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Topics - PEIslander

#1
I've noticed that practically all the Livin'Lite owners who participate in the forums seem to be "campers". As such we use our trailers to help us get out and experience nature & the camping experience. Where I live we have National Parks & Provincial Parks --- and their traditional campgrounds focus on facilitating those camping & outdoor adventure experiences. Then we have RV parks - many more of them than the traditional "campgrounds". Some call themselves campgrounds but they really are something different. Around here the vast majority of RV's are sold to people who use those rv parks. They happily pack themselves into the parks like sardines. Most do it seasonally and many keep their RV there all year round. I don't see most of these RVers as camping. They use their RVs more as cottages. I'm not suggesting camping is better -- just different.

I do think this stuff should be understood by Livin'Lite as it directly relates who buys their products and how their products are marketed/merchandised. The main business of RV dealers in my area is selling the RV's that will be used as cottages. Over the years the RV industry has trended towards more & more luxury (or cheap imitations of it). That trend is without a doubt driven by what sells. That is what sells to the mass market of towable cottages. To me the market for campers is something different. I also think most RV dealers don't really understand "camping" any more. If the average RV shopper is looking for a towable cottage with all the affordable luxury the industry can muster, then you can well imagine the feedback Livin'Lite gets from dealers. I'm sure Livin'Lite is hearing that buyers want Livin'Lite products to be more like everyone else's products. That homogenization seems to be another trend in the industry. I think it relates to how RVs are sold.

Buyers go to dealers hoping to buy something on the lot. Dealers want to sell them something on the lot. The more the products are the same the easier it is to post the "sold" sign. Those 'cottage' buyers settle on what's the best of what's available in inventory just as they do when the buy cars. Of course not all RV dealers operate the same -- some do understand camping and the kinds of buyers who are looking for "campers". I think Livin'Lite has a tremendous opportunity being part of the THOR family of companies. Campers World - another THOR company - sells lots of RVs. Livin'Lite likely can't change the whole industry but they might be able to change Campers World. One idea relates to adding "Campers" or "Adventure RVs" into the way they classify their inventory -- have them start seeing buyers of campers, toy haulers, and tent trailers as distinct from the broader RV market. Some modest marketing changes would more effectively "sell" the kinds of products Livin'Lite already makes. I really think the whole "Adventure RV" idea is a emerging trend. Livin'Lite can help lead that trend -- or they can listen to fool dealers who want to homogenize.

Any thoughts?
#2
Okay I'll admit it. Towing mirror thingies aren't really a "Camplite Mod" but the do relate to the whole Camplite experience. When I met Paul and his Camplite at the First International Livin'Lite Owner's Rally at Fundy National Park earlier this year, I couldn't help but notice the great towing mirrors he had. Inspired by the idea that they might make a big difference I ordered a pair for myself.

>> Here they are at Amazon.com << and >> Here they are at Amazon.ca <<

Since I bought them (and before putting them to a road test) I traded in our 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a 2015 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. This coming weekend we have a camping trip planned for >> Blomidon Provincial Park << in Nova Scotia --- a few hundred miles away from our Island home. The trip will be a great chance to see what difference such mirrors can make. I did try mounting them to the Tacoma as the pics below atest. They mount easily & very securely. With them mounted the truck's electric mirror adjusters still work fine. Likewise they will fold with the mirror. (That folding feature could prove handy if I drive too close to cyclists or hitch-hikers! --- It is an important safety feature - I certainly wouldn't want to break my mirrors after what I paid for them!).  :o

The extension mirrors clamp on very quickly to the tow vehicle's mirrors. They came with a zippered carrying case and it is sized big enough that once you have the mirrors installed & adjusted the way you like, you can take them off and put them in the carrying case without messing up your adjustments. Next time you install them you likely won't need to re-adjust them at all. Great for quick get-aways!





