Set Up and Breakdown by Solo Owners

I suppose this is one of the few times where additional height (5'11") and/or weight (no comment ) can be an advantage. I have done several trips solo (or with someone who was best not involved in set-up/tear-down ) and had no problems doing either. As others have suggested, your best bet is to see if you can find a TM to try out on.

I agree with trying it out first. Everyone's body strength is different. For me, the hardests things would be hooking it up to tow, towing, backing up, doing the jacks and leveling it once it's opened, and taking care of the grey and black tanks. Opening it, setting up the inside, and closing it down again, I can do, even though my husband calls me a whimp. The one thing I do have trouble with is getting my foot into the stirrup to close it all the way and catch the locks. But I could do that too if I had to, and used a step stool.

Jo Ann

[Speckul8r]

Cheri, Have you tried experimenting closing one side b4 the other? My 2720 closes much easier if I close/latch the drivers side first. Maybe this is just an idiosyncrasy of my unit.
When we picked the unit up from the dealer, he insisted that my wife do most of the work. Just to show off how easy it was. She's 5' 4" and <125#.

Originally Posted by Speckul8r

Cheri, Have you tried experimenting closing one side b4 the other? My 2720 closes much easier if I close/latch the drivers side first. Maybe this is just an idiosyncrasy of my unit.
When we picked the unit up from the dealer, he insisted that my wife do most of the work. Just to show off how easy it was. She's 5' 4" and <125#.

Yes I have. It actually worked fine when I got it last summer (from a private party) but since I was the 3rd owner and it was 9 yrs old, I took it to a TM dealership for a once over and they adjusted it in such a way that I could no longer close it in the traditional manor (at least not the rear shell). I had a bad experience with that dealership and it is 2 hrs away so I have not gone back. It's no problem for me. If something more major occurs, I'll take it in and take care of that while Im there.
Cheri

Here is a very simple cure to the closing problem. You just hook the hook on the stirrup and put the shorter end of the board on the frame - up underneath. Step on the long end of the board. Board is about five feet of 1X4 with a 1/2 inch hole about 2 feet from one end. The hook is one of those little ratchet down straps pushed through the hole and knotted through a big washer on the under side.

I feel much better after reading everything posted by you experienced TrailManor owners. Thanks for responding with such good experience descriptions and tips. I'm saving all of them for when I get my own TrailManor.

Jim, I am not trying to be a snob when I say I don't want to ask for help. I am very independent, and would be working full-time in a compact mobile office setup with satellite internet in my TrailManor, and would be looking to stay in places fairly far away from civilization and other humans to help me. That is part of the allure of the travel for me. So I just want to be able to do it all myself sans homosapiens. I like the idea of climbing up on it to bounce it down -- that could be sort of fun -- I used to drive a 2-1/2 ton troop carrier (deuce-and-a-half) when I was a soldier in the Army and I couldn't shut the hood on that monster without climbing up on the front fenders and bouncing on it -- it was kind of fun, sort of. The weighted backpack idea is a good suggestion, too. The closing was the largest concern for me, and I feel better about it now.

I'm going to check all the other threads you posters have given me, as well. The TrailManor would become my full-time home, when I get it, so I want to spend my money wisely. Thank you again, every one!

/s/
Susyn

[fcatwo]

Susyn

You haven't said how often you'll be moving, how many miles you'll be covering or what kind of tow vehicle you have but IMO the biggest advantages of a TM are when you are actually towing it on the hwy or storing it aroung your home. Once it's set up for camping it's not that different from other trailers and unfortunately some of those differences are minuses -- like the recirculating toilet, small liquid capacities and small appliances. Our 2619 is just what we need at this stage of our lives (easy to tow and fits in the garage) but it would not be my choice for full-timing. I assume you are considering other options. Just my $0.02.

[Bill]

Susyn -

If you are going to be working a mobile office in remote locations, you might want to search for posts by RockyMtnRay on the subject of cell phone amplifiers/cell phone internet connection, and so forth. Ray runs his own business and Internet access from remote areas is of prime concern to him.

Or send him a PM. He don' come 'round much anymore, but I know he would be glad to comment if you feel the need of experienced comment in this area.

Bill

[Leslie & Nick]

Susyn,

Had to chuckle a little. I saw your reference to driving a "deuce and half" in the Army. I drove one of these trucks while at Ft Benning in the late 60's. I loved that truck! It would run on most any kind of fuel - diesel, gas, and maybe some others! My old platoon sergeant got great joy out calling me his "college truck driver" - it made him feel good I guess Driving that truck got me out of some other nasty "details", so I didn't mind.

Anyway, I see you have gotten a lot of responses regarding setting up and taking down the TM by yourself. I'll add my $ .02 too. We have a 2619 which is the smallest TM, but I'm not sure that matters anyway (those torsion bars on all TMs do most of the work). I'd say I'm of average build and strength, and I can put up/take down the trailer my self. I find it easier to make sure I pull the shells up from the centerpoint as opposed to one side. And as someone already said, it's also easier if the trailer is fairly level before you start. I've never had a problem "locking down" the shells after lowering them.

It is certainly easier to raise/lower with two people, but one person can indeed do it too. As others have said, the best thing is to try it yourself at a dealer, if there are any near you. Unfortunately, your chances of seeing a TM at a campground are slim - there just don't seem to be many out there yet. So that's probably not a good avenue for talking to a TM owner and maybe trying to assist, while the owner is setting up or taking down.

Nick