Should I Ditch the Electric Trailer Jack?

 

I've managed in this wild late winter to camp twice with my new 2021 Airstream Basecamp. One unpleasant revelation was when, on my second camping trip, I discovered that the rear hatch of my Nissan Pathfinder wouldn't open when the trailer remained hitched to the SUV. The mast of the electric jack blocked the door from opening fully. The hitch had been given to me free by our local Airstream dealership and mounted on our trailer orientation and pick-up day.

As you can imagine, having my rear hatch blocked didn't exactly thrill me. After some research with other BC owners, I determined the height of the standard manual hitch jack was 14.5 inches high. Talking the situation over with my wife and reflecting on the situation some, I decided that whatever the hassle of using the manual hitch jack crank (very little, from my experience with my tiny trailer), the hassle of not being able to open my rear hatch while hitched was greater. The solution, of course, was to remove the electric hitch and retrofit the trailer with its original manual crank system. 

I had two problems: 1) the dealership had not given me the original manual gear when I towed the trailer home; and 2) I wasn't 100% certain that the manual jack wouldn't block the car's rear hatch also. I planned to email the dealership regarding the trailer's original hitch parts, but first I wanted to see for myself what the clearance would be with the original hitch height. 

Imagine my surprise when the door narrowly missed the mast and opened the whole way! It was a close miss, but there it undeniably was--the rear hatch fully opened. How can this be? Thinking about it a bit, I realized that when the door had been blocked, the car was angled with the rear down slope and the trailer somewhat level, which moved the hitch mast close enough to the vehicle that the arc of the door's opening intersected the hitch mast. At home in the driveway, the Pathfinder was angling slightly downhill to the front, increasing the distance between the opening arc and the hitch mast. 

I wondered for a bit that if the electric hitch mast blocks the rear door, could I just put one or two leveling blocks under the rear tires? That would adjust the angle to increase the opening leeway. However, that's a bit of extra work, and what if I'm at a gas station or Walmart and just wanting to quickly pop open the rear hatch? I was back to the original question: what is the biggest hassle, using a manual hitch jack or not having access to the rear hatch? 

What I realized was that the door would find a way to be blocked at inconvenient times . . . given enough time . . . such as at busy gas stations or during a rain storm. Even with the RVOne dealership two and a half hours away, I think it will be worth the effort to retrofit back to the manual hitch jack. The manual crank is lower and also farther back than the bulb-nosed, taller electric hitch jack. With the manual jack, I won't ever have to worry about the rear hatch being blocked. 

With the manual jack crank, both jack and the rear hatch door will always be fully functional. Fully functional, I like the sound of that. Besides, I can use all the exercise I can get. I've written to RVOne, and what I'll do is schedule the retrofit during a camping trip to a state park near Des Moines, now that spring is here. Yes, that sounds like a plan.

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Can't Go Camping? Plan Your Next Trip!

Rathbun Lake, Iowa

I'm in a bit of a pickle right now. I've sold my tiny standy camper  because the Airstream Basecamp my wife and I have on order is due to arrive . . . but it's not arriving as soon as we expected. First scheduled to arrive in January, the delivery date was then bumped up to November, and here we are in December. As I gaze out of my living room window at the empty spot in my driveway where there should be a camping trailer, and as I gaze at the beautiful prairie field across the road, rich in late-fall russet and blond-bleached grasses, I dream of camping in this mild almost-winter weather. 

Unfortunately, sometimes in my despair, I reach for my phone and begin to doomscroll, just reading headlines on the news apps . . . and too much time in my day just slips away. I've written about doomscrolling before ("Down with Doomscrolling!"), and I know the pitfalls and the strategies to avoid the mindless, zombie-like behavior of spending purposeless time staring at a computer screen, slowly burying my happiness beneath layer after layer of negative reports from the hinterlands. Et tu, Apple?

This is when I realized that unconsciously I was fighting back, and I wasn't even aware of it. It was the Google Maps app on my phone that saved me. I was thinking, "Well, if the Basecamp arrives soon, how far south would I have to drive to find tolerable camping weather--and you have to realize that the current Iowa weather has temperatures ranging from lows in the twenties to highs in the forties. Some folks would say that's too cool for camping, but hey, bundle up and enjoy the lack of chiggers and mosquitoes. I have no problem with venturing out into cold weather as long as I have a warm, snug little camper to return to. 

Campgrounds on Google Maps

How far south would I have to venture in January/February when my local Iowa temperatures can hit below zero numbers? Not too far, it appears. Southern Missouri and Arkansas state parks are cold but not (as my dad would say) damn cold. I could hang out in the wet, cool forests, brave a bit of snow and probably freezing rain, yet be out hiking in nature and not just stranded in my house in Iowa, huddled up to my woodstove. 

