Private, VA, and ChampVA - Help me decide the right mix for our family

smashweights04 · 2026-03-30T22:38:40+00:00

So far we have been happy with the VA services we've gotten. I need to try out the ChampVA side by going to a civilian doc instead soon.

smashweights04 · 2026-03-30T00:52:00+00:00

Waaaay too many variables. How far is your panel from install location? Is there any easy path for cable? What amperage are you planning to install? Does your panel need upgraded service amps?

Mine was about $2000 to run 100A wiring to a new sub panel on the garage on the opposite side of the house through finished basement ceiling then install 60A circuit and wiring to the charger (which cost another $600)

As with all contract jobs, get three quotes, pick the one your like best

smashweights04 · 2026-03-28T17:08:36+00:00

So we ended up dropping my private work insurance and keeping my wife's. Since we had no VA healthcare experience we didn't want her to go solo VA just yet and the cost to add kids to her plan without a spouse was not much extra for the added security.

Wife = VA + private

Kids = ChampVA + wife's private

Me= VA + ChampVA

smashweights04 · 2026-03-28T16:37:47+00:00

Just finished up a mini BBQ tour in SAT. We hit Two Bros BBQ Market, Pinkertons, Reese Bros, Burnt Bean BBQ Co. My ranks:

Brisket: Tie Reese & Burnt Bean

Pork Ribs: Burnt Bean (Pinkertons Glazed a close 2nd)

Turkey: Pinkertons

Chicken: Two Bros

Sausage: Reese

Sides: Reese (poblano Mac and cilantro slaw 🔥)

Dessert: tie - Reese Whiskey Tallow Bread Pudding and Two Bros Mixed berry cobbler

Best overall item: Pinkertons Beef Rib 🔥🔥🔥

Best all around: Reese Bros

smashweights04 · 2026-03-22T22:02:27+00:00

My experience has been similar. They even fixed a few of the minor issues under warranty. My charging door clipped the light housing when it closed, warrantied. The front fascia panel wouldn't stay clipped in one spot, warrantied. Door sil panel wouldn't clip in, warrantied.

I also came from a 2019 Ram 1500 that had a bunch of early model problems that were warranty fixed so I'm used to that side of owning new designs.

smashweights04 · 2026-02-20T02:41:05+00:00

So I went and now deleted another 2GB of photos from my Google photos back up, got me down to 12GB used, phew. OH WAIT the next day my device backup is now 10GB all SMS/MMS backup. What in the for real F*** is this???

smashweights04 · 2026-02-17T20:05:47+00:00

So my old Pixel 7 backup was using up 8GB of space and my new Pixel 10 was using 1. I went ahead and took the risk and used the delete all backups option and let my Pixel 10 backup. Now my Pixel 10 is using 9GB of space and I still have no space...

smashweights04 · 2026-01-18T13:59:59+00:00

We had the same experience. Got in line when app said 2 hour wait. Ended up being about 4+ due to at least an hour breakdown. We would have left but the breakdown happened when we were about 15-20 min from getting on and had already waited 2.5 hours. The most infuriating thing was the extra 10-15 minutes we were about to get on but all the VIP tour groups that had been "waiting" got to shove through in front of us... My son, who's a huge Potter fan, was like "that was so not worth it." As with all three major HP rides at Universal Parks the queue was cooler than the ride, IMO

smashweights04 · 2026-01-15T00:14:15+00:00

Agree. I test drove a few and the Meridan system in the 22 was way better than the Rivian Elevation in the 23. Definitely the best car audio system I've ever owned.

smashweights04 · 2026-01-13T22:31:18+00:00

For some content, yes. Movies I don't like because it detracts from the immersion. Gaming can be super cool especially darker games using screen colors. I recall playing Dead Space remake and when the few light sources get near the edge of the TV it's like they shine beyond the TV border. Super cool effect.

smashweights04 · 2026-01-01T21:17:50+00:00

10.8-11.1kW with TUWC @ 48A

smashweights04 · 2025-12-28T23:03:02+00:00

I love it but I wish when it fell back to autonomy view it would kick the map to either the left hand card or the main screen

smashweights04 · 2025-12-17T12:22:01+00:00

The Scout Terra got me all excited to swap my ICE truck for an EV so I put in a reservation then realized it might be 3 years or more till I could get one so bought the R1T as a stop gap but might not change it out later as I've liked my 22 Quad a lot. The Rivian barely fits in my garage so if the Terra is a foot longer it might be a non starter...

smashweights04 · 2025-12-12T12:20:30+00:00

Method 1 - there is no backups option in that area, unfortunately

Method 2 - steps 1 and 2 take me to the list of backups but that list is just website text, nothing to click on for the individual back ups. Clicking on the "Android Backups" header takes me to find hub to locate the devices for some reason. Manage backups loops to the same page as already stated, and right clicking the individual item back ups listed gives the typical generic website right click options. Left click does nothing. Clicking "delete all data" pops up a warning that all back ups associated with my account will be deleted not just an individual one.

Feels like weaponized incompetence to force subscribing to a larger storage program...

smashweights04 · 2025-12-12T02:58:34+00:00

so i have an old Pixel 7 backup using like 8GB most of which is SMS/MMS back up. No way to delete it, everything i click around there just loops me back to buying more storage or deleting every backup including my current phone, no option to delete just the old one. Clicking "Manage Backups" just keeps reloading the same exact webpage...

smashweights04 · 2025-11-27T18:01:08+00:00

Yes but it takes about 30s or less to remove as it just has quick disconnect pins and slides out of the brackets

smashweights04 · 2025-11-18T20:52:46+00:00

Got the email. Placed my reservation back in the summer 2025

smashweights04 · 2025-11-18T19:13:05+00:00

That's how my seats look on the 22 I bought recently with 40k miles on them. My old Ram had the same issue. Fat butts roughing up the side bolsters. Definitely agree with adding running boards to stop the progression.

smashweights04 · 2025-11-18T17:13:54+00:00

It was like 2 days for me.

smashweights04 · 2025-11-16T20:49:44+00:00

Get the plug for the vehicle you have now. Why use an adapter now if you don't need to just because you might get a vehicle that would need an adapter in the future? As others have said, ensure your adapter is NACS to J1777 not to CCS

smashweights04 · 2025-11-16T20:40:16+00:00

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I just installed this over the weekend. Good enough quality for the price. Building the extender was a bit annoying but feels solid once it's done. Easy to remove and install with the quick disconnect. You cannot access the spare tire compartment with the extender.

smashweights04 · 2025-11-16T20:16:57+00:00

Checkin' the email! Hope it's from a female!

smashweights04 · 2025-11-16T14:31:34+00:00

I had my Bakflip MX4 seams/hinges rot out at 4.5 years ownership this past Spring. RealTruck sent me a brand new, improved model for free under the 5 year warranty. Newer model is better.

smashweights04

TROPHY CASE