On our new toy...

[MarkT]

Seth asked what RV we got.  Didn't want my retirement post to be hijacked into an RV discussion, so posting that here.  Sounds like it's the type Seth is into.  It's a "teardrop" class travel camper.  A "starter" RV, apparently many RV-ers start small and move up - actually we did, our last one was a Timeout popup camper - which will be for sale when I go over it & make sure it's ready.  This is a Little Guy Mini Max FX, 2023 camper, made in PA (partly) by the Amish. Actually it has all the features the big rigs have, but in a compact package.  Except it doesn't have an oven. Or a dishwasher.  That's OK, a dishwasher uses too much water, when you have to manage that with fresh, grey and blackwater tanks - especially when "boondocking".  Does have propane/electric fueled (absorption) large refrig/freezer and water heater.  Propane furnace & stove.  13.5k btu 120v A/C.  120v Microwave, 2 sinks, shower & ceramic toilet.  Queen size bed, dining area, 12v Jensen 1080p TV & audio system - speakers in & outside.  All 12v LED lighting.  The cabinets are all maple hardwood - no particle board.  Offroad capable.  Net weight 2320#, gross 3500.  Tanks are 25gal fresh, 6 gal water heater, 30gal ea grey & black.  Electric service 30amp for shore power.  Also solar rigged and supports add'l auxiliary solar.  Tires are Class D offroad duty.  Torsion suspension. Electric brakes. I rigged the weight distributing hitch, the power hitch jack, and extra propane tank. Also did some tuning on the electrical system, and bug-proofed the various vents.

There are dealers across the US - Got ours in the Springs at Cousin's RV.  Here's a link to the floor plan. There's lots of info online as well as FB forums.  And of course on youtube.

https://golittleguy.com/lg-mini/

Check out the pics of the floor plan.  If you like this one, the FX has significant upgrades over the standard model.  

A FB forum - https://www.facebook.com/groups/littleguymax/

Our Mini Max FX:

[Jess from VA]

That is a very nice rig.  

It looks much larger inside than outside.  

The inside pics remind of below deck boat layouts.

My folks traveled the country with a trailer; they'd leave MI before snow, and return in spring/summer.

Every year they'd take off to see new places and things for a month or two, but they'd end up at an RV park in the (warm) south and stay put.  It varied for a while, but it ended being their favorite RV park around Tucson AZ.  A lot of like minded people did the same, and the park became a community and friends were made.  Show and tell amongst the RVers and their rigs (and some hairy moments in the mountains) made them decide to move up to a 5th wheel.

Mom loves to travel; dad would have stayed home but traveled for her.   He's gone, and so is the 5th wheel and the Duramax/Cummins diesel.  So now my 93yo mom flies to Las Vegas and her niece drives her all over the West and National Parks for a couple weeks most years.  

But how in the world will you get a Valkyrie in there?     

  

[Valkorado]

   Congrats and thanks for posting this Mark.  I'm sure it's quality since you've done the research.  Looks like a well built, no frills unit.  2023, brand spankin' new even! This is exactly the size and feature package I'm after.  I'm doubtful I would move up from a smaller unit at this stage in life. I also like the easier manageability of the smaller units.  I prefer travelling light and these already have the kitchen sink (not to mention a toilet, bed, A/C, fridge and stovetop). What the heck else does a person need?  Oh yeah, tunes and some media for news and entertainment.  I've already got solar panels and a homemade 1500/3000 watt pure sine LiFePO4 generator, as well as a portable 2500w gasoline inverter generator for auxiliary or emergency power.  I'm with you on the frilly crap like dishwashers.  Keep the luxury waterhog appliances at home.  I do like the idea of a retractable canopy like I've seen on some of the smaller units, a shaded area outside a screened front door sure gives them the impression of a roomier place.

I will be looking very closely at this unit, I really like it.  I don't care for motels much anymore.  A small RV is perfect for travel, recreation and the potential call for a bug out.  I may go for a decent used one tho.  I just ordered a new 2024 truck, which will likely be the first new vehicle I have -- and the last one I ever will own.

