Readers Ask....

Round two of "Readers Ask"....and just a reminder, if you want a personal reply to your thoughts, you need to email me through my profile rather than post a comment. Thanks!

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I am interested in how they took care of your Coach battery charging issues (multiple fixes) since I have problems similar to those you described.

They actually found several issues. The first was that the solenoid that allows the coach batteries to be charged properly (and also allows them to assist starting the engine when that battery is dead) had a wrong connection on it. That was corrected so that 1) the coach batteries now charge from the generator, shore power or the when the engine is running, and 2) the coach batteries now work properly with the use of the emergency start button. They also moved my LP gas detector back onto the coach batteries so it wouldn't drain the engine battery while sitting.

The last was the cause of the intermittent issues. Seems as though there was a 50 amp fuse/breaker at the converter (under my bed). It would intermittently stop working, preventing the coach from having power from the batteries, even when they were charged. They replaced that and VOILA! Everything seems to be working properly now...knock on wood.

Why did you chose South Dakota for your mail forwarding?

For me the decision was made because I had yet to purchase my RV and SD offered a 3% excise tax that was MUCH cheaper than either TN (where I physically was at the time) or TX, the other state I was considering. I discounted FL because I already knew that auto insurance had skyrocketed in the last few years thanks to the hurricanes. The other thing that helped in the SD decision was no emissions inspections required.

It did mean that I had to travel there to get my drivers license but since it renews on my birthday (September), traveling there in five years won't be that much of a hardship. Lots to see there during the summer/early fall.

The things that seem to come into play when making a home base decision are often:

• personal income tax (or lack thereof)
• tax on Social Security or pensions
• cost of vehicle registration (including any "special" taxes or assessments)
  
• cost of vehicle insurance
  
• vehicle inspection requirements
• ability to establish an address acceptable for voting
• any personal impact on health insurance (for those not on Medicare)

Some other things to consider are:

• estate taxes
• online or mail renewal of vehicle registrations
• online or mail renewal of drivers license
  

For further information on this you can read my two part article (written about 10 years ago but still applicable): Choosing a Home Base State and the associates Resources page.

Now choosing a mail forwarding service after you have chosen your home base state means researching the companies in your chosen state. Some things to check out are:

• Basic costs (whether you choose short term or long term is up to you)
• Any added fees on top of actual postage
• Will they send special mailings besides your regular shipment and if so, what are the fees
• Will they filter out junk mail and if so, what are the fees
  
• Do they offer registration assistance and if so, what are the fees
  
• Do they provide an actual street address and if so, will it be accepted for voter registration
• When are they open & available and do they have multiple methods of contact
• Do they maintain emergency contact information for their clients
  

Call and talk to the folks, get a sense of them and their business style. Sometimes that may tip things in favor of a business with a higher price...you need to feel comfortable dealing with these folks. They are often your life line to the "sticks and bricks" outside world.

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Okay, enough serious stuff for today....time to bundle up (still in the 30's but sunny), take a walk and maybe snap a few photos.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna