Maiden voyage complete!
sptucker
Member Posts: 42
First one-nighter with the new 320S BD. Dispersed/boondock camping at 8726ft altitude in north central Colorado, no hookups. I scouted the area about a week ago, and there were very few campers. Yesterday (a TUESDAY), we drove for 90 minutes and the spots I scouted were all taken. We risked a sketchy 300 yard long, 7ft wide USFS road to a gorgeous campsite with just barely enough room to turn around and point back the way we came. Pre-existing fire-ring and really just a fantastic location. A bit of fun backing into a reasonably level spot and the results speak for themselves (see below). I am discouraged that even dispersed camping is difficult to secure in the middle of the week these days. :-(
Very happy with the T@B in general. Alde worked great overnight set at 68 degrees. Water, including hot water, was not a problem. The 12V fridge kept beers and water at 35 degrees like a champ the entire time, even though I only let it get a few hour head start. Solar kept my stock 80Ah lead-acid battery in pretty good shape but I'm definitely going to install the 100Ah Battleborn this week.
We used the cassette toilet for #1 probably 6 times using biodegradable TP. I had preloaded it with 2 quarts water and 1 Thetford Free and Clear Toss-In and dumped it in one of my home toilets this afternoon. No problem -- piece of cake. I realize this is not that much waste but so far the cassette is the least of my worries.
One new issue. The door latch on the bathroom door is stuck in an unlocked position and requires a knife or other thin implement to get unstuck. I blocked this door with the camp stove on the way back home so it wouldn't just swing back and forth, but beware of this new problem.
Anyway, here's a couple site pics:


We did not use the stove in the T@B (mine has one of the glass lids that won't stay open), but did use my new Camp Chef Explorer 2X. I cannot recommend this stove enough. It's the best camp stove I've ever used, bar none. I made one-pot spaghetti start to finish in less than an hour, thanks to the 30,000 BTU burners. Not shown is the CC griddle accessory which I used this morning to make perfect pancakes. I'm considering buying a CC grill box accessory next.


Here's a shot of my daughter waiting impatiently for me to light the fire for S'mores:

And lastly, a shameless advertisement for a local beer:

Very happy with the T@B in general. Alde worked great overnight set at 68 degrees. Water, including hot water, was not a problem. The 12V fridge kept beers and water at 35 degrees like a champ the entire time, even though I only let it get a few hour head start. Solar kept my stock 80Ah lead-acid battery in pretty good shape but I'm definitely going to install the 100Ah Battleborn this week.
We used the cassette toilet for #1 probably 6 times using biodegradable TP. I had preloaded it with 2 quarts water and 1 Thetford Free and Clear Toss-In and dumped it in one of my home toilets this afternoon. No problem -- piece of cake. I realize this is not that much waste but so far the cassette is the least of my worries.
One new issue. The door latch on the bathroom door is stuck in an unlocked position and requires a knife or other thin implement to get unstuck. I blocked this door with the camp stove on the way back home so it wouldn't just swing back and forth, but beware of this new problem.
Anyway, here's a couple site pics:


We did not use the stove in the T@B (mine has one of the glass lids that won't stay open), but did use my new Camp Chef Explorer 2X. I cannot recommend this stove enough. It's the best camp stove I've ever used, bar none. I made one-pot spaghetti start to finish in less than an hour, thanks to the 30,000 BTU burners. Not shown is the CC griddle accessory which I used this morning to make perfect pancakes. I'm considering buying a CC grill box accessory next.


Here's a shot of my daughter waiting impatiently for me to light the fire for S'mores:

And lastly, a shameless advertisement for a local beer:

2021 T@B 320S Boondock | 2019 BMW X3 M40i
Comments
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Nice site!Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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I love Colorado! Glad you had a fun time out too. Looks like you made enough spaghetti to feed an army!!! 😂👍🏻Thanks for sharing your fun and enjoyed your pics!Happy trails!Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
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Yes, jealous, this weekend is our 1st planned "dispersed site". Hope it's as nice!Snohomish WA, 2015 Diesel Grand Cherokee
Sm@ll World: 2021 320S Boondock, 6V Pb-acid
Shunt, Roof & Remote solar & 30A DC-DC Chargers
managed by VE Smart Network -
Welcome and congratulations! Gorgeous spot.
Thanks for sharing what you did about dispersed sites. It has held me back from taking off and going out west to work. I need solid cellular service and those sites are probably even harder to find, right now. Maybe this fall after vacation will.be better. 😁2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014
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@jkjenn, Definitely no cell service where I was. No civilization for miles in any direction. Incredible stargazing, though!
2021 T@B 320S Boondock | 2019 BMW X3 M40i -
I know the boondocking spots with cell service are usually in high demand. Miss Colorado Springs and summer!sptucker said:@jkjenn, Definitely no cell service where I was. No civilization for miles in any direction. Incredible stargazing, though!2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014
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@MarkAl, good luck finding a spot over the weekend. I gave up on weekend camping... :-(
2021 T@B 320S Boondock | 2019 BMW X3 M40i -
@Michigan_Mike, Yep, we had spaghetti again last night... ;-)
2021 T@B 320S Boondock | 2019 BMW X3 M40i -
@sptucker
Well done! Passed thru that territory last June. Definitely see the attraction. Gorgeous.
Spaghetti is one of those dishes that just gets better after day one!
BTW, like the CC leg "levelers"...well done.
Have been considering this one. Have you found a carry case for it. All I've found is one for the 3-burner model.2020 T@B 400 "OTTO" (build date 08/19)
Factory Victron Solar; Norcold 3-way fridge
'04 Chevy Tahoe Z71 DinoKiller
San Diego, CA
www.airbossone.com
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/owen-ashurst/shop -
@AirBoss, Yes I found a carry bag for the CC 2x at Amazon for around $28. It fits perfectly and has nice pouches for the legs and windscreen sewn into the inside top.Those leg levelers were the free kind, but I did subsequently order some actual CC levelers (also from Amazon), that I have not installed yet.Really happy with the Camp Chef!
2021 T@B 320S Boondock | 2019 BMW X3 M40i -
Beautiful spot, and great review. It’s very nice for newbies to see what is working for folks. Thanks!2020 T@b 320 S BD Edge,
2018 Toyota 4Runner
Bowdoinham, Maine -
@sptuckersptucker said:@AirBoss, Yes I found a carry bag for the CC 2x at Amazon for around $28. It fits perfectly and has nice pouches for the legs and windscreen sewn into the inside top.Those leg levelers were the free kind, but I did subsequently order some actual CC levelers (also from Amazon), that I have not installed yet.Really happy with the Camp Chef!
Thanks! Curious. Are there not adjustable feet inside the legs or where the legs fit into the stove base? Great reviews on line.2020 T@B 400 "OTTO" (build date 08/19)
Factory Victron Solar; Norcold 3-way fridge
'04 Chevy Tahoe Z71 DinoKiller
San Diego, CA
www.airbossone.com
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/owen-ashurst/shop -
@sptucker
Took your advice, sir. Ordered the CC2x with gridles, carry case and a few tools. Arrives Tuesday, leave Friday AM for 10 in Sierra Nevada range. Road trip!2020 T@B 400 "OTTO" (build date 08/19)
Factory Victron Solar; Norcold 3-way fridge
'04 Chevy Tahoe Z71 DinoKiller
San Diego, CA
www.airbossone.com
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/owen-ashurst/shop -
Looks like a great site!We did Pawnee Grasslands in Eastern Colo last week. There was cell service there. FYI.We also had cell service at Bockman Campground near Walden, Co.Happy Camping!2015 Tab S with Alde
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@AirBoss, Gosh I sure hope you like the CC2X as much as I do! There are no built-in leg levelers, but I installed the CC leg levelers this week and they are worth the $20 they cost.
Certainly better than rocks!
I’m not sure which T@B you have, but if you want to use the quick connect propane on a 2021, you will need to remove the stock regulator/hose and get a CC-compatible qc hose before your trip...
Would be interested in how you like the stove once you’ve used it. I like mine so much I wound up buying the deluxe grill box but haven’t tried it yet...
2021 T@B 320S Boondock | 2019 BMW X3 M40i -
@KAR, how did you like Pawnee? Did you do dispersed camping? Was there any shade? Might be a good alternative to the mountains for me as I’m pretty close to PG (in eastern Larimer county).
2021 T@B 320S Boondock | 2019 BMW X3 M40i -
@sptucker
I'm in a 2020 400 and carry twin tanks in tongue box, and spare in the TV so should be fine there.
Thanks for the tips. I'll being putting it to use starting Friday for a 10 trip into Sierra Nevada range.
More to come!2020 T@B 400 "OTTO" (build date 08/19)
Factory Victron Solar; Norcold 3-way fridge
'04 Chevy Tahoe Z71 DinoKiller
San Diego, CA
www.airbossone.com
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/owen-ashurst/shop -
Thanks for sharing your maiden voyage! I am picking up my first T@B tomorrow in western CO! I'm beyond excited! I too will be towing it with a BMW X3 and would love your feedback on how it towed and any tips you may have.Nancy/2018 T@b CS-S/BMW X-3/Grand Junction, CO
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Great beer there! Has been one of my go to beers this summer. If you like that try Great Divide's American Lager. It's even better. And Colorado camping is terrible. Nobody should come here!!! Haha!!!2021 T@b 400 BD "Vixen Gail"
2018 Nissan Titan Pro 4X "Big Bird"
Leadville Colorado -
@sonogirl, the X3 tows my 320S BD like a dream. You will need to get the right ball mount, as mine needed to be significantly higher than the factory receiver in order to tow the Boondock level.
The one issue I had was the under-dash brake controller connector that comes with the BMW factory tow package is a bizarre European connector that I could not find a match for. I wound up cutting it off and soldering the pigtail that came with my Tekonsha P3 onto the BMW wires. This won't apply to you if you have an aftermarket towing package, of course...
2021 T@B 320S Boondock | 2019 BMW X3 M40i -
@bergger. So Many Beers, So Little Time!
2021 T@B 320S Boondock | 2019 BMW X3 M40i
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