EllPea gets a Bigfoot 17.5!

[EllPea in CA]

I have wanted a gaucho model for the last 10 years, but haven’t been able to find one nearby, and also lacked a beefy tow vehicle. Fortunately a lovely BFF (have known him since I was 7) recently moved back to our hometown, who also loves to camp and do projects. AND he was happy to take HIS beefy diesel up to get this🥰, and partner with me in the towing and camping department… what a guy!

So, this is a 2006 that showed up for sale in the classifieds here. It lived in Bandon, Oregon, which is pretty much a 6 hour trip from us in NorCal. Observing the rule of three, kind of, we realized we couldn’t go up and back in one day. Fortunately (again), the seller also had a lovely AirB&B cabin in the woods, which she was happy to comp us while we considered the trailer (https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/50853870).

Our choices were to come back across 42 to I5, or to go south on 101 and east on 299 (with its four summits). 42 is a smaller road and very curvy, but we opted to take that route and then head straight down I5.

The trailer has an equalizer thing, and the truck towed it like a dream. No issues on the hills or tight curves. We wound up staying one night in Gazelle to to visit another friend who has that view of Mt. Shasta out her front window every day, poor thing!

[EllPea in CA]

I was determined to keep my 13.5 nearby, and with some careful measuring and trailer dolly maneuvering, we moved her back and sideways to make room for what apparently is the big brother behind my locked gate.

This is kind of a tight fit for moving trash cans and lawn mowers around, but what’s a driveway for, anyway? Plus, I can still open the door to the LilB, so, VICTORY!

[EllPea in CA]

The next morning…

[EllPea in CA]

I did not think the tiny trailer dolly would handle this, but we only needed to cheat the nose over a little. And temporarily remove the awning roller.

Success!

(Dang… IDK why those two photos flipped, but I consider the problem small potatoes after the big time maneuvering we just did!)

[Jon in AZ]

What a surprise! Congratulations! It looks beautiful. I hope you will be able to take some longer trips in comfort.

[oldwave]

Nice we love our Bigfoot. When it’s time to downsize a bit I’d proably go for a 17 to go to music festivals I like to play at. For now it’s luxury city.

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

What a surprise! Congratulations! It looks beautiful. I hope you will be able to take some longer trips in comfort.

Thank you Jon! I love my little 13.5, and we just spent weeks in there glamming it up. But I truly ROAST in that in the summer time. I have bought one of those 13x13 shelters some people place over their Bolers, but haven’t been able to test that out because the driveway is too tight. So yes, this has really good AC plus all the other amenities, so I’m so happy!

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by oldwave

Nice we love our Bigfoot. When it’s time to downsize a bit I’d proably go for a 17 to go to music festivals I like to play at. For now it’s luxury city.

John, I used to have a larger 25’ vintage trailer that I still miss. It was a 1958 Kencraft with solid fiberglass on roof, front, and rear. I actually lived in it several days a week while attending university 70 miles from home… and loved it so much. They were well built back then and this one was so cosy, but also luxury.

But that’s a lot of stuff to drag down the road… I think this 17.5 will check all the boxes

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by EllPea in CA

John, I used to have a larger 25’ vintage trailer that I still miss. It was a 1958 Kencraft with solid fiberglass on roof, front, and rear. I actually lived in it several days a week while attending university 70 miles from home… and loved it so much. They were well built back then and this one was so cosy, but also luxury.

But that’s a lot of stuff to drag down the road… I think this 17.5 will check all the boxes

I lived full-time in a 1968 27’ Holiday Rambler during my first few years of teaching in a rural community. Despite being 20 years old at the time, it was so solid and comfortable. Aluminum frame and skin, composite honeycomb cabinets throughout, porcelain commode and dry bath, large L-galley, 2-door fridge, 3-burner range/oven, sealed underbelly with ducted heat, everything worked. I never towed it and wouldn’t want to, but it was the perfect tiny house before there were tiny houses!