The Conservative Cave
Interests => Around the House & In the Garage => Topic started by: CG6468 on February 06, 2012, 11:36:44 AM
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Does anyone here have one of those A-Frame camping trailers?
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Nope, got a pop-up tent trailer. The saying for boats "a hole in the water into which you throw money" applies here too.
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i am about to buy an older class c motorhome. it will be our first camper. no more tenting it now with the kid here.
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We have a 1998 Starcraft popup that I bought from the widow of the owner in 2002. It was never used, garage kept, and I paid $4000 for it.
But the cranking up and down has gotten old. The A-Frames go up in under 1 minute. Most of them come with a heater and an A/C, sometimes with a heat pump that does both.
Hard Side Take Down and Set Up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZnS0sPnU7o&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL8427DB4EA94B52BE)
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Nope, got a pop-up tent trailer. The saying for boats "a hole in the water into which you throw money" applies here too.
Not here. Just minimum maintence (greased wheel bearings [not necessary now; I installed those sealed boat trailer axle buddy caps) and some light oiling of moving parts.
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There is a car dealer here that has a few interesting streamlined-styled GM motorhomes I would love to have.
http://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/The_GMC_MotorHome
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Can't afford a motor home. Too big for us, anyway, and we.d have to tow a car to get around. Not for us, but to each his or her own!
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If and when we can ever afford it, I'd like to try to get a small trailer (18-22 foot range) that goes less than 4500 lbs, as my Jeep only goes up to 5000 lbs on the tow package.
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There is a car dealer here that has a few interesting streamlined-styled GM motorhomes I would love to have.
http://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/The_GMC_MotorHome
:drool:
There are other sites with those restored and for sale.
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:drool:
There are other sites with those restored and for sale.
That same dealer has a pristine :rofl: Chevrolet Monza coupe for sale.
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I know a few people with offroad camper trailers - things very similar to these (http://www.hirecampertrailer.com.au/used_camper_trailer.htm).
Personally I hate towing a trailer so I don't own one.
They're a great idea though, and if you're travelling to remote places with family they're a godsend.
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i am about to buy an older class c motorhome. it will be our first camper. no more tenting it now with the kid here.
I had a great 24' C for years. It was a one owner which I bought on sight after an exhaustive search ( there is a lot of junk out there be careful and inspect everything, write it down ). Kept it for ten years before selling it. Two years ago I finally began another search, this time for a diesel pusher ( I wanted to be under 35' with no slides). Ended up with a 30' 250hp Cat with reasonable ( 90k ) mileage, incredible documentation, dealership maintained. The first year I owned it I rented a vehicle at the sites ( rental companies will pick up and drop off). This year I will be towing a car.
When we had the C I always took a bike or two for campground use and we would tag unless we were going a long way.
The truth of boats and RV's is that they can inhale money in a heart beat. But if you use care and common sense you can survive most all problems without going in the poor house.
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:drool:
There are other sites with those restored and for sale.
Check this one out. IIRC they had an Olds 454 Front Wheel Drive system and were aluminum and fiberglass construction. Great for restoration projects.
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com/
ETA one of those towing one of these would be way cool. (and if you hit mega bucks I would love this for a birthday gift)
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBplNTQx9CY[/youtube]
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Check this one out. IIRC they had an Olds 454 Front Wheel Drive system and were aluminum and fiberglass construction. Great for restoration projects.
Ko-rect. They were based on the Toronado/Eldorado chassis and powertrain.
http://ateupwithmotor.com/luxury-and-personal-luxury-cars/266-oldsmobile-toronado-gmc-motorhome.html?start=2
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A relative bought one of the GMC's back in the 70's. It left him on the side of the road a few times in not to many miles. He sold it for what he paid for it in (I think) 1980.
The one he had was nice inside. Had real, solid, walnut woodwork. His wife loved it but hated sitting on the side of the road. He bought a diesel (Holiday Rambler, I think) after that and put close to 200 thousand miles on that one.
