Follow me as I embark on adventures across New England canoeing, kayaking, mountain, fat, and gravel biking, hiking and traveling in my Roadtrek van. I'm getting old, I'm a bit overweight, but I find some of the coolest spots in New England.
I've seen people add solar to their Roadtrek. I don't have it myself. I've found that the generator is fine for topping off the batteries when necessary. My Roadtrek has a lift kit with the 4WD. I've seen others that have lifted theirs, but I'm not sure of the specifics. I get a lot of information from the Roadtrek Chevy Owner's Facebook page. It's a wealth of information!
I’m considering purchasing a 2006 2010 Widebody Rd. track. Very low mileage and well maintained. I don’t think they’ve done hardly anything in the way of mods. there were two owners and one hardly traveled in it at all and the current owner travel seriously I plan to be a female solo RVer soon. Do you have any pros or cons or thoughts for me before I purchase?
The Roadtrek has some complex systems. In addition to having the Chevy checked by a mechanic, you may want to have an RV mechanic check the camper systems - electrical, water and waste, fridge, heater, etc.
It was 1.3 miles, so under 3.9 to walk it three times. We stopped to talk at the ranger station, then walked up to the falls, so we were on land for over two hours. I’d say about an hour and a half with no stops. The carry route goes UP and down a ridge which made it particularly grueling 😩.
I was surprised to see the skeg not used. Helps with taking the brunt of bottom abrasion and also makes steering much easier and less physical effort. All of us know how to paddle my friend. hahaha!
Agreed! It just kills me to put a skeg on my canoe. I’m convinced I can overcome anything with the proper paddling. If I were to go out for a few days on this, in open water, I think it would be a good idea! 😉 Thanks for watching!
Wanted to give a heads-up. It appears an influencer has reuploaded part of this video on Amazon. Unsure if you gave them permission however they earn commission off the sales.
Outstanding job with the videography! I watch all your videos and can't help but pine for my brother Rick to have been there for the adventure with you.
why no one is falling out? I don't understand. No one is holding with their hands and they're sitting on the edge and not really experienced. Does it look more difficult than it is?
😢when Wenonah's first came out, I tested several. I settled on the Sundowner, and I was never disappointed. I put Kevlar pads on both ends, mainly because my son and I did extensive BWCA canoe trips. From family weekends on the St.Croix river, to the wilds of Canada, it has held up well. I chose the tractor seats with the front being a slider, and aluminum gun'lls. For durabablity sake...that also paid off. After all these years (I'm now 72), I passed it onto my son and his family. In 1982 I bought my second Sundowner before tgey discontinued the model. That went to my daughter and her family. I bought in 84 a Old Town Northern Light kevlar solo, which became my "pick up truck" for wilderness hunting, because of the amount of weight it could handle, and still be light and manuverable. I still have it also. I bought 4 Bell Magic kevlar solos, for family solo weekend trips....and all are in my families possesion, and in great shape ... and still regulary used..... I remember being laughed at for buying my first "potatochip" canoe. But the laughs on them now after all these years. I live next to the Canadian border, and next to the BWCA, and the kevlar canoes are now the normal choice of trippers. I have 2 aluminum 18's I keep at my lake landing for visitors and their kids to use.... the best thing I ever did for my kids and grandkids, was to get them out on the water canoeing, fishing, snowshoing, skiing, dog sledding and do on. As I age, I smile and watch more than go out myself (health). Was ut expensive to buy all the gear? Yep! But the investment lives on. Peace to you all from the border lakes country.......
I snowmachine on that exact rail trail from woodsville to Littleton. AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR SHOUTING OUT THE REGISTRATION FEES THAT HELP KEEP THE TRAIL 🤘
Good video of some of the notable transitions on this trip; it's an excellent one for novice canoe-campers with the exception of the potential for sometimes significant wind on the 'ponds'. Did this last month, Monday/Tuesday before Memorial weekend, first time for a spring visit after at least 2 (maybe three?) previous all in late fall. As another poster mentioned, almost empty of other people, almost zero mosquitos and black flies out but not biting; water was high enough that the outflows on the ponds weren't particularly bony. Glorious weather and conditions. For reference, in a 60ish# Mad River canoe, solo paddler and gear, I ran all the river rips without issue; no additional carries required beyond the two mandatory ones. Scouting is a good idea and easy to do, from the water above the ledges at Mosquito/Camel/Spenser, and walking around to plan the Attean sections. All of my trips have been in two days, with early starts and steady paddling. As a caution, both the last two have involved crossing Attean with serious gusting wind, once on the first day with a constant headwind getting from the launch to the portage between the ponds and this May crossing back from the Moose to the outflow and take-out with a mixed headwind and beam wind/chop that might make some parties decide to bivy for the afternoon and finish the next morning. Highly enjoyable.
