DRIFTER_016

Camper trailer = hassles.

 

Storage, maintenance, depreciation, set-up/ take down, extra gas towing it

 

That's what camping is all about, sleeping in a tent without the amenities of home.

This is true. But I do like the amenities when I'm in Alaska.

There's nothing like waking up, firing up the genny and grinding some good espresso beans and then running them through the espresso machine. A great cup O Joe in the woods is pretty awesome!!!

It does a lot of raining in Alaska too, plus there's the bear thing.

Spent the first 4 or 5 years tent camping there and had a few times where bears woke me in the middle of the night sniffing around the tent.

Makes one feel like an over sized burrito when you're in a tent.

Tent campers aren't much more bear resistant but they do give you the illusion of security.

Mind you, I do take my espresso machine, grinder and genny camping some times.

I have a pop up camper and you need to be aware that when you close it up it needs to be dry or you must open it when you get home for it to dry properly. If not it will mildew just like your tent if you put it away wet.

It is more comfortable and has lots of room compared to my tent. Another issue you run into is during colder weather the ceilings over the beds will get very wet from condensation from your breath. I sleep with the windows open part way to help combat this issue.

I pull with a Honda Pilot that has a 5,000# tow rating when pulling a boat but 3,500# rating when pulling a camper.

Engine is a 3.5L 255HP V6.

It does fine but does eat a bunch of gas pulling it. I also ended up getting a load equalizing hitch as the tongue weight on these trailers is pretty heavy.

Have had no issues towing it and have been through the mountains in BC, The Yukon and Alaska.

Harmless is interesting term.

 

A quick list of things that are NOT harmless.

 

Alcohol

tobacco

prescription drugs

aspirin

sugar

food

cars

water

the ground

 

Seems kind os silly doesn't it.

You forgot a big one AIR!!!

GO BOLTS GO!!!!

Actually Drifter some states here have, and it seem like more and more have various legislation pending, even Ohio is supposed to have some sort of legislation in progress.

 

http://www.governing.com/gov-data/state-marijuana-laws-map-medical-recreational.html

 

LOL, it looks bad for politicians if they take campaign contributions from drug dealers? But if it's legal? send a check? Then there is also the state competition? They are getting free money? We want a piece of the pie too!

 

Once Ohio saw neighboring states hitting the casino tax jackpot? That sin disappeared!

The latest in the bunch that have legalized it is my vacation destination of Alaska.

Now, I don't smoke it myself but most of my friends in Alaska did before it was legal to do so.

But I have no issues partaking of their cheap rum!!!

They must be running out of things to tax here? Pot gives them a new cash cow.

Well if that were true they would legalize it and make a fortune on the taxes off it.

Nope, don't need one on my boat.

The cavitation plate is perfect for getting back in.

Seems lit it would be on your boat as well.

That's how I get back in when going for a swim to cool off out in the lake.

3ft piece of PVC pipe, stick er in put the end over the side and let er flow

I tried that but 6" diameter pipe takes up a lot of space on the boat!!!!

Pretty pathetic the pigs we have to share this world with.

 

Yep. I wonder what there house looks like. Pigsty eh?

HEY!!

I resemble that remark!!!

My abode is not the cleanest in town but I'll be damned if I ever throw trash anywhere but a trash can.

Dog hair is a PIA!!

This was taken in Keswick about an hour or so ago.

I'm blessed with thick skin, immune to poison ivy, and on the sunniest of days spf15 is all I need. Seem like a good product for those sensitive to the sun.

There are studies and lots of articles out there that claim sun screen is doing more harm than good.

Better to cover up than slather chemicals on your skin.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/dr-mike-hart/does-sunscreen-cause-cancer_b_3280578.html

http://www.thebetterhealthstore.com/Newsletter/062510_Sunscreen_01.html

http://time.com/3907272/skin-cancer-rates-melanoma/

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120507131951.htm

Charts, google earth and topographic maps are what I use.