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Zeit...there's a dealer in Chichester called Camping World of NH. Know anything about it?
Man, you look at the new (and I mean NEW--never rented, never taken off the lot) 2011 models, and they are seriously cutting prices to get rid of them. Like 30-50 percent off the 2011 list prices.
I like the looks of this one--simple, not too expensive, and probably small enough to be hauled with the Jeep:
(http://images.rvs.com/13274/148592/Sling%20shots%20Mountaineer%20%20High%20Country%20013.jpg)
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A relative bought one of the GMC's back in the 70's. It left him on the side of the road a few times in not to many miles. He sold it for what he paid for it in (I think) 1980.
The one he had was nice inside. Had real, solid, walnut woodwork. His wife loved it but hated sitting on the side of the road. He bought a diesel (Holiday Rambler, I think) after that and put close to 200 thousand miles on that one.
On the plus side most GM dealers could at least get you going. My C had a 350 Chevy. I met lots of interesting repair people with that too.
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Zeit...there's a dealer in Chichester called Camping World of NH. Know anything about it?
Man, you look at the new (and I mean NEW--never rented, never taken off the lot) 2011 models, and they are seriously cutting prices to get rid of them. Like 30-50 percent off the 2011 list prices.
I like the looks of this one--simple, not too expensive, and probably small enough to be hauled with the Jeep:
(http://images.rvs.com/13274/148592/Sling%20shots%20Mountaineer%20%20High%20Country%20013.jpg)
Formerly known as Gary's IIRC. I have shopped them but never bought anything. Never heard any horror stories. Camping World is a huge franchise IIRC. I would suspect it is tough for all of the camping places with fuel prices the way they are. There is a lot of truth to the adage if you have to worry about the cost of fuel you probably can't afford the coach, but the truth is fuel is keeping many people out of the market.
I will say this. Make sure you match the trailer, hitch, and braking systems before you buy. Just because a vehicle says it has a trailer towing package does not mean it can tow a travel trailer. Without enough engine, cooling, shocks, brakes, axillary wiring, and, hitch, it can become one of the ten trials of Hercules towing a travel trailer. Many dealers are notorious for not putting enough emphasis on the tow vehicle. They sell the trailer and let you figure it out on the road.
It is amazing to see the size of pick up campers they will put on 1/2 ton trucks. I started with a pickup camper on a fully built 3/4 4x4 360CID PowerWagon. ) That sucker drank gas like a sailor drinks 3.2 beer.
For my next adventure I plan on putting a steering damper on the MH. Amazing the grooving on our nations highways.
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Zeit--The Jeep has the towing package, transmission cooler with Class III package rated at 5000 lbs, and also comes equipped with Trailer Sway Control and electrical already run to a standard plug.
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Not here. Just minimum maintence (greased wheel bearings [not necessary now; I installed those sealed boat trailer axle buddy caps) and some light oiling of moving parts.
Your'e lucky. The PO of ours (1988 Starcraft) had so much crap in it, (nice to have but you'll see), that it broke the axle. I was able to fix that but now the sink assembly has fallen apart, the "closet" fell apart (took it out, it sucked anyway) and one of the leveling jacks is.....................jacked up. :argh:
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I am so going to get it...
(http://www.bargainbusnews.com/Buses/2103-1940GeneralMotorsFuturliner/2103-1940GeneralMotorsFuturliner-1.jpg)
http://www.bargainbusnews.com/Buses/2103-1940GeneralMotorsFuturliner/
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In the "Great Depression" people made Hoover carts from car axles....
Before long this will be the "Obama Camper"...
http://www.greenlaunches.com/transport/nofuel-ecofriendly-holidaying-on-bike-camper.php
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In the "Great Depression" people made Hoover carts from car axles....
Before long this will be the "Obama Camper"...
http://www.greenlaunches.com/transport/nofuel-ecofriendly-holidaying-on-bike-camper.php
I can see it now, a trail of teardrops pulled by Mini's to Obamaville. :popcorn:
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I can see it now, a trail of teardrops pulled by Mini's to Obamaville. :popcorn:
(http://www.greenlaunches.com/entry_images/0809/19/camper_bike.jpg)
No way in HELL there's a, "This bike climbed Mount Washington" sticker on it.
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wiki needs to upgrade it's photo... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_burner
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Your'e lucky. The PO of ours (1988 Starcraft) had so much crap in it, (nice to have but you'll see), that it broke the axle. I was able to fix that but now the sink assembly has fallen apart, the "closet" fell apart (took it out, it sucked anyway) and one of the leveling jacks is.....................jacked up. :argh:
Geez. Sounds like some kind of lemon.
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Zeit...there's a dealer in Chichester called Camping World of NH. Know anything about it?
Man, you look at the new (and I mean NEW--never rented, never taken off the lot) 2011 models, and they are seriously cutting prices to get rid of them. Like 30-50 percent off the 2011 list prices.
I like the looks of this one--simple, not too expensive, and probably small enough to be hauled with the Jeep:
(http://images.rvs.com/13274/148592/Sling%20shots%20Mountaineer%20%20High%20Country%20013.jpg)
There are several out there with aluminum frames that are easy pulls at the empty dry weight. I would also suggest a transmission cooler if you do not already have one.
I've been around RVs most of my life, my parents spent five years traveling full time until my dad passed while waxing their diesel pusher..
I have a pretty nice Fleetwood 5th wheel, I am going to sell it this year. I lived in it for a while when I first moved to NV..It has four slide outs. I bought it from an electrician that had dogs and most hotels in Las Vegas are not pet friendly,so he lived close to job sites in the RV. He lost over 50% after a year..It books for 36k but I will sell it for much less, I have the title.
This is close to mine: Pics (http://www.tomjohnsoncamping.com/Page.aspx/diid/5935055/list/InventoryList/pageId/30553/view/Details/2005-Fleetwood-TRIUMPH-365BSQS.aspx) Mine is a few extra feet and has an extra slide out and custom furnature.
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Geez. Sounds like some kind of lemon.
Not really. When the axle broke there was no more "suspension" (the wheels were stopped by the frame) so every bump in the road jarred the crap out of the trailer. The axle broke when I was deer hunting. I had to drive 4.5 hours back home (12 miles of dirt road just to get to paved). No way to fix it in the woods.
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Not here. Just minimum maintence (greased wheel bearings [not necessary now; I installed those sealed boat trailer axle buddy caps) and some light oiling of moving parts.
Let's not carry on about our sex lives.
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Let's not carry on about our sex lives.
Sometimes those bearing buddies come in handy!
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We bought a MH back in 1997. It was ok for a while but we ran into problems with needing a vehicle while traveling. We sold that in 2000. In '05 we bought a 5th wheel and LOVE it. We lived in it for 6 weeks during our last transfer and our 3 kids didn't kill each other. We are planning to upgrade in the not too distant future. We have found one that has a second bathroom in the back for the kids.
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That's WAY too much trailer for us. I'd also have to buy a truck big enough to haul it around.
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That's WAY too much trailer for us. I'd also have to buy a truck big enough to haul it around.
No no no....
Get one of these http://generalrv.interactrv.netdna-cdn.com/src/rv.ashx?bg=LightGray&width=100&img=/images/inventory/115687_2.jpg
And tow your Prius behind it.
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That's WAY too much trailer for us. I'd also have to buy a truck big enough to haul it around.
With the vehicle you have, I'd go with an aluma-lite. They've come a long way in the last few years. Lots of nice amenities and very light. We're working with a friend to find one to pull with his Jeep. Prices are really good right now too.
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As I mentioned I picked up a nice '97 30' Cat 250HP Diesel pusher and will tow a G6 for the first time this year. Put the tow plate and wiring on last fall now I need to get a good proportional brake set up. If I had thought about things more I would probably have opted not to have the moveable pedals in the G6, it is complicating my choice. The G6 has an adjustable brake and accelerator pedel as an option but that limits me when it comes to installing a toad brake system. I will have to go removeable brake or disable the movable feature which means m/zeit will kill me 'cause she is vertically challenged and loves the feature.
