New Owner checking in!

[keyser soze]

Greetings to all FFOF members!! My wife and I, along with our 2 fur kids, Keyser and Tasha, have just traded in our 2006 Coachman Spirit of America 24RBQ for a 2008 FF X230DS. We picked up the Coachman from my father in law after he fell ill and we used it 6 times. Twice to Northern AZ, once to Pismo Beach and once to Santa Barbara in California, and a couple times up on the rim east of Payson AZ. The issue we had was the 4650lbs of the coachman, along with the equalizer hitch pretty much maxed out tow vehicle, a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The 230DS, weighing in at 4150, plus being narrower, shorter in height and length, and considerably more areodynamic makes a much better match for the Xterra.

We can not get over difference in appointments, and the engineering that went into the FF, we love it and are looking forward to many trips in it.

[jstock]

The 230DS, I am sure you and the family will have fun! Trust me, if I had something bigger to pull I would have went to a larger model. The X160 will work good, it's just the kids and I. I took them to the dealership to show them the new purchase, yeah....they think I am the coolest....makes me laugh. Needless to say, they are ready to go camping now. And I have to admit, I feel about the age of 6, with excitement. Don't worry, I pull it together and act my age...shoes off! don't hang down from there! Stop flushing the toilet! Wipe that up! I knew I could bounce back to being mom. Anyway, nice to have you aboard!

[keyser soze]

Thanks for the welcome, and you're totally the coolest! I wish we had a trailer when I was a kid, we did "Tent" camping and while it was fun, it is also a ton of work. I work at work, I want my off time to be enjoyable. And I know exactly what you're talking about in feeling like you're 6! I feel the same way! Actually, every evening after work, I go out and sit in it, envisioning the beach, or forest just outside. Goofy huh!

The X160 is sweet, and a perfect trailer for your Pacifica. She should pull very well for you, and being lower to the ground than a reg SUV, and weighing in at 4200lbs plus, the trailer will not overwhelm the Chrysler. I think you and your kids are going to have lots of fun!!

[jstock]

The tent thing is fun, but it is a bit of work. We had the same tent for ten years and it goes up really quick and easy. It's just PACKING all the STUFF that is work for me. So, yes...work is work (I'm a corrections officer) and the last thing I want to do is more work when I'm tring to have a fun, relaxing time with the family! Maybe that was just an excuse to get the trailer....hee, hee.

I get the trailer on this Tuesday. So I can't sit in it, like you can....thought that was super funny because I'm going to be doing the same thing! I am thinking about how I'm going to line the drawers, where the beding will go, or will we get new sleeping bags, I'm going to get a piece of carpet to put down that matches, so the flooring won't get scratched up....and on and on....

I was reading some article on saving water on the KOA website. I read it at 0500 this morning so, I can't quite remember what it said, but it talked about getting an extra jug of water and/or have a pitcher of water with a spout for rinsing dishes and/or a type of jug to catch the cold water while the shower warms up....I don't know if any of this is worth while, but it gave me something to start to think about...the x160 is a touch smaller than yours....what do you think...any advice in these areas?

[keyser soze]

You are exactly right, the packing and un-packing and cleaning of everything was time consuming, having everything already loaded, all you add are some clothes and food and away you go is much more enjoyable.

Conserving water is valuable if you go Dry Camping, but not necessary if you are going to KOA's or established RV Parks with full hook ups.

If you are going to be "Dry Camping", or going where there is no water/electricity/or sewer hook ups, then definitely begin to think about ways to conserve water, but it really depends how long you will be camping. I would say a full 25 gals of internal water, plus a couple gallons of drinking water would be plenty, but the kids need to know not to keep flushing the toilet! You will want to bring separate drinking water only because the tanks in your trailer will leave the water with a slight plastic taste and while it is not dangerous, I would bet your kids might object to drinking it, or brush teeth with it. We have done 2 such trips but they were just for the weekend and we didn't have a problem. If you think about it, a gallon jug of water is enough to cook dinner with, a couple gallons could wash dishes and you have a 25 Gallon tank for clean water. You can also bring extra water in the car, and 2 or 3 extra gallons in the trailer. (Remember every gallon of water weighs 8 lbs, so don't over load.)

While the dry camping was fun because we could be off by ourselves, the full hookup places are usually where we go. We spent Christmas a couple years ago at http://www.pismocoastvillage.com/ . We were a couple hundred feet from the ocean, full electrical/water/wifi/waste dump at each spot. There is something to be said for convenience. Also remember if you dry camp you will have to find a Dump Station to empty the Black Water Tank.

I would advise going to full hook up sites at first and get experience with your trailer, then maybe plan a weekend trip up to a lake, or secluded spot to try dry camping. I bet there are hundreds of beautiful spots in Washington, I am jealous you are closer to the ocean than we are. One big problem with AZ is no matter where you go, it is dusty and dirty, even up around Flagstaff, and everything gets covered in dirt.

Sorry for the long post, I am a mechanical Engineer, so I tend to ramble on about details.

[jstock]

Your post was a great read, thank you. Gave me something to think about dry camping, what a concept...ha, ha. You're right, will go to full hook up first to test out the trailer and my knowledge. That was a good thought on the water too. We do A LOT of our camping at the beach, but Washington Beaches are a little different. We average about 75 degrees a year and usually don't brave the ocean to swim in. It's more of a hiking/beach - like experience. Now, we went to the Redwoods last summer, right across the CA/OR border, what a blast. The ocean was bath water warm, it was 85/90 degrees, then we went to the forest and hiked on flat ground. Talk about different, weather-wise, but same as far as the ocean and forest. Really a neat experience, we will be going back and for much longer this time!

[keyser soze]

Great! I have read, and spoke with people who have camped around the Ore/Cal border and that is an area we plan to explore.
I heard there are a couple towns around there that look like they are in Maine. Good Luck and good camping!!