1971 Havasu Fiberglass Camper - Fiberglass RV
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Old 03-17-2018, 08:12 PM   #1
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Name: Phyllis
Trailer: shopping
New Jersey
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1971 Havasu Fiberglass Camper

Hello!
I bought this little camper after someone checked her out for me.
I have never towed anything and I’m quite nervous as it’s a 12 hr trip. I haven’t camped in ages😬
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Old 03-17-2018, 08:35 PM   #2
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Welcome to the FGRV forum family, and congratulations on your new to you adventure & memories maker. Drive to a parking lot and practice practice practice.
Dave & Paula
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Old 03-17-2018, 08:37 PM   #3
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Wow, that's kinda neat. Especially the hump for headroom down the middle. Skylights too! Welcome to the forum and may you have many great adventures ahead. Post some interior photos if you get a chance.
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Old 03-17-2018, 08:41 PM   #4
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Name: Phyllis
Trailer: shopping
New Jersey
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Thank you all. I imagine I’ll have to make an overnight stop and I am really clueless!
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Old 03-17-2018, 08:51 PM   #5
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Congratulations! Looks very nice for its vintage.

Some things before towing. (1) Make sure you have the right size ball and a ball mount that allows the trailer to ride level or slightly nose down. (2) Check dates on the tires (code is stamped in the sidewall as WWYY, week and year). More than 6-8 years old, replace. Check pressure. (3) Find out when the wheel bearings were last packed. If the previous owner doesn't know or it's more than a couple of years, have them repacked before a long tow. Check the lug nuts. (4) Check the running lights.

Some rear entry models tend to be light on the tongue and sway-prone when empty. If it seems squirrelly- prone to wag the tail- at highway speeds, add some weight to the front bed area. Better yet, use a household scale to check your tongue weight- you want 125-150 pounds for an unloaded trailer, and 10-12% of the loaded weight.

First time hitching up, make sure the coupler latch is secure. After lowering the tongue onto the ball and closing the latch, crank it back up and make sure the back of the tow vehicle is lifting up with the tongue. Put a pin or clip through the hole.

Every time you stop, double-check the hitch connection and do a walkaround inspecting everything.

Backing up, as Dave says, will take some practice. As long as you don't get in a hurry, you'll be fine. There are plenty of YouTube videos that will help you get started.

Best wishes!
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Old 03-18-2018, 01:49 AM   #6
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Congrats on the new TT. Dave & Jon gave you good info and I just wanted to add one other thing as you say you've never towed before. Your new rig is short, hitch ball to axle and will track in almost the same line as your tow vehicle. When making tighter right hand turns, especially in town with curbs, make your turn a little wider for trailer curb clearance. It's really a piece of cake and you'll be able to see what's going on with the right side mirror and be automatic to you without even thinking about it in no time .
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Old 03-18-2018, 05:43 AM   #7
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Name: Phyllis
Trailer: shopping
New Jersey
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Thanks everyone. Really looking forward to my new baby. She is having the wheel bearings done as we speak as well as several other things.
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Old 03-18-2018, 06:44 AM   #8
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Arizona
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Welcome & great looking trailer! Good advice from everyone. I would add: Take your time; don't let impatient drivers or heavy traffic push you out of your comfort zone. Lots of great memories ahead!
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Old 03-18-2018, 07:29 AM   #9
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Missouri
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great find

very nice outfit I would suggest since you are a newbie is to find someone who knows about trailers and their operation.

save yourself a lot of time and headaches.

good luck to you I am jealous of your rig its neat!

bob
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Old 03-18-2018, 07:43 AM   #10
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First thing I'd do is remove that hasp lock on the door, very easy for someone to lock you inside, intentionally or not. Stop at a cg like KOA on the way home, they normally have a little store with some items you may need and they are relatively safe to camp in.
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Old 03-18-2018, 07:52 AM   #11
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Name: Phyllis
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Being fixed with regular door lock
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Old 03-18-2018, 08:04 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
First thing I'd do is remove that hasp lock on the door, very easy for someone to lock you inside, intentionally or not.
Yeah, hasp locks are kinda Redneck, but to prevent someone from 'accidentally' being locked inside, just put the padlock through the loop and lock it. The hasp can't be used, no one can get locked inside.
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Old 03-18-2018, 09:48 AM   #13
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new to you trailer

