We just got back from our maiden voyage with our new 2013 TM 2720SD. We had a great time and were able to learn how to setup and test everything out.
We did encounter some small issues that I wanted some advice about.
The first issue is the gray water indicator on the systems monitor. It was always reading full, so we tested it out by emptying the tank and then filling it, using the test button every few seconds to see the status. After emptying the tank, it read empty. I then started filling it by running water coming from the fresh water tank, so that I could look under the sink and see how much water had actually gone into the gray tank. It read empty at the beginning and jumped to full after only adding around 5 gallons. The lights never showed at any of the intermediate levels, only empty and then full, with all lights lit. In reading on here, other people seem to have had problems with the gray tank reading full when it really is not. Is the problem just the shape of the tank being so flat that the sensor cannot read the amount properly? Is this something that can really be fixed, or is it just destined to be inaccurate? The other sensors on the panel seem correct. We are under warranty but the dealer is hours away so we don't want to go there to have it "fixed" if it is probably still going to be an issue anyway.
The second issue relates to the small lights attached to the front overhead cabinet. All three of the lights are not operating. I am wondering if they are not hooked up. We do not have the radio or speakers so I am curious if those lights are supposed to be run off that wiring and they got missed. Any thoughts? The fuses were fine and the other front lights were functional.
The smoke detector is also not working, but I assume they just didn't put a battery in it, so I can test that next trip.
Overall, we love the TM. It is quick to open and close, but the rest of the setup and tear down does take a while. I assume it will get quicker the more often we do it. We are very happy with the storage and appliances. We had empty cabinets, so I am bringing a few more kitchen supplies next time. I figure we can use the one totally empty cabinet for more food supplies and the empty drawers in the 3 drawer cabinet for dirty clothes. We use the mini cabinets over the dinette for card games and flashlights. We use the left dinette seat for outdoor chairs, a table, and the pool noodles. We can pull the noodles in and out through the external door so that works well. We use the small storage under the right dinette seat for towels that we wrap around the cabinets for padding during transit, and store countertop items like the napkin holder and paper towel holder in there when on the road. The storage cabinet under the bed is empty right now too. I am sure we will fill it up over time.
So far there was no toilet stink, but I guess it could get worse if we don't keep it clean. I was thinking of getting a Flush King for use after long trips and at the end of the season. Surprisingly, there was plenty of storage for all our bathroom items in the bathroom cabinets. We used an over the door towel bar to hang the towels but they stayed pretty wet. Any advice for drying the towels during colder weather? The campground would not allow clotheslines. We also noted that some of the mini shower curtain hooks were either missing or had no rollers on them, so we will ask the dealer if they can send us some extra ones.
It is interesting to note how really inaccurate the TM manual is. The one provided with the trailer was a different version from the one posted on the TM site. There were big omisions but luckily the information on this site was available. It is interesting that with the new TMs, you do not have to light the top burners. There is a spark dial you use to light them. Also, it was very easy to light the oven pilot, although there is no way to know when it is preheated. I will add an oven thermometer for that. The current model does not have a heater strip on the AC, but perhaps you could have ordered it as an option. The water heater also only runs on propane. We found the furnace to get very quick at heating the living area, but ineffective at heating the back bed. I wonder if a small fan would have helped move the warm air back to the bed area. We kept the curtain open, but it was still much colder back there.
We practiced backing up in a parking lot when we got home, but we still have a bit of practicing to go before we will feel comfortable without a pull through site. It helped if I directed from the outside over the phone while DH was backing up.
We had trouble with our towing mirrors. We are using Grand Aeros on a 2012 Dodge Durango and they are just not secure enough. The regular mirrors are small and curved on top, so the clips slip. We are going to try hooking them onto the bottom of the mirrors instead, but may have to explore other options if they still do not seem secure enough.
The highlights of the weekend were hiking at Starved Rock and sitting around the campfire in the evening, watching a few stars peak out. We are taking the kids out mid-October for a weekend. Any suggestions for a location less than two hours from the western suburbs of Chicago? We can't leave until 4pm or so and want to be setup before dark.
Maiden Voyage
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