Dfresh
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Joined 11 years ago
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Re: Over nite at truckstops
Only stayed overnight in a truck stop once. It was in Minnesota, in the middle of nowhere, where there were literally no campgrounds (of any type) around for another 100km, at 9pm, with 2 young kids. We were running slow, and didn't make it nearly as far as I'd hoped, and this was the only option. Parked in the farthest back corner, and still woke up to a big rig parked so close I could barely open the tt door. It was noisy, but considering how tired we all were after 14hrs on the road, we slept pretty well. Filled up with gas in the morning and drove on.338Views0likes0CommentsRe: Fall trippin is good trippin
In the midst of planning our trip through Yellowstone, on our way back to Ontario from Alberta, and found that several sections of the loop road inside Yellowstone will be closing in early, or mid Sept. At the bottom end of the loop, (where it would be easiest to get from Fishing Bridge Campground, to Old Faithful) will be closed Sept. 1 for a bridge replacement. Going to make for a more difficult trip when we go, but I don't feel like changing destinations at this point. Figured it might be a good FYI as well, but just below Mammoth inside the park, that section of the loop road will be closed for the season as of Sept. 16. Getting around would be hard after that, luckily for us we'll be leaving before the 16th so that closed portion wont effect us.213Views0likes0CommentsRe: Forest fire causing closures in Banff National Park, Alberta
Yeah it's super up here. Haven't been able to see the mountains from town in nearly a week for the haze. Air quality isn't great either, which is not cool, when its this hot. Pretty much have to open all the windows at night to cool the house down. Hope it rains soon.305Views0likes0CommentsRe: Mini Van Camping Road Trip East Coast to Rockies
A number of companies are making tents for the back of SUV's, pick-up trucks, etc... for example... http://www.tentsontrucks.com/SUV-Minivan.htm They seem like a decent way to incorporate the vehicle, and it's amenities (radio, 12v power) into a tent. A quick Google search brings up several different companies.632Views0likes0CommentsRe: "Flawless,excellent, clean" RANT
When we first started looking at buying our first TT, we went and checked out a few at a local dealership. Junk. Dirty, worn out, abused, junk. Priced like gold bouillon. As we looked farther and farther a field, we were only looking at new units, as I just didn't need another project. On one trip to a dealership, I had only been to previously once, we were looking at new units, and were unimpressed by both the quality and price. The sales guy suggested we take a look at the only used unit they had left. Since we were already there, it wasn't going to hurt. But I didn't have high expectations. That's the TT we currently own and enjoy. 5 years old, and I could tell the instant we walked in the door, it'd barely been used at all. Got a good price, and other than a few minor issues that I've fixed myself. We're happy with it. But this is after a number of trips to a variety of dealerships, scouring the internet for reviews, used sales ads, visiting a RV show... Takes time. Not always a commodity people have lots of.521Views0likes0CommentsRe: Do you subscribe to satellite radio? Favorite programs?
Wow... lotta country folk... Guess I'm an oddity, but I'm on Ozzy's Boneyard the majority of the time, Lithium, and 90's on 9 at times. Blue Collar Comedy when I'm done with music for a bit. I used to love Hockey Night in Canada Radio, but they moved it into the premium pkg, and I just won't pay extra for something in a yearly subscription, that is only worth listening to for 6 or 7 months of the year.308Views0likes0CommentsRe: Furnace without generator
Only recently tried a "dry" camp trip, and was reluctant to run the furnace through the night. However being Alberta and "spring" (also known sometimes as 2nd winter) with 2 young kids, I needed to have the heat on. I also do not have a generator. It worked just fine. With a few minor details. The first being I had left the furnace off until I went to bed which was well after midnight, then I turned it on. We had a solar kit installed when we bought the unit, so even late into the evening (sun doesn't set until well after 10pm around here this time of year, and is rising by 5:30am most mornings) the batteries are pulling a charge. I have also replaced all the light bulbs in the unit with LEDs, but even still we only had one light on when we were inside which wasn't often after the kids were in bed. My wife also boiled a kettle of water on the stove for a cup of tea, and heated some water in a pot for doing the dishes after dinner, which threw enough heat into the camper, that even after I turned the furnace on, it didn't come on for roughly an hour. I keep the furnace at 60f and it is sufficiently warm for both us and the kids, but not so warm to require a whole night of running. This was pretty much the same thing for both nights we were out, and they were mostly sunny cloud free days. Overnight temps dropped into single digits celcius, but up near 20c during the days. Perfect camping weather in my opinion.427Views0likes0CommentsRe: Drinking water on Alberta rte 40?
I'd say its more of a safety thing than a guarantee of contamination. It's spring run off time in my area (Hinton/Grand Cache/Jasper) which usually means dirty water. As someone mentioned there is a fill up from municipal water (and a dump station) behind the CDN Tire in Hinton. As well as a dump station and fill location at the Hinton Center Campground right in the heart of town. Not sure about Grand Cache, but that whole corridor is very busy with RVr's so I'm sure there is something there in town. Stop at their Recreation Center and ask. There is also Gregg Lake Campground, part of William A. Switzer Provincial Park, which has water and electric hook up sites, and is still outside of Hinton. Uncertain as to the water quality in Gregg, as I haven't been up there yet this year.347Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gas Mileage for F150 5.4
I'm pulling a larger unit (2009 Conquest 295BHS), but I'm getting anywhere from 25L/100km to 20L/100km or 9-11 MPG with my 2010 F-150 5.4 Crew. Really depends on where (hills or flats) you're pulling. Since I live in western Alberta I generally expect the crappier side of fuel mileage due to the whole mountains thing in this area.229Views0likes0Comments
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