How to Level and Stabilize a Tent Trailer

July 21, 2013CampingBAL Leveler, BAL Single Wheel Chock, Level Tent TrailerNick Gatel

There is a Right Way, and a Wrong Way

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One thing I really enjoy about a tent trailer is the open feeling when all the curtains are pulled backed and the windows are opened. You have a 360 degree view, with netting to keep insects out. Even in hot weather, the shaded interior is much cooler than outside, there is plenty of ventilation.

Tent trailers are a little different to set up than a travel trailer, 5th wheel, or a motor home.

It is surprising how many people do not know how to properly set up their tent trailer, in spite of the fact the Owner’s Manual provides comprehensive instructions.

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San Jacinto Fire Update

July 21, 2013General TalkBonita Vista Fire, Pacific Crest Trail, Palm Springs Fire, PCT, San Jacinto FireNick Gatel

RAIN.

The San Jacintos are shrouded in clouds. A light rain fell overnight, dropping 0.78 inches of rain on the desert floor overnight. Good news. Hopefully any additional rain will be light, so our fire fighters are not endangered by flash floods. A flash flood warning is in place for the desert.

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Gray Water Solutions for Your Camper

July 19, 2013Camper UpgradesGray Water, Graywater, Grey Water, GreywaterNick Gatel

Tote Selection — Our collection of gray water tanks used from 2003-2008

When camping in a recreational vehicle (travel trailer, motor home, tent trailer, etc.) it is more than likely you will generate waste water. Disposal of this water can become problematic. What follows are the methods and solutions we have used over the years.

If you camp in campgrounds with sewer hook-ups, then waste water disposal is not a problem. But I will suggest that these “parking lot” campgrounds are not camping. Pick you’re poison. Many campgrounds without RV hook-ups have an RV dump, where you can drive your camper to and off-load the waste water. Of course if you have a tent trailer, it would require packing up the camper before driving to the dump station. And if you fill your tanks before your trip is over, you would have to return to your campsite and set up the camper again. If you camp in dispersed camping areas, it is unlikely there would be a dump station within reasonable driving distance. To overcome these obstacles, many campers utilize portable waste tanks.

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Fire on the Mountain

July 18, 2013General TalkBonita Vista Fire, Fire, Pacific Crest Trail, Palm Springs Fire, PCT, San Jacinto FireNick Gatel

smaller DSC00882 — Fire has moved from the west side of the San Jacintos, crested the ridge and is now heading east. View from Palm Springs, CA.

On Monday morning, July 15th, a fire started on private property in the Apple Canyon area, which is just west of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) along the section known as the Desert Divide. The Desert Divide is part of the San Jacinto Wilderness, and the mountain creates the desert on the east side, which is the Palm Springs area.