The Rig Itself

Here you’ll find details on the BFT/RV combo, including years, makes, models, and all that other businessy sort of stuff, plus commentary of the humorous sort.

Update 01/22/2022: We’ve added a truck camper to the mix! Stats are in the photo caption, and here’s the story about why we did this crazy thing.

2013 Lance 1050S
19’8″ long
1 slide
3030 pounds dry weight

Update 12/03/2018: We’ve replaced the old fifth wheel with a new fifth wheel! Stats are in the photo caption, and here’s the story about why we made the switch.

2018 Mobile Suites 38 KSSB
40’6″ long
Regency interior color scheme
4 slides
17000 pounds dry weight

Update 05/25/2017: We have replaced the old BFT with a new BFT! Stats are in the photo caption, and here’s the story about why we made the switch.

2017 RAM 3500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 8′ Box
6.7-Liter I6 Cummins® Turbo Diesel Engine
AISIN 6-Speed Automatic Transmission
Dual Rear Wheels / 17-Inch x 6-Inch Wheels
Black interior
True Blue Pearl exterior

Update 03/11/2016: The RV has a name! It’s The Toad, and to find out why, you’ll want to read this.

Everything below is pulled from Facebook, to create a history of events before I started blogging on Oct. 1, 2015. Further posts regarding the rig itself will be added as they happen, on the Home page.

If you want to read about fixes, improvements, and other sorts of changes we’ve made, you’ll find that here.

Sept. 9, 2014 Shopping for our next home has begun.
Sept. 9, 2014
Shopping for our next home has begun.
Sept. 25, 2014 We looked at a lot of used models, including this one. OMG. If the Golden Girls had lived in a 5th wheel? We're standing in it.
Sept. 25, 2014
We looked at a lot of used models, including this one.
OMG. If the Golden Girls had lived in a 5th wheel?
We’re standing in it.
Sept. 26, 2014 Bought ourselves a 2012 Chevy 1-ton Duramax Allison diesel dually Silverado... thingie. It'll pull our next home and all our baggage. Eats oil fields for lunch. But at least it won't make my butt look big.
Sept. 26, 2014
But first, we needed a towing machine. Bought ourselves a 2012 Chevy 1-ton Duramax Allison diesel dually Silverado… thingie. It’ll pull our next home and all our baggage. Eats oil fields for lunch.
But at least it won’t make my butt look big.
Sept. 27, 2014 Yesterday: Bought the BFT (2012 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually-ma-bob). Today: We're playing Let's Make A Deal for a 2008 Heartland Bighorn 5th wheel. It's happening a little faster than we'd planned, but I've got my big-girl panties on, along with yee-haw earrings, leopard-print bra, Rosie the Riveter t-shirt, and half an ounce of eye bag concealer. Seriously, neither one of us giddy grown-ups slept much last night, but I think we can keep our wits about us long enough to negotiate with Mr. RV. P.S. 2012 Toyota Tundra for sale P.P.S. 1995 4-bedroom house for sale
Sept. 27, 2014
Yesterday: Bought the BFT (2012 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually-ma-bob).
Today: We’re playing Let’s Make A Deal for a 2008 Heartland Bighorn 5th wheel.
It’s happening a little faster than we’d planned, but I’ve got my big-girl panties on, along with yee-haw earrings, leopard-print bra, Rosie the Riveter t-shirt, and half an ounce of eye bag concealer. Seriously, neither one of us giddy grown-ups slept much last night, but I think we can keep our wits about us long enough to negotiate with Mr. RV.
P.S. 2012 Toyota Tundra for sale
P.P.S. 1995 4-bedroom house for sale
Nov. 16, 2014 I did it! Managed my first head-to-toe shower in our "dare ya to raise both arms at once" bathroom. Shampoo, conditioner, *and* razor all used successfully. I'll be giving up on regular dates with my old friend Miss Clairol, though. Too much hassle in a small space, not to mention the hazardous chemical dump. I'm returning to my natural color. Which is... gray.
Nov. 16, 2014
I did it!
Managed my first head-to-toe shower in our “dare ya to raise both arms at once” bathroom. Shampoo, conditioner, and razor all used successfully.
I’ll be giving up on regular dates with my old friend Miss Clairol, though. Too much hassle in a small space, not to mention the hazardous chemical dump.
I’m returning to my natural color. Which is… gray.
Dec. 12, 2014 I'm playing with trucks! It's like this: Tim can *explain* to me how to tow the fifth wheel. I can *read* instructions and tips on how to do it. I can even actually *practice* it. But because mechanical shit and physics are involved, I'm really just not gonna get it until I can *see* it. Thanks, Lego and Hot Wheels. Glad we kept ya around.
Dec. 12, 2014
I’m playing with trucks!
It’s like this:
Tim can explain to me how to tow the fifth wheel.
I can read instructions and tips on how to do it.
I can even actually practice it.
But because mechanical shit and physics are involved, I’m really just not gonna get it until I can see it.
Thanks, Lego and Hot Wheels. Glad we kept ya around a little longer.
March 16, 2015 Housekeeping is so much faster!
March 16, 2015
Housekeeping is so much faster!
June 30, 2015 If you want to look smaller, park your ass next to something bigger.
June 30, 2015
If you want to look smaller, park your ass next to something bigger.
Aug. 10, 2015 Mopping the kitchen floor no longer requires an actual mop! It's the little things.
Aug. 10, 2015
Mopping the kitchen floor no longer requires an actual mop!
It’s the little things.

2 thoughts on “The Rig Itself

  1. Can you tell us something about your current location in Elkhart? Does Heartland have an actual repair facility there?

    1. Yes, their corporate headquarters are here, including the service department. Contact information is available at HeartlandRvs.com. Hope that helps!

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