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Old 01-24-2010, 07:50 AM   #21
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Trailer: 2007 Casita Spirit Deluxe
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Wow, thanks everybody for the advice!
Okay, so I'll take 2 days to drive home if I need to. Will take a sleeping bag.
Can't I just park in a Walmart parking lot for the night and not have to unhook anything?
Also, what about my mirrors? They don't extend on my Xterra. That okay?
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Old 01-24-2010, 08:26 AM   #22
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Trailer: 2008 13 ft Scamp
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You can buy mirrors that strap on/off your Xterra at wal mart for about $28. Did anyone mention toilet paper,wet ones, hand sanitizer? I also got the VIN number and added it to my insurance before I picked it up. I also had an IN TRANSIT sign in the rear window since the previous owner kept his plates. I was nervous about the start,stop,turn things--just be careful not to turn to sharp or short and hit/bang the curb with your egg. I am so happy every day to see that baby in the driveway!! I am planning to go to Hillapalooza in TX. next month and do a lot of hands on learning from experts. Is there a rally anywhere near you soon? Check the forum.
Elizabeth
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Old 01-24-2010, 09:59 AM   #23
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Speaking of plates, you might want to check your home state DMV's web site. Some states now have a "trip permit" that you can purchase online and then print out. It gives you a certain number of days to travel with an unlicensed vehicle (you print out a tag and tape it in the back window).

If TN has one, it may be called something else, not to be confused with a permit for an oversized load.

If TN does have one, then you're golden. If not, well that's often the case. I think then most people either try to keep the PO's plate, or tape a sign in the window, or etc. But nice to be legal if you can do so.

Edited to add: Okay, I think this is the form you would use in Tennessee. When you start out reading it, it makes it sound like it is only for trailer dealers, but as you go down the page (just above the fee chart) there is a line that says Individuals: Use this form to purchase an individual trailer permit

http://www.tennessee.gov/revenue/for...g/f1320301.pdf

I found it by searching "trailer" on the Tennessee DOS website (after clicking through a few places looking in vain).

Not bad for $9 and you're good to go in the plate department. Looks like you get 30 days too.

Raya
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Old 01-25-2010, 01:07 AM   #24
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For even very experienced drivers, towing various trailers, over 650 miles in one day is extremely tiring, even on good highways and interstates.
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Old 01-25-2010, 04:33 AM   #25
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Good luck! I'm so glad you got it, Joy!

can't get rid of the darned quote, so, please forgive. (New computer setup is weirding out tonight!)

1) have FUN!
2) don't push your luck - they're all right - that's a LOT of miles, PARTICULARLY if you do it two days back to back. Won't be fun if you push it. Can you get the extra half day/day to make it more enjoyable?
3) Don't go through the drive through! You might be tempted on a fast drive like that, but it may not work out well for the fiberglass!

Bring:
scissor jack
jumper cables (for your tow rig....JUST in case)
spare for your TV
if the Casita doesn't have a spare when you pick it up, head to the local quicky tire shop and pick up a spare - and never leave home without it.

A sense of adventure

your camea

START SLOW! I know you're going to be thinking about those miles and doing mental math to figure out what time you'll be home, but you have to factor in traffic, a reduced speed for towing the trailer SAFELY, and a couple of stops along the way so you can admire your new setup.

Bring a pillow and sleeping bag and sleep in her on the way home.

Have fun!

Jen


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For even very experienced drivers, towing various trailers, over 650 miles in one day is extremely tiring, even on good highways and interstates.
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Old 01-25-2010, 11:48 AM   #26
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When you stop at a Wal-Mart or rest area you don't unhook the trailer but the advise to unplug the light/brake cable is a very good one. Until you know your trailer better, it is a good idea to unplug so that both batteries don't run down. Once you get home you can check to make sure that there is a battery separator that will not let your TV be drained but for now just unplug and put a sticky on the steering wheel to remind you to plug it back in.

Also, get in the habbit of walking around (all the way around) your hitched up rig before starting. Is the cord unplugged, did you set a glass on the propane tank earlier and forget it, is there something dragging, did the tires get too warm(if you can put your hands on them their okay) did all the vents get closed, and a whole list of things you might pick up as well as reminding yourself of how close the curb is, where the garbage can is sitting in a gas station and many other things to note.

Please let us know how the trip goes.
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Old 01-25-2010, 12:01 PM   #27
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Be sure you get ALL the keys! My folks got home with theirs Thursday and didn't have the key to unlock the coupler lock the PO had helpfully put on for them. It still has the ball mount dangling from the trailer while the key come in the mail.
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Old 01-25-2010, 12:40 PM   #28
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You got an awful lot of stellar advice from the members here. I just skimmed through the replys but they seemed to pretty much cover everything. Like they said be sure the brake controller is adjusted properly and you have mirrors that extend out so you can see well. It might have been in there and I missed it, but I would highly suggest that you get a couple short orange soccer cones for like $3 each and pull into the first vacant parking lot, church, factory, business, whatever, set up the cones and practice with the trailer for an hour before going out onto the roads. You'll get a feel for backing up, turning radius, etc. Get up some speed and brake hard so you'll know how it feels. All things you will probably feel more comfortable learning in the safety of a parking lot rather than on the open road or if you get into a tough spot while getting gas or something. Yes, the first day is the worst. Then you learn to relax. Be sure you understand all the posted replys and don't blow any off as being unimportant unless you discuss it with others who do this. By the time you get your rig home, you'll be stoked to get back out. I'm one of those who stay out.
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Old 01-25-2010, 01:35 PM   #29
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I would highly suggest that you get a couple short orange soccer cones for like $3 each and pull into the first vacant parking lot, church, factory, business, whatever, set up the cones and practice with the trailer for an hour before going out onto the roads. You'll get a feel for backing up, turning radius, etc. Get up some speed and brake hard so you'll know how it feels. All things you will probably feel more comfortable learning in the safety of a parking lot rather than on the open road or if you get into a tough spot while getting gas or something.
That's a great suggestion

I've done the same thing with boats that I haven't handled before, or just for practice. Set out a couple of buoys and practice maneuvering without any million dollar yachts or hard concrete docks to hit. In that case it's "rubber docking."

Also, when I was a new driver in Minnesota, as a youngster, we would go out and practice in snow/ice covered parking lots, to get a feel for driving on slippery roads.

Definitely a good plan!

Raya
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