It has been a long wait.  Ordered the DYNAMAX Isata 5 28SS ten months ago and finally took delivery on October 8th.   Flew out to The East coast to pick it up and had to hurry back to the ranch for dealing with contractors on the RV garage.

28SS is built on the RAM 5500.  Powered by the Cummins Turbo diesel.  The RV side built by DYNAMAX..   First impressions with now 3,000 miles are very positive; RAM is a rocket-ship!  Even at this weight it was difficult to maintain a cruise of less then 75/80 .  Set the cruise at 70 and the fuel consumption was between 9.9 to 11!  Average for the entire 2200 miles was high nines

There  were two days of over twelve hours in the saddle and must say no fatigue, very comfortable ride.   The sound system is fantastic.  I tend to listen to Sirius XM, primarily the Symphony channel and was like being in a concert hall.  Wonderful.

However when I turned West an encountered a strong headwind MPG dropped to 8.2.  That folks can make for an expensive ride!

Did have some problems with the RV side during the trip.  For some reason the hot water did not work
so no shower.  Thank God for truck stops.  Had an issue with the Max Fans, but got those running without to much angst.  Biggest problem was the refrigerator did not, and still does not, run on LP.  Good news iworks fine on the inverter.  With 800 watts of solar, inverter could run the world.

The 28SS is a true four season unit.  And being a 4x4 will get you to many places. Just watch out for overhanging branches, for at 12.6 feet in height could easily wack a branch.

DYNAMAX is kind to post the build photos of the customer’s unit.  For those interested, here are a few of mine

It has been a long time waiting for the new RV.  Above is my first, Mercedes Sprinter back in 2005.  Up fitted to carry the BMW R1200GS inside.  Made for a bit of a cramped living area; but had all the creature comforts: bed, micowave, refridgeorator and solar shower.  However after a couple of years and living in the confined  space decided to put the bike on a tailer and have more luxury.  Bought a 2007 Pleaure Way.  That worked out exceeding well.
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What a great rig.  My cats and I crossed the County a few times.  Great rides in Silverton, Moab, Vermont, just to name a few and several beach days at Avila Beach, CA.  

Above was Plusure Way.  Beautiful  rig.  However the dealer - Johnson RV in Oregon -  FAILED to winteruze it  and akk the tanks blew up!  I made them buy it back!   

The search for a replacement began and I ordered a Isata 5 288SS. Thought this was the best choise for my lifestyle..  It is  great the DYNAMAX posts the build photos of the customer units every Friday.
Below are the first ones on my rig.  Went into production last week I guess with delivery hopefully in July.

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Jim Rush, At DYLAN'S RVdoes a great tour of the Isata 5 28SS in this video below.  Mine is the same with the exception in the "light" color.   

Some of the many images available for purchase here on the "blog - in the E STORE"  or at my photography website KHJPhotography.com.  Please, if you like what you see purchase a print  or two
and help us keep this blog going.  Will once again be on the road in late June or early July - as soon as the 28SS is delivered.  In the meantime enjoy the blog and the images.  Thank you for looking.

Oh By The Way -  I can print almost any size image form 5x6 inches to 48x124 inches.  Speaking of large prints here are two recently delivered:  48" x 124"   
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Be sure to check back, for always udating the photography site.   Some more:
THE OLD WEST Collection
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Bodie Ghost town,  Hand colored print

Lavita Sunrise

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DRGRR just south of Silverton

Waiting for the Western Maryland

Road to Ouray, CO    Million Dollar Highway

Turks and Caicos Sunset

OK, that is a taste  of what you can see at the photography website:  KHJPhotography.com.  Be sure to stop by and look at all the images and do return often as more are added.   If you like what you see, please consider purchasing one.  Thank you

While I await the delivery of the DYNAMAX ISATA 5 28SS I sit reminesings of my  Eastern  travels.  Based in the Mid-Atlantic was  about perfect tobase out of.   Lived in Lancaster. PA.   Easy access to the New England States. Pleasent two day drive to Florida, and all ponts in between; although still don't know of many of the hidden treasures to be found here. 

I have relocated to the West.  Have a small ranch - TRINITY RANCH,  named after our Heavenly Father for he is allowing me to live here; but we know who owns it! 
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Back the yesterday's dreams...

