Pan America... Why? Why not?

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Yeah, main! Put some twinkies on dat Errscream crailah thang! Git dem hydraulics an' hit dem switches! Crailah ridin' dubs. Dat's whassup.

Word!
Bet dat!
Ya heard me L'il Wardy?

[m.hony]

Erry time I come around yo campsite
Bling bling
Tow vehicle worth about fitty
Bling bling

[Zackybilly1]

M.Hony...

You're bad...and a hoot... I've got some "Bad Habitz" T-shirts I had made up left-over from our Arkansas ride-to-eat event...you, my friend, deserve one if anybody does.

Z

[m.hony]

Got to represent, my brothah from anothah mothah!
By "ghetto" I really meant the campground is in pretty bad repair. They haven't done any maintenance since the budget cuts of 2008.
The North Abutment is like the Hamptons in comparison.
If I had to camp at Hugh White State Park, I wouldn't. I'd just go home. The silver trailer has not camped there, nor will it.
Am I a camping snob? Maybe so...

[m.hony]

You got one of them T-shirts in extra large?

[Zackybilly1]

Originally Posted by m.hony

You got one of them T-shirts in extra large?

Sure do! I knew what you meant on the ghetto thing...just joking around.

The shiny trailers do stick out like a sore thumb at campgrounds. In Natchez, I can't tell you how many cellphone pics of my trailer were taken. One fellow looped through the park 3 times taking pics...another (pulling a nice 5th wheel SOB) stopped and he & wife wanted a tour. Got a lot of nice compliments.

Z

[m.hony]

I would just put it park, walk up to you and start a conversation. Before too long I would ask,"Hey, do you mind if I take pictures of your rig?"
Ain't no shame in my game. I ain't too hard to beg.

[HiHoAgRV]

I love the ability to carry Toys and still have the coolness of a 'Stream. One of those would have been awesome when we were racing karts on road courses.

The last time we went to Natchez State Park we were at a site just past yours on the other side of the road. The neighbors fire ring was closer to our camper than theirs and right under our window. Too bad we had to close up and kick on the air when they fired up a plastic/wet wood smokin fest.

Never been to the Quitman campground but if we do I'll bring a long cord!

[m.hony]

If someone comes to my site and compliments my trailer I will generally offer a tour, especially if I sense that they are too shy to ask.

[Zackybilly1]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Never been to the Quitman campground but if we do I'll bring a long cord!

In all fairness, I guess I booked a little late getting the slot. I went on-line 3-4 weeks ahead of time shopping for a slot for Thanksgiving. Being naïve...I figured the campgrounds would be a ghost town. I searched from Pensacola, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi. Man, were they booked up! I checked similar days before and after Thanksgiving and they were plentiful. At any rate, I booked my slot (#16) as it was about all I could find. Now, I believe those that booked before me didn't pick my slot for a reason. I rode my motorcycle around and deeper into the loop just looking. There were much better slots...though occupied. I will go back just to give it a fair shake...though my slot was a pull-thru, I think I got the leftover scraps. I won't wait so long to book around holidays in the future.

Z

[m.hony]

Next time, head north. The campgrounds up here were ghost towns.

[Zackybilly1]

Originally Posted by m.hony

If someone comes to my site and compliments my trailer I will generally offer a tour, especially if I sense that they are too shy to ask.

...and wearing a bikini?

I don't know if I'm organized enough at any given time to give guided tours. I'd have to get me some of those mock up place settings for the table complete with cloth napkins and napkin rings, get some home décor to frill it up, dried flowers in a vase, a bottle of un-opened wine with sparkling stemware nearby, make sure all dishes are done and drain rack put up before sun up, current & intriguing magazines casually splayed out, maybe some sort of aroma therapy floating around, bed neatly made with a helmet on it with riding gloves and leather jacket neatly positioned, a folded road map with travel log in close proximity and new riding boots strategically placed on the floor (just anywhere on the floor is fine) to imitate the Airstream ads.





Those boots seem to get around. Maybe if I laid out some fresh green onions and various peppers, I could give the impression that I'll be preparing a gourmet meal in my elegant galley just as soon as my guest leave.


The tour I gave the couple was thru the open garage door...that is what seemed most interesting to them. They did peek through the port-hole window of the door between the garage and living quarters but didn't seem too inquisitive about that end.

I do try to keep a neat/clean trailer but mine is plain, plain without any extras...almost clinical. Short of a coffee pot, I don't want a lot of stuff to put up before being ready to roll.