[f6john]

I’ve never owned an RV but I like it. Plus I can see a lot of benefits to having the crapper in the shower!

[Chrisj CMA]

Very cool. I’m surprised you didn’t take a picture of it hooked to a Valkyrie. Lol

[MarkT]

We did our first shakedown camping trip to Lathrop S.P. down west of Walsenberg.  They didn't have wifi so I also checked out using an Android phone setup as a "hot spot" (which uses the cell connection to create wifi), wifi connection to an Amazon firestick, which was plugged in to the audio system with hdmi.  The audio hdmi does a passthrough to the TV. I already have Amazon Prime which includes their streaming.  The setup was painless, plug N play.  Found we could stream movies, local TV, pretty big selection of videos, including sports, weather, Pandora for tunes, etc.  In fact everything we tried worked without buffering.  I was surprised, I didn't think we could get enough bandwidth through the cell connection to the phone through the hotspot then wifi to the firestick, to stream hi-def video w/o buffering.  But the connection was 5G.  We also have a huge movie library, thousands of titles I get from my bit-torrent membership, mostly in MKV video format, we play at home in the home theater, using a laptop and played via VLC player on the laptop, and using hdmi connection to the large screen Samsung smart TV as display, with Samsung surround-sound audio system with sub-woofer.  Use a 14TB drive dedicated to bit-torrent, and several more drives as backups - thousands of movie titles fit on a 14TB drive, the size of a paperback book.  Of course we can use the same setup here.  The TV supports connection to broadcast TV but has no external antenna so we were too far from any broadcast antenna to get a signal from that.  BTW Dish (and I suppose other providers) has a RV satellite antenna  you can mount or just set outside and it will automatically aim at their satellite. It's a dome type fixture. Doesn't cost much and you are only charged about $50 added to your monthly bill, for months you use it.  This would work if you want to stay connected while boondocking (especially for weather forecasts) where there's only satellite connectivity - like in the SW mountains or desert.  (Frankly the news pisses me off so much lately I prefer mostly music and weather.)

I didn't mention, the camper also has a propane gas passthrough connector (below the external speakers & TV mount), if you want to hook your grill up to the gas supply.  However that connection is already regulated meaning it's low pressure, around 2 psi or so. You need to convert anything hooked to it, to low pressure. That is, get a kit that removes it's regulator.  I bought the kit but then I realized that means I can only use the Q1000 Weber hooked to that low pressure connection; no using it hooked directly to a propane bottle.  Decided I wanted to keep the regulator for off-camper use so I just connect it to the extra gas bottle on the A-frame, as I don't see any advantage to using the low pressure connection.  I prefer charcoal for steaks and BBQ grilled with sauce basted on (like chicken with Sweet Baby Ray's, to caramelize the sugar - do that with the Weber Q1000 cast iron grill and cleaning it sux) but charcoal is just too messy & a hassle with the rig.  The Weber with cast-iron grill does a better job on sausages and pork chops anyway, a great job with the griddle - pancakes, eggs, etc - and good enough with burgers.  Love the grill marks it leaves.  Also my 14" cast iron skillet fits on it perfectly - nothing better than trout with egg wash, flour coated & fried in butter on cast iron - in the woods!

Like this:  (Yep I just got back from the dawn trout-tempting.  Nope, they didn't like my fly choices so we're having brats instead.)



BTW.  If you want great coffee in camp, source some fresh premium coffee beans, hand-grind the beans with the hand grinder set to course.  Use a French press.  Bring the water in a sauce pan to a boil, let it cool for 45 seconds, pour it in the press and let it steep for 33 seconds, stir for another 30 seconds, insert the press piston & top and let it steep for 4 minutes, then slowly push down the press.  Pour and enjoy!  Better than Starbucks, trust me.  But then, anything in the woods tastes better than not...



I also didn't mention, I bought a new Westinghouse iGen 4500DF digital inverter generator for boondocking.  It has a 30amp connector; connects directly to the 30amp shore power port on the camper.  It's a very quiet generator, intended for RV's, electric start and dual fuel.  Delivers 30 amps even running on propane.  That's the main reason I installed the weight distributing hitch - so I can put the generator in the back of the 4runner, add more stuff like another fuel bottle and whatever we don't put in the camper, and not have the truck sit too low in the back, or degrade the handling.

