2023 Camping Season, what are your plans?

[tron67j]

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.

MFGs Scrambling, Interest Rate Changes, & More • RV Industry Update May 2023

Thank you for joining me one again for another monthly update! This month we dive into how MFGs are handling a growing aging problem in the national inventor...

youtu.be

One of family members had their refrigerator in a fairly new trailer go last year. Can't get part to fix and they want like $1500 for new one. Think the trailer is on its way out of the family. Hope OP has good luck in the repair.

 

[danielmid]

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.

MFGs Scrambling, Interest Rate Changes, & More • RV Industry Update May 2023

Thank you for joining me one again for another monthly update! This month we dive into how MFGs are handling a growing aging problem in the national inventor...

youtu.be

Yup it's about 1500 for the drop in Dometic 2 way, we'll see if the budget allows for that, might be a next summer project since it works on AC just fine and both our trips so far this summer are booked where AC is available.

 

[Random_Walk]

Ouch... for $1500, I'd settle for cheaping out by using a block of dry ice in the busted one...

 

[star_deceiver]

Oregon Dunes. Horsfall campground.

 

[star_deceiver]

Chappie-Shasta OHV campground. I have never seen Shasta Lake full!!!






It took $601/US and $135/cdn gas, $70/US camping; Airdrie, AB to the Oregon coast and down to Redding, CA and back.

 

[Gettinshifty]

Heading down to Truth or Consequences NM with the dirtbike. Can’t wait!

 

[Loudram]

We're in Lancaster PA this weekend, Starlite campground. It's a beautiful view but from what I hear it's even better without those Canadian wildfires. That's where at the haze is coming from.

 

[Mb7640]

Just came back from Haapy Jack az was a lot of fun!!

 

[Random_Walk]

Oregon Dunes. Horsfall campground.

Florence/Newport?

 

[Random_Walk]

In other news, I had a great time caping up at the in-laws' place near Sequim, WA. Got 11mpg on average, which includes 70mph on I-5 and a bit slower (avg 50mph) on Hwy 101 going up the backside of the Sound. Rode as smooth as a baby's butt in spite of not using a WDH (I really have to fit that stupid thing on someday...)

Only downside? The pocket door fell off the track while I went up the really-not-paved-well road to the in-laws' homestead. The tiny screws they used to hold the door up popped right out. Once I got home, I 1) found out it's a pretty common problem with all makes/models of travel trailer and RV, and 2) it's as easy fix - I replaced the little screws with massive-sized-thread drywall screws and used JB Weld epoxy to hold it all together. Once it all cured, I put it back up and it seems to hold up very well - can't even see where I'd fixed it.

For anyone that gets in a similar predicament, I found this to be very useful:

Yoo Toob - how to repair a pocket door in an RV

 

[star_deceiver]

Florence/Newport?

Coos bay/North bend.

 

[star_deceiver]

Things get a little weird once you leave Oregon and head south...

Those are almost Canadian prices...

 

[392DevilDog]

I have kinda been avoiding social media, and just spent 7 days with no cell service.

We are on our 8th day of a 21 day off grid trip. This site does have service...so I thought I would update my favorite thread that seems to not be real busy this year as in years past.(Hopeful that means camping fad is about over!)

Started in Tuscarora State Forest on the 2nd. Spent 7 days there, dodging rain events and enjoying the peace and quiet. This was our 5th trip to this site. And each time it gets better. Learning some local knowledge and taking a look at some historical literature, we have now come to the conclusion...based on the angry fisherman of our first trip there...that we very well may have been the first people to have camped at the site.

We saw turtles, herons, and a few snakes. One of which surprised the heck out of me when going to the tailgate of my truck.

It then proceeded to climb the tree

Literally the only pic we took there. I have shared many other pics of the site before....it is our favorite of them all.

No visits from DCNR. We watched the sunrise and set at a dual vista on Longfellow Trail. And from a power line on Licking Creek Road watched fireworks for the 4th of July.

Compared to Memorial day holiday...where every site was reserved...there was no one else in any of the adjacent sites for either the weekend before or after the holiday.

