R Ving with 911 in tow

[Hugh R]

I don't see a braking system for the 911. The electric brakes on my old camping trailer got a bad connection, and the braking force was scary and much longer to brake to a stop.

[tevake]

I hear You Hugh!
I got one of those Brake Buddy's that goes in front of the seat, and works from a pendulum switch that's built in.
It's not working properly , so at this time am going with out it.

The former owner towed a 4,000 lbs jeep with no brakes in the jeep working and no brakes in the tag axel. But then some folks are crazy.

Just replaced the brakes in the Tag axel. They had been completely removed by some PO. They add noticeable braking power. Still It was disconcerting when driving around L A on the 210, and I just could not keep a reasonable gap in front. Folks don't seem to realize that heavy vehicles need more stopping room than cars.

With recent work done on the coach it is accelerating and braking better now than it was with out the car in tow before.

Looking forward to getting the brake Buddy fixed and in place. More stopping power is never a bad thing.

Are you getting your coach out this summer? Boy you sure do need to make reservations in So Cal to get a space.
I ended up having to stop for a night at the harbor parking lot in Half Moon Bay. As all parks were booked. Still had to pay 45 bucks to park in their parking lot with no hookups.
The crush has eased since the forth is behind us. Plus I'm in Oregon now. And there seem to be lots of RV parks, as well as state and local parks up this way.


One of my favorites was camping deep on the redwood forest beside the Gualala river, a way north of S F
I stayed on Highway 1 for its whole length, really beautiful mellow coast North of S F.

Cheers Richard


Camping in the redwoods.

[Hugh R]

I've been taking the big ass RV out a few times. I had it washed and waxed last week, $250+ $40 tip to the guy, it Shines and looks so nice. I see it as an investment in protection of the finish. I may tow something, some day, but I'm not there yet. We've done rent-a-wreck on a few trips and for $25-$35/day it has worked out well for a local driver.

[ddbach]

Here's an option for the hood that will still let you close it.

Buy: Tracwrap | Products

[tevake]

Thanks for that info, ddbach.
I've been wondering if bra users have to adjust the fit of the closure pin on the hood to allow for the extra material in the seam between the hood and tub.

The material you suggest would avoid this issue.

Hugh, your coach is positively sparkling, nice.

I'm really looking forward to getting caught up on the systems and mechanical repairs and being able to move on to doing cosmetic refresh on the pealing clear coat .
This really glares at me when I look at the exterior, looks shabby. But that time will come.

I guess I could have stayed in Az. And done stripping of clear coat this summer, Rather than travel the PNW. NOT!

Cheers Richard

[95avblm3]

Nice rig, tevake.

My wife and I want to do something similar in a few years... sell the house, by a coach and see our great country. We plan to sell most of the cars and just keep her Hyundai to tow since it is a 5-door hatch and inexpensive to operate... but every time we get in the Boxster we look at each other and say, why can't we take this as the tow vehicle?

Cheers!

[tevake]

Indeed, why not. I think you would enjoy driving your Porsche as much in new areas as you do around where you are living now. Probably more than the Hyundai.
Once in a while you might want the four seater for guests or to take new friends with you somewhere. But there is much less schlepping of big stuff ounce on the road.

I'm in the hood River area now and had a fun drive up the Columbia river valley yesterday. Beautiful scenery and nice driving roads.

Today went to a really fun car show at a vintage aircraft museum called WAAAM .
It a very interesting collection of early aviation history, great planes as well as nice 20s thru 50s cars. A very eclectic mix of collections really. Totally worth checking out if in the area!! And a great setting for the car show.

I even entered my rig in the show, and had a blast with the folks stopping by to visit aboard.

[creaturecat]

Kudos to you. Enjoying the ride.
i couldn't bring myself to do that to my car.

[tevake]

I was just a little late arriving today at Portland intl raceway. And missed an opportunity to do parade laps with the SC. But what a fun day of vintage racing happening here. Really friendly folks and total inclusion for the spectators
Welcomed into the paddock areas and in many cases into the teams prep areas. Great conversations with owners, mechanics , drivers most seemed to be happy to share their stories and those of the cars
And oh what



A one off Porsche powered special built in SoCal in the 60s. Called a Celeste

The Celeste and is stable mate a Devon withe Chevy power kept totally period correct
Nice team carrier too!

What appeared to be a one man team, switching between the pooper and the 935. He said was quite a challenge, especially the braking. I'd be willing to try
Really mixed heats and good racing throughout the fields, some epic mid pack battles
Another look at the Celeste . With its skin on, what a beauty
Sorry the pics got shifted around but you guys can figure it out.
I may have to fit more of these events into the plan, big Fun!!

As to using my car this way. It's been needing a touch up on the hood for some time and the windscreen is already very pitted, so those can be dealt with once this adventure is over. But that may be a while, I'm having a ball!


Cheers Richard


,

[tevake]

Oh I got to sit in one of my all time favorites
An early 60s lotus. This same car had at least four designations throughout its original racing life as it was developed and raced in different classes


How many folks would be willing to talk a stranger all thru the steps of getting in and then back out with out breaking anything, too good.
A little piece of the Jim Clark era!

[Baz]

Aloha Rich.......thanks for the update and very cool pics!!!

I'm living vicariously through you for the time being if you don't mind.

Good to see you having so much fun.....please post again when time allows!

