First off, I have to say May long weekend is BUSY in Canada!!!
We really weren't planning on going out, but ended up at a nice little campsite (only 24 sites) by Rocky Mountain House, called Chambers Creek. It was unserviced with outhouses and a well pump, but the firewood was free.
I don't think the first trip out with a new trailer should be boondocking, but we did fine. Battery lasted very well, had lots of power left when we were exiting on Monday morning, Propane on one tank only was good for running the fridge.
We had a blast.
Only thing I didn't get running was the Hot Water Tank. have to get someone over to show me that one later. Showers are COLD without that!!!
Truck did great on the highway, didn't exceed 90km/hr and stuck to the secondary highways to avoid traffic. Much more scenic anyway. Stopped for some deer crossing the road at one point.
Some of the larger hills (as we were in the foothills) were a struggle for the Explorer, but she made it through.
I suspect mountains are maybe not a good camping idea for a truck that struggles on large hills.
Have booked three sites for this summer already... all of them serviced, but at least we know we can live with an unserviced site!
It was really fun.
I owe alot of my confidence level to my friends on this forum. I know I ask alot of questions, but in the end I felt I knew enough to attempt the first trip with no amenities!
Thanks alot!!
Off on the next "adventure" June 6/7.... and pretty much plan on every second weekend after that.
I love my Hybrid!!!!
Mommy , Skyler , Sammy...the wonder dog
TV: 2000 Ford Explorer Sport 2dr 4WD
HTT: 2004 Jayco JayFeather 18ft Hybrid; Prodigy brake control (with Eaz-lift WD hitch)
Grab your water heater manual. May require a manual light. If you open the outside door and see temperature and flame controls you'll need to light it.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland Our Photo pages
Congrats Karebear. Sounds like you enjoyed it for the most part. We were out ourselves this weekend and really enjoyed it as well. As for the hot water heater, good luck. I'm sure you will have it ready to go in no time at all.
Me(68), DW(70), DS(96), DS(98), Savage The Dog (04)
07 Shamrock 23B
04 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Sport! And Yes, It's A Hemi!
We also took our maiden voyage last weekend. Only forgot a few items.
Extra chair for campfire(we have one fold up type, but I like to bring the plastic ones). However, it was so windy that we only sat around the campfire for about 15 minutes the entire weekend.
dish soap-had to use hand soap for the dishes...
marshmallow roasting sticks - got a couple on loan from the neighbors.
And a few other nice to haves that were not high on the list, wrote down everything and will have these items for the trip this weekend.
Truck did great on the highway, didn't exceed 90km/hr and stuck to the secondary highways to avoid traffic. Some of the larger hills (as we were in the foothills) were a struggle for the Explorer, but she made it through. I suspect mountains are maybe not a good camping idea for a truck that struggles on large hills.
It sounds as if you were as excited as we were when we picked up our Trail-Lite B17 Bantam in 1998 and took off for the Yukon and Alaska! Noting your comments re: the Explorer and it "struggling", I have to tell you that we have been to the west coast several times since that first trip, towing the B17 with a 1995 4.0L V6 Explorer XLT, and while it "struggles", it's just a matter of gearing down and being patient. I also have to admit that the Explorer got its second transmission at around 170,000km but 106,000km later, it is still going - and towing - strongly. We're off down east this years (NB and NS) without any worries about the Explorer. Next year, we'll be back out west again! Happy camping to you!
We also had our first trip of the year. No problems at all except for the rubber seal around the door that hides the screws fell off during transit.
It was a little chilly with temperatures hitting about +1c (34f) at night. I installed some popupgizmos and they really made a difference. Much less condensation and much warmer. I had a small electric heater that was able to heat the whole trailer and keep it at about 16-17c (63f) at night. Furnace only kicked in a few times so I saved on my propane usage. Daytime temps reached about 12c (51f) but the heater kept the trailer at a toasty 22c (72f). Hopefully the weather gets a little warmer.
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!
Karla, DH, DD~17, DD~12, DS~4 and "Pest in Show"~Odie
New England
2003 Toyota Sequoia, 2008 Travelstar 21SB
We also had our maiden voyage in our new-to-us camper. I also had trouble with the water heater. The problem ended up being a web in the tube that goes from the nozzle to the combustion chamber. After cleaning the web out, the heater ran great but I still couldn't get hot water. I found one of the winterizing bypass valves was in the wrong position(water was going into the heater but wasn't coming out). When I de-winterized, I just reversed their position from where the previous owner had them(no wonder the water heater was full of anti-freeze). Other than those two minor issues, the trip went great.
, Skyler 
, Sammy...the wonder dog 
Offline
