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bobphoenix · 05-22-2023, 07:16 AM

This past weekend saw us take our maiden voyage, in my fully renovated, vintage travel trailer... We stayed close to home because it was really to "shake down" the camper and get out all the bugs... (Er, um... I mean "features"...) Of which, there were plenty!

Any "camping" we did, in the past, was in our 34 foot Class A, Coachmen motorhome, which we pulled our toad with when we went anywhere... (And, we went everywhere... 30,000 miles in four years, everywhere...!)

I would get to our campsite, dismount the toad, put the dolly out of the way... lay out some wood blocking to support the automatic levelers, get back in the driver's seat and start pushing the buttons on the leveling panel, until the center light was lit, then plug in the utilities and sewer... Meanwhile my wife was already pulling the patio carpet and chairs out of the basement and setting the awning... Twenty minutes tops and we were set up for the next few days...

But, this past weekend was a LOT different...!!!
I spent nearly twenty minutes, alone, just getting the travel trailer level (using a bottle jack and jack stands and a lot of knees on the ground... And, still not getting it properly leveled...) Then disconnecting the equalizer hitch gear... along with all the other tackle that goes into towing... going through the storage boxes for all of the utility connections and getting them done... All that, as opposed to driving, opening basement doors and getting to the business of camping...

By the end of our arrival routine... Not only was I ready for that cocktail... But, I was also ready to hit the classified ads and start looking for another "Class A"...

The whole camping routine just seemed simpler then...
I guess I'm just spoiled...!

Country Road · 05-22-2023, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobphoenix

This past weekend saw us take our maiden voyage, in my fully renovated, vintage travel trailer... We stayed close to home because it was really to "shake down" the camper and get out all the bugs... (Er, um... I mean "features"...) Of which, there were plenty!

Any "camping" we did, in the past, was in our 34 foot Class A, Coachmen motorhome, which we pulled our toad with when we went anywhere... (And, we went everywhere... 30,000 miles in four years, everywhere...!)

I would get to our campsite, dismount the toad, put the dolly out of the way... lay out some wood blocking to support the automatic levelers, get back in the driver's seat and start pushing the buttons on the leveling panel, until the center light was lit, then plug in the utilities and sewer... Meanwhile my wife was already pulling the patio carpet and chairs out of the basement and setting the awning... Twenty minutes tops and we were set up for the next few days...

But, this past weekend was a LOT different...!!!
I spent nearly twenty minutes, alone, just getting the travel trailer level (using a bottle jack and jack stands and a lot of knees on the ground... And, still not getting it properly leveled...) Then disconnecting the equalizer hitch gear... along with all the other tackle that goes into towing... going through the storage boxes for all of the utility connections and getting them done... All that, as opposed to driving, opening basement doors and getting to the business of camping...

By the end of our arrival routine... Not only was I ready for that cocktail... But, I was also ready to hit the classified ads and start looking for another "Class A"...

The whole camping routine just seemed simpler then...
I guess I'm just spoiled...!

I think it would be difficult to go to a TT from a Class A. But you wouldn’t know unless you give it a try.

Homeby5 · 05-22-2023, 07:42 AM

Well...first, get a tow vehicle where a anti sway hitch isn't needed. I don't use one in my Super Duty. Second, simply drive onto leveling blocks.
Other than that, I don't see the big deal. I mean...I've only been pulling my TT for a little ove a year but I can be set up in 20 min and I'm a slow old geezer...

Duster73 · 05-22-2023, 08:27 AM

I went from a 30ft class A, to a TT. Boy it was nice just backing into the space with the class A and using the hydraulic levelers from the drivers seat. Only took 60 seconds.

Now it takes 20-30 minutes from me to set my trailer up. I might be a little OCD about leveling. But it makes me feel better.

So I know the feeling

Bags4266 · 05-22-2023, 09:00 AM

I am one who went from a 34 foot A to a 29 foot TT. Love it. Only one engine to maintain and gas mileage increased 40/50 percent. As far as unhooking, I had to unhook my toad which was no fun. Leveling is easy with blocks or Anderson levelers.

Forza Bill · 05-22-2023, 10:11 AM

The one thing I miss is the ability to put my Golf Cart in the bed of the truck and have the Golf Cart, and a truck as transportation while at the site. Other than that, I don't miss the TT.

