Hello from Edwardsville,Il

[Reddog222]

Jeff and Michele have only been camping for about 3 years. We have a 2018 Cougar 311RES 5er. It is pulled by a 2017 ram 2500 Cummins. We have six camping reservations for this summer and into fall, with the longest to Custer ,South Dakota in August. Most of our camping is within about 3 hours of home. When I finally retire, again, we will be looking at going south in the winter months. Thank you and stay safe.

[HitFactor]

We went to Custer a few years ago. It was a great trip.



Welcome to the forums.

[sourdough]

Welcome Jeff and Michele!! You've found the best site on the web for Keystone products IMO. Lots of good and knowledgeable folks here so welcome aboard.

Hmmm, retiring "again" then heading south?? And you've got a new trailer??? It's cold in IL and the only place my hand ever was ever frozen to a car door handle.:o Probably ought to just go ahead and retire again and head on down to enjoy the new trailer and warmth, and water, and seafood, and..... I'm hearing that the influx of folks coming here is using up our allotted amount of sun....so better hurry.:D

[Reddog222]

Thank you HitFactor. We are welcome to any advice concerning the trip. Stay warm and safe.

[Chris P]

Welcome to the forum from New Jersey,

[Reddog222]

Sourdough. Thanks for the welcome. My wife loves when I work. You know the saying. We are leaving for Lake Pontchartrain next Wednesday for a week. I hope we steal a little sun from the friendly people of Louisiana.

[xrated]

Welcome from E. TN and formerly from Granite City, IL. I moved away from that area about 12 1/2 years ago and I'm enjoying the milder weather and beautiful scenery here. Congrats on the camper and the future retirement again. I'm going to retire again about 14-15 months from now.

[sourdough]

Sourdough. Thanks for the welcome. My wife loves when I work. You know the saying. We are leaving for Lake Pontchartrain next Wednesday for a week. I hope we steal a little sun from the friendly people of Louisiana.


Lake Ponchartrain....you should have fun. Lots of good folks, and just as importantly, GOOD food!! Hopefully it will be sunny and nice for you. Wishing you a safe and fun journey.

[Spinkboy]

Welcome from Northern Mississippi (Olive Branch) born and raised 30 miles away from you in Staunton Il.

[5J's]

Welcome to the forum from SE Texas.

[Reddog222]

Thank you. Staunton is where my truck came from from the dodge dealer. Hope it is warmer where you are than here. Tomorrow minus 20s with the wind factor. Take care.

[Reddog222]

Hope your weather is more pleasant than ours right now here. Super cold here tomorrow. Thanks for the welcome. Granite city is about 15 miles from our home. On your retirement ,good luck .

[xrated]

Thank you. I lived in Granite City, then Jerseyville, then Alton...before finally moving to Maryville (Murvil), Tn in 2006. I spent a lot of time in Edwardsville in my younger days. I did a lot of dirt bike riding back then on some of the SIU property, and some of my best memories of that time period were those.....And the MRF....the infamous Mississippi River Festival back in the late 60s and early to mid 70s. I remember partying at the old Holiday Inn bar, up on the bluffs with Poco after their concert at MRF back in the day...WOW...I'm getting old.

[ctbruce]

Vernon, yes we are experienced!

Welcome to the forum. Formerly from Belleville, was just there last weekend. Glad you're here.

[Reddog222]

Thank you for the welcome. Hope your visit was fun. Take care.

[Spinkboy]

Thank you. Staunton is where my truck came from from the dodge dealer. Hope it is warmer where you are than here. Tomorrow minus 20s with the wind factor. Take care.

Yes a little. Was in Wentzville this weekend for a wedding. I scooted quickly to get back.

[Reddog222]

I bet you did. It is 4 here right now. Take care

[Reddog222]

Thanks for the welcome.

[Rber1234]

Welcome to this forum. Your neighbor from Wood River. Just retired and have many trips planned or reserved for this year. Favorite local places are Pere Marquette and Carlyle Lake...

[Reddog222]

Thank you . Yes we are neighbors. We also share the favorite close to home camping grounds. I'll be at Pere Marquette in June over fathers day weekend. Also Caryle ( Coles Creek ) 5-16 to 5-20. Might catch you on one of these dates. Thanks again.

