The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: fightingquaker13 on August 04, 2010, 02:01:03 AM
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I have been a tent guy my whole life. However, the ground gets harder and colder every year. I saw a hard sided 17' prowler for 4k and was tempted. Anyone have any positive reviews abouut small, minimalist pop-ups or hardsides? I don't want a 5th wheel or the Taj Majmahal. I'll probably never use the can. Just hook up water and electric at the outside. What can I find at a reasonable price?
FQ13
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Spent a few years camping in a pop-up. Did a little traveling but mostly parked in one spot. Put it up and took it down myself with no trouble. Perfectly servicable and comfortable. Used a ceramic disc heater when necessary for heat. Slightly more than one step up from a tent.
JMHEFWIW
Richard
PS: B...h to back up with!
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I'd go with the Prowler, you get a lot of rain down there
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I camp real good at the Marriott.
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We camped when we first got married and when the kids were little. I'm a outside on the ground guy; and the wife and daughter are insiders, and son is whatever turns his crank on that day. We started with an 8' x 10' canvas tent, upgraded to a little larger nylon, and then we went to a pop up with no appliances. All the pop up got us was off the ground and mattresses the same as an air mattress without the huffing and puffing.
In our experience the pop up was nothing more than a tent with all of our equipment preloaded in a trailer and ready to hook on and go. In the wind and rain it did not improve on the tent alone. We rented a slide in once and also a hard side. They are much nicer in all weather, the beds are real beds, and in inclement weather you have a comfortable place to eat, play cards and read. We have been without for several years, and if we go back it will be a motorhome (a friend is partial to Monaco ... I like, but don't have his money) or fifth wheel for long distance and longer time.
From what you are saying I would suggest the Prowler. The first year the pop up would seem great, but you will soon tire of it not being much more than the tent.
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I recall you're driving a F150 so you're not limited by the hauler. I've done a bunch of research on pop-ups and the easy answer is.....you have a bunch of options available. It's only limited on the creature comforts you think you need and since you're living in a tent, that answers a lot of them. You may even consider one of the truck bed campers if there is only one or two people. Some even come equiped with a shower/toilet combo.
There are some that have dual duty for hauling small 4 wheelers and such, they can be a bit more money but if you're really in the back country, that might be an option.
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I've had two Motorhomes and now have a 34ft fifth wheel with three slides and tow it with a one ton dually, Chevy with Duramax Diesel and Allison Trans. In fact I lived in the fifth wheel for about a year while working in FL. Haven't had my unit out in a few years but hope to get it out in the near future.
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FQ, in another lifetime I sold RV's. Yer looking for a 'travel trailer'. They come in all flavors from simple and inexpensive to pretty tricked out. I would look for used right now with this economy nothing is selling so it's a buyers market. Travel around to your local dealers and take a look.
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Another consideration is simple comfort, you posted,
"I'll probably never use the can."
You will change your mind real quick if you have to take a dump during a cloud burst ! ;D
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I'd suggest staying a "tent guy". We had a 27' travel trailer, and while PLENTY comfy, it takes MOST of the fun out of the whole "camping" experience. We actually got to the point where we'd leave the camper at home and just go tenting because we enjoyed it more.
Not to mention the upkeep involved with owning a camper. $$ and time spent not having fun with the family.
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I camp real good at the Marriott.
I'm with you, Jay. In fact, my wife's idea of "roughing it" is a hotel without an indoor hot tub.
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We camped when we first got married and when the kids were little. I'm a outside on the ground guy; and the wife and daughter are insiders, and son is whatever turns his crank on that day. We started with an 8' x 10' canvas tent, upgraded to a little larger nylon, and then we went to a pop up with no appliances. All the pop up got us was off the ground and mattresses the same as an air mattress without the huffing and puffing.
In our experience the pop up was nothing more than a tent with all of our equipment preloaded in a trailer and ready to hook on and go. In the wind and rain it did not improve on the tent alone. We rented a slide in once and also a hard side. They are much nicer in all weather, the beds are real beds, and in inclement weather you have a comfortable place to eat, play cards and read. We have been without for several years, and if we go back it will be a motorhome (a friend is partial to Monaco ... I like, but don't have his money) or fifth wheel for long distance and longer time.
From what you are saying I would suggest the Prowler. The first year the pop up would seem great, but you will soon tire of it not being much more than the tent.
