2013 Camping Thread

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

So speaking purely selfishly here, what's the post-flood status of campgrounds within 1 hour of the city?

In the past we've done Gooseberry (brag creek) and Wyndam Carseland, but Wyndam is definitely closed, but I'm wondering about the condition of any others?

We're tent campers if that makes any difference. Perfectly ok with outhouses and no running water for a couple nights.

West of the city I believe Kananaskis is for the most part up and running.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

So speaking purely selfishly here, what's the post-flood status of campgrounds within 1 hour of the city?

In the past we've done Gooseberry (brag creek) and Wyndam Carseland, but Wyndam is definitely closed, but I'm wondering about the condition of any others?

We're tent campers if that makes any difference. Perfectly ok with outhouses and no running water for a couple nights.

I believe the campgrounds of Mission, Roxburo, and Cliff Bungalow would suit your needs. Outside of the city I'd suggest High River.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

So speaking purely selfishly here, what's the post-flood status of campgrounds within 1 hour of the city?

Gooseberry has re-opened.

http://www.albertaparks.ca/albertapa...dvisories.aspx

The question becomes how full places like that will be with others being closed still.

As for Slava's question of tent trailer vs. travel trailer; if storage and towing capacities are not issues, the only "advantage" of a tent trailer is occasionally there are nice campsites that are smaller. For example at Waterton Springs there are some nice treed sites that can only be accessed with smaller trailers.

That being said, I have a small 16 foot class travel trailer (so actual length is 19 feet.) I have been able to use some of the smaller sites. My trailer also only has a single axle. Having pulled my buddy's bigger trailer I don't see that much of a difference as far as turning or handling is concerned.

[HockeyIlliterate]

Originally Posted by Slava

So there's no truth to the idea that the dual axles are "better balanced" or put less weight onto the towing vehicle? I was wondering about that, but someone told me that over the weekend and I have no clue!

Single axle trailers are probably more susceptible to load-balancing issues, and they may have a higher tongue weight than a dual axle trailer would (all other things being equal). That may be what was meant by being "better balanced".

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Gooseberry has re-opened.

http://www.albertaparks.ca/albertapa...dvisories.aspx

The question becomes how full places like that will be with others being closed still.

True, just wondering if anyone had any first hand experience outside the city and able to report back on what they saw. Guess we pick a weekend and take our chances.

[bossy22]

We are looking at getting a 25' trailer, which means I need a new vehicle. Do most people use pickups? Or are large suv's good enough. Like an expedition or something? I have a honda pilot...I think it's rated for only 4000lbs.

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by HockeyIlliterate

Single axle trailers are said to be easier to tow and steer, since there is less scrubbing of the tires when turning. They are marginally cheaper in terms of overall maintenance and usage costs, as well, since you have less tires to replace over time, less bearings to wear out, and less tolls to pay when having to pay by the axle.

Escape trailers (fiberglass trailers made in BC) are mostly single axle, including their fifth wheel model that is, as I recall, around 21 feet in length. Their longest models are dual axle, though. The number of axles isn't so much a function of length, but of weight.

On cost yes, Single is cheaper because you are paying for half the maintenance. On towing is where I disagree mildly.

Having towed both single and dual axles hundreds of times I can honestly say for me dual axles are considerably easier to tow and to and steer. Tandem will always track better and have less sway as well as balance the load better.

This is how I feel a few of the pluses and minuses are

Dual Axle Pros
-Tracks better with less sway
-Safety, if you have a blowout you stay on the road.
-Easier to maneuver into camp sites, not as touchy.
-Carry more weight
-Balanced load (doesn't hop on bumps as much)
-More stable when parked.
Dual Axle Cons
-Worse gas mileage
-More expensive to maintain
-Tires do not last as long as single axle do to turn dragging.
-Do not navigate sharp turns as well.

Single axle Pros
-Better gas mileage from less rolling resistance
-Maintenance costs are lower.
-Does not drag tires around sharp corners so tires last longer.
-With smaller vehicles single axle sway is less noticeable.
Single Axle Cons
-Blowouts are bad news and often lead to extremely expensive repairs.
-very bouncing on bumps and sway more frequent then dual axle trailer.
-not as stable when parked.
-weight limited.

The new wide track dual axles also assist in lower the tire drag that happens when you turn and greatly increase stability.

[Cowperson]

Kananaskis west of Turner Valley was open to traffic to Bluerock yesterday. The Sheep River took a chunk out of one part of the roadway and reduced it to one lane for a short ways. The river obviously overran the road in a few places. I think its Sheep Falls that is closed.

Walking west of Bluerock for about 50 minutes and a pedestrian bridge was out, impeding further progress.

Here is an updated map for all of Kananaskis indicating open and closed areas.

http://www.albertaparks.ca/kananaski...highways).aspx

Cowperson

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by bossy22

We are looking at getting a 25' trailer, which means I need a new vehicle. Do most people use pickups? Or are large suv's good enough. Like an expedition or something? I have a honda pilot...I think it's rated for only 4000lbs.

This is what got me.

I used to own a Tacoma which had a 6400lb tow rating and towed a 5500lb 20ft trailer fully loaded. It towed ok and I had no real complaints.

I then purchased a 5400lb dry trailer that was 30ft and knew my Tacoma would no longer cut it. I ended up picking up a 2013 Ram with a 11,000lb tow rating and the difference towing with full size is night and day.

Pickups tend to be the choice of many because it allows the extra storage, you get the large wheel base for more stability and the springs tend to be more heavy duty and can take more tongue weight.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

This is what got me.

I used to own a Tacoma which had a 6400lb tow rating and towed a 5500lb 20ft trailer fully loaded. It towed ok and I had no real complaints.

