RE: Looking for a TT that fits my family needs
What is a “need” ? And what is a “want” or “DW wants”
We tent camped then upgraded. We had a 1990 Chevy low top conversation van with a max towing capacity of 5k lbs. We bought a Palomino Stamped 21SD hybrid TT (GVWR 4800lbs). At that time we had a 45lb dog 3 kids (14, 9 & 10) and we were happy campers. Towing however was another story, no power on hills and drove watching the heat gauge.
I ask what you “need” because many people say need when they mean want. Its ok to “want” but making a list of needs and wants helps when you find something. If I is a need you have to have it. If it’s a want, you can put a price on it and compromise. Example, we wanted a place for the kids to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and a dry place to sleep if it rained. We loved having a refrigerator and not having to buy ice for the cooler.
As for your concern about heating and cooling in a HTT, we didn’t have any problems with those issues. And now the HTT come with heated mattress pads. I hated setting up at home to dry the canvas if we packed up in the rain.
Then there is your style of camping, we personally go camping to get away from all the distractions and spend time as a family. Things we do not allow; no television, no electronics (exception is camera), no texting. We go hiking, biking, fishing, sit around the fire, play games at the outside table, cook outside on the camp stove, eat outside..
BACK TO YOUR POST:
With your towing restriction I would suggest you look at Top of the line Pop-ups or smaller HTT. It you want anything bigger, go to the local car dealer and check out a new truck.
BTW, we no longer have the HTT we upgraded, not because we hated the HTT, our two youngest a boy and girl used to sleep together on the rear bed, that became “icky” when they became teenagers. Keep the future in mind when you buy, because if you buy new you will loose at trade in time. We actually did look at new HTT and almost pulled the trigger when my daughter stumbled on our current rig and saved $$ buying used. Would I ever do the HTT again? YES absolutely.
Go Camping and be happy!
RE: looking to upgrade from hybrid to hard sided for room...
Be mindful of the bunk size, i.e. length. Many of them are shorter than a bed, when we looked at upgrade, we found a beautiful HTT-Bunk House. Took the family down to look at it, my son laid on the bed and at 5'10 he was too tall.
RE: Photographers - What DSLR do you have?
As everyone has said it is the person behind the camera and the glass (lens). You can have the best equipment and still take lousy pictures. A good camera does not equal good pictures. Way back my photography teacher said a good photographer can take a good picture in a junk yard with a pin-hole camera.
That being said , I have an Olympus E-30 Lenses ;12-54, 40-150, 70-300. Bought my wife an Olympus EPL-1 which is a micro- four thirds mount interchangeable lens system. It has the same sensor as my DSLR but is smaller and lighter. Weight becomes the issue as I get older. I will be looking at the Olympus OMD-E5 which is built on the same platform as the EPL-1 but has an electronic view finder.
RE: Dump Station Etiquette
Depends on the line in front and behind me on how much attention I give the black/gray tanks. Usually dump the Black, when its done I pull the gray leaver, go inside add about a gallon of water and the Black Tank Chemical. Go back outside, close the gray lever disconnect put the hose in the bumper. I always pull forward out of the way so someone else can use the dump station, I then go under the TT and open the fresh water tank drain valve and double the TT doors are locked and head out. Takes about 5 minutes.
BUT! A few years ago we were camping at French Creek State Park and at the dump station we were parked behind the massive Class A motor home at the dump station. The hoses were hooked up but no one was around. After 10 minutes and a long line behind us, my Brother In-Law decided to go knock on the door and make sure everything was ok with eh Motor Home or the occupants. As we approached the motor home, an older gentleman stepped out eating a sandwich (yes eating a sandwich). He hooked up his tank washer and decided to eat lunch.
So “Dump Station Etiquette” would be do what you have to do, remember people are behind you patiently waiting like you patiently waited for the guy in front of you. And the biggie, pull forward to eat lunch or use a rest stop.
RE: NE adult only campgrounds?
I must say we all should have seen this trend coming. And not because people are mean ugly ogres, but because camping etiquette is harder to find and IMHO today's kids are rude not raised to be respectful of other or others belongings. And the Parents seem very inclined to NOT chastise their offspring but to yell at anyone else instead.
I didn't post this to start a post of “not mine” I do know there are some “exceptions” out there, and please don’t think mine are perfect, but they were taught manners, camping etiquette, to say please and thank you. Keep voices down after the sun sets, not walk through another site. (now if I could get them to put gas in the car I would do jumping jacks !)
RE: Campers who leave dog poop on their site
I agree with the OP, irresponsible pet owner will eventually cause a ban on pets or exuberant fees for bringing one.
However WE ALL need to be responsible campers and do our part. If I see your dog take a******and you do not clean up I will speak up and yell out "Hey you forgot to curb your dog" real loud (so everyone hears) and offer them a Poop bag. If they walk away, then later when I am out walking and see which camp site they are on I will inform the Ranger or Park personnel.
For the record we curb our dog both at home and camping. DW wife found this plastic poop-bag holder that looks like a dog bone that is attached to the leash so they are always handy.
