Newbie from Iowa

[steve dunham]

Funny Steve, yeah i get it.

There are days in the winter when it’s 20 to 30 below here in Northern Wisconsin where the temps in Southern Iowa are in the 30’s . That’s 50 degrees warmer which works for us
We tried going south for 3 winter but the heat and humidity were too much for us
We find Iowa & Southern Illinois to be just about perfect
Dixon Springs SP in southern Illinois is really nice in late February—Early March
Nice park , plenty of available sites , no bugs , the only bad thing is the swimming pool is closed .
We are currently camped at Pilot Knob SP in Forest City Iowa , you couldn’t ask for nicer weather - high today 71 deg with a nice breeze .

 

[UncleTim]

You’re all too late. Johnny called me Tuesday afternoon. My iPhone battery went from 87 to 37 percent during the short call where I did 97% of the talking. In my retirement job I delivered turf grass and ball field products many times to the school districts in his area in SE Iowa. I always took some fertilizer along.
Iowa Dave

What form was the fertilizer in? Words?

 

[h2owmn]

Sandpoint is a beautiful spot. I took my kids camping there in about '90.

 

[Iowa Dave]

Pilot Knob

There are days in the winter when it’s 20 to 30 below here in Northern Wisconsin where the temps in Southern Iowa are in the 30’s . That’s 50 degrees warmer which works for us
We tried going south for 3 winter but the heat and humidity were too much for us
We find Iowa & Southern Illinois to be just about perfect
Dixon Springs SP in southern Illinois is really nice in late February—Early March
Nice park , plenty of available sites , no bugs , the only bad thing is the swimming pool is closed .
We are currently camped at Pilot Knob SP in Forest City Iowa , you couldn’t ask for nicer weather - high today 71 deg with a nice breeze .

Hi Steve
You should mention that Forest City is the original home of Winnebagno campers and motor homes . An acquaintance of mine had one. Seven people took off for southern Iowa one icy day. An oncoming truck on a two lane road had an empty semi trailer break loose and swing around. The T-Bone pushed about every rib all the way back to the rear of the motor home. Killed 6 people. They were on their way to Mt Pleasant for a meeting to plan the annual Old Threshers Reunion. If you’re ever in extreme SE Iowa near Lacey Keosauqua state park, don’t miss a trip to Canttil Iowa on Highway 2. There you will find The Old Dutchman’s Store.
Make yourself an ice cream like this for $.75. Weighed exactly one pound on the bulk candy scale. For us it’s about an hour and a half drive and a good day trip if we’re having an open winter, more and more of those it seems.
Iowa Dave

 

[Ronn]

We are currently camped at Pilot Knob SP in Forest City Iowa , you couldn’t ask for nicer weather - high today 71 deg with a nice breeze .

Hi Steve, in June we stayed in at the city park in Forest City (Pammel Park Campground). Enjoyed our stay but wish the Winnebago factory had been giving tours (no tours due to Covid).

 

[steve dunham]

Hi Steve, in June we stayed in at the city park in Forest City (Pammel Park Campground). Enjoyed our stay but wish the Winnebago factory had been giving tours (no tours due to Covid).

Hi Ronn , we took a drive around Forest City this morning and were impressed how clean and well maintained the city was .
There were several places in Forest City we wanted to tour / visit but unfortunately they were not open to the public at this time.
In my opinion Iowa is the overlooked gem of the midwest
Three nights at Pilot Knob SP was the same cost as one night at a Wisconsin SP which satisfies my frugal nature perfectly .

 

[Ronn]

Hello, 19' footer to be ready April 15. Anyone and everyone can you give me your top 5 options. Thx !

