Two days til first PU pick up...

[S&T]

"New" '06 Flagstaff 227

It's two states away (we had already planned a trip there anyway - so it works out great)

We found and negotiated it over the internet - have not seen it in person yet.
Presuming we like it when we see it, it'll be ours to trail a loooong way home on its maiden voyage.

This is our first.  I'd love to hear any advice you have for the process - from inspecting it to breaking it in (we're spending one night in a campground nearby) to trailing it for the first time.

Thanks!

-Scott

[AustinBoston]

"New" '06 Flagstaff 227

It's two states away (we had already planned a trip there anyway - so it works out great)

We found and negotiated it over the internet - have not seen it in person yet.
Presuming we like it when we see it, it'll be ours to trail a loooong way home on its maiden voyage.

This is our first.  I'd love to hear any advice you have for the process - from inspecting it to breaking it in (we're spending one night in a campground nearby) to trailing it for the first time.

Thanks!

-Scott

First, don't go far from home on your first trip... :p

Seriously, though, have a notepad and pen handy to write down things you wish you had.  If you decide you need a spatula, can opener, and pot scrubber, you will only remember two (at best).  The next time you go out...oops, still no can opener.  But notepads don't forget.

Most of us who have been at this a long time have separate sets of stuff just for the camper.  Things like plates, cooking dishes, towels, etc. are always in the camper.  When starting out, there will be some things you won't have designated just for the camper.  Get a big tote (like a rubbermaid container) and put a list in it.  Then you can load the stuff in the tote when you go, and make sure you bring it back in the house when you return.  Just as frustrating as not having that can opener at the campground is finding out it's in the closed-and-locked pop-up when you want to use it at home.

Austin

[tlhdoc]

Congratulations on the new PU to be.  Like AB said take a note pad along to write down what ever you need for the camper.  If you have a video camera, video the dealer's demonstration.  If not take notes.  READ  your owners manual from cover to cover.  There is a lot of information in there that many people miss.  The appliances will have their own manual.  Enjoy yourself and laugh when there is a problem.  Good luck and I hope you like it.

[erich0521]

I'd make sure that they give you plenty of time to show how everythng works.  I'd say it takes at least 1 hour from how to set up, how to tear down, how to tow, etc.  Take notes and don't fee bad about 'stupid' questions...i have them all the time.

I'd also have them repack your bearings and adjust your brakes as part of the deal. I'm assuming that it sat outside despite being a new 2006. Since you are towing 2 states, I'd hate to have a brake problem or bearings be in bad shape after a winter of storage.

As far as what to take on the maiden voyage home, I'd keep it minimal at this point.  

Bedding, pillows, some basic tools including a jack in case of tire failure, some basic cooking items.  The previous suggestion of a rubbermaid tote ,etc is a good one.  We keep about 2 totes full of items that can be tossed in the PU at the last minute yet taken out of the PU when home.  

Good luck.  Drive safely.

[wavery]

I'd make sure that they give you plenty of time to show how everythng works.  I'd say it takes at least 1 hour from how to set up, how to tear down, how to tow, etc.  Take notes and don't fee bad about 'stupid' questions...i have them all the time.

I'd also have them repack your bearings and adjust your brakes as part of the deal. I'm assuming that it sat outside despite being a new 2006. Since you are towing 2 states, I'd hate to have a brake problem or bearings be in bad shape after a winter of storage.

As far as what to take on the maiden voyage home, I'd keep it minimal at this point.  

Bedding, pillows, some basic tools including a jack in case of tire failure, some basic cooking items.  The previous suggestion of a rubbermaid tote ,etc is a good one.  We keep about 2 totes full of items that can be tossed in the PU at the last minute yet taken out of the PU when home.  

Good luck.  Drive safely.

Personally, I think that AustinBoston's advise was good, "First, don't go far from home on your first trip...". Only in this case it would be, "First, don't go far from the dealership on your first trip...".

I'd plan to camp the 1st night as close to where you buy it as you can. That first camp-out is where you find most of the issues that the dealer missed. They can't catch everything and frankly, it's foolish to think that they can. After-all, they don't spend one night camping in that trailer before you buy it.

What are you towing with?

Do you think that you have the correct hitch attachments and wiring?

If you haven't already done it, you may want to call the dealer and ask them to measure the distance from the ground to the top of the hitch socket (with the camper level) to be sure that you have the correct drop on your hitch.

That's pretty risky business buying something so far away that you have to tow a long distance to get home. It's always a lot cheaper to have the TV prepped to tow that camper before you leave home. Once you get there, you are at their mercy and they know it.