I look at the whole camper thing as towing the trailer versus towing the car with the exception that you can't really back up a MH and toad.
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Nope, got a pop-up tent trailer. The saying for boats "a hole in the water into which you throw money" applies here too.
Yeah, the best days in my life were the days I bought a boat(s) and the days that I sold them.
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My wife and I went to the Chicago (Rosewood, IL) RV show today. I already liked, and she really liked the Rockwood A128S Premier Hardside A-Frame camper.
So we got it, brand new and for a reduced show price over $4000 off dealer price, depending on where you shop. Just waiting for delivery now, probably about 4/1/2012.
I'll also have them install the trailer brake controller (it requires going under the dashboard for an electric hookup and running the wires to the back of the truck), and a battery. They're throwing in the cost of all that and for filling the 2 cylinders of LP.
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Wow! Sweet!
Enjoy. :)
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What is your tow vehicle? The trailer brake controller should only require splicing into (or adding on to) the existing wiring harness.
I rented a U-Haul for a Ford Ranger and it came with a plug-in wiring harness for the trailer.
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What is your tow vehicle? The trailer brake controller should only require splicing into (or adding on to) the existing wiring harness.
I rented a U-Haul for a Ford Ranger and it came with a plug-in wiring harness for the trailer.
2007 Honda Ridgeline. About 22 MPG towing on the highway. It has a specific connector for the brake controller wiring.
The guy I spoke with has done several of these vehicles; he's their electric wiring and connections installer. I'll have him do it according to Honda specs. Besides, it's for free!
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Here is a video of setup and takedown. My wife had NO problems doing this. It's a snap; both procedures take about 30 seconds.
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZnS0sPnU7o[/youtube]
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Here is a video of setup and takedown. My wife had NO problems doing this. It's a snap; both procedures take about 30 seconds.
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZnS0sPnU7o[/youtube]
First I do not recommend a pop up canvass top camper unless you intend to stay in camping parks. Critters and-- Gasp --bears have no problem with getting into a camper with a cloth top. Actually bears can get into most anything they want, cars, trucks and metal campers, but at least you have a warning with them.
My Camper was fun and golden, full kitchen and bathroom, small hot water tank, I believe 8 gallons and the refrig could run on propane. Tandom wheels, in an emergency we could have lived in it as long as the Honey Waggon came every week or so.
Camping in anything other then a cabin was new to me in the 1960's, the Kids bought used school buses and outfitted them with bathrooms, kitchens and seating and sleeping areas that were unique for the time.
International Harvesters were the choice buses to get, got to figure they ran for 3- 4 hours a day, 5 days a week or less, 9 months of the year, picking up and off loading kids from school, seldom went over 45 mph and had constant maintenance.
I do not know why school districts auctioned off their buses at 10 years old for new ones, only that the College kids got them for around $2,000 each or less and did some very innovated things with them.
Up until the 1990's these buses could be kept in good condition by any kid in highschool Automotive class, no computer stuff, only problem I found was on my bus 1979, in a down pour it would stall out and I had to get out and dry off the distributor cap, replace it and go on my way.
These old work horses are still in demand by those that want to get their hands dirty and create their own one of a kind camper and if times get wild a place to live in an emergency.
The new campers are not what the Preppers are going for unless they have someplace to park them year round. They know in an all out panic the last thing they would do is to try to haul a camper on the roads full of insane terrified people.
Camping is fun and a break from the normal routine, however it is much like buying a time share where one pays an arm and a leg for one or two weeks away from home.
I checked into it and for $8,000 to buy an old used camper, the upkeep taxes and fee to camp, I can take my family every year for 4 years on a cruse ship at discount prices to places we have never been before.
Lots of things to think about before one invests in a camper, how many weeks of the year will one use it, where will one store it in off season, will the family want to go into the boondocks with strangers camping 5 feet away from you ?
