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Get a real American pickup truck with an 8'-0" bed - for your 450L. And nice little real trailer (caravan) with fridge, stove etc. There - problem solved
Your trials and tribulations with the camper sound surprisingly like what many people who bought BRAND NEW campers during the COVID build years have experienced. Imagine spending 4 times what you spent on a new toy hauler and having the same number of issues.
As you get into RVs, you'll find even brand new ones have problems. Also, not using an RV is almost worse than using it constantly. That said, once you get up on the maintenance and set it up for your use, RVing meshes nicely with MC riding. Enjoy and I'm digging the current content. Also, glad to see you out on the 450.
Sometimes buying a used RV is the best option. They can have all the upgrades and fixes done to them we all want. I sold my 5th wheel and had just added the last updates to it just before I sold it. It was 5x better than what was offered by the OEM on the lot. Just comes down to the seller.
Exactly my gram had a flippin expensive class A with two fireplaces and 2 bathrooms and she had tons of issues especially leaks and the tracks on her slides
Good idea to tilt one side of the awning to let water run off so it doesn't turn into a pool up there and collapse. Yep, RV life, always fixing something. I've had four so far, I'll never learn. Rolling down the road it's like your house in an earthquake.
That awning looks like every RV awning in the PNW. If you use it in the rain and can’t dry it after. Even the one in my lovingly cared for non-lemon looks like that!
I know you say your camping videos don't get as many views. It is your camping and gear videos that brought me to your channel. Keep up the good work!!
Chin up Dork. You are doing great working with what you got! I don't own a trailer but I detail RVs and trailers for lots of clients and regardless of age of the trailer they are either money pits or they are in a steady state of decay. Good on you for tackling all those repairs. Trailers are cheap apartments that bounce themselves apart going down the road. RVs are all that plus a drivetrain and truck chassis.
I’m a new subscriber and I have been a recreation vehicle mechanic for 42 years and now retired in the Reno Nv area. The roof sag problem can be resolved if you are willing to do the work yourself by adding “sky rails”. That’s similar to a roof rack that had 1”x 2” steel vertical rails installed across the roof on side plates (usually 1/4” thick by 3 1/2” tall By 3” wide & bend that flat steel to leave a 2” wide footing) to rest on the roof at the sidewalls. Find the cross beams and drill thru the roof supports from the inside on the center line of the ceiling between the two walls. Use a long 3/16 or larger bit that will protrude thu the outside up on the roof to determine where to set the crossbars. At that centerline the cross bars will be at least 1 1/2” above the roofline, maybe more with the back rail because of the sag or droop of the roof. At the front use carriage bolt thru a 2”by 3/16 thick aluminum cross plate with the hole in the centerline. Then drill thru the crossbar center a 1/2” hole from top to bottom & enlarge hole in roof to 1/2”. Now determine length of carriage bolts by measuring from inside all the way thru the roof cross beams. Say 8 or 9”. When you repeat this design on the rear cross beam it might not quite go thru the beam because of the sag. I then position a a frame ladder & sizer jack under the rear carriage bolt and gently screw up the sizer jack till the carriage bolt will clear the top of the crossbeam to allow a nut on the carriage bolt. Can you picture what I have described. If you need to I can make a drawing to show you the layout. Hope that will help. There is another option but it would only confuse the issue at this point. Good luck and me being retired I don’t feel bad about giving away these methods to others to help you save the expense of a new roof. 👍👍
If you still have it come time for the ADV Fest, repack the bearings before embarking on that long trip. I hate those foam A/C gaskets. Mine leaked once because the bolts loosened up. Blue threadlock fixed the problem of the bolts getting loose over time.
Love the coffee percolator! Takes me back decades (at least) when mom was making coffee. Sorry about issues with toy hauler. You're making the best of it! Enjoy your content!
If we are honest, we all have stories of bringing home bikes, campers, you name it, that we wish we had a 'redo' on! And we beat ourselves up for not doing the things we should have done prior to those toys following us home. So I know for me, I can relate to your purchase! All I have to do is open the garage door to see some of those that I now consider family members, well after replacing 90% of their parts. Are those considered 'new' 'now or 'new' 'old'? I don't know. Sounds like you've addressed everything but shoring up the roof issue, and that's fixable. Nothing makes a new purchase feel like your own more than working on it! So embrace it, and even around campfires in the distant future you'll be telling stories about the toy hauler that followed you home one day! On a side note, Chewie is one confident dog to sleep in a pink bed and not care what anybody thinks; I admire that! 😀
It’s all GOOD👍👍👍….. Well rounded. Love motorcycles, Love camping…. At 62 still doing it after all these years… Keep up the great videos , drink a beer for me, and most of all ENJOY LIFE TO THE FULLEST 😎
LIKE THE CAMPING CONTENT. IT IS HOW I FOUND YOUR RIDING CONTENT..RIDING AND CAMPING REALLY GO'S TOGETHER WELL... RIGHT ON MAN KEEP UP THE GREAT CONTENT.......
My husband watches for everything (loves buying stuff you suggest regarding motorcycles). I watch for Chewy, and the camping videos. But honestly I watch anything you post! Love your content and personality!
Hi Chewie, Hi Tim, "it's the Chad"... oh and Hi Ben! We lived in an RV / travel trailer in Colorado for a couple years because housing is so expensive there. They are SO prone to so many problems and none of the accessories and widgets are cheap to buy, but all cheaply made. You are a tent camper. You don't need all that. Make it dry and warm. If the lights / heat / AC and (mechanical road parts) all work, then use it to haul your bikes and sleep in as an upgrade from your other trailer. Water, dishes, cooking, toilet, shower and all that other stuff is just more set up, more tear down and more clean up for you. Pull those benches out and put your cot in there. See if you can get a few years use out of it and next time you'll have a better idea of what you'd like to get, if anything. Treat it like buying your first small, used dual sport while you learn.
I am not an RV guy but was surprised to hear all the water pipe line issues since it was not really used much. Atleast you got it waterproof, and usable. Now just some modifications to you liking and it will be a great camper.
Out and about with your brother, friends, and Chewie.... how cool is that .... very nice. Now I am craving spaghetti, coffee, and a camp fire. So long as motorbikes are present, totally ok with the camping vids..... look forward to the next. Thanks Ben, I needed this.
Hey Chewy! He is adorable. Yes, ALL RV’s stink. Even Airstreams, with enough use, have pieces that break off and need some repairs! Some are much worse than others. Looks like a decent toy hauler! It is really hard to find those small ones. Just be glad you didn’t get a motorhome and have all of the mechanical issues on top of the usual camper problems. Nice variety of video content! Good stuff.
Hi Chewie! Great video and I'm excited to see the evolution of the turd camper in the future. It sure looks to be a perfect size. I would brace up the center of the roof around the a/c to make sure you don't get any more water inside. Mold can be a real pain to deal with.
I would do the repairs needed and then you will know exactly what you have. I retired and looked for a new camp rig to do some extended traveling in. All the local places told me the warranty did not cover full timers, and the build quality was terrible from what I saw.
That skillet needs to be.... 3 times that size. Love Chewy's chillin' lifestyle. Can't get enough camping content. Making another Monday do down so much easier, many thanks.
I bought a Carson Rebel 14 foot toy hauler back in 2011… Have used it a ton and never had an issue. Put a Max Air cover over the roof vents and leave ‘em open full time for air circulation. Hope you hang on to your little RV as they are hard to come by.
I dig the video. Once you get the little toyhauler squared away, which seems to go on forever by the way. It will be a gamechanger. It was for me. Cooking, warm, cool, dry. And a place for your bike. Keep doing what you're doing. Enjoy and safe travels.
Love your camping content! All of it. It looks like the toy hauler is going to work out fine after you get all the bugs worked out. One thing to consider if you haven't already: If the tires were in pretty bad shape it also means there is a great chance the wheel bearings have never been maintained, either. It would be a great idea to pull the hubs apart and inspect the bearings and clean/repack them with a high quality synthetic wheel bearing grease. Even put bearing buddies on them so you can throw a few pumps in every now and then. There's not much worse than being stranded on the side of the road with a bad bearing! Anyway, congrats on the trailer!
I was gonna mention wheel bearings also. Absolutely needs to be checked. Doing it yourself will save money and, while not exactly fun, isn't that hard to do. Just a little messy
Camp on Sir Dork. That’s what we love about our channel. If it’s an Adventure, we do it. We were full time RVers for over 6 years and have to tell you, everything from a tent trailer to a $130,000 Raptor Toyhauler has flaws. Thank God, I’ve learned to work on all my trailers now instead of paying other people
Hey Ben, It's really good to see a story about a "toy hauler." Your lessons learned will save some of us some grief. I just can't see trying to get my KLR into the bed of my pickup by myself. But a trailer like this looks doable and towable with my new Ford Lightning. I like the idea of hanging a bed and kitchenette if you can't pitch a tent! BTW... A big pat and biscuit to Chewy! Thanks for another great camping video!
Coors Light, got my Dog, we're in the woods ---- Yes, Sir, you're right. It doesn't get better than that. Maybe its finally time to look at a Camper. Fun video. Thanks.
Your neighbor is correct RV's are an ongoing project! Little bit of elbow grease and it should serve you well for your needs though. Oh and reheating food in the microwave is great but sitting down and having a nice ice cream while camping out in the bush is where it's at!
I love both elements of your channel. I love motorcycles, and I live to get back to the woods. I enjoy the mix. Say hey to Chewy and give him some ear scrithes for me. Cheers from Fairbanks Alaska.
Love the content. A cheap small ceramic heater helps with the moisture and you use the campground electricity instead of your propane. Also make sure you tilt your awning so the rain and dew rolls off one end and doesn't collect on top.
Hi Chewy… A POS camper is a good learning experience. You will learn everything you need to and your friends will call you the expert of what not to buy and what not to do!
Chewie is very smart! Cozy is the only way to go! RV's can be a ton of work but they are nice to have but sadly most aren't constructed well. Fortunately most of the repair work it is doable by non RV tech people. I've camped my whole live and currently have two travel trailers, the best unsolicited advise I could give you moving forward is create some covered parking for it at your house if you don't already have some. Sitting in the rain and sun all year long really ages the roof, plastic and tires. If you can keep the rain, leaves, sticks, ice and everything else off of it with covered parking you will have less maintenance to do. Just buying a soft cover for it works for the sun but not the rain, it's best if you can have a solid roof and sides to keep it covered. The damn red squirrels in the Willamette Valley love to destroy those multi-hundred dollar RV covers, really pissed me off. Also make sure you drain everything and blow down the water system in the fall before the weather freezes. I don't like putting RV antifireeze in my fresh tank and pumping it through the lines so I blow it down with no more than 40 psi of compressed air. Other alternative is to keep heat in it year around but that creates moisture. I also kept desiccant in ours when I lived in the Willamette Valley to keep the interior dry and mold free, link below to the brand/style I used and I dumped the water and recharged them every other week. Dicor Self-Leveling lap sealant is your best friend for working on RV roofs. I know, all unsolicited so I'm sorry if it's not needed or welcome. I have other ideas that could make your camping trips even more enjoyable if you keep the RV. www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/recreational-vehicle-parts-and-accessories/interior-rv-accessories/86392?store=17644&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgaGgBhC8ARIsAAAyLfF2DxRROXyjwn2quZycJGj0s2Qsa_gJ-j4r-mJPH7MNbWwJNmyGKhIaAsWUEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
10:10. I hear you on that one. I live in Montana (full time camping in my truck camper) and whenever I make content not related to camping, it totally bombs. Bums me out because I don’t want to be restricted to just camping videos on my channel but don’t have a large enough audience to really stray from the norm. Took a trip down to Arizona recently to take the Tenere out to get some riding experience on it(only 150 miles so far riding an ADV bike) and ohmygerd what a blast it was to get out during the winter! Glad to have channels like yours to curb my jones for getting out on two wheels.
Love it! That’s my plan also. I’m in southern Oregon, which is awesome but there are so many great places to ride in the northwest a toy hauler just makes sense. Hope to ride with you someday. Hi Chewy!
This type of content is absolutely pertinent, and I’m very interested to watch. Choosing and getting the bike is the easy and maybe the least expensive part of the whole Moto, ADV, camping, travel, social experience. I’ve just begun my journey into this sport. I bought a used DR Z400, a Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS helmet, tools, a hitch rack, some riding gear and just now some maintenance items. In a year I’ll bet I will spend an equal amount to the cost of the bike. Thankfully I’ve watched most of your videos (along with other channels) so I made sort of informed buying decisions. You’re ahead of me on the curve of pursuing the adventure. You got the enclosed trailer, and now the toy hauler (which seem to include the two happiest days of a man’s life: the day he buys it, and the day he sells it). But that is the path I have nebulous plans to follow as well. So yes, continue making this , I don’t know, peripheral(?) content, and I will definitely watch and give it thumbs up!
Haha love the vid. Most dirt bikers are general outdoorsmen and campers by default. Wishing I had a small trailer to pull behind my Tacoma and have walls for weather and being able to secure camping gear. I also cook the same exact pasta, marinara, and sausage that’s been crumbled into the sauce. It’s hella cheap and hearty for outdoor activities. And, as someone that loves to “get to know” content creators (and is married to a full-timer), I appreciate the day-in-the-life content! It’s always nice to mix it up and post informal content on alternate but similar topics. Cheers!
Yep, lifelong rider and RV camper. I am still open to tent camping but like to take the RV a LOT more and you are probably figuring out why: Warm bed, warm water, hot food, cold beer, head to let the beer back out at 1AM... With all of the water related issues this one probably was in a hard freeze without being winterized and that takes out the pump, the valves, the connectors, the faucets. Sounds like you got her pretty well sorted. I too enjoy camping in February but prefer SoCal, AZ, TX, FL rather than the PNW which is just deep cold and damp in winter. We plan to head to Quartzsite AZ in Jan which is pretty mild weather with hundreds of miles of desert 2 track and open trail riding. Come on down and check it out. Cheers!
Welcome to the world of campers , I’ve had a bunch of them and I’ve only had one that required very little repairs . What I’ve found out is maintain them and they will be better to live with , don’t let them sit around they don’t like that . And no matter what you pay for them they all have the same problems. The one camper I had that I loved and had for 8 years was a Lance 2385 great unit . Thanks for sharing and enjoy your trailer.
Perfect size camper, nice find! Your camping videos are enjoyable to watch. Your personality along with your friends is what makes them. Good conversations, good laughs, good times! Or the exciting ones like when you captured the owl catching its evening snack - the squirrel. Im waiting for the day Mr bear wanders into your camp site!!
Nice size toy hauler Ben. Should work well. Hope you can get the roof sorted out. The awning should clean up with soapy water and a scrub brush. The awning on my camper was the same way when I bought it. Cheers from Ontario Canada!
The awning is no big deal. It happens every couple months in the humidity in Fl. Just spray with Mildex close the awning let sit for an hour or two then open and spray off. Works really well and simple. Good luck bud.