Not sure how to break this to ya, but your S-10 ain't gonna pull much of a 5th wheel. ;D
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Not sure how to break this to ya, but your S-10 ain't gonna pull much of a 5th wheel. ;D
That's pretty much made the decision why NOT to buy a camper. My Ranger, though two wheel drive and more tow capacity than a 4WD, is pretty limited on what you can haul. Even with the proper hitch configuration, most of the pop ups were too heavy.
Load them with gear and luggage, food, water, et al.....WAY too heavy.....and leaving the wife and dog at home wasn't an option....very petite wife and a very small dog...
;D
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That's pretty much made the decision why NOT to buy a camper. My Ranger, though two wheel drive and more tow capacity than a 4WD, is pretty limited on what you can haul. Even with the proper hitch configuration, most of the pop ups were too heavy.
Load them with gear and luggage, food, water, et al.....WAY too heavy.....and leaving the wife and dog at home wasn't an option....very petite wife and a very small dog...
;D
Both of whom woulda been pissed beyond your ability to tolerate. ;D
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Both of whom woulda been pissed beyond your ability to tolerate. ;D
TEN RING!
;)
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I'm with you, Jay. In fact, my wife's idea of "roughing it" is a hotel without an indoor hot tub.
My idea of roughing it is having to leave the room to fill the ice bucket. ;) ;D
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Back when I started wanting to get down out of bed rather than up from the ground and I could still afford it, I was considering some type of tow-able camper, I found this.
http://www.roamingtimes.com/rvreports/airstream-basecamp-small-travel-trailer.aspx
A bit expensive, but looked pretty flexible. Never did pursue it and it seems like they didn't stay around very long.
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After too many years of tenting (or not) in the Army for a living and for fun with the wife and kids, I now consider roughing it to be a motel with a black and white tv or beds that are not comfortable.
Count me in with Jay and tt.
My wife insists on Holliday Inn or better. I oblige her because I like the better part.
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RV's and Campervans are for girly men, real men use camper trailers :P
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There use to be a joke about that in the army
.My idea of roughing it is having to leave the room to fill the ice bucket. ;) ;D
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After too many years of tenting (or not) in the Army for a living and for fun with the wife and kids, I now consider roughing it to be a motel with a black and white tv or beds that are not comfortable.
Count me in with Jay and tt.
My wife insists on Holliday Inn or better. I oblige her because I like the better part might want sex again before I die.
FIFY ;D
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Not sure how to break this to ya, but your S-10 ain't gonna pull much of a 5th wheel. ;D
Some one with a bumby body traded that one off last spring. Now I'm driving a damn ford :'(
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I have been thinking about this for years and think I have a great trailer in mind, start off with a Wells Cargo trailer, at least 10'x12', insulate it, put 2 fold down bunks on the each wall, so they can be folded up out of the way, when in transit, put some mounts in the floor for a table or chairs, in the front of the trailer I would build a at least 4 shelf, about 4" deep for sundries, and and fold up table about 4' by 4', to fold up against the shelves to prevent anything from falling off, and a good cook table when let down on jack chain. I would get the trailer with the fold down rear door ramp, and one side door, with the bunks folded, I think a 4 wheeler would fit just fine. Now to the nice stuff, mount some shades on the roof that will cover one side and the rear of the trailer, once on site, unfold them and set up a nice shaded dry place to hang when the weather cooperates, and at least keep things dry if it rains. You need a vent on the roof, and can mount your propane bottles on the tang on the front of the trailer, even a generator. A Coleman stove would be just fine, as long as you open the vent. Gun storage would be nice and not too big a problem.
My dream.
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I have been thinking about this for years and think I have a great trailer in mind, start off with a Wells Cargo trailer, at least 10'x12', insulate it, put 2 fold down bunks on the each wall, so they can be folded up out of the way, when in transit, put some mounts in the floor for a table or chairs, in the front of the trailer I would build a at least 4 shelf, about 4" deep for sundries, and and fold up table about 4' by 4', to fold up against the shelves to prevent anything from falling off, and a good cook table when let down on jack chain. I would get the trailer with the fold down rear door ramp, and one side door, with the bunks folded, I think a 4 wheeler would fit just fine. Now to the nice stuff, mount some shades on the roof that will cover one side and the rear of the trailer, once on site, unfold them and set up a nice shaded dry place to hang when the weather cooperates, and at least keep things dry if it rains. You need a vent on the roof, and can mount your propane bottles on the tang on the front of the trailer, even a generator. A Coleman stove would be just fine, as long as you open the vent. Gun storage would be nice and not too big a problem.
My dream.
+1
My oldest used to work for a cargo trailer manufacturer. I have been thinking along the same lines, M25, that way I could custom make it to suit my needs. It might not be luxurious, but I think I could make it functional for less $$.
