Setting up the TM every couple days

[Craigrrr]

Does anyone travel for a couple days and then set up their TM, then take down and then repeat in a couple days?

I am wondering how well the TM will hold up doing that with the every couple of days up and down etc... Seems like the wardrobe and bathroom walls will need repair pretty soon . Or new latches ,hinges etc...

I am going to be doing the rails to trails in every state that I can visit and it will be a lot of one night stays or 2 night stays then drive away to the next location and set up

[Bill]

Craig -

I had a 2002 TM, and we did a lot of one-night stands. I replaced it with the 2006 TM which we still have, and we do even more one night stands. Exercising it does not seem to be a problem. Sort of like "working the grease" into my arthritic elbow, exercise seems to do it good.

Just my observation.

Enjoy the rails-to-trails outings. They have always been a lot of fun for us. Will you hike them, or bike?

Bill

[wbmiller3]

We did basically that on our 3 week Texas->Vermont->Texas trip last year. I prefer to stay longer in one spot but time constraints and reluctance to drive more than 4 or 5 hours a day meant that was going to be the plan. I have had one of the center hold down latches fail but that is the only failure we've had of the putting up / taking down systems.

[mecicon]

Originally Posted by Craigrrr

I am wondering how well the TM will hold up doing that with the every couple of days up and down etc... Seems like the wardrobe and bathroom walls will need repair pretty soon . Or new latches ,hinges etc...

There is an upgrade/mod to the wardrobe hinge: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Liberty-1...4#.UBFkO6OWjz0

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...4&postcount=14

Excessive bouncing of the TM and overloading of the wardrobe are the primary culprits.

[scrubjaysnest]

We've done that for the last 5 years, spend a few nights up to a week then move on. We do this for 6 to 8 months. No problems with the metal parts but the bathroom wall didn't have washers under the screws and some pulled through the plastic. Added washers to the wardrobe before it became a problem.

A few adjustments to the lift system and latches have been required.
Had one door come apart but wood glue and clamp fixed that.

Biggest failure for us was the swing hitch, gap kept getting larger and frame cracks. That's been welded shut and some additional gussets added.

[Logman]

Make a list of necessary steps needed to set up and or tear down the TM. This makes the process less stressful, especially for newbies.

[Craigrrr]

Thanks, this info was what I was looking for!

[tentcamper]

We do normally only stay anywhere for 2-3 day and move on. About 2-3 times a year we do one nighters leaving the TV attached. The only thing that we noticed related to the amount of how often the roof is lifted is; On the driverside there develops a curved dark mark as the front shell swings down on the rear shell. I think it is from the the door seals. We need to more often scrub the mark off then if we did longer stays.

Otherwise no issues.

[Craigrrr]

Originally Posted by tentcamper

We do normally only stay anywhere for 2-3 day and move on. About 2-3 times a year we do one nighters leaving the TV attached. The only thing that we noticed related to the amount of how often the roof is lifted is; On the driverside there develops a curved dark mark as the front shell swings down on the rear shell. I think it is from the the door seals. We need to more often scrub the mark off then if we did longer stays.

Otherwise no issues.

So you do not have to unhook from the tow vehicle ? interesting, how about with a suburban and say a 3023 or 2720 model? I was under the impression it had to be removed , but if it can stay attached it would make the one nighters much easier. SO if anyone has a suburban and pics of theirs opened up while attached would be appreciated as well.
thanks

[wbmiller3]

With our Expedition you can stay attached. We can't fully open the liftgate though with the trailer set up.