It's home!

[4077]

Left dealership in OH on Saturday and got it home to CT on Sunday. Crazy wind and torrential rain in my first hour on road...lol. Good learning drive overall...west to east through the hills of PA on I-80/81/84.

One concern was my driveway, which came to pass, but was overcome. It has a hill...short, but a bit steep and a hump at beginning over sidewalk. So while backing in and part way down hill, front of Tahoe is getting lower and back of trailer getting lower toward ground while hitch area in middle hinging upward...anyway, had wife with walker talkie watching as I went SLOWLY back eat until she told me to stop as the rear stabilizer jacks were about to hit ground. Stopped, set brake, and chocked everything...was able to remove stabilizers and that have enough clearance to finish getting down hill *phew!* Therefore, part of going will be stabilizers back on after out of driveway (or at first stop) and stabilizers off when leaving last stop for home. Was a learning adventure for sure!

Question...the sway bar makes A LOT of loud creaking and popping noises on off highway turns. Dealer said that is normal and shows that the system is working. I kind of see that in that in that it is a brake pad tightened down against another bar making the friction to do it's job, but should it be making that much noise that everyone around is looking to see what the heck is going on? I know it should be tightened up well to work, and I am going to read instructions again, but wondered about other's experience with the sway bar...

All in all, super excited to do some summer camping up here and then Fort in Sept!!!! Woohoo!

 

[4077]

Stopped on my "hill" until I can remove the stabilizer jacks in back

 

[stasijane]

I am assuming you just got that so congratulations on your new toy!!! Someday I would love to have something like that when I am not the only person that likes to leave the house.

 

[mishy]

Congrat's on your camper. Have fun..

 

[tiggerdad]

From the looks of the pics you have same stabilizer as mine, and yes, it can make some serious noise when turning. Look at it like this, it makes everybody look and check out your new camper...

Congrats on it as well, it looks like a good one. If you get time, would like to see some pics of the inside. I haven't seen that brand here in the deep south so was curious on the interior view.

 

[bama_ed]

Looks good 4077.

I have seen some travel trailers with these kinds of rollers on the back bumper. Maybe they could help you get in/out of the driveway without gouging the pavement?

http://accessories.etrailer.com/search?p=Q&lbc=etrailer&uid=662704107&ts=v2&w=rollers&af=dep:motorhomeaccessories&nf=&isort=score&method=and&view=grid

I've never needed them on my popups but maybe someone reading will have some experience with them.

Bama Ed

 

[sippican]

Great looking TT, congratulations!
And as said before, there can be some really loud, and sometimes scary noises coming from the stabilizers, sway bars. (Popping, groaning, rat-a-tat-tat and thumps). Over time, you'll become attuned to what is "normal" for your unit.
Enjoy.

 

[PoohBearnTigger2]

Great looking TT. You'll love it! We have the mini lite and love it! Congrats!

 

[4077]

From the looks of the pics you have same stabilizer as mine, and yes, it can make some serious noise when turning. Look at it like this, it makes everybody look and check out your new camper... Congrats on it as well, it looks like a good one. If you get time, would like to see some pics of the inside. I haven't seen that brand here in the deep south so was curious on the interior view.

Here are interior pics for now...not my "actual unit", but identical to mine with exception of the fabric...front to back and back to front pictures:

 

[4077]

Looks good 4077. I have seen some travel trailers with these kinds of rollers on the back bumper. Maybe they could help you get in/out of the driveway without gouging the pavement?

Thanks Ed for the link...removing the jacks seems to work just fine. The other concern I have with wheels is the bumper has a big notice on it (which was the issue with mounting something for bikes I had previously talked about) warning that attaching anything to bumper may void frame warranty. Also, the statement on their website FAQ's about not mounting anything to frame concerns me with that. I wonder if wheels mounted below would end up bearing some of the weight (as they held the rear off the ground) of the TT onto whatever part of frame they are attached to thereby doing damage. Not sure as I haven't researched them much. At any rate, removing the stabs not that big a deal...four bolts on each...and gave adequate ground clearance.

 

[tiggerdad]

I would have not thought of a murphy bed. That is pretty cool. Nice layout.

My neighbor has a camper similar to mine but with a driveway similar to yours. He has to disconnect his weight distribution so the front of the camper will drop down, thus raising the rear of the camper so he can back up his drive.

 

[4077]

Oh yeah....also realized that I can remove sway arm once I arrive at campground for the slow drive through the grounds to eliminate the noisy turns... I would think at night that would be very neighborly of me...

 

[4077]

My neighbor has a camper similar to mine but with a driveway similar to yours. He has to disconnect his weight distribution so the front of the camper will drop down, thus raising the rear of the camper so he can back up his drive.

Ahhhhh....very smart....hadn't thought of that ...hmmm.

Murphy bed was what made this one for me. I wanted couch and table in a slide out bunkhouse that was not too long or too heavy...when I saw this layout...it got my attention right away...glad they came up with it! Really kind of cool as (at least for me) the queen bed is wasted space during the day.

 

[tiggerdad]

Here in deep south I can guarrantee long beards and long rifles would be shone at that noise.

It is a good point about swaybar. I usually do disconnect mine while waiting to check in, or at least back off the tension.

She's a beaut...

 

[tiggerdad]

Another option might be wooden ramps to put under camper tires to help raise it up for long enough to get you through the dip in the driveway.

It's one of many "sort it out as you go" moments that we face...

 

[4077]

Yeah....I think I have many, many "sort it out" moments ahead, but I guess coming up with the solution can be fun...lol.

 

[2goofycampers]

Very nice. Does the Murphy bed come down over the sofa or is the sofa part of the bed?

 

[articfox676]

As for the wheels on the back of the TT. We had a rear bath and the wheels on the frame protected the plumbing pipes when going in and out of parking lots and such. The only time they touched the ground was as slower speeds.

Also love the murphy bed. That is using every inch of space very clever.

 

[rajak73]

Congrats on the new camper! We had a tail dragger for years and yes the hitch, sway bar will make a lot of noise especially while turning but don't worry about it. We just found out late yesterday they accepted our offer on a new cougar 5th wheel.Will post more as it evolves.

 

[bama_ed]

Here are interior pics for now...not my "actual unit", but identical to mine with exception of the fabric...front to back and back to front pictures:

It's almost as if 4077 has his own personal FW cabin! Think about it:

- Murphy bed
- Bunk beds
- Full bath
- Full kitchen

I'd say he's ready to go.

Bama Ed