Well am back in Van for several days - and earlier than I wanted to be (see my jeep thread for more details). But the trailer has been great!! Tows great (had it up to 75/80 with no issues). Tent sets up very fast, and I seem to have found an acceptable solution to the mattress for now - I'll be looking for a Thermarest when I'm back in Whitehorse. I was skeptical of being able to keep the pillows as well as the bedding in the tent while packed... but it works quite well - I shouldn't have doubted Abitibi when he told me it would all fit. Sets up and packs up fairly fast - even in the pooring rain. So a new tent (I've always liked the Autohome Maggiolina) isn't on the radar any time soon - not that I can afford it right now anyway.
And shockingly it backs up much better now... It must be because I've broken it in
Plan now is to leave Vancouver on Thursday or Friday (depends on when Dodge is done working on the tranny), then head to Lillooet (depending on time, maybe only for lunch) and up to Quesnel for my cousins wedding on Saturday. Then make my way home, spending a night or two (maybe more - depending on the weather) at Liard Hot Springs.
But my thoughts after using it for the last 5 nights... I need some sort of awning, or something to mount a tarp over the tent and over the edges. I also need some sort of kitchen setup - ideally one protected from the rain without having to use tarps. I don't mind the front hinge... but am only using the back half of the trailer for my camping stuff... front half has
2 new full m101 wheels and tires (anyone in/around Vancouver wants these, make an offer and they're yours), as well as my 3 16" Moab wheels. I'd hate to think about trying to access something big right at the front of the trailer... I wouldn't be able to get it out. Ammo cans on the tongue will need to go... and will likely be gone before I head north. They rattle a lot, and are in the way of my tail gate (usually).
I've also never really used the tailgate. Not sure if that's because of how I packed things or what. But would love to have a kitchen setup off the rear (or something coming out off the front). I just don't like the idea of my tent ladder on one side of the trailer, and my kitchen setup on the other side of the ladder. Sometimes depending on where you park (or are camping) that's not ideal. So I'll have to give this some more thought - however to be honest I'll likely be camping in camp grounds this summer.
I only took a couple pictures, but they're on my camera so will post them later.