What to do at 215,000 miles? Time for a change? (1 Viewer)

[jmw101]

Not a chance. Time for a road trip.

We loaded up and drove out from Texas towards San Diego. Spent the first night in Flagstaff and then explored the south rim of the Grand Canyon a little the next morning. Then drove to San Diego (Carlsbad, actually.) There, we picked up a rental AirStream trailer and headed north to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.

The AirStream trailed like a beauty. It handled well in the wind, although going through Los Angeles with that thing behind me was occasionally a little tense. The hardest part of the drive was staying disciplined with speed, as I normally have a little bit of a lead foot. It was fun watching the altimeter on this trip. We saw everything from 34' to 7,200'. No heights like Colorado and elsewhere, but certainly a lot of variance.

We stayed at a few parks and spent five days in the parks, and then it was time to head home. Drove back to San Diego/Carlsbad, returned the trailer, dipped our toes in the Pacific, and then headed east.
All total, about 4,100 miles on this trip.

The 200 continues to be an absolute workhorse.
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[Haggis]

What length and model did you rent? My Wife and I are seriously considering buying an Airstream.

 

[lcgeek]

Awesome adventure. PICS??????????

 

[jmw101]

What length and model did you rent? My Wife and I are seriously considering buying an Airstream.

We rented a 23' International. We really enjoyed it. Used a weight distributing hitch and a brake controller. The LC did not struggle with this at all, in my opinion.

 

[jmw101]

Awesome adventure. PICS??????????

Sorry. I had permissions set wrong. Should be visible now. I should have some others -- will post more tomorrow.

 

[TeCKis300]

The airstream looks great on the LC.

Which company did you use in Carlsbad? I've rented one before from the Riverside area, but didn't know there was a company in Carlsbad.

 

[Haggis]

Thanks! That size and maybe...25ft is where we want to go. I met a nice couple in Paso Robles, CA towing a 25ft International with a 2008. He swore by a Hensley hitch if I am not mistaken.

 

[TXSunDevil]

Did you hit the Grapevine on I-5? How did it do on the pass?

 

[jmw101]

The airstream looks great on the LC.

Which company did you use in Carlsbad? I've rented one before from the Riverside area, but didn't know there was a company in Carlsbad.

We rented from Road & Board in Carlsbad. They were great to work with and were solid. The equipment was in great shape and extremely clean. They have a number of 23', 22', and Bambis. They also rent "other" tow vehicles (Nissan products), some pickups equipped with roof top tents.

I'd recommend them if anyone else is interested. I believe they said they were about to expand, possibly in the Vegas area.

There's another place in LA that rents them, but the pricing is much higher and they require you to rent their tow vehicles.

 

[jmw101]

Thanks! That size and maybe...25ft is where we want to go. I met a nice couple in Paso Robles, CA towing a 25ft International with a 2008. He swore by a Hensley hitch if I am not mistaken.

I used one of their "Equalizer" hitches and I liked it. I have not used or even seen a Hensley hitch, but everyone seems to rave about them.

The 23' was comfortable for 3 adults. We had four, so it was a little tight. I had looked at 25' models a few years and really, really liked the layouts.

Definitely got a lot of compliments on the trip. They might have been talking about the Airstream. Heehee

 

[jmw101]

Did you hit the Grapevine on I-5? How did it do on the pass?

We did and it did great on the pass. I kept the speed between 60-65. The LC did great the whole way, and I didn't ever feel that the truck was underpowered or struggling. I definitely had to make a conscious effort to stay below 65.

Even with some decent wind, the whole rig was solid as a rock. I would imagine this section of I-5 is much different in some rougher Winter weather or in extreme/higher winds.

A little different than 98% of Texas, for sure.

 

[TXSunDevil]

We did and it did great on the pass. I kept the speed between 60-65. The LC did great the whole way, and I didn't ever feel that the truck was underpowered or struggling. I definitely had to make a conscious effort to stay below 65.

Even with some decent wind, the whole rig was solid as a rock. I would imagine this section of I-5 is much different in some rougher Winter weather or in extreme/higher winds.

A little different than 98% of Texas, for sure.

Great to hear. That Grapevine is a great test for a vehicle towing a trailer.