1st trailer

[Gary R]

This is my second new topic; this is one of happiness, whereas the first, the posting on my being scammed was one of annoyance and frustration.

And now for my happy announcement:

I just purchased a 1992 Bigfoot 17 footer. This is my first trailer and I have tons to learn, with your help. I pick it up next week. It seems to be in really good shape. Although I had planned on spending more money on my trailer, I reasoned that the price I am paying plus the amount I was scammed is just about my limit...so had to find something that fit the bill and didn't hurt the pocketbook too much. Also, reasoned that if I discovered that I truely hated camping with it, then I would not be out too much and would be able to sell it fairly easily.

I have tons of pictures and conversations with the vendor have been enlightening and a delight.

Please feel free to give this newbie as much advice as you like...it will all be useful info, I am sure. There is nothing like learning from others' experiences.

Thanks for your time

Gary R

[Gina D.]

Congrats!!!!

A BF 17! I am soo jealous!

Lets see the pics!

[Ken James]

We owned a Bigfoot 17' - you will be spoiled forever. They are a wonderful roomy rig.

You will thoroughly enjoy it we predict. If this doesn't do it for you trailering is not for you.

Enjoy!

[Byron Kinnaman]

Congratulations on your new trailer.

You've found the right group to gleen information from. The more you hang around with this bunch of rowdies, ah..., nice folks, the more you'll learn about all aspects of your trailer and travel trailer camping.

One word of caution, it's been said that there's flying monkeys around here and like sending you to your room.

[Frederick L. Simson]

I just purchased a 1992 Bigfoot 17 footer. [b]This is my first trailer and I have tons to learn, with your help.

WOW! There's nothing like starting at the TOP of the food chain!

Advise:
(1) Make sure your Tow Vehicle is up to the task.
(2) Have a good Electric Brake Controller.

Congratulations!

[Suz]

Woohoo!

[Nancy in Oregon]

Congratulations, Gary! Thanks for the update and the good news!

Nancy

[Anne H]

Congratulations!!!!

(where are the pictures . . . . we need pictures!!!!)

[Gary R]

Congratulations!!!!

(where are the pictures . . . . we need pictures!!!!)

I don't want to jinx it, so I will not be posting photos until I get it home....next week some time. Also, want to include my ugly mug in the photos.

Gary R

[Gary R]

WOW! There's nothing like starting at the TOP of the food chain!

Advise:
(1) Make sure your Tow Vehicle is up to the task.
(2) Have a good Electric Brake Controller.

Congratulations!

Thanks for that. I have a 2006 Nissan Frontier, 2 whl dr, 265 hp, v6...towing capacity in the 6300 lb range with a combined gross wt rating of 11,100 lbs. Dry weight on this trailer is 2600 lbs, I believe.

Trailer has electric brakes, but there is no separate brake controller with the Nissan system (7 part round)...so no separate brake box...kinda weird marrying two vehicles that are 14 years apart.

Best regards

Gary R

[Frederick L. Simson]

Trailer has electric brakes, but there is [b]no separate brake controller with the Nissan system (7 part round)...so [b]no separate brake box...kinda weird marrying two vehicles that are 14 years apart.

That's gotta be something new.

My Honda Odyssey is 25 years newer than my Fiber Stream; 2003 & 1978. They actually look good together.

[Brian B-P]

Trailer has electric brakes, but there is no separate brake controller with the Nissan system (7 part round)...so no separate brake box...kinda weird marrying two vehicles that are 14 years apart...

The tow vehicle sounds quite suitable for the task, to me.

The Nissan factory-provided wiring does not (to my knowledge) include a brake controller, [b]but it is still required. There should be a connector under the dash where the four wires of the controller are to be connected. Without a controller, the no power will be provided to the brake wire of the 7-pin connnector. The controller determines the braking power, provides controls to adjust the system and to manually apply the brake, and normally includes a display as well.

Strangely, there has apparently been no change in trailer wiring standards in 14 years (or in the 27 since my Boler was built with that same connector); however, controllers are much better, and most trucks are better prepared from the factory to accommodate them. As far as I know, only Ford provides a controller from the factory, and then only as an option in the F-350 (and perhaps the F-250, but not at all in other models).

[Donna D.]

I thought the 2006 Ford F-350 was the only truck that came with a factory-installed brake controller??? Gary is the brake controller installed in the Nissan, or is it only wired for a plug 'n play controller (which would be part of the tow package).

[Gina D.]

Newer cars come prewired.. now, FINDING the right wire is another story.

Apearantly, my Jeep is prewired but reading some of the hide and seek stories from folks on the Jeep forums makes me wonder just how "Pre Wired" it is.

[james kent]

First trailer and it's a BIGFOOT. All I can say is WOW! Congratulations, you did real good.

[Gary R]

First trailer and it's a BIGFOOT. All I can say is WOW! Congratulations, you did real good.

Thanks, I guess...didn't know that it was considered so highly, until I posted here...so maybe I did something right.

To all those who have enouraged cautioned and cajoled...about the brake controller...YOU WERE ALL RIGHT. I had U-Haul install a brake controller in the truck this am. Nissan were evasive about whether the wiring was set fo "plug and play"...they said some were and some were not pre wired...and they did not have a brake controller available from factory. Anyway, thank you all for pushing me to explore and learn.

Gary R

[Ken & Sherry B.]

Yoohoo Yipee
Can't wait to see pics. I know, I know don't want to jinx it.

[Gary R]

Well, the trailer is sitting in my driveway, finally. The getting of it was fraught with all kinds of ill luck and miscommunications...but as I said it is finally here.

overall the trailer is in great shape for its age...has a musty smell, so tomorrow I am cleaning the inside from top to bottom

Also need to repair a small puncture to the fiberglass (my bad)

Got in from Atlanta at 430 this am...still tired

More later

Gary R

[Nancy in Oregon]

Also need to repair a small puncture to the fiberglass (my bad)

I've done the same thing, Gary. Think of it as an opportunity for a new paint job. At least it's sitting in your driveway now.

Nancy

[Roger H]

Gary... you've SCORED!

Good job! Bigfoots are a little hard to come by in this neck of the woods.

Check out:

2006 Bigfoot Owner's Rally, Black Hills

And...

Bigfoot Owners Club

Welcome to the clan!

Roger