So, August then?
February 2023 - what did you do for your camper?
- Thread starter kitphantom
- Start date
When we sat down and planned our major trips for the year at Christmas, we put the reservation dates on the calendar as well. While we tend to camp for at least a few days at a time, on a 2 week-ish trip we can end up with 4 or 5 campgrounds to reserve, with varying reservations windows.
Terry Mechler
New Member
- Mar 21, 2021
- 1
In 2022 replaced roof seam seals, installed new led lights and power/converter and replaced rims and tires. Just need to take an inventory of what all is on board and should ready for doing some camping maybe in Arkansas
Allamakee County
Active Member
Last night I broke this guy's heart when I said the word "camper" in his hearing and then didn't immediately take him on a camping trip. He's keeping me under close surveillance this morning just in case I try to sneak out and camp without him.
My camper is in storage, so I've just been thinking about it, looking at pictures and online posts. The batteries are not far from me here in my basement work at home office, so this was a reminder for me to check and make sure they are still there and in good shape. I'l put a charge on them just before we bring it out of storage April 1. We sold our old camper and bought a new one in August, so I'm hopeful I won't have much to do other than book trips.
I can see doing that. Mine is at a local fairgrounds building packed in like sardines. If I want to see it, I'd have to make an appointment and pay a fee. If I wanted to get it out early that would cost, but the last 2 years they have taken good care of my camper. If I had free access to it, I probably would invent reasons to visit it.
I'm enjoying reading the thread, forgive me if I reply too much!
Lug_Nut
Active Member
Not the pop-up, too difficult to get interior access, but the Casita was subjected to an early wake-up to power up the fridge and freezer in it. Our 9 year old chest freezer compressor siezed and there wasn't room in the kitchen fridge for the thawing contents.
I remembered to look for outdoor Command strips at the grocery store today which, strangely enough, has one of the better selections I've seen. No large outdoor/bath strips, though so I ordered them from Amazon. I have two new hook plaques (for lack of a better term) to install in the trailer once it warms up enough.
ETA: We went into the trailer, added antifreeze to the sink trap and toilet seal conditioner to the toilet - the conditioner was pretty well evaporated, so we figured the sink trap had probably evaporated too. Retrieved the foam from one set of dinette seat cushions, so I can take it with me to buy new foam soon. It is going to be interesting to get the new foam into the covers, even using plastic film to help it slide. (I was much more generous with zipper length when I made new cushion covers for the first popup.)
The new hook plaques aren't out there, which is where I thought I put them. I'm sure they're on the camping shelves - being black and almost flat means they will hide for a while.
ETA: We went into the trailer, added antifreeze to the sink trap and toilet seal conditioner to the toilet - the conditioner was pretty well evaporated, so we figured the sink trap had probably evaporated too. Retrieved the foam from one set of dinette seat cushions, so I can take it with me to buy new foam soon. It is going to be interesting to get the new foam into the covers, even using plastic film to help it slide. (I was much more generous with zipper length when I made new cushion covers for the first popup.)
The new hook plaques aren't out there, which is where I thought I put them. I'm sure they're on the camping shelves - being black and almost flat means they will hide for a while.
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BikeNFish
Super Active Member
My Enduro 200 AH Lithium battery arrived. Now I need to wait until the camper is out of storage (late March, early April?) to install it along with the Victron IP65 SmartShunt that I received last month.
I have been charging the battery for that last hour or so and playing with the SmartShunt just because. I was surprised that it arrived nearly fully charged. From what I've heard, Lithium batteries usually are shipped at around 30% charged. Mine looks like it was shipped at 90%. Hmmmm.....
It's going to be a long couple of months until I can use it for real.
I have been charging the battery for that last hour or so and playing with the SmartShunt just because. I was surprised that it arrived nearly fully charged. From what I've heard, Lithium batteries usually are shipped at around 30% charged. Mine looks like it was shipped at 90%. Hmmmm.....
It's going to be a long couple of months until I can use it for real.