A big investment and one that does not appreciate in time, One can head out to the Grand Canyon for a couple weeks each year, or spend the money to take the kids to see the Mayan Temples, kids can allways see America and the geology's of what has happend in millions of years, but few get to see or wonder about Human history that cannot be explained.
Just crazy me, I did the camping and found it interesting, but I would have rather been for my family and myself in a place we would never again get to see at it was when we saw it.
BTW Hubby hates camping, the bugs in the food, the drunks next door, the fear of the wild critters, he was no fun at all in the woods. I should have taken him to New Orleans to see some really wild life.
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for the first time, a lengthly vesta post ruined a thread for me :thatsright:
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for the first time, a lengthly vesta post ruined a thread for me :thatsright:
noob. :popcorn:
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noob. :popcorn:
inorite
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/sadiesinner/GIFs/0008.jpg)
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for the first time, a lengthly vesta post ruined a thread for me :thatsright:
Just your first time? Stick around a little longer, she'll ruin a lot more for ya.
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BTW Hubby hates camping, the bugs in the food, the drunks next door, the fear of the wild critters, he was no fun at all in the woods.
Next time, don't camp next to me.
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Next time, don't camp next to me.
About 20 years ago we had problems with a Boy Scout troop camped right next to us. We were sponsors and chaperones for a Girl Scout troop. They were loud and the counselors were drunk.
Well, it rained like hell, they pulled out running over some of their tent poles, and we woke up and had campfires the next morning. :rofl:
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About 20 years ago we had problems with a Boy Scout troop camped right next to us. We were sponsors and chaperones for a Girl Scout troop. They were loud and the counselors were drunk.
Well, it rained like hell, they pulled out running over some of their tent poles, and we woke up and had campfires the next morning. :rofl:
In 1976 we were relatively new to camping and ended up camped next to a group of rowdy drunks on a Saturday night. Sunday moning bright and early I made a pot of coffee and a nice pan of bacon being careful not to avoid making noise. Of course there is nothing like the smell of fresh coffee and bacon first thing in the morning when you have a bit of a snout full and really want to sleep. And after the first strained gag it was all over. Kind of like chumming fish. :cheersmate: When you go to bed at 1:30 to 2:30, breakfast at 5:30 is not what you want to smell.
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Here's what we're towing around now, without the A/C.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/Automotive/Venture.jpg)
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Here's what we're towing around now, without the A/C.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/Automotive/Venture.jpg)
I like both that and the A frame. There are also some solid side crank ups that are nice too. Camped next to a real nice one at Gettysburg one year. What is nice about hard side crank ups is no wet canvas to worry about drying out when it (always) rains the day you get ready to go home.
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I like both that and the A frame. There are also some solid side crank ups that are nice too. Camped next to a real nice one at Gettysburg one year. What is nice about hard side crank ups is no wet canvas to worry about drying out when it (always) rains the day you get ready to go home.
That's how this A-Frame is, too.
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In 1976 we were relatively new to camping and ended up camped next to a group of rowdy drunks on a Saturday night. Sunday moning bright and early I made a pot of coffee and a nice pan of bacon being careful not to avoid making noise. Of course there is nothing like the smell of fresh coffee and bacon first thing in the morning when you have a bit of a snout full and really want to sleep. And after the first strained gag it was all over. Kind of like chumming fish. :cheersmate: When you go to bed at 1:30 to 2:30, breakfast at 5:30 is not what you want to smell.
Darn Zeit, that is my favorite thing about camping, watching the sun rise, perhaps early morning fog clearing off a lake and the smell of bacon and eggs frying. The smells of coffee perking, none of that instant crap.
I seldom used the stove in my camper unless it was raining or snowing out, Yes we did camp in the winter and I LOVED it.
Kids could not wait to get out and search for deer or moose tracks or little varmints foot prints. Biggest plus for me was the --BEARS---were sleeping, Lord I HATE bears.
