5th Wheel Wannbe Advice
Hey all,
Got the bug to purchase a camper as I enjoyed the camping experience with my kids before I deployed, and looking forward to doing some heavy downtime relaxing, and purging all the dust out of my system when I return back to the “Good Ole USA!”
Awesome site, and looking for some “expert advice” on which 5th wheels I should consider kicking the “tires on”.
If this topic has been discussed before, please paste the link.
Up front disclosures – never owned one, do not have a TV, thought it would be best to purchase the TV after selecting the 5th Wheel.
What are your opinions on?
New vs. Used?
Which manufactures are still in business, and where are they located.
Newbie Preferences (you know these will change):
Two Bathrooms
Four Seasons
Sleep minimum of four
Space for Washer/Dryer
Thanks in Advance
RE Floyd
Forward Operating Base Warhorse
Baqubah, Iraq
RE: Don't want to upset anyone but.....
Back in Iraq, but not for long, less than 30 days. Then I will be stateside bound! Hope someone saved me the perfect 5th wheel to purchase for my family and I, as I hope to be at a campground near you.
RE: I am so excited!
Cindy and David,
I think of you and your son Seth often. Some day I hope to shake his hand. Keep me informed on his progress please.
Again, many thanks and proud.
RE: Don't want to upset anyone but.....
So,
I made it back to my home away from home (Germany) last Saturday. It was quite a trip, not for sure if the Blackhawk ride to Balad or the trip down the autobahn was more exciting. But what really got me, and I know this will be something that I will never forget. Was coming back from Balad Iraq, I caught a Medi-flight to Ramstein Germany. There was an America Flag hanging in the back of the C17. After we landed, each soldier that was on a stretcher had the soldiers that were carrying them pause as they were being carried out, so that they could reach up and touch the flag. I couldn’t move, tears streaming down my face. And now when ever I see Old Glory flying, I remember that moment. What bravery, courage, and sacrifice, all captured in a memory that I have, of heroes touching a piece of cloth…..
RE: Don't want to upset anyone but.....
refloyd, camped in the Northwest huh? That's where we're from and camp too. Would like to run into you when you are home and camping again, I'd like to shake your hand and say thanks.
Hey,
Thanks, I would enjoy shaking your hand! My family and I are looking forward to returning to the USA, the fall of 2009. We plan on moving back to Walla Walla, WA. Keep those camp fires going!
RE: What is the coldest it has ever been when you camped??
Enjoy!
We have camped many times in the 20's in our Popup. We have the propane furnace, and we also took two small electric fans to help move the heat towards each end. We all slept very warm.
RE: I am so excited!
Tell him I am very proud and Thanks!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2399/2237146700_0c0e25f4e2.jpg?v=0
Flying back to (home) Camp Liberty, Baghdad, Iraq
RE: 1st dutch oven
Hey,
I do not know anything about baking bread in one, but I am offering my services to sample whatever comes out! :W
Good luck with your recipes, as I know you will receive many.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/2218159881_44fa53ca43.jpg?v=0
Sunset at Camp Liberty, Baghdad, Iraq
RE: Don't want to upset anyone but.....
lET ME PREFACE BY SAYING: Thanks to the Veterans and those currently serving. Without them, we couldn't have what we do!
Dogs wandering aimlessly in the snow banks...........YES!!!!!
Hey! Our dogs are wandering and slipping on the icy snowbanks too! Whitewater, WI is south of me yet.... we are freezing our butts in Northern Wisconsin--- where they just predicted MORE snow tomorrow!
And to you Refloyd: THANK YOU!!!! What you and your family so selflessly give up, it's soooo wonderful that you are giving for us folks who sit and complain! If you and your family ever get up in the Wisconsin neck of the woods, we know lots of good camping places.... and would be honored to share a campfire with ya!
KarenInTheWoods
Karen,
Thanks and my family thanks you. We have camped all over the Northwest, never have we camped up in your part of the world. We will bring the Marshmallows and hot chocolate.
RE: Don't want to upset anyone but.....
