Darkside

[dthurk]

Well, we went and did it.  Good news is, we bought a new camper today.  Bad news is, we went to the darkside.  We are the proud owners of a http://www.gulfstreamcoach.com/streamlite/index.htm, model 25BH.  I think we got a good deal on it, about 25% off MSRP, and the price includes a Reese WD hitch with dual cam anti-sway.

We did buy it locally, we'll pick it up on Friday.  I guess we'll have to start changing our camping reservations for the rest of the year.  We'll keep our Rally site as it is (I think), but others may need to be changed.

As far as COTOC is concerned, we may be able to do more cold weather and dry camping with this rig.  We may be able to consider winter trips if they're close enough, and Assateague Island is now a strong possibility for future trips.  

Guess we'll have a popup for sale.

[tlhdoc]

Congratulations on the new camper.  I hope you enjoy it and you can extend your season.  Will you be giving tours at the rally?

[dthurk]

We'd be more than happy to give tours.  Anybody who wants to, drop by and we'll chat.  The rally will be our 2nd trip in it.  Going to Niagara Falls (Four Mile Creek Campground) to break it in.  

Can't wait to start mod-ing it out.

Will miss the popup in many ways.  I'm not viewing this as an "upgrade", just a different way of doing it.  Oldest DD already has told us "That's not REAL camping!".  She likes backpack camping, although she doesn't own a tent.  I haven't been able to figure that one out.  Let someone else do the work?

[TheViking]

Congrats, and welcome to the darkside.  It's really not that bad over here.

[brainpause]

Congrats, and Enjoy!

Larry

[dthurk]

Congrats, and welcome to the darkside.  It's really not that bad over here.

The Jayflight 27BH is one that we looked at but eliminated quickly as it's too heavy for us to tow at this point.  The one we bought has a very similar floorplan, but is missing the sofa in yours.  As a result, ours is about 2 feet shorter.

I am looking forward to getting it.  We pick it up on Friday.  We'll be selling the pup on our own after we get the new one, so it's possible we'll be in the enviable position of having a choice of 2 different campers to take out for a (hopefully) brief period of time.

[gettingfiesty]

dthurk--

CONGRATULATIONS!!

After you pick it up, would you mind posting some "real" pics?  My husband would love to go to the darkside and if I am switching then I want it to be on my terms  Thanks.

[dthurk]

dthurk--

CONGRATULATIONS!!

After you pick it up, would you mind posting some "real" pics?  My husband would love to go to the darkside and if I am switching then I want it to be on my terms  Thanks.

I'd be more than happy to post some pics.  I'll put them up in the webshots site accessed by the link in my signature.  Give me to next Sunday to get it done.

[dthurk]

We got it!  Brought it home last night.  I've already started mod-ing it out.  We'll be staying overnight tomorrow night at a campground 3 miles down the road to try it out before we go to Niagara Falls in a few days.  It really is a nice camper.  

I'll get some pics posted as soon as I get an opportunity to get it done.  Busy right now, playing a wedding tonight and a church service tomorrow morning.

[dthurk]

dthurk--

CONGRATULATIONS!!

After you pick it up, would you mind posting some "real" pics?  My husband would love to go to the darkside and if I am switching then I want it to be on my terms  Thanks.

Finally.  Got the pics and got them posted.  Go to http://community.webshots.com/album/551538841SIIClC, or click on the link in my signature.  Let me know what you think.

[dee106]

Nice!

[Bigfoot1]

Congratulations on the new RV. Why does this extend your camping season? We camp here all year round.

[dthurk]

Congratulations on the new RV. Why does this extend your camping season? We camp here all year round.

It gets cold up here in the north country in the winter.  A fully enclosed camper with full insulation, ducted furnace and a heated fresh water tank will help.  We've not wanted to camp when temps go below 40 in the PUP.  Waking up to snow on the canvas that has to be removed before damage ensues is not our idea of a good camping experience.  There are others in this area who have done winter camping in PUPs, we have not.  We would be more likely to participate in a TT than a PUP

[tlhdoc]

It gets cold up here in the north country in the winter. A fully enclosed camper with full insulation, ducted furnace and a heated fresh water tank will help. We've not wanted to camp when temps go below 40 in the PUP. Waking up to snow on the canvas that has to be removed before damage ensues is not our idea of a good camping experience. There are others in this area who have done winter camping in PUPs, we have not. We would be more likely to participate in a TT than a PUP

One thing you don't want to forget is that your grey and black water tanks will freeze if they aren't heated tanks.  A friend of mine had to deal with that after winter camping this year.  My cassette did not freeze, but it is inside the heated PU.  If you have heat in the PU snow will not build up on the tenting.  It will melt.  The nicest thing about winter camping is that it doesn't rain.

[dthurk]

One thing you don't want to forget is that your grey and black water tanks will freeze if they aren't heated tanks.  A friend of mine had to deal with that after winter camping this year.  My cassette did not freeze, but it is inside the heated PU.  If you have heat in the PU snow will not build up on the tenting.  It will melt.  The nicest thing about winter camping is that it doesn't rain.

I've had thoughts of adding a 12 volt circuit that would power tank heaters for black and gray tanks.  I'll probably not do that until I'm really well set up for dry camping and know I'll be in sub zero temps.