I love your camping videos and that is what first brought my husband and I to your channel. We watch under his login but I wanted to subscribe separately and let you know I like ALL of your content but the moto camping videos are my favorite.
Chewie is the best. Love him. Assuming the price is right, that’s the kind of camper I’m looking for. Hope you get the leak fixed up and have a solid toy hauler.
Campers and boats are so much work. But it sounds like that guy didn't winterize or something. Also something I've noticed with my camper, either use a cover, or jack the front end up really tall so the water doesn't lay on the roof. :)
Good that you got an opportunity to shake down the new rig before hauling it down to Ca. for the rally! Hopefully it stands up to the stresses of the road. It's such a shame how Chewy just hates Tim, sad to see... 😂
My wife and I have campers. I just bought an 08 KRL. Not sure if I'll ever take the camper with the motorcycle. But after watching this video, I might consider it. Great content. Great video!
Love Riverbend campground. It is a fantastic place, very clean and most of the time quiet! If you have not already, make sure you get a pressure regulator to attach in line, usually at the faucet, before you hook up to many times to the park water system to avoid blowing apart your water line fittings in the trailer.
Right on my man!! Good on you making lemonade out of a lemon. You are going to really enjoy Mojave. I love in southern CA and can attest to so much to see and enjoy inside Mojave National Preserve. Just be prepared for extreme weather changes and lots of sand. Also the volcanic terrain is really hard on the tires. One of the guys in my dual sport club has the 450L. That is a great bike and very reliable. 👌👍
Hi Ben: Here is a idea for the roof. I don't know if will work or not but here it is. See if you can make a ceiling joist that is arched up that you can attach on the inside to hold the roof up where it should be. Two or three cut out of some plywood and push them up from inside and attach them some how.
I'm a fan of chewy - and I appreciate the surprises we get in your array of content. I also respect a dude who can help others in a big way by showing the occasional small misstep. Thanks, Pal.
HaHaHaHa, Been There, Doing That. My wife and I purchased a 20' Toyhauler that had "a soft spot" in the floor. Long story short, the only soft spot I found was the complete 20 feet of the floor. Yes, I replaced the complete floor as well as made a multitude of upgrades. It's taken me a full year, but the project is almost done. Luckily with it being a toyhauler, the floor was somewhat easy to replace, removed siding on both sides, installed "strong-backs" purchased multiple hydraulic jacks from Harbor Freight and lifted the body off the floor after cutting all the remaining fasteners that hadn't rusted out. Achieved an 1" clearance then removed the totally water soaked OSB, and water-soaked insulation, replaced with the best materials available, then lowered the body back down onto the new floor. It's been an adventure, but this will be better than anything a person could buy new. I used state of the art adhesives, pocket screws vice staples and upgraded all the old lighting to LED. Installed Victron Energy system inside, with 1600W of solar on the roof. It sure beats tenting it.
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Don’t dump boiling water into the plastic sink
Get a real American pickup truck with an 8'-0" bed - for your 450L.
And nice little real trailer (caravan) with fridge, stove etc.
There - problem solved
Your trials and tribulations with the camper sound surprisingly like what many people who bought BRAND NEW campers during the COVID build years have experienced. Imagine spending 4 times what you spent on a new toy hauler and having the same number of issues.
As you get into RVs, you'll find even brand new ones have problems. Also, not using an RV is almost worse than using it constantly. That said, once you get up on the maintenance and set it up for your use, RVing meshes nicely with MC riding. Enjoy and I'm digging the current content. Also, glad to see you out on the 450.
Sometimes buying a used RV is the best option. They can have all the upgrades and fixes done to them we all want. I sold my 5th wheel and had just added the last updates to it just before I sold it. It was 5x better than what was offered by the OEM on the lot. Just comes down to the seller.
Yep, many I’ve looked at are ruined just from sitting outside. They aren’t meant for heavy use and gotta be gentle with everything
Exactly my gram had a flippin expensive class A with two fireplaces and 2 bathrooms and she had tons of issues especially leaks and the tracks on her slides
This has to be a record. This was first video of yours I’ve ever watched. After only the first 8 seconds I hit “SUBSCRIBE”
I'm glad that you still make camping content, it's good to unwind to, enjoy the vibes. Tell Chewie I said good boy.
Hello from Minnesota
Good idea to tilt one side of the awning to let water run off so it doesn't turn into a pool up there and collapse. Yep, RV life, always fixing something. I've had four so far, I'll never learn. Rolling down the road it's like your house in an earthquake.
Sounds like you had a few challenges, but all worth it seeing you sit out with a beer, the dog, the forest & the peace. Paradise!
You need a huge dork in the road decal across the front of that thing
I Love this kind of video from you. Welcome back Duc fan! It's been too long since we haven't seen your face.
That awning looks like every RV awning in the PNW. If you use it in the rain and can’t dry it after. Even the one in my lovingly cared for non-lemon looks like that!
I know you say your camping videos don't get as many views. It is your camping and gear videos that brought me to your channel. Keep up the good work!!
