First Time Out

[tentcamper]

Last weekend we joined up with a group of campers from another form, at Hocking Hills SP in Ohio. We have been there several time and always like the rock formations and waterfalls. It was a short 80 miles from the house.

The TM pulled very good with our van with a 3.0L. There was small steep hills on the back roads, which everyone in the group seem to be slowed down by. In talking with different members of the group. I did about the same or better then many with the steepest hill which started right after a 15 mph curve.

We stooped and filled up the water holding tank when entering the CG. It was not that bad to rise the front and fill it up and then lower it to go to the CS.

When we arrived at the CS there was a couple that came over when we stoped on the road to decide where we wanted the camper. They asked us if they could watch us put the camper up. We told them that was OK. When I started to back in the man decided that he would tell my wife how to direct me, and then decided that he would take charge. The DW and myself have much experience with campers and normally work very well together. It was a little confusing. I guess it's the blessing of have an odd camper and onlookers. lol After a couple of backing up and straightening up. I ended up with the tires right where I wanted them.

Overall every thing went well. The temps went down to the mid 40's, set the furnace to 66 and turn on the 1500 watt elec heater. Once the camper was up to temp the furnace never came on and the heater ran about 20% of the time to keep the camper at 69 degrees. Ran elec water heater the entire time.

The pump kicked on once every night. Maybe it's time for an accumulator?

I thought the bed was just right, but Joyce felt it was to hard. I think memory foam is in the future.

I had three issues.
- The fridge I started the night before I left on propane with the fan. It made ice, but when I arrived the green indicator was back in the white. So it turned off on the road, but I had hard ice and a 34 degree fridge. Fridge would not stay lite after that. But we had elec so no issue. Will need to look at the interrupter circuit before the next trip, which we have some dry a CS planned in the trip.
- In the morning we tripped the 15A circuit breaker with the elec heater and the peculator running at the same time. I turned the heater to low heat (750W) and all went well after that.
- Prior to leaving on the trip. I figured I would replace the rear turn/brake light bulbs with new long life 2X bulbs and avoid burning out a bulb in my lifetime. Well on the return trip one of the new bulb burnt out. lol Thank you! Trailmaner Man for the heads up on the burnt out bulb.

The return trip, I was behind another TM (Trailmanor Man) for about 30-40 miles. I passed it in the last 4 or 5 miles before we both went different directions. Again, thanks you for the heads up on the burnt out right brake light. Nice looking TM.