Back to your question Johnny. Not 5, my A list has 11 items

These Ranking are Based on our personal value NOT dollar value
A Options / Mods Must for us
B Would get Unless on a tight budget
C Nice to have
D Questionable Benefit
F Would Not Do Again

These Would Do Again but can not attest to the benefit
Extra Insulation
Removable Cord
Spray Foam
Surge Protector
Didn’t Do BUT would do if ordered again
Solar Port
Didn’t Do Don’t Miss
foot flush toilet
A Lagun
Outside dish washing station (Pass side shower)
Soar / dual 6 volt batteries
Rear View Camera (back up camera)
Air Conditioning
Split Rear Bench
Counter Extension and Electric Outlet at step (5.0)
Medicine Cabinet Bungees
Starter Kit
Leveling Blocks
Starter Kit
B Counter Extension by Sink
Inverter
Top Step Hinged 5.0
Front Hatch Opened Up (5.0)
Rear Seat Extension
Bath window
Exterior Hatch
U-Shaped Dinette
All 4 corners cut on table
Full Wrap Cushions
White Belly Band
ETI Step Stool
Spring Loaded Storeage Bars
C Screen Door Knob
Larger Sink
Aluminum Wheels
Custom Graphics (Name)
Sand Pads
D Refrigerator Fan
F TV / Cable Ready
Counter Extension in dinette

 

[johnnyv]

wow thx Ronn, pretty comprehensive list !

 

[Meandering Minstrel]

Tongue storage box.
Solar panel & controller.
Large refrigerator.
Backup camera (use it more than we thought, especially while on the road as someone else mentioned).
Exterior "showers"

 

[Iowa Dave]

One thing

One thing we don’t have that I would like is the light mounted just below the belly band to illuminate the contents of the front storage box. Always looked real handy to me. On that note I also coveted the strap on your head headlamp worn by some campers. I had a couple that clamp on my hat bill but they weren’t that handy or that bright. But I fixed that desire this spring with a Princeton headlamp that I got with credit card points money and I’ve used it all summer. Still going strong on the three original batteries (AAAs) so I’m glad I did not go for a rechargeable unit. Ain’t those LEDs something?

My short list of options that we use a lot
Front Box
Air conditioning
EMS surge protection
Dual 6V batteries and 170 solar
Extra exterior access door.

Not options but good to have
Sherline tongue Scale 1,000 lb dial
Manometer
Tire pressure monitors
Tread depth gauge for tires
Tire pressure gauge ( towing or not)
Plug in the 12 volt outlet battery voltage reader
Multimeter
Spare fuses
1/2 inch drive Torque wrench with 3 inch extension and 13/16 socket.
12 v inflator
Bottle jack (2 or 3 ton)
Couple of 5 gallon water jugs
Cable TV coax cable ( rainy night in Georgia)
Small lightweight tarp (covers your firewood)
Foam Kneeling pad (for aging knees)
Roll of blue shop towels
16 oz MF Ball peen hammer
Big heavy screwdriver
1/2 inch drive ratchet with sockets for bigger nuts
1/4 inch drive socket set
#2 Robertson screwdriver (#2 square tip)
Assorted hand tools including a pair of Medium channelocks
Thermacell mosquito repellers with refills
First aid kit
Spare door key hid on the trailer.
Spare tow vehicle key in the trailer.
Spare ring of camper keys in the tow vehicle.
Roll of quarters for pay showers
Credit card with plenty of freeboard
You’ll add to or take away depending on your camping style
Iowa Dave

 

[Bill and Earline]

You forgot the adjustable locking tent pole.

 

[Iowa Dave]

Accessories

Yes I did. Also a camper wash down hose with nozzle along with a Camp host lookout whose voice travels well in the woods.
And a good pocket knife so you can use your Totin’ chip Eagle Scout skills to whittle a faucet handle for a poorly maintained lavatory in a Corps of Engineers campground.
Iowa Dave

 

[johnnyv]

Thx Dave, that's the beauty of seven month build wait. Plenty of time to build toolbox. Thx for any and all tips. Your neighbor,...johnny v

 

[johnnyv]

U2 Bill & Earline !