Is shake-down the right term? My ex-military husband isn't around right now to ask. Anyway, we took our 1 week old, new to us, 2005 2619 on our first overnight this weekend. Here are some of my thoughts and highlights as complete newbies to RV or pop-up camping(and very limited tent camping experience 15 years ago)
The TM is very intuitive as far as systems go. Neither one of myself or DH is very handy, but we were able to get all the systems and hook-ups working correctly on the first or second try with a few references to the TM instructions book. Well, except that stinking oven pilot light. Took 6 or 7 tries each time for that thermocouple thingy to hold the light. As hubby was hooking up the water, I was glad I was inside the camper to turn off all the faucets that started spraying wildly simultaneously. But when hubby came back inside the camper were a bit perplexed as to where that gushing water sound was coming from. Then we remembered the outside shower! Forgot the dealer had it winterized with
all the faucets on full. :P
We got the last campsite with full hook-ups at Cherry Creek State Park, CO. Felt a bit sorry for the trailer that pulled in right after us. It was a back-in site but hubby did a wonderful job. Had a family of deer watch us set up. Snow on the ground and overnight temp of upper 20*s. We used a portable electric heater instead of propane although the propane furnace works great. We didn't see any of the park really since we got there at 3pm or so and it was pretty chilly. I'm a person who loves the bleak look of winter scenes but CRSP in winter is incredibly depressing looking. It's a sea of beige and very light gray beige. It almost hurts to look at the scenery because it's so monochromatic.
We have three kids, 3, 9 and 11. They had a blast even though we just hung out in the camper. They can't wait to go again(two weeks!). We took no electronics at all and it was wonderful! I was a tad concerned that it might feel claustrophobic in there with all of us but it was just a little cozy. I didn't feel crowded at all!
Speaking of wonderful, when I was a kid, my siblings and I had a playhouse(and an old boat with a cabin!) that we would play in for hours and hours and hours. I was the kind of kid who would make mud pies just so I could haul cold water 300 feet from the house to wash my dishes in my little house. That's what camping in the TM reminded me of. I felt like a kid again in my little space but instead of mud pies we ate real food.
And the kids washed dishes.
On a slightly related side, I picked up a small pizza stone for the oven(travels wrapped in a towel in the cabinet)and we had well-heated, even cooking in our oven. It just took longer than at home, by about 50% or so, even with a 20-30 minute pre-heat. I'm just thrilled I didn't ruin any food before I heard about the stone trick.
I tried out the shower before going to bed and it was actually very nice! I would like to do the shower mod on here to make it roomier in there though.
As we were eating breakfast yesterday before packing up to leave, hubby and I made a list of things to bring next time and modifications we'd like to make. It's a bit longer than I was expecting but we've got time. We plan to be TM campers for 10 years or more. I'm also keeping a camping journal which is left in the camper.
Hubby was really anxious about emptying the toilet(I was more anxious about the potential smell). Both our fears were unfounded. Even though we were only there one day, the potty was used by all of us for all functions and no unpleasant smell at all. We kinda liked the Aqua-Kem dri smell. :P The kids had lots of fun with the "new" flush button. Hubby accidentally drained the gray water tank first but we just ran a bunch of water back into the gray water tank, drained the potty and then drained the gray again.
Our middle child was not happy at all about coming home after just one day and I can't say I disagreed with her. I think my house is just great and it's always nice to come home, but I confess, I would have much rather stayed at the campground a few more days.
And our most memorable event? Opening the door at 7am to take out the trash and having an entire herd of deer leap and bound through our campsite. Luckily they stayed on the other side of the picnic table so my daughter didn't get trampled. It was awesome though!
OH, and after we were home and unpacking, I suddenly remembered that I didn't switch off the WH. So we had to do a partial pop-up in the driveway so I could get in there and switch it of. No biggie.
The WH is awesome too, BTW, hot water in 10 minutes.