Looks really good.
Go and Enjoy
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Old 03-18-2018, 11:26 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
First thing I'd do is remove that hasp lock on the door, very easy for someone to lock you inside, intentionally or not.
I suggest you do not do that. It's there because the doors on these tend to bounce open during travel. If you take it off, add something else to keep the door in place during travel! You could easily kick the door open if someone locked you in. (I used velcro, 2 inch wide, sticky) to hold the door closed, which worked very well.)

My maiden trip was one of the only two times I've needed an electrical adapter and I didn't have one, so make sure you do.
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Old 03-18-2018, 11:33 AM   #15
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Name: Phyllis
Trailer: shopping
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I suggest you do not do that. It's there because the doors on these tend to bounce open during travel. If you take it off, add something else to keep the door in place during travel! You could easily kick the door open if someone locked you in. (I used velcro, 2 inch wide, sticky) to hold the door closed, which worked very well.)

My maiden trip was one of the only two times I've needed an electrical adapter and I didn't have one, so make sure you do.
He’s fixing the door- what kind of adapter?
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Old 03-18-2018, 12:43 PM   #16
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Your new trailer is very nice looking. If you like checklists, you could put one in the glove box and run through it each time before driving. For example: hitch connection, safety chains, lights, tire pressure.
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Old 03-18-2018, 03:50 PM   #17
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He’s fixing the door- what kind of adapter?
Bobbie had trouble with the doorvflying open on her Campster. Mine is 50 units newer than hers was and I have not had a problem. If you are concerned, maybe a safety bungee could be used to secure the door while driving and allow you to eliminate the pad lock latch.

As far as electrical, I carry a 30 amp to 20 amp converter, aka, dog bone. Most of these use a standard extension cord for power and very occasionally you'll find a park that doesn't provide a 20 amp outlet. I use my dog bone at home because I have a 30 amp plug in the carport.

I still think you found a very cute and nice looking trailer. Congrats.
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Old 03-18-2018, 04:24 PM   #18
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Cool camper

Hi, Phyllis;
When I bought my Scamp, I had never backed up with a trailer of any type.
So I asked an experienced neighbor to give me a lesson or two. Invaluable!
For practice, we put two cones on both sides of a marked parking spot in an empty church parking lot that had plenty of space for me to make mistakes and practice.
Yes, it gets easier with practice. You'll do fine, just give yourself time, patience. The key in backing up is to learn which way to turn the steering wheel.

The hitch connection advice is important. I added safety chains and a new lock.

One more thing...watch out for dips/drop offs/potholes/drainage, so you don't knock off anything underneath the trailer.

Enjoy your new toy!
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Old 03-18-2018, 06:51 PM   #19
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If there is a single trick to backing a trailer, it is to always set it up so that you are backing using your left mirror. The right side is too blind, so avoid it if you can.

A friend at the back on a cell phone or walkie talkie is helpful in backing.

There are cameras and tennis balls on sticks that can make it easier to line up with your hitch.

PS, Marilyn's backing advice was also very helpful. Practice with cones and learn the steering wheel.

Have fun!
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Old 03-18-2018, 11:37 PM   #20
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Hello!
I bought this little camper after someone checked her out for me.
I have never towed anything and I’m quite nervous as it’s a 12 hr trip. I haven’t camped in ages😬
:Welcome, you will learn a lot here from everyone over time. Remember when backing up right is left and left is right, try and pull into parking spots and if possible make sure site is level then just leave the trailer attached to the Tow Vehicle, Make sure you do not go faster than 55mph that way it should not start swaying around & if it does that means you should buy a anti sway bar and talk to the seller as to how you install it etc. but I think most of these people here do not use them, possibly becuase they got the right tow'd and the trailer is being towed same as tow'd on the flat or straight and not on a angle etc.
In 6 months you will be comfortable with towing and enjoying the life we all do.
Stude
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