I’m not a handyman or mechanically inclined. I suffer from anxiety when things don’t work or need repair. Is this airstream model as simple to operate and maintain as your video illustrates? Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I would highly recommend replacing that red curly line for the electric brakes. The idea is for the cable to pull the key out to activate the brakes. If its to long, the brakes never apply and then when you hit the brakes, you get rear-ended by your own trailer. Make the cable a inch or two, shorter than the chains. Stay safe🙂👍
Just bought a 2018 Basecamp and we are very excited! Thank you Cass for the great videos. They have been a big part of the decision to make the purchase. Love your sincerity. Don’t change! We are also animal people so we will be taking our dogs with us on the adventures ahead.
This is super helpful!! Great video! One thing I would do is make a checklist...like a pilot would have. You may feel like you know the routine, but confirming with a checklist is always a good idea.
Very informative with an added layer of "risk management" to help those consider the underlying liabilities that could arise from a variety of perspectives. Gives people the confidence they need to enjoy their vehicles, while reducing the chance of something going wrong. Thank you!!!!
Like your Video but like to make a suggestion that I found helpful. My jack is a little different that yours it had the handle on top so I took the handle off and put u joint from a socket set on then I’m able to use my drill w/adapter to raise and lower my jack. Keep up the good work! Keep up the good work!
This is an awesome video for a single person OR couples who are new to RV's - the best thing is the info about traveling with pets! That's the biggest variable my wife and I are trying to account for especially for longer term trips! Love this channel also as your TV is a 4Runner TRD ORP, same as ours!
Thank you soo much! I am getting a 16x in the next month or so and I am excited but nervous. Your videos are all great and I learn something from each one, but this one was critical! I know they’ll show us when we pick it up but now I can watch this over and over. You are my hero!
Hey - I saw an archery target in the 4 runner. :) :) I hope that perhaps you will try a longbow. Yeas ago I started with a recurve, but have really come to love a straight limb longbow such as a Howard Hill Tembo, Big Five or a Wesley. It takes longer typically to get up to speed with a Longbow, but the satisfaction is amazing. FWIW
Good to know! I'm still a beginner with my recurve, so it has light poundage to it as well. Would love to get better and will keep the longbow in mind. Thanks Kent!
From someone who is interested in this lifestyle but currently has no RV experience, these types of videos are extremely helpful to understand how things work. So many little tidbits of information that RVers take for granted that I would not have thought of... Thanks Cass for posting another good video. (Unsolicited idea for a future video...show the simple act of getting gas...how to position the rig, where to go, navigating through small gas stations,etc. This makes me nervous thinking about doing this for the first time)
Great video idea Drew! That's one of those items I think about every time I drive into a gas station, but never thought of filming. It's also a lot easier for a small RV like myself to navigate than a larger rig.
When I was a kid our trailer came lose on the Indiana turnpike. Lucky now one was hurt. It just stopped. It actually passed us. Weird sensation. Funny now.
Check out "Organized Obie", they have tons of storage items and lots of cargo nets. You might find some storage ideas that will save you time in setting up the Basecamp for travel. By the way, I compliment you on your systematic approach to getting your airstream ready for travel, its as if you have a check list in your mind.
I'd love to have a serious shot at hooking up with an RV trailer. Ok at driving vans on UK roads but the technicalities of hitching up elude me...Prob if I made time I could do it...Lazy!! Thanks for the vid. Give your lovely big doggy a pat from me.
how do you level your Basecamp on uneven ground? I noticed some blocks under the wheels but watching you level it would be a very informative video....
I am new to your channel and I love it. Keep up the good work. It's not easy being a solo female RVer. Traveling with a dog and a cat is dedication on a whole another level. I'm sure you had to make some hard sacrifices to make this work. I have so many questions, like what do you with Napoleon when you go for a hike? You can take Jasper, but you have to leave the cat in the trailer. What if it's summer time, the trailer can get very hot? Or what if you had to go to supermarket, and you had to leave both pets in the trailer?
Thanks for the comment and such great questions! I'll make sure to highlight that in future videos. I do leave them in the RV, but am very careful of outside temperature and leave the fans running.
since you had Class B Van...complete...no unhitching issues...what are your feelings now having to go through that? I agree a basecamp is good idea...let you know in OR you can use land for RV use...no need to build..it is your land..RV Land it is permissible..I check with the planning dept. accepts ..short terms stays...no structure on the land.
