RE: Outback 250RS
That's what I was thinking. The Premier was so quiet, I think it just took us by surprise (PS husband picked it up from the dealer while I was home with a sick kiddo, so no surprise he didn't notice it then, HAHA!) It closes up just fine and tight, and no odd grinding noises while moving, so I'll put my panic button away. :) Thanks much!
Outback 250RS
We traded in our rather overly large Bullet Premier 31BHPS for a new 2013 Outback 250RS. In the Premier, when moving the slides in and out, when they were to their fully extended (or retracted) state, you heard the slide motor pitch change (get quieter basically) and knew they were out or in all the way. In the new Outback, when they are in their full extended or retracted position and you're still pushing the button, it emits a rather loud noise (sort of grinding, like a chain slipping almost..maybe). Normal?? We could call the dealer (and it may come to that) but figured I'd start here and see if this is normal for the brand instead of getting their run around and hauling it to the dealer 2 hours away. Thoughts? Or did I just completely not make any sense with the noise we're hearing.
RE: To cover or not to cover....
I should add, our camper does have to be in a storage lot, which is fairly out in the open, so there would be no shielding from buildings. We are looking at the Designer Adco Cover IF we go with anything.
To cover or not to cover....
We live in northern North Dakota (Grand Forks area), where it's not uncommon for the wind to howl at 20-30 mph (or more) for days on end during the winter. Typically we also get bitter cold (several weeks of below 0 temps) though last winter was an odd one where I don't think we saw that at all. Anyways, I've seen some back and forth on thoughts regarding covering your travel trailer for the winter. Given the long periods of high winds, possible snow, and sometimes ice storms, would you cover it in our situation? Seems like I've read that having it covered in an area with high wind can do more damage than good. We'd like to get a custom fit cover, but that's just not in the budget this year. Thoughts?
RE: Keystone Bullet Premier
We (2 adults 5 kids) just got home from 10 days camping in our bunkhouse. We spent 2 days and 3 nights in Palo Dura Canyon, then moved on to our favorite campground and camping place in the world, SIERRA BONITA We stayed there for a full week, then back for one more night in Palo Dura Canyon.
Fishing was great for those that fish in Coyote Creek. My dh got to see the bear he has been wanting to see for as long as we have been going up there.
When we were packing up in NM we had an issue with the bunkhouse slide not coming in all the way. We have had this issue one other time. It finally came all the way in. This time we discovered that when we took all the jacks out it came in easy. Mental note to ourselves is jacks out first.
We also have trouble closing the outdoor kitchen, but when jacks are out it works fine. Dh is considering jacks or stabilizers in the middle to see if that solves the problem. He has double checked the kids aren't getting the stabilizers to tight. It just seems to be to long a span between the middle and the back. He wants to put a stabilizer in the middle to see if this solves the problem.
One of the mods we had made that we really like is we took the bottom bunk and the trunnel out and put three Shikibuton Tri fold Foam Beds 3" Thick X 27" Wide X 75" Long in that spot. They fill that area if you fold out all three. but it gives us one more bed back there, or two with space between them. They fold up and fit perfect in the bunk spot. The kids say they are really comfortable. These are big kids adult size. I will try to get pictures once we get it clean and de-cluttered from camping.
We as well have had the issue with the kitchen not closing easily (or opening easily) for that matter when the jacks are deployed. I posted on one of these sites awhile back about it, but not much in the way of how to fix it. Curious to see if this post gets anyone else that's had the issue and how they fixed it.
RE: Camping over labor day wknd
Depending how "NW Ohio" you are, check out Waterloo Recreation Area in Michigan. I used to camp at the Sugarloaf Modern camp quite a bit as a kid (nice lake, pull through sites), and Portage lake offers lots of shade, and paved pull through sites. Just a bit east of Jackson, MI.
