PNW Labor Day Maiden Voyage 2020

[PapaMatt]

I just bought our TM in August and was itching to get it out before the end of the season. Over 3 weekends I went thru the systems, fixed some things and made sure everything checked out.
I got lucky and got an RV spot at Bud's RV in Gearhart, on the Oregon Coast. Friday, I loaded up the Wife and dog and off we went - before the rush. We rolled in around 1:30pm, quickly checked in and I backed in to my very first RV spot - by the way, this is also my very first travel trailer
The weekend provided us with good weather and the pup and I enjoyed the mile walk along the golf course to the beach. He would dive into the tall grass chasing any sound he heard (he is part cat). We enjoyed decent food and decent beer.
The TM kept us warm; kept us cool with the windows open and really worked well. I am hoping to research a better bed/mattress cover as we are currently using a double sized mattress topper on our queen bed.
Also learned not to let the toilet fuel gauge hit the red before dumping - I wanted to test it out even though we had restroom access, so I filled it up (the Wife would have none of it and proudly took the restroom key to do her business). The last day I used the toilet one more time and that flush caused a not so nice spray around the top of the body of the toilet- I immediately went out and dumped it - we will be dumping it before the FULL mark from now on.
Monday morning we hooked up and were out by 10am - made the drive home and hit a weigh station on the way home - truck came in at 5750 pounds and the TM came in at 3750 pounds (no water or gray). After I left the weigh station, I was immediately followed by a red car, that then exited with me and matched all my turns (2 lane road all the way). I had to stop for the left hand turn into the subdivision and as I crossed the lane, the red car honked then went straight. I pulled in to park, exited the vehicle and checked my 7 way - it had been dragging on the hiway for 60 miles and had chewed thru 4 of the 7 wires. I will be learning to solder it back up in the coming weeks.

It was a good first trip - unfortunately as I write this, we are socked in by forest fire smoke and all forests, trails and beaches are closed. Can't wait for next year....

[fairweatherfisherman]

Sounds like a nice trip.

[Larryjb]

This is one of the reasons I made a large print abbreviated checklist. I laminated these pages and bound them into a simple booklet that I keep in my door pocket. (Sorry, I don't think the 1992 1500 has a door pocket, but I'm sure you could figure something out).

The first 2 pages are large print intended for quick checks when pulling out or during stops while towing.

The next 2 pages are useful when setting up, and especially the tear down because this is when you're tired and you'll miss something for sure (like a Bargman ) I've pulled away without raising my tongue jack fully... BANG BANG BANG what the @#$!#%?.

Embarassing. Been there, too many times.

The technical library has more detailed checklists that you may wish to download. Then you can decide what should go into a large print checklist for yourself, and what can go into smaller print or booklet form for other purposes. But, that large print checklist idea has been really useful.

Checklists abbreviated.pdf

[commodor47]

Originally Posted by PapaMatt

. . . I pulled in to park, exited the vehicle and checked my 7 way - it had been dragging on the hiway for 60 miles and had chewed thru 4 of the 7 wires. I will be learning to solder it back up in the coming weeks.

One way to prevent the this from happening again is to use a velcro cable tie. I wrap a tie around the TV 7-pin connector cover to secure the TM cord and prevent it from disconnecting while under tow.

Dick

[TnP-2027]

Sounds like a great maiden voyage!

So cool that your first camper is a TM

Very cool that you got to weigh everything - I still need to do this and get a good tongue weight.

I am curious what repairs you had to make before your trip?

[PapaMatt]

Originally Posted by TnP-2027

Sounds like a great maiden voyage!

So cool that your first camper is a TM

Very cool that you got to weigh everything - I still need to do this and get a good tongue weight.

I am curious what repairs you had to make before your trip?

I actually bought the camper in good shape - I think the previous owner was a member of this forum and kept it up well.

I needed to secure the rubber bumpers that run from the front and rear to the wheel wells along the bottom of the inner shell - the automotive adhesive was starting to let go so I used contact cement.

I also had no keys for any doors or compartments so had the trailer re-keyed.

I then just went through the trailer to learn the systems and start a list of items to fix over the winter - cabinet hardware; window shield wing nuts; battery; water heater element and/or anode; work on toilet to see if flap needs replacing; velcro shower curtain to folding shower walls; replace shower faucet setup (leaks); fix outdoor shower to not leak; fix stove top cover... there is probably more but that will keep me busy this winter.