April 2023 a Two Trailer Family

 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.