And what a wonderful time I had with my smartphone and computer, discovering camping sites, engaging in "virtual exploration," and planning trips! Spending time online engaged in purposeful, positive activity is a key antidote to doomscrolling, and I have found one fun activity that fits this criterion. Here are my usual steps I follow when I want to spend some enjoyable, positive time online planning camping trips. 

1. My first "dream trip" step utilizes Google Maps, either on my phone or on the computer. Lately I've been typing in "state parks in [name of state]." This provides me with a map of identified state parks that I can research via the reviews and photo options. I can get a pretty good sense of a locale and the camping options from these two sources--verbal and visual information about the locale and the campgrounds. An additional option is to switch from the traditional map view to the satellite view. This can provide more information on the terrain. If I like what I read and see, I'll save the location with a star.
2. A second step is that most Google posts of parks also include a link to the state park website. These sites usually include a description of the park, its amenities, and of the campground. It's useful to flip back and forth on the computer from the satellite view of the camping area to the campground map on the state's map, which is usually a static graphic image. The state website or the reservation link will also provide availability and price information.
3. Another purposeful research step is to find a local town (making sure the town is not in a valley and the campground on the top of a mountain) and to search for average temperatures for the time I plan to camp there. This is how I found out how much more mild the temperatures in southern Missouri and Arkansas are in January than in Iowa. Finding a local town can also be a research point for food and gas locations. 
4. Having determined that a state park might be a good destination, then I utilize the Google directions option to determine route, mileage, and travel time. On a multi-day trip, I prefer to drive no more than 200-300 miles per day, so checking out the route provides me with important information, most especially how many days I want to take for the trip. If a trip will, for instance, take three days, then I need to determine my overnight camping spots.
5. Zooming in on Google Maps, I try to find towns near the overnight points; for a three-day trip I would need two overnight campgrounds. Maybe there's a state park nearby, but what I've found is the private campsites are usually closer to the highways. Searching on Google Maps "camping near [name of town]" always seems to generate more private campgrounds, and the map will help determine how close a campground is to the travel route. 
6. If I'm planning on a long, two-week stay, Google Maps provides a great opportunity to search for close-by sources of provisions. Walmarts are usually easy to find and a known business establishment for food, especially if one shops early in the day to avoid a busier store. However, there are also natural food stores available in many towns if one prefers a smaller shopping experience for one's needs. 
7. Another step that I haven't used much but has been mentioned by others is to use other trip planner resources about campgrounds. Three websites that have been mentioned to me are The Dyrt, Campsite Photos, and Campground Reviews. All three of these websites provided information and reviews of White Oak Lake State Park, for instance. I'm sure there are other campground review websites that I hope folks share.
8. A last step in trip planning is to create a map and save that map. I don't usually do this because Google Maps are not the basis of my Nissan Pathfinder's navigation system. However, creating a map that provides the best route can be a reference to the tow vehicle's map, ensuring that the route determined when quietly at home is the route followed once on the road. Otherwise, you might experience a GPS adventure!

Montauk State Park, September 2019 (photo, Michael Clynes)

Part of my fun research on possible campgrounds for this winter led me to a campground in Missouri, Montauk State Park. At the headwaters of the Current River, the state park provides great hiking trails along the river. A little over three hundred miles south of my home, the winter weathers are a bit warmer, although in January I would expect temperatures even in the teens. 

White Oak State Park, Arkansas

A campground further south might be better for January, though, such as White Oak Lake State Park in Arkansas. A bit over 350 miles further south than Montauk SP, White Oak would definitely be warmer in the winter than SE Iowa. High and low temperatures range from about fifty to thirty degrees, much warmer! The reviews for this campground frequently include the word "quiet." 

Truth be told, though, this January I'll probably be camping in my driveway or locally with my soon-to-arrive Airstream Basecamp. The pandemic is expected to be at its worst this winter, so I can learn about the Basecamp's heating systems and sleeping options from my driveway and still be available to my family. If a couple of days with manageable temperatures pop up in January, I can camp locally and familiarize myself with towing the new rig. The covid reality in no way dampens the joy of researching new campsites, though. In some ways, the need to stay close to home even whets my appetite for research.

Camping should be one of the most positive experiences in our lives. We aren't forced to camp; it's not like a job that, although we aren't really happy about it, we still show up for money to pay the bills. Camping provides an opportunity to enjoy the natural world, to engage in more outdoor activities, and to align ourselves more with the rhythms of nature. Although we have now to attend to dealing with the dangers of the pandemic, we can limit the amount of doom we allow into our lives. We can make a choice, once we have attended to our business, to maximize the positive in our lives. Camping and spending time with our cherished ones around a campfire or hiking or kayaking--these activities are worth the planning time. Isn't it great that we have the means to do this with our smartphones . . . and that by planning our next trip or actively planning a dream trip, we can avoid doting on the doom and gloom of the world. All things in balance, but if we must err in our balancing point, let us error on the side of quietly and safely camping.

