Those with a Travel trailer, got any tips/tricks??

[Western]

Last Friday I picked up a used, new to me Heartland 3010TT Cyclone my wife bought as a semi "surprise". I have never used a "real TT and will be headed out to Colorado next week for an Elk hunting (sleeping) trip:laughing:

This will be a trail by fire, and I believe the term will be "boondocking"? I have concerns about Cold temps and the water tanks not sure if I should dry camp. The weather right now, says mostly above freezing, but I have seen it at 15* there this time of year.

The TT, does have an Onan Marquis Gold 5500 genset, but it doesn't run well as I type, due to the previous owner and a poor filler hose design. I have a new carburetor , fuel filter, fuel pump I will install today and "cross my fingers". Oh also changed the oil and filter and replaced with Mobile 1

Any wisdom, thoughts tips, or tricks you can pass along, would be greatly appreciated

Photo of my new "toy"

 

[radioman]

Will your furnace run off the 12v battery? Will your onan genny keep battery charged up? Where is your fresh water tank? For my camper its under the sink and I would keep the cabinet doors open while you are sleeping and away to have heat keeping water tank from freezing. You really should not see any ice in tanks or toilet as its a newer camper and temps above 30 night only is NOT enough to freeze water provided you keep heat on.

 

[Beltzington]

"Camp in it" it before the trip, electric, water, plumbing, heat etc. Nothing worse then being away from tools and stores and finding you need something. Tow it locally before the trip, city and highway traffic, again nothing potentially as life threatening as being committed to a 2,000 mile trip with an unsafe tow vehicle or trailer. Doing this will give the opportunity to repair things or change plans. Good hunting and safe travels!

 

[orezok]

Check the manufacture dates on the tires. If more than 5 years, you are in the caution range. If more than 7 years replace them, especially if they are "China Bombs".

 

[EddieWalker]

Looks like a pretty nice "tent" for elk camp.

I don't have any advice or tips on the trailer, but I sure would love to hear about the hunt and see some pics when you get back!!!

Eddie

 

[bullbreaker]

Dennis Big Congrats nice looking unit ! :thumbsup:

Heres a similar recent thread with more good info :http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/284457-travel-trailer-buying-advice.html

Might want to practice some backing up if You feel the need . Hope You keep us posted on your road/hunting trip with pics/experiences.

Boone

 

[bcp]

Those with a Travel trailer, got any tips/tricks??

Block your trailer wheels before you unhitch.

When unhitching, don't concentrate on the hitch, jack, and tire block, then forget to detach the wires and breakaway cable before driving away.

Before leaving, walk around your campsite in two directions to find things you forgot to load.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I have a 3010 hd 5th wheel. Wife and I bookdocked for 10 days in sept '11 in Colorado. Few things.

How long is the trip?
How many people?

We packed in and stayed by ourselves and were self sufficient. We had showers everyday. Very very quick though. We carried 20 gallons of drinking water and our trailer has 30+19 gallons of fuel. We brought and extra 20 gallons too. Took our rhino all over the alpine loop. I bought a cheap 800w harbor freight Genny to run the lights and charge batteries. We took our winegard carryout sat dish and could run lights, charge batts and watch tv off the little generator. Used about .25 gallons an hour. Worked awesome but sounds like a wound up weedeater. Used the big onan in the morning for the space heaters. Trailer furnace will use a bunch of propane. Could go thru both tanks in a matter of days. We just bundled up at night and slept great. It got down to freezing every night. Was 45-50 in camper when waking up. Used the onan for coffee maker and space heaters. Sometimes the water would be frozen. Drinking water in jugs was always fine though. Around mid morning it'll thaw. Keep an extra gallon to refill the toilet if taking a dump. On showers, you have to be quick. We have 100 gallon tank and it lasted but we were very water conscious. If the Genny has been sitting a while once you get it going with your new parts make sure it'll carry a full load. Turn on the water heater and a/c's if you can to load it. Sitting unused is the worst thing you can do to them. We have close to 400 hrs on ours and don't use it much. Enjoy the trip. Colorado is beautiful. Also, on the carb, there is an altitude adjustment. Be sure to adjust that when you get to elevation

Brett

 

[hawkeye08]

Check the air pressures in the tires, including spare. Most trailer tires are only to run up to 65mph so watch your speed. Heat is the enemy on tires, under inflation and speed can destroy tires fast. Take the time to set up your trailer brakes properly (adjust if needed and setup brake controller for your trailer).

 

[Western]

Thanks for all the reply's and good ideas tips!!

I drive 28'-40' trailers for work to jobs, so backing and getting around isn't an issue. Dealer put on new tires, old ones had about 500 miles on them, but where 08 model tires.

Got the genset running and man are Onan's nice! I think I will buy a Mr Buddie heater for supplement heat. Closest town is about 25 miles, which isn't to far if I need gas.
Going to take it slow this time out, GMC 3500 pulled it great the 70 miles home.

Elk season "rumors" I have been getting, are excellent, so I cant wait to get up in the mountains. Loved living there for a spell

I'm going by myself again this year it looks like so will take what I need i-case I end up roughing it.. Usually have a tent, or stay at friends houses, so this will be a blast!

 

[Western]

I was thinking about trying to treat my fresh tank with some bleach since I dont know the history, then flush it out. Any thoughts on dealing with water issues on a TT?

Good idea to keep a bucket of water for the outhouse too!

 

[bullbreaker]

Thanks for all the reply's and good ideas tips!!


I think I will buy a Mr Buddie heater for supplement heat. !