The unhitching is really quite easy, and I do prefer having a separate vehicle. This way when I go to the grocery store, I can leave the animals in the RV and they don't have to move around.
Curious and not sure if you've done a video on this but what is the basic and long term wear of your 4 runner? I.E shocks, tires and the mileage and year of it? And also, pull weight with everything in the 4 runner and the camper itself plus you and your animals lol?
Great questions! I haven't done a video on that yet. The 4R has over 80,000 miles on it and other than regular maintenance, I've only had to replace the brakes.
you are amazing i want to get rv to travel have house after 5 more years of work i have the inverters 6 24v100amp and 8 12v 200amp lithium iron phoshate i have alot of power
It does run on propane. It's not safe to have the propane on while driving, so I turn that off which means I need to turn the fridge off. I have since upgraded to an all electric fridge so I don't have to turn it off while driving.
Hey you I’m considering this trailer for next year Question Is it decent for off road ? Not extreme stuff like rock climbing. But just the roads out west off in the sand or not well trodden roads ? I’m looking at the x package 20
Hi! Everyone has a different level of "off-road" so it's hard to say for sure based on what you are thinking. But I use it mostly for boondocking and going down dirt roads. The rear departure angle is better than a lot of trailers and you don't have a bumper to hit. There are shocks so although things are bounced around, they aren't thrown around. I've been down muddy and rutted roads and it has done fine. Never done anything with much rocks.
@@TailsofWanderlust perfect I need it for that. Not too crazy But I’ve had normal teardrops or Eva that just fall apart on bumpy. Sandy roads It’s a huge investment But I’m full time. And work remote. Like yourself So. It’s worth it I think Your videos have been really helpful Thank you
You are welcome and glad they are helpful! Just know that right now RVs prices are at an all-time high due to COVID. So if you are looking, things are quite expensive currently.
That really depends what you consider rugged. I took it down some rough forest service roads. But I wouldn’t do any bouldering with it. The rear departure angle is amazing for Offroad. However, it’s still a Camper and things do shake loose.
@@TailsofWanderlust Thanks. At this point I'm not exactly sure what trails and sites I'm headed for, except I know it won't be in large State parks. Just me and my Belgian Malinois.
@@TailsofWanderlust Excellent. Thanks. I think I'm gonna go with a Off Grid Trailer. Expedition model. Just really robust. Much smaller interior and certainly not for everyone I don't think. I'll give this a shot. If I find I'm not doing the rough stuff and want more room, then Basecamp here I come. Thanks. Safe travels to you and Have fun!
Great, well done videos and very articulate. I am retired and have been thinking about purchasing a Basecamp x. Are you still happy with the quality and reliability of your Basecamp? While researching the Basecamp I have read numerous complaints about quality issues. One of the main issues seems to be that some of the items have had to be fixed several times. It appears Airstream is willing to address customer complaints however the issues never seem to get resolved. What has your experience been? I was considering Airstream due to their longevity in the industry and their purported quality however, after my research I am not sure about he quality, especially considering their cost. Thank you.
Hi Tango. Here is everything I've had done to mine: tailsofwanderlust.com/2019/01/30/airstream-basecamp-repairs-warranty-work/. Overall, I still very much enjoy the Basecamp. My biggest frustration would be the Truma itself. I find it's not always reliable so I do carry an extra Buddy Heater with me. But in the end, when I walk in many other RVs, I do feel the quality inside the BC is hard to match. In terms of getting work done, I do find some dealers are better than others. Now I tend to go straight to the factory when I need work done.
@@TailsofWanderlust thank you for that information and yes, I see where that system seems to have reliability issues. The more I read the more appalled I am becoming with so many customer complaints about Airstreams. It appears that we once again have a company living off their name recognition with very little regard for current quality. People purchase these to use, not to have them sit in the dealers repair shop. I believe I will look elsewhere. I will however continue to watch your very professional videos! Thank you again!
awesome info!!! .... when we turn off our propane, i go inside and turn a burner on and burn what is left inside the lines.... just in case... thanks for your videos, i love your pets!!!
