nvr4get343
Maryland
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Joined: 02/29/2008
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Well we finally got out for our first ever trip!1 WOW what a great time. people were wonderful weather was great and I actually got a chance to relax!
Lessons learned
1- Park far enough away from trees so you can use your awning! OOPS Didnt figure that one out untill we were already set up.
2- Bring bug spray.
3- Dont be afraid to ask your neighbors for help. (everyone on site was extremely helpful)
Before I ask questions I will tell my set up to the best of my ability.
I have a 2002 Ford F-250 with the 7.3l Diesel with the 8' bed My TT is a 2008 Skyline ALJO 311 LTD. I have the sway bars, WD hitch
Questions
1- After setup I still had alot of what I call wobble mostly in the rear of the trailer. I could feel my son wiggling in his bed while i was sleeping in the front. I attempted to re adjust the leveling jacks but it didnt seem to correct it. Is some wobble normal or are there any tricks to help with that. BTW I also have the spacers for in between the trailer tires and they helped with the front to back but not so much for the side to side
2- While towing I noticed alot of front to back "pushing" I guess the best way to explian it is "waving" Any thoughts?
3- I will not be using my TT for about another month. Should I drain the hot water heater? If so what is the cutoff for not having to drain it. meaning if I go out 1 or 2 weeks later should I still drain it?
That is all for now but stand by because I am sure I will be back.
Marc
NEWBIES
35' ALJO 311LTD
2002 F-250 Diesel long bed
Union member and proud of it!!! IAFF local 1664
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advntrs
greenwood, Indiana
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Joined: 02/27/2008
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Glad to hear your trip was a great success.
On the "waving" problem. Double check your tongue weight and also check and see how well you are equalizing your load to the front axle of your tow vehicle You may need to adjust the ball somewhat....Under a perfect set-up you will get some "waving" on extremely rough surfaces (Normally in the truck lane).
It seems no matter how well you stabilize the TT, you still feel people moving around in it. This is due to the fact that your axle springs are still carrying quite a bit of weight. Unless you raise your whole trailer off the ground, you will never eliminate that totally, but you will get close after awhile.
On the hot water heater, I normally drain it if I know its going to be a month or so before I get out. Not very punctual about that but have never had a problem.
Hope you have just as much fun on your next trip
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dakotapicker
Huron SD
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Joined: 03/13/2004
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Hi
You learn every time you go out, I have been camping for many years and there are always things that pop up that are new.
You are right about the help from other campers, They were green at this themselves.
The wobble you are talking about may be because you didn't get the jack stand tight. Do you have the crank down type? I use big square block under the jacks and crank them down until the start to lift the camper. Then when you want inside there won't be and wobble.
I don't think you need to empty the water heater unless you want to. There should be a white plastic plug that has to be removed , if you want to drain it. I use a socket and speed wrench that I leave in the camper to do that.
You may want to get a pressure control valve to put on you fresh water inlet if you use city water. It will keep the water pressure down and are not very costly.
We also carry a long garden hose to rinse out the black water tank. One of us puts the hose in the toilet with the flush handle open , while the other turns on the water. We let it fill about half way and then I pull the lever out side to drain the black tank. Drop me a line if you have any more question or just read what others have to say. There are a lot of very smart people on this web site.
Sorry for the length, but I was green once and need a lot of help.
2002 Dodge diesel 4x4 5 spd, 26 ft Dutchmen TT.
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kashman
Baltimore, Maryland
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Joined: 02/22/2005
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helps to deploy stab jacks and tongue jack on larger pieces of wood or something to minimize sinking of the bases into softer ground. We always sink in some unless on concrete or very cold asphalt.
Alyson & Mark plus kids
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Kenneth
Washington, the state
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Joined: 03/20/2001
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1--Get a travel poster of an ocean cruise. Imagine that the movement is the ship rolling on the waves. Trailer frames do flex, some more than others.
2--See how far you can throw sway bars. Add a dual-cam system to your existing hitch.
3--No problem.
I'm free of prostate cancer for 5 years now.
All men over age 50 should get an annual PSA blood test. Mine had a low reading, but the yearly jump was significant. The biopsy showed cancer just entering the aggressive stage. Dr. Hackenslash removed it.
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Steveque
Central California
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Joined: 08/11/2004
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Besides placing blocks of wood under your corner stabilizers, you should consider blocking your wheels so they can not move. There are various things you can build or buy to accomplish this.
The push-pull sensation is probably from too ight a tongue weight. Or it could be the road surface. I put the Monroe after market shock kit on my travel trailer. It did seem to help, especially with the bounce from road seams.
I'm not sure what you mean by sway bars but I would agree that if you are using the friction sway control thing I would change it out for the Reese Dual Cam system. It would fit nicely with your existing weight distribution (WD) system. Also, make sure the WD system is set up right. Your trailer should be level to slightly nose down while under way. Your tow vehicle should return to unloaded position once the WD system is engaged. There is a great sticky guide in Towing - right near the top.
We all learn from our mistakes.
Steve Quesenberry
Central California
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jmadre
Elizabeth City, NC
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Joined: 11/10/2007
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Marc,
Congratulations on your first trip. We just took our first over the Easter holiday and also had a great trip.
I experienced the 'waving' that you are talking about on the trip out, especially on the bumpy sections of the highway. We had adjusted the Equalizer WD hitch a week before leaving, so we knew it was close. I adjusted the brackets up one hole and the ride home was much better. I also increased the tire pressure from 30 PSI (door sticker) to 42 PSI (max of 44 PSI on tire sidewall). Both of these helped greatly.
I followed a suggestion from someone else here and left the tongue jack a little low when lowering my rear stabilizers. I then lifted the tongue just a little high and extended my front stabilizers. I lowered the tongue jack until I felt some of the pressure coming off of it and everything was pretty solid.
I also backed the trailer 'up' the rear wheel chocks and then had my helpers put the front chock in place before allowing the trailer to roll forward. This kept the fore/aft movement to a minimum.
Have fun,
Jeff
1994 Coachman Catalina 280RK behind a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 6.0L + Equalizer 10,000# + Prodigy brake controller
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SkiingSixPack
Minnesota
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Joined: 02/17/2005
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We always drain our water heater. I have had a few times that the water, when kept in the water heater, starts to smell like rotten eggs. We always drain ours now. We do this when we get home or the next day so it has time to cool off. It amazes me how long it keeps the water hot after I turn off the gas/elec to it.
Good luck with your new toy!!
My much better half 
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Our Fuzzbutt Golden Retriever
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dave Stringham
I was hoping you'd know, California
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Joined: 07/13/2005
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A good set of chocks will remove a lot of your movement while in the campground.
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swtgran
Brimfield, Ohio
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Joined: 06/18/2005
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Don't forget to open valves when you go to drain the water heater or you will take a shower. I think that is what you do to prevent that from happening. My husband got a good soaking the first time he drained the HW tank.
Swtgran
2007 Casita 17ft SD
2005 Toyota Tundra
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