Friday, August 16, 2024

Airstream Basecamp 16-Foot Review, a 4-Year Owner's Review

2024 Memorial Day Weekend

Having just finished a full-time year of teaching 4th Grade after ten years of retirement, I'm now retiring . . . again. Oh, I'll probably be doing a little substitute teaching next year, but working 1-2 days a week and taking off 5-6 days a week--that's retired, isn't it?

I am, therefore, beginning my re-retirement with a review of our 2021 16-foot Airstream Basecamp. First, though, there should be some discussion about the subject this blog has been focused on during the years--tiny trailers, trailers that provide an inside living space, keep you comfortable during inclement weather, and provide a safe, secure place to sleep. Some tiny trailers are little more than "hard-sided tents" (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), and some tiny trailers are touted as self-sufficient living spaces. Most tiny trailers are truly tiny, providing a space for sleep and for sitting with legs crossed.

My 16-foot Airstream Basecamp resides at the opposite side of the tiny trailer spectrum; I actually feel more comfortable labeling it a little or small trailer, one having enough room for a bed/dining table, a bathroom, and a kitchen. There are other little trailers that are slightly smaller which provide a self-sufficient living space, the Tab 320 being a notable example. However, with Airstream's years of experience building travel trailers and its innovative Basecamp design, the Airstream Basecamp 16-footer is right up there at the top of little trailers that, as my wife's son recently said after camping in the Basecamp for a week and a half, "provide everything you need and nothing you don't."

It should be noted that the tiny trailers camping philosophy is that choosing a small camping space inside means that one spends more time outside. Minimalism is the key word for tiny trailer camping, and minimalism begins with towing a very small living space which can generate descriptors all the way from "cozy" to "cramped," depending on the campers and weather. Our Basecamp is no exception to the dilemma of "How big is too big? How small is too small?" We still debate the trade-offs, sometimes with our individual selves! I have previously written about tiny trailers trade-offs in the article "The Airstream Basecamp Is a Little Camper--and We're Glad."

Positive Qualities

The current Basecamp is an innovative new iteration of an older idea, with the camper resurfacing in 2018 onto the market with a similar but upbeat design. Here are the features my wife and I like.

At six and a half feet wide, the trailer is easily pulled by my Nissan Pathfinder SUV. Although not absolutely necessary, I've added inexpensive extension mirrors which lessen the blind spot behind the camper when towing.
The kitchen provides ample space for cooking equipment and supplies. The roof-level netting storage areas work well for us. We use REI storage bags for clothes and have found that the front net storage holds light food items well even without storage bags. We still cook quite a bit outside, but having an indoor space is a real treat when the weather is bad or buggy.
We still use campground facilities a lot but have found the indoor toilet convenient for nighttime and inclement weather.
Like all small trailers, there is quite a bit of setting up and breaking down the bed/dining area, but the Basecamp's configuration has been good for us.
The air conditioner and Truma heating system work well; sometimes I use a space heater for a more "fireplace effect."

We've found the Basecamp to be solid and dependable. Our warranty issues were centered around three weaknesses that were identified during the first years of the trailer's reiteration: the air conditioner securing screws working loose (company fix with Loctite), the door window becoming unglued (re-sealed by the company), and door locks not strong enough in windy conditions (longer screws added by the company), As we turned the Basecamp in just now, we are having the visor over the rear door re-caulked because a leak during rain. We were told this is a known problem, that the caulk dries out and needs to be renewed. Other than those issues, we've found the unit delivers.

Design Issues

The quality of the materials used in the Basecamp we've found excellent, and the set-up of the unit is thoughtful and utilitarian yet still elegant. However, there are a few issues in the design that cause occasional consternation.