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Preparing for My Airstream Basecamp Delivery

photo credit: Airstream/Prime Motor Cars, Scarborough, Maine

Excitement was the key word when my wife and I were told that our Airstream Basecamp 16' could possibly arrive in November rather than the scheduled January. And since it is now the first week on December, "possibly" was also an important word at play in my email interchange with our Airstream sales rep. When I wrote to the rep on December 1, saying that obviously a November delivery date was no longer possible, he replied: "Airstream is a little behind as they were having distributor issues getting certain parts to complete their builds.  The rep didn't know an ETA at this time but will let me know as soon as he can.  Hopefully it doesn't take too long!" 

Luckily, my wife and I are continuing our research on the AS Basecamp, searching for those items we'll need (such as a jack for possible flats) and little add-ons to sweeten the camping experience (such as rechargeable LED lights for deep cupboards and face mirrors). Below is a list of what we've come up with and have ordered. We're running out of necessaries, though, so we hope the trailer arrives soon!

It's funny how buying a travel trailer that costs six times more than my tiny trailer can change things. With the arrival of the Basecamp imminent (I hope), I've had to make some decisions on what equipment I want to keep and what equipment I need to replace. My wife and I are holding off as much as possible before buying so that we can live in the camper for a while prior to purchases. However, there have been a few early choices we've made--indeed, a few we had to make.

Towing

Part of the purchase package for the Basecamp was for the RV One dealership in Des Moines, Iowa, to furnish and install at no cost an Equalizer E2 Weight Distribution hitch, which will be installed when we travel to Des Moines pick up the trailer and have our training session with the technicians. The "Equal-i-zer" website says the hitch has a four-point sway control configuration and a weight distribution design that transfers weight to all four axles. It looks like our orientation session will begin with hitching up!

Our former tiny trailer was so light that it was not equipped with electric trailer brakes; however, the Basecamp is heavier and comes with trailer brakes. That has required me to recently have a trailer brake controller installed on our Nissan Pathfinder, our tow vehicle which came equipped with a tow package. The controller we chose is a Hayes Endeavor brand, which is a proportional braking system that provides braking in proportion to the level of braking I use when driving. I've been talking to my son, who has towed trailers (commercial) with electronic braking systems before. I've been reading the operation manual but will also probably end up calling the company and asking a few questions. My main concern is to start off with the right settings, since the installation center service manager was wiggling an adjustment gauge and now I'm not sure of the default setting. If all my basic or novice questions and concerns seem to indicate that I know nothing of these advanced towing concepts--well, guilty as charged!

A final adjustment to my towing set-up is that I've bought two clip-on towing mirrors, K Source #3791. Although reviews state that there is some vibration with this product, and although Basecamp owners state that the trailer is narrow enough that mirror extensions are not needed, I've bought the pair anyway. My tiny trailer was just five feet wide, and the extra eighteen inches in width for this trailer have prompted me to pick up the extra mirrors. Perhaps I won't use them for my local, rural trips, but for the first drive home and perhaps for trips that include heavier traffic, it's reassuring to have them. (Incidentally, the online price for these at the etrailer website was $130; the Amazon price for the same two mirrors was $40. Etrailer, through their Price Pledge program, just credited my card $98 when I informed them of the price discrepancy.)

Although not essentially related to towing, buying a jack is related to towing, since you can't head down the road with a flat. Even though the Basecamp is pricey, for some reason Airstream does not provide a jack. The jack I owned for my tiny trailer was not hefty enough for the larger Basecamp, so I've bought a hydraulic bottle jack that will lift 4,000 pounds. Along with the jack, I also bought a breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts. I already own a torque wrench, lug nut wrench, and appropriate sockets for my Pathfinder and the trailer. (Since I haven't tested these purchases, and they are commonly available, I won't provide links.)

Security

The hitch security system I used for my tiny trailer was an inexpensive set of locks for the ball and receiver hitches, costing about $35 and purchased by my son-in-law at a local store. I've decided to upgrade, though, for the Airstream

• Proven Industries coupler lock made for Airstream trailers. At $295, this is a pricey item, but when it arrived, the lock's strength is evident. First, it is heavy! The lock I received is different than the photos on the page site, but I called the company, and the rep said that if there it is "36" on the "ball," then the lock is correct. Yes, there's a "36." This new model also holds the chain hooks, increasing security. Below is a video tutorial.

Along with the increased security of a stronger lock for the trailer, I also wanted stronger locks for the car end of the hitch. The inexpensive package system that I used for my tiny trailer was a little flimsy, really, but adequate for an inexpensive trailer. The more expensive trailer might attract more determined or professional thieves, so I wanted a heavier duty security.