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I hunt on public lands (national forest), so I still use a tent. Over the years it's gotten to be a LARGE tent with cot, poly mattress, propane heaters (when actually needed) and camp furniture.
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Check out the prowler 17'. It seemed just about perfect, and a well maintained '94 for 4k? I should have bought it. It was just too big a purchase with a 24 hour deadline and no time to research. :'( Still, for one or wo people, about perfect. As you enter on the right, a table and two benches (with cabinets underneath) and a big gear loft over head. On one lateral side, four burners with oven and a two basin sink with lots of cabinets.
Other side, a bench with a big window and storage under. In the rear, a room with a doubleish size bead and a small night stand. Other side, a combo head and shower room. It had propane, a tank, two auto charge batteries, heater and AC, two axels with 14" tires. Large awning over the door side and some external storage. Just about perfect. Again, I should have bought, but I'm too conservative to go from thinking "Gee, maybe a camper" to shelling out 4K without doing my homework. Setup wise, I'd sure look for another before messing around with a cargo trailer. For one person, or a couple, the setup seeed ideal. Plus tow weight was 3800. Easy with an f-150.
FQ13
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Don't know why I didn't think of this before, but back thirty plus years ago when we got married I had job relocating "campers" that even the most picky bride would appreciate ...
The land model:
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e330/m58/10.jpg)
And the water model:
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e330/m58/7.jpg)
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Some one with a bumby body traded that one off last spring. Now I'm driving a damn ford :'(
Some one with a bumby body traded that one off last spring. Now I'm driving a damn ford :'(
HEY! Yer FORD did not take a bail out and is NOT Odamma owned!
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HEY! Yer FORD did not take a bail out and is NOT Odamma owned!
Everything we own is so "Pre-bailout" it don't matter :P
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has no one mentioned HTFU FQ ;D
get a canopy on the back put in a raised section in the back and put storage draws and in one have a portable sink and stove top that slides out
on top of that just put a swag and sleep in that and you can roll that up when you need extra storage.
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has no one mentioned HTFU FQ ;D
get a canopy on the back put in a raised section in the back and put storage draws and in one have a portable sink and stove top that slides out
on top of that just put a swag and sleep in that and you can roll that up when you need extra storage.
Actually, I was the one that raised that point. This whole oddessy started with the idea of me spending summers as a campground host at NPs and NFs in bear country. Me, I'm happy with a big (93 sq foot and 74" tall) $600 tent from North Face. Its big enough for a nice cot and some camp furniture that would make it liveable for 2-3 months. As for bears? Thats why I bought the riot gun, I just can't mention that bit to the NPS. ;) They want a hard side, and honestly, for that amount of time, it would be comfier. Still, the large tent is good enough for me and I could be good to go for about $1k with all the chairs, cots, milk carton dressers and tables you'd need to live pretty plush by my normal camping standards. Yeah it sucks to run 100 yards to the head in the rain, but thats only if I'm taking a dump at 3am. The rest of the time, no worries. Honestly, a couple of $10 wally world chairs, a few milk cartons, a couple of pieces of plywood plus big cot, stove, battery powered lanterns...what more do you need?
FQ13
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Actually, I was the one that raised that point. This whole oddessy started with the idea of me spending summers as a campground host at NPs and NFs in bear country. Me, I'm happy with a big (93 sq foot and 74" tall) $600 tent from North Face. Its big enough for a nice cot and some camp furniture that would make it liveable for 2-3 months. As for bears? Thats why I bought the riot gun, I just can't mention that bit to the NPS. ;) They want a hard side, and honestly, for that amount of time, it would be comfier. Still, the large tent is good enough for me and I could be good to go for about $1k with all the chairs, cots, milk carton dressers and tables you'd need to live pretty plush by my normal camping standards. Yeah it sucks to run 100 yards to the head in the rain, but thats only if I'm taking a dump at 3am. The rest of the time, no worries. Honestly, a couple of $10 wally world chairs, a few milk cartons, a couple of pieces of plywood plus big cot, stove, battery powered lanterns...what more do you need?
FQ13
Cards, strippers, and beer?
;D ;D ;D
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Some one with a bumby body traded that one off last spring. Now I'm driving a damn ford :'(
That's right. I had forgotten that she no longer considered you worthy of driving HER dad's truck.
