First time out with new pup

jbb · May 20, 2008, 07:37 AM

Just purchased my first pup and I pick up Thursday. A group of friends have our annual memorial day kayak/canoe trout fishing trip and my wife wants to take our new pup. Which would mean our first trip in new pup would be completely dry in a field with no hookups or pads. I am very leery to do this. Is this a bad idea or what? Several pups and tt there last year. Not that worried about power and water as usually stay in a tent on this trip. More concerned about setting it up and leveling etc.

austinado16 · May 20, 2008, 08:51 AM

Welcome!

Sounds like pop-up heaven to me. Cut yourself some pieces of 2x6 for your stabilizers to rest on. There are several ways to level the camper prior to popping up:
1) drive up onto the correct height stack of lumber.....some here have built "ramps" by nailing or screwing together 2x6's at varying lengths with enough room between each "step" up so the tire can stay in that spot.

2) buy "Linx Levelers" that are plastic blocks like Lego's and you build your own ramp on-site and drive up onto it.

3) buy "BAL Light Trailer Leveler" for $53, park where ever you want, slipe the BAL Leveler on under the low side wheel, and use the included ratcheting wrench to crank the BAL up, thereby lifting that wheel and the trailer until it's level. (I bought the BAL Leveler and love it)

Once you're level side-to-side, you level front to rear with the tongue jack/wheel and then put down your stabilizers. Then you're ready to pop up!

Have fun!

AZsix · May 20, 2008, 11:18 AM

You shouldn't hesitate at all. You'll have a blast. If the people with the pup is there again this year I'm sure they will be glad to help you out if you need it.

Enjoy!

Shepherd · May 20, 2008, 11:28 AM

Quote from: jbbJust purchased my first pup and I pick up Thursday. A group of friends have our annual memorial day kayak/canoe trout fishing trip and my wife wants to take our new pup. Which would mean our first trip in new pup would be completely dry in a field with no hookups or pads. I am very leery to do this. Is this a bad idea or what? Several pups and tt there last year. Not that worried about power and water as usually stay in a tent on this trip. More concerned about setting it up and leveling etc.

Go For It! Congrats on the new pup. We're heading out for our first trip this weekend too. I've put it up & down (once for driveway camping) three times since we got it in the drive way just to have the practice. The night we camped in the driveway we made sure all the appliances, water lines, etc worked before hitting the road. Do you have time to set it up once or twice between getting it and leaving for the trip? Being that yours is new from the dealer you shouldn't have to check out all the appliances, but just practicing a full set up and take down is nice. I'm anal so I also made a set up cheat sheet since I know when we get to the campground the twins are going to be on overdrive and distracting me.

Congrats again.

jbb · May 20, 2008, 11:53 AM

Quote from: ShepherdGo For It! Congrats on the new pup. We're heading out for our first trip this weekend too. I've put it up & down (once for driveway camping) three times since we got it in the drive way just to have the practice. The night we camped in the driveway we made sure all the appliances, water lines, etc worked before hitting the road. Do you have time to set it up once or twice between getting it and leaving for the trip? Being that yours is new from the dealer you shouldn't have to check out all the appliances, but just practicing a full set up and take down is nice. I'm anal so I also made a set up cheat sheet since I know when we get to the campground the twins are going to be on overdrive and distracting me.

Congrats again.

Thanks. I may have to time to raise it once, but I am not sure, that is my main concern. I am leaning toward going for it.

waygard33 · May 20, 2008, 02:13 PM

I can guarantee that if you don't take it...YOU'LL BE WISHING YOU HAD.

Might as well start the learning process. It doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Let loose and have fun. :-()

Beerlifter · May 20, 2008, 04:55 PM

I only have one question..........What did you buy it for?!?!?! GO FOR IT!! Im sure you bought it to camp in and build lots of memories! Why not start this Memorial weekend. Hook ups or not it's still camping. If your camper has a battery then your good to go. I'm sure it has a propane tank too. Use the battery for lights inside the camper and the propane for cooking and heat (if it gets cold at night, the battery will run the blower motor). Other than that it's just like tent camping only off the ground! Give it a shot what have you got to loose?!?!

A2SuperCrew · May 21, 2008, 07:38 AM

What a great opportunity to break it in amoung friends!

Two years ago we took our brand new PUP camping for a week beginning the weekend we took delivery from the dealer. It even had one of those paper temporary license plates taped to the back!

Say good bye to sleeping on the ground! You'll LOVE it!

Dray · May 22, 2008, 09:16 AM

Today is Thursday. I hope you took the PU. I know what your saying about being uncertain. I got my PU last year and my first trip was with a group, and we were dry camping too. Looking back, I would have preferred doing the first trip alone. It caused me some stress because I wasn't socializing enough. My first trip for me was to learn and figure things out, which I was doing, and I felt I was neglecting the group.

Even so, I would have felt foolish to not take it, so I hope you did. I'm sure that other family with the PU will be thrilled to see another PU. I know I always am. And they'll probably be more than helpful! : )

Cheers

Shepherd · May 22, 2008, 09:38 AM

Yep, today's the big day, hope all goes well. :-()

jbb · May 22, 2008, 10:39 AM

Quote from: ShepherdYep, today's the big day, hope all goes well. :-()

Me too! I pick her up at 3. Will drive her home today and then head out tomorrow.

jbb · May 28, 2008, 02:30 PM

Well..... Did not get to take the pup out this past weekend. My dad had to be admitted to the hospital Thursday and did not get out until Monday. So instead I got to camp out at the hospital. Dad's okay that is all that is important.

However, as a result I did not pick up my pup until late Friday and towed her home with absolutely no problems. Going take her tomorrow to the local campground and spend two or three days.

austinado16 · May 28, 2008, 02:31 PM

Sorry to hear about your dad and glad he's doing okay.

Enjoy the new camper!

Shepherd · May 29, 2008, 12:41 PM

Quote from: jbbWell..... Did not get to take the pup out this past weekend. My dad had to be admitted to the hospital Thursday and did not get out until Monday. So instead I got to camp out at the hospital. Dad's okay that is all that is important.

However, as a result I did not pick up my pup until late Friday and towed her home with absolutely no problems. Going take her tomorrow to the local campground and spend two or three days.

Wow. Glad to hear he is okay. Hope you have a great time while trying it out!

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First time out with new pup