Community Forums

cowens67 · 07-01-2013, 03:29 PM

Hi everyone,

First visit to the forums, and I read a lot of good information today, so I thought I'd join in on the fun!

My family and I - wife Melissa, son Brandon (13), daughter Alex (9), and dog Buddy (80lb Goldendoodle) - are currently flying a 2011 RAM 1500 Outdoorsman towing a Gulfstream Gulf Breeze Sport 27BKS ultralight camper. This is our first camper, and it's been a lot of fun. The farthest we've traveled from central Wisconsin is Custer State Park, South Dakota, and it was a great trip. Otherwise we tend to weekend camp around Wisconsin.

My son and I camp at the big EAA AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, WI every summer as well. It's dry camping there, so it makes things a little more interesting. But it's still a lot more comfortable than sleeping on the ground!

I've made a few minor enhancements to the rig, like a charge controller for use with solar panels. I use these to help extend the battery life while at Oshkosh. They're "cheap" home improvement store panels (Coleman), so I don't know if they're all that they can be, but they seem to add at least another day and a half to the battery life before I have to do something to charge them back up again. Otherwise, it's pretty much stock, and the kids love the bunk beds in the back. It makes it easy since they can climb into their own little spaces and we don't have to worry about converting something else into a bed.

This is our first RV (third season starting up now), and it's been affordable, so it's been a good machine for learning what we like and don't like about RVs. If my wife will have it, perhaps we will upgrade to something a bit more "sturdy" and comfortable than the ultralight. Whatever it is, it has to be pulled by my 1500, so it won't be a 5th wheel or anything massive. I've had my eyes on the Evergreen line for quite some time.

Thanks for letting me share! Looking forward to reading more about what you guys do.

**CLIFFTALL** · 07-01-2013, 03:49 PM

Welcome to irv2

Cliff

SarahW · 07-01-2013, 04:12 PM

Howdy and welcome!

**JohnRR** · 07-01-2013, 09:26 PM

Bruce C · 07-02-2013, 01:47 AM

from NH.

Medico · 07-02-2013, 05:20 AM

Welcome and glad to meet you!

JMonroe · 07-02-2013, 08:19 AM

Welcome from a former Wisconsinite and "former" pilot. Used to use up my week of vacation at Oshkosh every year, sometimes in the general population at camp Scholler, sometimes in the volunteer camp area (I volunteered for a number of years at Pioneer Airport and am a past president of the Madison WI EAA chapter). I belonged to a flying club in Madison for a number of years and at different times owned a '41 Taylorcraft and a '46 Luscombe. It's been decades since I was active in aviation. There's only so much money and time to go around.

We also LOVE the SD Black Hills. It is so beautiful and was relatively close to Wisconsin so you didn't spend half of a one week vacation travelling.

Your story is similar to most of our membership. Started small (actually much smaller than what you now have) and got bigger and more complicated as time went on. We now live in our motorhome, having abandoned Wisconsin winters and taxes post retirement.

May you and the family enjoy many more RV adventures!

cowens67 · 07-02-2013, 09:17 AM

Hi Jay,

Small world! My first EAA chapter was in Middleton at Morey Field where I learned to fly. I was also in a flying club in Madison (Capitol City Flyers). I'm currently the president of the Marshfield, WI chapter.

I'm looking forward to further adventures in the travel trailer, although I may have a challenge on my hands getting my wife to leave Wisconsin (born and raised).

Best regards,
Chris

spritz · 07-02-2013, 09:37 AM

Welcome from Mpls, glad you joined. I have learned a lot of things on this site . Have you been to Hinkly(sp) they have a great camp ground plus a casino. They have a shuttle from your MH Driveway to the front door of the casino. I think they run every 20 minutes.
Any-hoo Welcome,

spritz · 07-02-2013, 09:41 AM

Welcome from Mpls, glad you joined. I have learned a lot of things on this site.
Have you been to Hinkly(sp) they have a great camp ground plus a casino. They have a shuttle from your MH Driveway to the front door @ the casino. I think they run every 20 minutes.
Anyhoo Welcome,

Gadget63 · 07-02-2013, 09:45 AM

Howdy from NYC and SC and welcome to the forums!

MSHappyCampers · 07-02-2013, 09:46 AM

Hi Chris! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

Glad to know your family is enjoying the RV lifestyle! You've definitely found the best RV forum on the web! Enjoy!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

JMonroe · 07-03-2013, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowens67

Hi Jay,

Small world! My first EAA chapter was in Middleton at Morey Field where I learned to fly. I was also in a flying club in Madison (Capitol City Flyers). I'm currently the president of the Marshfield, WI chapter.

I'm looking forward to further adventures in the travel trailer, although I may have a challenge on my hands getting my wife to leave Wisconsin (born and raised).

Best regards,
Chris

Capitol City is the same club I belonged to. At the time we had a Piper 180, a Piper Archer and a Cessna 172 RG.