Aluminum Camper Forum

Installed a U.S. Rack "Paddlers Rack" on our Tundra. Transport two 9.5′ Kayaks. Once the racks were assembled, it takes less than 30 minutes to install or remove the racks on the bed track system. Found it to be easier (I have a bad shoulder) loading the Kayaks on this rack stepping into the pickup bed compared to loading Kayaks on the Thule racks on the Leer shell from the side of our Tacoma.

Most pickup racks are heavier construction for hauling heavy loads. My only use for these racks will be transporting Kayaks. Combined Kayak weight is under 100 pounds with tie downs straps & Yakima cross bar cushions.  The rack capacity is 300 pounds. My goal was a well built rack that was light weight and easy to remove. The cross bars are the same dimensions as Thule cross bars on the Tacoma. After installing and removing these racks, found the racks are easy to remove, light, and stores easily in the garage without requiring much space for two pieces.

https://www.usrack.com/responsive/paddlers-truck-rack.php







Also plan to transport bicycles in the pickup bed under Kayaks. The distance from the bottom of the Kayaks to the bed floor is 47″.  Our tallest bike is 44″, will not need to remove bicycle wheels while transporting bikes on another rack below Kayaks.

Going to test this floor bike stand to see how it works out, bought it on Amazon:

http://www.racorstoragesolutions.com/p/detail/pbs-2r

Purchased a new tow vehicle last week, 2016 SR5 Toyota Tundra. Really like this truck and can't wait to start towing around the lower 48 and Canada with it. This Tundra has bucket seats, rear camera, center console, 38 gallon fuel tank, spray-in bed liner, and all weather mats. This is new to me, paired the blue tooth with the cell phone and received a hands free call!!!!   It has a factory tow package, heated mirrors, 4 & 7 pin trailer connections,  tow mode,  6 speed auto tranny, cruise control, tranny cooler, adjustable headlamps with a toggle switch (up & down), intermittent windshield wipers, satellite radio, 6.5' bed, and weather radio.

This is our third Toyota pickup, really like their pickup trucks. Our first 1987 Toyota pickup was called pickup, it didn't have a name like Tacoma or Tundra.

Here's a few photos on the way home from the dealership:

SOLD!

We're selling our 2010 LivinLite CampLite 11 because we purchased a larger travel trailer. It was one of the early travel trailers built by LivinLite and we're original owners.

The dinette sets up as a 60X80 Queen size bed and the couch also folds out as a twin size bed. Equipped with 13,500BTU AC with heat strip, has 2200 pound GVW, empty weight around 1700 pounds, and original canopy installed. This CampLite has plenty of storage space. Two 110V outlets inside, one 110V outlet outside, and one 12V outlet inside. Dometic C-5 tip out windows with built in shades, screens. Dometic C-5 windows can be left open during light rain without rain getting into camper! CampLite has aluminum plank floor with removable vinyl tiles installed, aluminum sheet metal interior/exterior walls, aluminum ceiling and aluminum sheet metal roof.

It has radial tires installed, spare tire, stabilizer pads, front jack pad, and two chocks. Also comes with portable electric heater, electric skillet, bear proof Engle Deep Blue 35Q cooler, porta-potti, portable 110V/700W microwave, and interior twin bike rack to keep your bikes dry when traveling. Camper also comes with extra vintage style canopy seen in last photo. Installed 12V LEDs inside & out including LED running lights.

Removed canopy, cleaned and re-installed yesterday. Replaced 7 pin plug/cable earlier this year, stainless hub wheel covers replaced this year, and replaced all air conditioner securing bolts last year. Air conditioner works great and cools camper down quickly on very hot days. No LP gas systems. There is a 7 gallon water tank under the sink with faucet and city water connection. Check brakes, repack wheel bearings every two years and replaced wheel hub seals last year.

Located close to Charlotte NC, clear title, please PM for more information and to see this CampLite, SOLD























SOLD!

Replaced the 7 pin plug and cable today. Purchased a new plug/cable assembly at Redneck Trailer Supply.

http://www.redneck-trailer.com/

Old Cable & Plug:



Junction box for 7 pin cable:



Junction box with 7 pin cable wiring removed:



Old & new cable:



New cable installed:



Performed the smoke test (light test) and everything worked OK:

We just got back from camping @ South Mountain State Park North Carolina today. The weather and hiking were great!!!!!!!! Temps 20Fs at night and 50Fs during the day. This campground is less than 1/2 tank of gas from home round trip!!! 



Next to our campsite:





High Shoals Falls:

We camped at South Mountain SP NC in the past and plan to camp there again after Christmas when we have a couple nice camping days during January 2016. Normally the high temps will reach 60s to 70s for a few days during January.

We hiked there yesterday and it was a great day for hiking!

Past Camping Photos:

Resealed complete door & installed gutter over the entrance of my CampLite 11.  Water would still drip out of the bottom of the door drains after rain.  Decided to remove the Challenger door and found the window was leaking.

