I posted a similar question in the beginning RV section as we are new to RVing and got the good suggestion to post again here.
Are there specific things we should look for and at during the walk through for a hybrid TT? We are taking delivery of a Jayco 23b the first week of April.
well, since i recommended you post here, i'll start with hybrid-specific recommendations.
have them show you how to setup and take down the bunk ends and how to store the canvas.
make sure all seals look good and check where the canvas attaches to the trailer.
check where the canvas is pre-attached to the bunk door.
check for sagging when the canvas is set up.
make sure all the windows unzip and zip up easily.
check where the bunk door cables attach to the door and the trailer.
all the other things will be common to any regular travel trailer.
Jayco makes a great hybrid but they are lower to the ground than other brands and don't have good clearance, especially where the tank discharge is at.
Dan- Firefighter, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP), 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
Chuck_S wrote: Don't expect the the camper dealer to teach you how to dump the tanks or level the trailer.
I respectfully disagree with that statement.
That is part of the job when going through the PDI (or walk-though as some dealers phrase it) and they are more than happy to help a newby. Practically speaking, they want you to know these things and not have a bad experience. Of course, reading the manuals and following tutorials on this and other sites are necessary, too.
How to dump, level, hitch up, and work all the various systems and appliances (lighting the stove, working the water heater, fridge, etc). Every dealership we ever went to showed us these things. We've even had dealers cover potential problems and how to overcome them - the old tricks like bleeding the gas lines, for example. It was quite useful early on and the OP should expect it.
2012 Shamrock 233S, P3, Equal-i-zer
2008 Toyota Sequoia 5.7L 4WD
A PDI -- Pre-Delivery Inspection -- is just that, an inspection to be sure there is no damage and everything works.
It's like buying a car. Don't expect the car dealer to teach you how to drive. Don't expect the the camper dealer to teach you how to dump the tanks or level the trailer. Their job is to ensure the dump valves work properly and the stabilizers are there. When you get distracted by "learning how to camp" you will miss things that are damaged or don't work. And the person videoing this can miss many things as well.
Do ensure the appliances are functional. There are owners manuals for everything so be sure they're with the trailer.
Many dealers have classes you can take to learn how to camp.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland Our Photo pages
In addition to Dan's suggestions you want to pay close attention to -
Lighting the pilot for the stove and hot water heater and starting the furnace
Hooking up to the tow vehicle, especially the adjustment of the weight distribution hitch system
The tank flushing operations and location of the low point drains
Make sure that the PDI technician does not rush you, but also there is no need to drag this out. As questions if you have a doubt about something and make sure that you get the owners's manual before you leave - very important.
May sound funny, but we brought a camcorder to the PDI and recorded the tech going through everything. They cover a lot of stuff so don't rely on your memory. Also, the tech offered a lot of advice and way better instructions than the lousy Jayco owners manual.
If you concentrate on "learning to camp" you will undoubtedly overlook defects in the trailer. Long thread here last month regarding this.
If the dealer wants to teach you stuff take advantage of it, but don't overlook the primary purpose of the Pre-Delivery Inspection. Dragging the camper back to the dealer to correct defects you should have noted is a PITA.
Chuck_S wrote: A PDI -- Pre-Delivery Inspection -- is just that, an inspection to be sure there is no damage and everything works.
It's like buying a car. Don't expect the car dealer to teach you how to drive. Don't expect the the camper dealer to teach you how to dump the tanks or level the trailer. Their job is to ensure the dump valves work properly and the stabilizers are there. When you get distracted by "learning how to camp" you will miss things that are damaged or don't work. And the person videoing this can miss many things as well.
Do ensure the appliances are functional. There are owners manuals for everything so be sure they're with the trailer.
Many dealers have classes you can take to learn how to camp.
-- Chuck
Buying an RV is not like buying a car and my PDI went well beyond just "inspecting" for functionality and defects. Seems that any decent dealer would make a point of educating customers on how use the rig's component systems. Just makes good business sense.
Chuck_S wrote: Don't expect the the camper dealer to teach you how to dump the tanks or level the trailer.
I respectfully disagree with that statement.
That is part of the job when going through the PDI (or walk-though as some dealers phrase it) and they are more than happy to help a newby. Practically speaking, they want you to know these things and not have a bad experience. Of course, reading the manuals and following tutorials on this and other sites are necessary, too.
How to dump, level, hitch up, and work all the various systems and appliances (lighting the stove, working the water heater, fridge, etc). Every dealership we ever went to showed us these things. We've even had dealers cover potential problems and how to overcome them - the old tricks like bleeding the gas lines, for example. It was quite useful early on and the OP should expect it.
X2!!
I expected the dealer to tell me everything I needed or wanted to know. There are plenty of things on a HTT that are new to many first time owners. I bought a used trailer and my dealer went thru everything step by step, then would ask if I had a questions before we moved on to the next item. When he had given her the once over, he then asked me if I was good to go. I had some questions on WH, as it was new to me, and he went thru it again. Did not want a blown element! He even went thru my Equalizer, which I had purchased elsewhere, to be sure I was good to go with that!
I would ask any questions while you have someone there with knowledge of the product to walk you thru any concerns. It is part of the sale.
2007 Jayco 23B
2009 E350 Ford Club Wagon 5.4 w/ tow pkg
Equalizer hitch, Prodigy P3 brake controller
Buddy 125 Scooter-FUN!
1997 Coleman Sunridge- Served us well for 11 years!
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, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur
, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP
), 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
