Offseason Camping (McLean, Chain Lakes, etc)

[Cos]

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[Unknown303]

Be a man.

[mrbojangles]

A couple of the powered Loops (B and C I think?) are open during off season in Mclean. It is attended (you can pay in person when they come around or at the drop box). You can also purchase fire wood at this time. Washrooms are the campsite outhouses. If it's not to cold, bring a few space heaters to heat your trailer instead of your propane - cuts down on the condensation.

[Cos]

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[Unknown303]

Or we go crown and get some gennies to run! Then we can drink and shoot all day long, start a bonfire and shoot off fireworks!

[spikerS]

when are you going?

[Cos]

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[mrbojangles]

Originally posted by Cos


Good to know thanks! The power is out now but is 80-90% restored as of last week. Not sure if it will be done when we go.

If there is no power for the whole site probably going to get in to the B loop.

Thanks for the update on the Power situation out there!

[redblack]

Originally posted by Cos


Thinking spring break but not sure yet, still working out the details. Ab Parks site is a little terrible and I dont think there are direct phones to anyone.

March 14-17, weather should be fine. Dont forget, we can snuggle if it gets too cold

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by redblack


March 14-17, weather should be fine. Dont forget, we can snuggle if it gets too cold

Brokeback style!

Plus we'll have piles of homemade jerky by then.

[Cos]

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[redblack]

yup, four dudes sitting around a fire jerking it

[ExtraSlow]

I'm sure most of you guys know this, but it's worth mentioning that having a genny or shore power is pretty important for cold weather camping. The furnace fan in most trailers will draw down the battery very quickly if it's running a lot. Space heater is also an option if your furnace is weak.

Have fun out there kiddies. Stay safe, wrap it up before you get too far into the "cuddling".

[Unknown303]

the guy with the big fancy RV should bring out a Genny. ;)

[spikerS]

hahaha, That sounds like a blast!

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
I'm sure most of you guys know this, but it's worth mentioning that having a genny or shore power is pretty important for cold weather camping. The furnace fan in most trailers will draw down the battery very quickly if it's running a lot. Space heater is also an option if your furnace is weak.

Have fun out there kiddies. Stay safe, wrap it up before you get too far into the "cuddling".
I don't follow this....if you can use a "space heater" then you have electricity. If you've got electricity, the RV's furnace is running off A/C and not house batteries...ergo you wouldn't need a space heater. Same goes for "dry camping" if you have a genny, why the need for a space heater?

[Cos]

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[C_Dave45]

^^ Ahh...Good point.
Our RV furnace kicks ass. Gets it cooking hot within minutes. I find space heaters too "localized" and never gets it "comfy". Two 30 lb'ers seem to do us for a good week, so I never even thought about propane.

[ExtraSlow]

Yeah, sorry I wasn't clear. If you have shore power AND you furnace is weak, space heaters are an option. If you are running off batteries, your furnace fan will draw them down pretty quick, so you should consider bringing a genny OR going somewhere with shore power.

[Cos]

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[Unknown303]

I only have an old industrial unit. Not very quiet. I thought you'd be getting a Genny to compliment your fancy trailer ;)

[Cos]

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[hedge]

We went camping on the family day weekend, we just went to Tunnel mountain. I hate the campground but they stay open year round and it's close to Banff so lots to do. I may go to Maclean this weekend.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/_hedge_/pic1_zps7cd08fb5.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/_hedge_/media/pic1_zps7cd08fb5.jpg.html)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/_hedge_/pic2_zps4156c5e0.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/_hedge_/media/pic2_zps4156c5e0.jpg.html)

[Unknown303]

That looks mighty nice.

[Cos]

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[ercchry]

castle PLUZ... all the trailers just stop off the main road, you wont get stuck.... plus dirt biking!

[hedge]

Originally posted by Cos


That looks awesome. How are they in the winter? I know my parents love to go in the summer but they dont have huge fires or stay up much past 830/900. I know that is why I typically try to ignore it.

I love that with a $15 cab ride you can go into town for drinks one night! Also the free firewood is nice too.

It's pretty good, only the main shower rooms are open the other bathrooms are closed, but we had power and lots of firewood so we had a fire every night. We actually use the bus service into town, not sure how late it runs but it stops right in the campground and runs quite often. We have a kid so not too much bar-hopping for us.

The campground itself is like no other I've ever seen, it's essentially a paved parking lot and you just pull up beside your picnic table and that's your spot. Absolutely no privacy between spots. It's draw isn't the campsite it's the proximity to Banff but It was sure nice to get out after a long winter and it was pretty decent that weekend. We went for a nice hike along lake Minnewanka.

It's a bit tougher for us with a Truck Camper, they get pretty small when you start spending more time inside. Not usually something we notice in the summer because we are outside so much but there's just 3 of us so we like it.

I had a big 34' fifth wheel but got sick of the hassle of hauling it around, the camper is small but it's just so easy and stress free.

[Sugarphreak]

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[Unknown303]

My neighbour has a sprinter that he converted into a camper. Pretty nice looking unit.