Refloyd, one more here to say Thank You!! Also please relay our thanks to your wife and children. Although they aren't being shot at, they give up a lot so that you can be there protecting us. Would love to be camped next to you and yours down the road. Thanks again. Guess I'll quit complaining about the cold too. Sharon
Sharon,
Thank you and no need to quit complaining about the cold. I talked to my wife this a.m. and she did the same. She said it snowed last night, as they are in Germany right now. Ten more days and I should there also. Thanks for remembering my family, as yes, like all family's that have ones deployed, they do give up a lot. I will be going from one extreme to another, although temperatures have been very mild here. 90's for the high, and down in the 50's at night. Now, Kuwait, wow, last August when I was there, Temperatures reached 130 degrees, add 30mph winds, feels like an oven.
Take care, hope things warm up enough to make your camping enjoyable.
Robin
RE: Don't want to upset anyone but.....
Thanks for your service. When you get home and buy the 5th wheel the first 3 nights of camping are on me. Just send me a private message!
J.W. Blackwood
Msg {retired}
MSG Blackwood. Thanks for the offer, thanks for your service.
RE: Don't want to upset anyone but.....
My son is currently in Basic Training at Ft.Benning. All of you guys have a special place in my heart. Thank you for what all of you are doing. Without guys like you, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the simple freedom of camping. Be safe, and hope to see that you are soon back in the good ole USA enjoying your family. God Bless you!
Cindi & David - Have you been able to talk with your son? How is he doing? Tell him we are very proud of him, from all the Men & Women that are currently over here! I have shared the information from this forum with everyone here.
Robin
RE: Don't want to upset anyone but.....
Refloyd
Thanks for all you guys are doing for us just stay safe, my nephew is getting ready to go back over for his 3rd tour and we always worry about him. I hope you get your dream 5er when you come back.
Now I am still jealous about your first camping trip my camper is still buried in snow.
Wow, 3rd tour, makes it tough on the family. Tell him to be safe. If he is the Camp Liberty, Slayer, Stryker, area, Coffee is on me! My dream 5er, with the help of all of you, you know I will get one.
RE: Don't want to upset anyone but.....
Sunseeker2007,
Ten more days, and then I will be leaving this country. I will return back to Germany where my family is at the moment. (I support 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment based out of Vilseck Germany). I will return back to Iraq the middle of July.
RE: 1976 Pop-Up ???
If the canvas is in need of replacement, I would recommend these folks. I have a 1987 Coleman Williamsburg. There replacement took about 45 minutes to install.
http://www.bearcreekcanvas.com/order.htm
Good Luck! Happy Camping!
RE: Don't want to upset anyone but.....
Wow, y'all know what's so cool? refloyd is in a hostile country, yet can still let us know what's going on via this internet thing!!!!... those pics are really something... I reiterate.... come home safe and soon!
What is really "cool", is for me "over here" being able to come to this site (Thank you moderators/hosts/rv.net). And visit with folks that have the same interests as my family and I. It makes the time over here much shorter/bearable/meaningful. My wife and I tent camped when we first got married (25 years this coming November), bought a Popup back in 1990, and have taken the kids on many camping trips since. I got the "itch" to purchase a 5th wheel before I came over here, and after reading this site, man, I got the bug now!!!LOL (you ever wanted something so bad, you could taste it?) Anyway, I digressed in about 10 different directions, but, Thank You all for the support. And, Thanks for allowing me to participate in your good times.
RE: Don't want to upset anyone but.....
Thought I would share a few Photo's.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2218160303_3ed54db9fe.jpg?v=0
Sunset at Camp Liberty, Baghdad Iraq
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2236355467_8462fd8392.jpg?v=0
Coming back off a Mission, funny how coming back to "temporary home" base looks so Good!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/2122086315_f03d82975f.jpg?v=0
Crew Chief/Door Gunner on Blackhawk
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2038/2122084921_1d61ce1ff0.jpg?v=0
Flying out on a Mission, over Baghdad, Iraq
RE: ~Post your campsite photos here~
Picture taken recently from Camp Liberty, Iraq. That night, dust storm came in and took visibility down to 1/4 mile.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2218160303_3ed54db9fe.jpg?v=0
:WI will trade anyone's camp site for mine;)!