You have a 21' roadtrek you have even more room for adding more LiFePO4 batteries, a bigger converter that is compatible with them and larger gauge wires to the batteries and your new 45 or 60 amps converter. Then you can use a nice pure sine inverter all night and you could look at a dc to dc charger to charge it while you're driving.
We have had the Minnesota 2 for several years and your review is spot on. I keep ours stored outside on wood horses with a Red leaf designs cover and it still looks great. I would add that it is narrow with a rounded bottom that gives it a “tippy” feel initially, but it has good secondary stability. It is fast! I have a great Old Town canoe from the ‘70s, but often didn’t want to load it due to the 80 or so pound weight. The 42 pound Minn. 2 is a breeze to load and portage.
Cast Iron pan: I have 2 sizes, cook almost all of my meals in them, including toast. Only problem is when I forget to put them away and they get flung onto my custom inlaid teak floor and put big dings in it.
Inverter for USB charging? WTF why would you turn 12v dc, into 120 ac, to turn it into 5v dc? Just put 12v to 5v usb jacks in, no load except the actual thing you are chargeing. And get some solar, first and best mod I did to my 190 popular.
Awning handel, I cut mine down to the length of the door pocket in the side door. I don't even need to go inside to get it just open the door and its right there.
Nice video. Is it comfortable without a backrest support? In my experience with paddling on kayak, if the backrest is not good it strenuous to the back.
I don’t use canoes with backrest support. Very comfortable for me, but I suspect anyone with back discomfort would have some pain on a traditional canoe seat.
Thanks for all the great tips! Couple questions... How does the 4x4 do on gas millage? Is it selectable or full-time? Lastly, I'm curious to know how many miles your van had when you purchased it and how many miles you've driven since owning. Thanks much!
I hope it was helpful, Richard. The 4x4 is real 4x4 with 4 Hi and Low. There’s a dedicated shifter in the cab. Overall mileage is only 14-15 mpg. Lower when using 4wd. We got it about 5 years ago with 60k. Up to 90k now. We’re in Western Maine now dry camping for the eclipse. Video coming out soon.
Hello from Cape Breton. We also have a Versatile, but ours is a 1994 Dodge, and sadly not a 4x4. I enjoyed the walk through, it’s always nice to see the differences in the makes and models.
And another question my road track is 2007 210 ,when I first got it just a year ago I took it to a garage because I couldn’t figure out why the steering was so loose. Do you know why and does yours do the same thing
I wanna ask you a question I have a road track also and I’m 70 years old and that tire in the back on the door , it’s a pain ,like you said it hard to get in the back doors that tire is so heavy for me to put down. Do you think it’s possible to put a swing arm get it welded somehow on the side so it’ll be easier for me to swing it out instead of putting it down did you ever see it done that way?
I’ve seen people put a swing arm on, and I’ve also heard of a retrofit with springs to make the existing carrier easier to lift. Not sure who makes it, though, unfortunately.
Hello, new to your journey. How do you manage your water system in freezing temperatures? Does it not freeze? Thx, and keep up the great work…happy trails
Hi Alan - My tanks and lines are winterized from October through the beginning of April. I carry water in a big jug and use a swag bag in the toilet. It works out great. You can see a bit more on this in my Tips, Tricks and Hacks video here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zfYgtmoXPTU.htmlsi=0rjncW2q-dJixYGh. Thanks for watching !
Looking to purchase a 2007 Roadtrek Popular. Bet you don't expect a comment like this! I saw how you prepared your meal and it really showed me how I can cook in the van. It would be helpful if I saw how, after planning the meals for a few days, how others packed food and stored the food.
Hi Susan - good luck on your quest to find a Roadtrek. Great vehicle and lots of fun. I store all of my food in the fridge and the cabinet behind the driver’s seat. Easy peasy!
Amazing work on this video, you captured the whole trip perfectly! I completed the loop the weekend before Memorial Day. No bugs, no people, and high water. Definitely the best time to go. That initial portage is no joke, definitely feels closer to 2mi that’s for sure! Can’t believe you guys made 2 trips 😂 I’d have turned around hahaha
Right before Memorial Day and no black flies? Awesome!! Glad you enjoyed the video. It’s always fun to go back through a trip with video. The worst part of that first portage was the soaked, twisted bog bridges. Yikes! Keep paddling!
Thanks for Very Useful Hacks. Just got a 2013 Roadtrek. Coming from a Class C life, so realize adapting will take some time but not having to tow a car is worth it. Your hacks will help!
