First RV trip ever! Trip report
My first posting here was about the massive plumbing leaks (four out of ten fitting failed) on my 2014 Kodiak. Our first trip was scheduled for last Wednesday returning on Saturday. The TT was ready at the dealer on Tuesday afternoon (cutting things very close). We picked it up and took it home. That sounds simple, but we are new at this. My wife has towed a TT before, so she drove. Happily, all went smoothly. The weight distributing, anti-sway hitch did its job. Her new Ford F150 with Eco-Boost had no trouble with the TT (27ft, 279RBSL).
We set off on Wednesday after work. Our first trip was to Leavenworth, WA, about 120 miles from home (I figured that my AAA RV membership would be able to tow us home at no charge if things got bad). We stayed at a very nice KOA campground.
Since this was my first experience with an RV and a RV campground, I had visions of screaming kids, battery-stealing maniacs, and people who were like Chevy Chase in the National Lampoon Vacation series. Happily, this campground was peaceful, well maintained, and populated with a nice mix of good people in RV's, tents, and small cabins.
There was a wide range of RV's ranging from big pushers to a pickup with a cap that served as the camper to a nice, retired couple. My wife did a good job backing into the site (if you overlook that she nearly took out a lamp post). She recovered without damaging anything and we set up the TT.
Setup was surprisingly easy. My handy 18v drill handled the stabilizing jacks with no problem. Power and water connections were easy. Sewer was a bit of a problem. Our 20ft hose was stretched to the limit to reach the waste fitting. I noticed that the TT next to us (about our size) was not connected to sewer at all. It turned out that he only had a 15ft waste line. Before he left, he pulled up and used his shorter line to clean out his tanks. Is this sort of run typical? Do I need to find a longer, better, line? Last, I connected the campground cable TV to our TT and we were set.
The plumbing worked perfectly. There was enough hot water for a good shower and the kitchen, AC, and toilet worked perfectly. The TT itself is very comfortable with only one problem: I am 6'2" and the bed is a "short" queen. My feet stuck out over the end. This was unexpected. By the 2nd night I managed to sleep.
Each day we took a trip to something new. We visited Grand Coolee Dam and Lake Chelan, not to mention a wonderful German dinner in Leavenworth.
The ride home was fine with only one exception. While on I90 the F150 towing package warned of excessive sway. It only happened once and there was no apparent cause. Also on the way home, we had a slight bathroom emergency. My wife needed to pee badly. We pulled off the road, opened a slide a bit so she could get in to the bathroom, and all was fine. I had no water in our fresh water tank, but there was enough left in the pipes to seal the toilet when she was done. Note to self: keep some water in the fresh water tank for just such needs.
Dumping the tanks was simple and easy. One question: what is the best product for the black water tank?
After a terrible introduction to RV'ing, our first trip was truly fun. I am hooked. Next weekend we are off to Cape Disappointment, which according to Sunset Magazine is the best campground in the West.
Thanks for all the help and encouragement. Once I get used to sleeping with my feet off the bed, this will be the greatest way to travel I have ever tried.
Bob
We set off on Wednesday after work. Our first trip was to Leavenworth, WA, about 120 miles from home (I figured that my AAA RV membership would be able to tow us home at no charge if things got bad). We stayed at a very nice KOA campground.
Since this was my first experience with an RV and a RV campground, I had visions of screaming kids, battery-stealing maniacs, and people who were like Chevy Chase in the National Lampoon Vacation series. Happily, this campground was peaceful, well maintained, and populated with a nice mix of good people in RV's, tents, and small cabins.
There was a wide range of RV's ranging from big pushers to a pickup with a cap that served as the camper to a nice, retired couple. My wife did a good job backing into the site (if you overlook that she nearly took out a lamp post). She recovered without damaging anything and we set up the TT.
Setup was surprisingly easy. My handy 18v drill handled the stabilizing jacks with no problem. Power and water connections were easy. Sewer was a bit of a problem. Our 20ft hose was stretched to the limit to reach the waste fitting. I noticed that the TT next to us (about our size) was not connected to sewer at all. It turned out that he only had a 15ft waste line. Before he left, he pulled up and used his shorter line to clean out his tanks. Is this sort of run typical? Do I need to find a longer, better, line? Last, I connected the campground cable TV to our TT and we were set.
The plumbing worked perfectly. There was enough hot water for a good shower and the kitchen, AC, and toilet worked perfectly. The TT itself is very comfortable with only one problem: I am 6'2" and the bed is a "short" queen. My feet stuck out over the end. This was unexpected. By the 2nd night I managed to sleep.
Each day we took a trip to something new. We visited Grand Coolee Dam and Lake Chelan, not to mention a wonderful German dinner in Leavenworth.
The ride home was fine with only one exception. While on I90 the F150 towing package warned of excessive sway. It only happened once and there was no apparent cause. Also on the way home, we had a slight bathroom emergency. My wife needed to pee badly. We pulled off the road, opened a slide a bit so she could get in to the bathroom, and all was fine. I had no water in our fresh water tank, but there was enough left in the pipes to seal the toilet when she was done. Note to self: keep some water in the fresh water tank for just such needs.
Dumping the tanks was simple and easy. One question: what is the best product for the black water tank?
After a terrible introduction to RV'ing, our first trip was truly fun. I am hooked. Next weekend we are off to Cape Disappointment, which according to Sunset Magazine is the best campground in the West.
Thanks for all the help and encouragement. Once I get used to sleeping with my feet off the bed, this will be the greatest way to travel I have ever tried.
Bob
