Tips, tricks, do's and dont's ....

[NekkidFish]

So we were supposed to get our RV tomorrow, but because of a money fiasco, we won't be picking it up until Friday. :S

Anyhoo .... I would love it if everybody could share their tips, tricks, do's and don't's!

Storage tips.

Litter box tricks.

What to leave in the RV when you winter it.

Command strips, clothes lines, patio tips. You name it!

Make sure you do this ... Make sure you definitely don't do that!

Share away!

[TyroneandGladys]

Easiest levelers that I have ever used. And they come with chocks.

[wa8yxm]

Dog Folks wrote:
Always chock your trailer wheels before unhooking not matter how level the site looks, especially when your wife is inside! Always, Always, Always.

Also, you cannot stop a four ton trailer from rolling by grabbing the tongue jack. It also does not stop the screaming from inside the trailer.

Now when backing the trailer in, I am not allowed out of the truck seat until my wife sets the chocks.

If you want to stop a four ton trailer from rolling you can grab:
The tong jack (Failure)
the safety chains (likewise)
the light weight steel cable that is hooked to one side (SUCCESS usually witin 3 feet) Yup, once that plug comes out of that break-away switch,, She gonna come to one screeching stop.


True story which I suspect Doug knows... Watched as a friend unhooked before chocking... Trailer darn near went marine on him as it rolled toward the lake (Stopped when the tong jack dug into the grass)

[xzyHollyxyz]

Dog Folks wrote:
Always chock your trailer wheels before unhooking not matter how level the site looks, especially when your wife is inside! Always, Always, Always.

Also, you cannot stop a four ton trailer from rolling by grabbing the tongue jack. It also does not stop the screaming from inside the trailer.

Now when backing the trailer in, I am not allowed out of the truck seat until my wife sets the chocks.

LOLOLOL...that is pretty darn funny!True, yet still very funny.
(I also learned the chock lesson the hard way - I had a hole in my bumper to prove it, and a VERY sore shoulder trying to stop it...I have never made that mistake again. RULE OF THUMB - FIRST DOWN, LAST UP)

[Blazing_Zippers]

I printed up a check list on a pretty paper (it has leaves and turtles), framed it in a nice frame, and hung it near the RV door. We don't move the rig without checking the list.
If you pay close attention to big rigs drivers side mirrors, some have the letters G O A L. They stand for Get Out And Look. Very good advice.
Do a walk around every hour or so to work out the leg blood clots and make certain all is well with the R V.
FLYSWATTER.

[Annaoinga]

I didn't think of that since our truck's max is 15550. I guess we plan to buy one and keep it for the duration but you never know right?!

Good point Craig! It's just overwhelming and I'm wearing down.... Information overload x2...

Used or new.... Big horn... Montana... Cedar creek.... Alpine.... Sandpiper..... We have changed gears so many times....

Does this happen to everyone?

Thoroughly frustrated.....

Anna

[cmoecmoe]

Anna,

I did not do the under mount. I thought it would not look right for the extra money... The floor of the GMC's bed is corrugated and there are no flat spots where the pins would pop thru. The covers would not sit flush with the bottom of the bed.

That being said, I got the truck in March and have not had had a reason to take the very heavy hitch out. I am planning on leaving it in the truck this winter to help put some weight over the rear wheels. It will not be exposed as I put a hard tri-fold cover over the bed.

Also, make sure you over-buy on the capacity on the hitch. Do not get just the minimum. Since this is your first trailer, you do not know what other trailer might be in your future. 😉

Have fun!

Craig

[NekkidFish]

wanderingbob wrote:
The first response in this thread said always chock your wheels before unhooking , I second that . I did discover that a 16 foot extension ladder standing against the house will stop a trailer with very little damage to house .

Yikes!!

[wanderingbob]

The first response in this thread said always chock your wheels before unhooking , I second that . I did discover that a 16 foot extension ladder standing against the house will stop a trailer with very little damage to house .

[Annaoinga]

Bumpy,
I think you are right. I need the Electrical Management System one right?

Craig,
Did you do the under the truck rails or universal rails? I wonder how hard the under the truck ones are to install ourselves. If I did the math right it's around $1500 for the 3 parts to the system - right? Our dealer is charging $1800 so I wonder if it's worth the 300 to let them have the headache??

Thank you!
Anna

[cmoecmoe]

I have the SuperGlide Automatic Slider Hitch and am very glat that I spent the extra money for it. You don't have to even think about it, it just does it's thing all the time. Plus on those rainy days, you do not have to get wet to play with the hitch.

Money well spent!

Tweety's has really good prices and fast free shipping. I put mine in myself.

Good luck!

Craig

[Bumpyroad]

Annaoinga wrote:
I also found a surge guard 50amp model 44270 trc that has a box in the middle of the cord that gives you measurements. It's $95. Is this a good one?

Anna

I would guess "NO". probably only protect against surges, not over/under, mis wiring, timed delay restart to protect AC, etc.
it is a one time purchase. don't cheap out.
bumpy

[Annaoinga]

I also found a surge guard 50amp model 44270 trc that has a box in the middle of the cord that gives you measurements. It's $95. Is this a good one?

Anna

[Annaoinga]

Bumpy,
You are right - the hard wires I found were priced $289-$339. The portable $311 and $359 but then I found a portable on eBay for $160 so I wanted to make sure it offered the same protection.

Thanks everyone for the info.

I guess the extra $1000 for the pull rite auto slider might be a good investment.....

This lifestyle isn't for the poor folks..... 🙂

Anna

[wa8yxm]

Progressive Dynamics makes, basically, 3 units designed for your RV
One is hard wired (This is best)
one is plug in (Portable) this is technically identical to the above but for other reasons gets 2nd place.
One has no LCD display and should remain on the store shelf or hook.

This last one will not protect you in a brown out or a power flicker, the other two work identically.

Why do I rate teh Hard Wried better?

Well first: the portables can grow legs and walk off.. Hard wired, not so easy to swipe in the night.

Second, You are "Overnighting" and "Oh it's too much trouble" V/s it's always there can not be forgotten.

Mine is a portable but (this will likely happen in December) I have an "Install" plan for it. (just a matter of buying a cord)