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RE: Bicycle Rack between Trailer & Tow Vehicle
Cut some links out of the chains before the photo. Just appears to be low in one of the photos.
Thanks,
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exploringcarolina
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02/26/13 02:23pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Bicycle Rack between Trailer & Tow Vehicle
Is that the maximum turn you can make with the bike loaded?
Barney
It will make sharper turns in the configuration shown and works fine with my camper. If the bikes are reversed location (front to back), gives even more clearance since the girl's bike (closest to camper) mounts with wheels lower due to Swagman crossbar.
Another good solution are the Toppoprails
Like the looks of the Toppoprails system, too.
Thanks,
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exploringcarolina
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02/26/13 09:30am |
Travel Trailers
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Bicycle Rack between Trailer & Tow Vehicle
We like to transport our kayaks on a Leer shell using Thule racks. Did not want to add bicycles on the Thule rack with the kayaks in an effort of limiting overall wind resistance of our rig.
Have an aluminum CampLite 11RD TT with a 2"X4" aluminum rear bumper. Talked to LivinLite service/sales department and they said mounting a bicycle rack on the CampLite rear bumper was not a good idea. They suggested using a Swagman XP rack between the TT & TV since other CampLite owners reported being able to transport bicycles with this type of rack.
Purchased a folding Swagman XP rack with extended 2" hitch. Very pleased with the complete rig and able to open the rear Leer window to get to the cooler while on the road, with bikes on the rack. Also like how the cradles on the Swagman rack are adjustable to level the bikes giving more clearance while turning.
The combined TT tongue weight with rack & bicycles are under the recommended class three tongue weight limit. Installed firestone rear axle air bags on this 2003 2WD 2.4L Tacoma that works well with this type of rig @ 25 PSI.
Other info collected so far:
Have not weighed the total rig, but estimate amount of weight hauled with kayaks, bicycles, camping gear, fire wood, and 1400lb TT to be about 2200 lbs. Best fuel economy to date is 18.5MPG @ 52 MPH on back roads and 18 MPG @ 55 MPH on interstates. Average fuel economy on interstates @ 55 MPH is 17 MPG and at 60 MPH is 16 MPG in non-mountain areas. Found gasoline last week in SC @ $3.49 per gallon.
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/IMG_0452_zps9e3ec99c.jpg
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/IMG_0457_zpsa53614d3.jpg
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/IMG_0136_zps7561f2b9.jpg
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/IMG_0137_zps80257d8e.jpg
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exploringcarolina
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02/26/13 07:51am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Western US Recommendations Needed
Here's a link for all you'd want to know about the Zion tunnel:
Zion Tunnel
Your RV would fit just fine! :)
Thanks for the tunnel info. The tunnel restrictions remind me of where I retired from, a Class 1 railroad. We had restrictions called C Plate. Anything that was wider, taller, or did not fit C Plate, had to be routed on longer routes to get around tunnels or other obstructions that would not accommodate freight loads outside of C Plate.
Really appreciate the info & PMs from everyone.
Thanks!!!!!!
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exploringcarolina
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01/05/13 06:01am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Western US Recommendations Needed
There is a campground inside Zion which is by far the best place to stay. Your rig is not too high for the tunnel entrance which helps as you will not need an escort.
Add Canyonlands to your list as it is relatively uncrowded and great scenery. Something to allow for is the elevation at some of this areas which can take a few days to fully acclimate for hiking. This includes Bryce and Yellowstone areas. This can also reduce the power of your truck pulling the trailer up the grades.
Going into California will add more than 2,000 miles to your trip. Suggest mapping out the mileage from NC along your intended route. We live in Monterey, CA and just to get out of the state and into Utah or Arizona is a 1500 mile round trip proposition before we even start to explore.
If going to the north rim of the Grand Canyon consider on the way home passing through Santa Fe and Taos. Well worth any extra miles.
Our rig is 10' total height. Is that low enough to travel without escort?
Thanks for the advice!
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exploringcarolina
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01/04/13 08:50am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Western US Recommendations Needed
Always a plus when campgrounds have showers, since our rig does not have a restroom/shower. Goblin Park looks like a great place to be on the list to stay.
Thanks,
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exploringcarolina
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12/30/12 11:27am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Western US Recommendations Needed
It's just my Wife & I, but still a kid at heart! :)
Will check out the Blog.
Thanks!!!!
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exploringcarolina
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12/29/12 11:16am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Western US Recommendations Needed
Appreciate the advice. Will stay at CGs @ Bryce, Zion, and N Rim.
Vermilye, you put much work into your trip reports. Nice job.
I take many photos and will make a trip report with photos!
Thanks Everyone,
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exploringcarolina
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12/28/12 07:39pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Western US Recommendations Needed
Excellent advice here & appreciate the PMs very much, too!
We don't have time restrictions, so can stretch the trip out as long as it takes. Will put a basic trip/plan together this week with info from this thread & PMs received. Will be making reservations next week, as recommended.
We always take two kayaks on the pickup shell and will look forward to using them on this trip, too.
Thanks Everyone!!!
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exploringcarolina
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12/28/12 03:39pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Western US Recommendations Needed
We have about 15 days between Reno 9-11 to 9-15 and Bonneville World Finals 10-1 to 10-4. Will probably spend time around Bryce/Zion/North rim before attending the World Finals.
