Hi folks,
I assume you don't want to hear me drone on about our trip to Fl. If you have questions about it, feel free to ask, I will be glad to answer, if I can.
These pics are to give you an idea of the rig, how we used it, what worked, what didin't and why. I will be succinct. If you have questions ask. If you can add something do! Without any ado, here we go:
This is our setup at Wekiva SP The teardrop is a dream to set up.
We learned to back it up as we went. Basically, roll it into position, get the supports out of the trunk, set them up and unhitch! We have rear stabilizers but didn't need them if a quick set up because of rain etc was needed.
This is our setup at Myakka River SP I was VERY glad I did a 5 x 10 and extending the 8' red trailer to 10' was the smartest thing I could have done, even if it did create some build issues re plywood etc. You will notice that we are smaller than even the smallest RV's. 'Nuff said.
This is the hatch open at night at Myakka River. Because we did not have the cabinets finished, you can see that we used plastic bins for storage in the galley. We used smaller ones at the foot of the bed in the cabin, in front of the bulkhead. We did have an 11" shelf in the cabin, mounted on the bulkhead--it will hold the AC and the two interior cabinets later. The smaller bins in the cabin held our shoes.
Daytime hatch view at Wekiva--same deal. In the comfort area we were glad to have the Miracle vent or whatever--great on warm humid nights--we had one or two where we might have used AC if we had brought it. I was sorry I did not insulate the walls. On cool evenings (eg below dew point temps) we got condensation on the side walls. Wiped it up first thing after breakfast, turned on the vent and voila! all gone.
Quilt Nancy is making for the Snuggle Inn.. We were never cold. Two people generate a lot of heat <g> Temps at night were occassionally in the 30's sometimes 40's and usually 50's-60's. Fl camping in Feb can be like fall camping in the North if you get a cold front dropping down from Canada...which we did--twice.
Curtains Nancy made for the Inn...The doors and windows never leaked. ditto roof, ditto vent.
The Interior of the Pa Ha Que Tent Room (10x10) we loved it—dry and warm when windy/rainy and at night with a coleman lantern going it was warm as toast, even when it was in the 30’s. We also cooked inside there when we encountered rain, as we did at Myakka River and the Keys. Having the flaps on all 4 sides was a plus...they keep out rain and wind and cold, but can be rolled up when it is hot....The screen room sets up in about 10 minutes. If you want a screen room we recommend you give these a look. They make them up to 12' square, I think.
The comfort of home...in the keys...we often read/played games in the screen room at night.
Can that be...??? Frost??? You bet!!! at Wekiva State Park, 3rd week in February;
We had some comforts in the trailer....shelves for each of us and the Chinese made swedish reading lamps (leds)
Overall, for those contemplating doing an outing before finishing everything in the interior, I can say it can be done. We found the plastic bins very useful. We had two gym bags with socks and underwear in the cabin and one suitcase in the trunk with the outer clothes in it. If you are weathertight, you will be fine, I think.
We liked having the electrical options. I had not installed our Best converter/charger, so I took my Sears charger (10/2 amp) a work cord and a GFCI plug in outlet with 3 outlest and a worklight on a 12 ' cord.
Jerry rigged, yes, but it worked. For gneral lighting in the galley and the two general lights in the cabin we had 4 twelve vold auto ceiling lights, tow each in cabin and galley--lots of light.
For the Altima, towing into a strong headwind was an effort and it would keep switching in and out of overdrive, so on our long haul from Anastasia to Myakka in a 30+ mph headwind, I turned the overdrive off.
I will stop there. If you have questions about facilites, weather, things to do...just ask--or any other questions, of course.
Ciao,
Jim