in the woods!!

loganmartin · 03-23-2012, 09:17 PM

Sending this from BBerry...camper is awesome. Listening to purple rain...lol. Son and I boondocking. Got the fire rollin' and the smores going down like water. We are in the middle of a couple thousand acres of timber. Thanks to those who spoke of not cranking down the stabilizers...really helps preserve the integrity of the camper when 200+ lbs is walking around.

LM

TURBS · 03-23-2012, 09:18 PM

awesome ! you sending pics tomorrow ?

loganmartin · 03-23-2012, 09:29 PM

My goal is to conquer the photobucket thing. I will do my best to get an avatar and pics up..I know it help paint the picture.

skullskidr · 03-23-2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loganmartin

Thanks to those who spoke of not cranking down the stabilizers...really helps preserve the integrity of the camper when 200+ lbs is walking around.

LM

Huh? I missed this one... My wife and daughter have big feet...please explain. TY

loganmartin · 03-23-2012, 09:55 PM

Basically use the stabilizers but don't make the platform ultra rigid so as to shake or seperate stuff loose.

b1b1das · 03-23-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loganmartin

Basically use the stabilizers but don't make the platform ultra rigid so as to shake or seperate stuff loose.

Enjoy your trip!

As for the quote, am I missing something?

loganmartin · 03-23-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1b1das

Enjoy your trip!

As for the quote, am I missing something?

Sorry..BBery is very sloooooowwww. Just take it for what it is.

thehamguy1 · 03-24-2012, 09:07 AM

Way to go!!! Just dive in and camp the heck out of that thing! I'm jealous; Mar. 31 is opening day for our fav campground. We may have to sneak in ahead of time somehow...

thehamguy1 · 03-26-2012, 09:52 AM

Ok, LM, you've had a campout now. So tell us all about it! We're all anxious to get our own units on the road but until we can we'll hang on every word from those who've been out. I'm hoping to get out next weekend. Help me survive until then!

trudinator · 03-26-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehamguy1

Ok, LM, you've had a campout now. So tell us all about it! We're all anxious to get our own units on the road but until we can we'll hang on every word from those who've been out. I'm hoping to get out next weekend. Help me survive until then!

X2....can't WAIT to get this thing on the road!!! I'm thinking we'll have the typical April weather instead of the beautiful March weather we've been experiencing. Oh well.....at least we'll be camping!

loganmartin · 03-26-2012, 10:19 AM

Ham....no worries. I'll get some free time later today and give a full write up...

loganmartin · 03-26-2012, 07:43 PM

OK..so the maiden voyage was a big success. My son and I headed out to some leased property on the South Fork of the Broad river here in NE Georgia...We're talking about a completely primitive campsite here. Picture a few thousand acres of mixed hardwoods and pine with several creeks, beaver ponds, granite quarry's and a river. The nearest town was Elberton, the "Granite Capitol of the World." These large deposits of granite expose themselves in steep outcroppings and result in good bit of vertical terrain...not to mention crystal clear quarry ponds 100 ft. deep.

The biggest obstacle in reaching the campsite was the entrance to the camp road. It was about a 2' deep by 2' wide ditch. I had prepared for this crossing by bring 8 of the prepackaged firewood that comes in the red nylon bags. It made the perfect land bridge to keep the camper from harm and allow access to the camp. It was a bit of a hassle but worth the trouble.

A few random thoughts on the camper:

1. I have ALOT to learn about the systems and how to get the highest efficiency out of them. I have a basic understanding but I will learn alot more in my driveway this week.

2. The unit is just airtight enough. I found a few things I need to tweak as far as the gaskets are concerned but I like that it will breath a little too.

3. We did not even use the furnace Sat. night when it got down to 50 degrees...Beats the heck out of a tent! It is also nice to roll out of bed in your underwear and throw the percolator on the stove...ahhhh the luxury of it all.

4. I crawled beneath the camper some more and decided I wanted to spray the underside with some of the aerosol bedliner coating. I wonder if it will adhere to wood?

5. I am going to do a screen door mod a la hamguy sometime soon.

All in all I am very pleased with my new A-frame. The attachment has already begun. Next week is a trip to some lake property in Alabama with the DW and kids...I better study up quick on those systems

. It will be more dry camping with some great scenery. I can't wait. The DW is already shopping for 19" LCD TV/DVD combos....anybody have any recommendations? Thanks again for the help getting started and hope everybody gets on the road sooner than later.