Chin up Dork. You are doing great working with what you got! I don't own a trailer but I detail RVs and trailers for lots of clients and regardless of age of the trailer they are either money pits or they are in a steady state of decay. Good on you for tackling all those repairs. Trailers are cheap apartments that bounce themselves apart going down the road. RVs are all that plus a drivetrain and truck chassis.
I’m a new subscriber and I have been a recreation vehicle mechanic for 42 years and now retired in the Reno Nv area. The roof sag problem can be resolved if you are willing to do the work yourself by adding “sky rails”. That’s similar to a roof rack that had 1”x 2” steel vertical rails installed across the roof on side plates (usually 1/4” thick by 3 1/2” tall By 3” wide & bend that flat steel to leave a 2” wide footing) to rest on the roof at the sidewalls. Find the cross beams and drill thru the roof supports from the inside on the center line of the ceiling between the two walls. Use a long 3/16 or larger bit that will protrude thu the outside up on the roof to determine where to set the crossbars. At that centerline the cross bars will be at least 1 1/2” above the roofline, maybe more with the back rail because of the sag or droop of the roof. At the front use carriage bolt thru a 2”by 3/16 thick aluminum cross plate with the hole in the centerline. Then drill thru the crossbar center a 1/2” hole from top to bottom & enlarge hole in roof to 1/2”. Now determine length of carriage bolts by measuring from inside all the way thru the roof cross beams. Say 8 or 9”. When you repeat this design on the rear cross beam it might not quite go thru the beam because of the sag. I then position a a frame ladder & sizer jack under the rear carriage bolt and gently screw up the sizer jack till the carriage bolt will clear the top of the crossbeam to allow a nut on the carriage bolt.
Can you picture what I have described. If you need to I can make a drawing to show you the layout. Hope that will help. There is another option but it would only confuse the issue at this point. Good luck and me being retired I don’t feel bad about giving away these methods to others to help you save the expense of a new roof. 👍👍
If you still have it come time for the ADV Fest, repack the bearings before embarking on that long trip. I hate those foam A/C gaskets. Mine leaked once because the bolts loosened up. Blue threadlock fixed the problem of the bolts getting loose over time.
LOVE camping videos, motorcycle or RV, and a little of Chewie is always welcome too!
Damn! Mad respect for fixing all that.
I say you keep it and just keep fixing it. Mad respect!
Love the coffee percolator! Takes me back decades (at least) when mom was making coffee. Sorry about issues with toy hauler. You're making the best of it! Enjoy your content!
Ben love the camping content. Look at blowing out the water lines when you finish camping works great for us.
If we are honest, we all have stories of bringing home bikes, campers, you name it, that we wish we had a 'redo' on! And we beat ourselves up for not doing the things we should have done prior to those toys following us home. So I know for me, I can relate to your purchase! All I have to do is open the garage door to see some of those that I now consider family members, well after replacing 90% of their parts. Are those considered 'new' 'now or 'new' 'old'? I don't know. Sounds like you've addressed everything but shoring up the roof issue, and that's fixable. Nothing makes a new purchase feel like your own more than working on it! So embrace it, and even around campfires in the distant future you'll be telling stories about the toy hauler that followed you home one day! On a side note, Chewie is one confident dog to sleep in a pink bed and not care what anybody thinks; I admire that! 😀
That's a awesome rv. A bit of work,time and money and you will have a awesome platform for a base camp. Good score imo
Congratulations on the toy hauler I would like to find a 14 16 foot one myself. Enjoy
It’s all GOOD👍👍👍….. Well rounded. Love motorcycles, Love camping…. At 62 still doing it after all these years… Keep up the great videos , drink a beer for me, and most of all ENJOY LIFE TO THE FULLEST 😎
LIKE THE CAMPING CONTENT.
IT IS HOW I FOUND YOUR RIDING
CONTENT..RIDING AND CAMPING
REALLY GO'S TOGETHER WELL...
RIGHT ON MAN KEEP UP THE GREAT CONTENT.......
Congrats on 70k. Camping makes everything better --- even doing nothing. Great Vid.
My husband watches for everything (loves buying stuff you suggest regarding motorcycles). I watch for Chewy, and the camping videos. But honestly I watch anything you post! Love your content and personality!
Chewie and I apppreciate that!
Camping and motos are a great mix! More videos like this :)
Your camping vid's are the best!!
I would watch this format video all day long every day
Hi Chewie, Hi Tim, "it's the Chad"... oh and Hi Ben! We lived in an RV / travel trailer in Colorado for a couple years because housing is so expensive there. They are SO prone to so many problems and none of the accessories and widgets are cheap to buy, but all cheaply made. You are a tent camper. You don't need all that. Make it dry and warm. If the lights / heat / AC and (mechanical road parts) all work, then use it to haul your bikes and sleep in as an upgrade from your other trailer. Water, dishes, cooking, toilet, shower and all that other stuff is just more set up, more tear down and more clean up for you. Pull those benches out and put your cot in there. See if you can get a few years use out of it and next time you'll have a better idea of what you'd like to get, if anything. Treat it like buying your first small, used dual sport while you learn.
