Newbie needs advice

[jendak760]

We just purchased our first popup. We will be picking it up this coming weekend and camping on the way home (picking it up in San Francisco are and home is San Diego area). Any advice on things to bring. I have tent camped alot but have never had a trailer before. I have no idea what to expect. I don't want to forget any of the "obvious" things we will need (tools, etc.).

Any advice to some "newbies" will be greatly appreciated.

Also any advise on nice campgrounds on the way???

[wiininkwe]

Since you're picking it up brand new, it won't have all the 'good junk' in it that we come to pack in.  So you'll need a container with some basics, paper plates and plastic ware (unless you're really  set on the real stuff) and a can opener, coffee pot, cups and glasses.  Some bedding or sleeping bags, pillows.  If you are going to camp in parks with hookups, you'll have water and elect.   Are ya going to have real food, and cook?  If so you'll need some pots and utensils.   Use your knowledge of tent camping to guide you, this is like a deluxe tent in heaven.   Also, have the dealer make sure that your manual and all paperwork are there, and have him really give you a good walkthru and set up demo.
T

[Mike&Judy]

We just purchased our first popup. We will be picking it up this coming weekend and camping on the way home (picking it up in San Francisco are and home is San Diego area). Any advice on things to bring. I have tent camped alot but have never had a trailer before. I have no idea what to expect. I don't want to forget any of the "obvious" things we will need (tools, etc.).

Any advice to some "newbies" will be greatly appreciated.

Also any advise on nice campgrounds on the way???

I'd say a big change from tent camping, assuming you will camp with electricity and want to take advantage of this is the need for one or two power stips.  You know like what we plug our computers in to.   This isn't something you'll think to pack first thing.  Bring bedding, or sleeping bags so you don't have to sleep on the nice new mattress covers.  A broom, and a walk-off mat for the door as you'll instantly track in dirt.  I'm sure there is much more to think of.  Enjoy your new "tent"

[griffsmom]

Hey Jen!  :W
 
Sounds like a humdinger of a maiden voyage!!  My advice would be to keep the dealer's phone number handy.  We called ours every trip the first few times we camped in our PU and they were wonderful about walking us through stuff we either didn't understand or couldn't get to work.  I have also posted a shout out to NNC, the brother No Cal camping organization to SCCampers.  They should have some wonderful sugggestions for places for you to camp on your way home to SD.  Here's the link to that thread:  http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?p=74579#post74579
 
How exciting!  Congrats on your new PU and I wish you a safe and enjoyable trip.  Hope to see you at one of our So Cal rallies in the very near future!!!

[FL Crackers]

You'll need something to level the PU from side-to-side and to chock the wheels. Two by sixes (and a small level) will work until you decide how you want to handle these tasks.  

TV mirror extensions may or may not be an issue, but something to think about and don't forget the hitch ball like I did.

Also don't neglect calling your insurance company before you pick it up.

[6Quigs]

Yikes,
that's a long way to go to pick up a new popup!!
8 hour drive from San Diego to S.F. and even longer going home with the 55mph speed limit when towing.

First off. What is your tow vehicle, and is it ready for towing, with tow bar, and ball, wiring, and brake controller?
Better to have all these done before hand.

The time spent at the dealer can be from 2 to 3 hours. (our last trailer took over 5 hours as the hitch on the hybrid needed a bigger draw bar ball, and I needed to get a n anti sway bar bracket welded on)
Not only is there plenty of paperwork, they will want to give you a walk through the unit and explain everything and how it works, how to open it up and how to close it down.
If you don't have the children with you, this can be a lot easier, and you will take in a lot more info.

As for camping in it on the way home, I would suggest only bringing the bare minimum, like sleeping bags and pillows. Eat out rather than trying to bring all the necessary cooking utitensils.

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing you at Pismo in a few weeks

Kevin

[tlhdoc]

Bring what you would bring to tent camp, but leave the old tent at home.  You will need chocks, to block the wheels.  Wood, Lynx Levelers or a BAL Leveler to level the PU side to side.  A deep cycle battery is nice to have to run the lights in the PU, and the  electric water pump if you have one, unless you are going to be camping at electric sites on your way home.  Take a note pad and pen to jot down all of the things you want/need for the PU.  Have a safe trip and happy camping.  

PS feel free to ask questions. :compumad:

[jendak760]

Yikes,
that's a long way to go to pick up a new popup!!
8 hour drive from San Diego to S.F. and even longer going home with the 55mph speed limit when towing.

First off. What is your tow vehicle, and is it ready for towing, with tow bar, and ball, wiring, and brake controller?
Better to have all these done before hand.

The time spent at the dealer can be from 2 to 3 hours. (our last trailer took over 5 hours as the hitch on the hybrid needed a bigger draw bar ball, and I needed to get a n anti sway bar bracket welded on)
Not only is there plenty of paperwork, they will want to give you a walk through the unit and explain everything and how it works, how to open it up and how to close it down.
If you don't have the children with you, this can be a lot easier, and you will take in a lot more info.