Built the home in 2003 and one of the things high on the list was to see the abundant and varied Fall Colors.  In the West most of the color is yellow.  Here it is indeed a painters pallet.
Where to go first was the delema,  Obviosly follow the color from the north down.  So the first trip was to Vermont. New Hampshire.  Driving through Pennsylvania and New York found the beginning of a glorious season of color to come.  Photo below is only a couple of miles from home.  Color is just beginning to arrive. Unfortuneately there was rain and wind locally that year.  Often that is a problem.  To dry of a summer or to windy in the Fall  and the color is not as intenese.  You take you chances.

Beautiful scenery and some fine airshows and museums too.  Here is the World War I AirShow at Virginia Beach.  The other is the  Slave ship Amistad departing the  Mystic Seaport.  You can find the blog posts of both of these trips further down in the blog.  Enjoy.

Been many months since my last post.  Hope to be back on the road in June.  Will fly back to the East Coast to pick up the new RV - DYNAMAX ISSATA 5, 28SS.  Goes into perduction in March.   

Here at the ranch has been an adventure too.  Been hammered by a two rather large storms and plenty of snow.  Which is a good thing.  For we need the water.         

Although the snow is pretty; it makes getting out to the store a challenge with over seven miles of dirt road.  And then when the temperature drops of -27 as it did last week; well stay inside or make sure you grab your "winter"gear 'cause we ain't in Malibu!

During the late Summer when the cattle were out the deer came in.  Good thing didn't have an RV to fuel for going broke buying apples for the deer!
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Yes they do come around in the Winter too.

Crristmas flew to San Diego to spend the time with my son and his wife.  One of the highlights was the
day we went out to the desert to do some 4 Wheeling in his 'Runner.    Started in Ocotillo where it is a good idea to top off your fuel.  From there a short drive tot he trail named Canyon Sin Nombre.  
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As the old saying goes: "When life brings you lemons, make lemonade".  So I just did.

​Had a bit of a medical issue that required the cancellation of the purchase of the DYNAMAX  Isata 5  28SS; but all is on the mend and have just, today, placed an order for one.  Funny how things work out. Now the rig will be on the 2020 Ram 5500 with the upgrades.  Sweet lemonade.   So have to wait till later in the year for delivery.  As I have been told, perhaps late November.  Perfect.  Still can get out of the snow and head for the beach or the Arizona desert for awhile.

Although DeMartini was very helpful;  decided to place the order with PERFORMANCE RV in Ohio. 
Jason too was been great to work with.   The other factors in dealing with them is the delivery is roughly 350 miles from the factory wherein to California the rig would have close to 2500 miles -sure
"broken in"  but kinda  used,

Picking it up in Ohio will allow me to travel back to my old stomping grounds  of Lancaster, PA and see some friends and pick up some wonderful local foods that are either hard to find here or impossible to find out here.  Perhaps take a train ride again at STASSBURG RR.
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Looking forward to the delivery.  Who knows  with a rig this size, just may take the Winter off and bum around.  Let's see....maybe pick it up in Ohio, drive over to Lancaster, cruise down to Pensacola and see the Air Museum there.  Was stationed in Pensacola back in 1967.  Had my first radio gig there too - WNVY.    From Florida  trek over and across Texas and into Arizona.   Or....?    Nice thing about having your home with you is anywhere you go is "home"

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Above is the Dynamax  ISATA 5 28SS Adventure I have just purchased.  Hope to pick it up in the next couple of weeks and bring it home to the ranch.  Ranch?  Yes. The reason for the delay in recent posts is that I moved from Lancaster, PA to the shadow of the Beartooth Mountains in Montana.    Bought a small ranch.  

So Blessed to have found this property.  Glory to God!  Thank you!  

How I start my day.  Sunrise in the hot tub - Life is Good!

So getting here was a real pain in the posterior!   As you have  read in the previous posts; I had bought a PLEASURE WAY FL.   The dealer  I purchased it from - JOHNSON RV in Oregon.   Salesperson was very helpful and accommodating.  Bought it in February.  Had it delivered to Dayton Ohio.
Turned out the dealer FAILED to winterize the coach.  Did not notice anything was amiss until after the sale of my home and the first trip end of April.  

