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Where has the Potable Water gone in the NF Campgrounds
Has anyone else noticed that many NF campgrounds that DID have Potable Water in the campground no longer provide water? I have been planning our August-September trip to Southern Wyoming and Colorado and I have been reviewing the NF Campground web pages to make sure they were currently open... I keep coming across "Notices" stating that there is "No Potable Water since June or July of 2017". Some campgrounds that we have previously camped at in 2016 no longer provide Potable Water. These water spigots are inside the campgrounds, not at dump stations ... Anyone know why this is happening? Are these notices true or some left-over notices from the 2017 season? Anyone camped in Snowy Range campgrounds this summer? Specifically, Sugarloaf or Brooklyn Lake, or other NF campgrounds that have shut down the potable water supply? Thanks!2.2KViews0likes18CommentsRe: Advice on taking an Amerilite 21MB to Alaska
Passin, you mention "no-seeums". I HATE those things and they LOVE me!! We find them in Florida...nothing I use in the way of sprays seem to help. What is your best defense against them? Do bug hats really help? What about the rest of your body? I expected Mosquitoes but I was not aware that no-seeums had made that trip north.... I was a hunter most of my life and I can tolerate most bugs but those things are from Satan himself!!510Views0likes0CommentsRe: Advice on taking an Amerilite 21MB to Alaska
I will take another look at upgrade on the axles. Would E-Z Flex system really help? I have not really looked at that system. Last year, after taking measurements and getting some advice from the Forums I determined that the wheel wells on this trailer were not large enough for an axle upgrade or 14" wheels. Back in 1971 when I was 17 my Dad took all four of my family up the Alcan in his '66 F250 with a truck camper and pulled a utility trailer with two dirt bikes on it. Because that utility trailer did not have an axle up to the challenge it kept bending and due to the road heaves in Alaska it finally broke. I realize that that old Alcan Hwy was all gravel and much rougher but it was the heaves on the paved roads in Alaska that dealt the death blow to that trailer. We had it welded and patched up but it did teach me the importance of not overloading axles...thus these inquires. I love this Forum as I always get good help and advice!509Views0likes0CommentsRe: Advice on taking an Amerilite 21MB to Alaska
I do appreciate the advice! I did look into replacing the axle/wheels but it appeared that the clearances would not work, also it appeared to be rather expensive and as such would be good money after bad...so to speak. I think that we will just plan to proceed with this rig and take it slow and easy....which is our preference anyway. We plan on being Alaska 3-4 weeks and any advice on what time of the summer to go would also be appreciated....arrive around May 15 or July 15??510Views0likes0CommentsRe: Advice on taking an Amerilite 21MB to Alaska
Thanks for such quick replies!! The advice from each of you is what I was looking for so I will address each reply: Romore, we tried to pack light on our trip West last summer, but that trailer sure felt heavy when crossing the Rockies! I tried to keep most of the extra weight in the truck (spare tires, gas, and water ect.) but I guess I took too much. The 5.7 Ram with 3.92 axle just barely pulled us up to Grand Mesa in Colorado...shifting into first several times. After tire trouble on that trip (and advice from this Forum) I now have Michelin Defender E rated tires...I know that this Ram is just a 1500 with weight limits but I now feel more secure in the tires. Romore, since you are from that area of the world and I suppose have traveled the Alcan, what are the essentials that I should not leave home without?? Most online advice comes from RVers with motorhomes or 3/4+ ton tow vehicles and not 1/2 ton trucks. Wayne, I guess I am a little concerned about the "heaves"...we hit a few of those last summer in the Western U.S. and they were not marked...one even brought our front wheels off of the pavement...and I never saw it coming. If those in Alaska and on the Alcan Highway are marked that will be a great help!! Chuck my concern with this camper has always been overloading those little axles and tires...did you experience any problems with your Amerilite 21MB? Thanks!!227Views0likes0CommentsAdvice on taking an Amerilite 21MB to Alaska
