Picking up our first TT on Friday...what to expect?

[Mountianeer]

Selected our new TT...check
Installed Prodigy P2 Brake Controller on our 2012 GMC Sierra...check
Dealer installed sway control...check

Going in for PDI/Orientation this Friday. Our dealer says to expect 2-3 hours for this process. What should we be looking for? Questions we should ask? We are new to this and want it to be as painless as possible. Thanks in advance for your advice.

[docnascar]

Thats a bummer you can't use Camp Driveway.... 😞

Since your camper is in storage most of the time and if not already done, I would recommend you remove your battery and propane tanks. There is a high theft rate of batteries from storage lots. I've actually had my battery stolen while my camper was in my driveway next to my house! Alternatively you could use a metal box or a battery box lock; but bolt cutters and/or some other hand tools can cut through alot of things.

Removal while in storage is most secure.

[Mountianeer]

Thanks for the tips docnascar! We really like our unit. We think it's a good mix of size (for a couple), storage, amenities, and construction quality.

I wish we could camp in the driveway. We live in a townhouse for now. No camping allowed! My wife suggested we camp at the mini-storage lot where we have it parked. A big no-no there too. So our trip in 2 weeks is close to home and extended family we can call for support if needed.

[docnascar]

Mountianeer wrote:
We plan a 3 night/4 day maiden voyage in two weeks.

Camp driveway is the best place.

Why wait, Get some propane, hook up some water, electric, make dinner and spend the night in the driveway in the camper. Start using it now. Get to know it now and see if you have any issues that need addressed.


*Keep in mind, your battery will drain as the camper always has something turned on. CO2 detector, radio clock, etc... Connect electric if you can or remember to charge your battery.

Good luck and enjoy!

[docnascar]

Mountianeer wrote:
The water heater is the biggest thing I've still got some reading to do.

Congrats! I googled your camper model, very nice!

Be sure to never turn the water heater on without water in the tank. Always be in this mindset when turning on the WH. Fill and from a sink bleed the air from the "hot" water line to ensure its full.


If your WH is like my suburban WH maybe this will help.

You have two switch's. One in the camper, one outside on the WH.

Always start with both switch's set to OFF.

Think of the switch in the camper as the ON/OFF only. From your mindset it doesn't matter if its electric or propane. "Inside switch ON/OFF only."

To use propane:
Turn on the propane, light the stove to bleed the line. (Only need to do once when camping.)
Turn OFF both HW switch's. (Wall switch and WH electric option switch on the WH)
Turn ON wall switch. WH will try to light from propane.
Turn OFF wall switch when done.
Turn ON wall switch to reheat
Turn OFF wall switch when done.
Turn ON wall switch to reheat
etc...


To use electric:
Propane can be on or off.
Turn OFF both switch's. (Wall switch and WH electric option switch on the WH) *I say this just to give you a known starting point.
Go outside, turn on WH electric option switch on the WH)
From inside, Turn ON wall switch. WH will use electric.
Turn OFF wall switch when done.
Turn ON wall switch to reheat
Turn OFF wall switch when done.
Turn ON wall switch to reheat
etc...

********************************************************


*As long as the outside WH switch is set to (ON) it will use the electric, when the inside wall switch is turned on/off.

*As long as the outside WH switch is set to (OFF) it will use the propane, when the inside wall switch is turned on/off.


Note: (Again this how mine works), my wall switch has a light. When its illuminated while the wall switch is ON, the WH is not lit. When its trying to ignite, the light goes out. It will try 3 times before quitting. If it can't light, the light will stay on. If the light is out and the wall switch is set to ON, it means everything is good.

-HTH.

[Mountianeer]

Hi All. Just an update. We picked up our new Apex Friday. We had a really good, patient tech do our walk through with us. We asked a lot of questions. Tested everything. BUT our heads are spinning just a bit. The water heater is the biggest thing I've still got some reading to do. We plan a 3 night/4 day maiden voyage in two weeks.

Thanks to everyone for their advice!

[Slate_CM]

I'm new to the RV world also. Picked mine up a few weeks ago. I had no idea that the WD hitch required so much adjusting. The dealer just put the chains on the first link and said it looked level.

Make sure they set it properly. I couldn't go back to my dealer just for that since they are 100 miles away. Luckily I'm friendly with the local RV tech and he adjusted it for me.

[FireRob]

Also just want to say thanks for everyone who posted to this thread.

I will be picking up our first TT tomorrow, and doing the PDI with out the wife. Very excited but at the same time so ready for this buying experience to be over and get down to some fun!

[westend]

I didn't see it mentioned and AFAIK, there is still no across-the-board standard for this, but, install a battery disconnect switch near the battery if one isn't present.