DR60 · 05-22-2023, 10:15 AM

After a couple times the process gets easier. I back in, check my side-to-side level, make any corrections by placing blocks under the tires, and block the wheels. with that done I use the tongue jack to level the trailer front to back. Then set the frame jacks, and jack stands. the first time took about 30 min. Now it takes about 10.

I will bet the first time in a MH took 3 times as long too. DR

hohenwald48 · 05-22-2023, 10:59 AM

We recently made the transition from a Class A Newmar to a 30' Grand Design TT.

Like you, the set up and tear down times are much longer with a TT which will likely influence the time we spend in an area. We'll limit our one night stands in the future.

In the motorhome, I could park, level, put the slides out and put the awning out without ever leaving the driver seat. I didn't have to worry about connecting utilities since I usually pulled in with the generator running and the air conditioner already on. Hooking and unhooking the Wrangler was a 5 minute task with no lifting involved.

At any rate, I'll eventually get used to the TT and our traveling style has changed after 20 years of RV'ing. We don't venture far from home anymore and don't travel constantly now. Additionally, it's pretty nice having a 40K TT sitting in the drive depreciating compared to a multi 100K motorhome sitting in the drive depreciating.

The one thing that surprised me the most is the difference in quality. I thought Newmar and Grand Design were supposed to be on the same quality scale in their particular markets and they may be. However, TT's just don't seem to be assembled as well. They seem more just thrown together. Probably has something to do with weight conservation and cost control.

Everything is a compromise and I just treat it all as just another adventure.

1stimerveer · 05-22-2023, 11:29 AM

Your post brought back memories of my first set up.. Along the way we found a number of things to make it easier..

The first was to buy a Hopkins level indicator. It clips to the curb/drivers side of the trailer and can be seen from your rear view mirror.
Check it out on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-08201...77681336&psc=1

On most sites just backing my rig up till it indicates a level condition works most of the time, for side to side level.

For more out of level sites, a couple of curved leveling wedges do it for us. We just add a couple of 2 ft long 2x10 boards for extremely out of level sites.

An electric tongue jack with a bubble level does the rest..

Battery operated power drill with a socket drive, extends the stabilizer jacks in just a few minutes.

It rarely takes us over 10 minutes to un hitch, level, connect power cord and water hose..

Coctails follow soon there after...

Thats my .02$

Safe travels and all the best...

Old-Biscuit · 05-22-2023, 12:00 PM

34' 5th wheel
We backin/pull in and check the level on front of 5vr ---shows side to side level
Get out, set blocks on low side...back on to the blocks
Set wheel chocks and unhitch/move truck
Lower front of 5vr 1" below level....set rear stabilizers tight...then raise front back to level
While I'm hooking up utilities, getting out recliners/table and opening awning she is opening the 3 slide and setting up inside
We both finish up about same time...ready to seat/relax/have a cocktail and people watch others setting up etc
Takes us about 20 minutes

It will get better each time until you set up a ROUTINE

This is the side to side level I mount to front of my 5th wheel
I can see it from inside my truck and check which side is lower and by how much

hohenwald48 · 05-22-2023, 04:56 PM

I use that same level and a pair of Anderson Levelers on the low side. Leveling is the easy part.

Some of my difficulty is due to poor engineering on the part of the manufacturer. Electric hookup on the very back, water hookup on the front left corner. No switch for the water pump in the water compartment. Pull handles and sewer connection under the slide. Nowhere to store a sewer hose. I mean who's going to remove the hose fittings so they can store a hose in a bumper.
That kind of stuff.

I'll get it worked out over time. My next project is to install a water connection on the back left. I think these things are designed built and sold by folks who have never spent a night in an RV.

twogypsies · 05-22-2023, 06:29 PM

From all the RV's we've had here are the easiest ranked from best to worst:

Class A
Class C
5th Wheel
Travel Trailer

High Road Travelers · 05-22-2023, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

From all the RV's we've had here are the easiest ranked from best to worst:

Class A
Class C
5th Wheel
Travel Trailer

My sentiment exactly based on experience of each. Although any kind of camper beats the boodooky out of not having a camper.
Thanks,

77Travco · 05-23-2023, 02:12 PM

We do both...
Class A tows F150 and F150 tows a small / lifted travel trailer.
We have recently come to like the small camper better as there are only 2 of us and we tend to boondock way off the grid in some pretty hard to get to places.
We've had every type of RV there is over the years. I don't use a weight distribution hitch with the smaller setup which is nice. As said above, maybe get a vehicle that doesn't require you to have a WDH.