Welcome to the club! Love my toy hauler. Hi Chewie.
Awesome opossum, and a barky bark bark for Chewie!
Dudeee the CRF450L just looks SO good I can't get over it.
I am not an RV guy but was surprised to hear all the water pipe line issues since it was not really used much. Atleast you got it waterproof, and usable. Now just some modifications to you liking and it will be a great camper.
you captured the essence of the campsite, and the toy hauler. a entertaining diversion.
Out and about with your brother, friends, and Chewie.... how cool is that .... very nice. Now I am craving spaghetti, coffee, and a camp fire. So long as motorbikes are present, totally ok with the camping vids..... look forward to the next. Thanks Ben, I needed this.
Hey Chewy! He is adorable. Yes, ALL RV’s stink. Even Airstreams, with enough use, have pieces that break off and need some repairs! Some are much worse than others. Looks like a decent toy hauler! It is really hard to find those small ones. Just be glad you didn’t get a motorhome and have all of the mechanical issues on top of the usual camper problems. Nice variety of video content! Good stuff.
Hi Chewie! Great video and I'm excited to see the evolution of the turd camper in the future. It sure looks to be a perfect size. I would brace up the center of the roof around the a/c to make sure you don't get any more water inside. Mold can be a real pain to deal with.
I've never wanted a toy hauler until I got into dual sport haha, now I know what to lookout for!
I would do the repairs needed and then you will know exactly what you have. I retired and looked for a new camp rig to do some extended traveling in. All the local places told me the warranty did not cover full timers, and the build quality was terrible from what I saw.
That skillet needs to be.... 3 times that size. Love Chewy's chillin' lifestyle. Can't get enough camping content. Making another Monday do down so much easier, many thanks.
Hi Chewy. Camping is good too. Camping with motorcycles, the best.
I bought a Carson Rebel 14 foot toy hauler back in 2011… Have used it a ton and never had an issue. Put a Max Air cover over the roof vents and leave ‘em open full time for air circulation. Hope you hang on to your little RV as they are hard to come by.
I dig the video. Once you get the little toyhauler squared away, which seems to go on forever by the way. It will be a gamechanger. It was for me. Cooking, warm, cool, dry. And a place for your bike. Keep doing what you're doing. Enjoy and safe travels.
Love your camping content! All of it. It looks like the toy hauler is going to work out fine after you get all the bugs worked out. One thing to consider if you haven't already: If the tires were in pretty bad shape it also means there is a great chance the wheel bearings have never been maintained, either. It would be a great idea to pull the hubs apart and inspect the bearings and clean/repack them with a high quality synthetic wheel bearing grease. Even put bearing buddies on them so you can throw a few pumps in every now and then. There's not much worse than being stranded on the side of the road with a bad bearing!
Anyway, congrats on the trailer!
I was gonna mention wheel bearings also. Absolutely needs to be checked. Doing it yourself will save money and, while not exactly fun, isn't that hard to do. Just a little messy
Camp on Sir Dork. That’s what we love about our channel. If it’s an Adventure, we do it. We were full time RVers for over 6 years and have to tell you, everything from a tent trailer to a $130,000 Raptor Toyhauler has flaws. Thank God, I’ve learned to work on all my trailers now instead of paying other people
Hey Ben, It's really good to see a story about a "toy hauler." Your lessons learned will save some of us some grief. I just can't see trying to get my KLR into the bed of my pickup by myself. But a trailer like this looks doable and towable with my new Ford Lightning. I like the idea of hanging a bed and kitchenette if you can't pitch a tent! BTW... A big pat and biscuit to Chewy! Thanks for another great camping video!
Coors Light, got my Dog, we're in the woods ---- Yes, Sir, you're right. It doesn't get better than that. Maybe its finally time to look at a Camper. Fun video. Thanks.
That thing is cute.. never new they made toy haulers that small
Enjoyed watching your RV irritation. I am considering doing the same thing. It level sets my expectations. Cheers.
Aloha to you and Chewie both. I am loving your camping adventures.
Your neighbor is correct RV's are an ongoing project! Little bit of elbow grease and it should serve you well for your needs though. Oh and reheating food in the microwave is great but sitting down and having a nice ice cream while camping out in the bush is where it's at!
I love both elements of your channel. I love motorcycles, and I live to get back to the woods. I enjoy the mix. Say hey to Chewy and give him some ear scrithes for me. Cheers from Fairbanks Alaska.
Yes, camping videos. Yes, Chewie
Love the content. A cheap small ceramic heater helps with the moisture and you use the campground electricity instead of your propane. Also make sure you tilt your awning so the rain and dew rolls off one end and doesn't collect on top.
Pretty cool, It makes me wonder what an experienced RVer would buy. Maybe buy one that is one year old and then sell it when it is nine years old?
Hey chewy! Bro that thing is so cool it has issues but don't we all really enjoyed this one Dork keep up the great work 👊
Hi Chewy…
A POS camper is a good learning experience. You will learn everything you need to and your friends will call you the expert of what not to buy and what not to do!
