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Old 03-03-2012, 09:37 AM   #21
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Thanks Tslarson. It always make us feel better when we see similar set ups to ours. We too have realized that we will be looking to make the change of a tow vehicle in the future. Meanwhile our favorite campground is only an hour away and only slightly uphill
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Old 03-03-2012, 06:34 PM   #22
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We pulled ours over 2000 miles last summer with no real problems. The worst was a 20 mile very very gradual uphill road into the wind. Couldn't control the tranny temps after about 1/2 way and had to pull over to cool things down. Thinking about adding a second cooler this spring. The 2011 model is a little heavier and has more tongue weight than the 2012.
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Old 03-03-2012, 08:46 PM   #23
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Hmmmm well who knows maybe we will be pleasantly surprised. Ours may be lighter but your engine is a 4 and ours is 3.7. So maybe we will come out even . Actually we do have a trip planned to the Wisconsin Dells which are about 1000 miles away from bus here in Manitoba. So round trip will compare to yours.
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Old 03-03-2012, 09:08 PM   #24
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Went to the Dellls last summer. Stayed at Devils Lake State Park. A lot of the campground is built into a steep slope and it was difficult to get the trailer level. Had to dig a hole for the wheels on the uphill side and used every piece of blocking we had to raise the tires on the downhill side. Didn't spend much time at the park, but there seemed to be good trails to walk and swimming at the beach. Pretty hard to ride a bike anywhere. We checked out Mirror Lake State Park, pretty nice and much more level, and much closer to the attractions at the Dells. We spent 2 days at Noah's Water Park, had a great time. Make sure to do the Scorpion water slide. The Ducks tour is pretty cool too. Lots of other touisty things to do too.
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Old 03-04-2012, 07:37 AM   #25
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Thanks for all that info. We have never beeb there before We are mainly going for the grandkids. Have checked on the sights you mentioned. So many choices out there. We kinda thought for us as new to trailer camping (30 years of tent camping) we would try the known quantity of the KOA. If time allows and gas prices don't slow us down, we may circle back through one of our favorite areas, the black hills. Because of the steep narrow roads through the hills though we will most likely set up camp around the Rapid city area and do day trips in. Any suggestions on campgrounds in the flatter areas? We are used to being able to camp in more scenic rugged terrain btw thought that 8 post conversations constitute a "friendship" so thought it was a good time to try adding a friend
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Old 03-04-2012, 02:11 PM   #26
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We have always stayed at state parks or federal corps campgrounds. Pretty hard to go wrong with any of them in WI or MN. Did the friend thing.
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Old 03-04-2012, 04:51 PM   #27
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Smile

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We have always stayed at state parks or federal corps campgrounds. Pretty hard to go wrong with any of them in WI or MN. Did the friend thing.
Thanks now I feel befriended
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Old 03-04-2012, 05:17 PM   #28
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My fore bunk will open when hitched to our 03 Expedition.
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Old 03-05-2012, 10:14 PM   #29
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Okay question for you Red and Tslarson, or anyone else. If you only use one bunk (which will be most of the time for us). Do you ever take the mattress from the unused bunk and double up?
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Old 03-06-2012, 10:25 AM   #30
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We used to do that with our tent trailer and it was noticeably better.
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Old 03-09-2012, 03:38 PM   #31
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Yes, you can stay hitched and use your front bunk.

We had to purchase a longer shank drawbar than came with our hitch, but we really like it. I think it was 6 inches longer than the original. So staying hitched for overnight stays is no problem.

If we are lined up straight, we have room to open the door on the cap and drop the tailgate without hitting anything.

The attached picture is from an overnighter at Cheboygan (MI) State Park on our way to the UP.
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Old 03-09-2012, 06:07 PM   #32
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We've never tried it but i think it would make it more comfortable. I think the mattress in the rear is smaller anyway? We have given some though to getting a mattress topper. All in all, after a season of use, the mattress is not that uncomfortable. Seems stiffer in the spring and fall when it is cold out.
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Old 03-09-2012, 06:39 PM   #33
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We've never tried it but i think it would make it more comfortable. I think the mattress in the rear is smaller anyway? We have given some though to getting a mattress topper. All in all, after a season of use, the mattress is not that uncomfortable. Seems stiffer in the spring and fall when it is cold out.
I don't know how your mattress is but we bought a topper for ours and my goodmess, what a difference. It's very comfortable now and I sleep like a baby.

Haha
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