2013 Camping Thread

[transplant99]

Is this a new unit Slava? If not...it could be calcium/pebble build up on the filter screen in the faucet.

Otherwise if it isnt the pump...i would almost wager its something to do with a bypass valve under the sink (or elsewhere in the unit...ours has one under the master bed) and if it is, then consult owners manual for a diagram that should show where the positions should be.

[ken0042]

What happens when you hook up to city water? I'm thinking for testing get pressure from somewhere other than your pump to see if that fixes the issue.

Just make sure you have a pressure regulator.

[Pooty]

Hey guys, bunch of friends and I are planning to go camping down the PLU on the forestry trunk road around the livingstone river next weekend and was wondering if access is gonna be okay or if the area was affected much after the floods.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Tailgator

Just about everything at Mount Kidd is a ripoff. If you have the means, we always go to Blue Grass out by Mallzac. Got a 1/4 cord for about $145 and store it beside the garage. Just load up as much as needed for each camping trip and avoid paying for bundles of wood that burn through your wallet quickly.....

While I agree that buying wood at a campground is pricey- I'm wondering what else you found at Mount Kidd to be a ripoff? Their camping rates are on par with other places. When we were there for several nights I used their showers. I've also bought food from their store and the prices were about what I would expect. For example I forgot ketchup, and a small bottle of Heinz was $4.

As for buying wood, I found prices are cheaper in the winter. The guys I bought from last winter run a landscaping company during the summer, and cut wood during the winter. I paid $80 to pickup a face cord of wood which filled a fill sized pickup truck. I gave 1/3 of it to my buddy and I should still have enough to last me through this camping season.

[Boblobla]

I pulled the trigger and bought a new trailer. I am going to pick it up on August 1st and I want to head out somewhere on Aug second for the long weekend.

I have never trailer camped before, I was always using a tent, so I am not sure of the best campsites that have hookups. Since it is my first time out I want to at least have a site that has power hookups.

The trailer is pretty long (35' total). I have a newborn and a 2.5 year old. I don't want to drive much further than 3 hours. Can anyone recommend a campground that might still have space available for the long weekend? I do want to go further away than somewhere like Sandy McNab.

I would prefer somewhere with a lake/pool/river/swimmin' hole.

Thanks in advance.

[Madman]

Never camped? New kid?

Best place to have your first shakedown run is in your driveway.

Seriously.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Madman

Never camped? New kid?

Best place to have your first shakedown run is in your driveway.

Seriously.

I have camped a ton, never with my brand new trailer.

[ken0042]

The other point is you are also looking for somewhere just before the long weekend. So you have that going against you. Also 35' feet is somewhat long, so you won't fit into many sites.

My only suggestion is going somewhere that has "first come, first served" and put a tent on the spot on Wednesday afternoon. Then go back with the trailer after. Unfortunately the only places like that I know of also don't have power.

[edn88]

Mosquitoes were terrible at Dinasour Provincial park this past weekend. Anyone know what the situation is at Kananaskis regarding skeeters? That is supposed to be our next trip on August long weekend.

[Ace]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

I pulled the trigger and bought a new trailer. I am going to pick it up on August 1st and I want to head out somewhere on Aug second for the long weekend.

I have never trailer camped before, I was always using a tent, so I am not sure of the best campsites that have hookups. Since it is my first time out I want to at least have a site that has power hookups.

The trailer is pretty long (35' total). I have a newborn and a 2.5 year old. I don't want to drive much further than 3 hours. Can anyone recommend a campground that might still have space available for the long weekend? I do want to go further away than somewhere like Sandy McNab.

I would prefer somewhere with a lake/pool/river/swimmin' hole.

Thanks in advance.

I highly suggest you consider paying the dealer to sanitize your water lines for you. It's not difficult, you basically mix bleach and water in your fresh water tank at some proper ratio, then fill the tank full and open each tap until the bleach water runs through, then let sit for several hour to overnight, but with your tight turn around time I might just get them to have it "ready for you". This is of course assuming you're like me and want to follow the instructions.

Usually I make my first trip of the year at a site that has full hook ups around may long, and do all the de-winterizing and sanitizing there, I'm guessing you don't want to waste the best long weekend of the year doing this.

Reserve.albertaparks.ca shows Cypress Hill, Beaver Creek as available to reserve with power for those dates. I've never been there and it's more like 5 hours. I'd suggest just checking something like aspen beach lakeview every few hours, as eventually a site usually pops up when someone cancels.

Congrats on the trailer, what did you end up getting!