• Master Lock receiver and coupler lock system. The online product description states: "These high-strength locks feature hardened receiver pins for increased sheer strength. Pick-resistant precision locking mechanisms ensure optimal security."

Luckily, the Trimax wheel lock that I bought and used with my tiny trailer will also fit the Basecamp, according to the wheel lock's manufacturer. 

• The Trimax TCL65 is easy to use and has provided me with extra security. I had considered buying a new wheel lock that is designed to cover the lug nuts also but decided to go with what I have now. 

These above purchases will get me home and the trailer secured. Mostly, my wife and I intend to use the trailer for a while before deciding what additional purchases to make. We will use our current cooking kit and won't make any specific storage purchases until we have possession of the trailer and make measurements. There are a few exceptions to that overall strategy, though, that will be fun and perhaps useful for me to add. 

Tails of Wanderlust is a blog writer and full-time adventurer whose house on wheels is an Airstream Basecamp. Cass Beach works her full-time job online, and travels with her dog and cat. Her website includes some articles on items she's found that have made her inside living space more efficient and homey. My wife and I have a few of her suggestions on order, and once we have the trailer in the driveway, we'll check over her list again.

• 25 Essential Kitchen Accessories for Full-Time RV Living in an Airstream Basecamp
• 10 Best Airstream Basecamp RV Accessories for under $25

If you use the links from the Tails of Wanderlust articles, Cass will receive some advertising revenue for you purchases. My wife and I chose early purchases of some LED lights for cabinets and mirrors, some standard stick-on hooks, and a shower head shut-off value. We know we'll be using these items. I've also purchased a 15 amp to 30 amp adapter plug so I can keep the Basecamp's batteries charged while it sits in the driveway.

One last purchase my wife and I made were three new cooking chef's knives and storage safety covers for the knives. With the Basecamp's inside kitchen, we know we'll have a little more space to use and store the better knives.

• Henckles chef's knives: "Fabricated from high quality German stainless steel, the set includes a 4-inch paring/utility knife, a 6-inch utility/sandwich knife, and an 8-inch chef's knife."
• Universal knife edge guards: "Safer, non-BPA materials that are felt-lined so that they protect your knives’ integrity without marring their finish or dulling their blades as they slide in and out of the sheath."

And now we continue to wait for that phone call or email telling us the Basecamp has arrived in Des Moines. We have our funds ready for a wire transfer so we can skip one more meeting during this pandemic. Then we'll mask up and head to the RV One dealership for our orientation. After that, the open road will call . . . and we will answer!

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Building an Inside Toilet/Shower Enclosure for the Clam Quick Set Shelter

Two sliding curtains create a pie-shaped enclosure

Adding the Clam Quick Set Escape Shelter to our tiny trailer campsite really added to our protected camp space, keeping my wife and me protected from wind, rain, sun, and bugs. However, adding our utilitent to the camp space for our shower and toilet area in addition to the Clam really added to the camp's clutter and inconvenience, especially regarding stabilizing guy lines to secure the tents from winds. My wife provided me with a challenge--to build an enclosed area inside the Quick Set shelter for toilet and shower purposes. It turned out to be surprisingly easy.

We use the Quick Set wind and rain screens for our shelter, mostly to add a bit of privacy but also to protect our coolers from direct sunlight. Our plan was to buy extra screens and to block off a portion of the Quick Set to use when necessary.

The first photo at the top of this article shows the enclosure when set up with the toilet. The six-sided Escape shelter has a pie-shaped roof, sectioned off by the enclosure's support poles. I utilized one of the pie sections to define the enclosure area. The two 3/4 inch capped PVC pipes are six feet long. Drilling holes at the end of each pipe, I threaded cord through to provide connecting loops slipped over the roof struts and attached with small carabiner clips. For the connection in the middle of the tent, I tied the "V" together and then added cord long enough to attach to the roof center ring. 

Wall connection loop and carabiner

Center connection, raised to provide headspace

Center connection, lowered to provide a level curtain

I bought grommet kits at the local hardware store and made holes for the curtain rings. I bought plastic shower curtain rings, but the metal rings would probably work better. When not using the enclosure, I can raise the center attachment, slide back the curtains, and the enclosure space disappears, leaving the shelter available for other activities. 

Grommets and curtain rings

Closed for privacy

For showers, I bring along a couple of plastic door mats to stand on, and I place the enclosure space on the downhill side of the shelter to allow for run-off. Lots of times, though, our campsites have gravel, so run-off isn't a big issue. 

Are there downsides to this concept? Of course, but most are related to the multi-use sharing of space that all small camping set-ups have to deal with. What I like with this toilet/shower solution is that the poles will fit into the Clam carry sack, leaving the curtains (with the rings attached) to be stored in a small duffle. The curtains might also fit in the shelter's travel bag; I haven't tried that yet. 

That's it! For those of you that own these "umbrella" shelters, maybe this idea will be useful for you, too. 

