Good day Forum!

I am new to this website and after a brief review of its contents, I look forward to participating in the various forums and contributing my thoughts from time to time.

Let's see - what can I tell you about us... Although my wife and I are busier now than at any time in our lives, I would have to say we are both well entrenched in a "retirement" lifestyle based on our respective ages, 62 and 60. Yeah, she liked younger men!

Our immediate family includes one absolutely joyous daughter who is the mother of our three healthy granddaughters aged 14 years, 2 years and 9 months. Unfortunately, they now live in San Francisco, CA., which is a twenty-four hundred mile drive (return) for each and every visit.

As far as diesels are concerned, our experience is somewhat limited. My first was a new 1981 Toyota Landcruiser 4 x 4 that would crawl up a steep creek-bed with me walking alongside. The second was a pair of GM 6-71 Series that were installed in our 67 foot classic powerboat that we lived aboard full-time and cruised for a period of 7 years. Those Jimmys were WWII vintage, had aluminum blocks, and were hydro-started. The third is our Pace Arrow motor-home that is described in more detail below.

I don't know if a Mariner diesel stove, a Dickinson diesel Heater or a Wabasto forced-air diesel furnace qualify to be mentioned here, but those devices definitely added a lot of perspective to our diesel experience!

I spent 25 years as a financial consultant to the health professions, and that career path did not prepare me very well for troubleshooting and repairing diesel engines. Matter of fact, it took me 3 months to build-up enough courage to venture into the boat's engine room with the Jimmys running! However, I soon got used to them and over the course of the next 7 years, I was the only person to work on those engines and there were plenty of opportunities!

When confronted with a problem, my basic nature is to learn everything I can about possible solutions either by visiting the library or surfin' the internet. I approach such problems in a deliberate and purposeful manner, yet still manage to screw it up a little too often!

Anyway, about a year and a half ago we purchased an older motor-home, a 1983 Pace Arrow Elegante Model "J" with the GM 6.2 liter diesel and approximately 53,000 original miles on the ticker. Generally speaking, the RV is in very good condition - both mechanical & coach - although we have been challenged by some persistent electrical problems that we are still working on. Even so, we love the rig and spend as much time as we can in her comfort.

RVs are a major part of our life. In addition to the Pace Arrow, we have lived in 5th wheel trailers for the last 9 years, and moved into our new Carriage Cameo 34 footer about 3 weeks ago. Now this place is a palace!

I am also a proud and boastful cancer survivor. Six years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 oral cancer and given a 10% chance of survival. It was a scary moment in our lives. I was extremely fortunate in having a terrific health care team on my side, a wife who motivated me, and a treatment program that included maximum radiation, heavy dose chemotherapy, and major surgery. It rendered me severely disabled but happily alive. Two months ago I was declared cancer-free (after 4 years in remission), without the need to return to the cancer center for any more scheduled check-ups!

How did I dodge the bullet? I figure it was 60% mental attitude, 20% treatment planning, 15% teamwork, and 5% good fortune. Please feel free to contact me should anyone have any questions or want further detail.

Otherwise, we have just started making some longer term travel plans for the Pace Arrow. The Smithsonian Institute, any dinosaur archaeological site we can locate, the Grand Canyon, and the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction top next year's list of potential destinations. So I expect we'll be visiting Diesel Bombers often as preparations get underweigh.

Joss and I are based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, and thank you all for perusing this new member introduction.

All the best;
JT

 

 

 

Glad to have you here!

 

welcome good to meet you

 

This is one of the best introductions I have ever seen! Thank you! I will be looking forward to your posts, and or threads. You have just recieved your first friend.

 

 

to DB..

 

Yes, that was a great introduction! I feel like we've now met.

Congratulations on your successful fight with cancer. What you wrote is very motivating, and very encouraging. Thank you for sharing that.

Glad to have you on-board!

Howdy! Welcome to Diesel Bombers! You're Going to Like it Here!