We just got home from a 2-night camping trip with friends, towing the new Tracer. We managed to get there without mishap, and set everything up and broke it all down again without the thing falling over sideways. But as I removed the chocks, I noticed that a tire was squishy. Sure enough, totally dead, with zero air pressure and an impressive nail. Note to self: Bring a big broom to sweep the parking spot. It took two hours for CoachNet to show up, but from there on, smooth sailing. Loving the champagne!

Congratulations on the new Rig! But, "it took two hours for CoachNet to show up". That's not bad, but it's the primary reason I carry a spare and a jack. You could have been rolling in 10-15 minutes.

Congrats! Nothing like getting out there with a new unit and alleviating a little of the fear! Sorry about the tire, but glad cn helped you out. Happy trails!

Our dear friends have a jack and a lug-wrench and and and... and he was determined to show us how to change it. But my husband was closing in on a state of nervous exhaustion from all the things he's had to learn very fast and I knew that changing a trailer tire wasn't anywhere on his list of things he wanted to learn to do. So we waited in a beautiful park for CN to show up. I've also got a little list of all the quirks and glitches we noticed that will have to be dealt with when we take the rig back to the dealer for the new shower door they ordered because the original was broken. Like... where's the rest of my overhead light fixture? And why are three of our six windows stuck shut? And where the heck is the gizmo that does this, and the button that does that? And where's the owner's manual? We are truly a pair of dopes, but we're looking forward to more trips.

As I look back at our maiden voyage,actually the first three or four trips, I would suggest that you concentrate on the driving and backing in portion. Our first trip went much like yours without the flat tire. We got very good at setting up, breaking down and hooking up. I became a little complacent with the driving part and sure enough, I got into trouble pulling into a tight gas station in heavy local traffic.My focus then became driving and all that entails. Have yet to have a second "issue" in this regard. Best wishes to you as you get out more. We love the lifestyle.

We pulled in to a gas station to gas up and did so without any trouble. Of course, we chose our station pretty carefully. I know the learning curve is long, but every foot we drive makes it easier. Once my husband is comfortable with the driving, it'll be my turn, because we both need to be able to handle all aspects of this thing. Except maybe changing tires...

Maiden voyage was a success | Good Sam Community

Doug33
Explorer
Oct 21, 2014
Congrats! And at least the tire issue is not one that indicates a quality issue.
dadmomh
Explorer
Oct 21, 2014
Yea! A great first trip minus the nail in the tire. We thought of you several times and wondered how you were doing. As long as the champagne stayed chilled, the rest all fell into place.

Re the lights - you may or may not have this, but on our control panel, there is a switch labeled "indoor lights" or something to that effect. If we turn that to the off position, some of our overhead lights do not work. Some do. No rhyme nor reason, but you might want to check it.

We had a bit of a black tank issue and think we dodged a bullet, but DH is waiting for a callback from FR this morning just to be sure.

Glad to hear you had a great time.
Merrythought
Explorer
Oct 21, 2014
Glad to hear all went well except for the tire. Our first trip started in pouring rain and we woke the next morning to the trailer covered in thin ice which quickly melted. We have learned so much over the years and have met wonderful folks who have been great with helping newcomers.

Diane
EcoBullet
Explorer
Oct 21, 2014
MargaretB wrote:
We pulled in to a gas station to gas up and did so without any trouble. Of course, we chose our station pretty carefully.

:)Good job!
A few years ago it became apparent that I need to look things over before pulling in and assuming things are OK. I pulled into a fast-food restaurant, expecting to go around the building and park on the other side where it was less crowded. I found that not all fast-food restaurants have parking on the other side. I found myself in a drive-thru pickup lane with two 90 degree turns in it. I am glad my truck was a 4X4 and the ground was solid. I could just imagine dragging off the stabilizer jacks on the curbs, but by jumping the curb with the truck I was able to negotiate the flume with the trailer.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Oct 21, 2014
Congrats. Don't expect there to be much of a owners manual if any. The appliance in the TT should each have their own manual but, most TT don't have a manual for the TT itself.
RVcircus
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2014
Congrats on your first trip!!! Our first is this coming weekend and I have a Rapid Jack being delivered today just in case we have the same tire luck. We also have the Allstate RV roadside plan, but I don't know how good it is and don't want to find out.
MargaretB
Explorer
Oct 20, 2014
We pulled in to a gas station to gas up and did so without any trouble. Of course, we chose our station pretty carefully. I know the learning curve is long, but every foot we drive makes it easier. Once my husband is comfortable with the driving, it'll be my turn, because we both need to be able to handle all aspects of this thing. Except maybe changing tires...
aftermath
Explorer III
Oct 20, 2014
As I look back at our maiden voyage,actually the first three or four trips, I would suggest that you concentrate on the driving and backing in portion. Our first trip went much like yours without the flat tire. We got very good at setting up, breaking down and hooking up. I became a little complacent with the driving part and sure enough, I got into trouble pulling into a tight gas station in heavy local traffic.

My focus then became driving and all that entails. Have yet to have a second "issue" in this regard. Best wishes to you as you get out more. We love the lifestyle.
MargaretB
Explorer
Oct 20, 2014
Our dear friends have a jack and a lug-wrench and and and... and he was determined to show us how to change it. But my husband was closing in on a state of nervous exhaustion from all the things he's had to learn very fast and I knew that changing a trailer tire wasn't anywhere on his list of things he wanted to learn to do. So we waited in a beautiful park for CN to show up.

I've also got a little list of all the quirks and glitches we noticed that will have to be dealt with when we take the rig back to the dealer for the new shower door they ordered because the original was broken. Like... where's the rest of my overhead light fixture? And why are three of our six windows stuck shut? And where the heck is the gizmo that does this, and the button that does that? And where's the owner's manual? We are truly a pair of dopes, but we're looking forward to more trips.
brirene
Explorer
Oct 20, 2014
Congrats! Nothing like getting out there with a new unit and alleviating a little of the fear! Sorry about the tire, but glad cn helped you out. Happy trails!