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Old 01-16-2018, 07:09 PM   #1
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FR Grey Wolf 26DBH - Looking for tips

Hi everyone, we just purchased of first family RV but don't take delivery for another 10 days. We are starting from a tent so we pretty much need to purchase everything from the water hose to the sewage hose. Anyone else have the same trailer that can answer a few questions? Any tips/tricks are much appreciated, thank you.
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Old 01-16-2018, 07:44 PM   #2
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Hi everyone, we just purchased of first family RV but don't take delivery for another 10 days. We are starting from a tent so we pretty much need to purchase everything from the water hose to the sewage hose. Anyone else have the same trailer that can answer a few questions? Any tips/tricks are much appreciated, thank you.
I had one and just sold it a few months ago, loved it. What questions do you have?
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Old 01-16-2018, 08:04 PM   #3
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Anything to watch for during the walkthrough....any specific questions/gotchas to watch out for? What is the recommended length of sewer and water hoses I should get? Is the water hose 5/8"? I'm sure they will offer an additional warranty....is that going to be worth it for a new trailer?
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Old 01-16-2018, 08:19 PM   #4
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There should be a kit they give you with a new trailer...wait till you see what you get before you pick any thing up...
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Old 01-16-2018, 08:25 PM   #5
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Use Amazon and WalMart for most items. Even with the new buyer discount at dealer, you will be better off elsewhere.
Take your time on PDI, and do not sign paperwork until you are happy your unit is how you want it. Once you own it, you have no leverage in the service dept.
An inexpensive pair of family radios will greatly assist in backing into sites.
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Old 01-16-2018, 08:40 PM   #6
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Hi everyone, we just purchased of first family RV but don't take delivery for another 10 days. We are starting from a tent so we pretty much need to purchase everything from the water hose to the sewage hose. Anyone else have the same trailer that can answer a few questions? Any tips/tricks are much appreciated, thank you.
Before you go happy at the RV store buying things, Outside of some of the things that are required for a trailer, If you use it inside the house and think you need that in the trailer, Stop. Buy new for the house and use what you have there to supply your trailer. It is going to take you some time to figure out what is or is not needed. There iare some savings that you can apply to the kind of things required for a trailer. You just don't know what you might want yet.

Keep asking questions and others will share experiences. This is gonna take some time and lessons are sure to come your way. Be frugal and enjoy.

Just my advice but still wishing you safe travels...
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Old 01-16-2018, 09:09 PM   #7
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I carry 25 feet of hose. Depending on what they "give" you in the kit it may be good... Maybe not. This camper they gave us Rhino Flex hoses.... Last on was a paper thin no name brand... DO NOT SKIMP on the stinky slinky... Trust me!!

As others have said, take a long walk through first! Then paperwork. Do not let emotions get the best of you. If it is not right, walk, do not just settle... It will not get fixed as quickly as when you still hold the cash.

Take a tape measure, multi tipped screw driver, circuit tester. Check EVERY outlet and fixture. Make them run the heat, air, pump. Have them fill the tanks and flush and run the sinks / toilet. It is is winterized they will make excuses.. It takes 15 minutes to re-winterize.. Do not wait until the spring to find something is wrong..
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Old 01-16-2018, 09:40 PM   #8
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I had one, loved it.

The sewer hose kit I got, I threw away. It had holes in it the first week. Like paper.

The only add-ons I got from the dealer that I liked was the "mud dauber" screens on the vents.

Make sure both doors open smoothly, at same time.

I kept the small TV to use to set up Satellite dish, but bought a bigger one at Best Buy. Got an articulated arm to put up.

The thing has a lot of storage for a bumper pull. You'll fill it up!! Make sure they set up the WDH properly, and all is level. Make sure you have good extended mirrors to get home. Make SURE the ladder is stowed correctly before operating the slide (Don't ask me how I know), every time.
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Old 01-16-2018, 10:09 PM   #9
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Be sure to check slide alignment before you leave. The 26dbh is bad about leaking with the slide in. Many owners have expressed the same problem.
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Old 01-16-2018, 10:16 PM   #10
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This is all great stuff and exactly what I'm looking for. THANK YOU!! I am jotting down all these tips so I don't forget any of it when I go in to do the walkthrough....keep it coming!
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Old 01-16-2018, 10:17 PM   #11
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If you are planning on dry camping. Fill the fresh water tank really really slow.
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Old 01-17-2018, 02:41 PM   #12
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We are new too - but one year ahead of you. Are there manual options for all motors (slide out, awning, stabilizer jacks, tongue jack) on the Grey Wolf? You can't take in all of that info in the walk through, you will have to read and study the books. Make sure your truck tow package includes the apparatus that operates the trailer breaks. Pay attention the the discussions here about cargo capacity vs tow capacity (we had to learn after purchasing). Make sure you have load leveler and sway bar attachment (Our trailer sales people put on a Husky for us and set it up). Pay attention to discussions here about tires, we didn't know about the problems with Castle Rock. Have them spend more time than they want to on the fuse box. Look at the maintenance suggestions in the back of the book - do you have all of the cleaners, lubricants, grease, oil, etc to do all of that? Are you going to buy a surge protector? A water filter? Do you need new mirrors on tow vehicle? Way to check tire pressure and lug nuts? Know the capacity of your tanks and the size of your trailer. Spend some time reading your books in the trailer in the drive way, then go on a shake-down cruise. Make a check list for leaving, towing and set up and follow them.
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Old 01-17-2018, 03:09 PM   #13
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We are going into our 3rd season with our 26 DBH.
Take a bag of popcorn to use in the microwave to verify working.
If it is the 1st time towing a longer trailer remember to keep on eye on where the rear end is. I almost took out a gas pump when bringing ours home, DS saved the day!

