"Lacy Lucy" as we lovingly call her, was awesome!!! She's a "new to us" 1995 37' Newmar Kountry Aire. I love reading stories of first-time-out trips...and wanted to share ours.
We took her to Devil's Lake State Park up near the Wisconsin Dells. Got there after dark and I backed her right into the campsite without a hitch...IN THE DARK mind you! (remember...I'm a gal who has never had to do any of this stuff but now that DH is disabled, it's all me now...he just voices his opinions (lots of them). Anyway....a few little glitches....
Filled the fresh water tanks and it appears there's a leak somewhere so we had no water when we got up there. No water hookups at state parks either but we did have electric. I had bottled water on board for drinking and heated it to wash dishes and used it for flushing the toilet.
Did have trouble with the levelling system. It's so darned simple that I couldn't figure it out!!! Nothing seemed to work right so I hope I didn't do any damage to the fridge by not having her level. I shall work on that now.
Only thing I really missed was the internet!!! Couldn't get the TV to work right so DH watched a movie (Robin Williams' RV) on my computer while I did some paper crafts at the table. We made popcorn, cooked spaghetti one night, a box dinner the first night (convection oven novice that I am, the biscuits were rock hard and good only for target practice).
My little dog, Coco, took me hiking against my will. We were backed up to a steep ravine and she decided to explore before I could get the leash on her. I was in my sock feet and didn't dare go back in for shoes and lose track of her so down the hill I went on my behind in 10" of oak leaves...got to the bottom, tucked her under my arm (she's a little lhasa apso) and looked up and up and up that hill....grabbed, saplings, twigs, roots, and fallen tree trunks to get ourselves back up to the top. From then on she was on her leash!!!!
The whole trip was fabulous, loved every minute of it and can't wait to go again but she'll be getting winterized this week and stored alongside the house!!! Just can't believe we own her and that next year we'll be out in her every chance we get!!!
Lacy
1995 Newmar Kountry Aire
We named her "Lacy Lucy"..."Lucy" for short
She's been a member of our family just a short time...since 10/31/09
I got a blank book that I journal all of our trips. I put the mileage, how much gas we bought, cost, etc. This way I have information about our first year (bought 2002 Winnebago Brave 35' in March 2009). This way too I can look back and see my accomplishments. Like you I am the driver since my DH can no longer drive. I too get advice from him, but when he is with me he hooks up all the outside stuff.
Our trip was to a federal park. Of course, no TV, just electric and water. I had books with me so my basics were covered.
I discovered since I am the driver and cook, that if I cook stuff ahead, I can take it with me to warm up in the microwave. We only have a microwave oven, no convection oven.
I have also found this book handy because I comment on whether I drove too long, etc. and I know how much it cost to go so many miles so we can plan future trips, especially being on a fixed income.
And that's just the beginning!!!!!!!!!! Remember "it's always something" when you own a rv. I'm glad your dog escape had a happy, albeit a challenging ending. Planning all your future trips might make the winter pass by a little more quickly. And, of course, reading and learning from rvnet
Kathy
'02 KOUNTRY STAR DP
'04 PT CRUISER INFERNO RED
LUCKY THE TRAVELIN'BLACK CAT
Devil's Lake is a fun place. It is possible you don't have a leak and that a low point drain valve was left open as this is a new to you unit so the search should start there. Put some water in and look undeneath to see the drips or stream and then start looking there. If it is a stream a good chance it is the valve it is rapid drips a leak but you will be closer to where it is coming from. Let us know the results of your fix. Maybe it is just that self winterizing feature. The Baraboo hills probably raised havoc with your tv signal but do make sure your booster is on.
Hi
There is another infrequent situation that can result in your water tank being empty when you get to where your going especially if you have filled it right up before leaving. Some RV manufacturers put a drain on top the fresh water tank which I think is there to prevent rupture of the tank from overfilling. Anyway, what has happened to me is that this drain will sometimes start draining excess water from over-filling and it will siphon the tank dry before it stops. When topping up your fresh water tank check underneath to see if there is a steady stream draining out from under your coach. It could be that drain that I mentioned. I believe this is mainly applicable to systems where you can only fill the tank from the pressurized lines. That is to say, systems that do not have a gravity type filler spout on the side of the rig near the fresh water tank as theree is no vacuum break. Just a thought for you to check.
Lloyd
Congratulations on your first outing. May there be many more. Good time to head for Arizona for the winter.
Don and Phyllis
White Poodle named Tobie
2003 39' Tradewinds LE
2002 Cavalier tow
63 Ford Falcon Ranchero.
Korean Veteran, USAF
FMCA F357981
CC4C
GOOD SAM
Offline
Online
 (Custom) (Custom).jpg)
