Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > HAVE MOC WILL TRAVEL > On the Road Again
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-13-2021, 04:53 PM   #1
Gubs
Montana Fan
 
Gubs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Glendale
Posts: 189
M.O.C. #27658
Mail

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered many time before, but I cannot find it.

We have both now retired and are planning some longer trips and got wondering just how does your mail keep up with you as you travel from place to place? All the bills are on a schedule to be paid each month at a certain time, but what about the other mail you need to read and respond too. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!
 
__________________

Larry & Marilyn Gubbels
2019 F-350 Diesel 4X4, Short Bed, BW 18K slider,
closely followed by a 2020 Montana 3121RL
Gubs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2021, 06:36 PM   #2
mhs4771
Montana Master
 
mhs4771's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,657
M.O.C. #9969
We use the PassPort America/GoodSam service out of Crestview FL. If a GS member you get a small discount.
We've been using it for approx 8 years and can get mail shipped to where ever we want.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
mhs4771 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2021, 09:41 PM   #3
DQDick
Site Team
 
DQDick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
We belong to the Escapees so we use their service.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
DQDick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2021, 08:26 AM   #4
mazboy
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,896
M.O.C. #9561
1. have someone at your home pick it up and hold it. When you need it just have them send it to your address or 'general delivery' at the post office.
2. do temp. address change to where you will be.
3. do temp address change to a mail service...lots out there; about $200 a year.
4. permanently change address to mail service.
mazboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2021, 08:40 AM   #5
1retired06
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
We have used Dakota Post, previously Alternative Resources, out of Sioux Falls SD since 2003 for mail forwarding. Never a problem.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
1retired06 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2021, 02:42 PM   #6
rohrmann
Montana Master
 
rohrmann's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,676
M.O.C. #12947
We have used Americas Mailbox, out of Box Elder, SD since 2012, and have excellent service which includes them renewing our vehicle registrations every year for us. We have the plan where we have them toss out all the junk mail, so we never have to deal with it, plus it also reduces the postage charges when they forward our mail to us. They also have plans for those that don't full time, so you would have your mail forwarded to that address for the duration of your travels and they will accumulate your mail until you give them an address to send it to. We typically have our mail forwarded every two to three weeks to wherever we are.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
rohrmann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2021, 04:22 PM   #7
mlh
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,528
M.O.C. #2283
Speaking of mail. For the first time in over 30 years we have numerous packages setting in post offices all over the country that can’t be delivered. We are having people call every day looking for their package some we send before Christmas. So if you are looking for a package or sending one don’t be surprised if it doesn’t get to its destination on time.
Lynwood
__________________
www.harrellsprec.com
Lynwood Harrell
323 RL HC 2008 F250
mlh is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2021, 04:41 PM   #8
DQDick
Site Team
 
DQDick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
Sent cookies to our daughter from New Mexico to Kansas many weeks ago. The tracking has showed it in Connecticut, virginia and Georgia so far. Hasn't shown any indication of wanting to head toward Kansas.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
DQDick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2021, 05:06 PM   #9
mlh
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,528
M.O.C. #2283
Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick View Post
Sent cookies to our daughter from New Mexico to Kansas many weeks ago. The tracking has showed it in Connecticut, virginia and Georgia so far. Hasn't shown any indication of wanting to head toward Kansas.

Yep sounds about like what we are seeing with dozens of packages.
Lynwood
__________________
www.harrellsprec.com
Lynwood Harrell
323 RL HC 2008 F250
mlh is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2021, 06:36 PM   #10
sourdough
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Lamesa
Posts: 621
M.O.C. #26010
OP it depends on the length of the trips and how you have all of your "stuff" in order. I don't get any mail I "need" to read on an immediate basis.

We take trips up to 5 months in length. All our bills are paid electronically and I get email confirmations of those transactions. I subscribe to a service from the USPS where I get notifications and pics of any incoming mail/packages on a daily basis.