There is a shade available which fastens to the Keder rail, but we don't have it and we are looking at what we want to do for shade.  The paradigm is, minimize planned setup/takedown tasks balanced against comfort/convenience desired.  Already have setup on shore power (or generator) & water hookup, leveling including the corner stabilizers & their blocks, wheel chocks, disconnect tow vehicle (increased with WDH), BBQ setup, outside carpet stow, chairs & table, secure stuff inside, turn on/off battery power, sewer drain & flush.  Not to mention change the queen bed back/forth to a dining area (which is a morning & evening task daily anyway).  Bought and installed a LevelMatePro device which bluetooths to your phone and makes leveling really easy.  Resolution, goes down to 1/4 inch.  Left-right leveling: Old way, put the leveling ramp in front of the low wheel, go to the driver's seat, move the trailer, check the bubble level, move it again, check again until level.  Now just watch the phone from the driver's seat and stop when level.  Fore-aft leveling: Now watch the phone while operating the jack and stop when level.  (You still have to lower the corner stabilizers and position the blocks under them if there's too much gap.)  You can even watch your phone while driving without putting down the wheel level ramps and stop when it's close to or actually level - works when you are stopping for the night at a big box or walmart parking lot.  Great device, wish I had invented and patented it.  The big rigs have auto-leveling - just push a button and it's done.  Yep, there's lots of other amenities on them as well - and of course a price boost and mileage cost to match.  That was included on a half-million $ coach we looked at just for S&G while at the dealer - very impressive, two bathrooms, king side bed in a stateroom, multiple slide-outs and so on - they said yep it's for sale, and has been for a long time.  Not for us and besides, the VA isn't paying enough to cover such a spendy rig.

[cookiedough]

for 2 people, that is all u need and then some.  Like said, has it all but an oven would be nice.  

lots of people in my town have HUGE 26 to near 30ft travel trailers and ONLY for 2 people since I think almost all have no kids anymore at home.  WHY?  What u have is all you need, and then some, for 2 people to enjoy weeks at a time and easier to tow and get around in.  

I have a 7x23 enclosed trailer not rigged out, but want to go travel in it and sleep in it.  Wife says NO,  not a hotel.  But, have plenty of camping gear and plenty of room to store inside so do not see the problem, except no poddy, shower, or fridge... LOL

I see it has a 2 inch receiver in back.  Do you think you could tow a fishing boat behind it or an open trailer with say ATV? 

[hubcapsc]

We built our own house.

We had an old Argosy at the building site (for about three years)...

A toilet in the shower got old after a while  ...

In my house there's a even window in the bathtub  ...



-Mike

[MarkT]

I see it has a 2 inch receiver in back.  Do you think you could tow a fishing boat behind it or an open trailer with say ATV?  

The hitch is intended for a bicycle or small cargo rack, not a trailer.  Placarded limited at 125#.  You have to be careful on loading the back of this camper so as not to reduce the hitch weight in front.  I stay aware of that, and don't put too much or heavy stuff in the passthrough storage in the back of the camper, and don't use the rear receiver hitch.  In keeping with weight distribution, I'm aware the freshwater tank is behind the axle while the grey and blackwater tanks are in front.  Liquids at 8.34# per gallon can effect weight distribution, especially with a smaller rig like this.  Tank sizes are 25gal fresh, 30gal ea the other 2, 6gal for the water heater.  That's 759# for just the liquids if they are full.  Of course they aren't all full at once since you start with the waste tanks empty and the fresh water transfers to them.

[cookiedough]

bummer on not able pulling my about 1500lb. fishing boat/trailer/motor or 360lb. 7x8 ATV trailer with 800lbs. ATV on back. 

Yah, under 125lbs. is not much to tow behind but understandable on the weight distribution thing.  If I load my 800lb. ATV too far back, even a few inches too far back and NOT in front as much, on my 7x8 open ATV trailer, it makes the trailer sway side to side a tad and over bigger bumps, the trailer hitch likes to clank upward on my ball and that is NOT a good thing for it to do. 