Unbelievable -  suffered a complete and total failure of the RV side of the Mercedes!  First it was the
total loss of electrical.  Additionally  noticed the fresh water tank was leaking out as fast as you could fill it! Then discovered the "black tank" had also ruptured.   This repair would require the entire bathroom to be removed!  No Electrical,  No water, unable to flush or shower!   Phil at PLEASURE WAY was wonderful to work with, he tried to help; but alas nothing could be done while on the road. Six days I had no RV - just a Sprinter to drive.  Absolute failure on the RV side! PLEASURE WAY was outstanding  in their support.  Contacting JOHNSON RV was maddening; no one returned calls.  I called and called while driving.  Frank in service was the only one that showed any interest in correcting the issue.  The owner, the GM, indeed all of the executive office was worthless!  After many conversations with PLEASURE WAY and with their assistance was able to get the dealer to buy back the unit - at  loss to me of about $20,000!   

Very disappointed in the loss of the FL.  PLEASURE WAY makes a wonderful Class B.  Kudos to them for their support!  The only thing about the FL is storage is a challenge.  Be creative and you will have a great trip in the unit.


I would suggest, should you be int he market for a RV - stay well clear of JOHNSON RV, in Oregon!

 Looking  forward to upcoming adventures in the 28SS.  Sure hope it is what it is represented to be.  Very impressed with the 28SS as you will see in the video below.  If you are familiar with the "adventure RV" market then you have seen the EARTHROAMER; the Dynamax 28SS I believe will deliver all I will ever need .... and at a savings of $300,000 compared to the Earthroamer.  They make a great product; but then I will not be RVing across Mongolia.  
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Found  Rodney at DEMARTINI RV in Grass Valley, California to be very helpful.    Below is their video on the unit.

Stay tuned for the "Adventures"

Here are a few more photos of the ranch and a tease of the Beartooth Highway.

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Sorry for the delay in this post, been very busy with the sale of the home and getting reading for the move across Country.   Upon setting in at the "ranch" I will once again begin wondering about and bring you some wonderful places to visit.  Please return often!

Sometimes the magic doesn't work!   Best to consider your needs, or as they say:  "Look before you leap"  Bought  the 4x4 three months ago.  Could not find an up fitter to build it out before the "season".
Anyway the cost was in some cases outrageous - one quoted a base of $250,000 and you supply the van.  Nuts!

I had considered, a few months back, a Leasure Travel Van, but suffered a loss and had to cancel.  Waiting time for an order is a year or better

Bought the Pleasure Way FL from a dealer in Oregon.  Drove to Dayton for the switch for I wanted to see the AIR FORCE MUSEUM there.   If you have never been, boy you should plan an entire day.  

P-38

Folke Wolf  FW 190

B-36

F86

Interior is light and airy.  Looking forward to the trek across country to the ranch.  Going to be some great posts, for the new place is near the Beartooth Pass.   So lets see shat the next posts will be just in my "backyard"!  
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Forgive the short post; but I have a Bear by the tail and have to get back to packing.

Glad I waited. The 2019 SPRINTER has been upgraded with a front end treatment, some engine tweaks, and a better transmission.  So I bought the 2019 144 wheel base with four wheel drive.  Acceleration is like a rockeship!  Of course if you are under seven foot two you will need a ladder to get into it!  Sits so high you may need oxygen too.

As you can see by the empty cargo area  there is work to be done to convert to a workable RV.
Although I will start the converstion I don't have the talent and expertise to do it in a maner I hope to
achive.  Stay tuned to watch the progress. 

Soon the Winter will be upon us with a blanket of snow and cold.  May not be able to do much work till Spring.  You can see the 4x4 will come in handy!

The NORFLOK AND WESTERN brought the beautifully restored 611 up to Strasburg, PA for a few days.  This classic locomotive was built in 1950.  
611 was in service until 1962 when it moved to the Virginia Museum of Transportation.  Final resteration was done in 2013.  611 is the only serving locomotive of the production run.

Please remember to  help support this blog by purchasing original photos at the photography site - click the "button" on the right; or make a donation.  
​Thank you.

DAY OUT WITH NORFLOK & WESTERN 611