Another automated Craigslist search bore fruit and we found
a 2017 Outdoors RV Black Rock listed at about half to a third the normal
cost. Willing to take a chance we went
to look at it, got the history on it and took the plunge. Dubbing her “TerraVia,” once again we set
about making her ours.
The primary differences, since everyone asks, is that
Outdoors RV makes a slightly better product for extended, more offroad type of
camping. It has slightly higher ground
clearance, better shocks – struts versus leaf springs, thermal pane windows all
the way around, and better insulation.
That put her into the 99% range of what we really wanted. She has the same footprint and layout as the
Keystone, and weighs roughly 300 pounds more.
She is also “solar ready” meaning we can install panels on the roof
eventually and the hookups and wiring are already there. For the time being we can use the one solar
plug lower down and Carl’s freestanding flexible solar panel system.
She came to us with a “rebuilt” title having been stolen
twice, “trashed once,” and then purchased at the insurance auction and rehabbed
by a man “Igor” who does that type of thing.
Igor has already found and installed decent seat cushions and window
coverings as needed but some of them would need modification. All the basic bones were just fine, all
systems worked, and we were fine with doing small items that needed to be
done.
First, out came all the lithium setup from the
Keystone. We were able to use all of the
cables we had made and installed the system under the center dinette seat,
balancing the added weight.
Next, we moved over our sleep number mattress, did some spit
and polish on the Keystone, advertised her on Craigslist and within a week she
was purchased by a wonderful pair of newlyweds, Larry and Linda. He is 80 and she is 78 and they have been
married about 5 weeks. They will use her
as their home when they venture to the Oregon dunes for dune buggy excursions
as well as other adventures. We are
certain our trailer has found a very nice new home.
While Carl did all of the setup on the lithium system Pam
tackled some of the needed minor modifications.
The largest kitchen storage cupboard desperately needed a pullout drawer
to best use the space so she manufactured one using a large basket and plywood
that we had on hand. New drawer slides
were added and voila, good easy, pullout storage. She installed new slides on the other 2 main
drawers as well. One of the scavenged
window coverings needed a complete make over and she converted the new
bedspread into a privacy curtain and other small curtains as needed to add
privacy to the pleated pulldown shades.
Carl worked with Nik to do a final inspection and turn on
the new lithium system. It all seems to
work just fine so Carl went on to his next small task, installing a quick
connect onto the propane system so we can easily hook up our BBQ.