Your bud,
Bazzer

[Tobra]

You really need to drive the 911 up the Columbia River Gorge, no seriously. Sliver Creek Falls State Park is also quite scenic, very nice short hikes and a pretty road to drive out, you could maybe park the RV in a rest area or something near Salem and drive out there in the car. The state mental hospital where they filmed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is totally different now, unrecognizable. There is a bar/restaurant at the top of a tall building in downtown Portland that had a truly stellar view, can't remember the name of it to save my life. Be careful in Oregon, several friends from little towns there have suggested that at least half the people driving around on those little two lane roads through the forests in Oregon are stoned.

Devil's Punchbowl on the Oregon coast is pretty cool, if only to take a picture of your car sitting next to the sign, if it is not too stormy and the ocean is not dramatic. There are places to go tidepooling along the coast too, if you have any interest in that sort of thing.

I always wonder why you don't lock the steering wheel, and tow a 911 backwards on a dolley. It would not add that much weight, but does anyone make a bra for the ass end of a 911? I have that clear bra stuff on the rockers of my Miata, it is incredible.

[daepp]

Richard - how about a photo tour of your Airstream?

[Dan J]

I think you have a bunch of us living vicariously with you in that RV
Is it getting crowded in there?

[tevake]

After the action at PRI wound down, I and a few other probably worn out racers layed up there for the night. Im sure a long weekend of racing is taxing for the vintage drivers .
So a not early enough start to head to the coast saw me in the early morning traffic getting out of Portland .
And Tobra. I would much rather deal with a few toasted locals on a quiet country road than the aggressive, inconsiderate, even balidgerent drivers commonly found in cities on the freeways. The ones trying to merge into the space you occupy , as if theydon't even notice the 35 x by 10 feet 16,000 lbs of gleaming metal right where they plan to go. That's scary for me.
I do try to give a little to help out others on the road , but there is only so much one can do in a tight stream of fast paced traffic. Then they blare their horns at you for having the nerve to be in the space they were headed for. Crazy. Sorry for the rant, but this and other lane switching antics at speed really do get to me. So many near miss of cars shooting to cut right behind me only to realize nearly too late that there is a car right where they had planed to. Dive. thru. WHEW. I wish my backup camera could record, you wouldn't believe how close it has been a couple of times.

So far a couple of small rock chips from diving into small gravel pull outs on the Big sur Coast are the only damage to the car After over two thousand miles of towing. I'm pretty attentive to letting faster traffic around me.
At this point its becoming more relaxed and comfortable having the S C in tow. Just takes seat time. And a lot of that on this trip has been on roads like hiway 1 beautiful if a bit winding and narrow.

Now for Daepp request for a tour of the coach, just shot these this morning for you.
I'm parked in this shady spot for a few day to meet up with some friend here in Cannon Bch Or

Stepping in the door the living room and cab on your right

[tevake]

The cab has a great panoramic view thru wrap around windows
The living room has a larger feel with the space of the cab+ the pass seat can swivel around to become part of that space
Lots of windows make for a more spacious feel, but make it hard to keep heated or cooled. Have two AC units and two furnaces aboard.



The galley has four burner stove. Microwave, and upright fridge freezer that runs on AC, 12v, or propane. Quite civilized with cold bevs anywhere you go.


Nice dinette a little tight for four but doable.

Aft thru the bathroom, head and sink on one side, shower the other


Rear bedroom has a queen bed that sits crosswise and becomes more private with the head door closed across the hall separating it from the front.


Some closet and storage on both sides, even a tv in the bedroom.
The wrap around windows were a selling pointt for me. But I usually have the curtains closed for privacy .


So there you have it, cozy for full timing, but it suits me well for now.
Airstream has a reputation for using quality materials, and at 27 + years its holding up nicely.

[tevake]

The Oregon coast is quite varied, sand dunes in the south, rugged and rocky with some nice sand beaches up this way

Looking at Cannon Bch from the north


I took the S C out for a sunset cruise to the south , sweet.

Liking the 60 cent lower gas prices from Ca, but the roads are noticeably rougher here.

[daepp]

Wow - seems like an efficient design, and it looks to be in great shape! Is that a slide out stove I saw on the exterior? And does it have much exterior storage?

Thanks again for the tour - and I hope your tour of the states continues to be rewarding for you!

[tevake]

Thanks David, the drawer you see open is the batts. I'm having charging issues so put on a charger when plugged in to try to keep them up for those
Nights when not hooked up.
I used to be the sort of sailor that anchored out as much as possible . So this needing to get hooked up to keep all systems happy is a bit confining. Should improve once the charging issues are sorted.
I just don't have it when electricity come up.

This coach is 2. To 4. Feet shorter than modern coaches. That space goes into storage. So by modern standards its a bit lacking in the streams of this vintage. But for just me it's fine. I used to live on a 25' sail boat for 7 years, so may be better adjusted to. Living light than most folks.

I'm heading up the west side of the Olympic peninsula next,
so if you are still with me Bob (lake Cle Elum ). Im ready for any suggestions you can share.
Hot springs, neat parks, what ever, Bro. Bring them on!

Cheers Richard

[mdj930]

This is the first time I have seen artwork in an rv. Very cool. I also love the rv and the 911. Looks like you are enjoying both. If it were me I think I would need to trailer the 911. Have fun and keep the pics coming.
Mike