This was a GREAT video. The more I watch your videos, the more I think, "Hey, Cat, you really can do this!!!!"! Thank you so much. You continue to take the "scary" out of this for me! I'd be very interested to see how you level the BC when you get to a spot!
Absolutely GREAT video , glad to see the four legged super visors are safely secured during driving! You will make a great wife someday to some very lucky guy !
Great info today. Lots of opportunity to make serious mistakes when hooking up and this was a solid walk through on how it should be done. Good call letting the Dewalt do the work to raise the rear jacks too. The Basecamp is just awesome and I get the itch to go check one out every time you post! Thanks for sharing.
I've never towed before but I'm thinking about getting an off road teardrop trailer to go behind my Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. This video was very informative and easy to follow. Thanks.
I have one too. V6. I think with a good wd hitch we'd be okay towing a basecamp 20x, somewhere around 4000 or 4500 wet. She tows the 16ft and her 4runner tows 5000 max. But what do you think about the crappy tongue weight of the trailhawk jgc? It's only 350. That's why you need to pay more for special hitches, wd and antisway, I think.
Oh man, wonderful to watch a technically selfsufficient woman. You are just bursting with confidence and routine and that charming "lets get things done" attitude. Smart and also entertaining to watch. Thumbs up, good on ya, keep on rocking 🤘👍
Good info aside from recommending to twist the chains. Nobody should EVER twist chains. This decreases their strength and breaking forces. They definitely should be short enough to not touch the ground, but twisting them isn't the way to achieve that, ever. I like most of your videos, but when you start flippantly giving unsafe advice to others that you clearly don't understand yourself, I lose patience. Please, do better when it comes to safety issues.
I admire the heck out of all of you adventurous ladies doing this sort of thing but sincerely hope that you pack a .38 revolver (or more) because I fear there are far too many Ted Bundies running around out there. Sweet rig, btw!
That was most helpful. I've been eyeing Airstream trailers for a long time and thought maybe a basecamp would be my first intro to hauling a trailer. Breaking down looks easy enough. Still does take some practice to get it down to a smooth routine. Nothing like living free in open space with our beloved furry friends. Thank you for ur video. 👍🏽
Thank you for doing this video. We have a 2018 Basecamp that we have travelled with for two years and almost 20,000 miles and I actually learned something new that I didn't know. Please do more videos!
I used weight distributing hitch which is a bit harder to hook up. You need the electric raiser. But they prevent the dreaded trailer left and right swirl from different road situations. Once the swirl starts, you have a big problem very quickly.
I just found your RU-vid channel yesterday and I have learned so much from you. It’s nice finding another female who travels alone, which I plan to do in the near future. Thank you so much for sharing all of your experiences.
You and Jasper just did more work in the video than I'll do all day. haha. On that emergency breakaway cable, is there a longer one available? Looks like you have a tow hook mount point for it right next to the plug for the trailer. It would probably be too tight using it as is I'm guessing. Just a little dust on the dash... "well used"...haha. Great job done by Jasper the supervisor!!
I glad you're not using a drill bit, that's hex nut. You make holes with drill bits. Now I'm leaning more to the Basecamp more than the Casita or the scamp. Thank you
What about the electrical hookup and testing that the brake lights work on the trailer? I always found testing the lights to be a challenge when I was on my own.
That's a great point! I look up from the driver side mirror to check if the running lights are on the BC. If they are, then I proceed. Once in awhile I'll put my 4 ways on and test the rear lights that way.
I'm just curious but has there ever been a time where you were kicking back in your trailer maybe in the evening or whatever and kind of thought did I make the right move by doing this all Nomad thing? I'm just assuming that it probably goes through most people's head at some point. I've always wanted to do something like that but then I end up talking myself out of it LOL I have a feeling I will regret that one day
This is a really good comment, Billy. I'm gearing up to chuck it all in and try my hand doing this and while still on this side of it all, I do worry just a bit that maybe I'll regret it, even a little. I guess, there's really only one way to really know! Geronimo!!!
