A real quickie video before I head out for my Southwest USA camping trip in my Aliner Trailer. Here I show how I pack for a long trip. It's gonna be fun !!!
Being new at this I appreciate your thoroughly covering the little details of what to have. Your experience in these matters is a godsend for rookies like myself. Thank you. Keep these informative and interesting vids coming please.
I love maps too, it is the way I travel though since I travel alone I use a GPS when traveling in large cities. I am in my late 70's and travel in my minivan that I have rigged up to camp in. I enjoy your videos very much. My camping areas of choice are first National Forests then State Forests and finally State Parks. Have camped since 1968 and have never stayed in a private campground. Sometimes I find it hard to come by the maps I want, everything is now on computer or Smartphone. Keep up the good work!
This is my second day of watching your videos. I just found your posts. I so enjoy them; you get to the point but you have such an upbeat attitude. Have a safe trip.
Cool vid with the frozen bubbles! You are on the mark about Idaho - I lived there about 4 years during the late 70's to early 80's. Traveled through in Spring 2017 and was reminded of why I was glad to move South as soon as I opened the car door!
Have a GREAT trip Slim. I am heading out for the same area in the next couple weeks so maybe I will run into you somewhere. I'll be lookin for that A-Liner! Cannot wait to hit some warm wetland areas with my kayak. Have fun!
Packing our 6’ x 10’ Campfire trailer & tow vehicle for two for a long trip out is definitely a science and organizational art! ‘Stuff’, as you describe :), must be weeded with an iron hand. Luv your tips on small RVing while living big!
My family & I have the same experience in Idaho. We always have to stay for the night, as we always hit snow, fog, wind.. just like you said on this video. I was so surprised that you have the same experience as us in Idaho
Once again sir in canada, we have much in common belive me, however I always bring my rods and lures.. even a small outboard!😀 Still thanks for showing us the beauty of north america!😊
Thank you again, I traveled up to Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado In my 2018 Ford Explorer and used my road map...not my gps on the car Not into all the technical stuff....good old road maps!
Paper maps are great if you lose signal. I have done that before. A lot of places you go won’t have signal. Paper maps are the best. Your videos are great.
Oh that would be so perfect for me if I were traveling alone. I'll look for you along the way. We'll be rambling around the Quartzsite/Tucson area for a while. Leaving tomorrow. :)
Envious. I bought a 97 (yes 97) Chalet. It needs a little work but I enjoyed it this summer staying within a hundred miles from home. I have learned from your video's and I thank you for sharing. Have safe travels. If you are ever in Alaska you would be welcomed to stop by and tinker on my rig... Happy trails.
If I may call you Slim...May I suggest you consider lining the compartment you showed that will support the outside access for your Aliner, with reflectix. I have a camper who's bed sat atop the "Pass Through" compartment for storage and it took me a while to figure you why it was always cold. Reflectix will help insulate this area for you. By the way. Love your videos.
Hey Slim, have you traveled through NW Wisconsin at all? We have some gorgeous remote campgrounds, thousands of acres of public access lands (camping permitted), waterfalls, rivers, lakes, hiking trails, etc - and these are just the warm-weather things... winter is also incredible here! If you do come through, I’d love to recommend some places to visit! Happy travels!
Yep, in Idaho if you don't like the weather wait 10 minutes LOL. Lived here in southwest Idaho for 27 years, we've had a few cold and snowy winters but I guess nothing like they had in the 70's and back where it was common to have several feet of snow in the valley.
Just a tip sir, dont know if german Truma offer their products in north america, still they do have good stuff and one of my favorits is the truma ultrastore, a 10 lit water heater perfect for offgrid since you can run it on propane, absolute exellent appliance, just do your choice, 50 or 70 degree Celsius.. Cannot live without it..
Excellent tips! But you must have tech to make your vids!.I always pack too much, due to enthusiasm and fantasy, I dont go for more than a week-- YET! And I use real MAPS too. I see you let the snow collect, no worry that ice and thawing will wreck caulking and cables? I am going to leave mine up as you advised for this winter (western Massachusetts) for a change, but I think I'll run "come alongs" across top as you do for windy locations.
Awesome videos! If your going as far south as Why AZ. Hickiwan RV Park isn't a bad place to park up for a couple of nights to reset yourself. There's laundry facilities, Wifi and HOT showers. The Native American's running the place are super nice. I've been using the campground as a staging point for my trips into and out of Mexico. Hickiwan RV Park: N32 14.605 W112 43.491
Hi Daryl, I think I've seen that place, but Gunsite Wash is just a few miles south and free. Check out my video on it at: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xJDGut2eJ8g.html Thanks, Slim
Favorite part: opening that gate with all the snow on the Aliner...it looks like a cozy mountain chalet... Do you think the Aliner is more water-tight when stored with the roof up? Ours hasn't seen a rain storm yet and I'm worried about leaks when it's stored on the driveway. Also maybe you talked about this in a previous video, but why don't you use the kitchen sink? Have a fun trip BTW!
Hi AA, just catching up after making it to Nevada. Good question. In up position I believe the vents are the most likely spot for leaks. In down its the sides. The only time I've had leaks is during a gale in Del Rio when winds forced water into one vent. Check the seal on the sides in down position. On mine I can fit my hand in there! Slim
If you are worried about leaks while your trailer is stored in your driveway, or otherwise not opened up in the regular position when being used, put a tarp over it and make sure the tarp goes down the sides of the trailer but do not tie it down tight to avoid mildew and mold, you just want the tarp to act as an umbrella to your trailer...just be sure to tie the tarp down so the wind can't blow the tarp around and force rain, snow, etc. up under the tarp.
