Hello from Dallas-Fort Worth!

T

taranis17

Newbie
Greetings all! (and advanced apologies for posting pre-caffeine - I'm blonde and dangerous enough already....)

Hoping to graduate from wanna-be owners to Soon-To-Be owners of a 560 Ultra. We're avid campers but have been hamstrung by a series of unfortunate events perpetrated by an Elkhart, Indiana-built 5th wheel. Our last trip in it I refer to as "The Vacation From Hell," where everything that could go wrong, did.

The beast is getting sold next week and I'll (hopefully) be ordering the new Ultra 560. TONS of research led me to a YouTube Video featuring Sweeney's camp & tour (very nice, btw), where he mentioned a forum, which led me here. Family consists of Mrs. Taranis, two GSD's and 3 Dachshunds - who are all beyond spoiled rotten.

I genuinely can't wait to get us back out there....
 
taranis17 said:
Greetings all! (and advanced apologies for posting pre-caffeine - I'm blonde and dangerous enough already....)

Hoping to graduate from wanna-be owners to Soon-To-Be owners of a 560 Ultra. We're avid campers but have been hamstrung by a series of unfortunate events perpetrated by an Elkhart, Indiana-built 5th wheel. Our last trip in it I refer to as "The Vacation From Hell," where everything that could go wrong, did.

The beast is getting sold next week and I'll (hopefully) be ordering the new Ultra 560. TONS of research led me to a YouTube Video featuring Sweeney's camp & tour (very nice, btw), where he mentioned a forum, which led me here. Family consists of Mrs. Taranis, two GSD's and 3 Dachshunds - who are all beyond spoiled rotten.

I genuinely can't wait to get us back out there....
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Thank you for the kind words! Playin with Sticks did the hard part...he's an amazing content producer.

Are you buying new or in the used market for your 560? Regardless, hopefully can you can make it to the CICO (CampInn CampOutt) this fall, its always a great time! I know its a haul from Texas but honestly --- its worth it!

I get down to Cleburne area periodically - have to find a camp site and share a camp fire!
 
Sweeney said:
Thank you for the kind words! Playin with Sticks did the hard part...he's an amazing content producer.

Are you buying new or in the used market for your 560? Regardless, hopefully can you can make it to the CICO (CampInn CampOutt) this fall, its always a great time! I know its a haul from Texas but honestly --- its worth it!

I get down to Cleburne area periodically - have to find a camp site and share a camp fire!
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Hi Sweeney!
Right now I'm planning to order new from Camp-Inn, but I've also been perusing the used section as well. Can't commit to CICO until after a few shakedown trips to get my gear dialed in (transitioning from a 5th wheel to a teardrop will certainly have it's challenges), but the SP down in Cleburne will be on my list for a stay. Luckily, Cedar Hill State Park is about 15 min from my house, so I should be ready for more extended trips by late fall - that's the plan anyway! heh. Happy to share a cup of coffee over a fire anytime you're in the neighborhood!

The video you did with him was extremely helpful, especially since you're 6'4". I'm 6'6" - it looks like this is one of the few models I'd actually fit comfortably in.
 
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I havn't stayed at cleburn state park -- I have a friend down there and usually moochdock while helping him with some of his bigger jobs. I've got to say though, if it weren't for May-October --I like it down there. BUt I don't think Icould take living on the sun. I struggle with that here, and we stay about 92 as our 'worst days'

I think the other problem is, I'd be as big as a house with the tex-mex restaurants down there. While mexican culture has certainly made its way here to Indiana, its just not the same.

For what its worth, the state park near Athens is really nice too -- some magnificent trails...

Be sure regardless to hook up the LoneStar Chapter of terjerkers. With the size of Texas, I don't know what their scheduleof gatherings look like -- but I assure you, you'll find new friends.
 
Sweeney said:
I havn't stayed at cleburn state park -- I have a friend down there and usually moochdock while helping him with some of his bigger jobs. I've got to say though, if it weren't for May-October --I like it down there. BUt I don't think Icould take living on the sun. I struggle with that here, and we stay about 92 as our 'worst days'

I think the other problem is, I'd be as big as a house with the tex-mex restaurants down there. While mexican culture has certainly made its way here to Indiana, its just not the same.

For what its worth, the state park near Athens is really nice too -- some magnificent trails...

Be sure regardless to hook up the LoneStar Chapter of terjerkers. With the size of Texas, I don't know what their scheduleof gatherings look like -- but I assure you, you'll find new friends.
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Yep, summers here are brutal. High heat & high humidity. Most years I tend to camp in the shoulder season, so if the timing works out, by the time my 560 is ready it'll be nearly time to camp here.

