Archive → September, 2011
The new RV
Our trusty Trailmanor has served us well since early 2009, but the layout has its limitations:
My parents bought this unit for themselves, and for two people, it’s perfect. Mechel and Baila sleep on the converted dinette, so when they go to bed, there’s nowhere for us to sit.
Since we now have the Sorento, which can tow 5000 pounds, we decided to purchase a conventional travel trailer. We wanted a bunkhouse model, and settled on the Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 26BH:
It weighs 4300 pounds, about 1100 pounds more than the Trailmanor. Many other manufacturers produce the same floor plan, but the X-Lite is 300-500 pounds lighter, thanks to its stamped frame and other innovations:
I drove out to Lakeview, Ohio to pick up the unit over Labor Day weekend. The drive back made me really appreciate the TrailManor’s towing characteristics. This one doesn’t fold down, so it is much more affected by crosswinds and passing semis. I installed anti-sway friction bars at the dealership, and that did seem to help quite a bit.
I’ve already installed a digital thermostat, and moved the pre-charged pressure tanks over from the TrailManor. Since there’s no folding now, I didn’t use the Banjo removable connectors and a flexible hose. Instead I used PEX and hard-plumbed the tanks in under the sofa.
Here are photos of our unit:
Know anyone who wants a 2007 TrailManor 2720SD? Ours is now for sale.
We’re going up to Mongaup Pond this weekend, we’ll see how it goes!
Older and Faster
This from Jim Langley, who recently competed in the 55-59 age category at the US Masters National Championship:
“As I was cruising up one of the hills at a pretty good tempo, testing my legs a bit, I heard the distinctive rumble of the BMW motorcycles the race officials use to lead the packs. So, I moved right. Then I heard an even more familiar sound, the powerful, rhythmic breathing of a racer. Not wanting to get in the way I veered onto the shoulder, clicked out of my pedals and turned around.
There was the legend, Robert Paganini of the Pasadena Athletic Association, off the front of the 75-79 group and simply shredding the climb on his way to the coveted stars and stripes jersey. From his fine form and impressive pace you could have easily mistaken him for Bend’s resident superstar Chris Horner — he looked that good.”
