West Boondocking SCHOOL for Greenhorns

[Ray Eklund]

ColoradoLady had a wonderful idea. I also agree... a Boondocking school for trailer owners wanting to learn how to travel and navigate Off the Grid.

This is not available to my knowledge.

This would be in a Boondocking environment and be camped Off the Grid and actually practicing how to become competent and confident as a trailer owner towing on County, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management improved roads and two ruts Hunter's Camps.

Is there an interest.

boondockingairstream@gmail.com

The experienced Base Camp and Off the Grid Airstream travelers are few and far between, but many in the Western USA.

Maybe there is enough interest... then again, they may not be.

[Ray Eklund]

We went to a Boulder City, NV auction and I had to cut the first post short. ...and no, we did not buy anything.

My thought is this. Since we spend plenty of time camped in Utah, Nevada, Wyoming and Colorado... it might be a perfect opportunity for those with a trailer, Up to 25 foot lengths, to learn how to Base Camp and get to a Base Camp. Longer trailers would be fine, as well, but have different kinds of limitations.

- Finding potential camp sites using an Atlas.

- How to use your leveling blocks to cross dips in a road and to access a turn on to and off different grades.

- Conserving fresh water carried in your trailer.

- Orientating your trailer for seasonal camping hot and cold weather.

- Changing a flat tire without a jack.

- Finding yourself on a large scale map (DeLorme or other Atlas)

- Reading maps contour lines for steep and flat graded roads and camping areas.

- Fuel tank half empty... begin looking to top off the tank

- Outfitting your trailer for ten day outings

This would be in areas we would be camping, but the focus is that everyone experience what techniques are best to avoid dragging your plumbing, rear bumper, low hanging tree branches, sage brush, rutted roads.

The BEST way to learn is by going on an Adventure under Boondocking. If something comes up in your area that is convenient... indicate you are new and want to learn. Everyone learns by watching. There are risks if you are not paying attention or following common sense driving habits on narrow Forest Service roads.

Unless you are in a hurry, you will learn. Not everyone is capable to do this. One way is to find out with actual experience. I am willing to take a couple at a time to experience Base Camping with your trailer.

This is on my free time. My intent is to develop more interest among drivers becoming competent off the asphalt drivers. I will be honest with you. If I think you need to work on your techniques, I will tell you. It helps if you know the basics... like backing up... but that will improve with experience as well.

Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nevada... millions of acres to practice. Only one opportunity to get a free ride and then someday you will teach someone else.

[LiLNomad]

Im in. When will you be in Nevada area?
LilNomad

[ColoradoLady]

Ray, I am interested. Evelyn.

[calebofey]

I too am interested. -Caleb

[Ray Eklund]

ColoradoLady will be my FIRST student off of this Thread, since I will be in Castle Rock, CO the first week of March. It was her idea, anyways.

Right now we are in Boulder City, NV but leaving to Colorado in a couple weeks.

My wife, Nancy, understands why I love camping in our Airstream. It is even more enjoyable teaching others about what we do as a routine and collecting rocks and shiny objects.

As this develops, I will have a better feel for how to make it work. First, I need to know WHERE you would like to practice. Time permitting... those with similar State interests will be grouped, find a common meeting place and take the group out for a couple days or more.

I want Greenhorns to practice... BACKING UP. Use the bottom of the steering wheel or the top technique... but only one. Driving forward is a start. Backing up is a necessity to get out of trouble. Practice. Even I have to get the hang of it after being parked for a month or more. Backing up is more important than driving 300 miles on the highway.

This year might be a bit tight for time as we might have a big move to Nevada this Summer. If not... there will be a lot of camping for us.

This is for Greenhorns. Newbies. New trailer owners. Not those I see following this thread as I am typing... they know already are experienced.

This will be fun for ME. Lots of work, strained neck muscles and headache for you, but you will figure it out. IF you already know it all, good. I will listen.

Also, what are your interests. What State(s)?

[Decembergal]

Ray, I love this idea. Since I am a newbie who is planning on joining you on the Wyoming trip, what can I work on? I will practice backing up. I live in Maryland and the Wyoming trip is a life challenge for me. I won't have the ability to come West prior to that trip.
We do have some areas that I can probably get off road practice in. I will check into different challenges.
Any chance some things you cover can get recorded and posted for those of us that are unable to get out for the training?
Thank you so much for being willing to get the rest of us off the road and traveling,
Kathy.

