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RE: Lessons we've learned over the years
When hooking up to water at the campsite, do a quick check to be sure all the faucets are off just in case your darling daughter turned them all on for who knows what reason. Walking into the trailer with overflowing sinks and very wet floors does not make for a good start to the trip. Plus, nobody wants to swim for the first day because the beach towels are all soaking wet and hanging out to dry.
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StaceyE
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05/07/13 10:49pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Am I crazy?
We have a trailer with life's luxurie and love our camper. It is the only way DH would camp, he IS NOT a tent kinda guy. I like the slideout, AC, bathroom, and warm water.
BUT, I take my girls and their friends tent camping at least once a year. I like knowing I can survive a few days without electricity or creature comforts. I became a girl scout leader for the sole purpose of providing camping skills and experiences to my daughter's troop. I think there is something very satisfying in tent camping. Eventually I would love to backpack in a wilderness area and really put my outdoor skills to the test.
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StaceyE
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04/02/13 11:18am |
Tent Camping
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RE: Got the Excursion 7.3 Diesel-now need TT IDEAS??
"He could have saved $3 or $4K and tons of payload by not going for the diesel option and had twice as much money for a TT. A $5K TT is closer to a nightmare then a dream."
While some may have bad experiences with cheap trailers, we didn't.
We had a 7.3 excursion with a $4500 trailer that provided us with seven years of great family camping memories. The trailer has moved on to our neighbor when we decided to upgrade and now his kids are experiencing this great family hobby. You can buy a decent trailer for a low price, you just have to do your homework and be careful.
Our diesel excursion saved us a boatload of money in several ways. When we sold it for our dually, we lost very little in depreciation as compared to the gas models. We also saved a substantial amount in milage over the years we used it pulling a trailer (especially having it chipped for better milage).
Good luck with your hunt, and enjoy!!!
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StaceyE
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11/16/12 12:04pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Why can't manufacturers think about trash?
Our previous TT didn't have space for a trash can, so that was a must in our new one. Gotta say that I really love having a decent sized trash can tucked into a cabinet.
We did the oven handle or cabinet knob with grocery bag in our old TT. One thing to make that a bit easier is a large carabiner clip around the oven handle or cabinet knob so that you don't have to cut the handles of the bag each time you want to take the trash out.
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StaceyE
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08/31/12 07:33am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Stabilty question...
We're having the same issue with our 34' trailer. When one of our girls rolls over in her bunk at night I feel a wiggle up in our bed up front - drives me crazy and makes it hard to fall asleep. Good to know about the wheel chocks, we'll have to give that a try.
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StaceyE
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08/16/12 02:37pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Camp food
We love teriyaki marinated flank steak - cut into thin little strips across the grain after it's grilled - always a family favorite. I usually serve it with roasted potatoes as well and lightly sauteed fresh green beans - that is making me hungry now!
A new dinner I've been making while camping lately is roasting a fresh, bone-in turkey breast in a dutch oven low and slow in the coals. I lay it on a bed of orange, lime, and lemon slices with quartered onions and cloves of garlic, then I lightly butter under the skin with some basil, rosemary, and thyme. Turns out really well, serve that with precooked mashed potatoes, sauteed, julienned carrots, and sliced cranberry jelly. A summer version of thanksgiving dinner.
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StaceyE
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08/02/12 09:28am |
Family Camping
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RE: Must Have's - Nice To Have's - Don't Bother's
With our two daughters, we did the pop-up for a year, then camped in an old 27' bunkhouse with no slide for 6 or 7 years. I felt happy to have a trailer at all and we would go to the RV show at Rosemont every year and say "that's nice, but is it really much nicer then what we have?". In the spring DH decided to surprise me with my all-time favorite TT - a Sunset Trail 31QB. We've camped more this summer than any other because we are enjoying it so much with the bigger space, great storage, nice kitchen, comfy bedroom, etc, etc. that this trailer offers.
