New 25BHS from Montana

[Frenchie406]

Greetings!

We are very excited about our new 2016 25BHS! We had a E2 popup before that we really enjoyed but the added space of this camper will be welcomed. Also not having to fuss with raising and lowering and setting up the camper will be greatly appreciated.

The tow vehicle is a 2010 F150 Super Crew with 3.55 gears. I opted for a Blue Ox WDH to add more safety.

Any recommends for someone new to travel trailers? Any mods suggested? One item I want to change is to switch the thermostat to a digital model. I've seen people using a Coleman thermostat but is there any reason I couldn't use a residential thermostat?

Thanks in advance for the advice! Excited for camping!

[Mustang65]

CONGRATULATIONS on the JAYCO!!!

...and WELCOME TO JOF!!! The members here are GREAT!!! There is a lot of GREAT information to be found here. I am sure that you will have information and pictures to share with us... so please do!!

The residential thermostat is not a wire for wire switch, most residential thermostats run on about 17VAC, TT is DC. The TT also has a fan speed switch

If you do not have the TT plugged in 24/7 pull the main 30 amp fuse by the batteries, or your battery will be dead in a week (CO Alarm, Radio circuit, Fridge DC circuit....)

Don

[need-a-vacation]

Welcome and congrats!!!

As I have read about the thermostat, you will not have a high/low fan selection if you use a house model, unless you wire a seperate switch in. This is a mod I should do also....

Driveway camping the first time is suggested a lot. You can figure out what you need, and grab it out of the house. Also have paper and a pen/pencil to write down things you need when you start taking trips....

Make sure you have the needed items:
Wheel chocks
Boards/Lego blocks for leveling side to side.
Blocks for under the tongue jack/stabilizer jacks
Sewer hose- better one than from the "free dealer" one
Fresh water hose
Possibly 30 amp extension cord

Some suggest a water pressure regulator. I use one, but not sure just how good the cheap one actually is....

Anything additional is a bonus, though I may be missing an item or two of the needed things.
Awning mat
Camp chairs
Grill
Fire tongs/poker
Cooler with cold drinks

If your not real use to towing a trailer that long, go play in an empty parking lot for a while. Watch where the tires track when turning, backing up, etc.....

Regarding the battery issue if not plugged in. I wired a Blue Sea mini switch in to eliminate the power draw. Check my mods link for some pics.

Have fun!!

[Cosmik Debris]

Welcome to the forum and to Jayco. We're down in Lolo and have a 2013 Eagle fifth wheel. Loving it and the service department at Rangetsch Brothers.

[need-a-vacation]

Just noticed it is a BHS model, so with a slide, correct? If so, some will use a dedicated piece of rope or a 3/4" or 1" piece of pvc cut to the depth of the slide. Once in a site do a quick walk around with your "tape measure" for the slide and make sure when you put the slide out it doesn't hit anything.

[Frenchie406]

Thanks for the replies!
Good to know about the thermostat, I'll order the Coleman version.
Yes it has 2 slides and that is a great tip about the PVC chunks!

[Frenchie406]

One other thing... I opted for dual batteries and they have the 30A fuse coming out of them. Would you suggest pulling the fuse or opting for a battery selector switch?

[Jmooney]

Congrats and welcome from Colorado

[robkelly]

Congratulations and welcome!