We left Sunday, in a torrential downpour to head to the sunny dry skies of Buchanan.

This site is close to the road also...but pretty secluded. It has two entrances...a nice gravel road for the camper folks and a drivable trail for the Overlander crowd.

It is situated facing west...so we get to see the sun set.

It is fairly well shaded...and I think we parked the camper in the best spot to take advantage...but unlike the Tuscarora site...it is wide open...good for solar power and star gazing. Also, zero service at the Tuscarora site...but full use if AT&T here in Buchanan.

My son has taken up the great past time of map reading and even made his own maps of our sites. He also figured out a route today...that took us right to the abandoned Turnpike.

We hiked down to a stream he wanted to see, found the overpass from the AT and took a wild guess which way the tunnel was. Graffiti on the road shortly let us know we picked the right way.

It has been a great off grid experience and just the break from civilization and work we needed.

Highly recommend giving up the full hook up sites in state parks and venturing out to a state forest.

And, since a picture is worth a thousand words...some photos.

 

[Loudram]

Those are some great pics. I wouldn't mind a trip like that but the wife likes her AC. We used to tent camp and I loved it, her not so much. She wanted 4 hard walls between her and the critters so we skipped the pop-up step and went straight from the ground to a trailer.

 

[CamperMike]

No pics of our campsite but last month my daughter and I did an overnight camp on the 11 point river in Missouri. I do have a couple pics of the float though.

 

[CamperMike]

Next up we may have another quick Missouri trip with the tent, and then we have a couple weeks in the UP with the whole family using our travel trailer.

 

[392DevilDog]

On another note. We got another RAM HeftyDuty. I had a slight hiccup with my truck so, we pulled off, hooked the new truck up and my wife just took right off, towing our camper for the first time!

I was so proud of the fact she jumped right in...but she did great.

When we left on Sunday, in the pouring rain...she wanted to back it out. I basically stood by the door getting soaked, explaining to her to keep her hand at the bottom of the wheel.

She nailed it, and then towed it right to the next site.

Good times!

 

[Heatheroo]

On another note. We got another RAM HeftyDuty. I had a slight hiccup with my truck so, we pulled off, hooked the new truck up and my wife just took right off, towing our camper for the first time!

I was so proud of the fact she jumped right in...but she did great.

When we left on Sunday, in the pouring rain...she wanted to back it out. I basically stood by the door getting soaked, explaining to her to keep her hand at the bottom of the wheel.

She nailed it, and then towed it right to the next site.

Good times!

Yea, no way my wife would attempt to tow the camper. I can barely get her to drive the truck period. So, good on your wife!

Got back Sunday from 9 days in Cape May NJ. First time towing the camper since I added the Airlift 1000HD air bags. I inflated them to 22lbs. I didn't notice any real difference but, OTOH, I never had any problems to begin with. They do eliminate the slight squat it had when towing. Truck towed like a champ and the EVIC says I got a little under 14MPG.

 

[Heatheroo]

I have kinda been avoiding social media, and just spent 7 days with no cell service.



We left Sunday, in a torrential downpour to head to the sunny dry skies of Buchanan.

Are you talking about the Buchanan SF? I used to hunt the SF around Cowans Gap a bit. Cowans Gap SP is nice but if you want to boondock, take Aughwick Rd. S out of Cowans Gap and look for Tower Rd. on your left after climbing a decent grade (before you intersect rt 30) . Its a gravel road and dead ends at a circle. There is an awesome overlook there and lots of open space suitable for a camper. If you really want to rough it, park at the first gate on your left as you go down Tower Rd. and walk back about a 1/2 mile to the trail shelter. The shelter also has an outhouse, spring and pond

 

[Loudram]

I have two camping weekends in a row coming up. This weekend is Carlisle All Chrysler Nationals. I'll be staying at Western Village RV Park. My brother and his step son will be coming with me. I really can't wait. I've been watching the weather closely. Looks like a hot weekend with a slight chance of rain.

Then next weekend another camping trip to our usual CG. Just the wife and I. All I have to do is finish up the work day. Tomorrow is going to be spent cleaning the truck for the show. I get to try out my new foam cannon.