Soon to be owner of a 2014 X17Z

[s1njin]

Hey Gang,

Well met everybody. Glad to be here. Obviously new to the forum, so I wanted to introduce myself and enjoy all the information presented here.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2014 X17Z. We're moving up from a 2014 Jay Series 1207 popup. That lasted all of 2 camping trips before my wife and I decided it was both too much work and too cold !!! Also, I had tried to get around the whole no bathroom issue by using a Teepee Tent and a Portapotty. That didn't work out too good as it got cold.

So now I'm here; the deal is in writing I just need to show up on Saturday to sign everything over.

I'm towing with a 2012 Honda Ridgeline; from what I have read both online and in the owners manual I should be fine with it. My passengers are all light so I'm looking at 4750 max weight and 600 on the tongue - on paper I'm golden. I'm going to have the dealer hitch me up and go for a ride w/ me to make sure everything feels and acts the way it should I'm hoping against hope I don't need to fool around w/ a WDH; I already have a sway bar from the PUP.

I was using a BAL leveler to level the PUP, I'm going to probably grab something from these guys to handle leveling duty: http://www.fiammausa.com/products/RV...?fam=A6&page=1. Probably the Magnums. I'm going to buy the little chock that connects to the levelers too. I already have a BAL Single Tire Locking Chock to use on the other side.

Please chime in with your thoughts !!! Also, aside from the Stinky Slinky, any other 'must have' items that I wouldn't have from my PUP? Probably order PUGS shortly after I arrive home w/ the new camper, assuming my Ridgeline works out with it on Saturday.

S1njin

[Allamuchy Joe]

Welcome to the X17Z club! We love our unit and it is quite the step up from the popup.

Joe

[s1njin]

I just got specs sent straight from Jayco - they made some modifications to the 2014s. Among them that benefit me are the weights:

Unloaded Dry Weight: 2810
Approx. Dry Hitch: 342

The dry weight went up a few pounds but the hitch weight dropped by 53 pounds. That's nice. The only thing I can see that would be a easy explanation might be Jayco's move to a Norco NextGen Frame (whatever that is).

[amabee]

Congrats and enjoy.

[wmoses]

Congrats and welcome to the forum. I am sure you'll enjoy the 17Z as we did.

[Heady]

Congrats on the almost purchase!

We went from a pup to our hybrid and can't be happier. Still sleeping under canvas, but get the benefits of the hard side.

[Jagiven]

Very nice upgrade.

Here are a few tips.

When making the beds. Have two of you making the beds, if you are using traditional bedding. I stand outside, with the window screen opened up and make that side, and my DW does the inside portion, it works great.

In the cool fall months (spring too) bring a small 1500 watt electric heater, I place it on the stove during the day, and on the floor at night. We also uses electric mattress pad heaters in the cool months.

Leave a side window slightly cracked open on each bunk and the bathroom vent cracked open too, this will eliminate most if not all your condensation on the canvas.

I have seen and heard of people using the BAL leveler (the one you place around the wheel and crank up). I would recommend checking the load capacity just to make sure it is rated for the 17Z. It sounds like it would make leveling a snap.

Anything you have for your pop up should work nicely in the HTT.

If you choose to get a WDH, get a good one with integrated sway control.

The only other thing I would recommend is watching your weight as the 17Z does not have a large cargo capacity.

Hope you will enjoy your new HTT!

[Maggie Muffin]

Like you, we decided that the popup was more work than we wanted to do - traded up to a X17Z a month or so ago. I think you have us beat - we lasted for 3 trips before we decided to make the change. Hybrid is the best of both worlds to us - less work but still sleeping in the canvas (outdoorish) bunk ends. We've only been on one trip this year as the season has ended for us, but we LOVE our X17Z. Enjoy yours!

[Crabman]

Welcome to the forum!

[ridge19h]

We pull a 19h with a Ridgeline with no concerns!!! I would use all BAL leveler and chocks with the 17z. Will be no problem. With they made a dual axle leveler!!

Happy trails!!!

[s1njin]

Originally Posted by ridge19h

We pull a 19h with a Ridgeline with no concerns!!! I would use all BAL leveler and chocks with the 17z. Will be no problem. With they made a dual axle leveler!!

Happy trails!!!

Good to hear !!!

Did you have to use a WDH?

[ridge19h]

I do use a wdh. Works very well!!!

[go wild]

BAL leveler works great with the 17Z. Been using one for 4 years with no problems.

[s1njin]

Thank you all re: BAL Leveler and WDH. I have a feeling I'm going to hook this thing up tomorrow AM and they are going to take one look at it and charge me up the wazoo for a WDH.

[s1njin]

Figured I'd comment on this since I started this thread but didn't quite finish it.

We got to sleep in it once (Camp Driveway) and camped in it once. We really enjoy the step up from the pop-up - very happy we did it. I find myself concerned w/ the CCC of this rig as it will pretty much be towed at max capacity for its entire existence - would have really preferred some wiggle room. The X19H would have provided me that, but at the time I didn't want to tax my Ridgeline even more.

Had I known I was going to end up w/ a F150 I would have just jumped on the X19H. As it is, there is no way we're upgrading 3x's in a year so this is what it is now. Here's to hoping my trailer doesn't spontaneously explode if I'm a couple hundred pounds over - we really are packing light but there is so little CCC !!!!