References

• How the Clam Quick Set Shelter Helped Us Through Four Days of Rain
• The Consistent and Loud Case Against Bathrooms in Tiny Campers
• Review: Cleanwaste Portable Toilet
• Review: Iron Hammer Portable Electric Camping Shower
• Review: The Green Elephant Utilitent

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How the Clam Quick Set Shelter Helped Us Through Four Days of Rain

As I pulled away from home on a Tuesday morning, pulling my tiny trailer and all packed up for a two-week stay at Rathbun Lake in SE Iowa, I was fully aware that the weather forecast was for four straight days of rain. I was excited about the trip, though, and felt that the weather would help me secure a good first come, first served campsite at Buck Creek Campground, one of three Army Corps campgrounds on the lake. (There is also a state park campground.)

I was able to find my spot and set up camp prior to the rain hitting--including our Clam Quick Set 140 x 140 inch shelter. Then the rains came and never really left for the first four days of my fourteen-night "staycation" here at Buck Creek Campground. I knew it was going to rain because of the forecast, so you might ask, "Why endure the rain? Why not show up later?" The answer is twofold: 1) I felt I'd have a better choice of first come, first served sites on a Tuesday rather than a Friday, and 2) I needed some rest, so why not in my tiny camper beside the lake? I was right on both counts because I secured a great site and got some good rest. 

My four rainy days of camping turned out well for me in part not just because of my easy-going manner but also because of the Clam Quick Set shelter that I used--with the wind/rain covers for the windows. I think that if I had been forced to do all my camp chores in the rain, the mist, or just in the wet between the rain spells, I would have had much less fun. Prior to this rainy stay at camp, my wife and I had primarily used the Clam for sun and bug protection. We're glad to know that with the wind panels, the shelter also works in the rain. This is not unplanned by the manufacturer, though. If you look in the photos, you can see that the shields attach with a flap folding over the top of the shield in order to keep the rain run-off on the outside of the shelter.

My wife and I have used a Quick Set shelter for two camping seasons, but I have to admit that we have bought two of the shelters. The first worked great, but at the beginning of our second camping season, I attempted to put it up without reviewing the company video guide . . . and mangled the process badly: upside down, backwards, and inside out--and if you can get a picture in your head of all those "umbrella" pull-outs upside down, backwards, and inside out, you have an idea of the dilemma I was in. I remember at one point my wife's son was helping me "put it back the way it was when we started." Nope, with all those push-outs pushed the wrong way and folded the wrong way, finally we gave up in despair. My wife suggested that we take the mess home, throw it away, and buy another because she likes doing her office work in the shelter. 

I finally agreed, humbled and humiliated, but expressed one request: "What happened here today in the campground stays in the campground." I'm breaking our pact for the good of other campers. The Clam Quick Set is easy to put up and take down--if you follow the instructions. And the best way to learn is to watch the company's instruction video. It's clear and straightforward. With all those push-outs, though, don't think you'll just wing it and can always just back out of the process and start over. That would be like playing the game Pick Up Sticks and at some point of disagreement saying, "Well, let's just put them all back the way they were when we started."

Central "eyes," part of the shelter's framing, being used to tie down the Clam

Following the instructions for putting up the shelter, it was easy to do alone. I erected the shelter, staked and tied it down, and added the wind/rain shields. I was ready for the storm. One hint I was given by another Clam owner was to tie down the Clam using the metal eyes on the frame, rather than the sewn-in tiedown eyes on the fabric. The metal eyes are part of the frame, which makes the wind ties even more secure. 

The wind/rain screens are also useful for privacy and sun protection. I've been showering in the Clam, on the downhill side, and I close up the shelter to ensure my privacy. I also keep up a couple of the screens on the sunny side to shade the ice chest, trying to keep the ice last as long as possible. 

Mainly, though, the Clam provided me with an extra room during the constant rain, allowing me to cook without being rained on, and providing me an extra room to get out of the tiny trailer and sit in a comfortable chair. Even with all the rain, the shelter didn't leak, or at least so little that the tables and the canvas chair never were dripped on. Towards the end of the four days, the shelter did get wet inside, just a faint sheen of moisture, but I believe this was because the humidity was 100%. I could still sit on the canvas chair, and the bit of moisture on the metal tables wasn't a deal breaker--compared to the rain outside. 

It was cool enough at times that I used my infrared heater, which also made a great reading light. I believe that I was more comfortable and relaxed during the rainy days because of the shelter. The shields stopped the rain; I even added our sixth shield over the Clam's entrance. It sagged a bit at the top but did block most of the rain. 

Our Clam Quick Set 140 x 140 is pretty big, but when bundled up in its case, it fits easily into the back of our Pathfinder with the seats dropped. I bought stronger metal tent spikes for securing the shelter, but that's pretty standard for all such purchases. With my wife working in the shelter as her office space, I'd have to empty out half of the equipment, but on this two-week stay, my wife is only camping with me on weekends, eliminating the need for the Clam to also be our mobile office. 

