Brand new to it all from N TX

[Gonetothedogs]

Mike, The one thing I wished I had done during the PDI was to either video tape or take a quality camera and take photos throughout the PDI process. If you can have another person taking the pictures or video while you lead the questioning and pointing (in the picture/film), then you will be able to go back and relearn from the "firehose" demonstration that you received. WW gave you a great outline and script to follow. Take pictures and have the photo person maintain a log of pictures or order of events as you conduct the PDI. Best of luck and enjoy the ride....vr/ Mac

[dustman_stx]

UVW of 6400 will most likely weigh around 6800 per the yellow sticker. Figure another 1000 for stuff, putting you at 7800. I would still do it with a 5.4, but I'd probably go to a good synthetic oil, run a synthetic trans fluid and possibly add an aux trans cooler. You are still running an old 4 speed in the 03 model, so that will be a limiting factor. I would hesitate to travel into mountainous areas- that 5.4 is going to be working really hard pulling the load. I had an 05 with the 5.4 and it pulled well, but a camper is notoriously difficult to pull because of the amount of wind it catches. I would definitely make sure you are getting a REALLY good hitch, too. I'd want either an Equalizer BRAND or maybe a Blue Ox. Do NOT let them give you a standard chain type with a friction bar. You will NOT be happy towing with that. I'd also go with the Prodigy P3 brake controller. I would also suggest LT tires if you currently have P tires, upgraded shocks, and possibly a set of air bags for the truck.

[dustman_stx]

You aren't by any chance getting your camper from RV-Max in Sherman, are you???

[TexasBob]

I had a great dealer and they did a great walk through. They even found something wrong before I got there and had ordered the part that I had changed out a few weeks later. That said they didn't know squat about setting up my equalizer hitch. Before I left I knew it was wrong so I pulled out, drove it a few miles, found a flat parking lot and did a proper set up. Its been great ever since.

I tell this story to let you realize you may have to do something like that and you may have to take it back. In this case I didn't want take the time to teach a course on equalizer hitch set up. Even if the set up had felt good I still would have walked through the set up to double check the measurements.

[Bowhnter]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

You aren't by any chance getting your camper from RV-Max in Sherman, are you???

Yes I am, why do you ask? Do tell

[BamaBob]

Welcome to the Forums from Huntsville AL! Annnnd...welcome to the RV Lifestyle!


Don't forget to post some picts of your new Rig!

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by Bowhnter

Yes I am, why do you ask? Do tell

I know they carry the Vibe line and when you said North Texas I put 2 and 2 together.

[oxcamper]

Write back and let us know how it goes with your PDI!

[Bowhnter]

Will do and I am getting some excellent advice from you all, Thank you

[dcheatwood]

Look, I was so new at it on my first one that I asked the pdi guy if the wall plugs were 12 v or 110 v. You can only absorb so much in the pdi so ask, go home and read, tinker with the bells and whistles, ie radio, TV, a/c etc. Read the forum and pick these guy's brains. Call a friend with an RV to come see yours then pick his/her brain. You'll be amazed at how much you pick up. Enjoy.

[WolfWhistle]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

Look, I was so new at it on my first one that I asked the pdi guy if the wall plugs were 12 v or 110 v....

Funny! But this was not a dumb question, DC. My first trailer was a tiny popup and the only electrical feature was tail lights!

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Bowhnter

Yes I am, why do you ask? Do tell

Welcome from the countryside of Grayson county.

I live about 10 miles from RV-Max. ("Don't forget the dash!")

[Bowhnter]

I'm only about 15-18. Van Alstyne...I like having a real local dealer

[dustman_stx]

Sounds like we need to have a Lake Texoma rally! We are actually staying at West Burns Run in July. That's assuming you guys would let someone from Fannin Co. into your Grayson Co. club.

[oxcamper]

Originally Posted by WolfWhistle

Funny! But this was not a dumb question, DC. My first trailer was a tiny popup and the only electrical feature was tail lights!

Just proves that "you don't know what you don't know".
I asked the same question my first time around too.

[Soonermikel]

Hello from Round Rock, TX. I pull our 35 foot Forest River Wildwood with a 1/2 ton as well…just make sure to have a good stabilizer system and sway control bar. We took right at 3 hours on our PDI…enjoy the new camper!

[Bowhnter]

Originally Posted by oxcamper

Write back and let us know how it goes with your PDI!

Well, it's a done deal! When it was sitting there not next to any other trailers, I almost said, this is too big! My truck looked pretty small and was almost intimidating.
We did about a 2 1/2 hr PDI, found some things that need fixed. Took a test drive and until I really get into some bigger hills , will never know. It seemed fine to me now. I know I need some mirror extenders.

Anyway, we signed on the dotted lines and hope to bring it home next weekend if my parking spot can be finished next week.

I think I need to see how to upload pics to this forum...

[Bowhnter]

Another view

[Bowhnter]

Oh, and I think I zoned out when he tried to explain the trailer brakes...what I heard with all the red light, level, more, less, was brahhh, wahhh, Charlie brown type comments.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

Sounds like we need to have a Lake Texoma rally! We are actually staying at West Burns Run in July. That's assuming you guys would let someone from Fannin Co. into your Grayson Co. club.

We'll be at West Burns Run May 7-21.
Sure... Fannin Co. folks are accepted.