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Old 05-19-2014, 04:58 AM   #1
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Maiden voyage this weekend

Headed out for our first weekend. I'll be wetting down the canvas ends on Wednesday to hopefully avoid any surprises this weekend. Bought an in-surge protector/line check. I figured for the money we are spending in the trailer, it's a small price to pay to protect it.

Bought extended mirrors for the TV as well since I discovered on the ride home that my regular mirrors don't quite let me see into the next lane.

So lots of learning and excitement coming up. More pics once we are encamped and opened up.

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Old 05-19-2014, 05:50 AM   #2
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Since this will be your first camping trip and you will be at a site that has electricity, I would make sure to bring a small portable electric heater in case you have issues with the furnace, not fun waking up and furnace not working. Have a good time.
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Old 05-19-2014, 06:23 AM   #3
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It's going to be a loooong week for ya. Have fun on your maiden voyage this weekend!
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Old 05-19-2014, 06:58 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by fonzie View Post
Since this will be your first camping trip and you will be at a site that has electricity, I would make sure to bring a small portable electric heater in case you have issues with the furnace, not fun waking up and furnace not working. Have a good time.
Adding to this you may want to turn on your furnace before you go while the windows are open. You don't want to be like us who were awoke our first night out by the smoke alarm at 12:30am. There is sometimes a lot of oil from assembly that burns off when you use it for the first time.
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Old 05-19-2014, 11:42 AM   #5
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Adding to this you may want to turn on your furnace before you go while the windows are open. You don't want to be like us who were awoke our first night out by the smoke alarm at 12:30am. There is sometimes a lot of oil from assembly that burns off when you use it for the first time.
Great Recommendation!

we forget that dealers often don't tell new owners about this.
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Old 05-19-2014, 11:52 AM   #6
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enjoy the trip, this is when the memories start and the excitement begins. I'm always excited about the up coming trip. matter of fact have a week long coming up starting saturday. the Roo looks great and you will have fun! take lots of pics to always remember.
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Old 05-22-2014, 05:40 AM   #7
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Almost ready to go. Opened it up two days ago, pulled the mattresses and hosed down the canvas. No drips to be seen. Expecting some rain up in Queechee, VT this weekend so we'll find out for sure if the threads have expanded.
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Old 05-22-2014, 07:14 AM   #8
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Adding to this you may want to turn on your furnace before you go while the windows are open. You don't want to be like us who were awoke our first night out by the smoke alarm at 12:30am. There is sometimes a lot of oil from assembly that burns off when you use it for the first time.
We had the same issue woke us up at 3am with the alarms going off.
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Old 05-22-2014, 08:03 AM   #9
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Have fun, there will be LOTS of people out this weekend,so if you need help don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Don't forget the chairs, its a great weekend for a campfire
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Old 05-22-2014, 10:45 AM   #10
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Almost ready to go. Opened it up two days ago, pulled the mattresses and hosed down the canvas. No drips to be seen. Expecting some rain up in Queechee, VT this weekend so we'll find out for sure if the threads have expanded.
Hi, make sure you hose it down well. I did ours twice last fall, thinking it was enough, still had some seepage at the vertical seams on one of the bunk ends during a heavy rainstorm Tuesday.
Enjoy your camping this weekend! You'll love the trailer.

Oh yeah, the oven will smoke the first time you light it up as well.

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Old 05-22-2014, 07:02 PM   #11
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Almost ready to go. Opened it up two days ago, pulled the mattresses and hosed down the canvas. No drips to be seen. Expecting some rain up in Queechee, VT this weekend so we'll find out for sure if the threads have expanded.
Have a good trip!! Small world. Grew up in Quechee. Unfotunately we can't camp this w/e as it's my weekend to work at the golf course.
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Old 05-29-2014, 05:48 AM   #12
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Well, it was a good weekend. Lots of lessons learned, and a punchlist to provide to the dealer. Trailer will go in a couple weeks from now and should be ready to go for the next planned weekend.