Can't beat tex-mex around here, but I'm a smoker - as in the below:
 

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taranis17 said:
Yep, summers here are brutal. High heat & high humidity. Most years I tend to camp in the shoulder season, so if the timing works out, by the time my 560 is ready it'll be nearly time to camp here.

Can't beat tex-mex around here, but I'm a smoker - as in the below:
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I'll be there in 19 hours and 45 minutes.

I was just down there last month and it was warm :) I helped lay down a new roof on a 5'th wheel. 2 full days of climbing up and down ladders, and on all 4's in the middle of a field -- at least it was not asphalt, so the grass moderated things. I did not get a chance to find a good brisket down there. Soulman was recommended by time just did not allow. For me, up here, good luck. We used to have a couple places that were at least respectable but they weren't able to make it....

I've got a big-green egg sitting in my yard,I just need to find the mojo....the trifecta...Time, Talent and Ambition. The other problem is we don't have HEB. Our local butchers are at leats 25-30 a pound, and other than that its chicom-mart. Where I'm not even sure its beef. Sadly, Costco is about as good as it gets....fortuantely that isn't all that bad :)

Havn't tried their brisket yet -- but their skirt steak was horrid -- I don't know why they don't sell it outright, they've got a pre-seasoned thing which tasted horrid!
 
Sweeney said:
I'll be there in 19 hours and 45 minutes.

I was just down there last month and it was warm :) I helped lay down a new roof on a 5'th wheel. 2 full days of climbing up and down ladders, and on all 4's in the middle of a field -- at least it was not asphalt, so the grass moderated things. I did not get a chance to find a good brisket down there. Soulman was recommended by time just did not allow. For me, up here, good luck. We used to have a couple places that were at least respectable but they weren't able to make it....

I've got a big-green egg sitting in my yard,I just need to find the mojo....the trifecta...Time, Talent and Ambition. The other problem is we don't have HEB. Our local butchers are at leats 25-30 a pound, and other than that its chicom-mart. Where I'm not even sure its beef. Sadly, Costco is about as good as it gets....fortuantely that isn't all that bad :)

Havn't tried their brisket yet -- but their skirt steak was horrid -- I don't know why they don't sell it outright, they've got a pre-seasoned thing which tasted horrid!
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Haha.. 19 hrs? OOF. :) I'm pretty sure the ribs will be gone by then. They don't last around here. To my dismay, there are never leftovers, no matter how many racks I do.

I have a side smoker and make my own rub. I prefer sweet with a tiny touch of smokey heat. 250 for 6 hours + a malted beverage or two makes for a pretty swell day in my book. I get my ribs from Sam's Club - best I've found within a short driving distance. I need to try doing a brisket someday...
 
taranis17 said:
Haha.. 19 hrs? OOF. :) I'm pretty sure the ribs will be gone by then. They don't last around here. To my dismay, there are never leftovers, no matter how many racks I do.

I have a side smoker and make my own rub. I prefer sweet with a tiny touch of smokey heat. 250 for 6 hours + a malted beverage or two makes for a pretty swell day in my book. I get my ribs from Sam's Club - best I've found within a short driving distance. I need to try doing a brisket someday...
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to do it right, it takes time, smoke, and barleypop. My choice is brisket - in my case I've had those time shoot up to 18 hours. But in the end its not about hours is about internal termperatures and that "stall time" can be maddening.

My on desire is to be able to reasonably move my big green egg to campgrounds but that is quite a challenge with something that big. I have toyed with pellet smokers. The Traeger "Scout" worked OK but not great -- it had a hard time holding consistant temperatures - the box was just too small. They are also a mega-pain to clean. The smoke residue and grease turn into a mess. THe "egg" is easy -- throw in a load of charcoal and set iit to 'inferno' --- 700+ degrees takes care of it in a reasonable time.

Long ago, like 2012, there was a egg close called the "bubba keg" later renamed "Big Steel Keg" which look like it has been passed around like a spliff at a Jimmy Buffet (RIP) concert.

Apparently, after a little research, this guy (LINK) still exists! What is nice is it comes with (or you can get, unclear on this) a receiver adapter to take it with you. Not sure how heavy it is, but if its more than 40 pounds I think it would be too heavy to put on the back of a CI. 2 bikes weight a bout that...dunno. I'd have to refer to the guy who designed it. Way back in the day, these seemed well received. But in the posts I read just after I submitted this, it appears it is hard to control and a 'controller' is needed. Oh well.

There's also the AKORN grill -- a lot cheaper. I don't know about the full size one -- we had the table top version, it was a great grill but not smoker. It would overheat in a heartbeat and with no warming. As I said though, the big one might be better.
 
Sweeney said:
to do it right, it takes time, smoke, and barleypop. My choice is brisket - in my case I've had those time shoot up to 18 hours. But in the end its not about hours is about internal termperatures and that "stall time" can be maddening.

My on desire is to be able to reasonably move my big green egg to campgrounds but that is quite a challenge with something that big. I have toyed with pellet smokers. The Traeger "Scout" worked OK but not great -- it had a hard time holding consistant temperatures - the box was just too small. They are also a mega-pain to clean. The smoke residue and grease turn into a mess. THe "egg" is easy -- throw in a load of charcoal and set iit to 'inferno' --- 700+ degrees takes care of it in a reasonable time.

Long ago, like 2012, there was a egg close called the "bubba keg" later renamed "Big Steel Keg" which look like it has been passed around like a spliff at a Jimmy Buffet (RIP) concert.

Apparently, after a little research, this guy (LINK) still exists! What is nice is it comes with (or you can get, unclear on this) a receiver adapter to take it with you. Not sure how heavy it is, but if its more than 40 pounds I think it would be too heavy to put on the back of a CI. 2 bikes weight a bout that...dunno. I'd have to refer to the guy who designed it. Way back in the day, these seemed well received. But in the posts I read just after I submitted this, it appears it is hard to control and a 'controller' is needed. Oh well.

There's also the AKORN grill -- a lot cheaper. I don't know about the full size one -- we had the table top version, it was a great grill but not smoker. It would overheat in a heartbeat and with no warming. As I said though, the big one might be better.
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I've tried all kinds of smokers, even smoked on a kettle BBQ, but not a Traeger; although I hear good things the cost of one puts me off, not to mention parts if something breaks. Don't think I would ever bring any smoker camping though - that's too much like work. :)

I have this and absolutely love it: Can do gas grilling, briquets, and smoke, or do two at once. Use a chimney on the burner to get the briquets going, dump them in the smoker along with 3 pieces of wood and it's back to the pool. :)

I've found the bigger you go on the smoker, the better the food quality/consistency. Even when it comes to wood. I used wood chunks + charcoal for the longest time until I could only find split logs at the store. Tried it once and never looked back. I can easily get it going with a little charcoal and 2-3 quarter-pieces of wood will last me 6 hours and then some without having to fiddle with it. More consistent temps too. I can dial in 250-255 easily and just let it sit, then ramp up to 350 to finish for some good caramelization. They come out nice & juicy.
 

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taranis17 said:
I've tried all kinds of smokers, even smoked on a kettle BBQ, but not a Traeger; although I hear good things the cost of one puts me off, not to mention parts if something breaks. Don't think I would ever bring any smoker camping though - that's too much like work. :)

I have this and absolutely love it: Can do gas grilling, briquets, and smoke, or do two at once. Use a chimney on the burner to get the briquets going, dump them in the smoker along with 3 pieces of wood and it's back to the pool. :)

I've found the bigger you go on the smoker, the better the food quality/consistency. Even when it comes to wood. I used wood chunks + charcoal for the longest time until I could only find split logs at the store. Tried it once and never looked back. I can easily get it going with a little charcoal and 2-3 quarter-pieces of wood will last me 6 hours and then some without having to fiddle with it. More consistent temps too. I can dial in 250-255 easily and just let it sit, then ramp up to 350 to finish for some good caramelization. They come out nice & juicy.
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Oh, valiant and illustrious sir! This most certainly proves it! By the beard of my ancestor and the sacred code of chivalry itself, it is now a solemn and unbreakable moral imperative that thou, noble knight-errant, must journey forthwith to the enchanted village of Necedah upon some most auspicious occasion in the golden autumn season of the year of Our Lord 2026!

Sorry -- just was watching "The Real Don Quixote" and am thus inspired to write such prose! A delightfully fun film.
 
Sweeney said:
Oh, valiant and illustrious sir! This most certainly proves it! By the beard of my ancestor and the sacred code of chivalry itself, it is now a solemn and unbreakable moral imperative that thou, noble knight-errant, must journey forthwith to the enchanted village of Necedah upon some most auspicious occasion in the golden autumn season of the year of Our Lord 2026!

Sorry -- just was watching "The Real Don Quixote" and am thus inspired to write such prose! A delightfully fun film.
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This is awesome. LOL
 
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