Updates...
Updates...
I was in Sandpoint. That may have been me. The nice part of the A-frame pop up is that you literally open it up, 1 minute tops, and start cooking, etc. Perfect for pulling into a rest stop and having lunch.
Latest tweaks. Spent silly money on a Zamp solar package. 160 watt fold out solar. In good sunlight it is capable of 10 or more amps delivered into the battery. The trailer was wired for the Zamp package and it works nicely. Basically I leave it plugged in when boondocking and skip worrying about the 12vdc system.
However, hair dryers and flat irons are part of the estrogen rich world I live in. Lifestyle choices indicated that a Honda EU3000i generator was needed (so did a recent power outage for six days...curses on my employer for that). That Honda is amazing, both in quietness and price. We run it for full up AC electricity in the boonies...it is small, relatively light, and amazingly quiet. Rather funny that you can run most appliances off it in Eco mode but not a hair dryer. But hey, hair dryer and showers make for a nice experience. The generator is big enough to run the air conditioning unit so the trailer is full up boonie capable.
I swapped out the steel propane tanks for fiberglass ones. A bit of a diet on weight so I can put more junk on the forward cargo rack area and easier to haul around.
Future tweaks are probably a beefier rear bumper tied into the frame with some real steel. I suppose I need to get the welder out and see to that this spring. I aim to put a tow hitch on the back bumper so if I have to turn around I can just unhitch and drag it backwards using the back bumper. I have had to unhitch a few times now...learning my lesson about dropping the trailer and exploring with the rig first. At right around 2000 pounds it just is too big to manhandle on rough ground.
So far my assessment is that the design of the trailer is sound but the execution is a bit uneven. Inside it needs more light so I went to harbor freight and picked up a ratchet cargo bar that I put on the top of the A inside and hang 4 LED shoji lights on it. Nice ambience. I am surprised that no one builds these trailers with a generator in them. Probably a price thing.
I continue to be happy with it. This is my first, and likely last RV and from what I gather you get these things and then start a slow upgrading path. I do need to sort out some sort of water filtering so I can resupply from lakes and streams for showering and the like. Drinking water always get filtered if for no other reason then the RV plumbing imparts that nasty plastic taste to water.
My list of what you might do if you get something like this is as follows:
1. Inspect the water tank and reinforce it with BIG steel angle, straps, etc. The damn thing just might fall out.
2. Get a better shower head. There are nice aerator shower heads that feel rather nice. The shower head that came with it was a sorry excuse for a shower.
3. Get a bigger and better water pump. Not surprisingly stuff like water pumps tend towards cheap for the initial build. I am swapping mine out for bigger with more flow and pressure.
4. I may re-plumb it at some future date with plumbing that is bigger than my pinky. I like water pressure and flow!
5. You have to be very disciplined at what you want to bring with you...we are getting better at it
6. The damn dinette table is too big and heavy. I understand that it is there to make the dinette into a bed but it is damn awkward for a table. I plan to fix that with a better table for sitting around and then some sort of reinforced plywood base for turning the front dinette into a bed.
7. Get a generator. I got my trailer loaded with heat pump unit for the A/C and it is nice to be able to use that.
8. Get a 1500 Watt electric heater. If I am at an RV park it is all I need to make the inside toasty. Also, I find that my generator is more fuel efficient at keeping the thing warm with the little heater than the rather fuel hungry propane furnace is. Add to the fact that gasoline is more available than propane is and the generator is a real winner for fun camping.
9. Finally, consider the A-Frame as a big tent of sorts. With a mattress, running water, microwave, heat, etc...my point being that it seems best to do many things outside of it. We have an induction "hotplate" and we generally cook outside if possible.
10. Last thing I recommend is an awning that hangs over the front. I have seen them, nice touch. I want one!
Updates...
I was in Sandpoint. That may have been me. The nice part of the A-frame pop up is that you literally open it up, 1 minute tops, and start cooking, etc. Perfect for pulling into a rest stop and having lunch.
Latest tweaks. Spent silly money on a Zamp solar package. 160 watt fold out solar. In good sunlight it is capable of 10 or more amps delivered into the battery. The trailer was wired for the Zamp package and it works nicely. Basically I leave it plugged in when boondocking and skip worrying about the 12vdc system.
However, hair dryers and flat irons are part of the estrogen rich world I live in. Lifestyle choices indicated that a Honda EU3000i generator was needed (so did a recent power outage for six days...curses on my employer for that). That Honda is amazing, both in quietness and price. We run it for full up AC electricity in the boonies...it is small, relatively light, and amazingly quiet. Rather funny that you can run most appliances off it in Eco mode but not a hair dryer. But hey, hair dryer and showers make for a nice experience. The generator is big enough to run the air conditioning unit so the trailer is full up boonie capable.
I swapped out the steel propane tanks for fiberglass ones. A bit of a diet on weight so I can put more junk on the forward cargo rack area and easier to haul around.
Future tweaks are probably a beefier rear bumper tied into the frame with some real steel. I suppose I need to get the welder out and see to that this spring. I aim to put a tow hitch on the back bumper so if I have to turn around I can just unhitch and drag it backwards using the back bumper. I have had to unhitch a few times now...learning my lesson about dropping the trailer and exploring with the rig first. At right around 2000 pounds it just is too big to manhandle on rough ground.
So far my assessment is that the design of the trailer is sound but the execution is a bit uneven. Inside it needs more light so I went to harbor freight and picked up a ratchet cargo bar that I put on the top of the A inside and hang 4 LED shoji lights on it. Nice ambience. I am surprised that no one builds these trailers with a generator in them. Probably a price thing.
I continue to be happy with it. This is my first, and likely last RV and from what I gather you get these things and then start a slow upgrading path. I do need to sort out some sort of water filtering so I can resupply from lakes and streams for showering and the like. Drinking water always get filtered if for no other reason then the RV plumbing imparts that nasty plastic taste to water.
My list of what you might do if you get something like this is as follows:
1. Inspect the water tank and reinforce it with BIG steel angle, straps, etc. The damn thing just might fall out.
2. Get a better shower head. There are nice aerator shower heads that feel rather nice. The shower head that came with it was a sorry excuse for a shower.
3. Get a bigger and better water pump. Not surprisingly stuff like water pumps tend towards cheap for the initial build. I am swapping mine out for bigger with more flow and pressure.
4. I may re-plumb it at some future date with plumbing that is bigger than my pinky. I like water pressure and flow!
5. You have to be very disciplined at what you want to bring with you...we are getting better at it
6. The damn dinette table is too big and heavy. I understand that it is there to make the dinette into a bed but it is damn awkward for a table. I plan to fix that with a better table for sitting around and then some sort of reinforced plywood base for turning the front dinette into a bed.
7. Get a generator. I got my trailer loaded with heat pump unit for the A/C and it is nice to be able to use that.
8. Get a 1500 Watt electric heater. If I am at an RV park it is all I need to make the inside toasty. Also, I find that my generator is more fuel efficient at keeping the thing warm with the little heater than the rather fuel hungry propane furnace is. Add to the fact that gasoline is more available than propane is and the generator is a real winner for fun camping.
9. Finally, consider the A-Frame as a big tent of sorts. With a mattress, running water, microwave, heat, etc...my point being that it seems best to do many things outside of it. We have an induction "hotplate" and we generally cook outside if possible.
10. Last thing I recommend is an awning that hangs over the front. I have seen them, nice touch. I want one!
