OhioRVMom
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Re: Pending Maiden Voyage - Need helpful tips and advice
Thank you all so much!! A lot of great information and suggestions!! We did camp one night, but it was the night after we brought the camper home and more of a test to see if things worked and not a run to see if we had everything. We need to stock her up yet. We had unloaded much of the stuff from our old camper and it was sitting in my living and dining room for nearly 2 months (UGH!) but we didn't take everything as we left some stuff with the old camper when we sold it. those were the things I was and am worried about along with stuff we hadn't thought of yet. I couldn't recall what all we left with the old camper that we needed to replace. These ideas are awesome.. thank you so much!! Tina486Views0likes0CommentsPending Maiden Voyage - Need helpful tips and advice
You have all been so helpful thus far, I was wondering if someone can point me to some helpful lists/tips to prepare for our first trip. I have been camping in a camper a total of 3 times. 3. Hubs bought a small camper in spring, we went out in it a few times, and decided to upgrade. it was a 26 foot no slide 1991 deal and was awesome but we wanted more room. It came fully stocked with dishes and linens etc - it was mostly ready to go. We bought a few things.. but.. not everything. Our upgrade is to a 34(nearly 35 foot) Bunkhouse Travel Trailer with 2 slides... I'm more than a bit nervous about taking our maiden trip with it in the upcoming weeks. I keep thinking of things I *THINK* we need, but then try to ground myself and not go crazy. I don't really want to get down there and realize we are really poorly prepared... a few things missing are ok. I have a LOT to learn - what food items are good to bring for a weekend trip? in a brand new camper that is not stocked with anything, what do you recommend we have as "MUST HAVES" for our first trip. Are there any on-line prep lists that are check lists of items we NEED. I know in one of the trips we made in the old one, we crimped the power cord on the hitch, and luckily the prior owner had a roll of very old black electrical tape, along with hubs' pocket knife we were able to splice it and fix it. If we didn't have the tape, not sure what we would do. That's an example - A check list if you know of one would be great. I've bought funnels, and measuring cups (we didn't have either on one of the trips and needed both).. with storage being limited, I need to be picky on what to take, but am not sure what are real NEEDS. Can you please share with a newbie some ideas/thoughts on what to bring - how to stock a new camper - and some definite MUST haves? thank you so much!! Tina4.1KViews0likes22CommentsRe: Failed to consider the size of the Portable Dump tank..
The overwhelming thing I have learned from all of these responses, is that EVERYONE has varying opinions on what is good and what is not. It's kind of funny actually. When I posted a question about our F150 and towing and what it could do or not, etc etc.. there was an overwhelming response supporting that *our* F150 was not capable to do what we wanted. i.e., the majority were in agreement with what was safe/doable. In this case, it's purely a matter of opinion it seems. There doesn't appear to be a 'one size fits all' answer to this question. Which supports my decision to not do anything - yet - until I find out what will work for our Family. I prefer to not be overly conservative with water, and with a 42 Gallon tank, I am hopeful that we can make it on weekends without having to drain off some grey water, but I don't know. Luckily the campground we will frequent mostly we have sewer access. That said, we can do some pretty good tests to see how much usage we can get away with before having to worry about it. I am NOT worried about the black tank at all. we have been spending summer vacations in a cabin for the past 17+ years using a port-a-pot. That thing holds maybe 5 gallons (probably less) - and it EASILY goes for days without being dumped with only a few people using it. I don't think we'd ever fill a 42 gallon tank. Ever. well unless we were camping for a week or had the WHOLE family with us for days.. maybe. so we're not likely to max out the black tank anytime soon. Grey - well- I just don't know. Maybe we just don't take the whole family along unless we know we have sewer, OR, if we have to, we look at getting a big tank then. Right now though, the Extra 42 gallon tank, is almost $300 plus the macerator pump which I don't know it's cost, but I am sure it's not cheap - possibly upwards of $200? either way, we could be saving $500 for now, until we know what we want and need. thanks again to EVERYONE. Having all these opinions helps me to realize that there isn't a single solution that is best. We have to figure out what works best for us and OUR camping situation. Thank you!! Tina344Views0likes0CommentsRe: Failed to consider the size of the Portable Dump tank..
Sprink-Fitter wrote: How small did you think a 42 gallon tank would be? I think I already answered that question! To be fair, I have spent the past 2 months agonizing every day about how we were going to tow safely with an F150, a trailer of the size we wanted. Researching, and going from travel trailer to Motorhome searches, and finally at the end of it all, getting an upgraded truck AND a 2014 travel trailer in the span of about a weeks time (Yes, we took out 2 loans in about 10 days)... after that stress and struggle, I checked out mentally from 'over thinking' something as basic as an extra tank for grey water. normally I over analyze everything, but I'd just figured the worst of that stress was over, it's all down hill from there. We had one other camper for about 6 weeks before this, we used it like 3 times. it was a 1991 corsair, 26Ft. All i could think of was that the grey tank only lasted us about half a day - and that was only with doing dishes - we didn't even shower in that thing. It filled up rapidly, and the new camper has a decent shower, that we plan on using and did for at least one night dry camping in the driveway. Daughter took a small bath and I a quick shower. Anyhow - it seemed pretty straight forward, and no, I just didn't think about the size. I am fairly new to camping, and still learning about the limitations of weight and cargo etc.. there's a lot to learn. Also looking at a ladder to reach the roof and to make sure the slides are clear for bringing them back in. There is a lot to consider, and I obviously messed up on this one. Just confirms that there is a reason I tend to over analyze things. Had I done so in this case before I bought it, we'd not have to worry about returning it. Live and Learn. to everyone else - thank you so much for your input and helpful replies. I think I need to get a feel for how big this tank is in real world application(the grey tank in the camper). It may be fine with light use - 42 gallons is a lot! we might be able to go most weekends without even worrying about it - unless we have other family with us. I'm going to hold out on buying a smaller one until I can better gauge what our need will be. in the mean time I am sending the other one back. thank you again!398Views0likes0CommentsRe: Failed to consider the size of the Portable Dump tank..