The overhead fan is noisy even at its lowest setting. There are quieter fans out there.
The venting side "van" windows are classy to look at and really add to the unit's beauty; however, they provide less air circulation than some other options. This especially becomes a problem if the front door is closed at night for security. Adding windows with low air circulation with a noisy fan has caused some frustration. Why not use the air conditioner, you might ask? The ac is a solution but is more noisy than windows open and a quiet ceiling fan would be.
The back door can provide nice ventilation if the area is secure. However, the snap netting, although it works well for mosquitoes isn't much of a barrier for crawling bugs, such as stink bugs that we once battled. Also, I use a swimming noodle and bungee cord to secure the back door to eliminate strain on the manufacturer's standard hooks.
My wife and I eventually bought two-inch latex foam pads for sleeping to augment the standard Basecamp cushions. The factory cushions were minimally acceptable for me but a definite no-go for my wife. I later succumbed to the allure of greater sleeping softness and have never felt any guilt.
I've added a roof vent cover for the fan so that I can open the vent during rain. The cover definitely disrupts the sleek design of the roof, but having the fresh-air option during rain is too practical for me to take a "pass" on.
The Basecamp design puts its electronic controls next to the door on the wall, a place that can attract excessive condensation inside the shell, which has shorted out some models. An after-market #D-printer spacer is available for the Truma control panel, discussed on a Facebook owners' group. This link should be available if you belong to the group Airstream Basecamp Owners. The spacer has venting on three sides. I also use a little dehumidifier when there's a lot of condensation. It provides some relief, taking out about a cup of water a day when I'm camping alone.

I've tried to discuss issues specific to the Basecamp and not pro and con issues that are common to all tiny trailers owners. My wife and I realize that buying a larger camper would create a new challenge for every challenge the larger camper would solve. Likewise, buying a tinier trailer would also both solve and create problems. Times change, needs change, but the Airstream Basecamp 16 is a pretty sweet rig, compared to any other camper its size.

We do think fondly of our first camper, a little standy we called the Green Goddess, a Rustic Trail camper, Polar Bear model. Also, Rustic Trail is now manufacturing some new, innovative models. We've even talked some about someday owning both the Airstream and a Rustic Trail camper! Those are fun conversations, but the main reason I'm writing this review now is that my wife and I have just traded our Basecamp in at Blue Compass RV in Des Moines, Iowa, (where we bought the Basecamp, formerly RV One) and have bought a 16-foot Airstream Bambi.

It wasn't that we were dissatisfied with the Basecamp, not in any fundamental way; our decision was based on our lifestyle. Right now I am retired and my wife is still busy with her consulting business. With the Basecamp, if she were working and I was resting, we were both together in the back of the Basecamp with either the bed half-made and one table set up, or with both tables set up and with me resting on one of the benches. With the Bambi, there is a permanent bed in the back and the dinette table (which can convert to a bed) up front, which provides separate spaces for each activity. The main reason this is possible is that the Bambi is wider than the Basecamp, eight feet wider rather than six and a half feet.

We know we'll miss the Basecamp with its unique design. I describe the Basecamp as having a modern aesthetic design, whereas the Bambi has the iconic, retro Airstream silver bullet look. Both looks are beautiful, but we'll have to get used to owning an iconic aluminum classic travel trailer rather than owning a spaceship cleverly disguised as an Airstream travel trailer. We look forward to new adventures, though, and will share our stories with you.

Monday, August 5, 2024

A Case Study of a Self-sufficient Tiny Trailer Camper--3 Years on the Road

His June 3 Facebook post begins like this: "Day 879 in the camper." Yes, Allan Finley has been on the road with his Rustic Trails Kodiak tiny camp trailer for over two years. In 2022 I wrote three articles about Allan's travels (listed and linked at the end of this article), and now I'm back to write about his further exploits. Also, be ready to view some truly awe-inspiring photographs because Allan parks his camper in some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States.