My Must Have's:
Bunkhouse with small dinette - one of my DD's has Asperger's and having a space she can retreat to and play in has made camping much better for her.
Outside shower - we string up soap and a towel next to ours and the kids can wash their hands before meals. Also use it for washing my cast iron ovens which don't fit in the TT sink.
Counter space - as much as you can find in a bunkhouse, this is why I LOVE our trailer. I want room on either side of the sink for dishwashing. I also want lots of room for preparing meals without hunching over a table.
BIG door to outside storage - I hated having to haul our chairs from under the bed and through the inside of the trailer because the door to the outside was too small. This simple feature makes setting up and breaking down SO much easier.
Good sized tanks - we often camp at the state park where there is no water hookup. 40 gallons can get us through a three day weekend if I'm conservative. I wouldn't want any less then the 40 gallons.
Nice to Have's:
Cabinet or storage space for shoes - hated tripping over them all the time in the old trailer, now I have a cabinet to put them in near the door.
Speakers outside - especially nice for DH who loves to travel with his ipod
Space for garbage can in kitchen - simple, but I love having a cabinet built for this purpose in the kitchen instead of having a grocery bag hanging off a handle.
Crank-out windows - we can have our windows open even if it's raining - especially nice if one of the kids forgets to shut a window.
Nightstands on either side of our bed - a place for my book, phone, and a glass of water.
Gas and electric water heater - DH appreciates that we can use the campground's electric instead of the propane for heating our water.
Laundry chute - no more tripping over a basket of dirty clothes while trying to change in the bedroom. Open the little door next to the bed and drop the clothes into the basket waiting below.
Don't Bother's:
Electric awnings - our manual is easy to pull in and out and is sturdy if we use tie-downs even with some wind.
Outside kitchen - I would rather have the bunkroom and storage space. if your TT kitchen is well designed, you will use it over a small outdoor kitchen anyway.
Kitchen next to sofa in slide-out - I don't care for this layout because I don't want to worry about slopping water onto the sofa while washing and drying dishes (especially when the kids are helping). Plus, there doesn't seem to be as much counter space in these layouts.
Have fun looking for that perfect first TT! There are so many choices and we are lucky to live in a populated area with lots of RV dealers and private party options for buying and selling.
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StaceyE
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07/25/12 11:58pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: ***Interior RV tours/pics***
Thank you! After years of frustration, I have finally come to love sewing. I'll have to check out the glamping FB page. I just love all the adorable renovated trailers with loads of vintage-y fabrics and accessories. If I could add even a bit of that charm to our excellently laid out but boxy, typical, boring trailer; I would be really happy!
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StaceyE
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07/14/12 09:45pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: ~Post your campsite photos here~
We stayed at Maumee Bay State Park in Ohio on our way to New York to see Niagara Falls. The campground was beautiful, large sites, level asphalt pads, and lots to do with bike trails, two beaches, a nature center, etc. The downside to having campsites cut into prairie grasses was the the unbelievable number of ticks. We couldn't walk on the grass without one trying to latch on for a meal. That meant the dog had to stay in the camper and we spent VERY little time outside to enjoy the campsite.
We were in site #29 - the first site of the row.
http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad44/Live2Camp/DSC_5686.jpg width=600
http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad44/Live2Camp/DSC_5688.jpg width=600
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StaceyE
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07/13/12 08:37am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: ***Interior RV tours/pics***
I finally finished up decorating the trailer bunk room and thought I would post the pics. I have a VERY limited budget, so just about everything has to be made or bought cheaply.
