For many years, we have been exploring the globe, photographing unique and interesting places. We now travel the US in our 2021 Coachmen Galleria 24FL Li3, on the 2020 Sprinter 3500-XD 170-extended 4×4 chassis. As you can see from all the modifications we’ve made, I am beginning to wonder, at what point is it no longer a Galleria?
Many people have asked about the spelling of the website URL. The spelling was defined by our license plate which is limited to 7 characters.
Another question we get asked is, “What state is that and where is IMAGINE?” We are based in Florida and this is one of many Specialty Tags available. Proceeds from this tag go to a fund for Feeding Florida.
One person suggested “It is in the State Of Imagination”. Imagine that!
Like so many others, our early years started on a shoestring budget, camping in a small tent. Eventually, we bought our first Class-B, a 2006 Great West Van – Legend. The Legend was the perfect layout for us and gave us many miles of happy memories. Like most B-van RVs, it had a kitchen, bathroom, bed, refrigerator, AC, and propane generator.
The GWV had excellent workmanship and some innovative features that other builders still lack. The cabinetry was much higher quality than what is seen in today’s vans. The bathroom sink slid in and out like a drawer into the wall.
My favorite feature of the GWV was the “basement” storage under the floor in the rear. This was perfect for storing those rarely needed items like tools, extra water hoses, engine belts, an extra power cord, and emergency gear. I would love to cut in a basement in our current van. ;-O
The wonderful thing about traveling in a van is that you quickly learn how to be a true minimalist. There is very little extra storage room to collect “stuff,” and you discover how few things you REALLY NEED in life. (This coming from someone who can barely walk through the garage because it is full.)
Our goal is to visit as many National Parks as possible (there are now 63 of them with the addition of West Virginia’s New River Gorge) as well as State Parks. Being Florida-based, we have visited many of our State Parks as well as some in Georgia. The list is expanding every month, so check back from time to time for our latest additions.
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2021-07-20 – We’ve had another setback in our travel plans. Not only has COVID put a damper on all things travel-related, but our 2020 Coachmen Galleria 24FL had an electrical fire in the 12-volt controls compartment while the van was in a friend’s storage garage. Fortunately, we were not on the road or camping, and everyone is fine.
The van is beyond repair since that would entail removing everything, rewiring, and installing new cabinets and all. While the settlement process is slower than we would have liked, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and we hope to be back on the road by winter 2021. We had hoped Coachmen would step up and take some responsibility, but like many big companies these days, there was no help. More to come.
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2021-10-21 – After several false starts recovering from the loss of our Coachmen Galleria due to an electrical fire, we are almost back to traveling. We had really hoped the manufacturer would step up and take some responsibility, even a little, for the faulty wiring. At least we recovered most of our original investment from insurance, but not the contents or RV replacement price increases.
Manufacturers and dealers have been cashing in on the high demand for RVs and have pushed their prices beyond reality. Eventually, we resorted to a used van, and as I write this, it is still stuck in the shop at Mercedes with a vibration in the driveline. Hopefully, we will take it on the inaugural trip soon. Fingers crossed.
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2022-04-12 – After we fixed various issues with our latest Galleria (and thoroughly examined the wiring), we finally made an extended trip to complete our Xplor of Route 66. We had completed from Chicago to Albuquerque when we discovered the Balloon Fiesta. (If you like balloons, put this on your bucket list.) Now, Albuquerque to Santa Monica Pier is completed, and we can focus on the US National Parks next.
Unfortunately, the construction of the Galleria is not as robust as it should be and requires some cabinet repairs after each long trip.
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2022-12-15 – It seems like after each trip, there are things to repair. Sewer pipe hang straps breaking, macerator problems, heavy power cables needing re-crimped, screws falling out of the cabinets, broken drawer latches. All these repairs take away time that I could be using to make more upgrade modifications. 😉