Appreciate the PM & tip on Sequoia RV Ranch!
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exploringcarolina
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12/28/12 08:24am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Western US Recommendations Needed
We are planning camping trip out west from North Carolina next summer. Some of the major routes to be used will be I40, I80, I90, and I15.
During the trip we plan to camp for two or three days at each campground and travel about 100 to 250 miles to the next campground when possible. Will probably stay at one campground while visiting Brice, Zion, and North Rim. Campground recommendations near or at the Parks/destinations and along the way will be appreciated.
If someone has made a trip report for a similar trip to some of the listed destinations and would share a link for the trip, that would be greatly appreciated. We have a small rig with a combined length of 29 feet consisting of a 15 foot Toyota Tacoma pickup and 14 foot Camplite camper. We have AC/heating and gen set. Can camp without water /electrical hook-ups or sewer dump station.
During the trip we will visit Reno Nevada (Air Races)and Wendover Utah (Bonneville Salt Flats Word Finals).
Some of the parks to visit:
Sequoia NF
Yosemite NP
Zion NP
Bryce NP
North Rim Grand Canyon
Yellowstone NP
Grand Teton NP
Thanks!
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exploringcarolina
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12/28/12 07:15am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Hilton Head- First time where to stay?
We enjoy staying @ Hunting Island SC. Here's a few photos:
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2012/IMG_0073.jpg
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2012/IMG_0072.jpg
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2012/IMG_0071.jpg
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exploringcarolina
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12/25/12 07:52am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Post your tow vehicle pics here
We tow with a 2003 Toyota Tacoma with 2.4L four cylinder, manual 5 speed, Firestone rear air bags, and Leer Shell. It gets 17 to 18MPG towing our CampLite on the interstate @ 55MPH in non mountain areas.
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2012/IMG_0192.jpg
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exploringcarolina
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12/10/12 02:17pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Small light TV's
We purchased a 22" JVC 110V LED/DVD 1080 HD TV that we really like. Ordered a pelican case to transport it with, since we decided not to permanetly mount it in the camper. Our camper did not come with an antenna. Purchased a $40 GE attic antenna and mounted it on a (cheap) camera tripod. Hard wired the camper for cable/antenna or can connect the TV directly to the antenna for viewing outside. Most of the time we camp where there is 110V, but keep a weather radio to check the forecast when we don't have 110V.
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2012/IMG_0190.jpg
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2012/IMG_0139.jpg
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exploringcarolina
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12/08/12 06:54pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: GPS display from airplane
Used a hand held GPS (not FAA approved) in an airplane, it worked some of the time.
Had an FAA approved early Garmin 430 installed in a small Cessna once. The GPS antenna was located on top of the fuselage. Never had issues picking up enough satellites for safe navigation. It was fantastic and easy to fly instrument approaches with. Its called RAIM, receiver autonomous integrity monitoring. Don't fly anymore, but GPS is a great tool in airplanes.
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exploringcarolina
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11/23/12 08:32pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Light Weight Travel Trailer
If you are interested in reading about my experience, check here.
Really "appreciate" the trip information and photographs! You are an excellent photographer! We want to visit many of the places you visited. Will study the details of your trip report to help plan our trip!
Thanks for posting the trip report!
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exploringcarolina
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11/23/12 03:55pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Cheaper, better alternatives to satellite
For home, purchased an antenna 6 years ago and canceled our Satellite Dish service. We currently pick up 24 digital stations & one 24/7 weather station, 25 miles north of Charlotte NC. The antenna cost $45 and is mounted on a post 7' above the ground. It's stationary without rotator. Very pleased with the digital reception at home.
Our CampLite 11RD did not come equipped with an antenna or cable TV wiring.
Last week decided to come up with something about the size of a Satellite Dish & tripod. Had an old camera tripod and purchased a GE attic antenna. Purchased enough cable & connections to hard wire the camper and run cable from the antenna. Total cost around $90. Checked the antenna out last week and picked up the same stations at home with the tripod/attic antenna combo in the lowest position. Have a NOAA weather radio in case we we can't receive TV weather while camping.
Purchased a nice 22" flat screen with built-in 1080 DVD player, too.
The set-up works great!
http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2012/IMG_0139.jpg
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exploringcarolina
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11/22/12 04:11pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Video: Yamaha 2400 running a 15.5 BTU
Just received a new Yamaha 2400isHC today to run the 13500BTU Coleman Polar Mach in our camper. Will test it later this week.
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exploringcarolina
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11/21/12 06:10pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Light Weight Travel Trailer
Like the looks of the Bolwell Edge. Very aerodynamic & modern interior!
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exploringcarolina
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11/21/12 04:35pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Light Weight Travel Trailer
There's many great small campers out there today.
On our way back from camping @ Hunting Island SC, stopped by and visitied "Lil Snoozy" manufacturing plant on I26 SE of Columbia SC. Alan Smoak, owner, spent about a 1/2 hour showing us the manufacturing process & a camper. It's aerodynamic, light, fiberglass, and big in the interior. Looks like he's on the cutting edge.
We are keeping our CampLite, but enjoy looking at other small campers and picking up ideas for use with our camper.
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exploringcarolina
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11/21/12 03:34pm |
Travel Trailers
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