RE: Keystone Premier 31BHPR
We have the 2012 Premier 31BHPR and love it! We have an infant son, and actually removed the two bottom bunks (the one on the floor that pulls out, and the one that covers that floor one) and put his pack 'n play back there. That way IF we hit a rainy day,he can still nap and we don't have to twiddle our thumbs while he's out. The outdoor kitchen is nice, but we both have said we're not sure if we would specifically buy another camper with it. Maybe if we were able to do more than just weekend trips, it would get more use. You'll want to replace and/or enhance the mattress on the queen bed...OUCH! Otherwise lots and lots of space! The only quality issue I've found is where there is carpeting (and there's not much) you can feel the staples quite easily. Otherwise, everything else seems to really be top notch. We purchased ours last Christmas time while in Michigan visiting our families. Paid $22,500 for the unit (just short of $27,000 after taxes and adding an extended warranty and slide toppers). It pulls wonderfully behind our 1/2 ton Sierra, though it's like a huge sail, so don't expect to go much over 55. We plan to upgrade our TV next year. Storage is nice..big pantry, and room in the back bunk room for stuff. Ample for us by far. Let me know if you have other questions!
RE: need sum advice
OP may not have a place to plug in at home. In our area we aren't allowed RV's in our driveways (Air Force Base) so we always end up having to take a cooler with the goods and then start chilling the fridge when we arrive. :( The camper sits in a storage lot when not used.
RE: Itasca State Park/Lake Bemidji State Park Damage??
We are here at Itasca and weathered the storm by the grace of God. We are here in the Bear Paw CG and there must be at least 30 huge trees down in our cg alone. I've heard the Pine Ridge cg got it much worse. Power was out from about 6:45pm until about 3:00am this morning. Power is still out for many of the surrounding areas from what I can tell.
We were on the lake when we saw the storm rolling in... it didn't seem like anything but a rain shower storm, nothing menacing about it. We got back to our camper just as it started to rain. Within the space of a few minutes the wind whipped up and was gusting like crazy. We managed to get our awning rolled up and huddled inside. I'd say in a space of less than 10 minutes the worst was over.
Our neighbor got a tree across the hood of his truck. He is trying to patch it up to leave today. We had a huge limb fall on the far side of our picnic table. A couple sites up the road, a tree that must have a 5 foot diameter fell across a gazebo and picnic table of a tent site. The tent was unharmed and the tenters were in their vehicle.
All around the cg there is damage. Vehicles with windows broken out, a TT with the awning tore off because of a tree landing on it, another TT that lost all his skylights, his antenna and awning. A pop up with the entire rear bunk tore off.
None of the campground buildings (most built by the CCC) seem to have sustained any major damage (I can only speak for Bear Paw CG, haven't been to any other areas of the park).
For quite a while last night the roads were blocked by fallen trees but the crews have been working and have cleared them so they are passable. It's still a mess, though.
I have not heard of any injuries in our loop (we made the rounds to offer help where needed) but in the other loop I did see an ambulance. I hope no one was hurt.
Bemidji took a hit from the storm, as well as our relatives over on Lake Winnibigoshish, many trees down and power still out.
Glad to hear that while lots of damage, it sounds like not many (if any) were injured. Scary to think we were JUST THERE, and could have easily been in this mess too with our infant son. We heard a couple good rumbles of thunder Saturday night there and it always makes my heart beat a bit faster not knowing whats rolling in for sure. Hope you and everyone makes it out safe and is able to enjoy what's left of your trip!
Itasca State Park/Lake Bemidji State Park Damage??
Thinking of those camping out in Itasca State Park and Bemidji State Park in Minnesota. News around here says they were hit by pretty nasty thunderstorms, lots of trees down, no power, etc. Just left Itasca on Sunday! Two of our favorite campgrounds to go to. Anyone know how extensive the damage is? Hopefully no injuries!
RE: Outside Kitchen Door Troubles
We'll have to find a dealer in the state we live now, we purchased it in Michigan while "home" last Christmas, but we currently live in North Dakota. Guess it's time to find a local dealer for keystone!
Outside Kitchen Door Troubles
We have a 2012 Bullet Premier 31BH. When the camper is stored (no stabilizing jacks down) the outside kitchen open and closes without problem. When jacks are down (even just slightly) it throws that door off for some reason to the point where I (wife) can't open it, and my husband has to wretch on it pretty bad to get it open. Has anyone else ran into this? Seems odd that after the trailer is leveled from all directions the door THEN gets offline and doesn't open well. It's the bottom left corner that gets so tight that holds it closed. This past weekend while out we did some playing around, (putting various jacks back up, only barely having them touch, to putting a bit more pressure on them than just stabilizing) and whenever those jacks are down is when the door gets thrown off. Thoughts??
