Maintenance: Fresh Water Tank Fill Hose Replacement

Travel Trailer

I knew it was going to happen. It happened on our 2006 Fleetwood Niagara.

The fresh water tank fill hose started to leak. It was cracked from age.

It’s just a hose, right?

Go to the local hardware store and buy some new bulk hose of almost any kind, because the fill hose is not under pressure. Wrong. I went through this with our previous trailer, because I really didn’t want the same exact hose because, well because, it had failed.

There is one problem with this apparently simple solution —  hardware stores don’t sell this size hose. I was able to come up with something on the old trailer, which was expensive, but I needed something right away as we were in the  midst of leaving for a trip.

This time, time wasn’t a pressing issue.

So off to Amazon’s website I went . . .

 

Continue reading Maintenance: Fresh Water Tank Fill Hose Replacement →

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These) and the Campmor Catalog

Backpacking Gear

While getting ready for my next backpacking trip, I came across a Campmor zipper pull, the last of a couple dozen I bought in the ‘80s. Campmor may not be a household name for many backpackers, so I thought I would share some history. The hit single Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), was released by the British duo Eurythmics in 1983. 1983 was also the year Colin Fletcher’s The Complete Walker III was written. Walker III, along with Backpacker Magazine, put the mail order company Campmor on the map and in the minds of backpackers. A journey into the past. Sometimes we need to visit the past to understand the present and even predict the future. Continue reading Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These) and the Campmor Catalog →

My Remote Kit For Astrophotography

Telescope
Remotely controlling my telescope this summer in the Sierra Nevada.

Yes, this site is supposed to be focused on backpacking and camping. When camping I often bring a telescope and nowadays I image deep sky objects with it. You may not be interested in telescopes, but this post is really about finding solutions to a “problem,” researching, planning, and the final product. Continue reading My Remote Kit For Astrophotography →

Canisters, Ursacks and Bears, Oh My!!

Backpacking Gear
(L to R) Garcia canister, Ursack, Bear Vault 500, Bear Vault 450

More and more, land management agencies are requiring backpackers to store their food in “approved” bear-resistant equipment. A common question is, “What is the lightest bear-resistant food container I can buy?”

Many, many years ago I was shopping at a well-known backpacking outfitter for a sleeping bag. In those days, retailers like this one, had special areas or rooms with all their sleeping bags on display. This store had several inflated air mattresses and foam pads available so shoppers could try the fit of sleeping bags in the store. Additionally, the store had experienced employees that could answer all questions and ensure customers bought the correct size bag.

In conversations with a couple employees they showed me a new product — a bear canister — recommending it to protect my food. 

But it isn’t that simple. Continue reading Canisters, Ursacks and Bears, Oh My!! →

Quick Tip: How to Adjust a Weight Distribution Hitch

Camper Upgrades, , ,
ProPride Weight Distribution Hitch
ProPride Weight Distribution Hitch
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Hitch

Seems that a lot of folks struggle with how to adjust their weight distribution hitch, or they haven’t read their vehicle’s Owner’s Manual or their trailer hitch Instruction Manual.

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Camco RV Roof Vent Cover

Camper Mods, ,

Back in August we arrived at our campsite in the Sierra Nevada late in the afternoon. Compared to what we are used to, the temperature was much cooler. We set up, cooked dinner and sat around with a bottle of wine to consume.

Shortly after we got into bed, Joyce asked, “Did you open the roof vent?”

“No”

“Well, I can see lots of stars through the vent opening. You should probably close the vent since it is going to be close to freezing tonight.”

I got up to close the vent and noticed the vent lid was missing. Not a good thing, since we would be here for two weeks and afternoon thunder showers are the norm.

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Early Mojave Halloween: Witches & Spiders

Camping, , ,

We had been home only two weeks from our 2-month trip. It was time for another camping trip because, well just because.

Most years we are camping on Halloween to avoid the little beggars and extortionists who knock on our door on October 31st. Last year, due to COVID there were none. This year we can’t go camping that weekend due to my son getting married that weekend.

So we headed to the high desert for a pre-Halloween trip.

Continue reading Early Mojave Halloween: Witches & Spiders →