Say Hello to the Beaver!
Just 30 days ago today we left the dealership in Jackson, Mississippi with our preferred version of a microhouse — a 40′ Class A motorcoach. Yup, with wheels and a 400 HP Caterpillar diesel!
It’s a 2002 Beaver Patriot Monticello with 2 slides–one of them is long, encompassing both the living area and kitchen. (mouse over any of the following pix for a discription of what you’re looking at.)
There has been alot to learn in the last 30 days; how to drive this beast, how to use and manage the systems, how to keep the Tire Pressure Monitor System from driving me crazy, where to park it overnight during our 1100 mile return to our hometown where our transition is accellerating now.
Since our hometown for the moment is still experiencing winter and sub-freezing temperatures, we rented a 15’x50′ storage unit but still felt the need to winterize just to be sure we didn’t inflict any damage to the systems that are reliant on water — before we even get underway full-time.
But more about the coach:
Other Highlights from our shopping list:
- Side Entrance (more about this in a later post)
- Insulated cargo bays – one with roll-out Joey-bed
- Thermopane + dark tinted windows
- Solar Charging System
- 4 Door fridge with ice-maker (runs on either electricity or propane as needed)
- Microwave/Convection Oven (Jan loves it already–no need for a conventional oven)
- Slide-out pantry wall
- Automatic Main Awning, awnings on all other living and bedroom windows
- Large windows on both head and foot of the bed (more about this in a later post)
- Washer/Dryer combo
- Surround Sound system
- Silverleaf Electronics real-time diagnostic computer
- GPS
- Central Engine Servicing Bay
- 7.5 KW Onan diesel generator
- Natural solid Maple cabinetry in the acclaimed, hand crafted Beaver tradition.
- Satellite Dish / Direct-TV
- Great space for a paperless office
- 50 Amp shorepower electric cord reel
- Water system manifold
- Custom windshield privacy/protection screen and mirror and wiper covers
- and more
Along the way home, we discovered Flying J and their dedicated RV service lanes where fuel, water, propane and dump station are all in one place and offer alot of convenience. If you happen to be a Good Sam Club member you even get a discount on the dump station and the fuel price–I believe we dumped the tanks for $5.00 plus got 7-cents off per gallon on the fuel. I should also mention that they offer complimentary overnight RV parking, which turned out to be an experience we enjoyed three nights on this inaugural trip.
There’s a few things we’re opting to do “our new home” before we “move-in” officially, and if we get ambitious, perhaps we’ll share some video of the process, too.
