A128S Converted from ALINER Ranger

[ko777]

Here are a couple things I have ordered online for my rig kit:

Xhose, so compact, it is so easy to use and store: https://www.xhose.com/
The ends are made of plastic so be gentle when tightening them.

Tent shelter on sale:http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...aspx?a=1157591
I'll use this when I don't set up the screen room

Bal Leveler:http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...r.aspx?a=74223
Nice to have and easy to store in the front storage

I better start camping and stop shopping...lol

All of the electrical devices and outlets, battery functionality of my rig are working fine. My rig is now ready for my trip this weekend.

Spring camping here I go....

[Tinsu]

Ko777 take a few pics of your camping set up. Have fun.

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by ko777

Spring camping here I go....

Nice setup accessories. I am still waiting on my rig and am getting antsy. My camping this weekend will be in a tent.

[ko777]

Originally Posted by Pooneil

Nice setup accessories. I am still waiting on my rig and am getting antsy. My camping this weekend will be in a tent.

But you love camping no matter what...lol

I got the Xhose in the mail and learned a lesson of not ordering the 50 ft:
very easy to get the water out before storage
I got the 25 ft, turn on the water to stretch it and when the water pressure goes off the hose, it shrinks, this made it too short for my purpose. The only way the water pressure is maintain if there is a water gun at the end. Oh well it is small and easy to store in my travel kit.

If you get one of this, order 50ft or more...lol

Here is my solution of my short Xhose, extend it with the 25 ft white hose:


See the difference when hanging them to dry:


Problem solved...lol

[Cattledog]

Is that the pocket hose or whatever they’re calling it. It is supposed to shrink to a manageable size when you turn the water off? I bought one of those for my raised bed veggie garden today please tell me it works!

[ko777]

Originally Posted by Cattledog

Is that the pocket hose or whatever they’re calling it. It is supposed to shrink to a manageable size when you turn the water off? I bought one of those for my raised bed veggie garden today please tell me it works!

Called Xhose, and yes it works, I just tested it today, but be very gentle to it. I've seen it in the Internet when tightening the hose, it cracks because it is made of plastic. Also, do not expose to sun too long...I store it in my storage and I make sure I drained all the water from it by hanging. I like it so far, very light and compact.

[ependydad]

I noticed you had it hooked to a white hose- white typically means drinking water. These "pocket hoses" are usually not designed for drinking water applications (regardless of my entire childhood spent drinking from the garden hose! ).

I want a pocket hose (or X-hose as you have) for my black water flushes. Right now I carry a hodgepodge of green hoses and it'd be nice to replace them with 2 or 3 pocket hoses.

[ko777]

I know, I have both hoses now in my RV travel kit, I had to use the white hose because I ordered the shortest Xhose...since I don't drink the water from my RV tank, I used it to fill my tank.

[Cattledog]

Thanks ko777 makes me feel better but the lawn tractor will likely get it before the sun.

[ko777]

I learned something about the lifetime warranty offered by FR from a thread here. I called them the other day, after several department transfers in their system, I got Sam, the warranty guy for our A-Frame. He gave me permission to go ahead purchasing it even after several months because my dealer did not mentioned it. He emailed me the instruction on how to proceed with this form:

For $100 I think it is worth it, my bumper to bumper warranty is only good for 7 years and I planned to keep my A128S forever. The lifetime warranty is only for the original owner.

I just joined the CAA auto club and included the RV option. I hope with all the extra insurance and warranty I got for my rig, I don't have to worry about future major RV problems.

Let's be safe on our travels and enjoy the wonders of camping!

[Pooneil]

I am sure the Xhose would be just fine for filling the tank. The problem with regular hoses is the collection of chemicals when the water is stagnant not while water is running. If running water through any hose could collect a noticeable "flavor" the hose would likely express enough chemicals to dissolve in a few months of regular home use.

I routinely filled my Niagara tank at home from a garden hose after flushing the old water out. Just like when drinking from a hose as a kid, you can tell when it is flushed because the water temperature changes. If you drain the hose, then flushing only takes a few seconds of flow. That is what I always do with all hoses at camp anyway.

They are selling them at my local HEB grocery and probably at the local hardware store. I'll keep an eye out.

[ko777]

Camping at Omemee: My first camping in 2013 season. I'm glad to get out and enjoy the A-Frame type camping, no more tenting after 30 years, awesome.

I went back to my friend's place, an hour and a half away from home. This is like trip #4 I've posted in this thread, last Sept. This is the place I go solo and get to know my trailer and camping stuff. I've learned so much from before and now I mostly just fine tuning the way I set up my trailer, I'll post my setup with pics later.

Did this ever happen to you, everything setup to leave, all I have to do is mount the trailer and go, but no, the TV would not start. I tried to boost it with my booster power pack but failed, the connections was not good. I was smart and lucky to join the auto club last week, called them, they came after 30 mins. After boosting and testing, he gave my a computer report of the TV battery condition. The battery has a bad cell and just my bad luck he ran out of my battery type. He asked me to start the TV, and it started. Since he showed me how to replace the TV battery and I now know how to connect my booster pack, I proceeded on my trip.

