This is a little sooner than I anticipated but here’s the sequel to yesterday’s post. After the buildup in Part I hope you’re not disappointed but this is a big deal for me and I’m very excited about it. It’s a big part of the reason I’ve been “dreaming” about next season’s camping and bird photography trips so early this year.
This is my camping trailer, a Jayco Jayflight 19BH, parked in another favorite dispersed camping spot near Montana’s Centennial Valley. In three months it will be ten years old and it’s served our needs extremely well. The floor plan is perfect for Mia and me, all of our photo gear and our camping/bird photography style and I’ve had almost no problems with it in all that time. I use it a lot in rough country and despite the abuse it’s taken over primitive, bumpy roads it’s stood the test of time. It’s the perfect size for us, large enough to meet our needs comfortably but not so long or heavy that it’s a pain in the butt to pull on the highway or to get into relatively tight places. The only significant issues I’ve had with it have been flat tires and I certainly can’t blame those flats on the trailer.
But as I’ve aged and developed the almost inevitable infirmities that come with it I’ve missed having some of the amenities and labor-saving features of more top of the line units. And I’ve really started to worry about breakdowns in the back country and especially about roof leaks in the wintertime when I’m not using it. Rubberized roof warranties are for 10 years and believe me manufacturers have those warranties figured out almost to the day! After 10 years you’re really taking a chance with an original roof and any leaks during wintertime would be an unmitigated disaster.
So by now you’ve probably already guessed what I’ve done.
Yup, I bought another camping trailer, a Rockwood Mini Lite 2306. This photo was taken within an hour of me getting it parked on my driveway yesterday afternoon (my driveway is sloped so everything looks a little off-kilter). It isn’t new but it’s only a year old so it’s new to me and you can’t even tell it’s ever been used. It’s super clean and pristine inside and out.
It’s a little larger than my old one (but only by a foot, rear bumper to tongue) and it has many more amenities but it’s almost exactly the same weight due to all the aluminum used in construction. The quality build is obvious everywhere I look. It isn’t perfect for my needs but camping trailers never are because RV life is always a game of compromise, but it’s damn close I’ve actually been looking for a new one for over three years now but our needs are fairly unique and I just couldn’t find anything that would work well for us, until this week.
But what a pain in the ass the last two days have been for this old guy with a bad back and nerve problems! I thought getting all of my “stuff” out of the old trailer was going to kill me and it nearly did. I know I’ll be paying that price for days but it’s still fun and exciting and I’m looking forward to using my carpentry skills this winter to “fine-tune” some of the interior features to better suit our specific needs.
For the select few of my readers who may be RV junkies like I am or who may be curious about the features and amenities of my new trailer here’s a link to a video walk-through of the Rockwood Mini Lite 2306. The featured unit is exactly like mine except for two things I noticed – I have (and prefer) an oven instead of the extra cupboard space under the stove and the fabric colors of the dinette are different from mine. Everything else is the same, including the floor plan with Murphy bed and double bunks that I had so very much trouble finding.
The salesman taking us through the walk-through annoyed me for the first minute or so but after that he grew on me to the point that I ended up liking him, though we never see his face.
I know, in some ways November seems like a crazy time to buy a camping trailer but given the considerations I explained above I felt I had to get it done before winter set in. I just hope my health challenges will allow me to actually use it, especially for my trips to Montana’s Centennial Valley. That could go either way.
But at the moment I’m feeling optimistic…
Ron
Happy travels!
Thanks, April.
Very fun! Researchers say that the anticipation of good times provides as much satisfaction as does the real experience. Either way, I know you’ll enjoy it. Congrats!
And I believe researchers are right, Linda – at least to a large degree. Thanks.
Your new “covered wagon” (credit Nikon Steve) sure does look sweet! Thanks for sharing the transition with us.
I vote for some coverage of your improvements, even if they might be considered mundane or such. I think a lot of people like simple improvements such as adding shelves to a cabinet. It sometimes triggers people towards epiphanies of innovation in their own domain.
Plus, people like woodwork, said one carpenter to another.
“Plus, people like woodwork, said one carpenter to another.”
That made me smile, Dave. We’ll see what I end up doing and how it looks in the photos. Pretty boring for most folks to see the inside of cabinets though…
Congratulations! looks like a great trailer, I’m looking forward to hearing about your first trip!
Charlotte
I’m thinking it’s a good one for us. Thank you, Charlotte.
Congratulations, well deserved. I’m sure you take care of the trailer as well as your photo gear.
Elmer, when I turned my old one in they said they “never” get 10 year old trailers in as clean as mine was. By clean they mean clean literally (dirt, stains, etc) and without functional problems too. Yes, I take good care of my trailers.
Your optimism is a sure sign you will reach your goal! Congratulations!
Back in the 1970’s we tented in a hurricane that closed the deal for me to buy a pop-up starcraft camper that we took across country. If you have ever tented with a wife and two kids in three days of howling wind and rain, you can understand that this was the best decision I made. It was a very successful trip. Later years we bought a similar size to the one pictured. All memories now!
You will have a grand time and it will be ever more poignant this time because you will beat the health problems and be back photographing outside!
I envy you young fellows!!!!!
“Young fellow” – who me??? Not a chance.
