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Becky B. · 09-22-2013, 05:59 PM

My Bambi II with the two gray tanks connected drains incredibly slow too....just like Colin said. I think I'll be draining a lot of it under the cover of darkness, because else I might get killed at the dump station! Kind of a bummer....

65CV · 09-22-2013, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

My Bambi II with the two gray tanks connected drains incredibly slow too....just like Colin said. I think I'll be draining a lot of it under the cover of darkness, because else I might get killed at the dump station! Kind of a bummer....

I was lucky this time that there was no one in line. Last February, two trailers pulled up right after I got the trailer tilted. Oh, well.

65CV · 09-22-2013, 08:19 PM

One other observation that I forgot to mention...

I didn't expect too cold a trip in mid-September and only installed one Olympian Wave 3 Heater, with 3000 BTU output. With the double layer of Prodex in the walls and a single layer of Prodex behind each screen, we were able to keep the Overlander 20 degrees warmer than the outside temperature.

When we add the second heater in the bedroom area, we should be able to maintain a 40 degree increase in temperature -- more than enough for the camping we do. We'll add another Wave 3 rather than having to increase heat output with a Wave 6.

BTW, we had the front window open 1" and the forward Fantastic Fan open 1-2" -- well more than recommended, but we want to be sure there are no gas issues.

Frank's Trailer Works · 09-23-2013, 04:36 AM

just to be a wet noodle again.... two Wave3 units are going to create a very moist situation for you....

65CV · 09-23-2013, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62overlander

just to be a wet noodle again.... two Wave3 units are going to create a very moist situation for you....

We'll use 2 only when boondocking in very cold weather -- not a frequent occurrence.

We also have electric heat when hooked up, which makes for a very dry situation...

65CV · 09-26-2013, 08:27 AM

Just read a thread asking for recommendations for parks in New England during leaf season. The OP stated that they couldn't stay in State Parks because they needed to run their heater. That's why we sometimes use Catalytic Heaters -- they don't use electricity.

Yes, they produce moisture since burning propane actually creates more water than carbon dioxide. Ventilation is key. We learned that lesson quickly with a 6000 btu heater in a Caravel!

Last week, our windows did have condensation on them in the morning after running the 3000 btu catalytic heater, but we were able to let dry, fresh air in all day. After an entire week of camping, we didn't have to charge the batteries until we were home. All LED lighting helped too.

We do use electric heat when we have full hookups, but really love dry camping.

Here was our campsite, right on the river.

MarkR · 09-26-2013, 12:03 PM

very nice . . .

(can you tell me about your camp chairs?)

65CV · 09-26-2013, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkR

very nice . . .

(can you tell me about your camp chairs?)

Mark,

The chairs are very comfortable and sturdy. I don't think they're available anymore but here is the description. We got them on clearance at Cabela's for about $40.

They go very well with a camping ottoman.

John

nmbosa · 09-26-2013, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65CV

Just read a thread asking for recommendations for parks in New England during leaf season. The OP stated that they couldn't stay in State Parks because they needed to run their heater. That's why we sometimes use Catalytic Heaters -- they don't use electricity.

Yes, they produce moisture since burning propane actually creates more water than carbon dioxide. Ventilation is key. We learned that lesson quickly with a 6000 btu heater in a Caravel!

Last week, our windows did have condensation on them in the morning after running the 3000 btu catalytic heater, but we were able to let dry, fresh air in all day. After an entire week of camping, we didn't have to charge the batteries until we were home. All LED lighting helped too.

We do use electric heat when we have full hookups, but really love dry camping.

Here was our campsite, right on the river.

Looks very peaceful. Hope you can make it out to our neck of the woods someday. We have awesome State Parks with both full and partial hookups in some beautiful locations.

Norm

65CV · 10-17-2013, 06:36 AM

For my 1000th post, I want to take a moment to thank so many of you for your support and willingness to share knowledge about these addictive aluminum trailers. I never would have tried to restore an airstream without the help of this forum -- and never, ever would have thought I'd do two!

A special shout-out to several especially helpful people -- many of whom have become friends: Arlen&Shirly, Becky, Brandon, Brian, Carlos, CJohnson, Colin, Frank, Gary, JP, Kip, Lynetta, Marcus, Mike, Norm, Peter, Rob, Scott, Shelly, Sheridan, Stephanie, Tim, Toastie, Tom, Uwe, Vernon and last-in-alphabetical-order-only, Zep. I hope I didn't miss anyone.

Zeppelinium · 10-17-2013, 10:28 AM

Most of us feel the same way; I certainly did when I started out. I also owe a shout-out to many of the people you have listed. It's a good reminder that we really don't do this work alone. Thank goodness.

And thank you for such a nice 1000th post.

Zep

nmbosa · 10-17-2013, 05:16 PM

Thanks John. I know I owe a lot of thanks to many of the same people. We have had so much fun restoring our trailer and using it over the last few years.
Norm

reinergirl · 10-17-2013, 05:29 PM

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I totally agree John, and I am so grateful for your help and the help from so many other people here on Airforums!

desertair27 · 10-17-2013, 08:57 PM

Good job John!
Thank you for sharing all your wisdom, I continue to learn from you and others and it's always nice to refer back to many of your posts to answer so many of my questions.
Thanks again.
Mike

Becky B. · 10-17-2013, 09:05 PM

I agree with you about all the nice help here on the forum. So much great advise & nice peeps here. Your "thanks" speech is worthy of an oscar nomination speech! Lol. So sweet!

mutcth · 10-18-2013, 05:42 AM

Agreed. Classy 1,000th post. It's been a pleasure knowing you and yours.

You have one of the few trailers that actually had Jules and I talking (again, briefly) about vintage...

Tom, going on last VT trip this season

Sheridan · 10-18-2013, 08:52 AM

I used your Caravel project as a guide for mine, so a big thanks to you John for helping me.

Sheridan

KCN · 10-20-2013, 12:44 PM

Kind of cool reading your list and realizing I have met a lot of them already - and I would also add you to MY list, as you've been very helpful to ME!

Kathy

65CV · 12-15-2013, 06:52 PM

We had a tremendous amount of ice on top of about 4" of snow. The trees were quite scary above the Overlander. It was amazing -- the sun came out and started to melt it, then the wind picked up. My neighbor, who was doing his driveway right behind the Airstream, ran for cover when all the ice seemed to come down at once.

Just a sign that we need to head south. I'm secretly hoping this consulting project isn't extended in mid January....

65CV · 01-15-2014, 06:10 PM

To answer a question on another thread, I'll post pictures of the old and new front plate. Colin significantly increased the size of the plate as well as the number of rivets. I've lost track of the source, but remember reading that this is one of the lessons from CapeTown to Cairo.