Airstreaming in a Bambi on Two Quick Weekend Trips

Post #3 Early Camping – Part 3 of 4

Notwithstanding our camping problems in the Basecamp, we continued to believe that the Airstream brand of travel trailer best fit our interests and lifestyle.  After researching the towing limitations associated with our SUV, we decided to rent a 22-foot Airstream Bambi – the next level up from the Basecamp and the longest model in its class.  The Bambi had a 23-gallon fresh water tank, a 17-gallon black tank, and a 30-gallon grey tank, plus different eating and sleeping areas, a bathroom with a shower that is separate from the toilet, and much needed storage space.  The Airstream that we chose on RV Share was clean and well-stocked, and the owner was engaged and helpful. He brought the Bambi to our home (about an hour drive for him), and then he spent over an hour showing us how to use all the features of the trailer.

In August 2021, we towed the Airstream Bambi to the Cedar View Campground at Lake McConaughy in the panhandle of Nebraska.  The trip took 4 hours, mainly on the interstate. During the drive I learn how to manage entrance and exit ramps, gauge passing distances, control my speed, and handle the wind-blow when 18-wheelers went around us.  I have come to appreciate that the drive itself is just as enjoyable as the destination, and clearly important from a safety standpoint.  So, I limit my speed when towing to a maximum of 65 mph on highways.  Our Cedar View campsite included electricity and water (but no sewer connection), and the back-in required tight maneuvering to get between some trees. 

Upon our arrival and in classic fashion, our neighbors decided to sit, drink, and watch as I took more time than expected to get the Bambi into place.  I learned a very good lesson – practice the art of backing an RV before trying it at a campsite in front of others!  Also, during our stay, I did not heed the warning from the owner of the Bambi to stow the awning at night (although I did close it during the day when we were away from the site).  One night a wind and rain storm rolled in after midnight and I awoke to the noise of the weather and the vibration of the trailer from the still-extended awning.  Fortunately, I was able to get outside in the nick of time to manually close the awning. But, our “easy-up” (shown in the photo below) did not survive. Live and learn.

Our second Bambi trip occurred over Memorial Day weekend in May 2022. We traveled to the Logan Ranch Campground about half-way between Fort Collins and Laramie, and directly on the Colorado – Wyoming border.  We found the place on the HipCamp website – it offered 23 dispersed camp sites spread located across 500 areas!  We could not see any neighbors, and it reminded us of our car camping experiences.  Although there was no water, electricity, or sewer connection, our Bambi was equipped well for our stay.  We learned how to limit our water usage.  We discovered that, for us, the grey tank in the trailer – holding water from sinks and the shower, but not the toilet – controls how long we can camp before emptying.  We were joined by our family and friends, and they brought their own trailers and tents.  It was a good group of 12 people, so we had some amazing cook-outs, enjoyed beautiful hikes, and played cards and games until late in the evening.  We only encountered one problem – when I picked up the Bambi, the owner forgot to provide me with the power cord to run between the generator and trailer.  Luckily, we were not too far apart and the owner agreed to meet me half-way.  We now know to check everything before leaving for an RV camping adventure – the tow vehicle, the trailer, and the gear.

Now that we had tried the Bambi in locations that were close to home and for quick weekend trips, it was time for an adventure that was longer and farther.

So, What’s Next For Us?

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