I then purchased a 5400lb dry trailer that was 30ft and knew my Tacoma would no longer cut it. I ended up picking up a 2013 Ram with a 11,000lb tow rating and the difference towing with full size is night and day.

Pickups tend to be the choice of many because it allows the extra storage, you get the large wheel base for more stability and the springs tend to be more heavy duty and can take more tongue weight.

Sounds like you probably shouldn't have been towing that with your Tacoma.

Edit: Was the trailer 5500 dry?

[troutman]

Looks like travel south of Highwood House is still "not recommended"?

Don't worry trout, we will be together soon.

[V]

I'm a little worried about getting a big trailer because I have a hard enough time backing up my 12' tent trailer. I have a feeling I wouldn't have a chance when trying to back up a 30' trailer.

[Titan]

My advice on a new trailer would be to be as realistic as possible when buying one. Do you really, really need a 30 foot trailer? It is so easy to be seduced by the bigger units and they are nice but do you really need it and how often are you going to use it? My unit is 24 feet plus hitch, fits on my rear driveway and has everything we need. This is what we have if anyone is interested: http://www.kz-rv.com/spree/240BHS.html

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Sounds like you probably shouldn't have been towing that with your Tacoma.

Edit: Was the trailer 5500 dry?

It was 4100 dry (that why I said 5500lb fully loaded)

[V]

Can you turn that Dinette into a bed? We're in the market for a new (used) trailer, but we need to be able to sleep 4 kids. We pretty much only use our trailer at night for sleeping. Everything else is done outside.

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

This is what got me.

I used to own a Tacoma which had a 6400lb tow rating and towed a 5500lb 20ft trailer fully loaded. It towed ok and I had no real complaints.

I then purchased a 5400lb dry trailer that was 30ft and knew my Tacoma would no longer cut it. I ended up picking up a 2013 Ram with a 11,000lb tow rating and the difference towing with full size is night and day.

Pickups tend to be the choice of many because it allows the extra storage, you get the large wheel base for more stability and the springs tend to be more heavy duty and can take more tongue weight.

Yeah, I like the idea of a pickup, but with three kids, it starts to get tough if we want to take friends. I'm thinking I have two options. I could do a pickup which would allow for a little shorter trailer, or a large suv with one of those toy hauler campers to take the bikes and crap.

[Red Potato Standing By]

Originally Posted by V

I'm a little worried about getting a big trailer because I have a hard enough time backing up my 12' tent trailer. I have a feeling I wouldn't have a chance when trying to back up a 30' trailer.

Longer trailers are generally easier to back up, they are more forgiving if you oversteer a little.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by Titan

My advice on a new trailer would be to be as realistic as possible when buying one. Do you really, really need a 30 foot trailer? It is so easy to be seduced by the bigger units and they are nice but do you really need it and how often are you going to use it? My unit is 24 feet plus hitch, fits on my rear driveway and has everything we need. This is what we have if anyone is interested: http://www.kz-rv.com/spree/240BHS.html

According to those specs, your overall length is still almost 30feet!

Nice trailer though. We own a spree as well. Ours is 33.5 feet long from tip to tail. I certainly wouldnt want any longer than it is, but its awesome. Has everything we need. I personally havent had any issues backing it into any of the sites we used with our previous 27foot trailer.

Ours is a 2009 KZ spree 324BHS. I have noticed that the 2013 model is even longer. (34.5ft)

Anyways, as mentioned above...longer trailers and especially tandem axle trailers are much easier to manuever and back in to sites in my experience.

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by Titan

My advice on a new trailer would be to be as realistic as possible when buying one. Do you really, really need a 30 foot trailer? It is so easy to be seduced by the bigger units and they are nice but do you really need it and how often are you going to use it? My unit is 24 feet plus hitch, fits on my rear driveway and has everything we need. This is what we have if anyone is interested: http://www.kz-rv.com/spree/240BHS.html

That unit has a great layout! Very nice

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Being someone that has owned 4 trailers previously and around people who have purchased and traded in several trailers my thoughts on buying a unit are a bit different.

If you take a look at dealerships the majority of used trailers are sub 30ft. This isnt because there is more sub 30ft trailer made its that most people upgrade to larger trailers as time progresses.

I went from an 18 to a 28 to a 22 to a 30. My decision to go from a 28 to a 22 was a terrible one. I thought I would downscale and go with just what I thought I needed and then after a few trips I realized that I needed more.

My suggestion when it comes to buying an RV is to by the biggest/best layout Rv you can
A. Afford
B. Tow safely.

The reason I believe this is trailers have terrible resale value, and if in 2 years your family grows bigger you will take a major hit in the pocketbook to move up to a larger trailer to accommodate your new family size. Small trailers are great to tow (I loved mine) but when you are out camping and are struck with 3 days of straight downpour rain the extra few feet in the trailer (or open layout) make all the difference.

[Tailgator]

I always had more trouble backing up our tent trailer than when we bought a 29' travel trailer. That quick response makes it really hard not to over-steer. So I was always making these kinds of shapes: -^v^v^V

Make really sure you get the right tow vehicle for you rtrailer weight and don't ask a sales guy - thy're full of it and will always tell you your vehicle is good enough - either at a car or traler dealership. Want better advice, ask a mechanic. A weight rating in the instruction manual or online somewhere is over stated. You have to take into account handling as much as power. It doesn't take much to get a trailer swaying, and it's hard to stop when it starts. If the tail is wagging the dog too much, you're putting yourself, your passegers, and people on the road in trouble. Was behind a guy last year towing a 30+ footer with his half-ton Dodge and ended up in the ditch and almost rolling when it was clear the trailer was waaay too heavy.