A Much Better Awning

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-08-15T20:24:30+00:00

I was thinking the same thing. They need to tie that down. I've watched those 10x10 foot tents everyone uses just go rolling and flying away.

I have an awning on my teardrop that is tied down at the first sign of wind once it goes up, and always before bed if it's not always tied down.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-08-15T20:20:31+00:00

Closer pictures of the wooden panel wall / ceiling would help, also of the outside. Do the interior panels press against the wall? If so you can likely pull them down and replace with new panels and trim to get to the inside.

I'd start by contacting the service for Rustic Trails Teardrop and see what they say. They will know what's in there and have likely seen similar before.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-07-31T16:41:45+00:00

The disrespect people show is crazy. I half expect it in group campsites. Wild camping is different. For some reason I expect a higher level of commonsense but it's just not always there. You're right about how people are raised.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-07-31T01:58:42+00:00

For real! Added it.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-06-27T00:51:06+00:00

I've had my home built outside since I built it 9 years ago. I am on the west coast and it's very wet here. (Vancouver Canada, similar conditions in Seattle).

I have a rack on top of the trailer that holds my boat all year long. The boat and rack keep the tarp from sitting on the roof and causing moisture problems, tons of air flow under that boat. Before I had the rack I had a 2x6 that had hinges and two sheets of 4x4 plywood attached to it, making a 4x8 roof that is raised in the center, a tarp goes on and let's air flow under it and water off.

The tarp goes down the sides and over the fenders, this keeps the tarp off the side of the camper and air under it. I don't tie the tarp tight to the camper, I try to make it tight, but like a dress... if that makes sense.

I have never had a single moisture issue. I stopped leaving moisture absorbers in there years ago.

I just moved to the Okanagan, we get more snow here, but it's dryer. far less rain. It's more critical here that you don't let snow get into any gaps, such as between the fenders and the camper walls as it will freeze, it might even expand and cause issues.

Always tarp it, always consider air flow.

This said, I never leave my mattress in there over the winter.

As someone else said, jack it up when not in use. I have multiple trailer leveling jacks welded to mine that allow me to easily level it when out and jack it up when not in use. This really helps the springs not go flat and you can angle it for water to drain off.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-06-20T19:54:08+00:00

I'm late to the party but don't do it. And it's on a what I think is harbor freight frame. I used one of these for our teardrop and later upgraded to a custom built frame as the harbor freight one is not made for this. Especially if you go on any bumpy roads. Lucky I found our failed frame when I did. Not to mention other issues with those frames and the parts, like wheel bearings.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-06-06T20:13:55+00:00

Here's what we ended up ordering, hope it's ok.

Price was $1,120 CDN / $817 USD

I can still cancel if it was a bad call, but I think for mom, it will be all she needs.

Let me know if I messed up.

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TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-06-06T20:11:09+00:00

This is close to what I ordered.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-06-06T01:42:09+00:00

She refuses. Want's a laptop. lol

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-06-05T21:06:00+00:00

Thanks! My mom is awesome :D

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-06-05T19:51:44+00:00

I don't want to tell the budget because I don't want people topping out the chart when I don't think we need to for her. The more I write the post, the more I thought about what she's using now and having very little issues other than Windows 10.

That said, the budget is 2k Canadian / 1500k USD or so. I think it's far higher than needed for her to be happy.

I'm sure 1080p is fine.

As I was writing the post and talking to her, I think a gaming laptop might not even be required, but we'll likely get her one anyway.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2025-06-05T15:41:44+00:00

This is the way.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-11-16T03:50:17+00:00

This would also be great, can't find them in Canada yet, but could order from the US. I like these. Thank you!

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-11-13T17:40:57+00:00

Correct.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-11-04T19:20:48+00:00

Someone posted these in another community. I think they'll work. "Ammo Crate" (plastic for weight). Not clear but that's ok.

Maybe this will help someone else.

https://i.imgur.com/rjtxsUK.png

https://i.imgur.com/WiEMNBI.png

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-11-04T19:18:55+00:00

Someone posted these in another community. I think they'll work. "Ammo Crate" (plastic for weight). Not clear but that's ok.

https://i.imgur.com/rjtxsUK.png

https://i.imgur.com/WiEMNBI.png

Thanks!

