Intro - Hawke
Hi!
I've been lurking on the forum for a little while and thought I'd introduce myself. I live outside of Albuquerque, NM.
Last summer I bought a (roughly) 1990 Jayco Sportster 8. I haven't gone anywhere with it yet other than a single local overnighter the 4th night I had it. Nothing was set up yet. It has a 3 burner stove, 3-way fridge, 15 gallon (calculated) water tank and a sink with a manual pump.
Since I got it I have had many learning experiences. I switched from cruddy drop-in type tie-downs to Torklifts. I have removed and replaced all the caulking on the camper (not the prettiest job but it seems to be sealed according to the last rainstorm). I built a 6" storage box underneath to give me extra room for flat storage (such as the dog ramp, etc). This of course caused the jacks to be too short and I had to make jack extenders. I have 3 jacks and at one point (before the extenders) as I was lowering it after getting it off the truck, the single jack broke off and the entire thing collapsed to the ground so that had to be repaired (installed a whole new piece of plywood). :S I replaced the hand pump at the sink. I had to replace a connector for the external water hose.
I have a battery now installed in the truck bed (connected to the truck alternator with an isolator and fuse) and am trying to figure out how to connect the camper to it.
I joined the Good Sam Club on Saturday and signed up for Roadside Assistance this evening.
My very first real trip starts this Friday - driving from Albuquerque, NM to Soldotna, AK. :E If anybody has words of wisdom to share, I'm more than happy to hear them! I wish I had time for a shakedown trip, but my insane schedule didn't allow it and I *have* to leave Friday. I'm heading up to work for 3 months before coming back down. My 3 dogs are going with me.
My route up will take me through Yellowstone, Banff, Jasper and Dawson City. My route back will go through Seattle, Portland, Boise.
I know I'll forget something behind and won't manage to get everything done at home (like leaving the place remotely clean), but I'm SO tired of all the prep and would like to just hit the road... just a few more days (and one more night shift after this one is done).
Hawke
I've been lurking on the forum for a little while and thought I'd introduce myself. I live outside of Albuquerque, NM.
Last summer I bought a (roughly) 1990 Jayco Sportster 8. I haven't gone anywhere with it yet other than a single local overnighter the 4th night I had it. Nothing was set up yet. It has a 3 burner stove, 3-way fridge, 15 gallon (calculated) water tank and a sink with a manual pump.
Since I got it I have had many learning experiences. I switched from cruddy drop-in type tie-downs to Torklifts. I have removed and replaced all the caulking on the camper (not the prettiest job but it seems to be sealed according to the last rainstorm). I built a 6" storage box underneath to give me extra room for flat storage (such as the dog ramp, etc). This of course caused the jacks to be too short and I had to make jack extenders. I have 3 jacks and at one point (before the extenders) as I was lowering it after getting it off the truck, the single jack broke off and the entire thing collapsed to the ground so that had to be repaired (installed a whole new piece of plywood). :S I replaced the hand pump at the sink. I had to replace a connector for the external water hose.
I have a battery now installed in the truck bed (connected to the truck alternator with an isolator and fuse) and am trying to figure out how to connect the camper to it.
I joined the Good Sam Club on Saturday and signed up for Roadside Assistance this evening.
My very first real trip starts this Friday - driving from Albuquerque, NM to Soldotna, AK. :E If anybody has words of wisdom to share, I'm more than happy to hear them! I wish I had time for a shakedown trip, but my insane schedule didn't allow it and I *have* to leave Friday. I'm heading up to work for 3 months before coming back down. My 3 dogs are going with me.
My route up will take me through Yellowstone, Banff, Jasper and Dawson City. My route back will go through Seattle, Portland, Boise.
I know I'll forget something behind and won't manage to get everything done at home (like leaving the place remotely clean), but I'm SO tired of all the prep and would like to just hit the road... just a few more days (and one more night shift after this one is done).
Hawke