Yay, one more reservation, for mid-August done. Reserved the site we really like at one of our favorite Colorado CGs, where there is plenty of sky exposure for the solar panel, the site faces a meadow. Now to hope I don't get surrounded by generators running all day again, as happened two years ago. New concessionaire for this year, so we'll see if generator hours change from anytime except during quiet hours.
marciegoltz
Member
- Dec 27, 2022
- 15
About to make our first pop-up camper adventure at a state park next weekend, so bought 2 new mattresses, a new cassette toilet, and a cover for when we get back home. Trying to create a "minimalist" packing lists - one "must haves" to stay with/in camper and one for this specific trip to have in car. I will see if I can find a list on this site, do I just search forums? Thx
There have been lists posted, the search function may or may not pull them up.
We used a camping list for years while tent camping, and one rule was we had to actually touch items, not just assume they were where they were supposed to be - instituted after discovering the can opener was not in the kitchen box. (A huge pair of channel locks will rip a can lip off just fine.)
We used one for the popups, adapted from the tent camping one, because they were both small enough that very little stayed in the camper.
I divided the lists into sections, and just wrote anything and everything we might need; then we refined them from there
General categories included:
Camper set-up items - chocks, Lynx lever blocks, small t-level (that lives in the vehicle console): Once we had power in a camper that expanded to am RV extension cord, Progressive EMS. Once we could use city water, we added hoses, etc. We also have cables and locks for some things.
Site items: tables, chairs, shade/rain shelter. sometimes propane campfire
Kitchen: cookware, plates, cutlery, food boxes, cooler, camp stove. With the popups, the food and "kitchen box" with come cookware, as well as the cookware bag all stayed in the tow vehicle, along with the cooler; we only brought them out at meal time
Then on through sleeping needs (pillow, bedding of your choice) clothing, weather gear, etc.
Extras of some things may prove handy. After seeing quite a few posts of people leaving the crank for their roof behind, when we bought our second popup, we immediately bought a second crank. (Our first popup didn't use one.)
We each carry the keys for the door and storage areas, which may or may not be applicable for your camper. My husband carries all they keys for the locking cables and locks, I don't, they're hidden in the truck with an extra set of camper keys.
We used a camping list for years while tent camping, and one rule was we had to actually touch items, not just assume they were where they were supposed to be - instituted after discovering the can opener was not in the kitchen box. (A huge pair of channel locks will rip a can lip off just fine.)
We used one for the popups, adapted from the tent camping one, because they were both small enough that very little stayed in the camper.
I divided the lists into sections, and just wrote anything and everything we might need; then we refined them from there
General categories included:
Camper set-up items - chocks, Lynx lever blocks, small t-level (that lives in the vehicle console): Once we had power in a camper that expanded to am RV extension cord, Progressive EMS. Once we could use city water, we added hoses, etc. We also have cables and locks for some things.
Site items: tables, chairs, shade/rain shelter. sometimes propane campfire
Kitchen: cookware, plates, cutlery, food boxes, cooler, camp stove. With the popups, the food and "kitchen box" with come cookware, as well as the cookware bag all stayed in the tow vehicle, along with the cooler; we only brought them out at meal time
Then on through sleeping needs (pillow, bedding of your choice) clothing, weather gear, etc.
Extras of some things may prove handy. After seeing quite a few posts of people leaving the crank for their roof behind, when we bought our second popup, we immediately bought a second crank. (Our first popup didn't use one.)
We each carry the keys for the door and storage areas, which may or may not be applicable for your camper. My husband carries all they keys for the locking cables and locks, I don't, they're hidden in the truck with an extra set of camper keys.
I always recommend on your first few trips take along the minimum amount of stuff you think you'll need/want along with something to keep a list. As you find things you need or want, you can buy it locally to the campground or write it down and buy it when you get back home.
Otherwise, you could end up with a bunch of stuff you thought you needed collecting dust in your basement. Ask me how I know.
Otherwise, you could end up with a bunch of stuff you thought you needed collecting dust in your basement. Ask me how I know.
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PopAnimal
Active Member
Down to two pieces of peel and stick to put down. Started on trim work. Camp drivay was in affect Saturday night, so first sleepover of the season done! As soon as i get tile and trim dons, layer of rustolium on the roof and start working on the T/V.
BikeNFish
Super Active Member
After the new 200ah Lithium battery arrived on Saturday, I couldn't resist testing it out. For "Phase 1" of the testing, I connected the battery to the Victron shunt, then hooked up my 800 watt Inverter to the battery and shunt. Using the shunt, I was able to track all of the power usage.