Lately the Canadan Wolves are headed south and there have been reported sightings of Lions that have not been seen in 80+ years, Last one killed in my area had to have been in the 1920's they are back. Only one I have ever seen is a mangy stuffed CAT at a small museum a couple towns over. IIRC, the cat was killed in the early 1900's about 20 miles from my home today.
Winter camping has more signs of wild life then summer camping, Summers one seldom sees the Critters but winters with the snow one can find and see their Scat and foot prints. Deciduous trees have lost their leaves and one can just look up into the bare branches to see the birds nests of all sizes and shapes.
I do enjoy a couple weeks of camping in the summer but it is the winter camping, ice fishing and ice racing, and all the drunks are inside their campers or tents and there is a stillness and quiet that is to be appreciated and valued.
Forgot to mention the snowmobile races and the dog sleds competitions.
This brings up a question here for me, not that far up the road there has for years been a Nudest camp with people living there year round, what does a Nudest do when the lake freezes over ????
The Bears are sleeping, so are the Bares sleeping too????
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This brings up a question here for me, not that far up the road there has for years been a Nudest camp with people living there year round, what does a Nudest do when the lake freezes over ????
The Bears are sleeping, so are the Bares sleeping too????
My guess is they slide on the ice.
Here is a great location for your Obama Stay-cation. If you have never been I am guessing you will enjoy a day walking around.
http://www.maine.gov/ifw/education/wildlifepark/index.htm
We always try and stop by when we are in the area but it is worth a trip just to see all the animals if you have never been. It is a straight shot up the Maine Turnpike to the Gray exit ( which is one of the few things I give Maine credit for, it is a nice road). Makes a great day trip.
They did have a mountain lion one time when we stopped in.
(http://www.maine.gov/ifw/education/wildlifepark/wildlife/images/mountainlion1.jpg)
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Got the call today. The new popup hard side is at the dealer. I made arrangements to pick it up on 4/2, after my truck is fixed.
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Quote from vesta...
"This brings up a question here for me, not that far up the road there has for years been a Nudest camp with people living there year round, what does a Nudest do when the lake freezes over ????
The Bears are sleeping, so are the Bares sleeping too????"
Ladies and gentlemen,
Take my advice,
Pull down your pants,
And slide on the ice.
Step 3 is optional for nudists.
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Quote from vesta...
"This brings up a question here for me, not that far up the road there has for years been a Nudest camp with people living there year round, what does a Nudest do when the lake freezes over ????
The Bears are sleeping, so are the Bares sleeping too????"
Ladies and gentlemen,
Take my advice,
Pull down your pants,
And slide on the ice.
Step 3 is optional for nudists.
I am sitting here totally naked under my clothes. A closet nudist if you will, probably dirves Vesta nuts just thinking about it. :rotf:
I guess I never really worried about what the nuists do in the winter, but in retrospect maybe they just shrivel up and go away?
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Went to the RV show last weekend with Scoobs and the kids.
Good news--all are at least receptive to the idea of doing the camper thing.
Bad news--Even if we bought one now (unlikely) most of them of any significant size are too heavy to pull with our vehicles (I have a 5000-lb capacity.)
Worse news--New F-150's with 4X4, V-8, Crew Cab, and tow packages go for about $35-38K. Oy.
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Went to the RV show last weekend with Scoobs and the kids.
Good news--all are at least receptive to the idea of doing the camper thing.
Bad news--Even if we bought one now (unlikely) most of them of any significant size are too heavy to pull with our vehicles (I have a 5000-lb capacity.)
Worse news--New F-150's with 4X4, V-8, Crew Cab, and tow packages go for about $35-38K. Oy.
Did I mentionn I have been fitting out the MH this winter? I let the Roadster (SL) go and picked up a flat towble G6 Convertible. That means tow bar, tow plate, wiring, brake system for towed car. I just got the brake system and hope to have the break-away switch installed the next nice day. I decided to go with a portable model since the G6 has an adjustable brake pedel. Everythihng else is good to go.