#3
Camping cooking / One pot meals...
August 02, 2015, 09:59:42 AM
What's your favorite one pot (or one skillet) meal when you camp?
#4
Tow Vehicles / Thinking about buying a Tacoma...
August 01, 2015, 12:13:26 PM
I'm thinking about trading in our tired 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a new 2015 Toyota Tacoma. We'd get the 4x4 Access Cab (2-door) with the SR5 package and the 236 hp 4.0L V6 with 5-speed automatic. It will have a 6-foot box. Fuel consumption ratings in US gallons are 15-city, 17-combined, and 19-highway. That poor milage is similar to the Jeep so, sadly, we are used to it. Kelly Blue Book rates the Tacoma as having the best resale value of any vehicle. (At 3-years old they say the Tacoma holds almost 75% of its value and 60.4% at 5-years). The towing capacity is 6500 pounds so it should handle our small but mighty Camplite 11FDB with ease.
#5
The wet bath in my small but mighty Camplite 11FDB is small. How small is it? It is so small that __________________. Add your own punchline. It is too small but I have to live with it. One thing I did to make it more manageable is add a small grab bar. It is actually a cabinet pull that I installed to the door frame. It is quite secure and grabbing it does not twist the door frame. It is handy when getting both on or off the toilet, or stepping out over the raised door sill. It has found another role as our toilet roll holder -- a job that it does fairly effectively. The pull is stainless steel and was bought at a home improvement store. The installation was easy. It is mounted just beside the shower door seal so it didn't interfere with the door's seal. If you want to do this yourself make sure before you buy the pull that the fastening screws will go in far enough. Most pulls are mounted to cabinet doors or drawer fronts so in their typical usage the fastener would be going through a 3/4" panel. The Camplite door frame is significantly less. I also note that it isn't necessarily as easy as just using a shorter fastener. The reason is the thread used on a lot of cabinet hardware isn't a common one so alternate fasteners might not be easy to source. A fastening specialty store might have the size needed but is unlikely a home improvement store like Home Depot will. So my advise is before you buy a pull check out how far the supplied fasteners can screw into the threaded holes on the pulls. The first style of pull I liked they wouldn't go in enough. My second choice worked fine.




#6
Camping Gears / Pelican Cooler...
July 26, 2015, 08:00:52 AM
Our small but mighty Camplite 11FDB has a small not-so-mighty fridge. The fridge is adequate for our food but leaves little room remaining for our adult beverages. The fridge just isn't up to the task for >> margarita << & >> mojito << ingredients, canned cocktails, or fine German beers. The solution for us was to purchase a 45-quart marine cooler. Ours is a bear-proof >> Pelican 45QT Elite. <<  The cooler is tested for up to ten days of ice retention. We initially used it with ice but have since found those plastic containers with the blue ice stuff inside work well for us. With them you don't need to reach down into ice water to grab a beer. The 45-qt size is good for our needs. Any bigger and I wouldn't be able to move it by myself. The cooler itself is heavy and is indestructible. There are videos on youtube of grizzlies attacking these coolers without success. The catches are a really good design. I see no reason why this cooler will ever need replacement. As you may notice in the pic, I use a cable lock to secure the cooler to the trailer's wheel. The cooler can be hasped but I don't bother. (I think the cooler is more attractive to a thief than the booze -- and I'll share the refreshments with anyone).



#7
Seeing >> Paul's key hook mod << reminded me of a customization I had the factory provide when I ordered our small but mighty Camplite 11FDB. The same mod could be done by an owner of any Livin'Lite product. I had a locking catch installed on one of the interior cabinets in lieu of the standard non-locking one. My thought was at a campsite we usually have the trailer door either open or unlocked if we are around. There is the possibility that someone sinister (or overly curious) could duck into the trailer unnoticed. If they were thieves it is probably my wallet or electronics like cameras, phones, or notebook computers that they'd grab. I was aware that many motorhome owners install safes but that seemed like overkill. The idea of having one cabinet that could be locked seemed like a practical way to address the possibility of opportunistic thievery. The lock Livin'Lite installed is similar in function to their standard flush catches except it includes a key cylinder. The locking catch uses a larger (longer) cutout than the standard catch. The particular one they used has a chrome finish so it doesn't match the other catches. I'm okay with that. Ours is on the wardrobe cabinet which is great because as one of the largest cabinets and positioned higher it is very convenient & flexible if we needed to lock anything up. Typically we don't use the lock but it does add some peace-of-mind that we could. We usually feel completely safe at campgrounds but I anticipate there might be some time in our future adventures that we don't & the little lock might find itself used.

#8
Here's something a little different. While camping last summer in Nova Scotia my friend used his quadcopter to record some footage of my campsite. In it you can see Dixie the Westie who is too blind to notice the copter and can see yours truly. Until seeing this I din't realize my bald spot had grown that large!

https://youtu.be/8vPcm6Y2gFs
#9
When I ordered our small but mighty Camplite 11FDB in 2012 Livin'Lite's standard interior lights were incandescent. As an upgrade I had the factory install LED lighting throughout. The type I chose was Star Lights Inc. LED fixtures. The feature that appealed to me about their products is they are customizable by adding various optional modules. You can add a dimmer, a motion sensor, a day/night sensor or a nightlight to any of their fixtures. You can add the modules at any time. They also sell various LED arrays so you can get the light output better matched to your needs. As many of us discover brighter isn't necessarily better. The modules are 'smart'. For instance if you installed a motion sensor and a day/night sensor the light would only come on (as expected) when it is dark & motion is detected. Such a setup could work well in a washroom where an automatic light could be handy.