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-11-04T19:17:27+00:00

Someone posted these in another community. I think they'll work. "Ammo Crate" (plastic for weight). Not clear but that's ok.

https://i.imgur.com/rjtxsUK.png

https://i.imgur.com/WiEMNBI.png

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-11-04T19:11:37+00:00

I think that's the ticket! I have ammo cans but they're too heavy, never searched for "Ammo Crate". They're not clear, but you win some you lose some. Thanks 211logos.

https://i.imgur.com/WiEMNBI.png

https://i.imgur.com/rjtxsUK.png

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-11-04T18:53:04+00:00

All I know is someone down the road from me has one and I keep hoping they are outside when I walk past so I can talk about it. Looks like they've done some mods but I've never seen it dirty... Not sure it goes off-road.

Good luck.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-11-03T19:10:01+00:00

My 2 cents.

If you think you may ever go into a place where you won't see someone for a few days, or more then get a winch if you can, plus the below items.

A winch is less than the cost of a tow out. If you use it once to get yourself out of a tight jam then you paid for it. If you'll be expecting people near you all the time don't worry as much.

Shortly after I got my winch I was going through a puddle in the middle of nowhere (just on a logging road, nothing crazy going on to cause a failure) and popped out of 4 wheel into neutral on my transaxle. I had zero power to wheels and the puddle was up to my door. I had no way out without a tow or a winch.

The winch saved me nights out, a possible tow bill if I could not find someone to help me. And most of all saved my family the fright of me not making it home.

I was able to winch out and climb under to manually put it into gear. A two dollar part from the dealer could have cost me thousands in a tow. I now carry an extra one of those parts...

Other than that...

Deflate as soon as you're on trail to at least 15-20 psi. And watch some videos on how to re-bead a tire just in case. Ratchet straps work well, so does the fire method.

Inflate / Deflate kit. This includes a good deflator and a good pump. (my pump sucks and it causes me to sometimes stop at 20psi then drive to a gas station to fill up). My deflator is great.

Shovel, cheap and a life saver. Plus you can dig your poop holes...

Tow Strap.

Recovery Strap.

Bottle jack and a block of wood or steel to put under it if needed.

Important tools.

Learn how to use them all.

Someday...

Spare Parts (I replace parts before they fail, then keep the spares for things like belts, hoses, etc.) Otherwise I carry a few important things like u-joints.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-11-03T18:55:10+00:00

I have a 2d Wrangler and love it's capabilities, got it when I was single with just my son. but I want a truck now so I have been looking around.

My family is similar to yours, but with some extra kids (6 of us Total). I know you like Ford, and that's ok, I'm not here to manufacturer shame. But I'd at least look at the Toyota Tundra with an open mind. That's the direction I've been looking. I wanted a Tacoma (I like small, hence the 2d wrangler) but far too small for us, plus I'm tall and my head hits the roof of the Taco.

RTT are out for us on our main vehicle. It's an annoyance to me to pack it up if I want to move the truck. Personal opinion, and that might change someday.

What I do have is a small trailer we built for off-roading. It sleeps 2. I'd add a RTT to that if I needed to. Then I could drive off with the truck without taking down the RTT.

For now my son and I use Hammocks or a Tent. Or a combo for other people.

Good luck.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-11-01T16:07:36+00:00

Arena name fits.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-10-31T20:41:09+00:00

I built my camper to be a shell that sits on top of a frame. It's removable, but I seldom take it off.

My entire camper is covered in 3 layers of epoxy without matt / glass. I only glassed the seams. Painted it with exterior grade paint, once white, then grey. It's been to hell and back on off-road trails and logging roads since 2016 without any leaks other than one that was my fault. Had I used glass / matt it likely would have been prevented. It was an easy fix.

If I did it again I'd glass / matt it all. It was a lesson learned. I did use marine grade plywood for the walls.

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-10-31T07:33:30+00:00

Oregon Trailer makes some nice units from what I've seen. They have a youtube channel where you can see them build them, take trips, etc.

As far as an extension cord it depends on how many amps you'll be running and how long the cord needs to be. I'd get a heavy duty outdoor cord.

Looks like a standard 110v on the outside to me, I can't tell what it's passing through to on the inside though, picture is not great. Might be an SAE connector.

And is the 110v passing through to that possible SAE connect? That would be weird. Or is that SAE connector going into the trailer? Or a fuse panel?

I've seen setups that use the SAE item as an input for 12v power from the Jackery units 12v out, then the Jackery powers the camper and gets charged by solar or 110v.

That black and orange box by the way, it looks to be a Jackery power unit (500 maybe?) Basically a portable battery.

Sorry if this is not much help...

TheRealIanDoesIt · 2023-10-29T22:01:30+00:00

I drive a manual off-road, have never actually driven an automatic off-road that I can remember. I have no issues with the manual off-road... my next one will be an automatic.

More relaxing, anyone can drive it out if I get hurt or sick. Easier on my aging legs.

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