New TT Pick Up & First Trip

[CortezCapt]

Just bought a new to us 2011 Wildwood 18BHXL. We have been looking for a while now and oddly just happened to find this trailer online and liked the floorplan and went for it. It was a birthday present to myself. Took the 3hr drive to look at it and ended up bringing it home with us, with an overnight stop at Fort Wilderness.
Had a good walk through and the few things we found were fixed right in front of us, dealer hooked up our brake control, and an E2 hitch that had been left with the trailer, had a small problem with the running lights working ( problem was in our TV ). All was fixed by the dealer and we were on our way.
Stopped at Walmart for a quick stocking up trip, only the basics then started looking for places to stay. My sister decided she wanted to check out Fort Wilderness and we ended up getting a good rate with AAA , Fl resident, and the fact we were checking in later in the day.
As for the first time towing a travel trailer it went great, minus the rain and 45 mph winds we drove through. Mid storm my sister ( riding in the back seat ) says oh this towing in the rain is not as bad as I thought. As for me I was white knuckled but the TT and TV did great.
Got to Fort Wilderness and after getting slightly lost and ending up behind spade mountain, we got checked in and found our spot. Took a few mins to get backed up but got it with out hitting anything. Haha! We decided to unhook and set up completely just so to get some practice. Other then the fact that we forgot bug spray at Walmart we got everything hooked up and running in probably an hour, 3 of us.
Only a couple of problems one being my 60lbs baby ( 6 yo Boxer ) who wasn't thrilled with the TT from the start and wouldnt go up the high narrow step to get in, and the fact our new rhino sewer hose won't fit in the PVC pipe the previous owner put on. Both hopefully will be easy fixes. I want to add a double step for us as well as the dog and a bigger piece of PVC will be easy to add.
All in all we had a successful pick up and first night in our new home away from home. Now comes the fun part, finding everything's place and some simple mods to make it perfect for us. Can't wait for the weekend and our next camping trip!

OK now for a couple of quick questions

1. What does everyone recommend for condensation and humidity in Florida while not used.
2. Do you leave the TT plugged in and fridge running between uses ( will be using iyt every or every other weekend.
3. Anyone know of nice, but inexpensive campgrounds in Florida?
4. Bug control tips.

Can't wait to get camping.

[wannavolunteerF]

i had vent covers (like Maxx Airs) put on my TT and leave the vents open. I keep one or two of the Damp Rid containers that are about 3-4 cup size in my 28 ft TT. I do try to open the doors when I am outside and around the trailer at least for a bit most weekends. Damp Rid has a regular one and one with charcoal that I am using right now, since we have had so much rain; the containers are doing the trick to keep it smelling fresh. I was in trailer this morning and was carefully smelling for any musty/damp smells as DD, SIL and 1 month old GD will be staying there for a week while they are visiting. (DD chose to stay there for privacy of guest house).

[eabc5454]

Welcome, and congratulations on your new trailer.

We use DampRid for condensation control. We use a fantastic fan for exhausting humidity from showers and cooking.

Bug stuff is important. StingEze works to relieve the itching in the spots that you forgot to spray - stuff works miracles and you can get it at Walmart.

Command hooks work for us. We have several - one for keys near the door, one for the hand towel in the kitchen and several for pictures that we hang. All are pretty lightweight items, though.

There are a lot of inexpensive places to stay. We like state and national parks and we have several local campgrounds (one owned by the county) that charge about $25/night. Then there are the free places:

freecampsites.net

Happy camping!

[Steeljag]

Are you able to leave your TT in a covered area? if so, you can leave your roof vents cracked for ventilation. On weekends I also open the doors and windows while I'm working in the yard, etc.

I do not have power to my parked TT so I just disconnect my battery.

We have some really nice State Parks here for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, biking, hiking, etc.

Congrads on your new TT........now get out there and use it!

[John_Wayne]

If you don't have a good 3 stage converter when you leave it plugged in just make sure you keep an eye on the battery water. Some converters like to boil the battery water.

[CortezCapt]

Thank you all for your replies.

2012coleman, we are looking for places anywhere around Florida but will probably want to stay with a couple hours of home Sarasota/Bradenton area.

As long as there is electric ( we are AC people ) and water ( I don't want to tow the extra weight of a full water tank) can live with out sewer, as long as there's a dump station so we could dump before heading home.

Heading out to get some DRI Z AIR now.

[Dtaylor]

Sounds like you are off to great start!
1. a dehumidifier for moisture and condensation. If you plan to camp in cooler temps where you will be running the heat, that would be the way to go. Otherwise the item suggest by MKOJO should work for you.
2. If you have access to power where you will park, to keep plugged in is up to you. If it going to be more than a couple of weeks, I would unplug. Disconnect the battery if you do unplug. This will keep your battery from running down.
3. State parks are a great place to camp and not very expensive. Most will not have sewer connections if that is an issue for you. Reserve America website will et you search available campgrounds by the amenities you may want. Check RVparkreview.com to see what others have said about each park. (note here, I look for a theme in the reviews, not just what one person says)
4. Thermacell for bugs. A good fan outside works great also and keeps you cool too.
5. Some have had problems with Command strips coming loose because of the extreme temperature changes. I would not hang glass from them
Hope that helps

[Emptypockets]

If you are going out every or at least every other weekend I would leave it plugged in - also that will keep your batteries charged.

[Markiemark32]

I am fortunate to have & store our Travel Trailer at home.

Humidity control:

Keeping travel trailer, well ventilated. Times of high humidity I keep a fan running with vents open.

Fridge:

Fridge, I start the day before departure to cool down and be ready for our trips. This gives it a good chance to defrost between trips, staying nice, clean and fresh. Letting it air out each trip.

Lots good info here.

Get out and enjoy the adventures!!

Markiemark

[2012Coleman]

3. Anyone know of nice, but inexpensive campgrounds in Florida?3. Anyone know of nice, but inexpensive campgrounds in Florida?

Any particular area?

[mrkoje]

Dri-z-air works great and they are not very expensive.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/dri-z-air/4735

[drae0814]

Just stay on this site you will learn alot over the years. And save alot of cash welcome to the club and enjoy your TT

[musicman54]

as for humidty we use dri z air yes you can keep it on and plugged in the other questions im not sure about hope you enjoy your new toy we just bought a 5er we saw it on craigslist bout it same day

[2edgesword]

Kudos on the new to you trailer. Enjoy!

[CortezCapt]

Oops forgot a question.

How do command strip hooks and such hold up in a TT when its not in use (hot).