The pic I attach shows the fixture we have over our dinette/bed. It features a dial adjustable dimmer and push-button nightlight modules. The nightlight draws 20 milliamps when illuminated and provides sufficient light to find the toilet in the dark. (The dimmer controls the light itself and not the nightlight). Overall I've been happy with the Star Lights fixtures.


#10
By taking last Friday off work we took a long weekend and headed to Risser's Beach Provincial Park in Nova Scotia, Canada. It was about a 6-1/2 drive from our home. We hadn't been there before but our friends from Nova Scotia go there often and we met up with them. The Park is on Mahone Bay which is a huge bay on the Atlantic coast. The drive there required a cable ferry crossing of the Lahave River -- the several minutes it took was a nice scenic change and a chance to stretch the legs. (Our 'Equalizer' weight distribution hitch made some severe groans of displeasure getting on & off the ferry as the ramp transitions were pretty extreme.

The Park is a public beach & campground. The main campground is across the road from the beach. It is similar to a federal campground (ie National Park) with a mix of rv spaces with power & water, and dry spaces for small rv's & tents. It had a nice washroom/shower facility. On the beach side of the road there are additional campsites but they are all unserviced & there are no washrooms/showers in the area. These beach sites are extremely popular on weekends -- all booked months in advance. From my pics you may see why. The best spaces are right on the beach. Our friends had one of those so that's where we spent most of our time. We were near in a small pull-thru site. Although it had the road on both sides we could still see the ocean -- and we could hear the surf all night & day -- it was very relaxing. In our relatively exposed site the small but mighty Camplite 11FDB was on display. We had more comments about the trailer on this trip than all we've had since we bought the trailer in 2012. I'm thinking our particular site had lots to do with that. All the comments were great with some indicating they thought it was the 'perfect' camper.

Of course the beach was great. Huge without a spec of pollution and big enough not to be crowded. We didn't go swimming but did a few walks down its length. For variety there is also a forest trail running along side the beach and a long boardwalk through the marshy area a bit beyond those woods.

I include a pic of one of the nicest campsites next to the beach. As you can see it was quite spectacular. Most of such sites had little trails down to the beach. The pic with the fire pit was taken at our friend's site.






#11
Tow Vehicles / Something I didn't want to see...
July 06, 2015, 06:39:09 PM
Today going to work I noticed a Chrysler Town & Country minivan towing an Airstream. I think the trailer was a relatively new 27-foot 'Classic' model. I had to take a double take because it just looked so so "wrong". (So so wrong is more wrong than the simply so wrong). Upon getting home for the evening I did some googling. A 2011 Tow & Country has a towing capacity of 3,600 pounds. A 27-foot Airstream Classic of recent vintage (like 2011) has a dry weight of 6,592 pounds. You can bet the actual weight was more. I would.

Makes me shake my head. What are these people thinking? Clearly, being able to afford an Airstream doesn't mean you are smart.
#12
When I was recently in New Brunswick camping at the 1st Annual International Livin'Lite Jamboree thingie it was cold in the evening. As we were turning in for the evening my wife & I decided to let the furnace take the chill out of our small but mighty Camplite 11FDB. About 20 or 30 seconds into the furnace run the cabin's propane detector started chirping. (Chirps quite loud!). We promptly turned off the furnace & turned on the fantastic-vent roof fans (we have two) full blast to evacuate whatever fumes were triggering the alarm. Several seconds later the alarm ended -- after likely waking up the entire campground.

Because it coincided with the furnace run I associated it with that. On the other hand I had just been drinking David's bourbon so it may have been my breath!

The next morning I mentioned the alarm to Paul -- and he remembered hearing the alarm. (How could he not remember? - It seemed loud enough to make eardrums bleed). Paul & I discussed and he noted hearing that when new, furnaces often need to burn off any factory oils that could have been on the parts & that can trigger the alarm. Made sense to me. Although the trailer is now in its third season, previously I had only turned on the furnace long enough to confirm it worked & would then promptly turn it off. Perhaps those earlier times I just didn't have it on long enough to do its initial burn-off.

Does this make sense? Or does the alarm suggest I have a bigger problem?

