveling companion has a weak bladder, never missing a rest stop. Not the best way to make good time, you know? I like stopping at points of interest and the more time I spend in gas stations means less time at all those wonderful little places along the journey that make traveling by motorhome so much fun.

Wasn't it nice that Winnebago had the foresight long ago to start building motorhomes with fuel efficiency in mind? You know that means there are plenty of these little gems for sale at reasonable prices. Imagine, you could buy a 1984 LeSharo that gets better gas mileage than your SUV or Minivan. That's a 24 year old motorhome, mind you!

So, in the 11 years from when they made my D-21 they jumped from 8MPG to 18MPG. Wow! And now you can benefit from their foresight by picking up one of these little guys on the cheap. If you do then you'll also be the beneficiary of their best floor plan, at least in my opinion. So when you are sipping coffee in the morning peering out through the large windows around the dinette, think of me and thank the fine folks of Forest City, Iowa for putting together the world's best motorhomes!

Winnebago Industries in Trouble?

There is presently much gnashing of teeth and hand wringing about the state of the motorhome industry. With economic indicators signaling a slow-down and fuel prices at record highs doom-sayers are proclaiming the end is nigh for America's Land Yachts. One person of note signaling the alarm is none other than Garrison Keillor of Prairie Home Companion fame.

Not so fast, I say. While it is true that Winnebago's stock has taken a tumble it does not mean the industry or the lifestyle is dead. The market has already made significant adjustments even before fuel prices skyrocketed. The Dodge/Sprinter chassis with the Mercedes diesel engine has taken the industry by storm with nearly every major manufacturer of Class 'B' and Class 'C' motorhomes having some variant in their model line-up. Considering a classic Winnie would be lucky to get around 10-11 mpg, the average 19 mpg of the Sprinter is fantastic. It's even better than some SUVs! 

As for me, the $90,000+ acquisition cost of one of these new rigs would cost more than I would pay in gas, even if it was $10 gallon, over the next 10 years! Not wanting to be a carbon footprint pig, or pay too much for gas, I'm looking into OxyHydrogen injection. Some people claim that they've improved their mileage by as much as 75%. I don't believe that for a minute, but I have seen enough tests to think a 10% to 25% increase in economy is achievable.

Personally, I think the used RV market is the biggest danger to the new RV market. At least in the near term. There are just too many classic rigs out there that are more than willing to feed our wanderlust. All they need is a little TLC. The $100,000 you save can probably buy quite a bit of gas, too. 

See you out there!

The Mission

Aside from the desire to tool around the country in an old motorhome part of the need for this journey is to clear my head. One lap of America should do this. You see, I have a decision to make. As so eloquently put by the Kinks – should I stay or should I go?

A Little History

Most people in my profession languish in obscurity for the entirety of their career. Those that garner their fair share of fame rarely do so at an early age. I’ve had opportunities laid at my feet that some would likely kill for and others would never dare dream about, all at a very young age. It would be a terrible waste to cast it aside but may lead to a level of notoriety and hence pressure that I would rather eschew. I’ve plied my trade on the world stage before and have felt the relentless scrutiny that it brings. While there is absolutely nothing quite like being at the top of your game, every now and then you’d like to be able to turn it off. The travel, exotic locations, and atmosphere are intoxicating as well as exhausting. A veritable moveable feast. It doesn’t seem like a sustainable lifestyle, yet my mentor has been doing it for decades. I do enjoy it, yet I fear that it will consume me. I want to be more than just what I do. This world that is calling me will not permit me to stay in one place and grow roots. Not to say that I’ve been looking to do just that, but I can see a time when my hair flows gray and I can no longer live the peripatetic lifestyle I have been. It would be nice to have someone to share my adventures with, as well.

Opportunity Knocks

I am the kind of guy that needs a backup plan for my backup plan’s backup plan. Therefore, career wise, I have certain things going in very different directions. They are all very interesting directions, but cannot coexist. There just isn’t enough of me to go around. The idea was that at least two of them won’t pan out leaving the third and only remaining option as my ultimate path. This is quite tidy in the sense that I’m not the one having to make the decision, I have effectively cast my fate to the wind. Well guess what, sports fans, all indicators are positive for each and every stinking direction. Turns out I really do have to make up my mind.

Towards that effect I have recently spent time trying to figure out what truly motivates me. Is it money? Not really. I’ve blown off work the last couple of weekends that would’ve generated an income that is greater than the average American family earns in a year. It’s not like I couldn’t use the cash, either. My other interests are quite expensive and have been shelved due to insufficient funds. However, I was not interested in doing it. That’s what it all comes down to. I will not do anything I don’t want to just for money, as long as I have the basics of food and shelter covered, of course. Then I spent the weekend working on a different project that I was not going to be paid for so it’s not like I took the time off.

Is it fame? I’d really rather not have everyone I meet know who I am and everything about me. I’m not hiding anything, but answering to family and friends is more than enough bother for one individual. That said, I would like some recognition for what I have accomplished. Or, at the very least, not have someone else take credit for what I have done. I get more than a little peeved when that happens.