All in all, my wife and I are happy with the Clam. It's sturdy, versatile, and is easy to assemble--if you follow the instructions. Which I plan to follow to the letter from now on!

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How Experienced Campers Get Their Drinking Water

Campers need their water just like everybody, and just like many, they prefer their drinking water be better filtered than tap water. I recently engaged in a lively conversation on three different social media camping groups about how campers keep themselves hydrated, and I'm happy to say I learned a lot and will share with you what I learned. Keep in mind, though, that much of what I'll be sharing comes from the advice of others, which has not been tested or verified by me; I can and will share my personal experience also, as simple as it is. I also have focused on systems more to be used for campers other than hikers--that is to say, mostly for smaller camping rigs. Therefore, I haven't included the small, highly portable personal pen water purifiers and the like, although I enjoyed reading a bit about them and appreciate the sharing attitude of those who contributed.

People feel differently about whether or not tap water is safe to drink. The word "safe" doesn't mean the same thing for everybody; different people use different evaluation standards. Campgrounds generally either use municipal water systems or well water, but the question is, especially for the well water systems, what about contaminants from agriculture or industry? How often is the water tested? As one camper put it: "Everyone should buy a tester even if you have a filter. We have a filter on our camper, and at the campground we're at right now in Virginia, I tested our water. Water is safe under 50ppm (parts per million); ours tested at 530ppm! The light turned red, warning us not to drink it!" No particular brands of water purity testers were mentioned in online water safety discussions, but online water testers are readily available, most pricing out from 15-25 dollars.

As a tiny trailer camper, my rig has no freshwater tank. I either get water from a tap or bring my own from home--and do both, as a matter of fact. I own a 3-gallon water jug with a spigot, bought as my town's natural foods store, chosen because the plastic is specially formulated so it doesn't leach dangerous chemicals into the water. Also, I own three gallons worth of stainless steel containers that I also use to transport my filtered water from home, which gives me a total of six gallons of freshwater capacity. For our local camping, this works well. My wife and I typically use between a half gallon and a gallon of drinking water a day, the variability being determined by temperature, activity level, and how many times we steam vegetables.

Other campers from social groups indicated a variety of "bring your own drinking water" solutions, including buying bottled water in individual plastic containers or gallon jugs. Many campers brought filtered water from home, refilling a variety of containers: insulated water coolers, large 3-gallon or 5-gallon non-leaching plastic water jugs (some with hand or battery-operated pumps). Another family chose a water-ready "jerry can" option: "We got one of the Rotopax that is two gallons and then another bigger one that is five gallons. We just fill these each time we go out. Less plastic waste if you're into that sort of thing. It was a bit awkward to use at first, but it takes very little space, is super durable, and can be mounted outside the jeep [or hard-sided trailer] somewhere!" There are jerry can water-carrying products other than the Rotopax available, of course. One water transport possibility beyond the 3-5 gallon options was even mentioned about a friend who boondocks regularly who fills a 15-gallon water bladder which is stored "under one seat of the dinette."

If you don't want to transport all your drinking water from home, though, what are the alternatives? The first step most campers took for drinking on-site campground water was to buy an on-line water filter for a hose attached to a campground spigot. This approach was especially true of those camping rigs that had plumbing. These filters clean out contaminants for campers' kitchen and bathroom systems. Most comments referred to the Camco TastePure inline water filter, readily available online, which "greatly reduces bad taste, odors, chlorine, and sediment in drinking water," according to the product description. These filters come in one- or two-packs, and Camco also sells drinking water 25-foot hoses (rather than garden-grade hoses).

Some people--and from comments one could probably say "many"--want drinking and cooking water that comes from purifiers that do better than just "greatly reducing" contaminants. How about really, really pure? Fortunately for people wanting a high standard of purity for their drinking water, systems are available. For a few campers with rigs large enough to mount purification systems, some used home filtration systems, mounted in the kitchen area. I'm considering this option when my wife and I get our 16-foot Airstream Basecamp next year. There are several "maybes" though: space for spigot above the counter and filter system beneath the counter, and whether a house-designed filter system will hold up under the jostling of RV travel. One RVer said, "Three years on the road and several thousand miles and zero problems," regarding his whole-house water filter, but the photo he posted online seemed to show that he had a large RV, not a small trailer like I'm buying. Another camper added that house filter systems that go long periods (between camping trips) without being used can grow bacteria. Calling company reps and asking such questions about usage and filter life seems like a good idea to me prior to buying any system.