I also got a pretty nifty piece of hardware and software which allows me to have 'digital' gages using the Cat ECM data and a notebook which is a real plus with the cost of diesel. You can see your burn rate. ( Probably should just use a $ for the fuel usage. ) :lmao:
I probably have less than 35k in the whole shebang at this point. The diesel only has 96k and was owned by an anal retentive engineer before I bought it. It was his baby.
With our old C class gas rig we always tagged or rented at the destination or just rode our bicycles. This will be my first season towing.
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I've been running a HD 3/4ton full sized pickup with a 8ft camper for a few years. Over the cab bed, dinet, fridge, heater and stove top.
I also pull a 16ft drift boat. It all goes down the road with no problems, and it's easy to take the camper off when I get to my destination.
That said, the "A" frame trailers look very nice and I belive they have hard sides in case you are camping in bear country.
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I've been running a HD 3/4ton full sized pickup with a 8ft camper for a few years. Over the cab bed, dinet, fridge, heater and stove top.
I also pull a 16ft drift boat. It all goes down the road with no problems, and it's easy to take the camper off when I get to my destination.
That said, the "A" frame trailers look very nice and I belive they have hard sides in case you are camping in bear country.
My first rig was an 8' Stuery slide in on a built crew cab Power Wagon. I had full tiedowns rather than pocket stakes and front dampers. It makes a difference when you get into cross winds or passed by a diesel. Also had the pass through cab window. (not that I ever used it)
A few years ago I had a new setup pull in beside me from NY. Brand new diesel duallie and huge PU camper with slides (9.5?) Cost just south of 100K if memory serves me. Yeah the good thing about going that route is you can pull a boat and take the top off if you are staying for any period of time. I use to set the picnic table under mine when I did that for added stability. (We were young and in love.) :rofl:
They are great for fall hunting.
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I've been running a HD 3/4ton full sized pickup with a 8ft camper for a few years. Over the cab bed, dinet, fridge, heater and stove top.
I also pull a 16ft drift boat. It all goes down the road with no problems, and it's easy to take the camper off when I get to my destination.
That said, the "A" frame trailers look very nice and I belive they have hard sides in case you are camping in bear country.
The "A" Frames are hard sided.
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A frames are hard sided. Great! Second suggestion is to get the best hitch system you can afford. Stabilizer bars make a world of differance, and air bags for the towing vehicle make life easy.
My camper isent my first. I may suggest you have a stove, a oven , room for extra LP tanks and powered vents. Solar panels are nice to have when plug in power is not available.
I tent camped for alot of years.
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A frames are hard sided. Great! Second suggestion is to get the best hitch system you can afford. Stabilizer bars make a world of differance, and air bags for the towing vehicle make life easy.
My camper isent my first. I may suggest you have a stove, a oven , room for extra LP tanks and powered vents. Solar panels are nice to have when plug in power is not available.
I tent camped for alot of years.
The trailer isn't that heavy. Just about 2000 pounds. My Ridgeline comes with the hitch and all the accessories.
It comes with a stove, an oven, 2 LP tanks, a battery, and a powered vent fan, along with a sink and heat pump for heat and A/C.
We tent camped from about 1972 to about 1995; got the tee-shirt!
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Fantastic! Sounds like you will be set up well.
I always try to overdo the basics on hauling/ weight values just to be safe.
Must be the conservitive in me!
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Fantastic! Sounds like you will be set up well.
I always try to overdo the basics on hauling/ weight values just to be safe.
Must be the conservitive in me!
Forgot to mention: It also has a small 3-way refrigerator (120V, 12V, and propane).
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Forgot to mention: It also has a small 3-way refrigerator (120V, 12V, and propane).
I think we stopped tenting in about '72.
And everyone needs a good three way!! :rofl: (But gas always seems to cool best).
ETA: Don't forget to hit Wally World for all those little extras you may need. Cords and adapters are ever so much cheaper there than when you find you need them at a campground. (Although not all camp stores are run by vultures).
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I think we stopped tenting in about '72.
And everyone needs a good three way!! :rofl: (But gas always seems to cool best).
ETA: Don't forget to hit Wally World for all those little extras you may need. Cords and adapters are ever so much cheaper there than when you find you need them at a campground. (Although not all camp stores are run by vultures).
Does the gas function of the reefer really cool the best?
I took the HEAVY duty extension cord and the 3-prong angle adapter from the old camper. We already have battery powered camping lanterns and other stuff. We always carry an axe, a hatchet, and a wood saw.
We will renew all of the dishware and silver(?)ware, and the pots and pans with cooking utensils soon, but definitely before the trip.
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Does the gas function of the reefer really cool the best?
I took the HEAVY duty extension cord and the 3-prong angle adapter from the old camper. We already have battery powered camping lanterns and other stuff. We always carry an axe, a hatchet, and a wood saw.
We will renew all of the dishware and silver(?)ware, and the pots and pans with cooking utensils soon, but definitely before the trip.
Yes. I once made the mistake of running on battery while dry camping overnight. Dead battery the next day and warm food. Propane heats the ammonia which cools the fridge. Here is a pretty good link to look at:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/refrigerator5.htm
120V is usually pretty good too.
I always cool the fridge with gas, ice and frozen food. Mine runs gas when I disconnect from shore power when on the auto setting. I would have to force it to battery. I also have an separate ice maker which I am thinking of converting to a gun safe. :whistling:
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Yes. I once made the mistake of running on battery while dry camping overnight. Dead battery the next day and warm food. Propane heats the ammonia which cools the fridge. Here is a pretty good link to look at:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/refrigerator5.htm
120V is usually pretty good too.
I always cool the fridge with gas, ice and frozen food. Mine runs gas when I disconnect from shore power when on the auto setting. I would have to force it to battery. I also have an separate ice maker which I am thinking of converting to a gun safe. :whistling:
Thanks for the info!
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Picking up the camper today. And handing over a $10K cashiers check......... ::)
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Here it is, all hooked up and ready to go.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/Automotive/DSCF4304.jpg)
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How sweet it is -Ralph Kramden- At least it looks sweet. I'll bet it's even sweeter.
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Here it is, all hooked up and ready to go.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/Automotive/DSCF4304.jpg)
Nice! Next up the shaker down cruise. Enjoy.
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Nice! Next up the shaker down cruise. Enjoy.
The dealer was about 30 miles from here, and we towed it on main drags, local roads and on the tollway, from speeds 25 - 70 MPH. It towed better than our older camper - much better.
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The dealer was about 30 miles from here, and we towed it on main drags, local roads and on the tollway, from speeds 25 - 70 MPH. It towed better than our older camper - much better.
I notice your propane tanks are on the outside of your unit.
IIRC years ago crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel one had to have the tanks inside the unit. Tidewater area is a maze of tunnels, very narrow one lane each way, learning to drive a school bus through them was interesting as the side mirrors were only 2 inches from the wall and the back tires had to be aligned on the yellow stripe separating both way traffic.
If you decide to visit that area I recommend a Camping area in DEEP CREEK outside Norfork, may be 20 minutes to get down town to see the Spectacular New Norfork and VA. Beach.
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Lotsa trips planned, finances allowing.
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Lotsa trips planned, finances allowing.
Do tell.
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Do tell.
Wife wants to go to visit DC, the Carolina coasts, Cape Hatteras, Oregon, Washington...I also have cousins in MA, and she has family in ME, VA, one of the Carolinas, and more in NYS. I'd like to get her down to travel along the Natchez Trace.
But next year she wants to go to Sweden, to visit my relatives there and for our family tree records. I'm the holder of the Family Tree, and I've traced my Swedish relatives back to before 1580, with 7200 people in our tree so far. We also both have family in Germany, and she has additional members in Ireland. We won't take the camper on those trips, if we really do go; the toll across that damned bridge from NYC to Ireland is just too expensive. :lmao:
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Nice, Then you can add all those places to the thread "Where have you been".