...of our Eagle HT 23.5 RBS. After 4 month of anticipation, the pick-up day finally came. Orlando RV did a good prep job and made a couple of minor adjustments to a few things we found during the inspection. Our only unresolved issue was that the rear receiver hitch was missing (brackets present, but no bar), which I am currently trying to work out with RVdirect. I can't believe the improvement in workmanship between out old Kodiak TT the the Eagle HT (no soft spots in the floor, no staple heads sticking up, the sofa is actually bolted to the floor, etc.). The unit hooked up without issue and pulled without any issue and we immediately headed to the nearest state park.
Since we have not owned a fifth wheel, I need a little practice learning how to back up. My first attempt at backing into a campsite took a while, thankfully the campground was not crowded. By the time we got home, I could easily back the fifth wheel into the narrow storage pad next to the house. In fact it was much easier to back than the old TT. Already looking forward to the fall and cool weather.
My concern about the turning radius and the short bed supercrew was short lived when we had to make a 180 degree turn to leave the dealer. At about 80 degrees, I had at least 6" of clearance from the cab and could have gone to a full 90 if needed. Backing in at the house, the pad is up a small hill. With the fifth wheel higher than the truck, clearance was not a problem in this situation. Bed rail clearance is about 6 inches and when down to about 4" when backed up the hill. I chose the B&W Patriot hitch and pre-set it back to the rear-most position over the axle and ordered the Reese Revolution pin box on the fifth wheel.
So much more storage than the TT. We typically travel very light, but all compartments in the TT were filled with only one small hanging ward closet. Now we have three hanging closets all bigger that the one in the TT. When we got home I heard something running, it was the water pump. Not sure how it got turned on, probably while turning off the water heater, but could barely hear it under the dinette seat. The pump in the TT would wake up the dead. I will have to pay close attention next time we are out.
My one complaint so far is the height of the control center. I am 5'8" and have to fully extend my arm to reach the switches. It could have been located a little lower somewhere else. There is also one switch that I can not find out what it controls. It is a single switch to the left of the porch light and ceiling light switches. I thought it might be a step light, but if it is, the step light is not working.
The official photographer got caught up in the excitement and neglected to fill the memory chip, but here are a few showing the turning radius. More pictures on the next outing.
Linear Mode
