On 3/7/2018 10:29 AM, Tim wrote:
Mr. Luddite
- show quoted text -
We are not serious "campers". I bought a small, used one last year just
to use locally and for something to do. Bought it after watching
Craigslist for something small and towable with the GMC Canyon. Turns
out a guy only a few miles from me had this one for sale. He had taken
excellent care of it, roof was maintained, no leaks and everything
worked. I wasn't looking for this type that the ends fold down for beds
but now I like it for our puposes. Leaves more room inside when the beds
are deployed.

All I can suggest is to visit RV places or check what's for sale
on-line. Everyone's preferences are different. I bought this one used
for $5K.

Looks very similar to this:

https://tinyurl.com/ycpwwg2x
....

That looks about like Johns original one. It was really nice inside. Amazed at the conveniences packed into a slall space.



Actually I realized after I posted the link to the picture that the one
I bought is even smaller. I think the one in the picture is 19 feet.
The one I bought is 17 feet and has a single axle. Still has plenty of
room inside for our occasional use.

It only weighs 2,800 lbs dry which is ideal since the Canyon is rated to
tow up to 7,000 lbs.

Mr. Luddite
- show quoted text -
Actually I realized after I posted the link to the picture that the one
I bought is even smaller. I think the one in the picture is 19 feet.
The one I bought is 17 feet and has a single axle. Still has plenty of
room inside for our occasional use.

It only weighs 2,800 lbs dry which is ideal since the Canyon is rated to
tow up to 7,000 lbs.

....

Not sure but I think Johns was also a 17 on a single

On 3/7/2018 10:42 AM, True North wrote:

Ah....you've got a hy-brid.
We thought about that type and up till a few years ago you could buy a new one for less than $20K.
Since our climate is mostly cool and damp, I thought a normal small enclosed model would be best but then again, the wife probably wouldn't be interested in camping before the middle of June or after mid October. Maybe I'll rethink hy-brids.


I guess it depends on how much you will use it. I didn't think I'd care
for the hy-brid type but again, for our occasional use just to "get
away" for a weekend or even a week, it works out fine. The canvas on
the fold outs on the one we bought is in excellent shape because the guy
I bought it from was a nit about things. When he deployed the ends he
always put a tarp on top of the canvas to protect them from the sun and
dirt.

If we were more serious RV travelers I think I'd be looking for
something very different.

John H. wrote:
On Wed, 7 Mar 2018 09:14:25 -0500, Justan Ohlphart wrote:

On 3/7/2018 8:48 AM, John H. wrote:
Taking off for Bull Run Regional Park later today for our
'dewinterization' campout. Will get all
the anti-freeze out of the system and make sure everything works. One
problem already - the toilet
won't hold water. Will have to take it up and replace the seals. Oh
well, that's why God made rubber
gloves, I reckon.

Hopefully I won't break something else!

Oh ****! I forgot to drain the antifreeze.

Try spraying a little silicone and see if it softens the seal.

Did that a couple years back. Worked well for almost two seasons. Tried
it again last season. No
luck this time. The seals have lasted almost all of six seasons, so that's not bad.


I have a tiny leak in the propane dual valve. New one is supposed to be
delivered today from the camper people. Under warranty. Does not look
hard to change and closest dealer is 40miles.

Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/7/2018 10:42 AM, True North wrote:

Ah....you've got a hy-brid.
We thought about that type and up till a few years ago you could buy a
new one for less than $20K.
Since our climate is mostly cool and damp, I thought a normal small
enclosed model would be best but then again, the wife probably wouldn't
be interested in camping before the middle of June or after mid October.
Maybe I'll rethink hy-brids.


I guess it depends on how much you will use it. I didn't think I'd care
for the hy-brid type but again, for our occasional use just to "get
away" for a weekend or even a week, it works out fine. The canvas on
the fold outs on the one we bought is in excellent shape because the guy
I bought it from was a nit about things. When he deployed the ends he
always put a tarp on top of the canvas to protect them from the sun and
dirt.

If we were more serious RV travelers I think I'd be looking for
something very different.


The problem I see with some of those pop-outs like on a pop up trailer is
the time to setup and takedown. When we drove to Alaska, one of the
couples had a pop up trailer. They are fine for a weekend, but a pain for
one day. I like the Chalet for a pop up. Seems to take only a few
minutes to convert.

On 3/7/2018 12:19 PM, Bill wrote:
Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/7/2018 10:42 AM, True North wrote:

Ah....you've got a hy-brid.
We thought about that type and up till a few years ago you could buy a
new one for less than $20K.
Since our climate is mostly cool and damp, I thought a normal small
enclosed model would be best but then again, the wife probably wouldn't
be interested in camping before the middle of June or after mid October.
Maybe I'll rethink hy-brids.


I guess it depends on how much you will use it. I didn't think I'd care
for the hy-brid type but again, for our occasional use just to "get
away" for a weekend or even a week, it works out fine. The canvas on
the fold outs on the one we bought is in excellent shape because the guy
I bought it from was a nit about things. When he deployed the ends he
always put a tarp on top of the canvas to protect them from the sun and
dirt.

If we were more serious RV travelers I think I'd be looking for
something very different.


The problem I see with some of those pop-outs like on a pop up trailer is
the time to setup and takedown. When we drove to Alaska, one of the
couples had a pop up trailer. They are fine for a weekend, but a pain for
one day. I like the Chalet for a pop up. Seems to take only a few
minutes to convert.


I thought it would be a pain but it really isn't. Just unlatch, lower,
(it's held horizontal by steel cables ... doesn't need external braces)
then go inside and insert two aluminum poles that hold the canvas up.
Only takes a couple of minutes on each end. Same to fold back up.