[Sugarphreak]

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[ExtraSlow]

Those sprinters are pretty expensive when kitted out like that, although you can take it to all kinds of nice spots like this:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uiarJGT9bk8/S_rkn-L5k2I/AAAAAAAAAqQ/QU-e_ZndaLQ/s400/brokeback1.jpg

[AndyL]

I knew I liked hedge :)

Fuck I want to go camping! Gotta figure a way to say fuckit load her up and go!!!

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
Fucking fix your avatar!!! :rofl:

I wish I knew how to quit you!

[GTS4tw]

Originally posted by Unknown303
My neighbour has a sprinter that he converted into a camper. Pretty nice looking unit.

You are the king of avatar trolling. Or is that just an updated Vettel picture?

[Cos]

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[redblack]

Power restored at McLean creek today so we can get our gay on next week.

[codetrap]

Originally posted by Cos
I sissy camp, no point wasting the 2k, that's a lot of plug in sites. Plus, let's face it... he could just borrow mine for free. :thumbsup:

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by redblack
Power restored at McLean creek today so we can get our gay on next week.

Tears of joy right here! :cry:


Originally posted by codetrap
Plus, let's face it... he could just borrow mine for free. :thumbsup:

Once you own such a big fancy trailer like Cos' it's probably just smart to own a generator, or how will he ever camp crown land again.

[Cos]

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[ercchry]

Originally posted by Cos


I hear the one you picked up from Costco is actually almost as quiet as a honda. If that is the case, maybe I will pick one up considering how cheap it is. You should bring it just so we can try it.

I already have access to an 'industrial' one that I bought half with my brother in law. It was hidden behind the trailer and we were at the next campsite and I couldnt take the noise.

problem solved

http://www.lightweightmiata.com/projects/generator/generator08.JPG

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by Cos


I hear the one you picked up from Costco is actually almost as quiet as a honda. If that is the case, maybe I will pick one up considering how cheap it is. You should bring it just so we can try it.

It has the exact same db rating as the Honda in the same class.

http://www.championpowerequipment.com/generators/73534i/
Noise Level: 53 dBA at 23 ft.

http://powerequipment.honda.ca/generators/inverter-series/eu2000itc/specs
Noise Level: 53 dBA at 7 meters

[spikerS]

Originally posted by ercchry


problem solved

http://www.lightweightmiata.com/projects/generator/generator08.JPG

usually its not the exhaust that is causing so much noise, but the internals.

[ercchry]

i dunno... the one we have at the lake is pretty exhaust heavy noise

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by ercchry
i dunno... the one we have at the lake is pretty exhaust heavy noise

Yeah my dad has an old industrial one that we strapped a car muffler to and it became very quiet after that.

[Sugarphreak]

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[codetrap]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


Walmart, 400$

Runs pretty quiet

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb256/Sugarphreak/Public%20Albums/Beyond/DSCN0358_zps4678111b.jpg I used to have one of those.. I took it back and bought the champion at costco. Smaller, WAY quieter, and it's an invertor model.

[Unknown303]

The champion unit is super quiet. Same db rating at the Honda.

[Unknown303]

So anyone else going to make it out this weekend? Looks like it's going to be a great weekend to test out the equipment for the year.

[codetrap]

I can't. Haven't picked up the new trailer yet.

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by codetrap
I can't. Haven't picked up the new trailer yet.

Cos should have room.

[Sugarphreak]

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[Unknown303]

Mines pretty much for charging the batteries during the day and to supplement my solar power setup for the cloudy days. My tent trailer has very little draw.

And the Yamaha site explains the differences in generators;
http://www.yamahaef2000is.com/conventional_generator_vs_inverter_generator.html

[hedge]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


^^What do you mean by inverter model? I though all generators were AC power?

This one was ok for noise, it saved my ass in the floods so I am kind of attached to it now. We ran it 24/7 for 4 days, it was directly below my bedroom window and didn't keep me up at night.

The problem with the smaller ones is they lack muscle... I had a friend with one of those cube generators that sounds like a humming bird, it seemed like a great idea until it fried the coffee machine with it's inconsistent voltage... also barely was able to keep up with a small Karaoke machine (the neighbors loved us btw).

I'm no expert but my rudimentary understanding is this.

As a general rule the non-inverter generators are noisier. They don't have an inverter to convert the power so they have a constant rpm that is a multiple of 60hz... usually 3600 rpm.

An inverter generator responds to the load so it does not run a constant rpm, it may very well be just as loud as a 'contractor' style when running full out but it idles along when not under load, as when just running the converter to charge batteries.

I also have the Champion 2000 inverter generator and it was almost as quiet as the Honda eu3000 that I owned at the same time. The Honda was a great generator but it was about all I could do to throw it in the back of my F350... especially with a full tank of gas. I think it weight about 175lbs full of fuel.

The cheapo champion has served me well and I never worry too much about it going missing. I got it for $400 from costco one year when they were having a sale.

