Maiden voyage with Keystone 26BPR

A lot of my early trips included a side trip to Walmart to get stuff that I forgot or to replace things that weren't working. It's nice to have that option. Pretty soon you get to be in a situation where you have an RV packed with extra stuff.

Chevytwonova wrote:
As far as the speakers go outside even at low volume levels they sound like HELL. I want something at low volumes to have some kind of body to the music.

You might want to confirm that they're wired in phase ... often they're not and as a result will sound awful.

All good Feedback to keep into consideration. As far as the speakers go outside even at low volume levels they sound like HELL. I want something at low volumes to have some kind of body to the music.

Anyone on the steady fast system?

JMO but wood is highly overrated ... and HEAVY. Yes, I use a 4x wood stack under the tongue jack for good reason - there's a LOT of force pushing down on it. However, considering the stabs should only be snugged down there's no reason at all to not use much lighter plastic blocks for that application.

The right "tool" for the job at hand. ;)

I've been using wood under my trailer tongue and jacks since the first day of camping, years and years ago. I did try the Lynx blocks, but found I hated them. I've stayed with solid wood and will use nothing else.

I carry quite a bit of lumber with me, especially when going to a new location when I have no clue what to expect. I've had to lay lumber on top of itself as high as 8 inches under one side once because the site was so unlevel side-to-side. I felt like the camper was in the tree tops doing that, but otherwise, it would have been a horrible experience.

I use 4x6 inch blocks under the jacks. The wood came from a 150 year old barn and I had to use a chain saw to cut those posts to about a 20 inch length. They are heavy, solid, and will last another 150 years and beyond. I only wish I had more.

I have found the shorter distance that jacks have to be extended, the less shake the trailer has. So using SOLID pads under the jacks makes for a SOLID base, makes for a SOLID camping experience.

Under my tongue jack, I have 4 layers of treated lumber crisscrossed and screwed to each other. I don't use anything else under the tongue jack. This 6 inch rise does lots of things.

First.. It's SOLID. Second, it will never wear out. Third, it allows the tongue jack to raise higher so when hitching, even in dips, the coupler always clears the hitch ball. If the campsite is unlevel front to back and the front has to be lowered all the way, then I just use a solid single level of board.

I've found nothing works better. Plastic will eventually break, give way, bend, and those Lynx blocks with their edges on the back will simply sink in dirt and mud and sand. You have to stack them on top of each other until the first one cuts its way into the ground. Age wears out the plastic over time. Nah! Not for me.

Wood blocks and boards also works great for leveling picnic tables. There is absolutely nothing worse than trying to cook on a flat griddle when the griddle is on a very unlevel picnic table. Eggs just slide off the end and onto the ground! Lumber works great for everything! Solid, (heavy yes), but ... you want to eliminate trailer shake! Well ... there ya go!

x2 on the x-chocks.

Outside speakers are designed to used at very low volume in order to keep volume levels within your campsite. If they are sounding bad, they are too loud.

Maybe those folks having TT tire issues also use outside speakers in the cranked up mode . Maybe it's not defects in the China bombs . :B

Can you cut a piece of lumber? If so notch a 12" long piece of 2 x 10 in the center of two pieces the width of the lumber (1 1/2" nominal), half the length of each piece. These notches allow the two pieces to be slid together and form an "X" in relationship to the ground. Each pair will support the weight of a TT and will greatly reduce stabilizer sway and bending.

I was nervous because of the reviews i saw about the plastic blocks deforming and not fitting into each other.

Chevytwonova wrote:
*Outside speakers sound horrible

*Trailer movement while trying to sleep when someone rolls over (drove the wife nuts)

*Steady Fast system on the TT I know other people suggested, but is this my best option?

*I am also looking for blocks that will replace the wood that I am carrying something light weight that will go under the 4 stabilizer jacks.

*some kind of light weight stand to go under my tongue jack

Lousy speaker sound is the nature of the beast ... replace 'em if you want but your neighbours won't appreciate hearing them anyway. :M

I use BAL X-Chocks to reduce rotational movement of the trailer wheels, doesn't do anything for lateral movement, but work well enough that my wife doesn't complain. :B

Any type of plastic blocks will work well under the stabilizers, under the tongue jack I use a 4-stack of 2"x wood (4 pcs screwed together) on level and tongue high sites, on tongue low sites I use a single piece of 3/4" plywood. Pics are in my gallery.

Look at Andersen 3600 - Ultimate Trailer Gear Duffel Bag, this has all that you are looking for in one bag. Easy to use, you should be able to get for under $200, yes pricey but nice.