Opening TM while hitched

[Rich_in_Tampa]

Can I open my 3124KS (due for delivery in 2 weeks) while it's hitched to my Sequoia tow vehicle?

One less thing to do if you stop for just an overnight en route.

[commodor47]

I can only relate to our 2720 SL . . . yes, we can open up and use the TM without unhitching from the TV. However, you may not always end up perfectly level. Our last outing was a seven day stay in Milan, OH. I hitched up (but did not set the WDH bars) the TV the evening before our travel day which saves a little time when attempting an early departure.

[2blueranger]

We stay connected to our 2005 3124KS if we are just over nighting it. The only aggravation is the TV's camper top door won't open all the way. We just make sure everything we need from the back of the truck is out before we raise the TM.

[wbmiller3]

As Blueranger said, we stay hitched to our Expedition for overnight stops with no problem, but we can't open the liftgate or liftgate glass when the TM is up. Just takes a little logistics planning!

[Rich_in_Tampa]

And disconnect the power cord between the tv and TM.

Ohh yeah.... the cord. Thanks.

[Bill]

This thread got off topic, which is OK. The remaining posts concerned a battery isolator, and they have been moved to the Electrical forum so that they can be found in the future. The new thread is titled "Battery Isolator".

This thread, concerning opening the liftgate when the TM is set up, will continue as usual.

Bill

[Allen1124]

We have an '06 2720 and tow with a Ford Explorer ('04). We are able to open the tailgate about 1/2 way while hitched, but certainly open enough to get things in and out of the rear of the Explorer. You are somewhat limited in leveling while hitched, since you can't lower the TM front end while hitched.
For an overnight (or sometimes two), we stay hitched. Otherwise, it seems worth it to unhitch.

[Bill]

Allen -

We have a similar rig (2720SL behind an 02 Explorer), and have the same results. Once the TM is set up, the Explorer's backglass can open about halfway. We can get a few small things in and out, but a full sized suitcase, for example, is tough. So we try to take out whatever we will need before we open the front shell.

Note that you can lower the front of the TM an inch or two by dropping the springbar latches. You don't have to remove the springbars from their sockets - you don't even have to take the chains off the hooks. So hookup in the morning is still fast. If you need another inch, crank up the rear jacks a bit.

Bill

[larsdennert]

Most Toyota SUV's have a power rear window that allow you access while the TM is open. I'm pretty sure his Sequoia has it so he should be ok there. The TM is an amusing excercise in remembering what order to do things. Kinda fun really. All 4Runners, Landcruiser wagons and even the Tundra and new Taco (I think) have a rear power down window.

Without the stab jacks the TM sways a bit like a boat when you walk around inside.

Also consider disconnecting the Bargman if you don't have another way to isolate the TV battery from the TM.

[Bill & Lisa]

Even if you stay hitched you can still drop the stabilizer jacks. really easy if you use a hand drill and allen wrench.

Bill

[Rich_in_Tampa]

Even if you stay hitched you can still drop the stabilizer jacks. really easy if you use a hand drill and allen wrench.


Just curious (a bit of a digression): in my 2008 model the stabilizer jacks are very easy to raise and lower with the included metal crank - round opening with a side-hole to lock the angled tip of the crank while winding. Don't see anywhere an Allen wrench would even work.

It would probably take me longer to fetch the drill and stow it than it does to just wind 'em up and down. Is this a change from older models? Seems like a snap but I know many use a cordless drill for this task.

I think I have a newer deal on the jacks.

[larsdennert]

Ah I see what Bill is getting at. Most Allen wrenches are L shaped. Stick a big 3/8" one in your drill and you've got power jacks.

[PopBeavers]

I use the cordless drill with large allen wrench to quickly drop the jacks. I never set the jacks any tighter than I can tighten with my bare hand. If I over tighten then the frame sags by the door and the door doesn't work properly. If I under tighten then the trailer rocks. Hand tighten with a bare hand and no wrench of any kind is what works for me.

[Freedom]

Hand tighten with a bare hand and no wrench of any kind is what works for me.
You must have a better grip than I do. Mine is about gone due to 40 years of turning wrenches and carpal tunnel syndrome. I don't use an allen wrench because it chews up the jack - I use a concrete anchor bolt that's the same size as the original crank. I ground three flat spots on the shank for a better grip in the drill chuck. Works great!

[Bill]

It would probably take me longer to fetch the drill and stow it than it does to just wind 'em up and down.I keep the drill, with the Allen wrench pre-chucked, in my "Towing stuff" box at the far back of the tow vehicle - just inside the lift gate. Since the lift gate is already open and the box is already being accessed, it actually takes LESS time to get out the drill than to open the rear bumper compartment in the TM and get out the hand crank.

BTW, the "towing stuff" box contains all the things that I need for hitching/unhitching. The drill as mentioned, the cheater bar for raising/lowering the spring bar hooks, extra safety clip for the spring bar hooks, grease for the hitch ball, oil for the spring bar stubs, hitch clip for the coupler, half roll of paper towels, 6" bubble level, LED head light, and so forth.

Bill

[PopBeavers]

At home the drill is on top of the tote box for towing. When I leave the house it goes into the tote box.

Before we got the TM I was forever looking for the cordless drill, never knowing where I used it last. Since we got the TM I always know where the drill is. It still is where I used it last, but instead of it being at the location of the last home repair it is at the TM, after the last camping trip.

Obviously, I camp a little more often than I fix things around the house.

[Magdefrau]

Remember if you stay hooked up to your TV, during a strong storm you will be less likely to be turned over.