Biggest lesson learned: With our old popup, where we never ran water inside, we were primarily concerned with leveling front to back, but not side to side. After 2 days, we saw grey water backing up into the shower, although the tank indicator said 2/3. Then everything added up: the silverware draw sliding in on it's own, the exterior door not closing easily... the side to side level was off. I quickly grabbed the level and set it down. yup, WAY off. I quickly vacated everyone from the camper and cranked the jacks until we were much more level. Water drained from the shower, and the tank now reported as Full. The exterior door now closed easily. With just a few hours until departure, I capped the sinks and shower and informed everyone that we were cleaning dishes at the campground's station that evening.

The folks at the Queechee KOA were kind enough to give me a dump station overview, since I had yet to use one. Dumping in the morning went smoothly as visions of Robin Williams in RV danced in my head...

As far as punchlist goes, it looks like we have a stress fracture in the kitchen window, the exterior seal over the slide out is falling off, there is a hole in the decorative fabric strip across the top of the slide out, and it looks like some putty overflowed behind the edge of the slide out and took a piece of the wall with it.

We're also going to add the awning over the slide out.

Another lesson learned: We bought a Coleman Road Trip XLE with a hose to adapt from male throw-away to quickconnect. However this results in two regulators, which does not provide sufficient gas flow. Quick run across the road to buy a throwaway can got us through the weekend. But now I'm looking for an option to tap into the tanks on the camper rather than hauling around extra propane for the grill. Any insights?

Other than these issues, it was so nice to be in the new Roo. The heated mattress was a plus in the chilly evenings. It was great to work out of a fridge rather than a cooler. Stove, oven, sinks, shower, toilet, tv, electrical outlets all checked out ok. One surprise: the exterior shower was on so we had water pouring out of there when we first hooked up! Glad it was just on and not a leak!

Next on my to-do list:
-PUGs: do these cut down on interior condensation?
-Closet shelf mod: I think this would be useful
-Toilet Paper: Still haven't found a satisfactory location to mount a roll holder. What do you folks do?
-If we can't find a good way to connect the grill, we may go get a 20-lb and put it in a milk crate for transportation.
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Old 05-29-2014, 06:43 AM   #13
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Re the TP holder;

We use a stand alone type. During transit we tuck it behind the toilet.
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Old 05-29-2014, 10:02 AM   #14
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Check out this thread for info on how to possibly convert the griss to work.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ect-43938.html
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Old 05-29-2014, 04:50 PM   #15
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Fwiw using the stabilizer jacks to level the camper is a bad idea.
You should use wood or lynx blocks to level at the wheels.

I am putting together a hose for my roadtrip grill now. Just ordered the fittings and found a regulator on Craigslist to take apart. I want to keep one intact for my trips to the beach.
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Old 06-02-2014, 01:42 AM   #16
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the8re, DON'T use the jacks for leveling!
You run the risk of damaging the frame and/or the jacks.
That's why they're called STABILIZERS, not Levelers!

And Yes, PUGs will reduce condensation, along with allowing for air movement.
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Old 06-02-2014, 04:51 AM   #17
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the8re, DON'T use the jacks for leveling!
You run the risk of damaging the frame and/or the jacks.
That's why they're called STABILIZERS, not Levelers!
X5 Level side to side while hooked up to the Tow vehicle. Front to rear with the front jack.

We have an adapter the connects the Road Trip before the campers regulator (Has a T fitting & hose but it is pricey. Camping Word did carry it.

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Old 06-02-2014, 08:49 AM   #18
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the8re, DON'T use the jacks for leveling!
You run the risk of damaging the frame and/or the jacks.
That's why they're called STABILIZERS, not Levelers!

And Yes, PUGs will reduce condensation, along with allowing for air movement.
Thanks bikendan! We've added levellers to our shopping list for the next trip.
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Old 06-02-2014, 08:56 AM   #19
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.....One surprise: the exterior shower was on so we had water pouring out of there when we first hooked up! Glad it was just on and not a leak!.....
Going out to check mine now just in case. Yes a leak would have been terrible.
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Old 06-08-2014, 03:25 PM   #20
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TP dilemma.
I installed mine on the inside of the sink cabinet door. Did not use the screws provided because they are too long.
Just saying.
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