2014 Camping Thread

[brocoli]

Just got the Monster Superstar Blackfloat $140 from The Source. Love it for portable sound. The girl who worked there tried about 5 different speakers with me. I was not a fan of the UE mini boom, the Jawbone mini box or any one like that. I didn't go all out with the UE Boom, but the monster has very large sound for what it is. Plus I can just stick it in the pool to float with me while i'm drinking my beer.

[Ironhorse]

Has anyone had any issues trying to reserve spots through the Alberta Parks website? I'm trying to pay for my reservation on Visa, and the secure payment page keeps rejecting the number with an "invalid card type" and resetting the form from Visa to MasterCard.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

just booked into Writing on Stone for late August - anyone have reviews? it looks pretty cool with hoodoos and lazy river rafting

It'll likely be hot and very dry. Also by then the river is usually quite low and not recommended for swimming due to a higher concentration of e coli. The river will still be good for canoeing, rafting etc.. Climbing through the hoodoos is fun for all ages, it is a neat little park. Also watch for rattle snakes. You may will also want to fill up with gas in Lethbridge on your way down and skip having to get it in Milk River.


I have family down there and full moon late night river floating is a good time.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Has anyone had any issues trying to reserve spots through the Alberta Parks website? I'm trying to pay for my reservation on Visa, and the secure payment page keeps rejecting the number with an "invalid card type" and resetting the form from Visa to MasterCard.

I reserved a spot 2 days ago. Worked fine for me.

[ranchlandsselling]

I picked this up on sale in the winter, one of those Coleman 40w panels.



Just hooking it up and the clips have about 2" in length and then about 2-3" in the joint cable. I've got two 6v batteries in series and won't be able to hook these little clips up. There's barely enough slack to hook up one 6 or 12v battery. Anyone know if there's an extension or solution that doesn't involve cutting wires? Pretty unimpressed, should be enough slack to run to terminals, put battery covers back on and then a bit of slack to route to wherever your panel is. Looked at some website linked on the Canadian Tire FAQ and the products look outrageously expensive.

Also would be neat if there was a phone charger plugin or USB plugin adapter.

Thanks!

[Canehdianman]

I've got 3 of those 40w panels. They each had plenty of slack.

[MacDaddy77]

Very easy to just pull apart the wires to increase the distance between positive and negative clamps

[Canehdianman]

Yeah I wasn't sure if that is what he was talking about. I pulled them apart another foot or so.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

I've got 3 of those 40w panels. They each had plenty of slack.

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Very easy to just pull apart the wires to increase the distance between positive and negative clamps

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

Yeah I wasn't sure if that is what he was talking about. I pulled them apart another foot or so.

Yeah, yeah. . . I gave them a tug and it felt like I'd rip them vs. just slowly pull them apart (like earphone cables). Gave it another go with a knife and they came apart quite easy.
Thanks

[transplant99]

So I've been convinced to load up my RV and 3 buddies and go fishing/camping for 5 days to a place called Crawling Valley near Bassano.

Anyone have any experience/opinions/suggestions about this place?

[calgarygringo]

CVR is a great place to fish and camp. Just be prepared when the hurricane winds are happening. Not a lot of big trees in the newer part if you are there so make sure you have shade or awning. Fishing is real good there too so go have some fun.

Originally Posted by transplant99

So I've been convinced to load up my RV and 3 buddies and go fishing/camping for 5 days to a place called Crawling Valley near Bassano.

Anyone have any experience/opinions/suggestions about this place?

[Hevishot]

Just a reminder to everybody to check your lugnuts for the proper torque (thanks to the dealer that "rotated" our tires earlier this year) Torque was checked at 100km after rotation and was given the big thumbs up by said dealer. Unfortunately we had all the studs break off one of our trailer axles and a tire bounced down the highway on our way back from a race this weekend. Looks like another fun trip back to Brooks for me

[Diemenz]

^
I check the lugs and tire pressure before each trip after having a blow out last year. I completely agree with the statement above.

[habernac]

Hey gang, any idea if the Elbow Valley dump station has water to fill up a trailer with? I know it has recently opened up again for dumping, just wondering if I can fill there.

[pylon]

Wanna feel out the crowd here. I am considering opening a camping store here in Calgary. Basically it would be one stop for tenting gear and supplies, and I would also carry RV supplies, gadgets, chemicals, hitches... etc.

Think of MEC, without the Granola and Birkenstocks but with an RV section too. I would stay away from the the hardcore mountain climbing gear and apparel, and just stick to the stuff 90% of campers are looking for.

I know Crappy Tire and Walmart do a lot of this stuff... but would you prefer to go to a one stop, dedicated place with a rewards system in place?

Looking for some feedback.

[Hockeyguy15]

I would buy my RV supplies there for the CP factor alone.

Edit: Sounds almost like campers village but with an RV section. Have you been down there and checked out their store?

Edit 2: I would rather go somewhere that has staff that know what they are talking about, rather than CDN Tire or Walmart.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by pylon

Wanna feel out the crowd here. I am considering opening a camping store here in Calgary. Basically it would be one stop for tenting gear and supplies, and I would also carry RV supplies, gadgets, chemicals, hitches... etc.

Think of MEC, without the Granola and Birkenstocks but with an RV section too. I would stay away from the the hardcore mountain climbing gear and apparel, and just stick to the stuff 90% of campers are looking for.

I know Crappy Tire and Walmart do a lot of this stuff... but would you prefer to go to a one stop, dedicated place with a rewards system in place?

Looking for some feedback.

I would be in, particularly if you let the amazing braintrust of CP in on the naming process. Bonus if you use a tag line such as "let us help you pitch a tent"

Seriously though, I would like that option in general.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I would buy my RV supplies there for the CP factor alone.

Edit: Sounds almost like campers village but with an RV section. Have you been down there and checked out their store?

Yes I have. Where I would change it up a bit is ditch the stuff like boats and stuff. If it isn't for the camp site, I'm not interested. There are enough awesome retailers for Kayaks, and climbing gear and I wouldn't want to compete there. But if you are looking for a sewer dump caddy, or a really wicked lawn chair....I'm your man.

[Hammertime]

Originally Posted by pylon

Wanna feel out the crowd here. I am considering opening a camping store here in Calgary. Basically it would be one stop for tenting gear and supplies, and I would also carry RV supplies, gadgets, chemicals, hitches... etc.

Think of MEC, without the Granola and Birkenstocks but with an RV section too. I would stay away from the the hardcore mountain climbing gear and apparel, and just stick to the stuff 90% of campers are looking for.

I know Crappy Tire and Walmart do a lot of this stuff... but would you prefer to go to a one stop, dedicated place with a rewards system in place?

Looking for some feedback.

Great idea. I've been shopping for camping supplies and have had to visit a bunch of different places already - Wholesale Sports/Bass Pro/MEC.

Keep in mind Cabela's is opening up in a few months. If their store in Calgary will be anything like the superstores in the US, it would be my ideal place. I guess the differentiating factor for your idea is the selection of RV specific camping supplies as well.

I'm in the market for a canvas tent for car camping, like a Kodiak Canvas or Springbar like they have in the states. Can't find anything close to that here.

[ken0042]

Pylon, have you been to Camping World in the States? That would be the ideal type of store for you to open.