CAMPGROUNDS / RV PARKS
Royalwood RV Park, Chilliwack, BC
Capilano RV Park, Vancouver, BC
Tolt Mc Donald County Park, WA
Cackamette County Park, OR
Diamond Lake Campground, Idleyld Park, OR
Mazama Campground, Crater Lake, OR
Sunset Harbor RV Park, Crescent City, CA
Del Norte Coast, Redwoods State Park, CA
Char-Ae Heights Casino, Trinidad, CA
Coyote Valley Casino, CA
Sonoma County Fairgrounds RV Park, Santa Rosa, CA
Trailer Haven, San Leandro, CA
Mono Vista RV Park, Lee Vining, CA
Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, NV
Wire Mesa BLM, Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway, UT
Quality Inn RV Campground at Zion Park, Springdale, UT
FR 307 Dispersed Area BLM Campground, AZ
Mather Campground, Grand Canyon, AZ
Moon Meadows RV Park, Saint Johns, AZ
Tumble Inn, Marfa, TX
TRUCK PERFORMANCE
Good acceleration uphill while towing, no downshifting. “Chugging" has seemed to disappear after breaking-in the engine. It was hard to see around trailer without mirror extensions, but not a huge problem for me. It took some getting use to. Overall a very comfy tow, with good performance. Actually, I really enjoyed the whole process of hitching and towing to the next destination. After all, it was a honeymoon with two new rigs!
TOTALS
Non-towing mileage: 3030.5
Non-towing mpg: 22.8
Towing mileage: 3599.1
Towing mpg: 15.4
Combined mileage: 6629.6
Combined mpg: 18.3
Im a little unimpressed with the MPG. I think these numbers could have been a little better. But we got hit with some strong cross and head winds the whole last leg of our trip through Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
DISLIKES
- No fan in the bathroom. With all that moisture it can be a bit steamy in there on hot days.
- Plastic pieces that hold tension on the pleated blinds. Had two of them break, and several others were already broken or chipped when i picked up the trailer. Very weak and poorly designed, IMO.
- No 2-way water heater. Even though we never ran out of propane, I feel like this is a good option to have.
- No propane automatic switch-over. I thought this was standard, but apparently not.
- Would have liked another 12v outlet in the rear of the trailer, near the bed.
- The grey water tank takes a very long time to drain.
- Table pedestal. I take the blame for cracking the bases on our journey through a rough byway, but they are very cheap and flimsy.
- 3-burner stove. Would prefer the two-burner since it takes up less counter space.
LIKES
- Front storage box. No explanation needed here.
- AC works VERY well, even when it was 100+ in Marfa, TX.
- After reading about all the frustration with the newer Dometic fridges, I was very nervous that we were going to have a lot of trouble with ours. We have the older 4.3, 2510 model. Even though it takes a long time to cool, it held up quite well in the warmer temps.
- Oversized rear storage hatch. It fits my large, portable solar suitcase no problem and plenty room for all my other gear.
- Care-free awning. I deploy it every chance I get.
- Window above kitchen sink. Adds more light and openness to the inside of the trailer.
- Soft-touch vinyl. Even after 6 years, the vinyl has very little to no wear. However, it is sagging in the front of the trailer above the dinette.
- Towabiity. Very smooth, even through some rough crosswinds in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. I never felt like it was imbalanced or uncontrolled.
- Overall fit and finish. I spent some time really studying the details, inside and out. It really is a beautiful piece of work with some outstanding craftsmanship. I feel confident using it.
SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS
USA vs Nigeria match at BC Place. Very fun game and a beautiful arena. I successfully resisted the urge to pay $15 for a 20oz Budweiser.
Eating ice cream and walking through Stanley Park with my wife on my birthday.
Towing through downtown Vancouver on a Saturday afternoon during the FIFA Cup. It took over an hour to go 7 miles, and was my second time towing.
Shucking oysters for the first time while boondocking in a Walmart parking lot, after leaving Pikes Market in Seattle. It was messy, and a chore to keep pieces of oyster and sediment from going down the drain.
Being told I had to pay import duty tax when crossing the border back into the U.S. My paperwork was passed to four different officers, all with a different opinion on how to import a used trailer. Fortunately we made it through without too much hassle and without paying import tax. Registering with Travis County in Texas is a whole ‘nother story.
Getting kicked out of a State Park on the PCH due to over-capacity. An officer directed us to a turnout, up the side of a steep, foggy mountain! I was navigating hairpin turns and I could barely see 10ft in head of me.
Just looking at Crater Lake.
Just looking at the Grand Canyon.
Towing through Sonora Pass in California, brakes smoking down a 26% grade. Pretty scary moment.
Towing through the Smithsonian Back Country Byway. Very rough and steep road. The prize was a beautiful, secluded, free campground with internet access!
BLM Camping right outside of the Grand Canyon, surrounded by (controlled) fires. We were miles away of course, but the smell of smoke was very strong!
Coming within 15ft of a brown bear in Yosemite. Then the roads were closed from over a foot of snowfall!
Attached are the routes we took, there and back. I could share much more, but I have to stop at some point...