Greetings from 29 Stumps

[bsautry]

Hello, my wife and I have been campers for the past 13 years. After spending too many years sleeping on the ground, I have finally talked her into building a trailer. We have settled on building the Wanderer 10ft. On wednesday I went to Harbor Freight and bought the trailer. The next step is to go to buy some wood. This will have to wait until it gets a little cooler, as it is 103 degrees here today and only going to get hotter. The deadline is to get this finished by next spring break, as we want to do the 5 National Parks in Utah in 10 days. Too much for tent camping.

There will be three people and two dogs in the trailer. I am looking at making a pull out or slide out galley kitchen on the outside. There will be a "queen" dinet in the back and a single bed up front. Once I start building this fall I will post a build thread. Until then I am going to research and learn as much as I can about tiny trailer. Any suggestions on keeping it light is greatly appreciated. This will be pulled by a Jeep Patriot or a Jeep Rubicon Wrangler Unlimited (JKU, 4 door).

I apologize for any spelling errors. My computer died this week and I am working off my tablet.

Brennan

[AlgoDan]

Hello and welcome aboard, good luck on the build. I tow with my Jeep Wrangler and all is good. Also post pics as you go.

[Roo Dog]

Brennan,

Welcome aboard.
Building a Tear is a great project.
I shall look forward to following your build.

Take it easy.

RD

[Corwin C]

All five Utah National Parks next spring break ... now that's a camping trip. It's definitely a do-able plan, but a little too quick for my taste. Despite living about an hour from Bryce and about 90 minutes from Capitol Reef, I wouldn't try to see more than one at a time. 'Course it would be a rare thing for me to get 10 days off in a row as well.

A couple of comments ... you will be seeing some of these places while snow storms are still possible. Be prepared for that eventuality. It could easily be a summer, winter, summer, type trip, so bring what you need for both. From personal experience, Bryce is stunning with snow on the ground, so don't cancel your plans because of a little weather, but keep some flexibility in your plans should you need to "hunker down" for a while. Call ahead as well because many of the campgrounds may not be open that early in the season. There are plenty of places, but it may take some extra planning. Highway 12 between Capitol Reef and Bryce is highly recommended. Give yourself some time to stop and look around as you travel over it (absolutely unmatched scenery.) Winding roads and steep grades (>10%) are common, but you shouldn't have any problem unless you're heavily loaded. If your tow vehicle has an automatic transmission, I would recommend a transmission cooler if you don't already have one. Elevations for the trip you are looking at range from 3660' in Zions to 9200' across the top of the east end of Boulder Mountain on SR-12.

I'm looking forward to of your build (you are going to have a build thread aren't you hint - hint). Welcome aboard and happy building/camping!

[bsautry]

Thank you all for the welcome.

I know that 5 National Parks in 10 days is being aggressive, but we are in shape. Been camping in 4 feet of snow and it warmed up to a nice warm temperature of 14 degrees by 1:00 pm. I am very used to rapid temp changes. This last week went for 28 to 103. But seriously, thank you for taking the time to pass on the information.

My wife did not to wait as long as we need to start making the trailer. So, we were at the kitchen table this evening making a card board replica. When she jumps on board, she really jumps. Didn't take pictres for this build, but that would have been funny.

[jeff0520]

Welcome aboard. Looking forward to seeing what you build

[CarlLaFong]

Non SoCal folks and non USMC must be scratching their heads and saying, "29 Stumps?????"

[bsautry]

Non SoCal folks and non USMC must be scratching their heads and saying, "29 Stumps?????"

For those that are scratching your heads, 29 Stumps is also known as Twentynine Palms. The area is located 2.5 hours east of San Diego and 2.5 hours south west of Las Vegas. The town is one of three entry points into Joshua Tree National Park, and renowned for the rock climbing. Just to be clear there are more then twenty nine palm trees here.

Now, I do fall under the non USMC crowd. I am actually stationed here at the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital.

[CarlLaFong]

I, too, fall into the non USMC crowd or,more accurately, the semi USMC crowd.

"Doc" HM2
1st Battalion 1st Marines Delta Co.
RVN 6/67-6/68

[Cathy P.]

I was in the forum 2 or 3 years ago and just came back after seeing the plans for "The Wanderer" and I'm thrilled to see that someone else is interested in building it. It is 37 degrees here and was sleeting so I have given up on spring and summer ever coming after several disappointments. Am looking forward to watching your build and hoping to get ours underway also after doing house repairs and yard cleanup and maybe building yet another snowman!

[bsautry]

Thanks to everyone for the greetings. I am starting the build thread in the proper location. Hope to see you there.

[Rlowell]

Welcome aboard.

It sure is great that both of you are on board for the build.
Sounds like an aggressive build if you are going to complete by the spring. Good Luck!

Everyone in here loves to help so don't hesitate to ask questions or opinions...

Rod