Mostly it's Google and Topo.

Topo maps of all of Canada can be seen online here: http://atlas.gc.ca/toporama/en/index.html

I use topo a lot because most of our lakes do not have charts available.

Between this and google you can usually figure out where steep shoreline drops are as well as shallow reefs.

Yup 6% -5% for duel axle trailer. That's what my shorelander trailer owners guide says, I'm not a trailer expert but if that is what my trailer manufacture is saying.... Not trying to get into an argument here I'm just saying that's what shorelander says and that about 98% accurate to what I have. So....

Didn't know it was a dual axle.

Shower time!!!!  

Then multiply by 6% bam you get your tongue weight. I'm balls on with 93 lbs I'm about 90 lbs. my rig close to 1600 lbs. fish hawk 1750 115 opti. 3 batteries and all the trimmings.

At 6% you are 4% below suggested minimum tongue weight which should be 10-15%.

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-to-determine-trailer-tongue-weight.aspx

That is true, however, 120 lbs of tongue weight seems high for a 17 ft boat. My 1750 crestliner only has an 85-90lbs tongue weight. There is a formula that one can use to figure out tongue weight. My buddy did the same thing to his ranger, moved boat up to give more space and now his boat pounces around like crazy. Can't go over 115-120 km on highway.

Tongue weight should be 10-15% of the package (boat,motor,trailer, gas etc) weight.

120#s of tongue weight would give the package weight between 800#'s and 1200#s.

1200#'s is pretty low if it's a nicely equipped fishing boat.

My 18 footer's bare hull is in the 900-1000# range.

You add a 500-700# trailer, 115 fourstroke, kicker, electric TM, 3 batteries, 18 gallons of fuel.......... you can see it all adds up.

My tongue weight is near 200#'s on my boat and my popup camper is 260#'s

Crazy Ivan brings up a good point... your boat should ALWAYS be totally on the bunks. Your boat hull should not be hanging off beyond the end of the boards. If you trailer with the boat hanging off the back of the bunk boards there is a significant chance that you will deform the hull skin just before the transom flange. If this happens not only have you damaged your hull, but it will cause the boat to plane incorrectly / add drag / etc.

Yup.

Hanging over the end of the bunks can put what's called a hook in the hull.

The hook will tend to push the nose into the water and reduce speed and fuel efficiency.

It can cause some pretty drastic handling issues too, especially if one side is hooked more than the other.

Not only will the nose be pushed into the water it can also cause a bad pull when running.

Under $40 @ West Marine

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/bomar--locking-composite-deck-plates--P024_726_002_501

Don't know how much luck you'll have finding a used one.

In the grand scheme of things boat related it's not overly expensive.

FYI 2 feet isn't rough.

My 18' Fisher with 115 is about 1' too long to fit in a 10'X20' portable garage.

If the tongue folded it would probably just fit.

So I have 2 garages joined together to give me 10'X40'!!!!

Plenty of room now and I can even work on stuff!!!

First thing is to trim the engine down until so the nose is a little more planted in the waves.

Second thing that helps is a pair of Smart Tabs. They help to plant the nose with less trim as well as lift the rear of the boat higher in the water which also helps. As a bonus they also help you stay on plane @ a slower speed and give you better gas mileage.

You will never be able to go full out into a good chop but you can smooth the ride out some what.

Last time I bought a pair @ Frontier Lodge by Lutselke I paid $19 for 2 five inchers with jigs.

I've got almost $200 worth from Canyon Plastics.

Have never had to pay duty or taxes and they ship USPS.

Remember this video that shows the difference between North American and East Indian drivers!!!            

 

Thanks for the chuckle Dave.

It's all true, well except for maybe the boozing and boating part.

Up here they don't care whether your boat is registered or not.

Tons of boats with no numbers here.

Don't need one of those silly boaters cards either.

And drinking while boating is encouraged not frowned upon!!!!