Just bought our first camper, looking for a few tips, pointers, help. (2008 Jayco 23B

[Rhizzlebop]

So we bought locally from an individual. We're the third owner of this JayFeather EXP 23B. Seems in really good shape. No signs of ever leaking, Vinyl in good shape etc. We saw everything work except the water heater which we didn't test. I'm sure it works fine.

A few things. I want to buy supplies to be ready to take it out when we can soon for a weekend or otherwise.

We'll use it in the summer at the beach but want to do a little fall and spring. We have two small kids 3(almost) and 1.

We went used hybrid because I plan to keep it for max 3 years when we will upgrade TV and upgrade camper. Didn't want to lose too much money in a future trade. We're towing with a 2004 trailblazer. Did a quick few mile tow empty when we brought it home this weekend and it felt good, but not loaded yet and having climbed any hills.

A few items I have questions on.

1. I'm not playing around, and gonna order gizmos for the two bunks. Might they help moisture in the winter? Deff help cooling in the summer. Agree?

2. We're storing this guy beside my rental house 4 miles from our house. Wont go up our driveway, nowhere to go once its up there, and we have an HOA. Should we consider a full over the top cover or are they too much hassle that we wont use it? Recommend one in particular?

3. We saw the inside stuff run on battery including lights, vent fans, the diag panel for battery and tanks. Brought it home, and none of that works. Plugged into the TV still none of that works. Should it work when plugged to tow vehicle? Havn't hooked back to shore power to confirm everything works there, but it did before we took it home, saw with my own eyes. Don't know if the battery is dead and they juiced it a little with the shore power before demo, or a battery connection is loose from the drive home. I'm gonna get it sat morning and dig into this.

4. Need a lug wrench, anyone know the wrench size? I can measure sat, but if its common knowledge I can order me a wrench.

5. The bunk beds, I'm gonna get some reflectix for the bunk windows and try to leave it between the inner/outer layers. Good idea?

6. I hear condensation under the mattress happens? I've read maybe reflectix on the bunk door face stops this? Worth it? Would rather keep it all dry by whatever is necessary.

7. I hear the end bunks is a likely leak area. How can we tell if those seals are in/remain in good shape? It's not leaked yet, want to keep it that way?

8. Regarding the battery, I don't know how long we'll store it at the rental, could be several months through the winter. I hear I can't leave it plugged it, it'll cook the battery, I can't not plug it in, it'll drain and kill the battery. Whats the easiest least maintenance way to handle it? if it costs a little more so be it. Right now I'm thinking I may need a battery. Called costco and he indicated they didn't have an group 24 batteries, only a group 14 deep cycle battery from interstate for $75. Sounded like a too small, or wrong size battery. That was over the phone so I'm gonna prob have to go there and see myself.

9. Anything else you all recommend?

We're def going to the beach next summer. Would like to take a weekend before cold winter sets in to test things out soon. And again in the spring time. Hoping for some great family camping memories to start with this guy before we upgrade to bigger.

Super excited, and thanks for any help and suggestions. I'm sure your responses will prompt more questions and discussion.

[WinnieView]

You may want to also post your questions here;

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f7/

[Desert Flyer]

2. I heard adding a cover can create mold issues.
7. Go ahead anyway and seal the seams. Easy and good insurance.
9. Highly recommend you reseal/retape your roof seams and joints before you develope leaks...and all trailers will eventually leak.

[Superslif]

1. I'm not playing around, and gonna order gizmos for the two bunks. Might they help moisture in the winter? Deff help cooling in the summer. Agree?

Gizmos ? Deff ?

2. We're storing this guy beside my rental house 4 miles from our house. Wont go up our driveway, nowhere to go once its up there, and we have an HOA. Should we consider a full over the top cover or are they too much hassle that we wont use it? Recommend one in particular?

I have had two hybrids ( 2005 Aerolite & 2013 Aerolite ) where I didn't cover either of them over 13 years. I did keep the roof vents cracked, I did put moth balls around to keep the mice away. We live in NE. Ohio. I did broom off the snow on the roof if it got over 12" deep and a rain event was coming.

3. We saw the inside stuff run on battery including lights, vent fans, the diag panel for battery and tanks. Brought it home, and none of that works. Plugged into the TV still none of that works. Should it work when plugged to tow vehicle? Havn't hooked back to shore power to confirm everything works there, but it did before we took it home, saw with my own eyes. Don't know if the battery is dead and they juiced it a little with the shore power before demo, or a battery connection is loose from the drive home. I'm gonna get it sat morning and dig into this.

Make sure the RV doesn't have a "battery disconnect switch" which turns off all power inside RV. The switch is usually inside the front exterior storage bin.

Need a lug wrench, anyone know the wrench size? I can measure sat, but if its common knowledge I can order me a wrench.

I have one of those "X" shaped lug wrenches with 4 different sized ends. You next RV will have a different size, so why buy one, and then have to buy another one 3 years later. The "X" shaped one give you more leverage to tighten the nut. Their $11 at Walmart.

5. The bunk beds, I'm gonna get some reflectix for the bunk windows and try to leave it between the inner/outer layers. Good idea?

Yes, I use it to cover the bunk tops when we have a sunny campsite in the hot summer.

6. I hear condensation under the mattress happens? I've read maybe reflectix on the bunk door face stops this? Worth it? Would rather keep it all dry by whatever is necessary.

I product called Hypervent is a mesh put under your mattress. Check out " The Willful Wanderer " on YouTube as his Feb 18 2018 video shows this product. We would wipe down under our mattress when packing up. Also wipe down the underside of the bunk tent ends as wetness forms there.

8. Regarding the battery, I don't know how long we'll store it at the rental, could be several months through the winter. I hear I can't leave it plugged it, it'll cook the battery, I can't not plug it in, it'll drain and kill the battery. Whats the easiest least maintenance way to handle it? if it costs a little more so be it. Right now I'm thinking I may need a battery. Called costco and he indicated they didn't have an group 24 batteries, only a group 14 deep cycle battery from interstate for $75. Sounded like a too small, or wrong size battery. That was over the phone so I'm gonna prob have to go there and see myself.

A group 24 battery is your basic RV deep cycle. Try a group 27 or 29 for 30-40% more storage energy. But they are 2-3" longer. I take my battery out during the winter and use a battery tender to keep it juiced up. When my RV is parked in the driveway, I have a battery disconnect switch that will turn the power off inside the RV. You will also want to get one of these. A 12 volt voltage checker comes in handy. (Pictured below) When your RV is plugged into shore power and the battery is in need of charging, the meter will say 13.0 to 13.6 volt. When it's done charging it will, over a few hours go down to 12.6 volts which is a "fully charged battery" voltage. You don't really want to take your battery down below 12.0 volts, below 11.50 is not good. Make sure the battery water is filled. Average battery life is 3-4 years. Longer if taken care of.


2013 Arolite hybrid 2018 ORV Timber Ridge