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Old 07-18-2014, 10:44 AM   #1
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Almost Done Our First Longer Trip

A total of 4 weeks, travelling from the Yukon down to Okanagan in BC, over to Alberta and back home.

The longest stint was in Kelowna, for 9 days, where it enjoyed(?) a heat wave. The AC on the trailer was going almost continuously trying to keep up with the 100+ degree weather!

We spent two nights in Banff, which is a beautiful drive with majestic mountains -- better even than those up the Alaska Hwy.

We are now averaging 12-14 MPG on our F150 pulling the 24FBS. Not too shabby I suppose. It continues to handle the trailer quite nicely, but we certainly got our butts kicked by people towing larger units up hill with their 1 tons! (LOL)

We are travelling with a large dog and we have mixed feelings about that. We enjoy having him with us and he feels the same about us... Riley has met lots of new people and doggies along the way and having him forces us to get out for walks instead of sitting around the campfire with a beer in hand! However, he is large and when we are inside, seems to swallow up most of the floor space in the trailer. And we are constantly asking him to move or stepping over him. Unfortunately, if we are inside, he won't stay outside. Riley has to be where his people are. Also we've had to leave him in the trailer, with AC on, in order to look about and check out the sites. Not the end of the world, but I have been constantly worrying about the power or AC going out. (And it did happen in Kelowna during that heatwave, but luckily we were home when it happened). So again, mixed feelings.

With regard to the trailer, the floor plan is generally good for two people. But with the dog, it does get a bit crowded. The pluses of the trailer are that its easily towable by a half ton, but I can see where a bit more space would be beneficial. The bed is not a full queen, and we wouldn't buy another unit without one. We did get a memory foam topper, which helps for comfort. The bed itself is a little awkward getting in an out of. (Especially for middle of the night potty breaks, when the dog is lying at the side or end of it)

Storage space is fine, but I could use a bit more counter space. The fridge, we have left on auto all the time and it runs off the propane when on the road. It's plenty big enough for us. We always shower in the trailer as I'm too lazy to walk to the common showers. Plus I figure, I bought the darn thing with a full bathroom for a reason. The water tank holds enough water for one shower, but by the time I beautify myself, its hot again for hubby's turn.

Our little dirt devil mini vac has proven invaluable with the dog hair in the trailer, and I highly recommend it.

The TV and DVD is great too. We like the two seater coach that faces the TV as opposed to some plans were it's not. But next time, I would find something with lazy boys.

The deep slide is a nice feature adding to the room. But it does block the kitchen and bath when closed. Not the end of the world, as it can be slid open a bit when we stop for lunch etc.

We bought a ton of storage bins in Kelowna and completely reorganized everything inside. Works much better now and I don't open 5 cupboards before finding what I need anymore!

All in all, a good first run. Some lessons learned, like making sure you have enough space for slide and awning in parking. haha. We have also finally mastered the back in technique. And last but not least, have set up and take down to a fine art.

Life is good.
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Old 07-18-2014, 12:45 PM   #2
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yk, this sounds like an incredible trip.
Here I sit working at the pesky day job.
I agree with you, Life IS good!
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Old 07-18-2014, 04:28 PM   #3
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What an incredible trip you've made! Sure would like to see some pictures of that beautiful country. Your trailer review was well thought out and well written. You brought out the good points of the trailer, and were honest about the bad points. I'm sure it will help someone make a better-informed purchase when their time comes.

As for the dog . . . what can I say. I've had big dogs too. They are a lot of love, but you're right - they take up a lot of space. And it's always between where you are, and where you want to go. My current "fur person" is a Brittany; which are bigger than a cocker spaniel, but smaller than an English/Irish/Gordon setter. My old trailer was a 7.5' wide ultra-lite, and (even at his size) he always seemed to be in the way. I took his size into account when I started looking for my Eagle. After our first outing, I was happy with my buying decisions on both the dog and the trailer. That was only a week-long outing, though. We'll be starting a new adventure in about 11 days: living full-time in our trailer and traveling the country. Ask me in 4 weeks how I feel about the dog and the trailer, and I may not be a gracious as you were in your review.

Thanks for the write up. Please continue to keep us informed about your journeys.
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Old 07-18-2014, 07:15 PM   #4
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Thanks for your comprehensive post. We have a #75 and growing Black Lab 7 mo old puppy. What a handful. He stays in his crate most of the time in our 27DSRL. We have taken out the barrel chair on the couch side of the trailer. The crate stands up on end when the slide is in, with his blankee over the top to keep from hitting the back wall or the slide wall. This works really well as the DW, who is only 5' likes to recline on the couch to read or watch the TV.

We can leave him in the trailer for several hours with no problem. Of course the A/C is always on in our neck of the woods in the summer.

We just got back from Dreher Island on Lake Murray in the middle of South Carolina. It was hot, but being right on the water there was a breeze and a great view.

Yes, Life is Good!

Yes he likes to be with his family, however we have a 30' line which can be wrapped around a tree in the CG to let him stay outside. We stay in state parks that tend to have fairly large sites with lots of trees, so this works well.
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Old 07-18-2014, 11:42 PM   #5
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Glad you had a great time. We went the other way from Mission BC though Alberta to Yellowknife NWT. Then 500 km of gravel back to BC, down to Fort Nelson and worked our way home 7400 km (4600 miles ). No problems with the truck or 5th wheel, I did buy a TPMS before we left and it worked great. Traveling with dogs can slow you down as our dog less friends were ready to go most mornings before us, so what. We have fantastic fans in the living room and bedroom to keep the air moving for them.
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Old 07-19-2014, 10:55 AM   #6
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Some Pics of the Trip

Hope you enjoy.

Grey Monk Winery in Kelowna

Exploring the badlands in Drumheller, AB

The road through Banff, and then a pic of the view from our campsite

The campsite near Calgary where we are currently staying (nicest place thus far)

And last, T Rex at the Tyrell Museum in Drumheller!
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Old 07-19-2014, 02:39 PM   #7
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Thanks for sharing the trip, and the comments.

I think the camper to camper stuff is worth its weight in shiny brochures.
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Old 07-19-2014, 10:38 PM   #8
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Sounds like an amazing trip. We did 5 days in Kelowna in June, seemed like a heat wave then too, and we also travelled with a dog and had the same worries. How did your dog travel while you were driving around? Ours is in a crate in the back but she's a bit of an anxious traveller sometimes so I actually didn't love having her for such a long trip (we also have 3 little kids - really every trip seems long to me haha)
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Old 07-20-2014, 08:26 AM   #9
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The dog travels very well. There is tons of room in the back of our crew cab. He has a big pillow, water and food bowls. No worries at all.

He did, however have the little cooler tip over and land on him a couple of times when we made perhaps just a bit too fast a turn! But that's because it was sitting on the case for the subwoofer, and a little tippy. Once we moved it to the floor, it was fine. LOL. "ATTACK OF THE COOLER!"
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