What kind of camper do you have?

We have owned a 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1808FBS for about 5 months now - ordered in September 2020, took delivery in December. I created another thread with all of my research, figures, product purchases/reviews, and lessons learned.

Feel free to check it out! https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/towing-an-rv-it-is-possible-believe-it-or-not.702015/

 

How much did that beautiful little trailer run? I like it!

 

This one starts at about $27k, but of course the options add up quick. Ours was about $39k all said and done before taxes but we chose a lot of options including two 100Ah lithium ion batteries with solar and other bougie shit that will be worth it for the long term.

https://escapetrailer.com/the-19-foot-escape/

 

Has anyone seen one or do you own one of these?

17' at 1700lbs dry

https://safaricondo.com/en/caravanes-alto-serie-f-1743/




or this one

21' at 2568 lbs dry

https://safaricondo.com/en/travel-trailer-alto-serie-a-2124/




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQRNba_0ZL0

 

I'm pretty sure it's held together with sawdust and wood glue, but it lets us go to some beautiful places.

r pod 193
Crescent Bar campground, Grant County PUD
Quincy Washington

 

We absolutely had a blast in our Rpod. You will have many decades of fun in that thing with some TLC. I would advise you to visually inspect the trim and caulk at least a couple times a year. If you can keep that leak free you will be solid for 10-15 years. You have a really nice looking setup. If I see you in a campground I am probably going to come bug you to look in it. I have not seen any of these new models in person yet.

 

I'm super paranoid about the seals and plumbing leaks. I'm going to set a calendar reminder to check things out every 90 days. I've already fixed a few small issues, but I think that is to be expected.

They use azdel on the exterior panels (I'm not sure if that's new or not), which hopefully will help add to the life of the trailer.

 

If at all possible park it under a carport. If not, a trailer cover. One made of TYVEK IF POSSIBLE, spunbond polyester if not. If not that, then get a heavy-duty 20x30 tarp and tie it to it. Get a new tarp every six months due to UV degradation. Water is your enemy. Remove the roof-to-side panel channel's plastic covering the channel fasteners and caulk every fastener too. Every seam and around every window, door, and everything else. Know that unless you build a metal building where you can store it inside a travel trailer's upkeep will own you.

 

That wont hurt. Getting really familiar with YOUR trailer is important. You will learn all the little quirks. During your inspections make sure you are feeling around in the deep dark corners after any rain shower. There is a 99% chance you are totally fine. It's those stories of that one person that missed a leak that are so terrible to read about. Sounds like you will be a diligent owner.

I am not sure if they have switched exteriors. Mine was holding up good. The roof was not the same. It was always chalky and hard to keep clean. I used a lot of wax and that helped make it easier to keep clean.

I would love to have a nice carport to park in for the warmer months. Something like this:



I would definitely use caution if you go the cover route. Wind and a little dirt can do bad bad things to the finish.

 

My camper is small enough/garage big enough I just park it inside.

 

Its definitely a good idea to keep a running checklist of maintenance items, and learn to do them yourself. I haven't found a camper dealer yet that will service trailer bearings within a reasonable time or cost.



I happen to have two dum dum lessons that I learned this month:

A) be religious about your water heater maintenance.




And B) don't store your cast iron next to your water filter

 

Do you have any tips for staying organized? We are always looking for ways to streamline our processes.

 

Aside from not storing heavy shit next to the plumbing? I have a few here and there.

First off, these drawer organizers are a life saver. I use them in the camper, at work, and I'm about to reorganize my kitchen with them.

$10 Madesmart 8-Piece Interlocking Bin Pack for Drawer Organization, Plastic Interlocking Junk Drawer Organizer Tray, Granite

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GSQLQE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_Z50DGFS4V3JDV3W1PYRJ?_encoding=UTF8



I also bought these little shoe organizers and then installed clip points at several random places around the camper. These little things have significantly reduced clutter from the items that make a camper feel messy. shoes, keys, wallet, etc.

MISSLO Over Door Organizer For Closet Pantry Narrow Door, Pack 2, White

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XY4XV8B?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

$12 Docooler 10pcs Nylon Bungee Deck Loops Tie Down Pad Eye with 20 Screws for Boat Kayak Deck Rigging Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01JU98V84?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title






And for items that go in and out like dry groceries, clothes, dog food, etc... I use the now discontinued Kelty binto bag system. You can patiently scrounge ebay for them or you can get a couple of insulated grocery totes and a trunk organizer. Easy for hauling in and out and storing when at camp. Edit: looks like mountainsmith still makes the binto/cube system, but it's on the pricey side. I love using this a lot more than a suitcase and grocery bags though.

Mountainsmith Zip Top Hauler Duffel Bag, Ice Grey, One Size

https://www.amazon.com/Mountainsmit...b7a966ad45d&pd_rd_wg=J3QwU&pd_rd_i=B079QH7QM7

 

Yes, this is the trick I heard about way back in the 80's when I bought my first cab-over camper. I've got a 32-foot Southwind motorhome now with a massive basement for stowing. Either one will get absolutely full and you won't be able to find a damn thing unless you heed this simple rule:

1. Divide you stuff into three piles: things you know for sure you will need, things you think you will need, and things you think you MIGHT not need but want to take anyway...because it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

2. Leave the last two piles at home.

 

All this talk about maintenance made me realize I need to change up my sticker template. I keep my record of service on the travel door; I might as well throw a mini checklist on there too. That way I'm not going off memory when figuring out if bearing replacement is due this year or next.

 

Nice, I like how that is right in your face.

I keep a write-in-the-rain notebook in the trailer where I log miles towed each trip, maintenance performed, and next due date. I also put mods in there. I use similar to track and log maintenance on the Tacoma.

I'm installing a slide topper this weekend, which means I need to remove a perfectly good sealed gutter spout to have access to the keder rail to pull the awning through. But at least I 'll know it will be all sealed up when I'm done and re-seal that area.

 

Man I like the milage log idea. I can roughly estimate that I put 6-8k miles annually on mine, but it would be good to know exact numbers. Every year I put 3-5k on a giant road trip, and then a couple hundred for each weekender in between.

It would have been cool to have kept a logbook of those.

 

Little Geo had its first stream crossing this weekend. Nothing too deep but fun nonetheless. The 'off road' package did keep the black/grey drain from hitting some rocks.

 

Our Forest River Rockwood ESP at a quirky Route 66 stop along the I40 in Arizona this past weekend.

 

Lavu-tree