First Trip Tips

[perigaut]

We are making our first trip this weekend with our new Jayco TT. We will be really close to home just in case things go south.

I am wondering about order of setting up/taking down routines. I am sure everyone has a certain systems that vary, but any advice would be appreciated.

Actually any tips at all for a first trip would be great! We are excited but a bit nervous!

Thanks.

[suprz]

2 things to be sure you have

1- sense of humor

2- credit card

[A_hitch_and_hop]

All good ideas. I might add....
1. Check power and water before disconnecting at camp site.
2. Leave room on the side for slide outs and awnings. I carry a stick to use to assure I have room to operate slide out.
3. Carry a 50 to 30 amp connector plug.
4. Carry an extra power extension cord.
5. Carry an extra water hose.
6. I started out carrying stuff I never used. To solve the issue, I placed a piece of masking tape on the items I carried and when I used an item I took the tape off. After a year, any thing that still had tape on, I left home. Only take what you need.

[mitw44]

1. Walk the site before backing in. In the process of backing, if you are unsure, stop, and walk around the rig. Remember to look up as well as around the rig.

2. You level the trailer side to side while the rig and tow vehicle are connected. You can use boards or lynx level blocks under the wheels on the low side. You level the trailer back to front after you disconnect, by using the tongue jack. Don't forget to bring a level with you.

3. Make sure you use a pressure regulator on your fresh water hose. I shut the water off at the spigot when leaving the trailer for sightseeing. You don't want to come back to find a leak has been filling your trailer with water.

4. Make a small toolkit for the trailer. Start with teflon plumbing tape, and slip pliers. Also the right wrench to fit your water heater plug, and other fittings on your trailer. This is a work in progress. zip ties are always a good idea.

5. Before you leave from home or camp, and you think you are ready, walk completely around the rig and give it a critical look anyway. I also do this when I stop for rest or gas.

6. Most of all, enjoy!

[3boxerss]

When get ready to leave the campground my DH tells me wave to J. meaning check windows, antenna, vents, electric and to check the Jacks..

[dave54]

pira114 wrote:
The 4 things I never leave home without:

4. Pen and paper

I use a notepad app on my phone. When I think of something the pen and paper are never nearby. I always have my phone with me.

My notepad app also has all the quick reference numbers I need, like the dimensions of my rig, membership numbers, checklists, reservation confirmations, et Al. All backed up to the cloud, of course.

[WileECoyoteSr]

Good one. Safety chains/cables left attached until you know it is secure.

I started to disconnect the Equinox Toad when we came back home last weekend and as soon as I disconnected one tow bar arm it very slowly started backing away. Wasn't enough pressure on the tow bar pin to bind it in place, yet just enough incline that the car started to roll just a little bit. Good thing the rest of the tow bar was still connected.

[opnspaces]

The only thing I like to add is to leave the safety chains connected until the tires are blocked, the hitch is disconnected and you a sure the trailer is not going to roll away.

[WileECoyoteSr]

Breathe and relax before you do anything - the best possible advice

Something I guarantee you will only neglect/forget once!
Lower the cotton pickin' TV antenna!

Yep. Been there. Done That. Had to make the repairs myself.

Last thing I do before I saddle up and put on that seat belt is to walk around the entire rig. Just look at it in detail, like doing a walk around preflight inspection on an airplane. Does anything look out of place. Any tools left on the hitch or step. Is the step retracted. Wheel chocks. etc. And I'll be honest with you. I am a man of faith. I'll be saying a little prayer for safe and enjoyable travels and PLEASE God, let me remain patient.

[dwayneb236]

I really do think we hit the local Walmarts about 95% of the time. It's always something.

[Pine_Barren]

A lot of very good advice on here so far for the first trip. I have always used a check list and make sure that everything is checked off before pulling out. The best thing to do for a first shake down trip is to find a park close to you and go there and make a list of things you need. Best thing is to enjoy your camping and remember that there is always a store somewhere close by if you forget something. When sitting up and breaking down before leaving do it in the order you want and become comfortable with

[pira114]

The 4 things I never leave home without:

1. Baby wipes
2. Extra zip lock bags in two sizes
3. Gorilla tape (used to be duct tape)
4. Pen and paper

[jjjandrbaker]

I just thought of something else I would recommend for a first trip out. This is not an original idea by any means. I'm sure I read it on the forum some time or another. Anyway, take something to write on so you can make a list of things you discover you would like to have had with you. I have a small whiteboard that I bought at the dollar store for that purpose. At the end of a trip, I snap a picture of it with my cell phone.

One other suggestion... When I first bought the Colby T, I took a quick overnight camping trip to a close by park. I sat at the dinette with all that huge stack of owners manuals and read through them. I ran through all the operations to experience them: turning on the hot water heater, filling and draining the tanks, opening and closing the awning, converting the dinette to a bed, raising and lowering the antenna, etc. I even called the dealer when I couldn't get the emergency exit window to open.

This practice could be done at your house, if you have room for your camper.

[rambotheshark]

Anything that is sharp or heavy that you do not want to try and catch or fall on your head put in lower cabinets.

[dwayneb236]

We enjoy our electronics. We don't bother anyone with them. I can proudly say I watch TV when I'm camping. I also fish, kayak, hike, grill, sit around the campire, make s'mores, explore, go to museums, socialize. It can be done, we're living proof.

The people who say don't bring your TV's and computers are more than welcome to enjoy their time as they wish. Not gonna make me feel bad if they think I'm wasting my time with the idiot box. I couldn't care less.

Back on point. I really do need to get a system for getting to camp and leaving camp. I have thought about those tabs that you just slap on your steering wheel as reminders. I have came very close several times to driving off with antennae still up. I've also driven over a wheel chock. I have an internal system in my mind but due to many years of TV watching it's about gone.