Steamguy
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Joined 23 years ago
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Re: Won't someone please make rugged small trailers??
A few years ago, Northwood made a tough-as-rocks small trailer called the Freelance. I remember looking at one, and could tell it would stand up to a real beating. You should be able to find a used one in good shape. They quit making them, due to lack of demand. I found a bit about them HERE, and it looks like they have some kind of a Facebook group HERE. Hope that helps you.396Views0likes0CommentsRe: Travel Trailer for the long haul
Another voice for Northwood / Arctic Fox. We had an AF for 14 years; took it everywhere, rough roads, long trips. Never any problem, the trailer was still solid when we traded it in on another Northwood product - a Snow River. We expect the same longevity out of this one.566Views0likes0CommentsAnyone here have a handicap assist system installed?
My wife had an accident and then back surgery but that isn't keeping her from wanting to continue going out camping, now that she's mobile again. Her main problem is that she has trouble lifting and aligning her feet to go up and down our trailer steps. At her current rate of improvement, it will be quite some time yet before she can do stairs really well and with confidence. I want to help her enjoy things as much as I do, and to not feel restricted. So here's my question. We've seen some 'elevator' systems online, and were wondering if anyone here has one installed, and how you like it. She particularly liked one that looks like a liftgate for a truck. It has a handle and a secure, flat place for her to stand to enter and exit, so next to no barrier to stepping on and off. Our trailer frame and wall sructure can take the mount OK, (it's one of those stout Northwood units) but I'd sure like some advice from someone who has one of these elevators installed; such as how much to expect to pay for an installed cost, what kind of maintenance it requires, and has it been reliable for you. Thanks to all who can help.1.2KViews0likes3CommentsRe: Front windows on Trailer leak or not?
We had a 2000 Arctic Fox for 14 years, our front window had a rock guard over it and the window could be opened (which we almost always did); never had a single leak from it. And we camp in winter and in a part of the country where there can be some long hours of rain.819Views0likes0CommentsRe: Where is the fresh water drain? 2005 22H Artic Fox Northwood
I have an old "Child-size" garden rake tool that has three tines on it and a short handle. (Maybe it was a toy?) Even so, it works perfect to grab the knife handle and pull. I think they even still sell them at some hardware stores.807Views0likes0CommentsRe: Took our Arctic Fox out today
As the past owner of a 26J, I can congratulate you on your taste; you have a great trailer there! We loved and used ours for 14 years. Many, many miles in the mirror, not on perfect roads either. But it stood up GREAT, so much better than our other travel trailers... Do you have the booth dinette, or the free-standing table? Meanwhile, I would suggest checking out the Northwood forum, the link is a couple posts above mine.500Views0likes0CommentsRe: TT without wardrobe cabinets next to master bed
Maybe I can help. My wife is claustrophobic, and she does best with a "walk-around" bed. She has told me that as long as she can see an 'escape route' on her side of the bed, she's okay. The last three trailers we've owned, we've made sure that she can see her way out to the main living area from the bedroom while lying down. Do your looking based on that, then only show her what fits the above. Start with this, only then show her anything that doesn't marginally fit. Different people react differently, because they see things differently. For instance, we've been in a couple 5th wheels, and she couldn't get out fast enough. Hope that helps. Good luck with it.823Views0likes0CommentsRe: how long do propane rubber hoses last?
There's also an O-ring on the fitting that screws into the tank that can go bad. With 12 years on our old trailer, I found a problem with one, so I disconnected everything and took it to a fireplace/barbecue dealer. Walked out with everything new and ready to reinstall for about $50-$60. Much easier than trying to puzzle out hoses and stuff at a big box store.728Views0likes0CommentsRe: In the snow- tanks below freezing
You'll be OK. Long time ago we had a 'new generation' Prowler (not built as well as the old ones), and were staying in the Grand Tetons one night. I knew the tanks were close to full, and went to get in line to dump them. There were, no kidding, 25 rigs in line. One-holer dump station. I figured I'd be waiting there until long after dark, not my favorite time to set up - especially in an unfamiliar campground. So we found our spot and set up anyway, and just minimized our water use. It was 50° that afternoon, and in the low 40s when we went to bed after looking at the beautiful, beautiful starry evening; I got up during the night and started the furnace because it was starting to get REALLY cold in the trailer. When I went out the next morning to walk the dogs, my nose prickled like it was REALLY cold. And it was. -2°. Holey cow. I'd left the truck hooked up because we were going to be traveling the next day, and it was 7:30 AM when we got done with breakfast, and knowing the gray was full, we left the dishes to sit and got about leaving. I got to the dump station and pulled the handle - NOTHING from the gray tank. Black flowed just fine. Scratched my head, said, "Well okay, can't do anything, and it'll thaw in a couple hours", so away we went. Along about 12:30 we'd been traveling about 4 hours and the outside temperature was back in the high 40s; we found a place where we could dump the gray, and it dumped just fine. No harm done. But I'll never try that test again... Current trailer is 4-season with enclosed and heated tanks.410Views0likes0CommentsRe: Crazy cheap Eaz-Lift Trekker WD hitch (feed back wanted)
I have a 1000# Trekker and am really pleased with it. There's no place I go where the wind isn't blowing at some point along the journey (see where I live), and this hitch has performed beyond my expectations. I've been through thunderstorms with high gusting side winds, and even though I slowed down with the rest of the traffic, there was no problem. I came from a Reese Dual-Cam (the older style) so I have a pretty good basis for comparison. One thing I like about this hitch is if you're going into slippery conditions, you can back off the amount of sway control and help keep things better under your control. My trailer is 30' long, weighs about 7000# ready to go, so it's a pretty good test. Hope that helps you...350Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Feb 06, 202544,025 Posts