I am sending it back. tossing around the idea of getting a smaller one - i think in a pinch a smaller one would be worth it. but to be honest, I'd rather make 4 reasonable trips with a 10-15 lb tank, than try to take 1 with that monster. I hadn't even thought about backing the truck into get it, but that just sealed the deal. I doubt we could drag it very far full387Views0likes0CommentsRe: Failed to consider the size of the Portable Dump tank..
2012Coleman wrote: So your issue is that you are not going to be able to pull it to the TV to hitch it up when full? That would be about 350 lbs. I'm not a weakling, but I would not want to try that. You could either keep it or send it back for a smaller one if you will realize significant savings and don't have to pay return shipping fees. Your gray water most likely will need to be emptied, but if your black tank is 42 gallons, you should be able to go for more than a week before filling it up - depending on the number of people I guess. And I don't bring mine if I'm going to a full hookup site. sadly - i hadn't even THOUGHT of that wrinkle as a possibility - but yes, i suppose that could be an issue. in a tight spot, how does one maneuver a big truck to get to the tank, or what are the alternatives? I didn't research this as I just assumed it would be cut and dry.276Views0likes0CommentsFailed to consider the size of the Portable Dump tank..
yes. Yes I did. Was talking to DH about having a tank so we had an option for sites without sewer but with a dump station on grounds. Worried about dumping a full tank into a portable holding tank and having it overflow. Here's where we got into trouble. DH says "That is why you get a portable tank that is the same size or BIGGER than the tank on the RV". OK. The tank on the Travel Trailer is 42 Gallons. Now I didn't think about this. Granted. NO. NO I did not. In my mind, in hindsight, I think I was picturing maybe a TEN gallon tank. The box arrived today. It's nearly as tall as I am :E We haven't taken it out of the box yet. I know it's heavy. AND, I am beginning to question the decision to get such a LARGE tank. Storing it will be no easy feat. I am assuming it will be an easy thing to hook to the ball of the truck and drag to the dump station when needed, and I am sure having one like this would be great in times of need. AM tempted to leave the thing at home except when knowingly going to sites without sewer. Of One thing I am sure. 42 GALLONS is a HECK of a lot More than I had envisioned. In hind sight, I am understanding why these things have bobbers on them that will indicate when full. Seems simple enough. it starts to get full, you turn off the flow. Haul off the tank and repeat (if you have a smaller one). So. What think you all. Should we bite the bullet and send back this monstrosity? Get a smaller one? we'll have to pay for shipping to return it since it was our mistake (oh hurray). Did I mention it was Huge? just in case I forgot. It's HUGE..13KViews0likes83CommentsRe: Newbie weight question
looking online at the max tow rating for that year/model: Yukon XL 1500 2WD 8,100 Yukon XL 1500 4WD 8,000 Yukon XL 2500 2WD 9,600 Yukon XL 2500 4WD 9,400 so depending on which one you have, these are the max tow limits for that vehicle. Next - payload, This really should be pulled from the sticker inside your vehicle. the yellow one that says something like "The total weight of cargo, people, etc in this vehicle should not exceed xxx lbs" couldn't find the payload info on line for that make/model year.. but just based on the tow capacity, I'd guess you're trailer is too big for the vehicle.. unless you have the 2500 version - then you might be ok - with tow limit weights at least. But with Cargo - that's the big question. if you don't have the payload requirements you won't be able to tow it.. Good Luck!406Views0likes0CommentsRe: Why do people have such large trailers?
we have a 34 foot 11" trailer (just about 35).. there's only 3 of us. We have similar questions for trailers that are just.. big lounge areas - but it's personal preference. We do have big trailer, there are only 3 of us, BUT, we have family members we plan on bringing frequently and our trailer sleeps 10. There will like be about 7 of us going out at any given time- up to 9 or maybe 10. We wanted the room to take whomever we wanted with us. Even with 2 slides, and 7 - 9 people, there's not going to be any dancing in there! LOL! but everyone will have their reasons I am sure. Everyone has different ideas on comfort and happiness.. Mine is surrounded by family - much of the time if not all of the time - and then just the 3 of us some of the time too. We'd be the awkward group showing up with a 35ft ish trailer, and only 2 adults and 1 kid tagging along :)208Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 19, 202544,029 Posts
