Major Upgrade!

[DCarver]

My wife and I entered this world a few years ago with a used 2002 Flagstaff popup. After deciding we love camping in a TT we have just purchased a 2015 Flagstaff MAC BR23SC. (Pics to come next week) We will pick it up from the dealer Tuesday and hopefully break it in next weekend. What I am looking for is advice on prepping/handling new TT as well as any mods/info specific to this model.

Oh and one more thing, We are looking to purchase a portable generator, any suggestions?

[bikendan]

Welcome to FRF!
As far as generator, you need to state what you need it for.
For everything BUT the a/c, a 2000w inverter generator would be best.
If you'll want to run the a/c, then you'll have to go bigger.

Just to clear up something, TT means Travel Trailer and yours isn't a TT.
I'm guessing that you assumed it meant Tent Trailer.

[DCarver]

You are correct on the TT comment. As for the generator, My tent trailer doesn't have air conditioning so it will be lights, frig, basic components as well as personal electronics. I'm looking at a 3500 watt that is fairly inexpensive. I want overkill rather than running right to the max limit of the generator. I know the new Honda ones are quiet but they are also expensive, are there others that are fairly quiet as well?

[bikendan]

I have one of those 3500w cheap generators and I would NEVER use it in a campground.
Luckily, I also have a Honda 2000 that I use for that.
My 3500w Champion is WAAYY louder than the Honda.
You can get the Champion 2000w for under $500 and it's almost as quiet as a Honda or Yamaha.

[B and B]

Try the Powerhouse 4 kw Fuel Injected. Quiet, no carb to gum up and will run a 15 k btu AC when you upgrade. Also cheaper than a Honda 3100 by $1,000 bucks, at least in Canada

[DCarver]

Thanks for your input, here is my next question. What would you say are the "must knows" for a person buying a new pop up? Are there break in steps that need to be addressed before taking it out on its maiden voyage?

[bikendan]

First thing is to "season" the canvas.
Second, get some Popup Gizmos.
Third, ask for a two battery setup.

[220Chap]

Consider the Champion 3100W inverter/generator. I've had good luck with my 2000W Champion.

[DCarver]

Originally Posted by bikendan

First thing is to "season" the canvas.
Second, get some Popup Gizmos.
Third, ask for a two battery setup.

I already negotiated the two battery set up so we are set there. As far as the seasoning of the canvas this is the initial spraying down to cause the stitching to swell and seal the sewing holes correct...

As far as gizmos we have a few from our previous model but have been reading some of the mods done on here to get ideas.

I believe we are going to do a few days of driveway camping this week to test everything before we leave for the weekend.

[swimmarz]

Congrats!
I am happy with the few mods i have made
I upgraded the van from stock 3 speed to the version that has the reverse switch and temp control, while doing that i mounted a LED light strip to the roof and took power from the fan area as it was apart, and then i added a volt meter and usb charger, and a Battery switch was installed so i can kill power to the coach when in storage but can charge it via battery tender jr

I am new to camping and only have 1 night in mine so far, still buying things, just picked up a BAL Leveler new off of Amazon as i had reward points it was $55 shipped

[JPBar]

Congrats on your upgrade. I have a 2014 228BH, if you plan on using your shower a must is mounting the shower head were you can have both hands free, made one out of plexiglass that I found on Pintrest, folding table to hold micro wave and coffee maker. Mine did not come with the hanging canvas storage bins so I made using closet storage rack and 2 baskets that I got from Target. 1/2 inch to a 3 inch grey water adapter. I found that a must is a portable waste water storage tank. The DW and I spent 5 days at Garner State park in Texas and had no problems with anything. Even let a couple of Big Rigs borrow storage tank so they would not have to drag there rig to dump station.
You will find lots of great ideals here on this site. Happy Camping

[DCarver]

Originally Posted by swimmarz

Congrats!
I am happy with the few mods i have made
I upgraded the van from stock 3 speed to the version that has the reverse switch and temp control, while doing that i mounted a LED light strip to the roof and took power from the fan area as it was apart, and then i added a volt meter and usb charger, and a Battery switch was installed so i can kill power to the coach when in storage but can charge it via battery tender jr

I am new to camping and only have 1 night in mine so far, still buying things, just picked up a BAL Leveler new off of Amazon as i had reward points it was $55 shipped

The volt meter and USB charger is something that caught my eye right off. I have also been looking at the outside lighting thread, lots of cool ideas there. We pick it up tomorrow from the dealer and plan on going on a short trip this weekend to begin to get a feel for must haves, dreams and mods. The one thing I have discovered is I'm not a very patient individual... we made the decision 10 days ago and in the words of every ten year old everywhere, "I WANT IT NOW!"

[swimmarz]

For lighting i did this lil job
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S4CQ9JM/...s=dream+lights
its angled 40 degree down so instead of having the ligt bounce off the awing if open its more directed down at the ground.
I was able to mount it just below the bag awning so it will be useful when the awing is open or closed.
I got the 10 inch version and there is a 20 inch version.

as for the USB/voltmeter i again went to my favorite site
Amazon.com : Panel Dual USB Socket and Voltmeter for Boat / Rv / Car / Motor-home - External Mount : Sports & Outdoors