RE: Any Carpet Storage Ideas?
We have one of the larger awning mats ?9x18? (the vinyl dirt/water/sand filtering kind) and after sweeping it off and folding it up we put it into one of those Ziploc or Hefty extra large storage bags. It fits in fine and I'm still able to "zip" it shut.
RE: Good Trailer?
We have a new TravelStar 21SB and absolutely love it. We tow with a Toyota Sequoia and have had no problems. Good luck in your search and purchase, and Happy Camping!
RE: Pop Up Gizmos - Tent End Covers
Hello-
I have the high wind PUG's as well. The straps & clips work pretty well. Typically they hold with little movement.
However, I have had high winds flap the clips off the canvas in 2 different storms. The high wind bungee cord stayed connected underneath, so the PUG didn't fly away, but the PUG was flapping in the high winds until the storm passed. (I had all the clips spaced evenly, so not sure how they got loose?) I had to walk around the site after the storm to find the clips that had "flapped" off in the wind.
I'm trying to think of mod's to get the PUG's held better up at the top of the bunk. I was thinking of putting Tarp clips (the kind that squeeze/clamp on and have a hole/grommet to put a bungee hook through - example: http://www.tarpsplus.com/tarp-clips.html) on each side at the top, then using bungees to connect underneath the bunnk for the top part, similar to how the bottom part does that's built in to the High wind PUG.
Has anyone else tried this method? Thoughts?
Mike
We had the same thing happen last week on the beach in Maine (wind's got underneath gizmo's and flung all the clips off, but luckily, the high wind cords kept them from blowing away). We had gale force gusts the first day we were there, so we didn't even bother with pulling the awning out. As far as the PUG's, I was wondering about putting a strip of velcro across the top of the bunk end, and another on the top of the PUG, but I wasn't sure how the end would fold up with the velcro across the whole top? I'm afraid it would compromise the seal so that water would leak in when closed up?
RE: Towing w/ SUV
We tow our 21SB with my '03 Sequoia and use both the WD and sway bar. I would be too nervous to tow without either. However, we only use the sway bar when we're on the highway, and our dealer said to never have it on when you're backing up. (Has anyone else heard that? Just curious.) It is VERY easy to put on/take off, as a previous poster mentioned, it just is a small ball hitch on either end (one on the top and one on the side of the bar) and they're held in place with cotter pins. After you attach the bar itself, you tighten the tension with a lever. (did that make any sense? lol) I think I made it sound more difficult than it is. Actually, I just took our trailer away last weekend for a horse show with my two daughters, no DH, and even as nervous as I was "going it alone", everything was fine and we had absolutely no problems. So, I guess if I can do it by myself, I'm pretty sure anyone can!!
Happy Camping!!
RE: Which brand hybrid to buy?
I just discovered my gate opening is just 9 ft and so I am looking at getting another gate to allow for at least 6 more inches. I didn't realize the trailers are 8 ft.
Funny you mention this. Here is a copy of a post I made on a different forum regarding trailer width and gate size ~
Can you say "uh-oh"?
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Well, we finally got it. The new TT that is. We picked it up from the dealer this morning, and boy were we excited! Our brand new, very own, 21' hybrid hotel on wheels. We've never owned a camper, we've always tented it. Maybe this would be the reason why we measured wrong. You know the old saying, "measure twice, cut once"? Well, good advice. We know that now. See, the problem is, DH measured the gate to our driveway (completely fenced in yard), I measured the width of the camper. Being the trailer virgins we are, he measured from pole to pole of the gate, not the actual opening taking into account the poles of the actual gates themselves, and I measured from side to side of the trailer, not taking into account the awning bars. D'oh. Well, needless to say, we were slightly mortified when we got the camper home, and, just eyeballing it, there was no chance in "h.e. double hockey sticks" it would fit. (Insert small crowd of laughing neighbors here). So, out came the measuring tape again, this time taking the correct measurements.
Luckily for us, we weren't TOO far off, it does fit, (Thank you Jesus) but, let me tell you ~ it was touch and go there for a while. We have exactly (no word of a lie) 2 3/4" of clearance on each side to get it through the gates. I will say, it took me 8 or 9 "back and forths" (insert slightly larger crowd of laughing neighbors) and a LOT of very angry people sitting waiting to get by because of course we live on a busy road and I'm blocking traffic, but I DID IT!! Now I don't think I ever want to take it out again, LOL. I hope my fam enjoys camping in the back yard forever.
~ Anyway, the camper fits (like trying to put a whale into a sardine can, lol) and after taking it in and out a few times, so far so good - no scratches, dings, dents, scrapes or rubs! I must say, however, that after the sixth or seventh back and forth, I think I start "aiming" for my DH who tries to direct me, lol.
