First trip in PU coming up - couple of questions

[scappoose]

My wife and I purchased a 2000 Coleman Sedona about two months ago and have not had a chance to use it (NW weather).  I decided I would take it on a hunting trip next weekend and had a couple of questions.

(1)  The drive is about 7 hours one way, is there any preventive or proactive maintenance I should look at before leaving?

(2)  We will be camping in it for three nights with temps probably in the 20's, any suggestions for keeping it warm?  Any recommendations to ensure the battery does not go dead?

Any additional suggestions/recommendations would be great appreciated!

[PLJ]

When were the bearings last done on the trailer? check the lights. Brakes if applicable.

Will you be using a furnace to warm the PU or a portable device? If running a furnace you'll struggle to make a battery last 3 days. Possibly think about taking an extra charged battery or take a generator along. Make sure you have 2 fully filled propane tanks.

Use good sleeping bags and extra blankets. Maybe think about putting something to help with insulation under the mattress such as memory foam pads etc. Wear PJ's

Crack a corner of the bunk end screen and run a fan on low to help with condensation issues.  

Have fun and enjoy your trip.

[TheViking]

One thing we did while on a hunting trip where the temps were in the teens at night was to use sleeping bags, and then we turned the heat on for about 30 minutes prior to going to bed.  That gave you time to get changed and settled before shutting it off.  We had an alarm clock with dual alarms on it so,  we set the first alarm to go off...you guessed it.....30 minutes prior to getting out of bed.  So when the first alarm went off the heat comes on.  Then when you get up it is toasty while getting dressed.  We did this for 4 days and the battery still had life.  Good luck.

[AustinBoston]

(1)  The drive is about 7 hours one way, is there any preventive or proactive maintenance I should look at before leaving?

In no particualr order:

1) Make sure tire pressure is up.

2) If it's been more than a year (or if you don't know) repack the wheel bearings.

3) Inspect the brakes (while repacking the bearings) if equipped.

4) Test the brakes before going far (if equipped).

5) Make sure you have everything you need, including pencil and paper to write down the things you need but you didn't know you needed, because you will forget before the next trip.

6) One neat way to lube the hitch ball that doesn't involve grease is to take a square of wax paper (no substitutes) and fold it four times into a square.  Wrap that around the ball before connecting.  Good for about a day's drive.

Austin

[TheViking]

Also, make sure your're lights are working.  Brake lights, running, turn, etc.  It is best to have someone help you with this, as I tried hitting the brakes and running to the back of the trailer to see if they worked was quite exhausting.

[b2220128]

In addition to the above.  Check the torque on your lug nuts.  Make sure they are tightened to the manufacturers specs.  If you don

[Old Goat]

Learn how to enjoy the trip and have fun without all the things you forgot to bring..........ABOVE ALL, HAVE FUN..

[Camping Coxes]

6) One neat way to lube the hitch ball that doesn't involve grease is to take a square of wax paper (no substitutes) and fold it four times into a square. Wrap that around the ball before connecting. Good for about a day's drive.
 
Austin

DH always looks at people's hitches (he's weird, I know!) and he always comments on the fact that a lot of people don't grease the hitch ball before towing and the ball is all torn up.  Isn't that a basic rule of towing, to lubricate it before hooking up the trailer?

[Camping Coxes]

If it gets too cold outside to cook, do not under any circumstances bring in an old, hardly used Coleman white gas stove to cook on, and then spill the gas, and then light it anyway, causing a large fireball that almost burns up the trailer!  

 
Not that I'd know anything about that personally or anything............ :yikes:

[TheViking]

DH always looks at people's hitches (he's weird, I know!) and he always comments on the fact that a lot of people don't grease the hitch ball before towing and the ball is all torn up. Isn't that a basic rule of towing, to lubricate it before hooking up the trailer?

I ain't touchin this one !!!!!!           LOL

[AustinBoston]

I ain't touchin this one !!!!!!           LOL

I was fine with it at face value until you said something.  

Austin

[TheViking]

I was fine with it at face value until you said something.
 
Austin

 
 
My to do list:  
 
1.  Get mind out of gutter............

[vjm1639]

My to do list:
 
1. Get mind out of gutter............

might want to stop the list at #1`...that one could take awhile...  

[Manchesterjim]

Ok so we're no experts but:
 
In our 2003 Westlake we found the following:
 
1ea 20lb(?) bottle (the gas-grill size) lasts 1 weekend.  That's 2 full nights of heating to a comfortable level and the usual cooking.  (No special insulating...just a sheet on the bed to cover the mattress and a sleeping bag set up in "comforter mode").  (The bag came standard with the camper).
 
Ours pretty much sits in our season site so its always externally powered, but given what I know of electricity, I can't see the battery doing everything we do for an entire weekend.  (We considered dry camping in the White Mountains of New Hampshire this October but ran out of time).  I would very much consider a very conservative use of power in the camper, or a small (and quiet) generator.  Remember that even the small things like outside or reading lights will drain the battery.
 
Just my two cents.......!
 
Jim
 
2003 Coleman Westlake
1999 Ford F-150 4x4
15 year old Pekinese/Pomeranian
1 very short camping season!