The June 3 entry tag may have been how many days Allan and his faithful canine sidekick Finley have been on the camping trail, but the details that follow are riveting.
"Well, it had to happen sooner or later. Had one of those heart-in-mouth moments today. We were cruising along Rt 89A in Arizona on the grade down to Lees Ferry. I’m tooling along at 60 mph when this idiot driving a big F350 and pulling a 25-30’ travel trailer comes barreling down the road at 70+ and begins to overtake me. Just as the bed of the truck passes my door, he lurches to the left and then corrects, which starts wagging the tail of the trailer. I slam on the brakes as the last few feet of the trailer pass, and he just squeezes by. A moment later on the brakes and the trailer would have hit my truck. He fishtailed back and forth for another quarter mile or so before he got it under control. He was super lucky it didn’t roll over."
Allen finishes his Facebook post telling us he's back in camp, indulging with a glass of wine to settle himself down. "Be careful out there, fellow campers."

The Rustic Trail Teardrops and Friends FB group administrator Jim Cook commented with his legendary wit and insight, "So glad you are safe. The incident was all your fault. If you had not been on his road, it would not have happened." Many times traveling dangers occur because of the over-confidence and lack of experience of others. Or as Mark Twain famously said, "It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so." We can count Allan among experienced travelers with his seasons and years of camping and traveling experience.

The lead photograph of Allan's rig is a vision of self-sufficient, off-the-grid camping. Although not a standy camper, his Kodiak is tall enough to hunch and get around, and there is plenty of room for sitting and relaxing. For himself and his dog, there is plenty of room--if you subscribe to the tiny trailers mentality. As mentioned in my first article on Allan's travels, his travel trailer has a refrigerator, a propane heater, and a solar system, which he had installed when purchasing his unit. The solar panels are raised in the photo, and the propane tank is mounted on the trailer's side. Also in the photo is a table mounted to the trailer, an awning, a storage chest up front, and a bicycle hitched to the back of the Kodiak. His tow vehicle is a Ford Ranger.

February 23, 2024, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Yuma, Arizona
One observation of Allan's travels is that he spends the hot summers in the north and the winters in the south. The northern latitudes (in the northern hemisphere) are, of course, cooler; and the southern latitudes warmer--tundra or desert, to keep it simple. However, elevation is also important, and Allan makes good use of the fact that higher elevations are cooler. For instance, the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge that Allan camped at in the middle of the winter has an average elevation of 1,496 feet. It's average high and low temperatures in Fahrenheit for February are 68/49 degrees. Describing the desert, Allan said, "The desert is so green and vibrant. I feel so lucky to be here," and then he added, "The sunsets turn the mountain almost glow-in-the-dark orange. It’s extraordinary!"

September 17, 2023
The annual trip south began in September 2023. "The leaves started turning shades of amber, yellow and gold and flights of Canadian Geese were arriving south, so it was time to leave our little slice of heaven in Montana and follow them!" Allan's trip south took him to the Devil's Tower National Monument, skipping Yellowstone this year because of flooding.

Heading a leisurely way south, Allan enjoyed the fall September weather, keeping in mind that winter in the mountains was on its way. "We have been enjoying the most exquisite weather and glorious scenery as we work our way across southwestern Colorado. Some of the vistas have an almost fairytale quality, and Finley has had lots of cows to bark at! We are high up above Pagosa Springs, heading for Durango." Allan mentions on September 25, "We’ve been enjoying amazing fall weather in Colorado but winter is coming! It was 21 degrees this morning up at 9500 feet."

Summer was high up in the mountains, some of Allan and Finley's adventures taking place Idaho's Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Dog and man were camping at around 7,000 feet in elevation. Planning for the possibilities of summer weather high in the mountains in early July, Allan said, "I plan on staying at that same elevation I'm at for just over a week. Not planning on bringing a heater, though. But I do plan on bringing attire for 30-90ish degrees. I expect to see both."

