2008 Summer Trip

[Jim Witte]

2006 13 foot Casita Patriot Standard, AC, microwave, porta pottie, Fantastic fan, 3-way frig, gray water tank, vinyl floor, TV antenna and cable hook-up, drop-down 9 inch LCD TV, DVD, FM-AM. Outside - draw tite single armed WDH with sway bar. Frame mounted bicycle bracket on back of camper. Dry weight 2300#. Hitch weight 280#.

Tow Vehicle (TV): 2006 RAV4, 4WD, 3.5 V6, 269 hp, 248# of torque, 3500# towing pkg. Weight with topper, 3 chairs, 30x60 folding table and small folding table 3880#. Front axle, 2130#, rear axle 1750#. Gross combined total weight 8400#. Axle rating 2535# F&R. Toyota factory hitch, 10 bolts used to attach TV, also air lift inside rear coil springs. A lot of flexibility to adjust the load. Toyota recommends 4th gear for towing.

We had a great trip and would recommend Silver City, NM, Quadalupe Nat'l Park, TX, Tyler State Park, TX, KOA Nashville, TN. We try for state parks and have never been disappointed. We also liked the KOA at Flagstaff, AZ.

We averaged 16 mpg on the trip. The Toyota is a pleasure to drive. A strong engine, a large back seat. Hang clothes and cooler in the back and 2000 Honda generator in back of seat on the floor.

I have a bracket made across the front of the camper with basket for hose and blocks on one side and gas can on the other side. I only put in the can when I know we will be dry camping.

One Goodyear Marathon tire failed in Tyler, TX. The second at Flagstaff, AZ. We are now running Triangle TR648 tires. So much for the Goodyear tires made in New Zealand.

My wife uses the bottom bunk for sleeping. The top bunk gets used for our luggage and food basket. I have the dinning area with lots of room for sleeping.

In summing-up: A lot of good features in a small package.

Jim Witte

[Robin G]

Wow, sounds like a great trip. Hmmmm, tires they seem to be an issue on occasion. But as long as you made it home safe, a tire issue here and there can be handled. So do you have pic's of all these great places you saw? Robin

[Alf S.]

Hi: Jim... Were the tires the problem or did you have defective valve stems??? The stems were all bad on our 07 trailer...even the spare!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie