2023 Camping Season, what are your plans?

Oh how I hate working weekends now, I used to go camping all the time. Loved a Monday - Friday 8-4 job with no overtime but had to go for the big bucks where I work. Chilling water is 100% better than cleaning poopers though!

Our first trip of the year is over. We were rained out Friday and Sunday. Saturday was just overcast so we took what we could get.

However Saturday had it's moments of fun too. Our 110v lights started to flicker so I went outside to check the power pedestal. I could hear the breaker sizzle as I pushed on it lightly. I let the office know and within 20 minutes they had the breaker replaced. I've always liked this campground and this is just one more reason why.

Unfortunately when I unplugged my surge protector I noticed it took some heat. It's a Progressive SSP-30XL which is their basic surge protector. I've had this for quite a while but it was time for a new one. I ended up getting the Progressive EMS-PT30X which also protects against over and under voltage. I also looked at the Hughes Watchdog. I loved the app and replaceable surge components but the rain cover always sells me on the Progressive. As an electrician I like having my connections covered as much as I can.

I know some don't use them but what sold me was a story that I heard about a guy who was leaving the camp site and hit a power pedestal as he was pulling out and took out the entire row of camp sites. It ended up frying a few trailers that didn't have protection. That's why I use one. That could happen anytime.

Here are some pics of the damage on my old surge protector. The blade is discolored and the plastic is melted.

I also have one of these, seems to work well for a quick test before I dig anything out, unhook, etc.


We'll see how long it lasts long term, only had it for a little over a year, so far, so good

gofishn said:

Wife picks out the Queen mattress she wanted, 600, with pillow top.

Color me amazed. Other places wanted 200 for their cut corner, sheet set.
Wife is just goign to make them.

Might want to see if there is any place, liek that, around you.

Click to expand...

To be honest, the existing mattress (which is hinged so it folds) plus the Sealy memory foam topper is perfect. The bed size is full queen sized, so sheets are easy to get.

The dealership got the window fixed, but is waiting on warranty authorization for the window shade that got water stained. I figure it can sit there a few more days before I pick it up anyway if they're still waiting.

2nd Camping/Fishing trip, furnace goes out.
Will not start.
3 y r old camper.

Google Fu found me a local RV guy, new business Owner, who made House Calls.


RV Repair House Calls?
Oh? Yes. Please.

Young Kid, knew his stuff was fast and, best of all?
Final Bill was Cheap, to me. Which NEVER happens.
I am Cheap so nothing seems cheap, to me.

Camper is now ready for next weeks camping trip.

Told the Boss, Camper needs anyting, expesince done, we are going to shcedule with this guy and tow it to him. Even with fuel costs, be cheaper, in the end.

gofishn said:

2nd Camping/Fishing trip, furnace goes out.
Will not start.
3 y r old camper.

Google Fu found me a local RV guy, new business Owner, who made House Calls.


RV Repair House Calls?
Oh? Yes. Please.

Young Kid, knew his stuff was fast and, best of all?
Final Bill was Cheap, to me. Which NEVER happens.
I am Cheap so nothing seems cheap, to me.

Camper is now ready for next weeks camping trip.

Told the Boss, Camper needs anyting, expesince done, we are going to shcedule with this guy and tow it to him. Even with fuel costs, be cheaper, in the end.

Click to expand...

It's hard to find someone like that. You're doing the smart thing by keeping his number handy.

Loudram said:

It's hard to find someone like that. You're doing the smart thing by keeping his number handy.

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This is too Funny:
Literally, just came inside, form telling the Wife about your Surge Protector melting
and that's why she has to make sure she uses it, every single time, only to see your reply.

Then again, that's how one learns, Hard Knocks or watching others.

She goes:
why dont; campgrounds have every line seperate so when someone takes out a power pole, it does not mess up everyone on the circuit?

Uh, for same reason we blow a breaker, we lose more than the one outlet.
Simply costs, too much, to wire each outlet to a separate breaker.

off to bed. Tired and hope to go fishing, in the morning.
Have to bring camper, home, by wednesday, to get it ready for Friday trip.

Tuesday camping, with a bonus 'how to take up 9 spots at mcdonalds'.

Brought ti home, today. Using the straight hitch, not the WDH.
Love how the Tuftruck Springs dealt with the Tongue weight.
Only use the straight hitch for hauling Camper the 4 blocks from storage to Home
or move camper around, at Home.
Easier than hooking up the WDH, that thing weighs a ton.

36 & 3/4 inches at front Fender Lip, from Ground.
37& 1/2 inches at rear fender lip, from Ground.

Last week of April, headaed out with the Equilizer #4 WDH Hitch
30 mph Winds, gust over 50mph.
2 lane blacktop,
truck and camper handled fine.
Only a couple of times did I even really notice the wind and , at no time, was I worried.



Sanitizing the fresh water system, right now.
Buddy & I could care less, when we use it, but Wife likes it done, before she uses it.

Heading out, this Friday, to set it up, for her and one of my Daughters.

Son & I might stay, overnight, if fishing is excellent.
Though we want to target as many lakes, this year, as possible.

Asked her if she wanted to get a bigger Camper, this year,
She said no but has not camped in yet, this year.,
will see.




EDIT:

Any of you install a Front, Hitch Receiver?
Thinking of getting one for the Truck, for Bikes.
Not sure which brand to go with.
Curt or Draw-Tite.