[Ray Eklund]

Kathy... #1 Backing up your trailer. This has to be done before anything else. It is the most demanding and important part of Airstream trailer ownership.

You only need to be competent. Experience improves over time and when you park the trailer for the season... you will have to brush up again. Backing up a trailer, especially the 16 to 20 foot, is more difficult than a longer trailer. If you have a riding lawnmower, hook up the small utility trailer and try to back up.

Now you understand. Small changes in your tow vehicle's front tires creates BIG changes in the direction of the trailer in tow. At times when you have a totally confused angle of trailer, tow vehicle and where you wanted to be... pull forward, straighten out and... repeat, learning from your mistakes.

- Changing a flat tire without a jack. This is for DOUBLE AXLE trailers. Single axles need a jack. Find your owner's manual where the X marks the spot for the jack. Fit a 2" thick x whatever fits below this X for the jack. This way the weight is distributed by the wood block. You do not put the jack under the axle. Read the manual. Find a scrap piece of wood that fits... keep the wood in the trailer.

[Grapesky]

I would be very interested but unfortunately live in Florida not west. ��

[ColoradoLady]

Ray, I see you have me pegged for "1st Greenhorn"! Thank you? I told my daughter, Deb, who lives with me, and she laughed, and said, " you've stepped in it now!" (Deb is not a camper or traveler, she stays home and takes care of the roses in summer.)

Now, I don't know IF I can do this, but, I'm darn sure willing to give it a good "college try"! Of course, Colorado will be great for me, as well. Since we are already "mile high", maybe this elevation , or close to it, might be my best place to start. That is if you agree.

I am a little nervous, at the idea, Ray, but, I must say....I am getting SYKED, just thinking about it! I guess we will find out what I'm made of pretty darn quick. Evelyn.

[Ray Eklund]

ColoradoLady... you need to attach your trailer at the RV storage park and practice backing up straight and into your designated spot. This you have to learn yourself.

Deb will have to step up. She does not know what she is going to be missing this Summer!

I hold the steering wheel at the bottom, always. When backing up... when you turn the steering wheel to the left... what happens. To the right... what happens. Backing up and tweaking left and right to keep a fairly straight direction... what happens. Once you can back up and "fairly" confident... everything else will seem easy.

That is YOUR assignment. Have your daughter help you back up to align trailer and tow vehicle's hitch to attach. Practice hand signals. Practice having someone give you signals to back into a spot.

Your left side is easiest to watch. It is the rear of your trailer and the right side that will hit something if you are not paying attention.

Yes... it is, at first, difficult. That is why you have to master this simple important technique. It will get you out of trouble, safely. Jack knifing your trailer is not paying attention to where your trailer, while backing up... is going.

[Ray Eklund]

I am tossing this out to see if there is enough interest.

A Colorado School for Greenhorns... the first. Utah School for Greenhorns.. would be in Utah.

Any Greenhorn School will be open to anyone from anywhere, but need to meet at a designated location and Caravan to the site.

I would be willing to take a five day Off the Grid site at a location I am comfortable with in Colorado for Greenhorns and those needing some Off the Grid camping experience this Summer. Since Nancy and I will be looking for camps for the 2017 Colorado High Country Adventure... we will be in the mountains anyways.

I will know in March 2016 IF we will have the time and then will post a date in June or July 2016.

The meeting place(s) will be near Castle Rock, CO and travel from there to Greenhorn School.

IF you are interested, let it be known.

Any questions... this Thread is open for any question.

My question: Anyone with a 16 to 18 foot trailer. What is your experience with backing up? I have had only double axles 23' and 25', which most likely are easier.

[Tan Son Nhut]

What a crew now on line reading these posts!

[Al and Missy]

Ray,
We are signed up for Wyoming and follow your threads but are OTG newbs with a questionable trailer. I have been backing my 25 for two years without incident until the trip to trade it .

I hope we will gain enough confidence in the new rig between now and August to come try it, and I hope you will have enough patience to see us through it.

It's a great thing you are doing.

