RV Camping Taos Ski Valley [Basecamp 20X]

[@jozmahal]

Adding this to my list of places to visit. Thank you!

[@ArtistGoneWild]

I’m picking up my basecamp today and am interested in winter camping, so when you figure out what’s wrong with your heater please give us an update so we know what to look out for. ;)

[@SlowYourRoll]

Congrats! Make sure you test all the systems at the dealership before driving away. This issue is known on some of the early 21 models. Looking at the driver side bench in the rear if you see two heat vents you have the updated (fixed) heater. The ones in question (mine) only have one vent near the rear hatch.

[@ArtistGoneWild]

@@SlowYourRoll Thank you so much for the reply! We asked to test it during our walkthrough today and they also showed us that it had two vents. But for some weird reason our unit arrived missing the front bed pads?! Lol. Makes me worried they might have missed something else more major if they failed to notice something like that…😨 I hope you can get yours fixed soon!

[@kevince8520]

I'm a basecamp owner in Houston and I've been checking out this exact trip myself. Thanks for making a video on this!

[@SlowYourRoll]

Do it! It’s a great mountain to ski and very accessible.

[@UpintheAir.stream]

How does the Toyota 4Runner do with the 20X? Seemed to be a little nose down. I have a FJ Cruiser that is highly modified. Supercharged, Toytec HD 2.0 Rear Springs, ICON 3.0 Shocks, Timbren Bump Stops, Transmission Cooler, Larger Transmission pan, Regeared, Transmission Valve Body Modification (Wholesale Transmissions) , These are the mods that make it tow better. Have you done any modifications to your 4Runner for Towing upgrades?

[@SlowYourRoll]

Nothing significant beyond brake controller and Timbren bump stops. I’d say if that’s your current vehicle it’s fine. The 4Runner is underpowered as a tow vehicle but haven’t seen any adverse engine wear.

[@MichaelNegraeff]

Hey there, I had our 2022 20X out in temps just below freezing and the suburban was doing a good job but then overnight it cut out. I could see the issue is one propane tank ran out but the regulator did not switch over automatically as it should. I could not get propane to flow and show “green” from the full tank no matter the position of the regulator valve. The simple fix for me was to turn off the full tank and disconnect the hose and reconnect it back on to the tank and then switch the regulator back to the full tank and it showed “green” on the indicator. Sounds like you have a different problem though. PS what height do you have the tow ball at on your setup? It looks a little low to me but just wondering if you’ve experimented and found that to be good? I’m at about 21” and finding that about right. No WDH same as you.

[@SlowYourRoll]

In practice I only have one propane tank turned on at a time. The hot water and stove were working fine so it looks like an issue with the heater itself. We noticed there was no air coming out of the rearmost vent. I have a 3 1/4 inch drop with a Curt Rockerball. That seems to be the happy place for that set up. A 2 inch drop would be too high.

[@Douglaskraemer]

Saw your video, been camping at ski taos for 10 yrs.....my heater igniter won't spark if the battery running the fan is below 11 volts. Just blows air till I turn on the generator power.

[@SlowYourRoll]

Found a leak in the propane hose a little while later that was the likely culprit.

[@randharper5955]

Picking up my 2023 20X in a couple of weeks. Thanks for all of the terrific info and advice! Question - do you use a weight-distribution hitch? I will be towing behind a 2022 Tesla Model Y Performance. 😁

[@SlowYourRoll]

I do not use a WDH. Haven’t had any issues with sway. The BC is pretty aerodynamic.

[@Fixin-To]

That's what we call a Union coffee scoop.

[@plinytheelder1956]

Good to see you guys out and about enjoying the Basecamp 🤔 I’ve been in mine since mid October, was in Tennessee for about 3 months and now I’m in Texas near Lake Texoma then off to Arizona in a week and will slowly be migrating north to Washington for the next month. Sorry to hear about the problems with the heater. Looks like you guys have a pretty good system going with yours 👍 I’ve got mine setup pretty good too. Check out the NCamp stovetop espresso maker I think you two would really like it! I received one for Christmas and I’m loving it. Enjoy the Roll.... Cheers 🍻

[@SlowYourRoll]

What’s going on stranger? Sounds like you are getting after it. Full time or just an extended trip? Try to check out Palo Duro Canyon before you leave Texas.