Not knocking it just giving you my Mr Buddie thoughts. My single tank MB eats up 1 $3 propane tank every 5 hrs. I bought it cause its obvious lighter and smaller than twin Buddie model which has built in fan. Single tank version does not. For me its good (single) for shooting houses and very small enclosed areas. If I had to do it all over again I would have bought Big Buddie w/twin tanks and fan (more heat too). Didn't mean or want to get of main topic. Been enjoying this thread. :thumbsup: In process of looking at TT"s and looking at Heartland bunkhouse models since right now can't handle Airstream prices. :laughing:

Boone

 

[Western]

Boone, I was looking at the Mr Buddy, the big one (up to 12k btu). I can buy the 12' hose and connect it to my 20# or 100# bottle. Should last a Loooong time set on low. I like the Heartland and I looked a a bunch..

Jayco would be my other choice after reading a ton of reviews and looking at a few. Definitely a tri axle or minimum 15" tires duel, preferred 16". I did see allot of campers that seemed under-rated in the axle department. Tons of complaints on weak, undersized axle and tires, thus blow outs and fender damage.

 

[bandaidmd]

A lot of campers now have ducted heat and if you have that you most likely have water and waste tanks that are in heated space so cold camping is a non issue. Look under the unit and if you can't see any tanks yours is setup for winter use.I added a second battery for more capacity when boondocking/ drycamping

 

[RoMad]

I have had travel trailers for years and there has been a lot of good advice here. I would add to the comment about the furnace. They will suck the gas out of your bottles quickly. I would rather heat it with an electric heater right before you go to bed and then bundle up under the covers. Just cooking supper on the stove top will help keep you warm too.

 

[RobertN]

I would:
- Read the manual cover to cover
- Put it on jack stands
- Remove repack inspect the bearings; most manuals say 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first
- Inspect brake shoes, magnets, moving brake parts
- Reinstall, adjust brakes
- Check tire dates, replace as necessary
- Make sure you have jack and lug wrench that works with trailer lugs
- Check the spare tire
- Check interior/exterior lights
- Get extra bulbs for interior/exterior lights
- Service the fridge/water heater/heater. Clean vents, check for bug nests etc
- Make sure propane tanks are full
- Spray with water, make sure no leaks at windows, vents, AC, antenea
- Service the water system
- bleach the tanks, flush
- replace water filter
- make sure you have water regulator for city water
- make sure you have all the fresh water hoses and fittings you need
- make sure you have all the waste water hoses/fittings you need
- spare fuses for the electrical
- Remove and check the batteries
- clean all connections
- check electrolyte level
- Get a broom/dust pan
- get a mat for dirty boots etc to set outside door
- Make sure your brake control is readjusted properly if needed
- Have some extra blocks, chocks etc to set under your jacks when parked in dirt, and to help level
- I added lights to help backing; if we head out Friday after work, it is often dark when we get to camp site

 

[Western]

I have had travel trailers for years and there has been a lot of good advice here. I would add to the comment about the furnace. They will suck the gas out of your bottles quickly. I would rather heat it with an electric heater right before you go to bed and then bundle up under the covers. Just cooking supper on the stove top will help keep you warm too.

A lot of campers now have ducted heat and if you have that you most likely have water and waste tanks that are in heated space so cold camping is a non issue. Look under the unit and if you can't see any tanks yours is setup for winter use.I added a second battery for more capacity when boondocking/ drycamping

I have the enclosed belly and supposedly there is one small 2" line from the furnace that heats that area, but if I dont run the furnace, then that is a moot point. I am leaning towards what you describe , but using the MR buddy heater on large LP bottles. The trailer is a "toy Hauler' so I have plenty of room. Also found out I may need a water pressure regulator, so will find a good one of those soon.

RobertN, That is almost the checklist I have in the owners book..LOL Pretty darn close anyway!

I have a small Bosttich air compressor I will take also, and a flat kit I carry on the job. Never know when you will get a puncture on the truck.
Trailer tires I replace.

I think I will also pull the element on the water heater, (just-in-case)

 

[bucktaker]

The original mr heater Buddy heater will run for 4-5 days on low setting off a 20 lb tank. Get the hose but never leave propane in the hose or it will clog the orfice. When you are done just shut the tank off and let it run dry.
I hard piped one TT I had and it worked great with dual
30 lp onboard tanks
Camped with buddy heaters ever since they came out, down to zero in Ohio winters work great.

 

[bandaidmd]

Running your furnace at a low thermostat setting will use some gas but it will also allow you to wake up to a lot nicer environment than the not only cold but very damp interior due to condensation, by using buddie heaters you may not wake up at all . You have a great looking camper and you want to use like a tent.lol
My 26' toy hauler's furnace will run all night on my 2 batteries. You should be able to beg/borrow/rent a couple extra lp tanks .

 

[bullbreaker]

Boone, I was looking at the Mr Buddy, the big one (up to 12k btu). I can buy the 12' hose and connect it to my 20# or 100# bottle. Should last a Loooong time set on low. I like the Heartland and I looked a a bunch.. Yes I knew that I was just trying to steer you toward Big Buddie model.

Jayco would be my other choice after reading a ton of reviews and looking at a few. Definitely a tri axle or minimum 15" tires duel, preferred 16". I did see allot of campers that seemed under-rated in the axle department. Tons of complaints on weak, undersized axle and tires, thus blow outs and fender damage.

Yes Dennis I was aware of dual tank hook-up possibilitys but was trying to steer you towards Big BUDDIE from my experience.
Another idea don't know if its been mentioned is a good electric blanket if temps get real low.

Also one other thing I like about newer Heartlands is how they space their dual axles further apart than lots of other manufacturers .

Another thing that has come to mind is on many/some TT's there are rubber grommets on opposite side of slides to crank in slides if one should have it discounted from a power source and lose batt power. Many times when units are bought new the cranks are never with TT at time of sales. Or salesman themselves don't even know about this feature. Looks like crank set-up on full size pick up trucks to lower or store spare tire.

Boone