Newbs all in on 2016 WildWood 261BHXL

[slsla]

Upgrades to come later with photos

So work is 630 miles away from home (LA to KY). The oilfield Gulf of Mexico has dried up. Time to hustle some work.
Our purchase was a no brainier spend 2,000 a month on a hotel or 500 a month on lot rent/camper note. We have been interested in the bunk house for a few year and could never justify the purchase until now.

We rushed into the deal which it was a deal!
Rushed through the purchase!
We rushed through the walk-through!
Left two days later.
Been camping for 7 week now with the wife and kids.



What we've learned.
-Towing is a breeze with a great wingman/Wing-women's in my case.
-Bottom bunks can be turned into a playpen (16month) for the daughter.
-Nap time means swimming for the 6 yr old son because he can't sit still or be quite in a shaking camper.
-26' is not big enough!
- A family of 4 will consume 20lbs/5gal of propane in 3 weeks for showers and one hot meal a day.
-BlackWater needs emptied once a week. (Usually full anyways)
-AC filter needs cleaned once a week.
-Change freshwater filter about every 6 weeks!
-Use a crockpot or BBQ to cook on hot days or your going to melt inside!
-Role up the awning before you depart or go to bed.
-check your seals and roof before a storm/monthly.
-Constant AC will acquire 1200kwh of power consumption.



Some Questions for Veterans RVers?
-What should a monthly electricity payment be for a TT? AC 15 running full time and fridge.
-How do I use my LED porch light remote control? I think the camper remote took over!
-Where is my 12v battery tender located?
-What are the best ways to heat a TT while at work?
-Should I be looking at heat tape for plumbing/sewage?
-should I use propane during traveling for refrigeration?
-How do take out some of the shaking from the camper with active kids?
Any help encouraged

Best Regards,
Southern CAMPING Family
WildWood 261BHXL

[slsla]

Upgrade steps. In-laws to old to visit with just one step entry. Split the difference from camper world and got two for $86.00.



Best Regards,
Southern CAMPING Family
WildWood 261BHXL

[slsla]

Coffee pot extended counter top. Lowes $25. And :30 of time.



Best Regards,
Southern CAMPING Family
WildWood 261BHXL

[dukemax]

JT strongarm bars will help with shaking, and wheel chocks will help too


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JnScattle]

Great feedback for all us newb's!

[rockfordroo]

Some Questions for Veterans RVers?
-What should a monthly electricity payment be for a TT? AC 15 running full time and fridge. If you think you're using 1200 kwhrs (I assume per month?) multiply by about 10 cents per kwh. 10 cents is an average, it could be 8 cents or 15 cents depending on where you are.
-How do I use my LED porch light remote control? I think the camper remote took over! Don't know.
-Where is my 12v battery tender located? I would assume you have a WYFCO converter that operates your 12VDC stuff and also has a built-in charger to charge your battery. It's behind your fuse box. (Very few TT's have "battery tenders.")
-What are the best ways to heat a TT while at work? You don't say how cold. I'd use a 1500 watt space heater. Set the furnace thermostat to come on at a lower temp so if the space heater can't keep up, the furnace will run. If you don't have a digital thermostat, that should be your next mod.
-Should I be looking at heat tape for plumbing/sewage? You don't say where you're going, how cold it might get and for how long. I don't have experience on this, but others do if you provide enough info.
-should I use propane during traveling for refrigeration? RV'ers seem to be split around 50/50 on this. So feel free.
-How do take out some of the shaking from the camper with active kids? In addition to the JT Strongarms, you might want to get a set of BAL X-chocks.

[RSchleder]

Porch light--if you turn it on with the remote control, it must be turned off with the remote. Porch light using switch to turn on, need to use switch to turn off.

Propane when traveling-- If you have a frig with "auto' on the control, use it. If it's not a 3 way, use propane or 12V (whichever it has available) when traveling down the road.

Heat tape-- depends on the outside temp! Better safe the sorry, any line or tank exposed to outside temps should be wrapped with heat tape if your going to be camping in below freezing temp's. If your RV is equipped with either electric tank heaters or the bay area where the tanks are is heated, be sure to turn them on when at or below freezing!


RV rocking--Wheel chocks that go between the wheels will help a lot to reduce the rocking of your RV. Also, adjust the stabilizers down a bit periodically as they will loosen up a bit with time. A wooden or plastic pad under each corner stabilizer will also stop it from loosing up due to digging into the dirt below it.

Battery tender-- your batteries are charged by your converter/inverter depending on which your rv is equipped with.

Electricity Costs-- not sure here. We paid about $15-20 per week while camping in hot weather. Not sure how this apply"s to you or others circumstances.

[DFW Rusty]

On stability, a buddy of ours just put scissor jacks in the middle of his camper on the frame and when you walk in it doesn't hardly move! He said he bought them at northern tool for around $20 a piece and he carries an electric drill with a socket on it to run them down.

I am probably going to do this mod to my camper before too long.

[slsla]

Thank you all for the helpful hints and tips to my education of RVing!
X chalks will be next.
Pads already installed under my stabilizers now, thanks.
Auto on the frig.
Camping in KY for work, last year it hit 32 degrees in December, no snow!
Buying heat tape for pipes outside.
Bought progressive surge protector.



Best Regards,
Southern CAMPING Family
WildWood 261BHXL

[contourcrazy]

Where at in KY are you. We are in the Louisville/Shephersville area.