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

I pulled the trigger and bought a new trailer. I am going to pick it up on August 1st and I want to head out somewhere on Aug second for the long weekend.

I have never trailer camped before, I was always using a tent, so I am not sure of the best campsites that have hookups. Since it is my first time out I want to at least have a site that has power hookups.

The trailer is pretty long (35' total). I have a newborn and a 2.5 year old. I don't want to drive much further than 3 hours. Can anyone recommend a campground that might still have space available for the long weekend? I do want to go further away than somewhere like Sandy McNab.

I would prefer somewhere with a lake/pool/river/swimmin' hole.

Thanks in advance.

Sandy Mcnabb is ridiculous now anyways, I tend to camp there at least once a month and have to put my trailer there on Wednesday night as there is nothing left by noon Thursday (this past weekend it was full Thursday at 10am, the previous week Thursday at 2pm)

I would suggest you do what has been mentioned in this thread already and hit up https://reserve.albertaparks.ca/publ...ndCampsite.htm and find something there so you don't make the trip and end up being disappointed. As there is not much available it might even be worth it for you to make a trip into B.C.

August long is probably the 2nd busiest camping weekend of the year and people will be pulling out the trailers Wednesday - Thursday for most sites within 2hrs of Calgary.

[Boblobla]

Sweet, someone must have cancelled at Dinosaur Provincal Park and I got a site there. I am super excited.

Originally Posted by Ace

Congrats on the trailer, what did you end up getting!

Got a Jayco.

[Ace]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

Sweet, someone must have cancelled at Dinosaur Provincal Park and I got a site there. I am super excited.



Got a Jayco.

Nice...That's just awesome!

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Ace

Nice...That's just awesome!

It is a little big right now but it means I won't need to buy another one in 3 years when the kids are bigger. Plus, we could probably have some of our friends come out with us as well.

[Ace]

I don't think the size will be an issue. Our first trip out I was a bit surprised how much space my trailer took up in the site, but you get use to unhooking your tow vehicle, parking at an angle, etc.

Also the way things are going for campgrounds these days, all the new ones are being designed for 'Big Rigs'...and the best sites at provincial parks are already large. It just takes planning ahead and picking the right sites.

Since trailer resale sucks, you're better off future proofing I think. I would have gone with at least some bigger slides on mine, but I knew I couldn't go heavier with my tow vehicle.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

It is a little big right now but it means I won't need to buy another one in 3 years when the kids are bigger. Plus, we could probably have some of our friends come out with us as well.

I think you are wise going with the bigger one than you may really need right now. Speaking from personal experience, we always regretted buying a slightly smaller trailer the first time and ended up upgrading this year.

Save yourself the depreciation and upgrade cost by doing it right the first time.

Nice trailer. Our last one was a Jayco and we were very happy with the quality of it.

Sold on the used market really fast too.

[meanmachine13]

Can someone explain to me the sizing amounts for firewood? I have seen descriptions such as hoppers, cords, etc. Thanks

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by meanmachine13

Can someone explain to me the sizing amounts for firewood? I have seen descriptions such as hoppers, cords, etc. Thanks

A cord "should" be 4' high x 8' long, if I remember correctly its around 125cubic feet give or take a few cubic feet.
A cord isn't going to fit in a 1/2 truck bed, not even close. I have fit 1/2 a cord in a 8ft box and I would imagine with a tarp you could fit 1/2 cord in a 6.5ft box. 1/2 a cord lasts me a whole camping season (10 trips or so) but I only burn when it's ridiculously cold, at supper time and again when it gets dark.

A hopper I am no help on because when I think hopper I think of a train car hopper and that's pretty damn big.

EDIT: When we picked up the 1/2 cord it was in a 3500 and the truck was squatting so when I said you might be able to fit it in a 6.5ft bed I was not talking about a 1/2 ton.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

A cord "should" be 4' high x 8' long

Also should be 4 feet wide.
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/mc-mc.nsf/eng/lm03963.html

What you commonly see is a "face cord." While there is no official standard, a face cord is usually about 1/4 of a cord.

I have also never heard of a hopper being used as a measurement of firewood.

[Nufy]

For firewood I go to Burnco and fill my truck.

You pay by weight and you get to pick out the pieces you want instead of someone else's rotten stuff.

typically a truck load for me is about 100 bux. I have to split into smaller pieces and stack but it lasts me a good winter or two in my fireplace at home.

I'll usually throw a bit into my truck when camping as well, but mostly I use leftovers from my construction projects for that.