Al

[Ray Eklund]

Al... sometimes our imaginations make everything seem more difficult. My imagination will top yours, any day.

I rated some of the 2016 Wyoming Adventure locations for up to 25 foot. Getting a 30 foot turned around with a second person giving you hand signals to avoid sage brush, trees and obstacles IS the easier part. Like turning a large sailboat around... you need room, where the road is six feet wide and the campsite is a square mile.

Your confidence will be "soaring" after our first Off the Grid and last Off the Grid campsites in Wyoming. By then you might be able to navigate around vehicles parked at a Walmart Parking lot with ease...

[tjansen]

I also live in Castle Rock, Co. Off of Plum Creek by the Douglas County Event center.
Put me down for a Boon Docking experience. We have a 21 ' Sovereign with dual axle. Plenty of dents from PO so ok for the woods.
Very interested in figuring out how to know if you can get OUT of the woods once you get in. Thanks for thinking about this.

Tom Jansen
norgecastle@gmail.com

I do not have room for parking your trailer but willing to help with eyes and ears on the ground here in Castle Rock. Other AS people in Cr drop me a line.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by ColoradoLady

I am a little nervous, at the idea, Ray, but, I must say....I am getting SYKED, just thinking about it! I guess we will find out what I'm made of pretty darn quick. Evelyn.

You will be in good hands with Ray & Nancy, Evelyn, and he will not take you anyplace you cannot get out of.....or, he couldn't get out, either.

For me, going out into the wilds with these folks was about doing something I simply would not do alone.

I cant wait to do it again.


Maggie

[Ray Eklund]

One thing I learned as an Army Brat... people gain confidence when they think the person in charge knows more than they do.

As long as you are willing to accept corrective criticism well... everything moves along well. Rogue campers will find themselves not being welcomed in future events as they become a risk and liability to those who understand. Our Blue Heelers can round up livestock, but not individuals coming along wanting to do "their thing" at the expense of everyone else.

I learned how to navigate our 23 foot Airstream from what the Trailer dealership in Denver, Colorado taught me.... NOTHING.

We signed the papers. We handed over a check. They hooked up the Airstream. They pointed the way out of the parking lot. They might have waved at us, but I do not remember. We made a wrong right turn, ended up in an apartment complex parking lot. The interior of the trailer did not have anything secured.

THAT is why Nancy and I are willing to actually do something. We love Base Camping and Off the Grid the most. You will also. We never will be astronauts... but all of us do have the capacity to leave the attraction of RV Parks and Walmart Parking lots. You just do not need a helmet. Yet.

Greenhorn: A newcomer unacquainted with local manners and customs. Or, a person who lacks experience and knowledge.

Pick what you like. YOU have to start somewhere, and it is not in the RV Dealer's lot. They are in the business to sell and repair... The End.

[NY24]

Decembergal, if at all possible, find and attend an RV Boot Camp. The Escapees run an EXCELLENT Boot Camp, usually over a weekend. R-VDreams.com run a 7 day Boot Camp. Although boondocking is covered, Boot Camp is primarily a way that RV newbies can get an education in all the various systems commonly found in a modern RV. Mistakes made with RVs are often costly and, sometimes dangerous. Those who complete RV Boot Camp are safer, more knowledgeable RVers. You don't even have to own an RV to attend Boot Camp; many newbies stay at a local motel and drive in each day (and they'll be smarter RV buyers after Boot Camp).

[Ray Eklund]

NY24 is offering a great option. Try it, you might like it.

Our areas are not for RV buses or even fifth wheels. The Airstream is a low ground clearance trailer and requires a different kind of experience. They, RV's, Fifth Wheels and SOB's are more concerned with low branches peeling their Air Conditioning units and Satellite dishes off the roof. Airstreams... our plumbing and rear bumper.

A fifth wheel or standard other brand trailers have several inches more to work with and would be out of place with an Airstream.

Colorado Greenhorn School sign up information:
boondockingairstream@gmail.com

Names:
Home Phone:
Mobile Phone:
E-mail:
Handle on Airforums:
Home City & State:
Dog(s):
Trailer length:

I have been receiving inquiries and this should help keep it organized. No date will be selected until later next month... depending on our schedule... a time will be set. Also indicate a June or July 2016 preference.