First Airstream Adventure with Problems in 16 Foot Basecamp

Post #2 Early Camping – Part 2 of 4

In 2021, when we were able to return to camping after COVID, we decided to rent an RV to continue our learning and to apply the “try before you buy” approach.  I did a lot of research to determine what type, style, and brand of RV to rent including watching, for the first time, You-Tubes.  In addition, I found the website known as RV Share, which connects RV renters with RV owners.  Renting through RV Share is available for everything from Class B vans, to travel trailers and 5^th wheels, to Class C and Class A motorhomes.  I think of RV Share like VRBO, but for camping on wheels. Using their website, we decided to rent an Airstream Basecamp. 

So, what is a Basecamp?   Well, it’s a very small, entry-level Airstream that is 7 feet wide and 16 feet long, with a little kitchen, a wet bath, and a combined area for eating and sleeping.  With low weight, the trailer can be towed behind our SUV, which we also use to carry some of our gear as storage in the RV was minimal.  The Basecamp carried 21 gallons of water and had a mixed gray and black tank that held 24 gallons. Finally we were equipped for longer trips.  We met the owner in a parking lot in Denver where he quickly reviewed the trailer’s features with us, connected the Basecamp to our SUV, and then snapped this photo before we left.  The grey skies should have warned us that problems were coming.

Over the July 4^th holiday week in 2021, we took our first RV road-trip in the Basecamp.  Denise affectionally named it “Peanut” because, when we stayed in a campground or RV park, we had the smallest (but cutest and most unique) travel trailer. Our 2-week adventure took us through the mountains of central Colorado all the way out to Palisades on the western slope and back.  We planned to camp at three locations, and we also planned three stops at VRBOs along the way just in case things did not go as expected – they did not!

Our first stop was a 3-day, 2-night stay at the Lakeview Campground at 9,600 feet of elevation and across from the picturesque Twin Lakes.  We arrived with our same camping friends from 2018 and 2019 along with fresh pizza that we had just purchased in the City of Leadville.  We were excited and full of anticipation; however, the set-up took longer than expected because it was my first time and it was pouring down rain. FIRST PROBLEM – the leg for the only table in the Basecamp became detached.  So, we had to arrange boxes to support the table, ate our then-cold pizza, and played cards for hours.  SECOND PROBLEM – the table also served as the platform for the bed.  Since we were unable to repair the leg-to-table connection, we replaced the boxes with plastic storage bins so that we could use the area for sleeping.  Unfortunately, that approach eliminated our ability to use the table for eating – for the rest of our trip.  Our friends wondered aloud, and we silently questioned as well, whether tent camping was easier! 

Fortunately, the next day was dry so we explored the Town of Twin Lakes, hiked around the lakes, and then returned to our campsite to enjoy the scenery.  After dinner I set-up our new portable, fire-pit stove.  THIRD PROBLEM – ignorant of the danger, I placed the stove on our outdoor mat and its heat burned through the nylon rug. We could have started a forest fire!  Then, with the batteries in the Basecamp running low, we decided to use our new portable generator for power.  FOURTH PROBLEM – we lacked the necessary electrical adapter to connect the Bambi power cord to the generator.  Fortunately, the campground host came to our rescue and loaned us the required connector.  Wow – is RV camping really this hard?

After spending a few days at a VRBO in the Town of Buena Vista to re-group, we said good-bye to our friends and drove to the Town of Crested Butte for lunch.  Then, from there, we crossed over Kebler Pass at 10,000 feet. It was a beautiful drive on a hard-packed, narrow dirt road where only something as small as the Basecamp could be towed.

At the west-end of the pass, we arrived at Kebler Corner RV Park at an elevation of 6,200 feet near the Town of Somerset for 4 days and 3 nights. Kebler was our first full hook-up RV Park, and our site was located directly on the North Fork of the Gunnison River.  We were able to appreciate all the Park’s amenities and use all the systems in the Basecamp, including my first (and successful) discharge of the black tank – yuck!  Thankfully, I learned well from watching all of those You-Tubes.  We had perfect weather and the location allowed us easy access to explore the Towns of Paonia and Hotchkiss.  We definitively plan to return to this area of Colorado and will stay again at Kebler Corner RV Park.

After stopping for a few more days at another VRBO outside the Town of Palisades on the western slope of Colorado, our third camping location was planned for Vega State Park near the Town of Collbran at 8,000 feet.  I booked a “dry” site (no water, electricity, or sewer connections) next to the water specifically to enjoy the view, and we planned to rent a pontoon boat to explore the large reservoir.  PROBLEM FIVE – the water level was so low that our camp site was adjacent to a swampy wetland that was teaming with mosquitos. Plus, the temperature when we arrived was over 100°F.  Okay, start-up the generator and set-up camp, right?  PROBLEM SIX – our generator would not start even with a lengthy troubleshooting assist from our neighboring camper.  So, we had no choice but to leave the campground and head to another location.

But, given the remoteness of Vega State Park, there were no near-by RV parks with sites that offer an electrical connection.  So, we decided to drive to our last VRBO and the host agreed to accommodate our arrival several days early.  However, rather than driving the highway route for 2 hours, I decided that a short-cut would be better and quicker.  It was not!   Problem Seven – towing even a short RV over deeply rutted and rock-strewn dirt roads is not advisable!  The drive took us 4 hours, and at times our speed was limited to 5 mph.  In addition, due to the bumps and jostling around, all the gear in the Basecamp along with everything in our refrigerator spilled all over the floor.  We had a mess!  When we finally reached the Town of Carbondale (about 30 minutes north of Aspen, Colorado), we spent the remaining 4 days and 3 nights of our first RV camping adventure in a VRBO.  One good thing – we fell in love with Carbondale and have returned often (though not to camp).      

Despite the problems that we encountered, our experience at Kebler Corner reinforced our desire to continue camping.  We knew that what we needed was a better maintained RV – and eventually owning one would avoid problems associated with rentals.  In addition, I learned the value of checking any RV as well as our own gear before starting a trip, and to be prepared to respond to problems that are sure to arise.  Furthermore, I came to understand the need for trip planning – simply because an SUV or a truck can handle a rough road does not mean that an RV can too. And, knowing of alternate locations is well advised.  Finally, we knew that we needed an RV that was bigger, offered more storage, and did not have a wet-bath. 

So, What’s Next For Us?

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