Z

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by Zackybilly1

Jim,

I refer to it as and use it as my "back porch". I do have a flat-screen (1 of 3) in there and the sound (tuner, iPod, DVD or TV) is through the stereo system which is on a selector switch. After I unload the bikes, I set chairs up back there. With the rear cargo door open with bug screen down, the floor vent open, the roof vent and Fantastic vent open, both side windows open, it's got good ventilation and a decent view. I've rigged up a 3000 btu radiant heater in the back (below the grill...has cover on it) for those cooler evenings and a 6000 btu stashed for the sure enough cold nights. I also have an 11' telescopic pole I can rig up from front to rear to hang damp towels, swimming trunks, etc. when it's rainy outdoors or when I'm going off and leaving the trailer on the bike for hours. Other than sleeping, I think I probably spend more time in the back than I do the front. I like the durability of the garage area...when set up, I use the back door more than the side door as I don't have to be too concerned about tracking dirt, leaves or pine straw in (on feet or wheels)...and I have a leaf blower if I do.



If not hauling a big bike, I still have adequate room to use the back. If hauling a big one (1,800cc...900+lbs), I position it in the center of the garage to help balance the load which cuts into my lounging space.










Short of throwing an inflatable mattress down for a buddy, I don't ever see it being too cushy in the back. I'm not really a La-Z-Boy type and am happy enough just getting off my feet and in a chair. I'm only 5'4" and 127 lbs., so I'm quite happy in the ZipDee chairs where a bigger fellow might not be.

It's the Thanksgiving season and I have a lot to be thankful for. This week, I tuned in on being thankful ProPride provides such a nice hitch to allow me to enjoy two pucker-free camping trips in one week towing the heaviest of Airstreams made (with cargo). I am also thankful to Chevrolet and their DuraMax/Allison offering which allowed me to average 13.2 mpg on 700+ miles of towing in the past week at a more than respectable pace. I don't worry about the mule (or it's harness), I just load the wagon. I'm thinking my next mod will be an auxiliary fuel tank for my truck.

Z

You might want to look into Transfer Flow. The previous owner of my 07 Chev 2500 HD, crew cab, short box with the Duramax was very frustrated with the original 26 gallon tank. He had a 45 gallon tank installed from Transfer Flow. Apparently it cost around $1,000. Its really great, however the fuel gauge registers empty when its still about half full. I use the dash computer to know exactly how much fuel is left. Oddly enough, it's incredibly accurate.

It's nice to see someone using the Pan America for what it was really designed for. I'm planning on building something similar with my 57 Sovereign of the Road, 30'er. The design at this point is to carry the bike (either my Harley or BMW F650 GS) in the rear, however that area will double as the main bedroom. The bed will have to split & fold out of the way in order to fit the bike. As the living room is huge up front, the front gaucho will be used for overnights while traveling, then removed, & the garage area converted back into a bedroom when we arrive at a spot for several days or more. I have an 18' X 10" room under the awning on my 59 Ambassador & it works great in inclement weather. When we zip out the walls, its just an nice big awning. I'll have a similar set-up fab'd for the 30'er so it could be potentially used as a garage for the bike when the bedroom is set-up. It'll be a lot of work, but my shop can build anything, so I'm sure it'll be pretty cool when completed.
I enjoy your travels, keep us inspired
Colin

[m.hony]

I don't bother cleaning up before the tour. I give a tour of clutter and all.

[Zackybilly1]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I don't bother cleaning up before the tour. I give a tour of clutter and all.

You are my kind of man!

Z

[cwf]

My wife 'decorates'... I just offer them a beer, wine, etc.. Drives my wife crazy.. that's my JOB!!!

[Zackybilly1]

Originally Posted by cwf

Drives my wife crazy...

I just don't think mine completely understands me either.



Z

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by cwf

Man, I wish they would bring this model back.. then again, maybe that would be a bad thing...

;0

You could always "make do" with an Eddie Bauer ...LOL......not a PA, but the closest now available from the factory ... the hatch is very versatile!

[Zackybilly1]

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by Zackybilly1

zb

I sure enjoyed all the photo bucket pictures showing the incredible "upgraded garage interior design" of your PA. Your design and attention to detail is quite impressive. My compliments to you. I really enjoyed the photos of the Triumph since I am from the sixties when Triumph was king and I have a 2000 Triumph Sprint ST, the best motorcycle I have ever owned.

Thanks a bunch zb.

Dan