First long trip

[fallsrider]

My Dad and I decided to take our NTU TT down to the Outer Banks of NC for some surf fishing this past weekend. We left Thursday morning and came home today. Google says 223 miles each way, 3 hrs. 38 minutes. It actually took us 5 hours because I only drove 60 mph the whole way, even though the speed limit was 70 much of the way. I am very pleased with how the TT towed. With new tires and freshly greased bearings, I was as confident as anyone could be of its ability to make that trip. Now I'm very confident that my Suburban can make a trip towing our trailer about anywhere we want to go. I averaged 10.4 mpg on the trip down. Did not check it on the way back.

Dad and I ate lunch in the trailer both days while en route, as well as used the bathroom. We did not spend a penny for any food in convenience stores, restaurants or grocery stores, other than an extra 6-pack of water bottles from a grocer near our campground. Nor did we use any public bathroom while traveling. That was very cool to use the trailer for all our food and bathroom needs while traveling.

The only issue we had was that the frig would not light on gas. Stove burner worked, so we know gas was in the lines. I'll have to check into that.

The only downside to the trip was that the fishing was lousy. But we had a great time anyway.

[fallsrider]

I think Yellowstone beats OBX for "long pulls"!! Would love to visit Yellowstone, but we lack the finances and the vacation time. Maybe someday!

[dlos]

Ocean Waves is nice. I agree with you on being out in the open, generally not preferred, especially if camping out there in the summer heat! It's tough to find covered sites out on the OBX and when you do, the bugs will tear you up!

Thanks for posting the pics and glad you had a good time out there. I'm in Raleigh too, OBX was my 2nd "long pull", the longest to date was to Yellowstone!

[fallsrider]

dlos wrote:
Where'd you camp out there?

Ocean Waves Campground

It is in Waves, NC, and is a really nice campground. We stayed on site 39. I normally don't like being out in the open like that. But since this was a fishing trip, we were glad to be closer to the beach so we wouldn't have to walk as far. Their rates are very reasonable considering what their competitors charge out there.

I highly recommend them.

If you like, I can upload a couple cell phone pics later today or tomorrow.

Or now... 🙂

2005 Suburban 1500 2wd, 1995 Sunnybrook 26 DB



Looking east towards beach...



Looking west towards more shaded spots and campground office/entrance...

[dlos]

Where'd you camp out there?

[fallsrider]

naturist wrote:
Given the stove lit and burned well, there are three likely reasons the fridge didn't light: (1) the gas lines were full of air from the stove area to the fridge, and one light sequence didn't clear them; (2) the burner has wasp nests, spider webs, or general crud in it; (3) the thermocouple is bad. The first requires a couple light attempts to clear, the second requires poking a stick up in there and clearing out the rubbish, and the third, replacement of the thermocouple, which is cheap and easy to do.

Sounds like a great trip anyway, glad you and your dad enjoyed yourselves. And here's to many more great trips over the coming years.

Scenarios 2 or 3 are most likely, as we tried unsuccessfully two more times for a light. Gave up and hit the road.

The trip was great. Thanks. My Dad and I had been surf fishing together several times before, but my family and my Mom have always been along, necessitating a balance of fishing and family time. Not this time. 🙂

[tankgod82]

Sounds like a great trip. I am still trying to get another one in this season.

[naturist]

Given the stove lit and burned well, there are three likely reasons the fridge didn't light: (1) the gas lines were full of air from the stove area to the fridge, and one light sequence didn't clear them; (2) the burner has wasp nests, spider webs, or general crud in it; (3) the thermocouple is bad. The first requires a couple light attempts to clear, the second requires poking a stick up in there and clearing out the rubbish, and the third, replacement of the thermocouple, which is cheap and easy to do.

Sounds like a great trip anyway, glad you and your dad enjoyed yourselves. And here's to many more great trips over the coming years.

[Beartoo]

Sounds like a great weekend for both of youm Hope the next time the fish show up.
Keep camping.

[fallsrider]

Yes, the frig is also electric. It switches back and forth automatically. When we stopped for our first break, the check light was on. We played with it a few minutes, but it would not light. The fridge worked great on electric, though, once we got to the CG.

[Yardvarkers]

Dometic's thermocouple may be dirty and the burner may need the crud cleaned out of it. Quite easy actually and simple. Is it also electric??