Hi Leonard, honestly, I don't think any detached trailer handles well in severe ice and snow. It's up to the tow vehicle to perform well, which is why I drive a Jeep with all-season, all-weather tires. I typically slow down and drive with caution, and am left clearing the frozen slush and salt off at every occasion. Will have a video on that some time in the future! Thanks, SP
Typically trailers don't do well in snow/ice but that can be helped with having some all season or all terrain type tires installed. The best advice is to slow down and avoid heavy applications of the brakes which can easily lockup the brakes on the trailer causing the trailer to slide around...while most newer vehicles have anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, etc...none of that stuff works on your trailer, so slow down and pay attention to traffic and/or obstacles ahead of you, don't tailgate, and don't try passing other vehicles in snow/ice as it can easily cause a loss of control. If you are towing with a 4WD or AWD vehicle DO NOT let that system make you feel invincible...it'll help you get going but it does very little to help you stop even more of an issue with the added weight of a trailer...increase your following distance by several car lengths because a tow vehicle and trailer cannot stop on a dime in good weather, throw in some snow/ice and its an even longer stopping distance. Common sense, good tires, and slowing down and paying attention is the keys to success when it comes to trailer towing in bad weather. If you have to chain up your tow vehicle you need to chain up your trailer too otherwise it'll try to pass you up the first time you hit the brakes. If you are on the road and conditions get so bad you don't feel you can safely keep going, find the nearest place to pull off the highway or freeway and wait out the storm, don't try and push yourself to keep going if you do not feel like you can safely do so.
Hi Gregg, Greetings from Nevada (just got here). I leave my trailer at the campsite, and locked. I have a hitch lock as well but seldom need it. My rule of thumb is I must feel safe and comfortable where I camp or I move on. Get to know the other campers and they'll look out for you when you are away from camp. The big advantage of a separate trailer is I can take off in my jeep without hauling my bed around! I'LL be doing exactly that tomorrow if the rain stops!!! Thanks, Slim
I really appreciate all your videos, Slim. I'm going to be buying a used A frame soon. Do you have a video (or know of one) on what to watch out for when buying used? I will be traveling alone or with my sister most of the time so I need to be sure my unit is as trouble free as possible. Also, I'll be towing with a mid size, 6 cyl SUV. Is it better to pack more in the car or trailer or both? Thanks! Happy Trails!
Hi MsKraftee, I don't have a specific video for buying a used trailer, nor would I feel qualified as I only bought one. Only advice I can give is have suspension checked, look for water damage inside and confirm frame is not bent. I pack both the trailer and the towing vehicle. Enjoy your travels! Slim
Water damage is the largest problem in travel trailers regardless of what type you buy. The biggest issue is having water in the tanks while traveling, if you are traveling in cold weather it could freeze and damage the water tanks, so best to travel without any water in the tanks in the winter. Another issue is the extra weight of the water if you have good weather and chose to haul water is it adds a lot of weight, and that weight can make a huge difference if you have a larger trailer and a smaller tow vehicle, so limit the amount of water you carry with you. Make sure the tires on the trailer are in good condition, trailer tires get quite a bit of abuse.
Chili: 1 can Hormel with beans* and one can (smaller) Rotel tomatoes with chili peppers; combine and shut; heat on stove or in microwave; goes well with saltines; two servings.
Hi Michael, my vote would be for "open". Easier on the springs and less risk of damage from snow or ice. If in a heated garage however, closed would be fine. Thanks!
Do you have a safety video? In your presentations (and others I've watched) I don't see a fire extinguisher(s), smoke, CO detectors or for trailers with inside propane the appropriate gizmo. Also where and what is in your first-aid kit? If you have such a presentation please point me in the direction. Thank you and Aloha, The Western Flyer.
Never thought I'd hear you use the term millennial's slim. I think I have seen a few paper road maps a few times, even think I've held a few of them. Have I ever used physical road maps before? No, I haven't so far. Would I like to learn how to use them? Sort of. I agree that so many people are so caught up in using so much technology these days slim. I'm 23, going to be 24 next may, and I can't understand how people can walk around or drive while texting, I could never drive and text while driving EVER.
@@SlimPotatohead You would not have to sit in your camper when it rains. Plus, I doubt an Aliner give much in the way of shade - unless you lie underneath it like Brad Pitt in "The Martian"
I don't mind sitting in the trailer, it's usually quite comfortable. I also have rain gear for walks. But I do see your point. I have actually considered it several times but have not come up with a design that suits my needs. May happen in the future though. Thanks! SP
To me, maps = parents arguing for hours overthe right path to pick or over a freeway exit they may have missed. But that’s because they weren’t planning the trip ahead. I don’t use maps while I drive because I drive alone but I do note when to take a turn and what direction to follow (on a piece of paper, not in my head). A GPS would be too distracting for the trip. And I already have a terrible sense of directions, I don’t want to make it worse by relying on a GPS too much.
I have been meaning to ask you if you slept in the front or back, so know that I know from watching this video that you sleep in the front, could you take a moment to explain why? Thanks!
Hey slim I’ve been watching your videos for about a year. I’m am artist and I’ve always had a dream of travel and paint. Well I’m gonna do it. You have inspired me. And i’m buying an Aliner Ranger 12. But I have a few questions. Is it possible to contact you? I have a Facebook page with my art on it. You can message me thru Facebook. Me FB page is “Boelke Art”. I look forward to hearing from you.
I live in idaho falls.... I would love to meet you personally.... leave me a message and I will give you personal information.... I have watched all your vid's