Before picture - it was too dark and neutral for my vivacious, colorful girls.
http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad44/Live2Camp/Sunset%20Trail%2031QB/Bunkroom.jpg width=400
I found striped sheets at Walmart for $5 a piece that had both pink and green (one DD loves pink, the other loves green). I also had a couple of yards of leftover funky pink polka dot fabric that matched up pretty well. I made slip covers for the dinette and then added pillows for an extra pop of color. The covers come off easily and are all cotton for washing. My husband can now relax a bit and not go into panic mode when they are back there enjoying their room.
http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad44/Live2Camp/Sunset%20Trail%2031QB/DSC_5669.jpg width=600
Here's a pic of the dinette overall. I love fabric flags that I've seen posted recently and made some with the extra fabric to string above the dinette. I threw in a bit of darker green scrap fabric I had since there is so much of that color throughout the trailer. I made new curtains using the bottom edge of the sheet because I liked how the horizontal stripes met the vertical strips.
http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad44/Live2Camp/Sunset%20Trail%2031QB/DSC_5665.jpg width=600
This is how it looks overall. The striped sheets are on their bunks with their pink and green sleeping bags. I found a $4 rug at Walmart that goes pretty well and a napkin/cutlery basket at TJ Maxx that holds drawing/coloring stuff. I have an idea for canvas art for both of their bunks above their pillows using the camp names they used for girl scouts - I just have to start working on them.
http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad44/Live2Camp/Sunset%20Trail%2031QB/DSC_5673.jpg width=400
I'm pretty happy with how everything turned out and am excited to get sewing for the living/kitchen space in our little cottage on wheels.
**Oops, almost forgot another detail I'd like to add. The dark table doesn't look very good with the bright colors. I'm on the lookout for the perfect vinyl tablecloth to cut and sew some elastic at the corners to cover it up.
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StaceyE
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07/13/12 07:59am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Heat in the smokies?
We went to the Smokies two years ago, staying in Townsend with record heat all week. I don't think we had a day less then 94, and we loved every minute (and I get heat sick very quickly).
The campground did feel suffocating (we stayed at the Townsend KOA) but we spent so little time there and most of our trip in higher elevations. All it took was a short 15-20 minute drive up and the temp dropped to a comfortable level. We also spent most days picnicking by a refreshing stream which we would spend some time waded into. My girls had a blast and they remember the Smokies as the best trip they've ever taken.
I should note that we have a trailer with air conditioning - it would not have been comfortable to sleep at night in a tent. We spent some time a Cade's Cove and it was hot there, not high enough up to be comfortable.
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StaceyE
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06/29/12 08:14am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: ~Post your campsite photos here~
Looks like a great campsite -- do you recall what site # it was?
I like to make note of these things (and I know others do as well) when I see a campsite that appeals to me. I have a list of places, campgrounds, and nice site numbers to try out over the years! :D
Ludington SP is def on my list and this is actually the first campsite pic from there that I have seen. I like what I see - are they are similar or do they vary?
Ludington is one of our favorite places to camp, but unfortunately most of the campsites don't look like that. And, because it books up just about 6 months to the day we usually end up with whatever was cancelled by someone else. We love the park despite the small packed sites because there is just so much to do there.
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StaceyE
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06/27/12 05:38am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Colorado fire help
We made the decision on Sunday to cancel our Fort Collins trip to visit my brother. He said the smoke is really miserable at times and it just wouldn't be a good time for the sight-seeing we were planning on doing. We'll be heading East to niagara falls instead, and out to Colorado at a later date.
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StaceyE
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06/27/12 05:15am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Where you headed for the 4th?
Niagara Falls - we were supposed to go to Colorado, but with all the fires we decided to head East instead. Trying to find a good two night destination in Ohio or Western PA for our trip out there.
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StaceyE
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06/26/12 07:21am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Last Minute Trip - Chicago to Niagara Falls - Help Please
We booked a site at Four Mile Creek for Monday thru Thursday night.
Plans are to tour Fort Niagara, Niagara Falls, Maid of the Mist boat, and Cave of the Winds. We'll also spend some time visiting Lewiston.
Now we need to find somewhere fun in Northeastern Ohio or the West end of Pennsylvania for Saturday and Sunday nights.