As for camping in it on the way home, I would suggest only bringing the bare minimum, like sleeping bags and pillows. Eat out rather than trying to bring all the necessary cooking utitensils.

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing you at Pismo in a few weeks

Kevin

We are getting the van all ready this week (tow bar, wiring, etc.) How would I know if I need TV mirror extensions? And sorry to sound like an idiot qith all of the questions. I also need a water pump? This isn't something that would be built in to the trailer?  :eyecrazy:

Wood, Lynx Levelers or a BAL Leveler to level the PU side to side??? HUH? I thought thats what those cute little jacks were for on each corner of the trailer. :confused:

Ok, like I said we are totally new to this. Thanks for everybody help. There are alot of things I wouldn't have thought about.

[tlhdoc]

I hope these answers help you out.

How would I know if I need TV mirror extensions?

Find out how wide the PU is and how wide the TV (tow vehicle is).  If the PU is wider than your TV you should get towing mirrors, unless you can easily see over the roof of the PU.

I also need a water pump? This isn't something that would be built in to the trailer?  

Yes you do have a water pump in the PU.  If it is an electric pump you will need power to run it, either a battery or electric hook ups.  If it is a manual pump you just pump it up and down to get water.

Wood, Lynx Levelers or a BAL Leveler to level the PU side to side??? HUH? I thought thats what those cute little jacks were for on each corner of the trailer.

NO, THEY ARE STABILIZING JACKS.   They only stabilize the PU and they are not for  leveling the PU.  You need to level the PU from side to side with wood, Lynx Levelers (sort of like giant Lego's) or a BAL Leveler (lifts the low side of the PU by lifting the wheel).

[griffsmom]

One other thought Jen--

 
When you pick up the camper, bring your video camera and video everything the service technician shows you on the walk through.  We did this and then were able to watch it again later on when our brains weren't quite as full and on overload as they can get during the walk through.  We just explained that we wanted to be able to remember everything they told us and our delaer was fine with us taping it.
 
I would also agree with 6Quigs about eating out rather than trying to pack everything you would normally need for a trip.  It's a long drive, especially for your first time out and I would just make as easy and enjoyable as possible.

[Starryart]

A Camping Diary! It is a must have. We bought a small diary book at Wal Mart and keep a record of everything in it...date PU was purchased, trips (date, place, site #, weather, events and people, distance from home (to keep track of mileage for tires and hub greasings), and we also write in maintainance/fix-it problems.
   Our first PU was an 86 Jayco, bought used, after owning it for eight years we had taken her on 72 trips! It is fun to look back on the past trips and remember details. The saga continues with the Rockwood we now own.

[brainpause]

I just wanted to emphasize again what Tracy has already said: The corner "jacks" are simply stabilizers, and not to be used to level the camper, no matter what your dealer tells you. The proper procedure to level with is this:

Level side to side with the tires (and using a carpenter's level, or the stick-on levels, if your camper isn't equipped already with them). Use the Lynx Levelers, or a BAL leveler, or some thin boards under the tires. Once you have your camper near where you want it, check its level. If one side is lower than the other, use boards/Lynxes/BAL to level it.

Once you have it level side to side, you can now disconnect from the tow vehicle (TV). Then level front to back with the front jack (the cranking one on the tongue). Once that is level, raise your roof FIRST, THEN put down your stabilizers.

Trust me, from experience: You will drive yourself crazy trying to level with your stabilizers. It is difficult at best, and you can damage your camper's frame doing it.

Larry

[brainpause]

PS: Welcome to the site. Remember, the only dumb question is the one that goes unasked!

Larry

[gsm x2]

You're getting good advice---especially about the STABILIZERS not be levelers.

As far as campgrounds.  If you are coming down the 101, here are a few that we've camped at.
 
Mount Madonna---west of Gilroy
San Lorenzo County Park--in King City
El Chorro County Park--just north of San Luis Obisbo on highway 1
Lake Cachuma---on highway 154 east of Solvang, but take the 154 cutoff from the 101
 
Enjoy the maiden voyage.  That will be quite a nice trip.  Here's the best advice I can give you.  Make sure the camper tows LEVEL to reduce the possibility of sway.
 
gsm x2

[cb]

Welcome to the board, neighbor!!  How much time do you have for your trip from SF to Escondido?  Adults only, or kids too?  Is this a new camper or used?  Do you really care about food, or is a grilled cheese sandwich and a can of soup considered an ok dinner?  There are really only three things to consider:  a place to pop up, something to eat, and something to keep you warm at night.  We have found that the AAA SoCal camping book is pretty accurate.  You're gonna love it and think it's the best "tent" you've ever had!