The results for Phase 1 are quite pleasing.
I fully charged the battery on Saturday. Yesterday, I drained the battery to 10% power running two large fans, two small fans, a small room humidifier and three lights. Together, the appliances were draining the battery at a steady 380 watts per hours. Draining the battery to 10% took about 6.5 hours. It took a little over 13 hours for my 20 amp battery charger to recharge the battery back to 100%.
I estimate the camper should use a generous average of about 100 watts per hour at night running lights and appliances. Realistically, it should be closer to 30-40 watts per hour just running the 12 volt fridge and taking into account the parasitic draw. That will be tested under Phase 2 once I have the battery and shunt actually installed.
If my estimations are correct, on average the camper will use up to 700-800 watts after dark and overnight. And that is only because the DW tends to leave lights on. It should only take about 4 hours for our current solar array to recharge the battery back to 100%.
Come on snow, MELT already!!! I want to move on to Phase 2!!!
The results for Phase 1 are quite pleasing.
I fully charged the battery on Saturday. Yesterday, I drained the battery to 10% power running two large fans, two small fans, a small room humidifier and three lights. Together, the appliances were draining the battery at a steady 380 watts per hours. Draining the battery to 10% took about 6.5 hours. It took a little over 13 hours for my 20 amp battery charger to recharge the battery back to 100%.
I estimate the camper should use a generous average of about 100 watts per hour at night running lights and appliances. Realistically, it should be closer to 30-40 watts per hour just running the 12 volt fridge and taking into account the parasitic draw. That will be tested under Phase 2 once I have the battery and shunt actually installed.
If my estimations are correct, on average the camper will use up to 700-800 watts after dark and overnight. And that is only because the DW tends to leave lights on. It should only take about 4 hours for our current solar array to recharge the battery back to 100%.
Come on snow, MELT already!!! I want to move on to Phase 2!!!
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Today I checked and I have 45 days till I pick up the camper from storage, Looked at an upcoming trip, but can't make reservations until 4/20
Austin694
Active Member
- Feb 18, 2015
- 155
Made 2 reservations for camping in June and July.
Bought a 100w solar briefcase.
And started putting together a small toolbox solar generator to run our 12v Domende cooler at night. I had a bunch of old ups batteries, so I have 4 9ah batteries in parallel should give me enough to make it through the night.
Bought a 100w solar briefcase.
And started putting together a small toolbox solar generator to run our 12v Domende cooler at night. I had a bunch of old ups batteries, so I have 4 9ah batteries in parallel should give me enough to make it through the night.
Planning our first outing of 2023 this weekend at one of our regular haunts. Weatherman's predicting favorable conditions and I don't have to work on Monday.
vagov
Super Active Member
Ordered two new skylights. To replace the ones with hairline cracks.
Jwwiff
Active Member
Been working to get the N2M Avalon into camping shape. I had to do a bit of rebuild on the couch end since the couch did not flatten out and go back into the bench seat as it should. The top of the slide out table delaminated so I repurposed a piece of 3/4" oak ply for a new table, took off the laminate top on the other bench end and painted it. Added towel hangers underneath the bed on the back end, put a 5" square post tube (and made a drawer with a 5" piece of gutter) on the back end to put my awning poles and fire poker in, put in an EMS system and display, added a 12VDC jack and USB ports, replaced the fresh water fill tube and vent tube, re-lamped everything with LED lights, added a second battery box to the front end, removed the slides on the front end and fixed the sliding action (took out a couple of washers that were acting as spacing shims), and put in a digital t-stat. I have a bunch of other smaller items I want to do but getting ready to take a late winter trip someplace down south maybe in the next month.
I still have a couple of things to check out in warmer climate - check the A/C and the water heater but so far everything works as it should. I also intend on lifting the A/C and installing a new gasket and check that the original install was done as it should have (eternabond tape, relief holes in corners, et.) and caulk the seams on the corners.
I still have a couple of things to check out in warmer climate - check the A/C and the water heater but so far everything works as it should. I also intend on lifting the A/C and installing a new gasket and check that the original install was done as it should have (eternabond tape, relief holes in corners, et.) and caulk the seams on the corners.