Chewie is very smart! Cozy is the only way to go! RV's can be a ton of work but they are nice to have but sadly most aren't constructed well. Fortunately most of the repair work it is doable by non RV tech people. I've camped my whole live and currently have two travel trailers, the best unsolicited advise I could give you moving forward is create some covered parking for it at your house if you don't already have some. Sitting in the rain and sun all year long really ages the roof, plastic and tires. If you can keep the rain, leaves, sticks, ice and everything else off of it with covered parking you will have less maintenance to do. Just buying a soft cover for it works for the sun but not the rain, it's best if you can have a solid roof and sides to keep it covered. The damn red squirrels in the Willamette Valley love to destroy those multi-hundred dollar RV covers, really pissed me off. Also make sure you drain everything and blow down the water system in the fall before the weather freezes. I don't like putting RV antifireeze in my fresh tank and pumping it through the lines so I blow it down with no more than 40 psi of compressed air. Other alternative is to keep heat in it year around but that creates moisture. I also kept desiccant in ours when I lived in the Willamette Valley to keep the interior dry and mold free, link below to the brand/style I used and I dumped the water and recharged them every other week. Dicor Self-Leveling lap sealant is your best friend for working on RV roofs. I know, all unsolicited so I'm sorry if it's not needed or welcome. I have other ideas that could make your camping trips even more enjoyable if you keep the RV.
www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/recreational-vehicle-parts-and-accessories/interior-rv-accessories/86392?store=17644&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgaGgBhC8ARIsAAAyLfF2DxRROXyjwn2quZycJGj0s2Qsa_gJ-j4r-mJPH7MNbWwJNmyGKhIaAsWUEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Huge RV tip for the condensation annoyance 14:28 A good dehumidifier can help a lot
I dig your camping videos, even when they’re not moto-centric. Good luck getting the toy hauler fixed up! Also: hi Chewy!
Weve had great luck with specific RV awning cleaner. I’d be surprised if the right stuff didn’t make that look like new. Worked for us.
I don't care what others may say but I appreciate your camping content. It gives another viewpoint on getting away. Hey Chewie!!!
Roughing it smoothly. Thanks for sharing. Ya all RVs are prone to problems but they sure making camping nice.
Hello Chewy, stay warm, you guys! Great video Thank you.
10:10. I hear you on that one. I live in Montana (full time camping in my truck camper) and whenever I make content not related to camping, it totally bombs. Bums me out because I don’t want to be restricted to just camping videos on my channel but don’t have a large enough audience to really stray from the norm. Took a trip down to Arizona recently to take the Tenere out to get some riding experience on it(only 150 miles so far riding an ADV bike) and ohmygerd what a blast it was to get out during the winter! Glad to have channels like yours to curb my jones for getting out on two wheels.
I’m sure glad that Tim showed up!
Hi Chewie from Rusty and Verna and ok you too DORKIE. Fun Video.
Love it! That’s my plan also. I’m in southern Oregon, which is awesome but there are so many great places to ride in the northwest a toy hauler just makes sense. Hope to ride with you someday. Hi Chewy!
Hi Chewy. Dogs are better than people most of the time! Love the vid, good luck with the new rig.
Pro tip: when first gearing out an RV with pans, utensils, etc. hit up thrift stores. You'll get exactly what you want/need and save money. =)
I was in a hurry 😉
This type of content is absolutely pertinent, and I’m very interested to watch. Choosing and getting the bike is the easy and maybe the least expensive part of the whole Moto, ADV, camping, travel, social experience.
I’ve just begun my journey into this sport. I bought a used DR Z400, a Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS helmet, tools, a hitch rack, some riding gear and just now some maintenance items. In a year I’ll bet I will spend an equal amount to the cost of the bike.
Thankfully I’ve watched most of your videos (along with other channels) so I made sort of informed buying decisions.
You’re ahead of me on the curve of pursuing the adventure. You got the enclosed trailer, and now the toy hauler (which seem to include the two happiest days of a man’s life: the day he buys it, and the day he sells it). But that is the path I have nebulous plans to follow as well.
So yes, continue making this , I don’t know, peripheral(?) content, and I will definitely watch and give it thumbs up!
Hi, Chewie! 🐶 Like the toy hauler setup 👍 Hope you get all the bugs ironed out and we see more „glamping“ content 😉✌
There's some bikes in the background, so that's something! I want a small toy hauler badly for my trials events and dirt bike riding. Nice videos!
Haha love the vid. Most dirt bikers are general outdoorsmen and campers by default. Wishing I had a small trailer to pull behind my Tacoma and have walls for weather and being able to secure camping gear.
I also cook the same exact pasta, marinara, and sausage that’s been crumbled into the sauce. It’s hella cheap and hearty for outdoor activities.
And, as someone that loves to “get to know” content creators (and is married to a full-timer), I appreciate the day-in-the-life content! It’s always nice to mix it up and post informal content on alternate but similar topics. Cheers!
Yep, lifelong rider and RV camper. I am still open to tent camping but like to take the RV a LOT more and you are probably figuring out why: Warm bed, warm water, hot food, cold beer, head to let the beer back out at 1AM...