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StaceyE
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06/25/12 09:45pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Last Minute Trip - Chicago to Niagara Falls - Help Please
Thanks so much, that's the kind of recommendation I needed. Good to know about the pool at Fort Niagara, too. I can get in at Four Mile Creek for Monday-Thursday. I'll just have to find something for Saturday and Sunday nights somewhere halfway between Chicago and Niagara Falls. Friday morning we can head home and make a 1/2 way stop for the night and be home by Saturday, which makes my husband happy. And - it's SOOO much cheaper then staying at the private campgrounds.
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StaceyE
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06/25/12 12:06pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Last Minute Trip - Chicago to Niagara Falls - Help Please
No passports, we're staying in the USA. I realize we might be able to see more, but I'm sure we'll have lots of fun without venturing into Canada.
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StaceyE
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06/25/12 10:53am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Last Minute Trip - Chicago to Niagara Falls - Help Please
We had plans to visit my brother in Ft. Collins, CO, but with all the wildfires we decided to postpone. Need new plans in less then a week over one of the busiest in the year, yikes. Our oldest daughter suggested Niagara Falls, sounds good to us.
We have one week over the Fourth of July and can leave Saturday the 30th and return on Sunday the 8th (hubby would prefer we return Saturday the 7th to relax before going back to work).
This is the first time we've headed East, are there any State Parks in OH or PA or even farther East in NY that are must sees that we should build a few days in for? We only get to take one week-long trip per year and the rest are local weekend trips.
Our camping preferences: must have electric and flush toilets/showers. We love state parks that involve historical buildings or nature programs with geography to explore that's different then northern IL. Our all-time favorite trips have been Smoky Mountains, Ludington SP in MI, and Mackinaw Island. Both our girls love to swim at a beach, in a pool, or wading in a stream.
I can get into the Niagara Falls North/Lewiston KOA for the whole week or for part of the week at 4 Mile Creek (which is big $ savings). If we do 4 Mile Creek, we could camp Sat and Sun (30th and 1st) in OH or PA. Leave Niagara area on Fri., 6th morning, arriving home on Saturday. Or are we better off spending the whole time in Niagara and paying more money to stay at the KOA?
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StaceyE
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06/25/12 10:38am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: buying an 33' aerolite TT
Or less trailer. Friends of ours have a 1/2 truck and are very happy with the way it pulls their 2012 Coachmen Freedom Express. They have the 29' bunkhouse that weighs in around 5300 lbs dry weight.
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StaceyE
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06/12/12 11:23am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Highly anticipated ( first) family camping trip ruined.
We almost always camp on Memorial weekend, Labor Day weekend and Fourth of July week because it's hard for my DH to get time off from work. We've had very few weekends that were ruined by crowded, drunk campgrounds. Mostly we find great, friendly and interesting people from all over - which is one of the things we love about camping. That said, when we tent I never get a very good night's sleep because the sounds are different in a tent then at home - something I have trouble with. We always use the trailer when camping on weekends (my DH won't tent camp).
Here's what helps us ensure a great weekend anytime:
I read as many reviews from different websites as possible before booking a campground. A favorite is http://www.rvparkreviews.com/
I look for private campgrounds that have strict policies and reviews that back that statement up. Sometimes I'll ask what repercussions are for out of control campers when I book the site (also about dogs off leash which drives me crazy).
We often stay in state parks which are patrolled by rangers and have bathhouses cleaned 2-3x per day.
I look at the campground website map in a window next to a google satellite map to get an idea of how much space there really is between sites and to get a batter idea of the location of our site.
We complain to a manager if somebody is really out of hand - and keep complaining until they do something about it (has happened only twice in seven years of camping).
If we could camp midweek or for long weekends not on the holidays we would. That just isn't an option for us, so we're careful about how we go about booking sites. We also know how to have a great time even when things aren't great - hey, we're camping and together as a family!!
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StaceyE
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06/05/12 08:44am |
Family Camping
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