Man and dog had to deal with human drama, though, even in the wilderness. I'll just let Allan tell the story.
"A very stressful occurrence and a potentially dangerous encounter has happened, both centered around Mr. Finley, which forced us to up stakes and leave our lakeside paradise and search for a new campsite……….. on a Saturday………….. in July. So explore we did and discovered an amazing campsite that may be even better!! So gorgeous up here!
"Finley had a bite incident with a forest ranger. It really wasn’t his fault, and she should not have walked into our camp, especially when I yelled at her to not come forward. I did not even know that Finley had bit her. She did not say a thing, she didn’t inspect her leg and said she was fine. She then told me about a bear sighting close by and that I should aware. (I always am.) She then left. Later in the day her supervisor, and a sheriff’s deputy showed up and asked for my ID and all of Finley’s health records. She showed me a pic of the ranger’s leg that had some scratches but no bite marks that I could see. They said that protocol forced them to report the incident and that I would get a ticket from the Forest Service. I pled Finley’s case and told them that she should not had entered the campsite without permission and that Finley was tethered. All to no avail. She told me that I should also let any neighbors know not to walk through the camp. Later in the day three dudes came along, and I told them that Finley was tethered and could they just make sure not to walk through our camp to access the lake. The oldest guy just said, 'I’ll shoot any dog that tries to bite me.' That did it for me and we packed up and left."

One important travel and camping skill is knowing when to break camp and get the hell out of Dodge. Allan displayed his experience by following his gut feelings and finding another campsite. And he found one better than his original! The two above photos capture the grandeur of his new camp.

Even with challenges, Allan and Finley's adventures have been rewarding. On January 7, 2023, Allan posted a message on Facebook about the nature of his years-long odyssey. "Well, we just passed our one year anniversary living full time in our Kodiak Stealth and what an amazing year it has been! Here are some interesting facts."

We drove 24,528 miles while visiting 19 states.
242 nights boondocking in the wild.
51 nights in Forest service campgrounds with no electric
33 nights in state parks with electric
22 nights in in state parks and RV parks (just 4 nights) with full service
17 nights with Harvest hosts no services.
I am proud to say we did not stay a night in a Walmart/Cracker Barrel/rest stop.

Allan added, "Finley and I have seen so many fabulous sights and had such wonderful adventures in this amazing country. With year 1 in our rear view mirror, we look forward to look forward to an equally inspiring 2023 which will take us north through the Eastern Sierras and up to Bellingham, Washington, to catch the ferry to Anchorage, Alaska, and all the way up to the Arctic Circle. We will also visit some Canadian provinces before spending the fall in the UP and then down to Florida for next winter. Should be a decent walkabout. Stay tuned to this channel!"

A year later, on January 7, 2024, Allan posted the following: "Yesterday was out two-year anniversary of being on the road full time in our little Kodiak Stealth. We have traveled over 40,000 miles in that time and have had countless adventures. We still have lots more of this wonderful country to see, so here’s to future adventures!" Notice the lack of statistics. It seems to me that this is an indication that Allan has really settled into his nomadic life. We don't keep track of our daily routines; for instance, exactly how many times have you done laundry this year? We don't keep track of our daily living, for the most part, and traveling through North America is now Allan's daily routine. He can glance at the odometer, though--that's straightforward!

In November of last year, Allan wrote, "I’ve gone over to the dark side, traded my gravel bike in for a new e-mountain bike. Happy early birthday to me!" Allan's bike is a Ride1Up, Prodigy XC with a 14ah battery and a mid-drive motor. I've just bought an e-bike myself, an Aventon Level 2. Like I told Allan, "E-bikes make hills and headwinds disappear!" The bike rack is manufactured by 1UpUSA.

Allan has promised to answer a list of questions regarding his multiple years on the road. He will probably email his answers . . . eventually. I'll love writing another article if he does provide me some insider's travel tips. However, I'm also perfectly happy if Allan is too busy or too in-the-moment to get that email written. With so many beautiful vistas while on the road, I actually hope that emails are not Allan's top priority. That's kind of the point, isn't it!

Earlier Articles About Allan's Travels