Our first trip!

Kansas Camper · 07-29-2015, 09:17 AM

We leave tomorrow afternoon for a 10 day trip high in the mountains of Colorado. No hookups just a picnic table. We just received our Roo 23 IKSS a week ago. Have been trying everything out in the driveway. We have camped here many times but wondered if there is any advice or suggestions that are unique with our roo when dry camping? I tried the water heater and refrigerator on gas and all work well. Would appreciate any feedback that may help me prepare. Thanks

**Flybob** · 07-29-2015, 09:34 AM

Do you have a way to charge batteries? You will not get 10 days out of the standard battery installation without some method of charging.

Kansas Camper · 07-29-2015, 09:38 AM

I have two deep cycle batteries a Honda 2000 watt generator and two portable power packs with built in inverter should I need to run something that requires a 110 outlet as I will only run the generator a few times. I am excited about the LED lights as they do not take as much power. I appreciate you thinking of that.

aceinspp · 07-29-2015, 10:07 AM

Enjoy your trip

Later RJD

**Flybob** · 07-29-2015, 10:08 AM

Sounds like you have trip well planned. Enjoy

Kansas Camper · 07-29-2015, 10:12 AM

Always nervous when we go "dry" camping with a different unit. I have always had Jayco so it seems each manufacturer is a little different.

CNYCamper · 07-29-2015, 10:36 AM

Just returned Saturday from a 14 day dry camping trip to the Adirondacks w/ same camper, generator and 2 deep cycle batteries (not hooked together). Ran the Honda about 3-4 hours per day and switched batteries several times and the low battery alarm went off 3 separate times. The LED lights are nice compared to our old camper, but with the kitchen slide design, I wonder what kind of power the fridge fan is drawing as it ran a lot during 83 degree days. We also ran the furnace some nights (mid 50's) and that draws quite a bit.

We run a 3rd battery in the camper w/ a 750 W invertor and this successfully powered 2 nights of a CPAP machine for a visitor and the TV for 2 movies during rainstorms for our grandson - all without needing a charge.

Enjoy your trip!

Kansas Camper · 07-29-2015, 11:37 AM

I noticed that the fan seems to run more than it did in our Jayco. But maybe it is just more noticeable since it is on the slide.

CNYCamper · 07-29-2015, 12:34 PM

On your Jayco and my old Shamrock, the fridge vented directly through the roof. With the slide the exhaust is through the upper side vent. I think this restricts the exhaust causing the fan to run. Several nights I removed the upper panel and this seemed to help although this was not a scientific experiment. I did this at night so birds wouldn't be tempted to nest.

**bikendan** · 07-29-2015, 02:33 PM

KC, how will you deal with FW and dumping gray water?

We use a 6 gallon FW jug and a 15 gallon blue tote tank to offload gray water.

the 2 of us can easily go 10 days without needing to dump our 25 gallon black tank.

Kansas Camper · 07-29-2015, 03:01 PM

Please excuse my ignorance but what does "FW" represent?

jgahlhoff · 07-29-2015, 03:24 PM

Fresh Water

Kansas Camper · 07-29-2015, 03:35 PM

Thanks. 😀

Kansas Camper · 07-29-2015, 03:42 PM

The visitor center at the bottom of the mountain has fresh water and a dump station. I have a 45 gallon collapsible tank I purchased from camping world. I lay it in the back of my Excursion fill then use a 12 volt utility pump to pump to the tank of the camper. Gray water I have a tote tank. Since the campground has outhouses that is the ONLY option except at night when it is raining or if there is a bear outside.

drhroo · 07-29-2015, 09:33 PM

KC, do you mind sharing where you are going in Colorado? We live in Denver and though we are new to the RV camping thing (we, too, have a new IKSS that we received just over a week ago) we have explored a lot of Colorado and plan to continue doing so. I would love to hear where you went and what you thought. And it sounds like you have been here before so would love to hear your thoughts on past experiences.

Kansas Camper · 07-29-2015, 10:23 PM

Sure. We have been going to the same place for almost 20 years. It is just west of Salida, Colorado before you get to monarch pass. It is nice as it is far enough from the Springs and Denver that it does not get all of the traffic. Keep in touch if I can share anything.

Kansas Camper · 08-10-2015, 05:05 PM

We just returned from our trip. The Roo was wonderful. Everything worked great except the screen door latch/lever broke. Also on one portion of the trip the kitchen slide was out about 6 inches. I double checked with my wife and she confirmed that it was in before we left. Never happened again. Anyone have that occur? Also it was very obvious that the 15,000 btu AC would have been very beneficial as it really struggled to keep below 80 degrees. Overall a wonderful trip. We really love this floor plan.

drhroo · 08-10-2015, 07:24 PM

Glad to see that you had a good trip. And we would agree that the 13,500 BTU AC on our IKSS can't keep up with weather in the 90's. At least not for us. Never got below 83 and we were turtled to help it along. Fortunately, it cools down in the evenings here in Colorado.

mike.t · 08-10-2015, 07:36 PM

Hoping to go to Co. in Sept. Anyone know of a nice stream fishing site that and old guy can get to? Also a camp ground.
Thanks
Mike

Kansas Camper · 08-10-2015, 07:37 PM

What part of CO?

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