[codetrap]

As an aside, I've been pricing out 3000W inverter generators... it's about half the price to get 2x 2000Ws and daisy chain them. Plus they're less weight combined than a single 3000W. Here's to hoping my 2kW Champion can power the AC when I get the trailer. :P

[Unknown303]

Tomorrow night is going to be sweet! A bunch of beer, cigars and a camp fire. good times.

[spikerS]

Originally posted by codetrap
As an aside, I've been pricing out 3000W inverter generators... it's about half the price to get 2x 2000Ws and daisy chain them. Plus they're less weight combined than a single 3000W. Here's to hoping my 2kW Champion can power the AC when I get the trailer. :P

dont bank on it. The AC units usually need more than the 2000w jobbers are going to put out, and why the 3000w units are the prized finds and priced so high.

[Sugarphreak]

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[Unknown303]

I'm enjoying my tent trailer.

[Kavy]

Went "late" camping in October and there was snow on the way to McLean. Snowed for 2 days and it wasn't much of a bother.........until the drive home.

I have brand new tires on the trailer and the truck and I was ALL OVER the road on the way home.
Now given I drive like I'm 60 so I white knuckle whenever there is snow but it was probably the scariest drive I have ever done.

How do you guys get by while towing on snow covered roads (ignore my ignorance I have been in Toronto for 2 weeks and fly back this weekend so not up on the Calgary weather)

[codetrap]

Originally posted by spikers
dont bank on it. The AC units usually need more than the 2000w jobbers are going to put out, and why the 3000w units are the prized finds and priced so high. I'm not sadly... but I'm hoping anyways. If it's just the initial startup, I may be able to get it going with a softstart capacitor... This is all of course pie in the sky stuff... it's not like I *need* the AC .. I was just hoping to be able to run it this summer if it get's too hot with the baby.. There's always the exhaust fans and I'm looking at a couple of costco 6V golf cart batteries for power.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by codetrap
As an aside, I've been pricing out 3000W inverter generators... it's about half the price to get 2x 2000Ws and daisy chain them. Plus they're less weight combined than a single 3000W. Here's to hoping my 2kW Champion can power the AC when I get the trailer. :P

Spikers is right, the 2000 won't power an A/C. However, I still wouldn't buy a 3000. First of all if anyone thinks a ~$500 generator will be the same noise as a Yammy or Honda...welll good luck with that. I've stood beside the "cheap" models, as well as both the "Cadillacs", and I don't care what the db specs are...there's no comparison. But whatever....

As for a 2k vs 3k...a 3,000 weighs well over 100 lbs, it's a two man job to get it in and out of the RV, not to mention takes up a lot of room during travel.

The Honda i2000 purrs like a kitten, and will run everything else but an A/C. Toaster, 32" LCD TV, microwave...no problem. And literally, only once or twice did we really need the A/C, and the few times we did, we were already in powered sites.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak

I don't know, maybe I should grab a tent trailer this year?

My .02 cents. Our very first "RV" was a tent trailer that we rented. A nice one, Coleman 12'. It was nice...but quite a bit more set up time than an RV. Also, I found the prices of a tent trailer were almost the same as a 20'-22' conventional trailer, with half the room. Even used, they are about the same as comparable trailers. We started shopping for a TT but the prices forced us to just jump right up to a trailer. If your limited by your tow vehicle, (ie; small truck, suv) then the tent trailer is the way to go.

Also, check into just renting your first unit, to try it out. My sister rented a brand spankin' new 27' RV, including the truck to haul it with...cost her around $1500 for the week, but only camping once a year, it's more cost effective than buying/storing/maintaining their own unit.

[Cos]

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[GTS4tw]

Originally posted by C_Dave45


Spikers is right, the 2000 won't power an A/C. However, I still wouldn't buy a 3000. First of all if anyone thinks a ~$500 generator will be the same noise as a Yammy or Honda...welll good luck with that. I've stood beside the "cheap" models, as well as both the "Cadillacs", and I don't care what the db specs are...there's no comparison. But whatever....


This. There is no comparison between the cheap wal-mart Hyundai and a good Honda. Just construction quality alone is night and day, let alone noise.

[Sugarphreak]

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[spikerS]

Originally posted by C_Dave45


Spikers is right,

Will someone show this to Baygirl please?

[jonnycat]

I bought the Yamaha 2400is, basically a 2000W gen with an overboost feature to kick on your A/C unit. They are about $1800 new. Cheaper than 2 2000w gens or or one 3500W gen.

A/C has always kicked on when i needed it. Jut make sure you are also not running your tv, toaster or plug in vibrator etc. when you need to kick your a/c on.

[codetrap]

There's no way I'm dropping $1800 on a genny. I guess I'll just have to plan better if we're camping and make sure we have a powered site for when it's +30, or just be creative and go swim in the lake. :)

Edit:... well.. I say that now.. but who knows in the future if we plan on boondocking it as much as I did with the tent trailer. I'm sure I could sell my little Champion pretty fast.

Oh, and for those of you that are interested, the Costco 6V golf cart batteries are landing on the 23rd. 220AH each. I think buddy said they were going to be in the $89 range.

[Unknown303]

Fantastic first night out here. A little snow overnight but the weather is great.