It takes longer to level the travel trailer, hook up power and water.

Guy I bought it from gave me new seal gaskets for the fold outs but the
ones that are in it now are still in good condition. I'll just save the
new ones and probably give them to whomever I end up selling the little
camper to.

It's amazing that the A/C keeps it nice and comfortable given that
there's really no insulation at the ends. The few times I've needed a
bit of heat a small space heater did the trick. Haven't used the
regular propane furnace other than to try it out.

Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/7/2018 12:19 PM, Bill wrote:
Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/7/2018 10:42 AM, True North wrote:

Ah....you've got a hy-brid.
We thought about that type and up till a few years ago you could buy a
new one for less than $20K.
Since our climate is mostly cool and damp, I thought a normal small
enclosed model would be best but then again, the wife probably wouldn't
be interested in camping before the middle of June or after mid October.
Maybe I'll rethink hy-brids.


I guess it depends on how much you will use it. I didn't think I'd care
for the hy-brid type but again, for our occasional use just to "get
away" for a weekend or even a week, it works out fine. The canvas on
the fold outs on the one we bought is in excellent shape because the guy
I bought it from was a nit about things. When he deployed the ends he
always put a tarp on top of the canvas to protect them from the sun and
dirt.

If we were more serious RV travelers I think I'd be looking for
something very different.


The problem I see with some of those pop-outs like on a pop up trailer is
the time to setup and takedown. When we drove to Alaska, one of the
couples had a pop up trailer. They are fine for a weekend, but a pain for
one day. I like the Chalet for a pop up. Seems to take only a few
minutes to convert.


I thought it would be a pain but it really isn't. Just unlatch, lower,
(it's held horizontal by steel cables ... doesn't need external braces)
then go inside and insert two aluminum poles that hold the canvas up.
Only takes a couple of minutes on each end. Same to fold back up.

It takes longer to level the travel trailer, hook up power and water.

Guy I bought it from gave me new seal gaskets for the fold outs but the
ones that are in it now are still in good condition. I'll just save the
new ones and probably give them to whomever I end up selling the little
camper to.

It's amazing that the A/C keeps it nice and comfortable given that
there's really no insulation at the ends. The few times I've needed a
bit of heat a small space heater did the trick. Haven't used the
regular propane furnace other than to try it out.






They do look easier than the pop up trailer. One Alaska problem with the
canvas roof, was the light. Since it was still dusk at 1 am, they had to
cover the canvas with black plastic bags.

On Wednesday, 7 March 2018 13:31:28 UTC-4, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/7/2018 12:19 PM, Bill wrote:
Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/7/2018 10:42 AM, True North wrote:

Ah....you've got a hy-brid.
We thought about that type and up till a few years ago you could buy a
new one for less than $20K.
Since our climate is mostly cool and damp, I thought a normal small
enclosed model would be best but then again, the wife probably wouldn't
be interested in camping before the middle of June or after mid October.
Maybe I'll rethink hy-brids.


I guess it depends on how much you will use it. I didn't think I'd care
for the hy-brid type but again, for our occasional use just to "get
away" for a weekend or even a week, it works out fine. The canvas on
the fold outs on the one we bought is in excellent shape because the guy
I bought it from was a nit about things. When he deployed the ends he
always put a tarp on top of the canvas to protect them from the sun and
dirt.

If we were more serious RV travelers I think I'd be looking for
something very different.


The problem I see with some of those pop-outs like on a pop up trailer is
the time to setup and takedown. When we drove to Alaska, one of the
couples had a pop up trailer. They are fine for a weekend, but a pain for
one day. I like the Chalet for a pop up. Seems to take only a few
minutes to convert.


I thought it would be a pain but it really isn't. Just unlatch, lower,
(it's held horizontal by steel cables ... doesn't need external braces)
then go inside and insert two aluminum poles that hold the canvas up.
Only takes a couple of minutes on each end. Same to fold back up.

It takes longer to level the travel trailer, hook up power and water.

Guy I bought it from gave me new seal gaskets for the fold outs but the
ones that are in it now are still in good condition. I'll just save the
new ones and probably give them to whomever I end up selling the little
camper to.

It's amazing that the A/C keeps it nice and comfortable given that
there's really no insulation at the ends. The few times I've needed a
bit of heat a small space heater did the trick. Haven't used the
regular propane furnace other than to try it out.


Keep me in mind..right behind family and friends when you want to unload that camper.

True North wrote:
Ah....you've got a hy-brid.
We thought about that type and up till a few years ago you could buy a new one for less than $20K.
Since our climate is mostly cool and damp, I thought a normal small enclosed model would be best but then again, the wife probably wouldn't be interested in camping before the middle of June or after mid October. Maybe I'll rethink hy-brids.

Can you rent them? Might be a better deal for light use and no need to
store, register, or insure it. 3500 lbs is light for a wet trailer.

On Wednesday, 7 March 2018 20:38:30 UTC-4, Alex wrote:
True North wrote:
Ah....you've got a hy-brid.
We thought about that type and up till a few years ago you could buy a new one for less than $20K.
Since our climate is mostly cool and damp, I thought a normal small enclosed model would be best but then again, the wife probably wouldn't be interested in camping before the middle of June or after mid October. Maybe I'll rethink hy-brids.

Can you rent them? Might be a better deal for light use and no need to
store, register, or insure it. 3500 lbs is light for a wet trailer.

Not sure about small travel trailers. They do have those smaller truck based RV's but they seemed expensive. Plus it's hard to plan ahead when our climate can be quite damp. I like the option of deciding the night before...that's how we boat.