Colorado New Owners of Wildwood Bunkhouse

[mchayes]

Hello everyone. We will be driving to Ohio to pick up our new Travel Trailer in 2 weeks and wanted to connect with other FR trailer owners for suggestion, tips, and helpful info and any discussions on warrantys and how you handle those quirks on a new trailer which we know there will be a few. We plan a close to dealer, over nighter on our first night, short drive after pick up and walk through, as was suggested for us to do. Any thoughts and suggestions we would appreciate, what to look for, expect, questions to ask. We are parents of four, Grandparents of 7 and looking forward to some great family trips and gatherings - but first we have to get to know this new addition to the family!!!

[Ford Idaho]

Welcome to the forums from SW Idaho.

Please go to the forum Library and get a couple copies of the PDI check list.

Are you planning on taking everything you will need for the Wildwoods return trip?

Sewer and water hose, blocks, that sort of thing.

[aceinspp]

Welcome to the forum. Make sure to take lots of notes during PDI as there will be lots to remember. Later RJD

[Mars]

Welcome aboard. Which one are you getting?

[geeman53]

Welcome from SW Ohio !

[mchayes]

hello everyone, we got the Wildwood 31QBTS so as to have a full back bedroom for others when they come along with us. I have a checklist of things to take with us for pick up and found a great RV Toolbox checklist also - anybody want it I will pass along - it was helpful. Then I found the Wildwood Owners Manual so we can read and absorb everything now before we get there and blurry eyed. Recording the walk through is great, had not thought to do that and we will!! Thank you. We have only rented 30 footers from the Air Force Academy, and we decided to make the jump and buy our own. A scary venture but we are excited. We just picked up a new GMC Diesel Silverado 2500 HD to tow it with and it has the possibility to tow a fifth wheel if we grow into that. We did a ton of research and had three models we liked but after talking with others who have a Wildwood, love theirs 8 years later, we decided to go with this one.

[mchayes]

What to Put in Your RV Toolbox

Just about anything in your RV, trailer or tent that can snap, crack, rip loose, tear, bend, leak, spark, or fall off will do exactly that—and always when you're out enjoying nature 40 miles from nowhere. The whole trick to maintaining inner tranquility and not letting a mini disaster spoil your trip is to have a well-equipped RV toolbox on hand. This contains mostly inexpensive yet important items that newcomers and veteran campers alike should pack for every trip, both big and small. Tools for Your RV Toolbox, No matter how well constructed your rig might be, eventually something will have to be tightened, loosened, pounded flat, pried or cut. Here are some basics that can help you deal with everyday problems and annoyances:
• Socket wrench set (standard and metric) for tightening and loosening bolts and machine nuts.
• Phillips head and flat bladed screwdrivers (large, medium, small) for tightening and loosening screws; also for prying items apart.
• Standard pliers for holding machine nuts while installing or removing, or squeezing items together.
• Channel-lock pliers (medium and large)
• Small drill bit set with sizes ranging from 1/16- to 1/4-inch. Get the type that works with both metal and wood.
• Cordless drill with spare battery for turning the drill bits that make the holes. Also good for lowering and raising trailer stabilizing jacks.
• Sturdy claw hammer enables you to straighten what got bent, bend what got straightened, drive nails and stakes, and pull 'em out again, and provide "persuasion" where needed.
• Pocket knife for cutting rope and twine, stripping wire insulation, or just whittling if you're so inclined.
• Hobby knife with blade protector and extra blades, extremely sharp, for making very precise cuts in canvas, vinyl, tape, paper, wood and some plastics.
• Wire cutters for cutting electrical wire, or turning metal coat hangers into marshmallow skewers.
• Small tape measure to determine how much electrical wire you're going to need, or how much ground clearance you'll have while trying to get over that boulder embedded in the road.
• Mini hacksaw with extra blades good for cutting away twisted bolts, damaged metal work, thicker plastics...anything where a knife won't work.
• Two-way bubble level to make sure your rig is properly leveled so you're not sleeping with your feet higher than your head.
• Folding tree saw
• Folding Shovel.
• Adhesives Help Keep Things Together; "Super" glue for high strength repairs.
• Vinyl adhesive for fixing tears in same-named fabrics.
• Threadlocker glue to prevent screws and bolts from vibrating loose.
• Multi-purpose adhesive for re-affixing door seals, loose trim, molding, re-sticking peeling decals.
• Silicon sealant to keep the rain from creeping in.
• Seam sealer (for tents), for keeping the dew on the outside.
• Duck Tape!!