Congrats on trading UP, btw. ;D
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I have been thinking about this for years and think I have a great trailer in mind, start off with a Wells Cargo trailer, at least 10'x12', insulate it, put 2 fold down bunks on the each wall, so they can be folded up out of the way, when in transit, put some mounts in the floor for a table or chairs, in the front of the trailer I would build a at least 4 shelf, about 4" deep for sundries, and and fold up table about 4' by 4', to fold up against the shelves to prevent anything from falling off, and a good cook table when let down on jack chain. I would get the trailer with the fold down rear door ramp, and one side door, with the bunks folded, I think a 4 wheeler would fit just fine. Now to the nice stuff, mount some shades on the roof that will cover one side and the rear of the trailer, once on site, unfold them and set up a nice shaded dry place to hang when the weather cooperates, and at least keep things dry if it rains. You need a vent on the roof, and can mount your propane bottles on the tang on the front of the trailer, even a generator. A Coleman stove would be just fine, as long as you open the vent. Gun storage would be nice and not too big a problem.
My dream.
Having used my DJ trailer as a dressing room from time to time I might also suggest an air conditioning unit, or at least a couple of windows. It gets REAL nice and toasty in there with no outside air coming in, and trust me when I tell you the roof vents ain't sufficient.
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I have been thinking about this for years and think I have a great trailer in mind, start off with a Wells Cargo trailer, at least 10'x12', insulate it, put 2 fold down bunks on the each wall, so they can be folded up out of the way, when in transit, put some mounts in the floor for a table or chairs, in the front of the trailer I would build a at least 4 shelf, about 4" deep for sundries, and and fold up table about 4' by 4', to fold up against the shelves to prevent anything from falling off, and a good cook table when let down on jack chain. I would get the trailer with the fold down rear door ramp, and one side door, with the bunks folded, I think a 4 wheeler would fit just fine. Now to the nice stuff, mount some shades on the roof that will cover one side and the rear of the trailer, once on site, unfold them and set up a nice shaded dry place to hang when the weather cooperates, and at least keep things dry if it rains. You need a vent on the roof, and can mount your propane bottles on the tang on the front of the trailer, even a generator. A Coleman stove would be just fine, as long as you open the vent. Gun storage would be nice and not too big a problem.
My dream.
How wide can a trailer be before it is not practical to take on the highway?
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In general 8 feet, but 102 inches is legal
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In general 8 feet, but 102 inches is legal
Doesn't SD require you to have a permit if you're over 8'? Even if you're under the 102" limit? Or is that only for commercial vehicles?
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102 is legal in all states (commercial) as that is the normal width of a trailer. (102 wide, 13'6" tall, 53 feet long)
WIDTH REQUIREMENTS
The maximum width limit for CMVs on the NN and reasonable access routes was originally established at 102 inches, except for Hawaii where it is 2.74 m (108 inches). (See discussion of Reasonable Access on page 12.) To standardize vehicle width on an international basis, the 102-inch width limit was interpreted to mean the same as its approximate metric equivalent, 2.6 meters (102.36 inches)
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102 is legal in all states (commercial) as that is the normal width of a trailer.
Gotcha. Thanks.
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Gotcha. Thanks.
Bear in mind that the roads in forests and parks can get mighty narrow and there are often no shoulders. Likewise maneuverig the beast aroud a small camp ground is never easy.
FQ13
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RV's and Campervans are for girly men, real men use camper trailers :P
I wonder if any US companies make a similar set-up?
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They ain't cheap!
40-50 K
http://www.aussieswag.com.au/page/pricing__pdf_brochure.html
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They ain't cheap!
40-50 K
http://www.aussieswag.com.au/page/pricing__pdf_brochure.html
That'll buy a lot of nights at the Hampton inn. Free breakfast too. ;D
FQ13
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They ain't cheap!
40-50 K
http://www.aussieswag.com.au/page/pricing__pdf_brochure.html
Yea, but them's Aussie $$ so that's about 10 bucks Euro ain't it?
;D
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I wonder if any US companies make a similar set-up?
There are cheaper models like this
http://www.toughcountry.com.au/ about 16k
or these more basic
http://www.kangarootentcity.com.au/welcome/page43.php around 2k upto 7k
You can buy base model units for a 7 x 5 trailer for around 1200.00 (plus trailer)
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Yea, but them's Aussie $$ so that's about 10 bucks Euro ain't it?
;D
Aus $ buying 91.6 USc
Keep up the good work Obama! we be even soon
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Don't you worry Sledge, We'll get even with Obummer.
