Newbie help needed

[surffishjimmy]

I am in the process of buying a used Viking Legend PUP.   I am completely new to trailer camping.   I have been tent camping for about 20 years.

Are there any good books available to help me understand what I need and what are the steps once I get to the campground.  I assume the first step is to unhook and level the camper, but maybe it isn't.   Just curious as to the steps.  

I have booked our first trip that will be for 2 nights and very local, about 45 miles away.   I figured that if anything goes wrong I will be very close to home.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks........

[ronerjones]

I suggest to you that you set up in the driveway 1 or 2 times prior to going. Her is my set up list.

make sure camper is level (horizontally) - Then unhook and level front to back - lower level pads - We have a front cargo area so that gets unloaded next - Turn on gas tank - unhook all roof clamps - raise roof - pull out beds then slide out - set up door - as the wife and kids set the interior I set the outside - Hook up water line - hook up electric - I bleed the water lines very slow to get all the air out the hot water is usually slower to air out - after the water runs smooth through both lines I light the water heater

That should get you through the basics, make sure you fully walk your camper prior to moving it - you will be surprised at what you will forget to do especially when you are new. I always get on my knees and look under the trailer and be sure to check everything that gets latched.

On your tear down you need to let all of the water out of your waterlines. I have 2 valves just under the front end that get released - don't forget to turn off the water heater prior to doing this - I also after turning the gas off let all of the gas in the line out by turning on a burner on the outside and letting it bleed out.

Have fun

[coach]

I'd read the manual if you get one, if not check here for a generic Viking manual.

Set it up in the driveway as suggested. Keep a note book handy. Anything you send the kids to get from the house, write down so it can be replaced!

[MotherNature]

I think a notebook and pen/pencil is the most important thing.  Follow the prior suggestions about setting up a couple times and write down EVERYTHING.  Otherwise, a well-stocked first-aid kit will ease your mind and make you more comfortable (hopefully you will never have to use it); tummies filled with your favorite foods will ease nervousness as well.  A checklist helps; nothing is foolproof but if you can possibly make one tailored to your specific PUP & TV, it will make you more relaxed and efficient as well.  Good luck and enjoy!

[bblake]

Welcome to the club.  Good pointers from the previous posters.  Also suggest trying to setup in the dark, it is very different.

Have a good, bright flashlight ready, make sure you look up if there are trees and branches near your site.

Here's a link:  http://rveducation101.com/popup.htm?siteID=0
Mark Polk writes some very helpful books.

In your goodie bag to take along, some simple tools to tighten things down, duct tape to fix leaks, some light rope to tie things down or to make a clothes line.

Good luck!

[austinado16]

Welcome and congrats on your new purchase.

My personal, "Rule Number 1" is to chock the camper wheels before you unhook from the tow vehicle.  So if you don't have any, run over to Walmart and buy a pair, and keep them with the camper, and in a location where they are the first thing to come out when you arrive at your location.  Even if you decide to unhook from the tow vehicle and walk the camper around on-site, in order to get it into the position you want, chocks the wheels first, and have someone manning the chocks, while you manuever the camper.

My personal "First Purchase" would be to buy a BAL Leveler.  They're about $55ish, and are a U-shaped metal frame that fits around your lowside wheel.  With the supplied ratcheting wrench, they lift the wheel and hence the entire camper.....on the low side.....and allow you to level the camper in about a minute.  They allow you to park the camper anywhere on the site, and still level it, and you don't have to use the tow vehicle to back the camper up onto wood blocks, wood ramps, Linx-Leveler blocks, or anything else.

My personal "Supplies" rule is to keep the camper stocked and self-contained.  Then when it's time to go camping, all you do is add your fresh food, and your clothes.  Keeps you from having to remember, "Did we bring sun block? Where's the bug spray? Did you pack the spatula and the fry pan?"  Just make the camper a complet "home" and it'll take all the stress out of packing and getting ready.

Remember the fridge can not be operated unless it (and the camper) are level.  The only exception to that rule is when you have the fridge set to 12v for towing to and from the camp ground.  But still, set up your tow hitch assembly so that the camper is towed level, and not nose down or nose up(which will cause it to sway like crazy).