Once when I was camping in a tent right next to a near-cliff overlooking Lake Powell a huge windstorm came up. I tried to save the tent so I damn near went sailing hundreds of feet over that huge lake! True story. I was digging sand out of my ears for days.
VBG, LOL!
Isn’t it grand we survived to recount the memories!
Exciting posts!! I wish you guys the very best trips with your new camper!! Excellent. You got me wishing I had more camper know-how!
That know-how comes with using one, Joanne. There’s always the renting option to see how it works for you…
Wonderful, wonderful news. Fingers and toes remain crossed for you.
Thank you, EC.
HOLY MOLY!!! Looked at video…am so jealous I could pop!!! That little thing is just the right size…not some monster….and has EVERYTHING!!! I can’t believe it has so much!!! INCREDIBLE!!! Not sure if I’ve ever had heard of that company, but can’t even imagine a better one…CONGRATULATIONS!!! I hope now, even more than before, that you can get your physical woes behind so that you and Mia can get out there where it’s birdful and peaceful in that wonderful, wonderful thing!!!❤️❤️👍👍😍😍
Thank you for your obvious happiness for us, Patty. But please don’t pop – what a mess! 🙂
😇
Ron, what a dandy looking trailer. The Murphy Bed is a great idea as it allows more floor space during the day.
I like others have said, hope that you get a lot of use out of this beautiful trailer. I’d also like to see your upgrades.
I’m glad you are feeling a little better and hope you continue on that path.
Thank you, Ron
Yes, the Murphy bed is a great idea for the reason you mention, Alice.
Great! Fun to see your new rig and summer bird “hunting” style, Ron.
Thanks, Art.
While I’m thinking about a new lens, you’re buying a new trailer! Way to go! Hope you continue your trips to Centennial Valley long enough to wear this one out too. John
We have to have our toys, don’t we, John! I hope you enjoy your new lens if you decide to get it.
How fun! I hope you will indulge the curious with interior shots of your custom refits. 🙂
I think most of those shots would be pretty boring, Arwen. A significant part (though not all) of the modifications I’m planning to make are utilitarian – things like adding extra shelves in many of the cabinets.
The camper looks like a winner. It has lots of extras for a small space. Sure it will be fun to fix up your way. I bet you will spend a night or two in the trailer while parked in the drive way to see how things work. What fun you both will have in the new trailer and I love all the windows.
Trudy, My first night or two just might be out in the boonies somewhere, and soon…
Sweet…looks like the perfect set up…looking forward to your blogs from the new covered wagon…camping is always so much better when you’re comfortable…Happy (and birdy) trails to you and Mia..
I hope it’s “perfect” or at least close to it. Thanks, Steve.
Congratulations on your new purchase. I really hope you are able to use it. I watched the video (though without sound so as not to make too much noise too early), and was impressed by how much space the trailer has. It looks as if you could be quite comfortable camping with it.
If you didn’t use sound you missed quite the performance from that guy, Susan. Fast talker, obviously both knowledgeable and smart.
Ron, good luck with the new RV. I can’t convince my wife how much fun it would be to travel to remote areas to do wildlife photography so I look forward to seeing your posts and photos which I show her in the hopes of winning her over. I really loved the hawk in flight photos from the other day. The full wing exteded shots are my favorites. Thanks for sharing nature’s beauty with us.
I hope you (we) can sway your wife’s stance on that, Reid. 🙂
Congratulations!!!!!!!!! Probably a great time to buy in that salesmen know things are slow over the winter months. Also will give you time to customize your rig over the winter.. fun stuff and I am excited for you!
Frank, I was very surprised how busy this dealer was in November. They were dealing with customers, servicing trailers and selling RVs right and left.
NICE! 🙂 Hopefully it lives up to expectations/what the salesman says about it. 😉 Joe laughed at your comments on the roof on the old one – he worked repairing these puppies for many years……… 😉 Have fun with your modifications and dreams for next spring/summer!
Judy, I’ll bet your husband would have some pretty interesting things to say about roofs, warranties and the damages he’s seen when they leak!
Yep – most of those things are a bitch to work on no matter what’s broke!
Looks really nice, Ron. I am sure you are looking forward to its maiden voyage and camping trip. How does a trailer like this do in the winter? Warm enough for Montana cold? Just curious, since someday I may go this route.
I don’t know from experience yet, Ed. But it’s much better insulated than my old trailer and the 3 water tanks are heated when need be.
Ron – looks great and sounds like a good plan to get ready now. Curious – “though we never see his face”? Good luck with your new rig – hope it brings you and Mia happy moments filled with outstanding wildlife and feathered photos.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
I guess it’s because he’s using his phone to shoot his own video, Everett.
I hope you & Mia have many good journeys ahead! Keep those fantastic nature photos coming! I’m an East Coaster, but look forward to my morning inbox when your blogposts are there….such a grea5 way t9 start my day!
Both of us sure have our fingers crossed, LS.
Happy dreaming Ron
Looks really spiffy.
Diana
Spiffy it is, Diana. Thanks.
How exciting! Seriously, couldn’t happen to anyone who will use it more thoughtfully and creatively. Thrilled for you both.
Thanks very much, Suzanne.