RE: Stabilizer Jacks
Thanks again everyone for all the info! We were at the RV dealer yesterday, and I happened to see a socket for sale. I ended up buying it (I think it was only like $6.00?). DH hasn't used it yet, but I will let you know what he thinks when he does.
Again, thanks!! :)
Two questions from a newbie
Hi~
We just had our maiden voyage with our camper and everything went well. However, there are a couple things I wanted to ask everyone here (in their infinite wisdom) about. :)
a. Pop-up gizmos ~ I bought a set of these for the bunkends, and they worked great, but I was wondering how you make sure the very top of them stay under the top gutter far enough so the rain, sap, etc. doesn't fall down under them? The sides attach with the mit-e-clips but does the top just lay across? I was thinking of maybe even putting strips of velcro horizontally across the top only, but I'm not sure I want to mess with the canvas of the camper. :@
b. Beeping ~ periodically, DH and I heard a low beep coming from what initially we thought was the gas sensor. The light was green so it was working, and on further investigation (which consisted of the two of us laying on the floor for 10 minutes in front of the sensor, lol), it sounds more like it's coming from the fuse box???? It's not loud enough to be an alarm, but it was annoying enough to wake me up our first night out. I was thinking it was something to do with a battery, but I checked the battery with a voltmeter and it's reading 12.6 unplugged from shore power, higher when plugged in so I don't think it's that. It's very strange, because we didn't hear it constantly all weekend, just overnight Friday, and then nothing for most of Saturday, then for maybe 1 hour off and on Saturday night. Does this make any sense to anyone? :h
Any/all help/info would be greatly appreciated, thanks! :C
RE: post pictures of your HTT
Our new hybrid
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y182/kbemc/IMG_0574.jpg
Our first trip (Wells Beach, Maine)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y182/kbemc/IMG_0621.jpg
RE: Memorial Day Weekend - Who's going and where poll?
Sigh, we will be "urban camping" in our backyard because DH has to work all weekend. Oh well, we'll just get the fire pit going for marshmallows and pretend we're at a campground somewhere. I'm sure the kids will enjoy sleeping in the camper even though it will be in their own backyard, lol.
RE: First Camping Trip Success!!!!
We also had our maiden voyage last weekend! It was AWESOME! We stayed fairly local (only about 1 hour (1 1/2 towing)away to the coast of Maine) and it went great. We got to the campground at around 6:30, and it was overcast and cool, but the rain held off until we had just finished setting up. It really poured overnight (my 3 yr old DS woke up and said "it sounds like music Mommy", lol) but it was SOOOO nice not having to worry about everything getting soaked (we are former tent campers and, without fail, EVERY single time camping it would not just rain, but MONSOON, and we'd always be drenched. Yah, that's a lot of fun, lol). Anyway, we all stayed dry and it was so nice laying there listening to the rain on the roof. Saturday morning was overcast, but after our pancake breakfast and a 2 hour nap for DS, the sun came out and we played mini-golf and took the dog walking on the beach. The (crazy) kids went in the water up to their knees and played in the tidal pools and found all sorts of creatures. After getting back to the campground and getting everyone dry and warm, we had an early dinner and then did the marshmallows around the fire. Sunday morning was BEAUTIFUL ~ sunny and just slightly cool, and after "Congdon's Donuts" (a very popular donut shop in Wells and a must for every visit) for breakfast, it was time to pack up and head home. So, a wonderful first trip in our new hybrid, and looking forward to next weekend for our 2nd trip out!
RE: Stabilizer Jacks
Well, I stand corrected, lol. That just shows you how much I know about power tools/bits/sockets!
Thank you all for the info!!
~ Karla
Stabilizer Jacks
Hi,
I'm sure the answer to this question is on here somewhere, but for the life of me I couldn't find it.
That being said, I've heard/read somewhere about a drill bit that attaches to a power drill so you don't have to hand crank the stabilizer jacks?
Can someone tell me
A - is it something I can just buy at a hardware store
2 - do you have to have a special drill for it
C - how well does it work and is it worth having?
Thanks in advance for your help/info!
~ Karla :C
Northern Massachusetts/Southern NH to Orlando, Florida
What do you think is the best route and why? Which route do you think would be the fastest? the easiest? the prettiest? Which route would you avoid at all costs? What do you know the driving time(s) to be? If I can do it in 2 days, where would you overnight? If it will take me 3 days, same question - where should I overnight? I've learned I can't go through any tunnels (especially the one in Baltimore?) so we have to take that into consideration, too.
Thanks for any advice/info!
RE: 2008 Starcraft Travelstar
jimgoss ~ we just bought the exact same travelstar and we'll be at normandy farms in a few weeks! maybe we'll see you there and be "twins", LOL