It was a nice sunny day, only 1 major accident happened on my way there, 15 minute delay. Got to my site safely. Too many hills and I got only 15 mpg.

Wow reversing the TT is a skill itself, without practice you lose it. It took me close to 30 mins to reverse parking. I almost jackknife twice, no matter what I do it is not going the direction I want it but I made it with no damage to my TT, I kept my cool since there was no one there to laugh at my parking...lol

My 3 days stay was so so because it rained the last 2 days. First day for set up was great. I use my new 2K Generator, in Eco mode, inside the trailer I could hardly hear it when the fun is on or the furnace is on. A full tank last over 12 hours in Eco mode. The microwave worked but Eco mode must be off.

I'm posting this while waiting for the weather to clear. I'm hopping to do a 2 hour bike trip, then break camp and then head home. I hope the screen room dries off before packing it.

Here are the stuff I'll post when I get home and this will remind me todo them:
- Post lots of pics
- Setting up the Screen room without pegs
- Space saving ideas in the trailer
- My big breakfast pics
- load management

Still camping and enjoying it even in bad weather...

[Pooneil]

It sound like a great time. I can identify with the need to commune with your trailer and gear. Looking forward to the full report.

[ko777]

I got good weather this afternoon, so all my plans were done. My bike ride was great and breaking camp went smoothly. The screen room was packed dry too. I had to rush home for the start of my tennis season. I had no problems parking my trailer in my driveway. My A128S did not disappointed me in this trip, every parts worked great and I'm looking forward to the trips ahead.

The only concern I have is my tongue weight is over 60 pounds my ball mount capacity.

[ko777]

Here is my first trip in 2013 picture highlights...

Getting my TT and TV ready for the trip:
I have attached a new 5" rise ball mount with a 3500 lbs and 300 lbs tongue weight capacity.

340 lbs tongue weight(40 lbs over max), mounting was easy

Stop to check TT&TV condition, looking good, TT level is perfect, bike solidly mounted on bike rack

Arrived in one piece but pressure is on, reverse parking, took 30 mins, need more practice

Took 2 tries to level TT but next time I should have my BAL leveler I've ordered and I will enjoy using it for this application

Trip log from my backup GPS, 15 mpg (bad), between 2800 to 3500 rpm, cruise control on

All set up but more stuff to do inside

I just got this order today in the mail and I will use this to replace the front tarp

My next post will show how I set up the screen room without using pegs...

[ko777]

This is how I set up the screen room without using pegs:

2 6.5 ft 2x4 logs under the front and rear stabilizer bar, logs fits perfectly in the front storage for transport. The 12x9 tarp before the rubber mats.

Open the middle screen door instead of removing the front screen wall to install the middle pole. I find it hard to put back the screen wall via the bottom zippers. Use the side screen doors to install all the other poles.

Tie the screen around the log, in place of three pegs and do the same on the other side another three pegs saved. I use this screen side to go in and out

I used two left over floor panels of my kitchen, held down by 15 liter water jugs, tie the screen around the boards, in place of four pegs

The rubber mats are soft, feels nice stepping on it barefooted, also protect feet from stones underneath and save me the sweeping step. This is my dining and cooking area so my bed does not need to be broken for a table

This technique saved me from using a total of 10 pegs and I'll use this type of setup from now on

It took me less than 30 mins to set up the room. I have been setting up the screen room in all my trips and luv it.

The Screen Room is an awesome addition to the FR A-Frame!

[ko777]

Using the BBQ grill to cook breakfast:

Eggs, Bacon, rice, banana and tomato = Big Breakfast

Use the frying pan to cook the bacon, wrap rice in foil, grill set to medium and cover until bacon is cooked

Cook eggs in bacon oil, cover for 3 mins

15 mins later, breakfast is served with coconut drink

My rear propane tank ran out empty so this is how I improvised not using the propane stove to cook the bacon and eggs. The only thing I have to make sure is that I have oven gloves on before handling the pan's handle, almost burn my self a couple of times...lol Actually I'll cook my breakfast this way next time, learned something new...

[ko777]

I should be doing the garden but I decided to checkout my order and practice setting it up for my next trip, http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...aspx?a=1157591
From out of the box to setting it up and packing it back pictures:




Done solo in less than 10 mins


Pack it back w/o the box in less than 7 mins


Only problem is a screw fell off and I can't find it but I had a substitute from my junk. I made sure all the screws/bolts are tight and I'm thinking of wrapping with electric tape so I don't loose anymore.

A good buy, very easy to set up and solid. I'll set this up to cover the front where the bikes and GEN are, also the front storage.

LOL... When will I stop getting stuff for my RV?

I'm still waiting for the BAL leveler I ordered 2 weeks ago.

[thehamguy1]

The answer to when you'll stop buying things for your camper? A week or two before you decide to trade it. Don't ask me how I know...

[handbuilder]

Lee....I am going to ask....how do you know? (holding breath)