Is it the work? That is a large part of it, I will admit. When I do what I do I am happy. I am totally engrossed in the task and all other worries melt away. All other aspects of the business are distractions, necessary dues that must be paid so you can continue to do what you love. There are so few people that have found out what it is in this world that they are here to do. Their lives are directionless and I do not envy them. I figured it out. Every time I got off track something would happen that would point me back to the right path. Now that path has reached an intersection. Every direction allows me to continue what it is I do. Which one do I take.

I know part of it is the work, what’s the remainder? The lifestyle. Spanning the globe on someone else’s dime is a wonderful thing. It affords a lifestyle that even multi-millionaires can never hope to achieve. Instead of saving up for years to see just one corner of the world, it’s your job to go there and experience it. Not only that, you get to help people while you’re at it.

Enter The Conundrum

It all sounds good, what’s the holdup? One of the reasons I set several things in motion is my need to be independent. While I may not know where the path will lead me, I know I can pick up and scoot if my present post is unfulfilling. Financial independence means I can speak my mind without fear or repercussion. Working in fear of losing your job compromises the art. I’ve managed, somehow, to free myself of that horror. If I go I may lose a significant portion of that freedom. If things go pear shaped over there it’s not that easy to come back. I will have left friends, family, and contacts in the process. If I do have to return under less than ideal circumstances I will be starting from scratch. Conundrum issue #1 is potential loss of independence, both artistic and financial.

The title of this post is The Mission. Another part of the conundrum is what I perceive as my mission in life. The world is changing rapidly and I am presently on the sidelines of history. I am not allowed to participate in certain aspects of these changes, remember that something happens to me every time I veer off course. Sometimes what happens is quite drastic, I’ll leave it at that. However, if I go then I will be able to put my talents to use in the service of others. Perhaps not initially, but within short order. On the other hand, I could possibly do similar things over here, though there’s nothing similar currently in the pipeline. So, conundrum issue #2 is figuring out which direction allows me to fulfill my mission.

Since nothing clears my head like a good road trip I decided to get the Winnie and take a lap. Get away from the daily grind to cleanse my mental palette so the day-to-day worries don’t cloud my mind.

What Leader are You?

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Well, after getting such a positive result from the Movie test I decided to take the leader test. Depending on your world view this may or may not be successful from your point of view. I must say I was somewhat shocked by the result, although it does make sense. So, any of you ladies out there looking for an adventourous charmer look no further.

What Movie are You?

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

John Massengale asks what movie am I. I took the test and found out I'm the Indiana Jones type. I didn't even lie! What would you expect from a man who would choose to lap the country in a thirty-some-odd year old Winnebado?

Winnebago Tribe

I modified a link on the left to take you to the History page of the Winnebago Indian Tribe. While the tribe has ancestral roots in what is now known as Wisconsin they were moved to Nebraska. Take a minute to check out the tribe that is the namesake of Winnebago Industries.

Why a Winnie?

Fuzzy
Originally uploaded by arc8ect.

The brand Winnebago is similar to Q-Tip. When people talk about a Winnebago they may mean motorhome and not necessarily a real Winnebago. However, when you go to buy a cotton swab you may reach for the Q-Tips first. Brand identification is not the main reason I chose to buy the Winnie.

It's form reeks of classic Americana. It's from a time when people went camping in their motorhomes, they used them to get further afield than they could by plane or train. It was an escape. Now, motorhomes have every possible creature comfort and can command prices over half a million. Well over in some cases. I do not begrudge the manufacturers for responding to their current market. Reason being, there are plenty of classics out there waiting to be rediscovered. For well under five digits you can acquire a beauty such as Missy - fuzzy seat and all - and go where you want to go. Thanks to the quality workmanship and smart engineering of the Winnebago folks I don't have to purchase a brand new motorhome. I have everything I need in Missy.

Missy

Winnie
Originally uploaded by arc8ect.

Meet Missy. This is the Winnebago D-20 that will be used for the adventure. She was named by her previous owner. Actually, the previous owner's wife, to be exact. Turns out that he spent too much time working on the coach and the wife started calling her his mistress, or Missy, for short.

Wanderlust

I've been bitten by it since I was a child. My family would pile into the motorhome and head to the mountains, streams, and valleys to see America. I was glued to the window in perpetual anticipation of what might be around the bend. Before I set foot in Kindergarten I had walked across the swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain, saw the corn palace in South Dakota first hand, and had my picture taken in front of Mount Rushmore. An appreciation for travel was now deeply engrained in me.

It has served me well as my travels have since taken me around the world. I've done the whole London, Paris, Rome gig. I've checked out Australia from Melbourne to Perth, and spent some quality time on the south island of New Zealand. Great wines can be found in the Otago region, by the way.

Now that I'm a jaded world traveler hopping from one sky lounge to the next you may be surprised to know that I still long for the simple means of travel that first expanded my horizons. The motorhome. I have therefore purchased and will be slightly restoring a classic 70's Winnebago D-20 to take a summer journey. I will be chronicling the restoration and travels of 'Missy' on this blog. It should be fun.