Tires and bearings are super important.  Run your camper tires at their maximum rated pressure.  Make sure they aren't cracked in the sidewalls or tread.  Inspect and repack the bearings unless you know they were just done.

Keep your 12v battery well maintained.  Periods of non-use will let the voltage drop and that damages the plates in the cells.  When you aren't camping, take the battery out and keep it charged up to full capacity year round.

Camp back yard, and Camp Driveway are 2 great places to learn about your camper, and about your family's ability to communicate and work together.  Better to practice there, then to get on site and have a real fire drill on your hands (if you know what I mean).  Take your time cranking up the roof, and even more so, sliding out the bunks.  The canvas can get caught on stuff and you'll throw a fit the first time you snag a window screen, or the canvas on something and tear a hole.  Same goes for popping down.  Really watch your canvas!!

Have fun!!

[surffishjimmy]

Thanks to all that replied.   All the responses were of great help.    I downloaded the generic Viking maunual and also ordered the rveducation101 DVD.

I am picking up the camper tomorrow.   I can wait for my first trip in April.   I already have 5 trips planned and a few more in the works.  

Thanks again to all.

[doreen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bH7m_7VC_Q
 Hope this helps Doreen

[caranoel]

Remember that there will be lots of snippiness and arguing the first few times.  Don't let it ruin your vacation.

When backing in, if you can have walkie talkies or the walkie talkie feature on your phone, it will prevent you from yelling at each other to hear directions, which can often times make the significant other think is anger!

We found that if one of us is backing up, just let them back up and only stop them or correct them if they are going to crash.  

One of the highlights at most campgrounds is watching a family trying to back in.
You can avoid being "that guy" by practicing a whole bunch in an empty parking lot or school yard.

I second the idea that all campers should have everything in it.  We even keep the sheets on in between trips unless they get wet from rain or the kids spill something. Hit the yard sales and clearance items and ask around by email for used pots and pans and bowls and other goodies.

Safe travels.  You will love it!

[Jim K in PA]

Welcome to PUT, Jim!  You found a great group to hang with.

That 2465 is a nice camper.  Any other details?  A/C?  Best of luck with it.

[austinado16]

Love the comment about backing up, and about watching people back in and get set up.  About the only thing more fun than this spectator sport, is going down to the boat launch at the lake, and watching the same circus there.  No trees or rocks to back into, but the addition of a 20% grade, and water makes for some great times.

I tried to help a guy once because he was getting his rig all jack knifed.  He just wouldn't listen and so we sat back and watched him punch the tail lights of his new Chevy truck into the nose of his TT during 15-20min parking space joust.

Yeah......you definately don't want to be that guy!  Have your spotter learn to stand so they are in your mirror, so that you can see their hand signals.  Get them to point in the direction you need to swing the tail of the trailer, and a closed fist means "stop."  That'll keep you from yelling back and forth.........."Left?!!!!  Which LEFT??"

[spicyville1]

Welcome to the pup world! Send pics of your camper when you can. thx

[surffishjimmy]

Thanks again to all.   I bought the rveducation101 dvd and that was just what I needed.  

I brought the camper home on Sunday.  I can't wait for the weather to turn to open her up and get some use out of it.

The camper does not have an A/C but included with the camper was a portable A/C unit that the seller rigged up to use.  It is only a year old.   Brakes were completely re-done last year.  

It has a shower and a fixed cassette toilet.  They are separate from each other, one is in the back of the camper and one is in the front.....I love that!!!!

Other items are a sliding dinette, sink, 3 burner stove, fridge, furnace/heater, 11' awning and a large front storage compartment.   Battery is less that a year old and it has 2 propane tanks that are full.

This is just what I was looking for.

Can't wait to use it.  I already have 5 trips booked for this year and am looking to do more.

[bblake]

Another pointer, I pull the battery when I winterize and keep it in my basement, off the floor on a 2x4 attached to a trickle charger.  Learned the hard way that the winter can kill the battery if left with the camper.

[ForestCreature]

Remember that there will be lots of snippiness and arguing the first few times.  Don't let it ruin your vacation.

LMAO, some of our best fights have been a result of backing into a campsite!

We have found its easiest to just let the backing be done and leave some kind of markers on the ground where you think
 the camper should be. Like said earlier say nothing unless there's going to be camper contact with a stationary object.