what I ended up with and why.

[Shadow Catcher]

We have two water filters one a ceramic carbon which is used all of the time and a Trav-L-Pure Camper Canister which takes out EVERY thing after that (I can suck out of a stream or lake and make it potable). one problem with this is that it also takes out chlorine and additional care in sterilizing the fresh water tank periodically is necessary.

[SteveF]

We have two water filters one a ceramic carbon which is used all of the time and a Trav-L-Pure Camper Canister which takes out EVERY thing after that (I can suck out of a stream or lake and make it potable). one problem with this is that it also takes out chlorine and additional care in sterilizing the fresh water tank periodically is necessary.

Cool--yeah, I'm only looking for something to remove off tastes and sediment. Do they sell such things at the RV suppliers or should I check plumbing places?

Thanks for the form recommendation, Pete. (and if there's a forum out there that doesn't have a few PITA's I've never seen it!)

Roadmaven, thanks for the reassurance. Re your T@B, I did contact several sellers about T@B's when I was in denial about the weight limitations of my RAV4. The red ones are sharp, especially the ones with white trim! Hope you found a good buyer for it. That Scotty's pretty classy, too!

[SteveF]

Well, I picked up the travel trailer today! It pulled just fine--I could tell it was there for sure but the weight distribution hitch and anti-sway friction bar were really good suggestions and I'm glad I followed that advice. The rear suspension doesn't sag at all with this set up!

It's now safely stowed in a pole barn around 12 miles from home--I'm renting space from a nice retired couple out there to store it. I like that it's not out in the weather (except when camping of course!) and the price was the same as storage nearer to town, but outdoors and exposed to the elements. I really don't have a place on my city lot to keep it so this is the best way to go I guess. Still, I wish I could see it and go out and play around with it. Oh well. I figure I'll go get it a few days or even a week before I use it for the first time so I have plenty of time to mess around and familiarize myself with it.

I forgot my good digital camera but here's a quick cell phone pic with my truck:



The wheels almost match the ones on my Chevy!

Thanks again for the good advice and suggestions, folks! It went really well and I'm pretty fired up to try it in a few weeks...

[Miriam C.]

Now that is a nice TTT. You will have lots of fun for sure! Thanks for sharing with us!

[SteveF]

Thank you Miriam!

All my worry about it being "too much trailer," were put into perspective pretty quickly at the RV store--the 5th wheel trailer next to me was the same length as my truck and camper together!



Probably weighed as much too...

[pete42]

steve that is one nice camper combo.
like I said before couple of times dumping and flushing the tanks and you will be a pro. disposable rubber gloves are a nice thing to use when dumping.

"I like the shower because I do multiday bike tours where me and around 200 friends camp for 4-6 days, do 60-80 mile rides every day, then line up for a shower in the afternoon when it's hot outside and steamy in the shower stalls. I don't mind waiting my turn but it'll be nice to have the option! (and not be a sweaty mess before I even get dressed)"

two of my cousins road the Iowa tour few years back one got so sick they had to take him to the hospital. A friend and his son have ridden in it too and they did mention the long shower lines and longer food lines.

If you take a "NAVY" shower the tanks should last 4-5 days.
use the trailer life forum there are many friendly people over there and they will help you on any questions you may have and also give advice on using the water system at the begining of the year and what to do at the end of the year.

If a tarp can be hung from rafters above your trailer it will keep birds from doing their dirty deed on top of your trailer.

again nice combo.

pete

[SteveF]

steve that is one nice camper combo.
like I said before couple of times dumping and flushing the tanks and you will be a pro. disposable rubber gloves are a nice thing to use when dumping.

"I like the shower because I do multiday bike tours where me and around 200 friends camp for 4-6 days, do 60-80 mile rides every day, then line up for a shower in the afternoon when it's hot outside and steamy in the shower stalls. I don't mind waiting my turn but it'll be nice to have the option! (and not be a sweaty mess before I even get dressed)"

two of my cousins road the Iowa tour few years back one got so sick they had to take him to the hospital. A friend and his son have ridden in it too and they did mention the long shower lines and longer food lines.

If you take a "NAVY" shower the tanks should last 4-5 days.
use the trailer life forum there are many friendly people over there and they will help you on any questions you may have and also give advice on using the water system at the begining of the year and what to do at the end of the year.

If a tarp can be hung from rafters above your trailer it will keep birds from doing their dirty deed on top of your trailer.

again nice combo.

pete

Thanks, Pete! Happens I keep a little box of surgical gloves around for messy jobs (bicycle drivetrains, etc) so that's good advice and easy to follow.

I got real sick once while on a bike camping tour, too--it was wet and muddy and I think something splashed up and contaminated the drink valve on my water bottle. That was an...unpleasant night. I ended up quitting the tour (it was the 2nd to last day anyway) and catching a ride home.

Oh, Anne came along when I picked it up and really fell in love with it. (1st time she'd seen it) I don't think I'll have any trouble talking her into coming along once in a while!