With all of the water related issues this one probably was in a hard freeze without being winterized and that takes out the pump, the valves, the connectors, the faucets. Sounds like you got her pretty well sorted. I too enjoy camping in February but prefer SoCal, AZ, TX, FL rather than the PNW which is just deep cold and damp in winter. We plan to head to Quartzsite AZ in Jan which is pretty mild weather with hundreds of miles of desert 2 track and open trail riding. Come on down and check it out.
Cheers!
Welcome to the world of campers , I’ve had a bunch of them and I’ve only had one that required very little repairs . What I’ve found out is maintain them and they will be better to live with , don’t let them sit around they don’t like that . And no matter what you pay for them they all have the same problems. The one camper I had that I loved and had for 8 years was a Lance 2385 great unit . Thanks for sharing and enjoy your trailer.
Perfect size camper, nice find! Your camping videos are enjoyable to watch. Your personality along with your friends is what makes them. Good conversations, good laughs, good times! Or the exciting ones like when you captured the owl catching its evening snack - the squirrel. Im waiting for the day Mr bear wanders into your camp site!!
I'm not looking forward to meeting Mr. Bear, but that'll be good footage!
Nice size toy hauler Ben. Should work well. Hope you can get the roof sorted out. The awning should clean up with soapy water and a scrub brush. The awning on my camper was the same way when I bought it. Cheers from Ontario Canada!
Great video! This is the kind of set up I would like to get. Hope to see more content like this in the future. Hi Chewie!
Chewy is awesome!👍🐕 You may need to replace any damaged subroofing plywood before you reseal it with roll on sealer. Good job so far!
The awning is no big deal. It happens every couple months in the humidity in Fl. Just spray with Mildex close the awning let sit for an hour or two then open and spray off. Works really well and simple. Good luck bud.
I love your camping videos and that is what first brought my husband and I to your channel. We watch under his login but I wanted to subscribe separately and let you know I like ALL of your content but the moto camping videos are my favorite.
Love this channel, 100% real and honest
Chewie is the best. Love him.
Assuming the price is right, that’s the kind of camper I’m looking for. Hope you get the leak fixed up and have a solid toy hauler.
Campers and boats are so much work. But it sounds like that guy didn't winterize or something. Also something I've noticed with my camper, either use a cover, or jack the front end up really tall so the water doesn't lay on the roof. :)
Your motocamping videos are my favs...
Good that you got an opportunity to shake down the new rig before hauling it down to Ca. for the rally! Hopefully it stands up to the stresses of the road. It's such a shame how Chewy just hates Tim, sad to see... 😂
My wife and I have campers. I just bought an 08 KRL. Not sure if I'll ever take the camper with the motorcycle. But after watching this video, I might consider it. Great content. Great video!
Haven’t watched one of your vids in a long while, awesome to see the channel grow. ✌️
Love Riverbend campground. It is a fantastic place, very clean and most of the time quiet! If you have not already, make sure you get a pressure regulator to attach in line, usually at the faucet, before you hook up to many times to the park water system to avoid blowing apart your water line fittings in the trailer.
I loved this video. Nothing beats camping and riding your bikes with the boys
Great Video. Just getting out with a couple friends is Cool.
We all need a friend like Tim!
Right on my man!! Good on you making lemonade out of a lemon. You are going to really enjoy Mojave. I love in southern CA and can attest to so much to see and enjoy inside Mojave National Preserve. Just be prepared for extreme weather changes and lots of sand. Also the volcanic terrain is really hard on the tires. One of the guys in my dual sport club has the 450L. That is a great bike and very reliable. 👌👍
Hi Ben: Here is a idea for the roof. I don't know if will work or not but here it is. See if you can make a ceiling joist that is arched up that you can attach on the inside to hold the roof up where it should be. Two or three cut out of some plywood and push them up from inside and attach them some how.
I'm a fan of chewy - and I appreciate the surprises we get in your array of content. I also respect a dude who can help others in a big way by showing the occasional small misstep. Thanks, Pal.
The RV awning mildew remover works amazing. A little scrubbing, and it'll be fine
Our pug Crank, says "Hi" to Chewy!!!
Hey, Chewy!! I like your bed! 🥰
HaHaHaHa, Been There, Doing That. My wife and I purchased a 20' Toyhauler that had "a soft spot" in the floor. Long story short, the only soft spot I found was the complete 20 feet of the floor. Yes, I replaced the complete floor as well as made a multitude of upgrades. It's taken me a full year, but the project is almost done. Luckily with it being a toyhauler, the floor was somewhat easy to replace, removed siding on both sides, installed "strong-backs" purchased multiple hydraulic jacks from Harbor Freight and lifted the body off the floor after cutting all the remaining fasteners that hadn't rusted out. Achieved an 1" clearance then removed the totally water soaked OSB, and water-soaked insulation, replaced with the best materials available, then lowered the body back down onto the new floor. It's been an adventure, but this will be better than anything a person could buy new. I used state of the art adhesives, pocket screws vice staples and upgraded all the old lighting to LED. Installed Victron Energy system inside, with 1600W of solar on the roof. It sure beats tenting it.