RE: Proud new Cruiser owner
Thanks again everyone.
rjsd1 wrote: The only thing I have found that I don't like so far are those dreaded Mission tires that came on it. They are not even rated for the GVWR of the fw. I plan on changing the tires next year. It will be a challenge to find
E rated 15's.
Good point. I also noticed the Mission tires, and questioned the quality. Sorry to see my instincts were correct. We'll look into replacements as well.
Proud new Cruiser owner
I'm happy to report that last night, we took possession of our new 2008 Cruiser CF30SK! This is our first 5er, moved up from a TT, so we're having to learn a whole new thing! Of course, we're familiar with all the major systems of the rig, mostly we're a little anxious about the hitching/unhitching procedure, but we were both paying close attention at the walk-thru and we camp with a fellow 5er owner, so we can cheat and ask him if we get stuck! I want to thank everyone who patiently field questions from those of us just learning. This forum has been a valuable source for our research and education!
RE: Games to play while camping.
We love to play Apples to Apples. It's a board game, so a little bulky, but it has been fun for all ages and levels of intellect (which is just a nice way of saying you don't have to be brilliant to play). There is also a jr. version for kids so they don't look over your shoulder and give away what's in your hand!
With playing cards, we like 3-13 and 31. Also have played Mexican Train, which can get very long. Ladder golf is always popular, and friends brought their homemade Washers set, which was a fun addition. On a side note, we were at a park with a large grassy field where the kids set up an obstacle course (folded up camp chairs, other assorted camping gear) that they had to jump over and around, etc. They split into two teams and raced. It was great, homemade fun, and even the Dads raced once (I wish I had been videotaping that little event!)
RE: KOA - Concrete WA
You might be interested to know that the Concrete/Grandy Crk KOA is probably not going to be a KOA after this year. Liesure Time bought the park from the former owners, Monty and Francis, and the KOA franchise is only good through 2008.
We happen to live close by, and enjoyed getting to know Monty from the time he bought to campground a couple of years ago, and watching he and his family transform the park from a rundown former Liesure Time park to the most gorgeous KOA in Washington. Sadly, he sold the park to retire (sad for us, congratulations to him!!) and the present owners seem to be reverting to the Liesure Time way of life. Not family friendly, in my experience. Certainly, the place was not being kept up to the former standards as far as landscaping and cleanliness (granted, it was March). Also, there is a guard station at the gate, which has never been manned before, really never has seemed necessary. When we stayed in March (which is very low season around here - we got snow!) there was someone at that guard station all the time, making sure we knew all about the fees we were required to pay for this and that...
Yes, private campgrounds=you pay for every child, vehicle and activity. But I didn't appreciate the rather unfriendly attitude with which they point out all their little fees. It was rather like, "you're inconveniencing us with your presence, but since you're here, pay up".
In short, we will not be back. This is no longer a place we feel welcome, and it's too expensive to not enjoy it. Thankfully, we live near some wonderful public campgrounds which are more fun and a lot cheaper!
RE: Pancakes in a can
I picked up a can of this stuff at Fred Meyer in Western Washington before our camping trip last weekend, mostly out of curiosity. Let me tell you, I'm sold on this! Call me lazy, but I hate having a stack of dishes to do after making a big camping breakfast, so I appreciate every little help I can get. I'm a full-time working mom of two boys, and I really look forward to the relaxation of a weekend out in the trailer. I guess I feel like I have to defend my laziness a little, but I will unabashedly admit that this is my new favorite camping "gadget". The pancakes taste good, and I could probably get two breakfasts out of a can (2-3 pancakes per person) Yes, mixing pancake batter is not the most difficult task in the world, but I for one appreciate a shortcut when it doesn't cost an arm and a leg or taste terrible.
RE: Campchef Weekender Stove
I have a 3-burner camp chef stove and the grill box with the lid that lifts off (not hinged on one side). I love the stove, especially when I want to cook up a big camping breakfast on the huge griddle that came with it. The grill box has been great for BBQ items, but if I was buying one today, I'd buy the bigger one with the hinged lid.
A couple of (minor) "cons" I've found: The griddle that came with my stove (purchased at Costco a couple of years ago) has no place for the grease to go, and that baby is heavy!! I think they've come up with something a little more practical with the current model, maybe with a grease trough or something. Second, if you want to clean the stove itself, as it does get splattered and food dropped down around the burners, you have to basically take the thing apart with a screwdriver. Definitely not too difficult, but not something I'd want to do more than once a year.
Overall, I've been more than happy with my stove, and grill box. Go for it!!
RE: Banging my head
Sounds like a little problem my DH has every single time he sleeps in the trailer! There is a shelf right above our heads which he invariably whacks his head on when he gets up in the morning. WITHOUT FAIL!!! It's gotten to the point that I will put my hand on his forehead when I hear him getting up, to remind him/prevent him from his morning concussion!
RE: Rear living room vs. bunks
Thanks everyone for the input. I'm really amazed by the fact that everyone's camping style is so different. For us, in the evenings, we are rarely in the TT, as we are basically by the campfire with friends til bedtime. I prefer to have the kids in the trailer when it gets late, not running around or sitting around the fire with us when the adults like to visit. (of course they get their campfire time earlier in the evening with the family). So really, having the hide-a-bed made up wouldn't effect our use of the living room in the evenings. In the mornings, the boys are usually up first, playing quietly with toys or watching a movie til mom and dad get up. We have them trained pretty well to let us sleep in til we're ready to get up, which is usually around 8:30 or so when camping. I guess I can still see a lot of pros and cons to the 299 rls for us.
We will not be keeping the Cougar regardless--too many little issues are beginning to pop up, and I'm not waiting around for the bigger ones to start too. I like the idea one poster had about moving the couch; however, ours is a ridiculous jack knife couch which is attached to the wall. What a piece of junk that thing is!!
Again, thanks for the input. I look forward to reading more!
Rear living room vs. bunks
Hi all. Hoping to get your input on a dilemma we are having. We currently have a Cougar 301 BHS with the quad bunks. It's been a fine trailer, but we don't care for the floorplan. With only two boys, we really don't need the four bunks. We don't like the way the living area is situated, as far as where the TV is in relation to the seating. I especially don't like our cramped bathroom or bedroom. Makes you wonder why we chose the trailer in the first place, doesn't it? Well, that's another post! Anyway, we've fallen in love with a Jayco JayFlight 299RLS, especially the big rear window with the rocking chairs right below it. It has a great bathroom setup and a more spacious feel to the bedroom. My question for you all is would we be crazy to get a trailer with no dedicated sleeping space for our two boys (ages 7 and 9)? The couch is a hide-a-bed, and they are not at all picky about comfort or privacy. I'm justifying that the trailer would be fine because 1) it's my hubby and I buying the trailer, and we should get a floorplan we will enjoy and 2)the boys will probably rather sleep in a tent next to the trailer soon anyway. Has anybody else been in this position? You all have been excellent advisors in the past for this long time lurker!!
