*NEWB ALERT* question about TT up keep

Propane - just open up the burners on the stove and let er rip until all the air is purged from the lines and the burners will lite. Then turn on the fridge. It may still take a couple of cycles on the fridge for it to lite but nothing more than turning it off and back on again once or twice. Shouldn't have to fiddle with the regulator at all.

Caulking - regular maintenance is removing old caulk and applying new. A change in color indicates an urgent need for replacement. There is no way to “brighten up” caulk.

Terd_Ferusgson wrote:
Hi All!
I am new haven't posted much here. Forgive me if its in the wrong section.

I have owned a TT for 2 years as of this month. And I have a few up keep type questions :

- My caulking is brownish in color. Is there a way to brighten it up or do I need to replace it? When should that be done ?

- Propane - Sometimes it takes a while for my propane to start working for the fridge and gas burners. I have to go out and fiddle with it like swapping tanks or messing with the regulator before I start noticing it working. Not sure if this could be a regulator issue or if its common?

- Stabilizer - I've done the trick to use 2x4's to help with the swaying while walking in the cabin. I have two kids so I constantly have to tighten the stabilizer up. Any idea how to tighten that or if adding more stabilizer would help? I have the manual type stabilizer.

- Lights - is there a recommended way to add more lights around the base or bottom of the rig to light up. Any ideas or has anyone done that before could they share ?

Many thanks for you all taking the time to read and help a newer guy out.

Why?? It's a TT not a Christmas Tree.

If the caulking is discolored, replace it during warm weather.

Open the valve on propane bottles very slowly.

Consider adding another set of stabilizer jacks just in front of the wheels.

The less light, the better.

wow thank you all for the fast responses that is great! I haven't had many issues with this TT besides the black plastic stripping on the outside that covers the screws.

But for the lights its just for my little kids can see easily at night before we wrap up for the night, nothing crazy. We don't boondock at all bc we are not equiped to do that yet. No generator or solar.

Thank you again for the excellent advice!

As far as stability, JT Strong Arms or BAL lock arms, takes almost all of the sway out of the trailer.

Thank you for the response afidel, I do at the moment use 4 2x4 cut to 36' length, couple eye let bolts and two tie downs to act as a stabilizer. It has been ok on a few sites but it does not help with the front to back sway. Maybe I'll check out the BAL lock you mentioned.

Thanks!

Okay, you gotta show me a pic or a link to this 2x4 thing.. I've been camping a long time with TT's and have no idea what you are talking about??

Eye let bolts, 36" long boards, two tie downs to act as a stabilizer?? No clue.

I have been using the usual 4 corner BAL scissor jacks forever and I have found that if you crank up the rear ones more than the front ones, it takes a lot of the bounce out.. The tongue jack needs to still take a good amount of the front weight at least in my experience.. Your mileage may vary of course..

Everyone has their own methods to control stabilizer bounce.. Just gotta find what works for you and go from there.. 36" 2x4's is new to me! :)

Mitch

Some people lay rope lights directly on the ground around the edge of the trailer or around the area near the steps.

Speaking of "rope lights", see if you can pickup the battery powered outdoor string lights - might be on sale since it is after Christmas. They usually are on a timer, so you turn them on at 8pm and they shut off automatically at midnight. Make sure you get outdoor rated lights.

The biggest issue most people have with outdoor lighting at campgrounds is when people leave them on all night.

Propane - I turn on the tanks, then run the stove top to "purge" the lines of air (make sure door and windows are opened for ventilation). As said earlier, usually takes a minute or two. Double check the frig and water heater after you turn them on - if there were still air pockets in the gas lines, you may have to restart them.

Stabilizing - I just use the stabilizers mounted on the corners of my TT. Sometimes I tighten them up a little the next morning, but that is about it. No matter what you do, you are going to get at least a little rocking of the camper as people move around due to the suspension.

Caulking - It may discolor but still be perfectly good. Important things are that it is still sticking to the surface, doesn't have cracks, and isn't leaking. If in doubt have it replaced.