I might consider one RV like yours someday but only used pricing.  My wife has ideas someday on buying a used 20-22 ft. tops RV with wheels, nothing big, but probably a diesel V6 engine that will still get say 18 mpg much like our current V8 truck, that sleeps 2 people comfy for around 50-60K, but of course, would have to retire first and sell my V8 truck to afford it, and make that smaller RV our permanent all around towing vehicle.    We saw a VERY nice used one recently slightly used around 75K miles, very fancy inside, but they were asking 75K when new pushing 100K.   For that price, would have to sell, like said, my 40K truck and use it permanently to tow with. 

[MarkT]

The rule is, purportedly, to have 10-15% of the trailer weight on the hitch to prevent sway.

There were folks posting on FB about hitches coming unhooked while rolling over big grade changes, like RR tracks, and how to prevent that.  Never happened to me but the stories got me concerned so I picked up a pintle hitch.  Now it's superfluous since I installed the weight distributing hitch , which puts huge downforce on the ball.  But I kept it, will use it when pulling non WDH trailers.  This is it.  Amazon has it.



This LG MM FX camper is 17ft long.  The "Max" they sell, being 4 ft longer, has a wardrobe which we don't.  I don't recall if they added anything else besides more weight and add'l handling issues.  Our choice did get us a bigger 6 cu ft refrig, larger liquid tanks, better location for the microwave, more cabinet space, back storage is pass-through not just one side access, and a retractable sink and a fan in the shower.

[scooperhsd]

I like this. Would need to get a vehicle to tow it, however. I would definitly go with the weight distributing hitch.

On towing a SMALL boat behind it - IF the manufacturer said it was Ok, then it becomes what is legal in your state that you're traveling in. Kansas used to allow it behind 5th wheels, but not conventional hitchball trailers - but I admit I don't know current laws. I'd probably put the generator back there for traveling.

[MarkT]

BTW.  Installing the WDH, the instructions say you need a torque wrench that goes up to 380ft/lbs for 3 of the bolts.  Holy crap!  My mechanic's TW only goes to 100 ft/lbs and that seems huge.  I found one at Amazon for a competitive price - but still at $200 - that goes up to 650ft/lbs.  Analog measuring devices, you want to try to use them in their midrange.  One reviewer said he thought the 650# wrench required two big men to operate!  OK, actually, being about 36" at the handle,  650ft/lbs would be 217# at the handle.  That's a lot of pull!  So at 380 ft/lbs, I have to pull 127# at the handle.

[Jess from VA]

In my house there's a even window in the bathtub

My house has the same thing in the master bath Mike, though higher.  When I first saw it I was like WTF?  But it only took a moment to realize that's the only spot for any window to go in there, and without it there'd be no natural light at all.  When I got new windows, I got frosting on the lower pane of that double hung, for privacy from three houses with raised decks in back, behind me.  Though I hung a waterproof curtain over the window to keep the shower off the wood frame (which over time would be a problem). 

The funny thing is that that small window offers one of the best views from my whole house.

You don't have any neighbors to worry about, except wildlife.   

[scooperhsd]

MarkT - you said you carry a small propane grill with you ? Well, if you need an oven, just have an oven thermometer and use your grill as an oven ! Of course you need dishes that fit, but that shouldn't be that hard...

[Bret SD]

Very nice rig, Mark! My pseudo wife and I want to get an A-liner at some point. Our friend has one and she likes the hard side/roof construction. It'll have to wait until we move to another state, storing it here is at least 1000.00 every month.. which ain't gonna happen.

[cookiedough]

On my 1/2 ton truck, I have a Saris 4 bike rack with a 2 inch ball hitch extension on back of the bike rack to tow my small open trailer with ATV or fishing boat behind.  Neither weigh over 2000lbs. and works well I feel confident the bike rack extension can easily handle the weight, pretty heavy duty.   Would I do over 3000lbs., no way, but under 2000 lbs. is not an issue. 