[@plinytheelder1956]

@@SlowYourRoll Yes Sir! Full time. Once I get back to Washington I’ll be at my cabin and bounce back and forth between the Basecamp and the cabin as I try and get some interior work done on the cabin. I’ve have my Basecamp set up to be self sufficient on solar with the help of the Bluetti AC200Max one of their B300’s. I wired the Basecamp to receive 30amp service from the inside and the AC200Max powers that circuit. I keep them secure underneath the the dining benches and can power the entire trailer and get recharged from a solar array I built on the bed of my truck. I’m happy with the build and reliability it provides for rolling in my off-grid adventures. If the place you mentioned is in my path I will definitely check it out 👍 Didn’t mean to be a stranger, just haven’t been watching much KZbin lately. Glad to see that you two are still getting after it!!!

[@plinytheelder1956]

@@SlowYourRoll I just checked out Palo Doro canyon and it does look doable on my way to Arizona. 👍 not to far off the trail through Amarillo. Thanks for the advice, it looks amazing!! Now I just need to find a place to pull up to stay the night without falling in... LOL 😂

[@SlowYourRoll]

@@plinytheelder1956 Check out Mesquite campground within the park. That’s my favorite. In a pinch you can boondock the equestrian sites for much cheaper.

[@thaynebalzer3767]

Interesting to see how you managed a challenge like heater failure. Hope you have a video about what you find out regarding the problem. And thanks for the little tour of the inside of your BC. We have a Berkey as well. I'd be curious about how you use it while traveling - packing it up or not when changing locations Thanks again.

[@SlowYourRoll]

Waiting on a service appointment but plan on a follow up video. As far as the berkey, it fits perfectly under the sink when we travel (empty of course). We use it daily at the house to keep the filters from drying out.

[@whitleyrobertson7070]

What a bummer about the heater, such a special trip skiing….I am sure you will get that solved…..

[@ruds2600]

Was the electronic control board for the heater displaying the way it should when the heater wasn't working? Ther is a video on You Tube with this problem. That may have been a different heater. I went back and checked, that was a different brand heater.

[@SlowYourRoll]

Sounds like you were looking at a 16 model. Those have the digital Truma.

[@ruds2600]

@@SlowYourRoll Yep. Keep us informed if you find what was wrong. Thanks

[@SlowYourRoll]

Will do. My service appointment isn’t until 5 May but I did find a propane leak from one of the hoses today which may have contributed to it.

[@jeffreycarter3066]

Great content guys. How long is your warranty?

[@SlowYourRoll]

Thanks Jeff. The warranty is three years. You can also purchase an extended warranty.

[@cooltwinmomful]

Curious about the red container attached to the back of your tow vehicle. Wondering if it's water or gas? If gas what's the brand name and how did you attach it? I'm in an SUV and would like to carry backup gas but don't want it inside the vehicle . Like your setup. Hopefully you find out what is going on with the heater. I have the same Basecamp but haven't tried it yet in cold weather.

[@SlowYourRoll]

Hi Sue. It’s a gas can by Rotopax. They make both gas and water with multiple mounting options. I have mine attached to the Gobi Rack ladder. There’s also roof rack mounts.

[@cooltwinmomful]

Thank you!!!

[@bobstanley7954]

Hey could you update the Suburban heater situation - fixed and working great, still a problem, or other issues? We just ordered a 20X with the Suburban and then I saw your video plus A/S website specs say Truma is standard. Thanks!

[@SlowYourRoll]

Will do Bob. Still waiting to get it in for service. I’m pretty sure Airstream fixed the issue on later 21 and new 22 models as I haven’t seen it trending in forums.

[@123JumpingJacks]

Is the fridge large enough?

[@SlowYourRoll]

It’s good for about 3-5 days of food depending on your eating habits. Too much food decreases the efficiency. We purchased a 12V dual zone chest fridge to augment us on longer trips.

[@Gerrysjamz]

Coulda maybe of gone to Angel fire they have a 5🤩 star resort

[@garyjones6994]

The top place there is rated 3 stars. The Blake at TSV is close to a 5 star as is El Monte Segrado in Taos. Angel Fire has a nice RV park that's about $100 a night.

[@Diesel4242]

I knew that they wouldn’t keep letting you park a camper for free.😢

[@jonbrown9490]

25 bucks a day is basically free these days. It's either that or they get rid of campers all together in order to fit more vehicles for day use.