RE: Joshua Tree NP Closed Due to Graffiti
Read the article and it says :if caught and convicted, vandals could face up to $5,000 in fines and six months in jail"
OK how hard is this guys, The" vandals who posted pictures of their handiwork on social media sites such as Facebook"
Duh they already admitted they did the crime on social media which is admissible in court (at least in the other 49 states, who knows about CA).
RE: Best Oil Filter
The tick may be a sticky lifter, try some oil additive for that. I used some on a friend's van and within a week noise was gone.
Which do you recommend?
Is Synthetic really worth the extra cost?
Best Oil Filter
My Truck is getting old (04 Ram) with 64k miles. Developed the notorious "Hemi Tick" when first started up for the first 20 seconds.
Well since it mainly is a tow vehicle and back up vehicle when DW and kids have the other car. I figure I should start changing the oil myself (Always had the old changed at Jiffy-Lube).
Way way back Fram was the oil filter of choice. Is it still? And what are you guys running oil viscosity wise?
Outside temperature wise we live in North East Pa
Moved to Tech Issues forum from Towing.
RE: Durango just crapped out - should I get another??
This is always a difficult decision for any of us, "repair or replace".
As someone who put a Jasper Engine in my DW 1995 Ford Windstar at a cost of 3k and then totaled it in an accident, and is currently driving a 1997 Saturn and towing with 2004 Dodge Ram I will offer my two cents from experience.
First the Jasper Engine was fantastic in the Winstar, ran great no problems. However the 1995 Windstar IMHO had other issues of design and build not known to us at the time. The transmission in my opinion had a faulty design which cost another thousand to fix. Searching the vehicle on car "lemon sites" reveled its own forum. Had I know those issues I would not have dumped the money in the van. When I was in an accident (during and ice storm) with it 3 years later the value of the $3000.00 engine and $1000.00 tranny was $53.00 extra in my insurance check.
That was long winded but here is what it taught me. Search out the 2004 Durango and see if the vehicle is "prone" to other problems or breakage. At 9½ years old if there are problems they will be posted. Lets assume it is not for this advice.
The monthly car payment vs the repair vs trade-in value is something that has to fall into the equation. Lets be real you will not get your money for the repair out of it at trade in time. You probably won't get much money for it with 280k miles, however, if the Durnago last another 5 years, you save $400.00 a month in car payments, you saved $24,000.00 dollars in payments. If it lasts one year you break even (repair cost vs new payment).
Some questions to ask yourself to help decide, how is the Durango body- good, fair or rusting out? have you maintained it with oil changes tune ups etc, scheduled maint? what is left to replace like in the front end, etc?
Now another thought, if this is your everyday vehicle, maybe you would want to get a used small fuel efficient everyday commuter car (like my 97 Saturn), repair the Durnago and use the Durnago for towing and a spare vehicle.
That was my two cents
RE: Difficult to close mattress door!
What is a sheppards crook? (In camping terms?!) Is that the bar that holds the tent up and in place? Rookie here:S
YES
RE: Travel with guns
There are many personal reasons why someone may wish to do so, from lovers of hunting to those who may have had to file a PFA order against someone. Its personal and we should respect everyone's choice and be helpful if we can.
RE: Travel with guns
Firearms laws very from state to state as someone said. And sometimes those laws are not clear or easy to understand.
Let me say I am not a lawyer or giving legal advice (wrote disclaimer :) )
But there are some websites that may help you in deciding where you can and cannot have your firearm. Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is one of them. Handgunlaw.us is another. You can also check into getting "out of State Carry Permits" for states you may want to have your firearm in.
As a side note, too often these threads are shut down so I hope it stays polite.
RE: Difficult to close mattress door!
We had a Palomino Stampede before we upgraded to a hard slide, but I will try and remember and write out the process of folding up the bunk end.
http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o736/Wsearfoss/Palomino%20Stampede%2021SD/Stampede21SD_zps9c8afa5a.jpg
Our tent ends actually Velcroed to the door, so we would un-velcor the tent end and remove the Shepard's crook, from the outside, push the top of the tent in in that it hands like a curtain over the opening. From the in side is should look like a flat canvas wall.
http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o736/Wsearfoss/Palomino%20Stampede%2021SD/DSC02838_zpsb239598e.jpg
Back to the outside, the sides to the tent end should fold in at 45 degree angles, kind of like wrapping the end of a Christmas present with paper. http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o736/Wsearfoss/DSC02840_zps4cac57b1.jpg
Make sure that nothing will catch in the door as is closes and close the hatch.
http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o736/Wsearfoss/Palomino%20Stampede%2021SD/100_0012_zps2d381605.jpg
If the Mattress slides I would suggest securing it to the plywood with those cheep 3M velcro stick on you can buy.
RE: Difficult to close mattress door!
...pics of what you're talking about, are helpful.
you SHOULD be able to close the bunk end door with the mattress attached to the door. x2
RE: 2013 Arctic Fox 25w
I LOVE this floor plan! This could be the rig DW and I look at in a year or so, however I would want the awning to cover both entry doors.
RE: What new gear or gadgets are you RVing with this summer?
Since the RV is new everything we picked up so far would qualify. However I think perked coffee in a pot boiled over the fire is sooo good when camping. I got one like the kind they used in the old west. The coffee is mighty good.PERKED COFFEE is one thing we have when camping. Nothing like it!
