UHaul Maiden Voyage

[Thomas G.]

After working on my UHaul for the past 6 months, I finally got a chance to camp in it - just an overnighter to check everything out.

• After arriving at the campground and unhooking the trailer the park employee asked me to drive back to the entry gate. I left the trailer sitting there on it's wheeled coupler jack. You guessed it. When I came back the neighbors excited told me that a gust of wind had sent it sailing out into the camp road. Note to self: Don't let anyone rush you before you block the tires!

• Pulling with my Escape hybrid, I got 22 mph going with a 17' canoe on the roof and the AC on. There was a fair wind - flags standing out straight from the pole. On the way home, with less wind, I got 25 MPG. I can live with that. The new 10' brakes work great and integrate with the regenerative braking nicely.

• It was too windy to try out the 10x10 screen tent. I'll need to learn to gauge when it needs to come down, lest it end up in the next county.

• I've overachieved with my refrigerator improvements. The night before we left, I ran it on gas "high cool" and it was 19*F inside (60*F overnight ambient). This was with no fans running inside or out. When camping with food in it, the fridge stayed about 32*F when the outside temperature was 80*F or so on "Med cool", gas. I'm not sure if it is the extra insulation or the tight baffling around the heat exchanger, but I'm happy unless my stuff freezes.

• Most importantly, DW and greyhound were happy campers. Beds suited both of them and trailer was not too hot or cold.

Now for the real test later this week.

[Mouse]

Great report!

Thomas, where are you going next week?

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Mouse

Great report!

Thomas, where are you going next week?

Thanks. I'll be camping in national forest campgrounds in the upper peninsula of Michigan.

[djtriceflt]

Your first outing was more civilized than mine! I did not even have a fridge installed yet but went anyway with a cooler instead. ( Flamingo in the Everglades National Park last Thanksgiving for a few days)

I am getting between 23-25 mpg with my Mini Clubman IF I stay under 55mph. Once it was up to 28 for awhile but had a good tailwind...I have heard it is easier on your auto transmission if you do not run it in overdrive
with changing grades as causes too much downshifting. Don't know if that is true but I plan on doing that if in hilly areas.

[Perk]

Glad your trip and overnighter went well! Congrats. Now to hear about the real test later this week.

[Raz]

It's always a good idea to use the camper once in a while, otherwise they'll discover the real reason you own it. Let me know if you want my recipes for frozen lettuce. Good luck on your outing. When you get home you might want to add a place for you to sleep too. Raz

[john warren]

hmmmwind blows the camper,,,, i'm visualising a crabclaw sail and a tiller steering swivel on that front jack wheel,,,,who needs a tow vehicle?

[D Davis]

HA! Sounds like you need an anchor. Great maiden voyage Tom, you earned it now enjoy it! So glad you will be in the National Forests...I have seen them in pictures only, beautiful!

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

.........When you get home you might want to add a place for you to sleep too. Raz

Good point. There is not that much head room under the trailer.

[Roger Kimble]

I am glad you got to get your feet wet be for your trip, sounds great, have fun next week.