I don't have any experience with front hitches but I bought a Draw-Tite for the rear hitch for my last truck and I loved it. It bolted right up. That said, both brands have a good reputation.

gofishn said:

EDIT:

Any of you install a Front, Hitch Receiver?
Thinking of getting one for the Truck, for Bikes.
Not sure which brand to go with.
Curt or Draw-Tite.

Click to expand...

You can get hitches for the rear bumper of your trailer off of amazon for like $50, they just bolt down to it. No way am I mounting anything to the front of my truck but that's just my preference.

i had 2 on my last ram.one mounted under the bumper for a cargo basket and for launching the boat with the camper on and one mounted up behind the tow hooks where i carried my winch on a quick release carrier.i believe one was kurt and one a drawtite.the lower was the kurt and it was very robust.

No real way to weld on a hitch receiver to rear of the trailer.
Got a door, back there, that gets sued and the frame is nto designed for it.

Saw one, for 2 Ebikes,a t teh campground and guy loves it. no vision issues and parking is easy peasy too, he said.

jsut wondered if any on here had soem expereinces

thanks for teh replies

I’ve used a Curt on the front of my 09 and my current 14.
I bent a tie down (where you’d normally hook chains) parking somewhere. It has a 500 lb rating but we only carry 2 bikes anyway.
It does make backing into some of our favourite campsites a bit trickier though.

We will be doing some off roading and remote tent camping in the mountains once they start to thaw out this summer.

I moved this to off topic.

We did Belle Isle State Park in the VA N. Neck back in March. After pulling the trailer out of winter storage, we found the toilet inlet valve was leaking. Figured it was a good opportunity to upgrade to a porcelain model. Will be replacing that this month.

Planning on Hershey, PA area in July. Then camping at VIR for the IMSA weekend races in August. Last trip we have planned this year is Petit Le Mans in GA in October.

Will be trying to fit something into Labor Day if we can.

My plan of dewinterizing and making a few repairs has quickly snowballed. New led taillights installed, upgraded converter/charger to a smart version, replaced some wiring stuff, fixed broken hinges on cabinet doors, replaced broken light switches, upgraded to digital furnace thermostat, replaced leveling jacks, bad water pump got changed out and added a quiet kit and expansion tank. Still need to get up on the ladder and swap the bathroom roof vent that has a small crack, and I'm fighting the fridge like crazy.

The fridge is a propane/ac older model and I cannot get it to burn high enough to work on propane anymore (works fine on AC), used to work fantastic up until about a year ago when it decided to get stuck on low flame. This is a model with no control board or 12v connections. I've replaced the regulator and pigtails twice (stove and furnace work great), gas jet, thermocouple, and now the gas thermostat and still burns a low enough flame you can blow it out with a slight breeze. I have a new burner tube on the way, I've cleaned it a few times already but it's a last ditch effort. I'm about given up on it.

Got the trailer back from the dealer yesterday... the front window leak is allegedly fixed; I'll test that out personally this weekend once I get the hose out. Still waiting on parts to replace the water-stained front blinds, though. I would've just left it parked at the dealership until they got that sorted, but I need to use it during Memorial Day weekend, so I need to get it into shape and load it up this coming weekend, as well as drag it to the only level spot on my property so I can get the WDH fitted to it properly.

The tow home yesterday was actually real pleasant. It was a good feeling to go up a ~7% grade, with the AC on, starting at 40mph off the ramp, but accelerate (err, slowly) the whole way up, to the point where I was doing almost 60 by the time I got to the top of the rise (it goes from less than 100' ASL to around 500-600' ASL in 1.5 miles or so. It's a stretch of Hwy OR-30 just West of Rainier, OR if you're curious.) Not bad for a little v6 pulling 4200lbs (believe it or not, that weight is around 200lbs under my max tow). Oh, and no WDH (but it will have one this weekend).

Anyrate, I'll be able to pop out this afternoon as time permits to get some stuff done to clean everything up and get it ready. Cheers!

danielmid said:

My plan of dewinterizing and making a few repairs has quickly snowballed. New led taillights installed, upgraded converter/charger to a smart version, replaced some wiring stuff, fixed broken hinges on cabinet doors, replaced broken light switches, upgraded to digital furnace thermostat, replaced leveling jacks, bad water pump got changed out and added a quiet kit and expansion tank. Still need to get up on the ladder and swap the bathroom roof vent that has a small crack, and I'm fighting the fridge like crazy.

The fridge is a propane/ac older model and I cannot get it to burn high enough to work on propane anymore (works fine on AC), used to work fantastic up until about a year ago when it decided to get stuck on low flame. This is a model with no control board or 12v connections. I've replaced the regulator and pigtails twice (stove and furnace work great), gas jet, thermocouple, and now the gas thermostat and still burns a low enough flame you can blow it out with a slight breeze. I have a new burner tube on the way, I've cleaned it a few times already but it's a last ditch effort. I'm about given up on it.

Click to expand...

You're going to have a new trailer by the time you're done.

If you need a replacement fridge you may want to keep this in mind. Norcold may not be making 2 way refrigerators too much longer which means Dometic may be raising their prices. This may affect replacement parts as well. Pick your brand carefully. This video has some details from the 1 to 6 minute mark.