Now the EternaBond Family of must haves at all times – your life savers on the road:
• EternaBond
• EternaPrime®
• EternaPrime Spray, Aids in the adhesion of all EternaBond® tapes, especially on rough or corroded surfaces. Also allows for application to -20°F.
• EternaBond® AlumiBond AlumiBond tape is tough and reliable for storage tanks, truck trailers, or steel and aluminum roofs.
• EternaBond® RoofSeal Use RoofSeal to re-seam roofs, slides, fix leaks, and make water-tight seals.
• Doublestick MicroSealant Putty Plumbers Tape Double sided sealant tape – the RVers best friend
• EternaBond Web Seal WebSeal® is extremely flexible and forms around almost anything.
• EternaBond® Steel Roller
Hardware and Fasteners
When tape or glues just won't fix it, a "heck-bag" of assorted wood, machine and self-tapping screws, plus small bolts in a few sizes and lengths with matching nuts and washers can save you from uttering a few choice curse words when something substantial busts loose. A bundle of plastic zip ties (removable and permanent) is also handy for cinching things together while out in the forest. Toss in a couple of spare cabinet door catches too, to prevent your toiletries from flying all over the bathroom while traveling.
Let There Be Light
1. Nothing is more aggravating than your coach lights blinking off right at dinnertime. Or having a Highway Patrol officer wave you over because a brake light is out. That's why having a few select electrical items in your well-equipped trailer or RV toolbox can be unbelievably handy.
2. First and foremost is an assortment of fuses in various amperage ratings to replace blown fuses on your power converter/charger or power panel. A blown fuse is usually the result of pulling too much amperage on one circuit, or an electrical short; but sometimes they'll "pop" for no good reason. Be sure to replace a blown fuse only with the same size, never larger. A fuse that blows repeatedly is a good indication that you've got a short somewhere that must be repaired, otherwise the same problem will persist.
3. A collection of spare bulbs for brake, turn and running lights are also a must, and can save you from a traffic violation or worse. Make sure you have interior light bulbs as well.
4. A miniature voltmeter is helpful for tracing shorts and measuring battery voltages.
5. A small roll of 10- to 12-gauge insulated wire can help you bypass a problem area, and be sure to include a roll of electrical tape to prevent sparks or fuses from blowing.
6. A battery-operated or butane powered soldering iron and solder is helpful for making solid electrical repairs when you're out in the boondocks with no AC power.
7. And a nice option is a head-mounted flashlight, for working in the dark where you need both hands free.
8. If all else fails, a box of weatherproof safety matches is ideal. You can use them to light a fuel lantern or a properly prepared campfire to hold back the night. Use with caution; they burn like a firecracker fuse and you can't blow them out!
Hand Protection to Keep on Hand – stock a dozen pairs of latex or nitrile rubber gloves, plus a sturdy pair of leather work gloves and afterwards, you can refresh yourself with some pre-moistened wipes or waterless skin cleanser.
The "Miscellaneous" Department
Some last-but-not-least items you'll want to have in your trailer or RV toolbox:
• Tube of ball hitch lube to minimize grinding while towing.
• Small travel-size can of spray lubricant.
• Spare fresh water hose washers.
• Roll of Teflon plumber's tape.
• Wide tipped felt marker (permanent) for making signs, marking your belongings, and keeping track of which wire is which.
• A coupler or kingpin lock can take care of security concerns you might have about your trailer being stolen; and for any other situations not previously mentioned: an assortment of bungee cords to strap things down.
And finally:
• Two-way radios-for backing your rig into a site, hitching up the trailer, monitoring the kids, and more. The hands-free/headphone type is preferable so you can keep both hands on the wheel. Eliminates the need for your spouse to shout instructions.
So there you have it...the ultimate basic toolbox. Over 46 must-have vacation savers, and they all fit in a standard 24-inch x 11-inch x 11-inch toolbox.

[mchayes]

we looked at the 2016 Forest River Wildwood 32BHDS also, it is almost the same floorplan, I did cheat here - and got a stand alone island for the kitchen because I do cook when we go out and about and needed more counter space and storage, Alexandria Kitchen Island by Darby Home Co - only 42 inches long without side towel rack on it and got two folding stools to use for more eating space. soooooo - now all we need is a good walk through and we plan to take 10 days, drive up, walk through, any problems, have time to not rush and get those taken care of before taking off and stopping 1 1/2 away for first test night. I know most people post troubles and yet I know so many have had great experiences, we know how to roll with the rough spots and just take care of things without dwelling on it, never helps. Still a bit scary, never pulled one this large.

[mchayes]

is there a good book to grab on places to stay with a 36 ft trailer?

[Mars]

Can't help you on the book but most CGs can handle 36ft. We like county, state, Federal CGs. Many of the older ones have a 36ft limit which is why we kept our choice down to 36ft.
I only have a few issues with mine:
Poor installation of marker lights
Holding tank sensor wires disconnected
Tub support in cutout for drain-soft floor in tub-seems very common
One slide seal torn

[jgourlie]

We have a wildwood heritage glen 312qbud which appears very similar to your floorplan. We have an owners thread with tips and tricks and modifications that you may find useful.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by mchayes

hello everyone, we got the Wildwood 31QBTS so as to have a full back bedroom for others when they come along with us. I have a checklist of things to take with us for pick up and found a great RV Toolbox checklist also - anybody want it I will pass along - it was helpful. Then I found the Wildwood Owners Manual so we can read and absorb everything now before we get there and blurry eyed. Recording the walk through is great, had not thought to do that and we will!! Thank you. We have only rented 30 footers from the Air Force Academy, and we decided to make the jump and buy our own. A scary venture but we are excited. We just picked up a new GMC Diesel Silverado 2500 HD to tow it with and it has the possibility to tow a fifth wheel if we grow into that. We did a ton of research and had three models we liked but after talking with others who have a Wildwood, love theirs 8 years later, we decided to go with this one.

Not "IF" you grow into a 5er ~~ just how long until you do.

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by mchayes

is there a good book to grab on places to stay with a 36 ft trailer?

NO book needed. You live in CO, find a place in the mountains, pull off the forest road, and setup camp. There are so many boondock areas you'll never run out of places to explore/try.