#13
Off Topic / Happy 4th July...
July 04, 2015, 08:09:32 AM
My sincere wishes that all the Americans on this forum have a great 4th July. I hope you can spend it with family and friends.
#14
I thought I'd start this thread for those mods that seemed like a good idea but then didn't work out so well. I'd imagine it has happened to most of us --- we think we have a practical solution that will useful but then find it really wasn't so practical after all. Please add your own dud mods -- together we can show others what not to do.  ;)

I'll start with my idea that having handles on the trailer tongue would be a good idea. I had seen those pull handles on T@B trailers and thought they looked like a good idea. Maybe my small but mighty Camplite 11FDB could use some handles too. I found some hefty solid aluminum handles at a marine supply store. Aluminum is good. They sold in pairs. That was good too. I bought some hefty stainless steel self tapping screws. The handles were mounted to the tongue at either side of the propane tank. I was pleased with how great they looked. I was "da man".

Fast forward (>>). It's two years later I think. Those handles are still there and still look good but when I look at them I no longer feel I am "da man".  :-\  The reason is the handles have shown themselves to be rather useless. They might work to budge the trailer if the trailer were parked in an aircraft hanger or showroom floor. Pull with all my might I can't use them to budge the trailer in the real world places I park. I know it may be hard to believe but yours truly, the PEIslander, is not superhuman. I would need to be superhuman to move the trailer pulling or pushing on those handle!

The consolation is they do look good and when unhitched I can clip the safety chains on them...

#15
A while back I learned I was supposed to maintain my trailer's breakaway system's battery. That was news to me! I imagine there's lots of things I supposed to maintain but in blissful ignorance I save myself the work. One thing I do know is supposed to be maintained is the wheel bearings -- I just don't know how...

Any advice on how to maintain the wheel bearings would be appreciated.
#16
Camping cooking / Cast Iron...
June 30, 2015, 07:42:56 AM
One of my favorite pieces of camping equipment is a big antique cast iron frying pan that my mother bought at a yard sale. I just looked at the modern equivalents being sold at Cabela's and while nice and heavy & offered in a similar size the modern ones lack some details that make the old one great. Ours has a remarkably thin and easy to grip handle and the interior sides are as smooth as the interior bottom. The junction between the sides & bottom is a crisp angle that allows you to scape right over to the sides. Overall it is big enough to use as a griddle - or for a one pot meal.

We like to use it on the fire. Here in Canada firepits at campsites typically have a grating. We find we can avoid burning by moving the pan relative to the heat. I also have use butane burners and they big pan works surprisingly well with it.

Any other cast iron cooking fans? Any dutch oven users?
#17
Off Topic / What are your 4th July plans?
June 26, 2015, 05:04:09 AM
Our equivalent here in Canada is "Canada Day" on the 1st of July. This week it is on a Wednesday so not a long weekend for most. Some at my office will take the Thursday & Friday off so it is a 5-day weekend for them!

When the 4th of July falls on a weekend like this year do many working Americans get the Friday or Monday (or both) off work? That would be nice!
#18
I like to call Prince Edward Island (PEI) the "Land of Lawn Tractors" because almost everywhere you go here everyone has a big lawn. I myself have over an acre of lawn to mow and my yard wouldn't be considered particularly big. We bought a Camplite trailer. Sometimes we need to get away from the lawn as the damned grass (and unrelenting weeds) never stop growing!

Seriously, buying the small but mighty Camplite 11FDB had nothing to do with the lawn. It was more about a lifestyle goal of spending more time out-of-doors. My wife and I like to hike & experience nature. The trailer allows us an enjoyable way to experience nature a little farther away from home. We typically camp with friends and enjoy the time together camping. There is always good food involved. With busy careers we don't go camping as much as we'd like - but the little Camplite allows us to maximize the enjoyment when we do.





Someday our goal is to travel all the way from beautiful Prince Edward Island to Alaska. We grew up with stories of the 'Alaska Highway' and it beckons both of us. The small but mighty Camplite 11FDB might be part of that trip. We haven't planned that trip yet --- it is on the bucket list though. Our other long-term (retirement phase) goals are to explore the US Southwest and make the trip South to Key West. A bucket list item we have checked off already is a camping trip to incredible Newfoundland. Seriously kids, everyone needs to visit Newfoundland. I've been to the Grand Canyon & I think Newfoundland is right up there at the top of the list in scenic beauty.

If any of you get to PEI know that there's a driveway with a waterview where you'll be welcome. (Just don't plan on staying too long or you'll wear out that welcome. Two or three days would be fine but a month would be pushing it!  :o )