Hi Billy! I haven't had any night where I regretted being a nomad or downsizing my life. Instead, it is an absolute relief. I don't have to worry about a large monthly mortgage or dealing with a lot of stuff. I love the simplicity! Although, there are nights that it can get very lonely. The first year I traveled completely alone, but kept up a fast pace to distract myself. Since then, I've met friends and my boyfriend on the road. Having others to visit or travel with is amazing to balance out the solo trips and decrease the loneliness. My biggest recommendation for someone hitting the road is to find a community, either through a program like Escapees/Xscapers or any of the many others out there.
Just a suggestion and maybe you tried it, but there are cargo nets in all sizes which you could use on those upper racks so you don’t have to empty them all the time. I have used them on canoes and kayaks as well as ATVs. But another good video.
Great suggestion Wally! I'd be nervous to do that, as I've seen other Basecamp owners who have had their cargo nets snap during travel from weight. Although, that netting would help keep the towels up there!
Thank you for sharing so happy to see how aware you were of where Jasper was at all times some humans aren’t and bad things happen stay safe cheers from Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
you probably dont care but if you guys are stoned like me atm you can watch all of the new movies and series on Instaflixxer. I've been watching with my brother for the last couple of weeks :)
One youtuber said,,, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CHAINS HANGING DOWN BECAUSE THEIVES WILL TOW IT DOWN THE ROAD WITH JUST THE CHAINS,,, even if the hitch lock is on,, Also use Locked Lugnuts,
Hey Cass! I see by that target you been practicing with your bow! Cool! Maybe in your next video, you can throw some of that in there! Great video as always and stay safe!
Very nice Basecamp RV. For what you paid for it, it should have a Electric Jack and Stabilizers. On your SUV 🚙 it should have it where you can change from Backup Camera Lines to a Hookup hitch line to line your Ball straight to your Hitch. My 2020 Colorado has it and I love it!! Looks like you have it handled.Have fun!,
Buying a 2018 today! Super excited and you have totally inspired me with your videos!!! Thank you for taking the time to be so detailed. I really appreciate the info;)
Glad I found this channel. Have been looking for youtube channel's about camping/traveling with dogs/pets. Nice content. Impressive how many views/subscribers/ you have in only a year. Great job !
Where did you get your solar panels from? I would also like to know the cost! If you don't want to divulge the info! No problem! I must say, I have enjoyed your Videos! Tks for your posts!!
You're very welcome Ron! The rooftop solar panels are from the Airstream factory, as I purchased that as an option with the Basecamp. The deployable ones I purchased used from a friend. Thanks for watching!
Like your camper and y'all have good time on your travels ,the views great , was doing alright until you stated to leave all you had to do taking ever thing down moving lot on your be 😢it just 😂 wore me out 😇 I do like your video hope to go bach and watch more, Thank You so much Sharing Then , Safe Travels 😇🙏🎶🎵🇮🇱
Put those large solar panels on the roof permanently & you wld probably never have to worry about power again. I'd suggest two 48" solar panels on the roof if you have the room. We put them on our 41' Morgan out island sail boat & never needed more power again, running refrigerator, two TV'S, lights & other electrical items
Sounds like a great solar setup! These panels are too big for my roof (since I already have some up there). But someday hoping to get a couple smaller ones and mount to the roof.
Very informative video. I tow trailers a lot and some can be nearly 20K pounds or more. Don't tell the DOT, please! LOL Anyways a couple of things, for people towing heavier trailers, don't twist your chains to make them shorter. Have them cut to the proper length. Twisting can make them more likely to break when the shock force of the trailer coming off the hitch hits them. As they're being stretched out they are also trying to untwist, putting a different kind of load on them then they were designed for. As far as removing your chains goes, thieves usually come prepared with their own chains, so that would be a waste of time. You can however put a boot on one of the wheels like the parking police use. Determined thieves will defeat all the devices though. It's sad but true.
That dirt dust inside the car 🥰 I wish I had that . AWSOME on chains I tell ALOT of people to cross them they Chrugg me off and tell me it won’t happen 😒 love the set up love the vid living the dream
Love this! I'm thinking of buying a Basecamp and I was wondering how easy/hard it would be to attach and unattach from my suv by myself. Looks pretty easy!! Thank you!
It keeps pretty cool as long as it is only a few hour drive. Although, since this video I have upgraded to an all-electric fridge and can leave it running while I drive now.
