Dirty Trailer Unsuccessful Hunt

[NVGun40]

Figured I would share a couple of photos of what the DW called a "filthy" trailer. What did she expect after three guys went on a moose hunt in central Alaska. We towed the trailer up a goat trail where my two partners had to walk along guiding with the trailer so I did not knock the step or the tank drains off on roadside cut banks and rocks with the truck in 4 Lo. We managed to get the ATV so stuck in the mud we even had to walk the truck cross country and utilize a 30 foot cable, 50 foot chain, four 30 foot 5000lb ratchet straps, 1 30 foot 10,000lb ratchet strap and 120 foot rope doubled over to 60 foot to pull the ATV out. The hunt was unsuccessful, but the times were great and the trailer held up great for the mileage along rough dirt mountain roads it traveled.
For those who are curious, 7 days, no solar, no generator, no plugging in the truck. Just strictly batteries, and on board water. Two 12 volt deep cycle batteries, and extremely strict power discipline (no on board heater, or other fan usage) (just a Big Buddy portable heater inside), and the batteries never went below 2/3. It can be done.

[Marcm157]

Sounds like it was a hell of a time!

[Screwby]

Now That is my idea of camping! Jealous..

[secal48]

Awesome. The only thing better would have been a moose too.

[Camping Grandpa]

So did the DW wash it for you?
That would have been the loving thing to do especially since you came back moose less ��

[JEFF1963]

Spend 20 years off and on in Kodiak hunting Bambi and bear. Wish I'd had the problem you did towing a veritable palace; even a couple waterproof tents can't compare with your accommodations - judicial use of electricity notwithstanding. However, the pics of the ATV looked extremely familiar! Why not just hit Bullwinkle with your vehicle en route Anchorage?!

[NVGun40]

Originally Posted by JEFF1963

Spend 20 years off and on in Kodiak hunting Bambi and bear. Wish I'd had the problem you did towing a veritable palace; even a couple waterproof tents can't compare with your accommodations - judicial use of electricity notwithstanding. However, the pics of the ATV looked extremely familiar! Why not just hit Bullwinkle with your vehicle en route Anchorage?!

LMAO, the only problem with hitting bullwinkle on the way back to Anchortown would have been vehicle damage.
Since the central North hunt with the rolling palace was unsuccessful, when we got back, we spent a day re-kitting our load and did a 5 day float hunt. There we utilized the old tent on the ground method. This time we were looking for bullwinkle's and bears.

[NVGun40]

Originally Posted by Camping Grandpa

So did the DW wash it for you?
That would have been the loving thing to do especially since you came back moose less ��

lol, nope, DW did not wash it for me. We had to do that ourselves. She even made us clean the inside and wash the bedding as well, even though we used sleeping bags and did not sleep on the sheets and blankets. I think she just took advantage of the cleaning aspect and got a little extra....

[Camper_bob]

You describe it as "unsuccessful". I say it was a successful trip! Even though you didn't harvest any game, it sounds like you still had an outstanding trip, building memories and kindling lifelong camaraderie with friends! A resounding success I say!!

[TWP723]

Hey, next time you go..take me! I'll do all the cooking and I'll even bring my big event grill!


Um...I'm serious.

[Dan]

Great pics and story, thanks for sharing. I got a little sad seeing your muddy WH in AK. We trailered a WH to your state last summer and our trailer looked like that quite a bit!

[NVGun40]

Originally Posted by Dan

Great pics and story, thanks for sharing. I got a little sad seeing your muddy WH in AK. We trailered a WH to your state last summer and our trailer looked like that quite a bit!

Thank you. Those who have known me and remember my past rv's know that seeing me with a muddy/dirty rig is nothing new. They also know that I tend to take my rigs through pretty rough extremes.
I feel rather lucky and blessed as I read through these forums and see the problems people have with slide outs gouging floors and cabinets falling apart, or water leaks, etc. that I have not really had many problems with the overall construction of any RV I have owned. Most problems I have encountered have been ones I have had a part in creating.... Most of them I have fixed myself.
To me an RV is built to be mobile and lightweight and maneuverable. It's not a house, never was meant to be, therefore it will never be as comfortable or convenient as a house. Yet, it's mobile and built to 'get away' so I take that seriously and to the extreme.
This WH TT is proving to be one of the best rigs I have ever utilized. It has many features I have ended up modifying into past RV's. (ground clearance and wide stance axles for one)

[Dan]

Curious, why not stay with a pickup camper with all your back country excursions? Just not enough room? I may go to a Lance 1172 in the future (just possible, not set in stone), so that's why I ask.

[NVGun40]

Originally Posted by Dan

Curious, why not stay with a pickup camper with all your back country excursions? Just not enough room? I may go to a Lance 1172 in the future (just possible, not set in stone), so that's why I ask.

Aye, you hit the nail right on the head. Not enough room with a pickup camper. Not only that, but with a trailer, I can have a lot more equipment loaded and then still have the truck bed to load other stuff. Including, if you notice, at least one ATV (that is until I get a "sled deck" then I will take two ATV's.

I had a fifth wheel at one time, which I did some extensive work on with a skid plate protecting the grey and black tanks and the plumbing, and then a lift kit for more ground clearance. However, I found that with a 5er, we lacked the vertical travel at the hitch point for those pesky little ups and downs so often found in back country.

We also utilized a Class C for two years, but found a lacking in ground clearance and they are not easily found in 4 wheel drive so back country access is extremely limited.

We still maintain basic 'spike out' tent equipment for those excursions into deeper higher areas. Again, the truck and TT combo serves to get us deep enough into rough areas that we can be semi isolated and then the TT serves as a base camp while the truck or ATV can still serve to get us to a point where we can (and sometimes do) spike out for a day or two or three.

Finally, though I do take my equipment into areas most people wont, my DW can attest, I am fanatic about taking care of my equipment, and so the TT stays in very nice condition so that during the rest of the year (especially late spring and through the summer) it serves as a great luxury camping rig. Which we do camp a lot.

[Dan]

Good info, thank you. Best of luck on future hunts.