2013 Camping Thread

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Nope I didn't empy the black at all, it still is 'empty' on the control panel and the grey was at 2/3 full.

The last thing I usually do is to empty the remaining fresh water into the black water tank.

Gives it a good rinse on the way to the dump station, even if it is in the same campground.

Even better if I am hauling it a ways.

If I have water at the camp site I will use the supply hose and dump it straight down the toilet.


Black tank first then grey...rinse the drain hose and store for travel.

There is nothing worse than a foul black water tank...

[Ace]

Guys, I'm thinking about being adventurous (and by adventurous I mean camping more than 3 hours from home).

Where does a person go to find campground reviews. I'm thinking of going to Montana or Seattle?

[FlamesKickAss]

First trip out this weekend, loved it!! A couple issues with the quality of work on the trailer that will hopefully be dealt with by the dealer or the manufacturer. Dumping the black and grey water wasnt as bad as I thought. I was about 1/3 full on the black and drained what I had left in the fresh tank. I also dumped the remaining ice that I had as someone had given me that as a tip to swish around and knock stuff loose. I would think that even if the black tank said empty I would have emptied it......

[Ace]

One thing I do, which I probably read from somewhere (or maybe I'm doing it wrong), is after emptying (and flushing) the blank tank, I put back in fresh water (about a third of a tank), and add the chemicals. This way the chemicals and water splash around during travel and help clean the tank, then next trip this tank is already primed and ready to go for use. I suppose this method doesn't really work if the chemicals only work for so long...

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by Ace

One thing I do, which I probably read from somewhere (or maybe I'm doing it wrong), is after emptying (and flushing) the blank tank, I put back in fresh water (about a third of a tank), and add the chemicals. This way the chemicals and water splash around during travel and help clean the tank, then next trip this tank is already primed and ready to go for use. I suppose this method doesn't really work if the chemicals only work for so long...

This is what our dealer tolod us to do on walkthrough and the bottle of chemical states this as well. It says 2 gallons I think

[Pizza]

Can anyone recommend a "Boulton Creek" style campground near Nelson BC?

-Just tenting, Dont have a Trailer/RV.
-Relatively new to Camping
-Need to be near Nelson for a friend's wedding

[Hockeyguy15]

Two weekends of camping in the new trailer. Emptied the holding tanks, fresh water and water heater since it will sit until the weekend after Fathers day. No hiccups yet, knock on wood.

[maverickstruth]

Originally Posted by Pizza

Can anyone recommend a "Boulton Creek" style campground near Nelson BC?

-Just tenting, Dont have a Trailer/RV.
-Relatively new to Camping
-Need to be near Nelson for a friend's wedding

I've not been to Boulton Creek before, but we always tent in the Redfish Campground in Kokanee Creek Provincial Park when we go to Nelson. We've stayed at many provincial parks in the area, and this is by far one of our favourites.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/exp...s/kokanee_crk/

[Pizza]

Originally Posted by maverickstruth

I've not been to Boulton Creek before, but we always tent in the Redfish Campground in Kokanee Creek Provincial Park when we go to Nelson. We've stayed at many provincial parks in the area, and this is by far one of our favourites.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/exp...s/kokanee_crk/

Thanks, but Redfish is closed

are the other campgrounds non RV?

[old-fart]

Since this is a generic camping thread - I've been considering getting a generator for the new trailer. Does anyone have any opinions on the Honda eu2000 vs the equivalent Kipor model, I think it is the ig2000? I've heard they are very similar, but the Kipor is cheaper...

Thanks.

[ken0042]

If you must have a generator; get the Honda as it only creates about half the noise. (53-59 DB vs. 61-73 DB) However I do have to question getting a generator in this part of North America. The only reason I could see needing a generator is for A/C; and I can honestly say I have only ever used mine once. (And that was a "because I could"- not that it was needed.)

Get LED lights, a 12 volt LED TV, and if you need a bit more juice then buy a solar panel. All said and done you are looking at 1/4 the price to setup that way, and you don't have to be "that guy" at the campground.