We have an arrangement with our carrier to hold our mail from the time we leave until we return. Haven't had an issue in years. I HAVE had multiple issues when I've tried to rent mail boxes, have mail forwarded etc. - it always fails. This works for us.
__________________
Danny and Susan wife of 55 years
2019 Ram Laramie 3500 6.4 4x4 CC 4.10 SRW
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
sourdough is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2021, 02:02 PM   #11
beekeeper.va
Established Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: VIRGINIA BEACH
Posts: 21
M.O.C. #11864
Your Best Address in South Dakota is set up to do just what you want to do. They can also register your vehicles in SD if you are full-timers. No property tax. No vehicle inspections. Look them up on the internet and tell them Chester Myrick sent you. I think I get $10 off my account if you tell them I sent you. :-)

On edit, I need to say that YBA can title and register your vehicles with no need to go to SD.
beekeeper.va is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2021, 02:15 PM   #12
owendell
New Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Full Time
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #18115
www.mailboxforwarding.com They get my mail, scan in the envelope and email me it. I then decide if I want them to open and scan it, forward it to where I am or shred it. I think the cheapest plan is $10 a month but I pay extra to have an address in my home state. They also will receive faxes and deposit checks if needed. If you want a referral code mine is 30162 and will get your first month free.
owendell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2021, 02:40 PM   #13
TDury
Established Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Spring Hill
Posts: 12
M.O.C. #21897
I use the USPS service called Informed Delivery. It sends an email daily showing you a picture of your mail.. I then know what bills are coming and simply look and pay online (utilities, credit cars etc.). I forward mail to PO Box for extended trip since they won't hold for more than 30 days. The box is charged monthly but I pay for 6 months and they refund what I don't use. Easy!!
__________________

Tom Dury
2017 3820FK - Towed by F350 (RWD)
TDury is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2021, 02:54 PM   #14
JanCouch
Established Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Riverdale
Posts: 26
M.O.C. #24632
I didn’t read all the replies, so it’s possible someone else has covered this.

Our income is direct deposited to our bank. Most companies prefer to use paperless billing, so it shouldn't be an issue to convert that over. Most of my ‘bills’ are sent to my bank account. The bank then pays the bill. This works especially good for those bills that aren’t the same $ each month.

You already addressed the issue for those bills that are the same each month. Mail of a personal nature can be handled with Messenger or email. A good laptop helps here. I have an inexpensive printer that stays in the trailer. If our RV campground doesn’t have internet, I can convert my tablet to a hotspot internet.
JanCouch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2021, 11:02 AM   #15
davemitchell59
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Tupelo
Posts: 101
M.O.C. #23524
As others have said, get as much as you can set up electronically with regard to bills and other expenses.

As for other mail, I think it depends on the nature of your trip. If you're going to be moving around a lot, there are several mail service programs out there that work. But, you'll continually be updating those services as to where to send the next bundle of your mail.

I like the PO Box idea that someone mentioned as long as you're planning to be back home every few months. I would do that in conjunction with the "Informed Delivery" service available through USPS.

Having a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member is, in my opinion, a better alternative to a PO Box. They might hold your mail indefinitely, but, with "Informed Delivery" you are able to tell them to forward something important.

We simply forward our mail temporarily if we're going to be in one spot for our trip. e.g. We forward it to the campground in AZ that we spend 6-8 weeks at in the winter. We forward it to my brother's house when we spend the summer in MN, including the time that we might be exploring before we arrive in MN for an extended period of time. We forward it up until two weeks before we leave the area and then put a mail hold on knowing we'll be home within the USPS 30 day limit on mail holds.

We also have a good relationship with our mail carrier. She'll hold it beyond the 30 days if our trip changes and we can't get home before the mail hold ends.

Lots of options. You just have to figure out what works best for your situation and any particular trip.
__________________
Dave and Deb
Enjoying Retirement
2016 GMC 3500 Duramax Dually
2017 Montana 3731FL
davemitchell59 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2021, 07:04 AM   #16
DebNJim B
Montana Master
 
DebNJim B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Northville, NY
Posts: 807
M.O.C. #21158
We used USPS mail forwarding our first year of snowbirding. They lost 2/3 of our mail.

Now we have our mail delivered to my SIL who lives only a block away. She looks it over and deposits 90% in the trash. Anything else that looks important she informs me of in an email. Since we pay virtually all our bills online this leaves maybe 3 or 4 items each winter that she actually forwards to us. The rest she just holds till we return in the spring.

Direct deposit and paperless billing is a wonderful thing.
__________________
Jim B
2017 Lariat F-350 FX4, CC, SB, 6.7 PSD 4WD
2018 MONTY 3731FL, at our private winter site in GA

DebNJim B is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:25 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.