A Shakedown Trip

We had 4 short camping trips planned for May and June. 

Continuing covid lockdowns cancelled all but one of them. 

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Our intention had been to get away nearby for a 'shakedown' trip and verify that all systems worked in the new camper. Covid regulations eliminated the usual PDI (owner walk-through) that should be supplied with every new Northern Lite by dealers. We also wanted to identify any additional mods or upgrades that may need to be completed on the rig prior to our planned trip to Canadas' East Coast later this year. 

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Presqu'ile PP  

... in Brighton ON, is only a 30 minute drive from our home and we had time for a light lunch at the Whistling Duck.

We were entertained with wetland views of  Tundra Swans and their four signets.

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Our First Camp  with the 2021 Northern Lite 8-11 EX LE DB 

A new decal for our rig is coming soon. We've come up with a creative play on the lettering that lets us use the same acronym ... from 'Lance On A Ford' (LOAF 1) to the new 'northern Lite On A Ford' (LOAF 2).

A partial waterfront view.

Both awnings deployed.

Here are a few photos along the pathways and trails in the park ...

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Following our return home 

 

 ... I began working on some of the mods that we identified during the shakedown trip. We're basically trying to fit all the same stuff into the Northern Lite that we had in the Lance. Even though the NL is shorter, narrower and has 10 square ft. less floorspace (@ 114 sqft); we do appear to have more useable interior and exterior storage available ... believe it or not. 

         The valve is located directly below the toilet. Once opened, as much as 12 gallons of black water will blast it's way through the 4" septic hose on it way to a holding tank. Imagine trying to hold onto a firehose ... but with one foot! ... sh#t almost happened again. 

Dry Bath

Northern Lite calls this the "only short bed, dry bath, truck camper on the market" and they are correct. It's tiny, but workable ... you wouldn't want to be a large person (in any dimension). Bins are waterproof but can be removed for showering.

More bins and a cedar wet floor. The TP bin will be replaced with a covered one with a lid. The sink is mostly unusable

 

Entry Pantry
I re-purposed the entry door clothes cupboard as a pantry. I built some shelves and added several bins and pouches for a variety of items organized into ... kitchen, bath, medical, showering, household, personal, emergency, fire, septic etc,

GOPOWER 3kw inverter
A 50 amp automatic transfer switch is located under the dinette seating. With 370 watts of solar panels and the inverter, we can run all plugs, our microwave and small appliances (kettle, coffee grinder). Our refrigerator is 3-way and our furnace 2-way; both of which utilize propane as one of their energy sources. Lights and a couple of fans are on 12v. The only equipment we are unable to use when completely off grid is our A/C. The 12v Fantastic fan does a good job of providing good air flow through the coach. 

Another cupboard intended for clothing that will instead be used for:
liquids at the bottom (waters, adult beverages), breakfast drinks and cereals on the middle shelf and oils and some dry goods (pastas, rices etc) on the top shelf.

Bed area side bins
We ordered the custom stain that Northern Lite has made by Richelieu; it's only available to commercial contractors. NL provided the (secret) code number for the stain and the cabinet maker that built our kitchen cabinetry was able to obtain the stain for us. I wanted to adopt the same design and match any of the cabinetry and trim work that NL completed for their 8-11 EX LE DB model. I contacted NL and was told they use solid white oak for all their interior work. I was able to source 'dressed' white oak at my local Home Depot in Belleville. Then ... stain applied, an obvious 'reddish' tone ... Home Depot hardwood mis-labelled red oak as white oak. But, I should have noticed the red oak coloration myself ... oh crap, oh well!

Kitchen
1/2 length shelf added, a better sized bin will replace this one. Paper products, cans, jars.

Utensil Drawer
This drawer came with a plastic tray insert that didn't cover the complete drawer area in either length or depth. I removed it, cut some 3/16" plywood dividers and reclaimed 25% additional storage.

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Hopefully the east coast will open for us in September / October . 

We'd like to travel for 4 to 6 weeks. 

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We're LOAFin Around 

... follow along, if you like.

  

All photography is by LOAFin Around. 

TEAM: LOAF, Crumby, Wry and Crusty 

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