Hello Friends!! We have a 2004 Amerilite by Gulfstream light weight tag-along. We wish to travel from SC to Alaska next summer with this camper. Last year we did the West coast without any problems (I replaced the suspension components with heavier shackles and busings with sert fitting, brake system, wheel bearings and purchased new Maxxis radial tires before that 9000 mile trip). We have had problems with this camper leaking causing rotted wood and have repaired it all....I think....but I am also concerned about the structural integrity....somewhat.... My main concern and question relates to the overall ability of this camper to withstand a trip up the Alcan Highway and the Alaskan roads....specifically related to the pavement dips that seem to cause so much trouble for RVers. This Amerilite has two 3000lb axles on 13" wheels and 7" brakes which is supposed to allow a GVWR of 4340lbs. I am confident that when we fully load this camper with water, both full LP tanks, food, clothing and all of the other camping items necessary it will be at or over that max GVWR. Obviously, my choice would be to upgrade to a better built heavier camper, but our budget simply will not allow that. We bought this Amerilte in 2005 because our Ford Explorer could handle that weight. We now use a Ram 1500 with the 5.7 V8 as our tow vehicle so we could easily tow a better camper, but like I mentioned, it ain't happening in the near future....not if we make our bucket-list Alaskan trip next summer....and since we are retired and already have some health problems we feel like making this trip is now or never....so an advice is surely appreciated!!!6.4KViews0likes22CommentsRe: Best for Alaska Hwy trip my OEM 20" rims or get 17" rims
Thanks BillyW...I am considering that BFG K02 but I keep reading somewhat bad reviews on it....in fact I seem to be reading bad reviews on all brands and models of tires...nothing seems to stand out as #1 like Michelin used to do...at any price point! I thought that my Cooper Discoverer HT PLUS tires were garbage but now I think that they are just typical. Two of the four of my Cooper tires had separated cores within two weeks and had to be replaced, and then they all wore out in under 30K miles....but it seems that may be the norm now...especially mounted on Rams. Do you feel like the AT tire will give you more puncture protection??513Views0likes0CommentsRe: Best for Alaska Hwy trip my OEM 20" rims or get 17" rims
Austin you are correct, those Goodyear SR-A that are E rated are the 265/60R20...which is an alternate size that I was considering along with the 275/65R20...I read the quote incorrectly...but after reading many reviews I do not think that it is the tire I want.... Thanks to all of you for great advice and information!! You have given me a lot to consider! I think I will stick with the 20's and find the right tire for my needs...it occurred to me that if I change rims I also have to buy a different spare and another second spare tire... Gritdog I can run 285/60R20, or so I am told...I have not looked for those so I will do so...thanks! If I go with the LT265/60R20 the tire guy I have talked with said that I can get the Michelin Defender LTX MS in E rated for about $240 per tire, the Toyo Open Country AT II in E rated for $279 per tire, or I can drop down to the load range 119 XL rated tires for about $160-230 per tire, depending on All Season or All Terrain...in my OEM size. There are a LOT of tires for sale out there!!!513Views0likes0CommentsRe: Best for Alaska Hwy trip my OEM 20" rims or get 17" rims
The tire dealer I have been talking to has a set of take-offs in the Goodyear Wrangler SR-A in my 275/60 R20 E rated tire...with 400 miles on them. His "drive-out" price including Road-Force balancing is $740... I know NOTHING about this tire, has anyone run one and would you recommend them? In the past I have found that tires that come OEM on a car or truck are garbage and I have always had to replace them soon...almost like they were a cheaper tire than the same tire if purchased from the tire dealer....any comments?? If I were to look for take-offs that included the rims, where is the best place to look? My tire dealer does not have any... Running a 60 low profile tire is one of the reasons I was considering going to a 17" rim so that I could purchase 70 series tires...However, if I consider the 275/65 R20 then it would be a "higher" sidewall tire than the 60's...would that help when puncture resistance is considered?? My family took the Alcan Hwy back in 1971...my Dad had a '66 F250 with a cab-over truck camper on it. The unpaved Alcon was about 1150 miles one way...I was 17 and a fairly new driver...and when it was my turn to drive I learned to avoid the large rock-slinging trucks and pot holes very quickly !! As a driver I grew up fast on that road as that road was incredible....rough, dusty and slick when wet!! But my Dad went back in 1989 with the same camper but a newer F250 and most of it was paved by then (less 300 miles as I remember he said). Now, I am dying to go back and take my wife...I wish I could afford a HD truck but what I have is what I must use for now, so THANKS for all of the great advice and help!!514Views0likes0CommentsRe: Best for Alaska Hwy trip my OEM 20" rims or get 17" rims
An 18" might be a great choice. I have been watching CraigsList for Dodge Ram 17" which was the OEM Standard rim...I will check into 18" also, I am not sure when or if Dodge began using 18" rims, anyone know? One problem I have run into is trying to determine if rims that came on Rams after 2012 will fit onto a 2007. The bolt pattern and Hub Bore are apparently the same but the lug bolts went from 9/16" (like the 2007) to M14...so I am unsure if the lug bolt holes in the wheels are large enough to fit onto a 9/16" lug bolt.... Anyone know for sure? Thanks!239Views0likes0Comments
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