10,000 miles and still happy

[pawpaw]

We just returned from our latest trip through the Smoky Mountains, and we have now logged 10,360 miles on our 2014 Swift 264BH since we purchased it in July of 2013. I'm very happy to report that we have had no major issues at all with out TT. I've read about some of the issues that other owners have had, and I wonder if there is a major problem just around the corner. I'm very diligent about maintenance, and I'm sure that has something to do with our "lack of problems."

A few things we've learned are:
1)the factory mattress is terrible and we replaced it shorty after taking delivery
2)always use a printed checklist before leaving home (we've made our own)
3)correct tire pressure is very important
4)tow vehicle maintenance is also VERY important
5)we carry an extra full LP tank in the "basement". Don't depend on RV parks to be open when your tanks are empty
6)1" x 6" x 6' fence boards cut in half make perfect lightweight, cheap levelers for side to side leveling
7)4" x 4" x 8' fence posts cut into 1' long pieces make perfect cribbing blocks
8)use a surge protector! On more than one occasion we've seen power fluctuations at RV parks fry other campers equipment
9)always do a brake & light check before leaving (I once forgot to plug in the power cord to my truck even thought I used a checklist - can't figure how that happened but it did!)
10)when you think you're ready to go, refer to item #2 again

I hope this helps.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by pawpaw

snip..... I'm very diligent about maintenance, and I'm sure that has something to do with our "lack of problems."......snip

I agree...., especially when one realizes that we tow our trailers 60 mph down some pretty rough highways.

Great checklist

Bob

[Grumpy]

And you also normally only hear from those who have problems. Considering the number of units JAYCO sells the complaints are really minimal.

[Stingray75]

Couldn't agree more that having a diligent maintenance routine is the number 1 reason for avoiding surprises.

[cekkk]

While I don't see much reference to this, for us TT owners it's important to check torque on our WD hitches regularly. And as my memory gets weaker the written checklist becomes more important on the walk-around. There's no substitution for one.

[robkelly]

Originally Posted by cekkk

While I don't see much reference to this, for us TT owners it's important to check torque on our WD hitches regularly. And as my memory gets weaker the written checklist becomes more important on the walk-around. There's no substitution for one.

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but what am I missing as far as checking torque on my WD hitch?

[SecretCoveDave]

me too please?

[cekkk]

When you set up your hitch your manual gives you torque numbers for the various nuts and bolts. For instance, my Equalizer manual tells me to tighten the nuts holding the L brackets to 65 to 75 foot pounds and to tighten the socket bolts to a minimum of 45 foot pounds before each towing session. As I recall, some of the numbers are up to 450 foot pounds. I have found those L bracket bolts too loose once. That made me a believer!

[robkelly]

Originally Posted by cekkk

When you set up your hitch your manual gives you torque numbers for the various nuts and bolts. For instance, my Equalizer manual tells me to tighten the nuts holding the L brackets to 65 to 75 foot pounds and to tighten the socket bolts to a minimum of 45 foot pounds before each towing session. As I recall, some of the numbers are up to 450 foot pounds. I have found those L bracket bolts too loose once. That made me a believer!

Thanks! Dealer set up my hitch and didn't give me any paperwork with it so guess ill be doing some on-line research. Thankfully my torque wrench is with me...