For many campers who don't want to transport a lot of water, who have a small trailer or larger, and who have access to a campsite spigot, a two-step filtration system was the most common approach. The first step was to have an inline filter from the spigot on the hose that attaches to the camping unit. (Such a filter, of course, could even be used by a tiny trailer or tent camper who gets water by the bucket.) Having "greatly reduced" contaminants, then the campers use a second portable filtration system of which, folks, there are many out there. I'll mention a few, but please remember that 1) I haven't tried or tested these systems, and 2) more systems are available than I'll mention. I'm just listing a sampling from common references from online discussion.

• Berkey filtration systems were mentioned quite a few times. This company was also mentioned as being pricey but high quality.
• Brita water pitcher and filtration systems was another company mentioned. These are less expensive and smaller systems.
• Pur water filtration. Pure has water pitchers and also spigot attachments for the kitchen.
• Aquasana countertop water filtration systems. My wife and I use an under-the-sink Aquasana system at home. Ironically, the portable systems cost more than the permanent mount I have at home.
• Zero water filtration. Several online commenters used Zero systems. 
• Waterdrop filter. Includes home filter systems and also countertop. "Easy to install" was the online camper comment.

Although I'm gearing this article to tiny and small trailers, I'm going to talk a bit about a full-time traveling couple who have the blog website Living in Beauty. Jim and Carmen Beaubeaux travel in their 34-foot Airstream dual axle Excella, so their lifestyle and opportunities are somewhat different than tiny trailer campers. However, they have a healthy respect for the conservation of water and the procedures they use to have pure water and to not waste it. The link to their website describes their water systems, techniques for conserving water, and the gear they use, much of which is applicable to smaller trailer life. Even if you're not really interested in how someone who owns a big Airstream deals with water, their website is beautifully constructed--and they have four years' worth of on-the-road stories.

Another commenter to my online water purity discussion provided the URL for the Washington State Department of Health's article on "Purifying Water During an Emergency." It's a short article that describes how to kill bacteria and viruses. The article contains a good reminder that bleach and boiling do not remove chemicals, solids, and other contaminants. I found the article useful because it mentions how much bleach to add to water to make it safe. I don't intend to use this for my drinking water, but I can use the formula for rinsing out my containers every now and then.

The most common approach for all experienced campers who responded to my online query about safe water guidelines was to use a two-step approach: first the filter on the RV hose, and then some better filtration system for drinking water. This, method, of course, assumes you are not just buying bottled water or bringing your water from home. Since my wife and I are in the process of changing our camping trailer from a ten-foot standy tiny trailer to a sixteen-foot trailer with kitchen and bathroom, it will be interesting what system we eventually land on for our drinking water. Thanks for folks who provided their advice. It's given me something to think about, and I hope this article has provided some useful information (and inspiration!) for our readers. If any readers have other great systems for their drinking water, please comment!

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Tiny Trailer Camping That Is Self-sufficient and Pandemic Safe

Lake Sugema Campground, a site we had considered for this trip.
The utilitent will be our bathroom and shower.

Camping for me has never been that much of a social event. Being by myself or with my wife is usually my camping experience (although that might change when our grandchildren get older and if the health environment supports more social interaction). Being on our own and discovering the beauty and wonder of the natural world that surrounds us has always fascinated me, and camping provides a basecamp for interacting with nature.

When I wrote an earlier article about how traveling solo doesn't mean that we have to feel lonely (Traveling Solo: Being Alone Is Not the Same Thing As Being Lonely), exploring that idea, I discovered that solitude isn't isolation, that there is a spiritual unity that can connect us with the world.

During this time of the coronavirus pandemic, recognizing the positive aspects of solitude is an important aspect of camping. Finding the means for self-sufficiency, both mentally and physically, is a new and refurbished survival trait that my wife and I are pursuing.

Mental Self-sufficiency

I wrote quite a bit about solitude and self-sufficiency in my traveling solo article that I linked to above. Henry David Thoreau knew solitude and used it to expand his life and his connection to the world around him. He wasn't a  hermit or anchorite, though. He still interacted with the community around him in Concord, Massachusetts. We can still interact with our social community during this time of COVID-19, but we have to do so in a manner than includes a lively acceptance of the coronavirus, its dangers, and the precautions to be taken.

Fall in Bentonsport Campground, a local campground I intent to visit again.

At the time I write this, I see the greatest danger to our present lifestyle is getting too familiar with this pandemic and letting our guard down--"crisis fatigue" is one term for the stress that prolonged interaction with a crisis can produce. It can cause us to break down . . . or give up. I've seen this in my state of Iowa, a state that never shut down completely, yet now that it has "opened," seems to be in denial of the coronavirus epidemic in many ways. The governor insists that because hospitalizations and deaths have not skyrocketed, that we can "open up." All we have to do is to take appropriate precautions. For many people, though, perhaps because of crisis fatigue, "opening up" means letting down and taking fewer precautions, which really opens up society to continuing waves of coronavirus illness. How this affects our society is really an experiment, and we won't know the effects except in real time consequences. I hope they are positive, but . . .

