I've been camping since I was born. My parents took me camping every summer. Back then, they had a Coachman TT. As I got older, I would go camping with friends in tents. Tent camping continued well after my military career and with a wife and three kids. We finally "upgraded" to a 1991 Starcraft pop-up. At least we were no longer on the ground! However, it wasn't large enough for everyone to be in, so it was mostly just used as a place to sleep; no bathroom, no heater, no A/C, smallest fridge in the world, no stove, hardly any storage space, only a fresh water tank, no water pump, no water heater... Not very enjoyable to be in. I made modifications which helped; collapsible shelving, grey water tanks, system for filling fresh water tank, etc. Still not enough room to sit in, let alone eat in.
Now, I am a proud owner of a 2001 Dutchmen 24QB. Yes, it's old, BUT it is in really good condition! Some minor issues, but I'm getting them fixed in order of urgency. She's ready for some camping and this weekend is going to be the trial to see what's needed, what's not, how everything works, what mods are needed/wanted, etc.
I am so excited, I can barely contain myself! No more cranking up the top, extend the bunk ends, lift the bunk roofs, set the door up, put up the shelves, unload the clothes, sweat profusely, swear (a lot
), and re-level it 2 or 3 more times because the weight of people on the bunks causes the door not to shut correctly. If it rains, the canvas (even though recently waterproofed) soaks up the water and transfers it to your pillow, sleeping bag, mattress, etc AND everyone is crowded inside...
Now, I can park my Dutchmen, level it, plug it in, crank on the A/C and relax around the table with everyone. I can get everything leveled and set up in 5-10 minutes without rushing (the pop-up was close to 30). It's a world I have missed since I stopped camping with my parents. Heat, A/C, radio, TV, stove, oven, bathroom, fridge and freezer (my pop-up's fridge was the size of this one's freezer), water pump, water heater, ROOM to sit and eat inside!
Yeah, I'm a proud owner of a Dutchmen TT!
Now, I am a proud owner of a 2001 Dutchmen 24QB. Yes, it's old, BUT it is in really good condition! Some minor issues, but I'm getting them fixed in order of urgency. She's ready for some camping and this weekend is going to be the trial to see what's needed, what's not, how everything works, what mods are needed/wanted, etc.
I am so excited, I can barely contain myself! No more cranking up the top, extend the bunk ends, lift the bunk roofs, set the door up, put up the shelves, unload the clothes, sweat profusely, swear (a lot
), and re-level it 2 or 3 more times because the weight of people on the bunks causes the door not to shut correctly. If it rains, the canvas (even though recently waterproofed) soaks up the water and transfers it to your pillow, sleeping bag, mattress, etc AND everyone is crowded inside...Now, I can park my Dutchmen, level it, plug it in, crank on the A/C and relax around the table with everyone. I can get everything leveled and set up in 5-10 minutes without rushing (the pop-up was close to 30
). It's a world I have missed since I stopped camping with my parents. Heat, A/C, radio, TV, stove, oven, bathroom, fridge and freezer (my pop-up's fridge was the size of this one's freezer), water pump, water heater, ROOM to sit and eat inside!Yeah, I'm a proud owner of a Dutchmen TT!