If you are in a position where your wife "needs" her Tassimo coffee or perfect toaster- stay at campgrounds that have power. I go camping for some peace and quiet, not to hear somebody's generator run all day.

[Ace]

Ken, is there any power advantage to getting a 12 volt tv. Like if I buy any AC LED TV would they basically use the same power (I'd use an inverter)?

Second question, how do you even hunt down a 12 volt TV, even in the link it doesn't say anything to indicate that the TV is DC capable, but of course you figured this out?

[ken0042]

There is always some loss when you convert power. So in pretty much any TV; the unit uses DC power internally. Most RCA TVs 24" and smaller have the power converter outside the TV so you can just substitute a 12 adapter using direct power. (as opposed to most other models having the DC adapter internally.) So instead of converting your 12v DC to 120v AC, then back to 12v DC; this is direct. I haven't actually tested it, but I have heard it would be about 50% less power used. (Now I may have to test it.)

As for how I found out about RCA TVs- it was just a matter of going into stores and looking at the backs of the TVs.

Edit- here's the manual for that TV. On page 6 it shows the 12 volt input.
http://www.curtisint.com/html/custse...ED2431A_EN.PDF

Edit2- in case anybody is looking for a DVD/ Blu Ray/ AVI player that also runs on 12 volt; this is the one I now have in the trailer: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...7344756d57en02
Like I said, all this running off battery.

[Titan]

Hey Ken. Could you post the link to those LED lights you used again? Sorry, I searched but could not seem to find them.

Thanks a ton.

[ken0042]

These are the bulbs I am currently using:
http://dx.com/p/t10-2-9w-6500k-185-l...r-dc-12v-51371
I did order a couple sets of these ones for a buddy's trailer; just to try them out:
http://dx.com/p/t10-1-9w-6500k-171-l...r-dc-12v-51358
and
http://dx.com/p/t10-2-5w-270lm-13-sm...2v-pair-191356

The first of the new ones seems a little long; but we will see. The second set appears to say it is 50% brighter; once again I'll see when they come in.

And for replacement 1157 bulbs. (Bathroom and outside light)
http://dx.com/p/1157-3-5w-68-smd-led...r-dc-12v-51270

[Hevishot]

Originally Posted by old-fart

Since this is a generic camping thread - I've been considering getting a generator for the new trailer. Does anyone have any opinions on the Honda eu2000 vs the equivalent Kipor model, I think it is the ig2000? I've heard they are very similar, but the Kipor is cheaper...

Thanks.

Depends on where you camp. With the Kipor you are more likely to have a louder genny compared to the Honda or Yamaha. My buddy runs a Kipor with an old dirtbike silencer on it to make it comparable to the big 2. If you are seriously considering generator do not overlook the Yamaha it is usually cheaper than the Honda and you can buy it at more than a couple places in the city.

[Ace]

Hmmmm...so out of the box does this come with a cigarette style power plug?

[ken0042]

No- you need to buy that seperately. If you need one today:
http://www.thesource.ca/estore/produ...roduct=2738866

If you can wait 2 weeks:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/360474465975?...84.m1423.l2649

[Ace]

^I see, so in your trailer you likely bought a splitter so you can plug in more than one DC device at a time (assuming you only have one 12 volt outlet).

Pretty good set up and find.

Now to find a mount that will also hold the blu ray player...

[ken0042]

For extra outlets, I installed on of these below. Only difference is the one I bought has two USB outlets:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

To mount the Blu Ray- I modified one of these mounts:
http://shop.lenovo.com/us/itemdetail...2D50F1E789BC60

Basically I used my angle grinder to cut it in half. Then I bored out the the screw holes in the back a bit so the screws on the back of the BD would go through the holes. They almost lined up, but I didn't want to force them. I then mounted it under the cabinet close to the TV

But yeah, trying to find a mount that wasn't made of glass or wasn't too big was a bit of a challenge.