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Old 01-17-2018, 03:21 PM   #14
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Thank you very much.....definitely lots of good questions. I am trying to build a checklist just for the walkthrough that come from all the points being made in this thread, in addition to others I've pulled online. Thank you!!
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Old 01-17-2018, 10:17 PM   #15
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Thank you very much.....definitely lots of good questions. I am trying to build a checklist just for the walkthrough that come from all the points being made in this thread, in addition to others I've pulled online. Thank you!!
The frf library has a nice on for a pdi.
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Old 01-18-2018, 12:41 PM   #16
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My 26DBH

I too have purchased your trailer in a 2016 model. I had the slide out water leak problem but I fixed it myself. I added double drawers to the cabinets near the sink and drawers under the dinette. My unit did not come with them. We also added a mattress topper-- works great. The antenna is a joke! I got better reception with my 87 Road Ranger. I am in the process of swapping out the antenna and adding a radio antenna for the radio. I also swapped out the CD player for a DVD and ran hdmi cables for it. Added a TV mount in the bed room for DW. I wish the trailer was here but it is in storage so I cannot take pics of the drawers. One thing that the other posts did not say is to make sure you take all the broshures with you on your camipng trips for reference. There are alot of changes since my old trailer. You can also go on the FR website and download the user manual.

Happy Trails!!
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:09 AM   #17
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If you are planning on dry camping. Fill the fresh water tank really really slow.
What do u mean by this as this 2018 26bhs is what I plan on buying here in the next week or so and am also now researching issues it may have.
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Old 01-25-2018, 10:30 AM   #18
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Last year was our first season we have a 23dbh, just a 26dbh minus couch.

Summer camping: clothes line and drying racks for towels+ bathing suits.

Winter: buy the winterization kit for the water pump, use the kit to add the pink stuff(rv grade antifreeze) to your water system. Watch videos on winterization. Buy a cover.

Get blocks to put under the steps. Sounds funny but the steps have leverage on the mounting area. If you put blocks under the steps the weight transfers to the ground instead on the mounts.

Be prepared to work on the screen doors. If may not happen to yours, but my doors had problems immediately. Small gauge screws pulled out of the metal frame. I just ran some screws in with larger diameter and aggressive threads.

Pack duct tape, electrical tape, blue painters tape( for delicate temp repairs), tie wire, ty wraps, wd40, etc., along with a light toolbag. Hopefully you won’t need any of this, but a five minute temporary repair can prevent catastrophic failure which saves $$$$

Example, the vent in the bathroom had issues closing all the way on day 2, trip 3. If I couldn’t repair it on the spot I would have had to push it shut which would likely break it.... or drive home with it open which would likely break it... maybe it’s me, but tools were the very first thing on my list. They can save your vacation sometimes!!!

All doom and gloom aside, this is the most fun we have had as a family so far. I hope you guys love it!!! I know our kids love the campgrounds with a water park.... if this sound like it’s for you make sure to BOOK EARLY!!! This is something no one ever told me, the good camp grounds may book a year in advance.
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Old 01-26-2018, 12:42 PM   #19
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Smile Other things

One of the things I have not seen is to pack some rope, about 50 feet. It did not happen to me but the power awning broke on a fellow camper so we manually rolled it up but due to the shock props it would not stay so we roped it in place around the AC unit till he got home. I also carry a tire gauge, small air compressor, bottle jack. The only other thing I have done is to check all the nuts and bolts on the suspension prior to any long trip. My first trailer was well used and had made 2 trips to Alaska and the suspension showed the wear!
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Old 02-05-2018, 12:19 AM   #20
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For the walkthrough check all the finishing touches inside and out. I failed to do so and noticed small little finishing touches inside that were broken( nothing major just bugs me) and on the outside I noticed some of the self tapping body screws in the front were loose. Again no big deal but just check it. And for little dents here and there.
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