Some solo, late-fall camping at Indian Lake Park Campground, Farmington, Iowa

For camping in Iowa, the campgrounds are completely open now, even shower and flush toilet facilities. The guidance from the state is just "take appropriate precautions." Based on people's actions so far in opening up, some folks will just go back to pre-pandemic patterns of behavior. Some people will provide lip-service to pandemic procedures but interact in a manner that significantly increases their risk to exposure--we might call this approach "precautions lite," the idea being "I'll take the precautions I see are necessary as the day goes along." The problem, of course, is that the coronavirus is invisible. A final and best approach to being safe is to choose to continue with the best-practices protocols, even though a significant number of people have lowered their standards.

Hiking at our local Jefferson County Park

If you choose the final approach--say if you are a senior citizen or someone with health issues that put you in the greatest-risk category--then tiny trailer camping, fortunately, is an activity that can be self-sufficient, one that can be enjoyed with relatively low risk. You have to keep your mind on safety measures, though. Don't let down mentally. It's like a sport, say basketball. It's the fourth quarter, you're ahead, you let down, and the momentum flips and suddenly you're losing. Don't let that momentum change; maintain your winning streak.

Physical Self-sufficiency

Physical self-sufficiency in the time of coronavirus means being in control of your physical environment, of actively managing your physical world. That's not so hard with camping, especially if you have a small trailer instead of a tiny trailer. The difference? Small trailers can have their own kitchens and bathrooms, which allows campers to be at a campground yet to also to not be reliant on the campground's facilities. You're hiking, relaxing and enjoying nature, but you aren't sharing facilities with people outside your safety bubble.

Honey Creek State Park with some fall seclusion

Even with tiny trailers, complete self-sufficiency can be achieved; it's just that everything won't be self-sufficiently contained in one camper unit. You have to improvise and bring some add-ons. My wife and I will be camping next week for five nights (Sunday--Thursday), and plan to bring all the equipment we need to be completely self-sufficient. Here's our list of extras.

1. Utilitent. Our Green Elephant utilitent will provide us with a small private space for toilet and showering needs. We've owned this shelter for several years and have found that it works well.
2. Toilet. We own both a water-using portable toilet and a dry-bag toilet. For this trip, we are going to use the dry-bag toilet because it will allow us to not even interact with the campground's dump station. 
3. Shower. Although I'm providing a link to the shower unit we're going to use, since I've only tried it once in our shower, we're not vouching for it. It's a small battery-powered unit where the suction-motor is immersed in a bucket, and the shower head is attached to a long tube. It cost under $50. We'll see if it provides minimal bathing opportunities. I've bought two five-gallon buckets for water, which we'll fill early in the day and set in the sun for the water to warm. We also have an induction burner and pot to heat water with. 
4. Quick Set Clam outdoor shelter for office and cooking. We've used this Clam shelter for one season and have been pleased with how our livable space is expanded, especially for my wife's office space. Even though our tiny trailer is a "standy," it's still small, and having the extra space of a tent-shelter will increase our self-sufficiency. 
5. Kitchen and food. I've provided a "Camp Cooking" link for several articles I've written about cooking, equipment, and procedures. Since my wife and I aren't big about going out for dinner while camping, we've had a complete cooking set-up for quite some time. 
6. Tiny trailer. This "Why Tiny Trailers?" link provides articles about why having that tiny trailer (or small trailer), as opposed to a tent or big rig, is a good thing. A place to get out of the weather, more security, a "bed on wheels," there are several reasons why owning a tiny trailer increases the safety and self-sufficiency of camping.

Once we set up our safe "COVID-19" basecamp, we'll be able to enjoy ourselves, having distanced ourselves from close interactions with others. When we show up at our reserved campsite, we will sterilize those areas possibly touched by the previous occupants--table, electric hook-up, and water faucet. We will take sanitizing spray and face masks with us when we walk, and we'll continue to wash our hands often and keep our camper clean.

Our Quick Set Clam, or "Mobile Office 1"

The great thing is that this camping lifestyle isn't that much different than how we have camped in previous years. We're adding shower, full-bathroom use, and sanitizing procedures (as opposed to standard cleaning). Also, at this time, we're still camping closer to home. Our camping spot is at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Iowa, which is only twenty-five miles from home.

The Green Goddess, the safe focal point of our self-sufficient camping

This is our first outing together since the onset of the coronavirus. This spring I've been busy in the garden, which is beautiful and producing lots of vegetables. We're lucky to have our son who will watch over the garden while we're gone--watering, weeding, and spraying (and harvesting and eating). I've read online about others who have already gone camping this season. My wife and I are moving cautiously and locally out into the camping world again. I'll keep you updated on our experiences.

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