Setting up the TM every couple days

[Bill]

During our cross country trips, we often stay hooked up overnight. It helps to ask for a level campsite as you check in, and to get the tow vehicle lined up straight with the trailer. It is possible to do some fore-and-aft levelling of the trailer while hooked up. Releasing the WDH springbars will drop the nose an inch or two. Or the tongue jack can raise the nose an inch or two.

We had a 2002 Explorer, and then a 2007 Explorer. With both, we could leave it hooked up, and still open the upper half of the tailgate - the glass, in other words. We now have a 2014 F-150. We can stay hooked up, and can (barely) open the tailgate.

To some extent, it will depend on the length of the shank on your WDH. A short shank makes it less likely that you can open the tailgate or lift gate.

Bill

[LoveToCamp]

My only problem related to frequent use is the bathroom wall hinge screws keep coming loose. If I remember, I will get some longer than the ¾" screws it was originally assembled with. Bad angles, and not enough bite into material (they mostly are screwed between the inner foam and the outer wall, so no real seating of the threads) have allowed them to come loose way too often.

I can open my TM while still hitched. I back the TM into the driveway for prepping for a trip, and leave the Jeep attached. If the TM is open (normally is, for trip prep), I can only open the liftgate half way, but it is no problem. I can still put things in. I just put a rag between my liftgate and the TM, so there is no paint being swapped.

[tentcamper]

Originally Posted by Craigrrr

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

No we don't have to detach. The front shell does not go past the front of the tongue. The picture on my post, the camper is attached it was a one-nighter. Now if I can not pull in with the TV and camper square to each other i can not leave it attached.

Blocking up the camper can be fun. At times you have to block up the back of the TV, or block up both wheels of the camper to get the camper level front to back with the ball height already define by the hitch ball. You can use the tongue jack or release the WDH springs to rise /lower the front of the camper maybe 2" while attached to the TV. Other wise you need to block up the TV or camper if not level front to back. In the attached picture I put down the tongue jack and raised the camper's tongue and rear of the TV by about an inch.

[Craigrrr]

Originally Posted by tentcamper

No we don't have to detach. The front shell does not go past the front of the tongue. The picture on my post, the camper is attached it was a one-nighter. Now if I can not pull in with the TV and camper square to each other i can not leave it attached.

Blocking up the camper can be fun. At times you have to block up the back of the TV, or block up both wheels of the camper to get the camper level front to back with the ball height already define by the hitch ball. You can use the tongue jack or release the WDH springs to rise /lower the front of the camper maybe 2" while attached to the TV. Other wise you need to block up the TV or camper if not level front to back. In the attached picture I put down the tongue jack and raised the camper's tongue and rear of the TV by about an inch.

Thanks, I am so looking forward to owning a TM.

[scrubjaysnest]

The one situation where we have to un-hook is when we carry the 17' canoe.

[countrygirl]

We have a Chevrolet Duramax Diesel old in years and youngish in miles for a diesel. We do one night stays every years enroute to Missouri. This truck has a full size Leer Topper on it and we can open the back window of the topper while hooked up to our 3124ks and retrieve our tire chocks and leveling blocks with no problem.

BTW..wbmiller3..........I dream of traveling only 4 to 5 hundred miles a day

[Craigrrr]

Glad to hear that the TM can stay attached for the one nighters!!!