This is often not installed as a standard and is needed because the parasitic draw of the alarms and circuit boards will drain a perfectly good battery in a week if left connected. If the battery is left to drain more than a few times to 0% of charge, the battery will be toast and you'll be looking for a new battery. In lieu of a disconnect switch, disconnect the (-) terminal wire so the battery doesn't drain.

The Blue Sea Switch is a good one for this purpose.

[Mountianeer]

Wow! Fantastic advice everyone. I was pretty thorough before we purchased and took pictures of things I'd already noticed. I emailed those to the dealer to be fixed prior to our arrival on Friday. I'm fairly handy (although the electrical system in these things is taking a lot of reading) so I feel like I've got a good idea of what to look for. And I have plenty of experience driving big, trailered vehicles so I'm not worried about that aspect. Checklist, notes, pictures, and some video will happen. We plan to camp 2-3 times in October, early November before winterizing. Our dealer will winterize for free and if we have small things that need to be addressed that will be the time to do it.

Thanks RV.net! I don't think we'd be doing this if it weren't for the wisdom I've been able to read here.

[Bmach]

I'm going to give a little different advise. Relax it is not hard to do. Even for a first time owner, if you are the least bit handy it all makes sense. As everyone has said make sure everything works!

Enjoy

[Barbara_Atlinbu]

We pick our new RV up Friday as well. This post was very helpful to us. Also our first one.

We already had the initial walk through and some training on how to use things. We bought it 2 weeks ago and have been going over to the dealer almost daily to check the progress on things they had to do. So far so good. Each time we go we learn more from the mechanics and sales people.

[2gypsies1]

Call now and have them turn on the refrigerator so you can make sure it's cooling properly when you get there. There's a post going on now here on this forum somewhere where the gal flew to her dealer and found that the refrigerator didn't work - on a new unit. After weeks, it's still not repaired.

Don't rely on taking notes. Take a video if you can. Every single appliance should be checked out. Check the outside appearance that it isn't damaged. Some are in transiet.

It's highly recommended that you spend the night in it parked on their lot and go through everything yourselves so you can ask final questions before you leave the next morning.

You've gotten good advice so far on many other things.

Good luck and have fun!

[fla-gypsy]

There is no way we can completely prepare you for this. Do not give them any money until you have checked every single thing and seen it working. I would suggest you download a good PDI checklist and take it with you.

[bradyk]

Firstly make sure they have 12v battery, 110v power and water line propane hooked in.

Try all the appliances, lights, tv, radio, microwave outside light etc.that uses power. Make sure they all work and also that no breakers or fuses blow on 110v and just 12v battery powered. Turn on hot water from cold and you should be able to hear the element kick in on startup.

Run stove top, light oven, start fridge, furnace and hot water and make sure all start on propane. Fridge and furnace can be seen or easily heard by ear running from outside vents.

Check all cupboard doors for straightness and give a light pull to make sure they don't pop off. I have heard many with a door in hand. Pull all drawers out and confirm they slide in and out properly.Open and close any interior doors to confirm they all work smooth and don't need any adjustments. Check for chip s and dings in wood, counter tops, plastic mouldings etc.

Turn on water at all faucets, shower head, outside shower and make sure they all work and check underneath the sinks with water running that all the drains connections are tight and not leaking.(common issue)Flush toilet and confirm it is flushing properly and no leaks. Learn how to winterize the unit if in a colder climate and needs to be done.

Lift the bed if it has a lift and confirm it is smooth and check couch if it is movable and dining area chairs or bench to be sure all pieces lift or move as they should.

Open and close all vents to confirm they work correctly and look for any water stains in case they were not sealed correctly.

Open and close all windows and doors to confirm they are moving freely and check for any open areas around doors.

Check tires, air pressures, run stabilizers up and down, pull awning in and out yourself, run tongue jack up and down. Check siding for flaws or possible dings etc.

Try draining some of the water you ran in earlier tests to confirm you know the drain system and the gates are working properly. Have them hook into the black tank cleaner to confirm it is working with no leaks.

Climb up on ladder to confirm roof all looks smooth and have tech show you how to do caulk maintenance as it if very important to know and do every year.

Crawl underneath the unit and check the undercover and look for any abnormalities.

Check brakes, hitch for proper alignment.

Take lots of notes and pics if you need to. If I missed anything which I probably did refer to all the above posts. My last unit took us about 3 hours before we were done and we did find several small things. They had the tech fix them all before we left and we have never returned.

The good thing there was no major issues after that I couldn't fix in a minute and I was smarter than going in and do all my own maintenance with tips from the tech guy by asking a lot of questions.