[Thunderbolt]

Nice Mark.  We have been RV'ing since 2005 so have some experience with a lot of uh oh's including several tire problems early on.  If you don't already have a TPMS system to monitor your tires it is a good investment.  Gives your pressure and temperature as you drive in case of a slow leak or blowout.  Peace of mind.  Plus I don't have to crawl around to check air pressures on our 5th wheel, just turn on the monitoring unit which in our case is separate unit but Tire Linc by Lippert works with an app on your phone.

[Binkie]

Amazing how much stuff they can package in a trailer that size.

[Savago]

Looks awesome!
 

[jim@98valkyrie.com]

I didn't mention, the camper also has a propane gas passthrough connector (below the external speakers & TV mount), if you want to hook your BBQ up to the gas supply.  However that connection is already regulated meaning it's low pressure, around 2 psi or so. You need to convert anything hooked to it, to low pressure. That is, get a kit that removes it's regulator.  I bought the kit but then I realized that means I can only use the Q1000 Weber hooked to that low pressure connection; no using it hooked directly to a propane bottle.  Decided I wanted to keep the regulator for off-camper use so I just connect it to the extra gas bottle on the A-frame, as I don't see any advantage to using the low pressure connection.  I prefer charcoal for steaks and BBQ grilled with sauce basted on (like chicken with Sweet Baby Ray's, to caramelize the sugar - do that with the Weber Q1000 cast iron grill and cleaning it sux) but charcoal is just too messy & a hassle with the rig.  The Weber with cast-iron grill does a better job on sausages and pork chops anyway, a great job with the griddle - pancakes, eggs, etc - and good enough with burgers.  Love the grill marks it leaves.  Also my 14" cast iron skillet fits on it perfectly - nothing better than trout with egg wash, flour coated & fried in butter on cast iron - in the woods!

Mark, I used to live in a 5th wheel for a couple of remote projects I was working on. Had that same Weber gas grill (maybe one size larger) and it performed flawlessly! I'm a big charcoal guy too, but the Weber does a mighty fine job of cooking all the things I wanted to. Yeah, cleaning up after grilling some Teriyaki chicken (homemade recipe) can be a real pain. But, always worth it.
Did several Valk maintenance repairs while at that campground. That's another story.........

[Jess from VA]

My grills always cleaned up (good enough) with spray Pam and a wire brush (ceramic grill bars).  The problem was all the buggies loved that.

I wasn't going to spray my grill with Raid, so I'd just fire it up and the buggies (and one mouse) that weren't immolated abandoned ship post haste. 

[BudMan]

Nice rig, Mark!
All I'd add is an AutoSwitch for the propane tanks.
You won't BELIEVE how much better life gets with one!
BTW, are you going to be camping now at the next InZane? The campers usually start looking for a place as soon as the location is announced. Check the "Camping at InZane" threads on the InZane page.

[MarkT]

Nice rig, Mark!
All I'd add is an AutoSwitch for the propane tanks.
You won't BELIEVE how much better life gets with one!
BTW, are you going to be camping now at the next InZane? The campers usually start looking for a place as soon as the location is announced. Check the "Camping at InZane" threads on the InZane page.

No on the switch.  Since I use the 2nd tank for my grill, need the connection open.  Also, want to know my usage status at all times so the 2nd tank acts as a reserve that I need to manually switch to, and be aware that the switch has occurred. But thanks for the suggestion, always looking for ideas & learn from others.

I haven't considered using the camper at Inzane.  That's a possibility.  Also an opportunity to hang out with other VRCC campers at the fireside.  We did camp at Morgantown, at Coopers Rock S.P., in our Timeout popup.  My brother who lives in VA, joined us - as did several other tent campers for Inzane.  Since the Mini Max isn't a toy hauler, such attendance would be sans Valkyrie.  Thanks for the mention of the Inzane camping threads - hadn't seen them.

[Willow]

...
BTW, are you going to be camping now at the next InZane? ...

Just so you (plural) know, in negotiating with the InZane hotel, the number of rooms occupied contributes to what the hotel is willing to forego or discount its charge for services rendered such as gathering spaces and such.