Previous door seals and gutter installation:

http://aluminiumcamperforum.com/index.php/topic,64.0.html








Could see where the window seal was leaking at the bottom of window, right side of photo:



Removed the window, cleaned out original seal material and resealed window with windshield sealer:



Have had several hard rains since repair and no more leaks! 

"This is also posted in the News & Announcement Section"

There will be a LivinLite Rally on July 22nd to 24th 2016 at Fort Stevens Oregon. Here's additional information:

LivinLite Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/LivinLite/photos/a.10150141271710436.403275.215695740435/10156177408980436/?type=3&permPage=1

State Park Site:

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=129

There will be a LivinLite Rally on July 22nd to 24th 2016 at Fort Stevens Oregon. Here's additional information:

LivinLite Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/LivinLite/photos/a.10150141271710436.403275.215695740435/10156177408980436/?type=3&permPage=1

State Park Site:

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=129

Stayed at Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground, Tellico Plains TN earlier this week. We trailered a motorcycle, so stayed in one of their cabins. Will take the CampLite next time. This campground is great for motorcyclist riding on or off pavement, Kayaking, and hiking to mention a few activities. They have two camper sites with electricity. This campground is perfect for a toy hauler, too! Very clean restrooms and showers. The campground owners are very nice folks, too!

http://www.cmtrails.com/



The grill has breakfast in the mornings:

While towing the CampLite 11 @ 58 to 60MPH, this vehicle passed us on a two lane road in North Dakota. Many vehicles pass us since we're normally going 5 to 10MPH under the limit, but this one surprised me:

During our trip out west, started having problems with the Coleman Polar Mach 13,500BTU air conditioner.

Going to attempt to repair the AC unit since we are back home.  The blower wheel item 9 is contacting the blower scroll (housing) item 16 making noise.

http://www.laurelhurstdistributors.com/parts/ac/coleman/492X3_87X.html

Will post progress reports on this project.

Just returned home today after our summer camping trip from North Carolina to Glacier NP and back, this year. We visited 12 states and Canada! Took many photos and made Campground reviews for of some of the places we stayed. Camped at State Parks, Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds and Glacier KOA. Experienced forest fire smoke at Glacier, but it cleared out during our last two days due to rain. Also experienced up to 60MPH winds while @ Glacier, too! Met Jack Hanna at Glacier KOA when he was checking our CampLite 11.

First stop @ Cove Lake SP TN:



Had some good BBQ at the restaurant on SP property:





Next stop Brown County SP IN, Campground review:

http://livinliteforum.com/index.php/topic,130.0.html

Next stop Pokagon SP IN:



Also visited LivinLite factory while camping there:

http://livinliteforum.com/index.php/topic,131.0.html

Next Stop Sleepy Hollow SP MI:



We met Merlin while camping there, his Camping rig:



Also visited the Michigan State Dairy while camping there:



Next stop Straits SP MI:



Visited Mackinac Island while camping there:

http://livinliteforum.com/index.php/topic,133.0.html

Next Stop Bewabic SP MI:







Next stop Copper Falls SP WI:





Next stop Pokegama Army Corps of Engineers Campground MN:



Headwaters of the Mississippi River:



Also visited Judy Garland's birthplace/museum while camping there:







Next Stop Turtle River SP ND:





Will continue posting trip report/photos later!

Custer State Park South Dakota is in the top five of State Parks we have camped at around the nation!  Their restrooms & showers are very clean and nice laundry room! We stayed at the Game Lodge Campground. Many local sights to see and activities, too.









 



 

Jack Hanna visited our campsite at Glacier National Park, he was very interested in our CampLite 11 and LivinLite.

www.jackhanna.com

Jack & Debbie:

Camped at Straits State Park Michigan and found plenty to do & great sights! Nice showers, hiking trails, and views of the straits between Lake Huron & Lake Michigan:



View out of the CampLite window:






Mackinac Island:









Arch Rock:



Ferry ride to Mackinac Island:



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We were able to tour the LivinLite Factory today. Shawn, Christian, and Taylor accompanied Debbie & I through the plant. We Really appreciate everyone taking time out of their busy schedules to show us the the LivinLite operation!!!!!  Thanks!!!

It looks like LivinLite has completed their transition into the new facility and have much work going on!   Shawn said they will be able to get back to specialty build request they reduced during the move. 

After seeing the aluminum floors, aluminum tube structures, aluminum frame, aluminum roofs, aluminum skins, and overall large amount of aluminum used building critical areas, I understand why our 5 year old CampLite 11 is in such great condition.



































Shawn, Taylor, and Christian,   Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

We stayed at an excellent campground south of Indianapolis, Brown County State Park Indiana. Great sites, views, lake, and restrooms!!!!!  Also had nice hiking trails, horseback riding, and swimming pool.