November is coming ;D
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After years of camping as a boy scout then serveral hunting trips out west I now have some requirements for a camper,list as follows :
AC/Heat
Water Heater
Generator
Roving Satilite Reciever
DVD Player
Stove
Micro Wave
Queen Sized Bed
I will of course take the X-Box 360 ;D
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After years of camping as a boy scout then serveral hunting trips out west I now have some requirements for a camper,list as follows :
Know what you mean. Boy Scouts, Army, Boy Scout leader with week trips to the Smokies, Explorer Leader with monthly weekend camping trips all year but summer months, and Smoky and two week canoe trips to Canada in the summers, camping on most vacations....even did the Honeymoon in a pickup with a full bed camper, I will only go back out in the woods to sleep in one of these
http://www.roadtrek.com/models.aspx?modelID=26&yearID=11
At $109,000 I'm gonna get one soon as I hit the lottery....or someone sends me a million in the mail.
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Know what you mean. Boy Scouts, Army, Boy Scout leader with week trips to the Smokies, Explorer Leader with monthly weekend camping trips all year but summer months, and Smoky and two week canoe trips to Canada in the summers, camping on most vacations....even did the Honeymoon in a pickup with a full bed camper, I will only go back out in the woods to sleep in one of these
http://www.roadtrek.com/models.aspx?modelID=26&yearID=11
At $109,000 I'm gonna get one soon as I hit the lottery....or someone sends me a million in the mail.
You want even the girls to laugh at that wagon? :P
Be a man get a OKA
http://www.oka4wd.com/
(http://www.oka4wd.com/photos/OKA-LT-260/Wedge_2010_01_500.jpg)
(http://memberfiles.freewebs.com/58/53/55755358/photos/OKA-131-XT/2009%20Easter%20Flinders%20Ranges%20(10).JPG)
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Very, very sweet. I shudder to ask though.
FQ13
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Very, very sweet. I shudder to ask though.
FQ13
The Oka's are very cool years ago when they first were out I went for a spin in one very capable 4x4 as well
After years of camping as a boy scout then serveral hunting trips out west I now have some requirements for a camper,list as follows :
AC/Heat
Water Heater
Generator
Roving Satilite Reciever
DVD Player
Stove
Micro Wave
Queen Sized Bed
I will of course take the X-Box 360 ;D
think you forgot a few things (http://gallery.mac.com/philw/100192/homo/web.gif?ver=12739268830001)
tissues,
herbal tea
tofu
latte coffee machine
flushing bog
Camp Shower
there is no doubt more however my brain can not work out what you would need
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You want even the girls to laugh at that wagon? :P
Be a man get a OKA
http://www.oka4wd.com/
Better they laugh at the wagon than me trying to get into the cab of that high rise.
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The Oka's are very cool years ago when they first were out I went for a spin in one very capable 4x4 as well
think you forgot a few things (http://gallery.mac.com/philw/100192/homo/web.gif?ver=12739268830001)
tissues,
herbal tea
tofu
latte coffee machine
flushing bog
Camp Shower
there is no doubt more however my brain can not work out what you would need
You forgot floral throw pillows and a can of (http://tnation.tmuscle.com/avatar_images/auto/r/150x0/a/a//aa112-htfu.jpg)
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You want even the girls to laugh at that wagon? :P
Be a man get a OKA
http://www.oka4wd.com/
(http://www.oka4wd.com/photos/OKA-LT-260/Wedge_2010_01_500.jpg)
(http://memberfiles.freewebs.com/58/53/55755358/photos/OKA-131-XT/2009%20Easter%20Flinders%20Ranges%20(10).JPG)
Nice, in the US we have these: http://www.sportsmobile.com/ultimate.html (http://www.sportsmobile.com/ultimate.html) OR: http://www.earthroamer.com/ (http://www.earthroamer.com/) and if you really have some cash on hand you can get one of these: http://globalxvehicles.com/vehicles/vehicle-73/ (http://globalxvehicles.com/vehicles/vehicle-73/)
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I camp real good at the Marriott.
+1
They call it "camp" because it rhymes with "damp"! Bill T.
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+1
They call it "camp" because it rhymes with "damp"! Bill T.
Don't knock BillT. He's not being a wimp, he's bing tactical. That barret will be far effective from the penthouse at the 4 Seasons than out of some tent. ;D
FQ13
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EarthRoamer just moved to a new (smaller) location next to I-25 near Erie, Colorado. Their old location was not near anything, but the new one will garner a lot of walk in traffic. I was driving home last week and saw the sign and pulled over to say hi. One of these days I'll go during business hours and take the tour.
Those F-550 based RVs are so cool.