This fall I had the good fortune to cross paths with Stephen Bucciarelli of Predator Bird Services. Stephen is also an avid photographer and naturalist. He recently took an Airstream Basecamp on a thorough expedition to see how it would fare on an off-road setting. When your line of work is to use the ancient art of falconry to solve the modern problems of business and industry, then having an RV that can go nearly anywhere could be very important. Predator Bird Services Inc. employs trained falcons to a create hostile environment for avian pests. They clear landfills, airports, agriculture, and nuclear power plants worldwide of avian pest issues. PBSI maintains over 80 raptors which use their instincts in these unnatural work sites. This eco-friendly method trumps all conventional programs in effectiveness. Stephen’s trip saw him on rarely used logging roads in Northern Ontario with his Toyota 4Runner towing the Basecamp through terrain that most RV'ers try to avoid at all costs! I had the opportunity to catch up with Stephen to get his views on this tough little trailer from Airstream.
Michael Lambert: So Stephen, where did you go with the Basecamp and what were your plans?
Stephen Bucciarelli: I was in Foleyet, on Highway 101 between Timmins and Chapleau. I wanted to do some off the grid camping and photograph wildlife in that area.
ML: I imagine you were interested in predator birds.
SB: No actually my goal was to find the legendary white moose that are known to populate that area. There have been increased sightings of these animals and locals claim that there is a herd of 20 to 25 white moose that travel along the Groundhog River.
ML: So how did you make out? Did you get any photos of a white moose?
SB: Unfortunately I did not see any white moose on this trip. I did however see every other animal you can imagine, bears, moose, partridge, you name it, but no white moose.
ML: How did the Basecamp perform for you on this adventure?
SB: I love that little trailer! It was perfect for this trip. It is light with great weight distribution and that made it easy to tow and I got decent gas mileage towing with my 4Runner. I was impressed by how easy it was to back up and turn around in tight spaces. It was great to be able to be outdoors all day and come back and have a shower and be in a comfortable little cabin at night. And I had some cold nights and it was very cozy in the Basecamp.
ML: Where were you staying while up north?
SB: All my stops were off the grid boondocking, so being self contained was very important and the Basecamp made it quite comfortable.
ML: Anything you would like to mention that you didn’t like about this trailer.
SB: I found the system for setting up the bed to be a bit cumbersome. There are a lot of steps and parts to assemble and take apart making and unmaking the bed. That would be nice if it was simpler.
ML: Anything you would recommend off-road campers take with them or prepare before heading out into the woods.
SB: Well there is the obvious stuff like water and supplies but I would also recommend a battery operated chain saw. Sometimes all it takes is one small tree to prevent you from making a turn or stopping you from proceeding down a trail and that tool could save your day! I suggest battery operated so that you don’t have to travel with fuel in the tow vehicle or trailer.
ML: Now that you have given the Basecamp a good test drive will you be buying one and will it be part of the equipment you use in Predator Bird Services?
SB: I will certainly be getting a Basecamp, it was so perfect for allowing me to get off the beaten path and really get into my photography. As far as using it for Predator Bird Services, I don’t think I would get to use it for work. Most of my calls are in urban areas where people are interacting with birds. I don’t often get calls in remote areas. Also my clients and projects are far apart and I usually have to fly to my destination. I would love to use the trailer instead of a hotel room for peace of mind during the pandemic but I doubt that it would work out.
ML: Any last thoughts or reflections about the trip you took in the Basecamp.
SB: It was all really positive, I am deciding on a Basecamp or a Basecamp X for the increased clearances and extra rugged features. My only disappointment this trip was that although people driving the 101 from Timmins to Chapleau seem to see a white moose all the time, I drove 10 hours north from London and never saw one! I guess I’ll have to go back.
