First Camping Trip at Last - Fiberglass RV
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-08-2013, 08:10 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Name: Jan
Trailer: '96 Scamp 5th Wheel
Texas
Posts: 102
First Camping Trip at Last

All excited to finally be taking the Gypsy Wagon for her maiden voyage to a state park only a couple of hours away. I have a friend who is an experienced RVer that met me there to help me start learning some of the ropes of real time trailer use. Turned into quite the trip! I didn't even get out of the driveway before the first problem! The telephone line that I have been trying to get AT&T to come and tighten up caught on the trailer and pulled loose - sagging almost to the ground! Adrenalin up!! Got on the road and about an hour later when looking at the side mirror saw something flapping on the side of the trailer - looked like a strap? Started slowing down and saw aluminum posts flapping and realized my awning had come loose and was starting to unroll! Got over to the shoulder and took a look (adrenaline even more up). The fabric had ripped and I couldn't get it to roll up or get the poles up. Traffic is screaming by and I am starting to panic. Fortunately my family lives nearby so I called my sister and had my brother in law bring me a ladder and some baling wire (my horses live there too). I went into the trailer to get pliers and saw some plastic on the floor - looked up at the roof and there was a hole where the antenna used to be!!! Adrenalin is now over the top!!!

My friend assures me that these things happen to everyone at sometime or another - just not usually on the first trip out!! I finally made it to the park. My friend patched my roof hole, the baling wire is holding - the cupboard that came unglued that night got reglued and I ended up having a very nice trip. I have to say I was so glad to have my friend there to show me the ropes. I now have lists of what to buy to carry for emergencies and repairs!

This being a newbie is a tough learning curve! Looking forward to my next trip out - I know it will get easier! Jan

The antenna was laying on the grass when I got home and the wire to the house had been fixed.

Got lots of questions and little fixes I'm going to need help with so watch for more newbie posts soon (I'll try and search archives so I don't get redundant).
Janb313 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 08:20 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Name: jim
Trailer: 2022 Escape19 pulled by 2014 Dodge Ram Hemi Sport
Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,710
Registry
Perhaps you had the antenna up and it snagged the telephone line, pulled the antenna off the roof when you left?
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 08:25 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Thomas G.'s Avatar
 
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 5,112
Without anecdotes, it is just another boring trip.

Welcome to the club!
__________________
UHaul and Burro owners, join the UHaul Campers on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/529276933859491/
Thomas G. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 08:25 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Name: Jan
Trailer: '96 Scamp 5th Wheel
Texas
Posts: 102
The antenna wasn't up - the line had sagged so low that when I straightened the trailer going out of the drive it snagged. I'd been pretty careful about the line when I had moved the trailer before but I just wasn't careful enough this time. First rule for me from now on -don't get in a hurry - slow down and pay close attention to details.
Janb313 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 08:31 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Thomas G.'s Avatar
 
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 5,112
Quote:
Originally Posted by Janb313 View Post
.....First rule for me from now on -don't get in a hurry - slow down and pay close attention to details.
A good part of that is learning exactly what those details are.
__________________
UHaul and Burro owners, join the UHaul Campers on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/529276933859491/
Thomas G. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 09:57 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Noreen Bradshaw's Avatar
 
Trailer: Trillium
Posts: 270
Registry
You are amazing!! For a newbie, a first trip like that might have discouraged you........and you are looking forward to your next trip! Good for you.

Welcome to the forum. I'm certainly looking forward to reading about your next adventure.
Noreen Bradshaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 01:06 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Name: Steve
Trailer: Scamp 13
California
Posts: 1,890
The only thing you need with a trailer is a pad of paper and a pencil. everytime you get near your trailer write down what it needs or needs to be fixed. Then you work on that list until its done. next time you start a new page. after a while you use less paper. When you run out of paper your done.

When I take a trip I use a written check list to slow me down so I dont forget the important stuff. There is nothing worse than driving 300 miles worrying about what you forgot or driving home trying to remember what you need to do to make your trips better. This is supposed to be fun. I went camping once without a knife that was a frustrating trip. Everytime I turned around I needed a knife really about 6 different knives but I had none. For 4 days I felt stupid and life kept reminding me how stupid I was, if it wasn't 30 miles down a dirt trail and another 60 miles of pavement to find a replacement I would have hauled out and got one.

electric plug out
propane full,
water tank full,
chains hooked
hitch connected
hitch locks
knife
etc
stevebaz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 08:12 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
Well good for you Jan you did it! Yes, that first trip can be stressful and sometimes a bit eventful. But, you had a good time in the end and made a memory that will stay with you forever.