If camping is the only way one can afford to attend InZane then I am all for it.  However, encouraging folks who can stay at ground zero to camp instead is not good for the success (or longevity) of InZane.   

[MarkT]

I have camped ONCE for Inzane, Carl.  In the pic above.  Every other time I stayed at Ground Zero.  Even though there are significantly cheaper options, I did it to support the VRCC.  Besides the hundreds in merch donated to the drawings every year (even when I can't attend) so you could generate revenue selling tickets to the drawings.  In exchange I got the above banner posted on the board headers.  And occasional posts here mentioning my products, half the time when folks ask or otherwise bring up the subject of my products or similar.  I don't think chastising me is appropriate.  Though I get your reminder for the general membership.

I am getting old.  Will retire soon.  And soon I likely will not be able to hold the bike up anymore.  Riding days are numbered for me.  Unless I trike the bikes - and that is not planned. An unrecoverable expense. Have been collecting SS for years, and recently the VA finally started paying for disabled compensation.  And in retirement, we will be changing vehicles to support touring the country.  June has already given up riding her Magna and she is 10 years my junior.  I had planned to not announce I was wrapping it up.  Just "fade away" with no warning, like MacArthur.  But thought it was better to let folks have the opportunity to get the pipes they were putting off.  I have built somewhere over 2,000 pipe sets.  So there's lots of them out there.  Seems a shame to just let my expertise whither but I have had offers to sell the business.  Frankly I'm not interested in training all the detail for a product whose days are numbered, being for a marque that is now out of production for 20 years.  Don't think it's a viable business for a new owner.

BTW, taking an RV to events is not done to save money.  It's more about the lifestyle and staying in your own space.  There are lots of costs from RV'ing that sum up to similar costs of staying at Ground Zero - and even greater, depending on the RV size.  Tenting is cheaper no doubt, so that might be a cost reason.  We did the above event so we could camp with my brother, as well as the adventure of pulling a Timeout cross country and staying in it.  It's the only big trip we did with that camper.  Others just local trips.

I expect you to reply with pushback on my comments.  Fine - have at it, it's your club.  Though I was here the first week, with Gale.  I'm not a "last word" keyboard warrior.

[cookiedough]

MarkT,

Once again on your retirement,  WELL earned and deserved for sure.  IMO, long overdue.  Go out and enjoy and travel with your 'full' retirement.  My dad who worked in a GM factory from 1950's to 1980's before being forced to retire early due to 3 spinal cord surgeries age only 55,  always said he wanted to travel the countryside, but never did, mostly due to health issues walking (very clumsy) and my mom who was a homebody just wanted to stay home all the time. 

Life is short, so start traveling the world as you already are doing.  My opinion,  never to early to retire or at least work less in age mid 50's since never know when father time will call my name. A lady I work with is age 72 and she said she cannot afford to retire, has to keep working.  So, retirement guess is not in the cards for everyone. 

I went today blew 60 bucks in gas and about 225 miles to go look at a new to me (but 11 year old) used toy myself.  2012 can am commander 800cc UTV.  NO sale today, price of 8K was right, but something wrong with the steering alignment for sure let go of the wheel, and 45 degree angle ASAP into the right side ditch.   PLus, one would think if wanted to sell, power wash the darn thing I lifted the dump bed and over 2 inches of OLD cacked on MUD on the frame all over.  If wasn't for the steering being off,  I probably would have bought it, although much LOUDER inside than my same engine 2-up 800cc can am outlander max XT.  The engine under the plastic sitting between 2 front people plus the front full windshield and roof am sure magnified the engine noise to almost not tolerable levels, especially for my wife.   Happy wife, happy life right?  So I passed on the deal today, oh well.

[Willow]

I have camped ONCE for Inzane, Carl.  In the pic above.  Every other time I stayed at Ground Zero.  ...

It was not an accusation and certainly not directed specifically at you.  Once more I say, if camping is the only way you'll get to InZane then by all means do so.  I just wanted to let people in general know that there is a cost to the VRCC when folks choose to stay away from ground zero.  Obviously there are ways that some people make up for that.