[Rber1234]

Thank you . Yes we are neighbors. We also share the favorite close to home camping grounds. I'll be at Pere Marquette in June over fathers day weekend. Also Caryle ( Coles Creek ) 5-16 to 5-20. Might catch you on one of these dates. Thanks again.
I’m also at Carlyle Lake that weekend only across the lake from where you’re camping at Eldon Hazlet State Park. Also will be at Pere Marquette the weekend of Father’s Day site #7. Maybe run into you then.

[terrythetech]

When you go to Custer be sure to stop at the local grocery store and buy carrots. The Burros are real pushy to get one but are they cute. You will see them in the park. The lady at the store asked my wife... "oh carrots....are you going to feed the burros? with a smile, she says "your not supposed to but we all do." get out of your truck or they will try to climb in the window and break it off if its partly down. One stuck its head into my open window and started nibbling on the vent in the center of my car. We had about 20 people around us watching us feed them. A little Asian lady didn't want to try feeding them, but when I held her hand and helped her she was smiling so big and her husband was snapping pictures and laughing, they had a great time as well. The burros get real pushy to get a carrot, crowding out the little guys so be careful of your fingers ans DO NOT get out if the buffalo are close. Have a blast my wife and I did.

[shov]

My folks camphost at Hazlet. Great park!

[shov]

Welcome to the Forum. I am originally from Bellevile, but call Montana home now. My folks camp host at Eldon Hazlet.

[Reddog222]

Thank you for the welcome. We will sure look your parents up when we camp there. Try to stay warn up there.

[shov]

Feel free to message me if you head that way. I’ll tell you what spot they are at. As far as staying warm, I’m in a warmer part of the world with an abundance of sand for about 6 more months. I’ll be missing quite a bit of camping season until I get home.

[Rber1234]

My folks camphost at Hazlet. Great park!
What section do they host? I always camp the Illini loop at south end of park where it tends to be a little more peaceful than northern end.

[xrated]

Feel free to message me if you head that way. I’ll tell you what spot they are at. As far as staying warm, I’m in a warmer part of the world with an abundance of sand for about 6 more months. I’ll be missing quite a bit of camping season until I get home.

If that ^^^^ means you are in the military, Thank You for Your Service to our Country.

[Reddog222]

Stay safe. Thanks for the information

[babaloo]

Mornin...We have recently bought a 2018 Cougar 279 RKSWE, and pull it with a Ram 3500 dually. Wondering about the workmanship / construction on your new 5er....
We have had MANY smallish problems, with interior, including floor nails protruding, seam tapes coming off, shower leaks, flames coming from water heater upon ignition, drawers coming apart, screen door not closing properly, and on... Wondering about your situation / experiences.

[UsTwo]

Welcome from St Charles.-- the other side of the river lol

[Bullet1928]

Welcome from Austin, Texas. Grew up in Edwardsville. Been in Texas for 40 years. If you ever plan a trip this direction, Texas has some great spots to visit from the Gulf coast to west Texas to the Big Bend.

[Reddog222]

Yes I have had some small problems. There was debris under the floor causing lumps. Some trim buckling. Seam tape coming loose. Some of the Doors on cabinets are swelled up and don’t close. I am camping now on Lake Pontchartrain and the toilet is running in the toilet, a vert small stream and some water coming out from under the toilet base. I will look at that tomorrow. That’s all I can think of but I am still under warranty until about April.

[Reddog222]

Thank you for the welcome. I actually grew up ( maybe ) near the airport.long time ago. Take care.

[Reddog222]

Thank you. We do plan to travel south in the years to come. Camping near New Orleans now. I’ll get in touch with you when we come down that way. Thanks again. Edwardsville is getting so big,you wouldn’t recognize it. Ever in town get a hold of me.

[shov]

If that ^^^^ means you are in the military, Thank You for Your Service to our Country.



It does, thank you and it’s my pleasure!

[shov]

What section do they host? I always camp the Illini loop at south end of park where it tends to be a little more peaceful than northern end.



They are in the Illini loop as well. Their assigned spot sometimes changes. When they get back in April I’ll let you know.

[Rber1234]

They are in the Illini loop as well. Their assigned spot sometimes changes. When they get back in April I’ll let you know.
Great and thanks