My first trip out, I was about 40 miles from home, parked, setup and sitting in a lawnchair when I realized I forgot my toothbrush and toothpaste. Bummer. I did find out that beer and a cotton swab will work for a couple of days.... shhh don't tell my dentist

Now I have a toothbrush and toothpaste that stay permanently in the trailer. Steve, maybe you should do the same with a set of knives
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 08:22 PM   #9
Moderator
 
Pam Garlow's Avatar
 
Trailer: U-Haul 1985
Posts: 3,436
Registry
Glad to hear that you had a fun time, Jan.. and now its all going to be uphill from this trip (but hopefully not literally!!)
Pam Garlow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 08:26 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
carlkeigley's Avatar
 
Name: Carl
Trailer: 2013 Lil Snoozy #161 (SOLD)/2010 Tacoma
NE Oklahoma
Posts: 2,358
Wow Jan, I could feel the adrenaline in my shoulders reading your post........lol.
Welcome to the group. Glad your trip turned out positive in spite of it all.

I plan on having my trailer permanently prepared. Probably make adjustments after each trip. Might have it ready for a "bug out."
carlkeigley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 09:21 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Carol H's Avatar
 
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
Registry
Jan the best part is you got it out and on the road. The stuff that happened is all fixable. The issue with your awning coming loose is a pretty common one and I know a lot of people put a bungee around it to keep it closed. Another item that has a bad habit of failing down when driving and you might want to put a bungee on is the rear stabilizer jacks on the back bumper.
Carol H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 09:30 PM   #12
Moderator
 
Pam Garlow's Avatar
 
Trailer: U-Haul 1985
Posts: 3,436
Registry
Oh, Carol, you are right about the back stabilizer jacks! I had to bungee mine up all the time. I finally just replaced them with these way-cool crank down ones. So much nicer!
And good for you Jan for making that trip, the first one is always the hardest.
There are a lot of ladies camping 'solo' here! Keep us posted on your other camping trips
Pam Garlow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2013, 07:34 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Jane SC's Avatar
 
Name: Jane and Greg
Trailer: 1985 Uhaul CT
South Carolina
Posts: 213
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pam Garlow View Post
Oh, Carol, you are right about the back stabilizer jacks! I had to bungee mine up all the time. I finally just replaced them with these way-cool crank down ones. So much nicer!
And good for you Jan for making that trip, the first one is always the hardest.
There are a lot of ladies camping 'solo' here! Keep us posted on your other camping trips
Pam..oh ya, those blankety blank stabilizers...I flew to Ca to my sisters to go with her on first camping trip in her UHaul CT(she found one just like ours). Before we got out of her driveway, those stabilizers caused us fits...they would not move...finally got ithem hammered loose and bungeed to bumper. Less than a mile down the road Patsy notices sparks and loud clanking...we pull over, I open side door, step out, and roll down deep ditch...she crawls under trailer with hammer and bangs the now mutilated left stabilizer loose from road (that debungeed) and proceeds to re bungee it back up on bumper, lo, it gets loose again and crashes down on her jaw...all this happens while I am trying to crawl out of the ravine...five hours later we pull into the Giant Redwood RV park in Myers Flat looking like we had been in a brawl...and, lost! UHaul stabilizers not our friends.
Jane SC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2013, 07:42 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Thomas G.'s Avatar
 
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 5,112
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jane SC View Post
.... UHaul stabilizers not our friends.
Once damaged, the stabilizers won't stay up. The good news is that they aren't hard to repair or expensive to replace.

Stabilizer Jack - 650 lbs Domar Trailer Jack TJ01RT
__________________
UHaul and Burro owners, join the UHaul Campers on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/529276933859491/
Thomas G. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2013, 05:39 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Jane SC's Avatar
 
Name: Jane and Greg
Trailer: 1985 Uhaul CT
South Carolina
Posts: 213
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas G. View Post

Once damaged, the stabilizers won't stay up. The good news is that they aren't hard to repair or expensive to replace.

Stabilizer Jack - 650 lbs Domar Trailer Jack TJ01RT
Ct hanks TG! Greg ordered new stabilizers today. Jane
Jane SC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2013, 07:24 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Jane SC's Avatar
 
Name: Jane and Greg
Trailer: 1985 Uhaul CT
South Carolina
Posts: 213
Tom, Greg ordered the stabilizers you suggested...thanks.
Jane SC is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
My X'mas Camping Trip Tamid General Chat 12 10-17-2009 12:46 PM
Our Last Tent Camping Trip! Lars H Camping, Campout Reports 1 08-28-2008 06:53 PM
first camping trip of 2008 Phil Underwood Camping, Campout Reports 5 01-06-2008 05:16 PM
A short camping trip.. Al Stansell Camping, Campout Reports 1 06-08-2007 03:14 PM
first camping trip with 16 ft Christi V. Problem Solving | Owners Helping Owners 10 05-01-2006 04:46 PM

» Upcoming Events
No events scheduled in
the next 465 days.
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.