The Quadrasteer Adventure Tour Part 3, Towing a Zeppelin Travel Trailer in the Rockies, Estes Park campsite and Tailgate Cargo Box.

With $2 fuel,  the trend is Ultra-Lite travel trailers like Keystone's Zeppelin that tow easier for better mpg. A lightweight trailer and sloping aerodynamic nose, made this 27' model Z261 from Economy RV of Greeley CO, smooth cruising from Denver to Estes Park. We towed the new 2005 travel trailer with a GMC Denali, 1/2 ton Quadrasteer, 6.0L gas engine and auto tranny rated to tow 10300#. The Zeppelin has a GVWR of 6200#"s, perfect for most 1/2 ton trucks and SUV's. You can tell it's aerodynamic by just towing it. Higher priced fuel is changing RV's, away from the big bricks that pull like a billboard sideways.

Steel trussed crowned roof with a one piece rubber roof, is designed to keep the water out. Actually the whole design is for keeping water out and stopping yellowing for your future resale value. Sloping front allows more storage space in the nose,  with 52 cubic ft. of lighted oversize storage with 2 sliding bins that open on each side. We had this full of fishing poles, lawn chairs, games and sleeping bags.

Flared fender skirts are also aerodynamic with a different look, providing protection to the fiberglass walls and cool graphics. Torsion axles, provide a smooth ride. I wish more RV's had them. They are dominate in horse trailers because of the smoother ride than leaf springs with very little maintenance especially compared to shackle leaf springs. The Zeppelin has a light tongue weight but carries it's weight balanced proving the engineers did their job on this new trailer design.

Light woodwork brightens the inside. Eliminating the nose window and door window, (door has security peep hole) prevents most common water leaks and sun discoloration. This Zeppelin model had 3 bunk beds, 1 dresser bed plus the main queen size bed that folds up into a couch. a very functional floor plan with a semi-circle couch as the dinette was nice, we folded the table out of the way after breakfast. Remote control was nice for stereo and AC with the master light control by the door with dimmer, kept us thinking we were home at our house with a great view out the door.  So two couches since the dinette doubles as couch, bed doubles as couch. Zeppelin has lots of storage, drawers in cupboards are made to pull out and carry out. The walk around queen size bed that turned into a couch, has a skylight above it with a privacy sliding curtain. The floor plan on this travel trailer, was a young family trailer with separate beds for 4 kids and the queen for the parents.

The cover on LP tanks, again more aerodynamic and easier to open, also stores the batteries outside the trailer where they should be. LP tanks have an auto changeover. And the spare tire is mounted to a cradle in the hitch A-frame, that hinges down in a neat bracket. Norco slide out is pulled in or out from all corners, self adjusts for a tight consistent seal.

Jerry Ostermiller, sales manager at Economy RV, made sure I had a water regulator, fresh water hose and 15 amp adapter.  Spruce Lake RV Park had a 30 amp plug in to connect to the Zeppelin's boat style electric Hubble connector. I liked the outside grill quick attach propane connection, why not with propane on board anyway, just plug in the grill. Canopy doubles as car cover and picnic table cover. We played games outside in the rain. Estes has a shower in the afternoon almost every day.Two thumbs up for the Zeppelin

Above GMC Denali Quadrasteer backs into space as easy as a 5th wheel. This lets you jack knife and correct easily. Going forward you don't have to pull wide for turning corners. The Quadrasteer GMC and the lightness of trailer, using a weight distributing hitch didn't make a difference. I didn't use the WDH going to Estes but did coming back for comparison. Quadrasteer takes the sway (whip) out of towing a bumper pull conventional trailer. But do check your receiver hitch label and owners manual as most truck manufactures require a WDH for trailers over 5000#'s and 500# tongue weight. Even with a loaded trailer, fishing equipment, sleeping bags, games, lawn chairs, food, water, and propane, it all towed easily.   Jerry Ostermiller, at Economy RV drove the Quadrasteer GMC with their Zeppelin behind it and said "no need to swing wide on turns and liked changing lanes stability."

Spruce Lake RV Park next door to Estes Park

Our cabin and RV spot was next to the river. Such a convenient location, just a couple miles to Estes, and that close to the Rocky Mountain National Park, in the valley surrounded by mountains. Spruce Lake RV Park has level spaces, a river runs threw it, private stocked fishing, bridge to stores, cabins, bingo, and an internet connection in office. The staff lives there. Cedar cabins, knotty pine, vaulted ceiling fan and deck 30' from the Big Thompson River. My cabin had a microwave, refrigerators, and beds for up to 4 people. I bring a large staff of kids and grandkids and need as many bathrooms as we can find. A picnic table  and parking at each space, we had plenty of room. From my research, Spruce Lake is one of the best RV parks around Estes. A beautiful view, I could just walk in circles, or ride my bike to the lake. Nice bathrooms on the bathhouse too.

Even the park office was nice with some supplies, an internet connection and a place to set and watch the fireplace. We all got our "Outdoor Adventure Gift Pack", every thing from granola, band aids and Advil.

Woodall's catalog makes a good armrest as well as finding the best parks. I researched RV parks in Estes Park using Woodall's North American Campground directory. I wanted the most features in a park being a spoiled journalist. Spruce Lake was rated a 4 in facilities and recreation. I didn't find any other campsite near Estes with more so off we went. The campground is at 7600 ft. The air is fresh and the fish were biting. My granddaughters liked the idea of fishing until they caught one and learned what happens next.

Again I took the Tailgate Cargo Box with us for storage and extra tables.

More on Tailgate Cargo Box.

check out their prices, there's a reason they're called Economy RV! ph. 1-877-339-5350

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