LM

Mike G · 03-26-2012, 08:36 PM

Sounds like you had a good trip! I purchased a 22'' combo TV/DVD at Best Buy and it works great. It fits on the counter above the microwave perfect. I store it in a large plastic container from Walmart that has a snap-on lid, this helps keep it clean and protected. I transport it in the back of my 4Runner to avoid it from bouncing around in the camper.

Link for TV.

Dynex™ - 24" Class / 1080p / 60Hz / LCD HDTV DVD Combo - DX-24LD230A12

I still back pack and tent camp, but I still love watching a movie while I`m laying on my heated mattress.

loganmartin · 03-26-2012, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike G

Sounds like you had a good trip! I purchased a 22'' combo TV/DVD at Best Buy and it works great. It fits on the counter above the microwave perfect. I store it in a large plastic container from Walmart that has a snap-on lid, this helps keep it clean and protected. I transport it in the back of my 4Runner to avoid it from bouncing around in the camper.

Link for TV.

Dynex™ - 24" Class / 1080p / 60Hz / LCD HDTV DVD Combo - DX-24LD230A12

I still back pack and tent camp, but I still love watching a movie while I`m laying on my heated mattress.

That's funny. I had kinda zeroed in on the 19" Dynex. Are you supposed to keep these TV's in an upright position or can you lay them on their side for storage?

LM

Jeep4Two · 03-26-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loganmartin

That's funny. I had kinda zeroed in on the 19" Dynex. Are you supposed to keep these TV's in an upright position or can you lay them on their side for storage?

LM

Keep the front of the screen safe and their storage (or operating position for that matter) makes no difference. Not like CRT's that would get all goofy if they were stored in non standard positions then moved to normal. No magnetic concerns with LCD's.

Mike G · 03-27-2012, 04:48 AM

^^What he said^^

My tv has a nice stable base and it looks like it was made for that area.

skullskidr · 03-27-2012, 06:13 AM

Hey LoganMartin,
I live just outside of Athens. I too have been down the Broad river and swam in a couple of those quarry lakes!

OutAndAbout · 03-27-2012, 07:53 AM

Lucky dog. Savor a little for me.

rawlus · 03-28-2012, 06:34 PM

On the bedliner, inquire with the factory and the dealer before doing so, you may be voiding an important warranty in weatherproofing that surface. The wood used is designed for the environment it is in, with care it should hold up well. There is probably a pamphlet in your packet of goodies you got on delivery with info about the plywood used.

This from another forum on forest river and weyerhauser structurewood used in the floors of these campers....

Our use of Structurwood® is so dependable that Weyerhaeuser agrees with our practice of not coating the exposed bottom surfaces. “Weyerhaeuser agrees with FTCA, Inc.’s practice of not coating the exposed bottom surface of the Structurwood® panels used in their trailers. In our opinion, moisture from occupancy load, or from other internal or external sources may become trapped in the Structurwood® substrate if it is coated on the underside with a system that impairs the ability of the substrate to dry thoroughly. Trapped moisture, over time may cause premature decay or rot.”

loganmartin · 03-28-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawlus

On the bedliner, inquire with the factory and the dealer before doing so, you may be voiding an important warranty in weatherproofing that surface. The wood used is designed for the environment it is in, with care it should hold up well. There is probably a pamphlet in your packet of goodies you got on delivery with info about the plywood used.

This from another forum on forest river and weyerhauser structurewood used in the floors of these campers....

Our use of Structurwood® is so dependable that Weyerhaeuser agrees with our practice of not coating the exposed bottom surfaces. “Weyerhaeuser agrees with FTCA, Inc.’s practice of not coating the exposed bottom surface of the Structurwood® panels used in their trailers. In our opinion, moisture from occupancy load, or from other internal or external sources may become trapped in the Structurwood® substrate if it is coated on the underside with a system that impairs the ability of the substrate to dry thoroughly. Trapped moisture, over time may cause premature decay or rot.”

That makes a lot of sense...thanks rawlus. I was concerned about road debris chipping away at the wood but moisture is definitely the greater of those two evils. I'm glad you caught me before I started.

LM

You may also like: