First Time Fright. . .

[EsCopAy]

Hey everyone, we are thinking pretty hard about purchasing a 2017 Jayco Jay Sport 12SC at the end of the month. Before we do, I am renting a pop up to test out the TV and make sure we are good prior to purchase. The TV is a 2017 Ford Escape 2.0L Ecoboost with factory Class II Tow Package. 7 pin connector and brake controller installed. I have been camping before when I was a kid but have never with a trailer. What are the most important things recommended for our first trip? What do you wish you knew on you maiden voyage? We are going to Prado Park in Chino Ca. Thanks for all your help in advance.

[Jagiven]

Sounds like a grand idea. If the combination is set up right, towing is no big deal. Make sure to have add on mirrors to see around the camper. Also it is the law.

Next you should verify the tow capacity of your Escape. There should be a yellow sticker in the door jam with the vehicle ratings. Thus rating is calculated with a 150 pound driver and a full tank of gas. Every thing you add inside the vehicle deducts from the tow rating. The tongue weight is pat of the payload. The tongue weight should be 13 to 15 percent of the gvw of the PU.

[eng45ine]

If you aren't planning to upgrade your TV, then going with a 12' popup is a smart decision. My advice is this, make certain that you adequately season your canvas bunk ends before your first camping trip.

[Flyrotor]

My advice... Warn your bank account of the impending workload that may come its way, cause if you follow the footsteps of so many of us you will begin to see a teeter-totter effect, one year it's a new trailer, next year it's a bigger tow vehicle, which can pull a bigger trailer, which would be better with a bigger truck, which can pull that fifth wheel... and on and on!!

It's a fun adventure, welcome aboard!

[TWP723]

Ford claims 3500 lbs. Max Loaded Trailer Weight.

[mike837go]

On the camping side....

Remember all of the stuff you needed when tent camping?

You won't need anything more when you "upgrade" to a camper.

It's all just different. You can carry larger quantities of stuff you used to run out of. But equipping your camper is as personal as furnishing your home.

[wanderlust]

Originally Posted by EsCopAy

What do you wish you knew on you maiden voyage?

Double check your hitch connection. Years ago, towing our first trailer, a teardrop, it came off the hitch.(duh) That's why there are safety chaines... and they worked. Yay!

OH... congratulations!

[EsCopAy]

thanks for all the ideas. I have definitely learned a lot from the forums. First we were going to get a travel trailer but it was too long to fit in the driveway. Then moved on to a hybrid.. found out the the frontal limitations on my TV were 30sqft. With that being known it looks like a pop up is what we need. Just bought the TV so not upgrading anytime soon. Next time we will look more into tow capacity. The pu we are looking at is about 2400 lbs so we should have ample wiggle room.

[TaftCoach]

You may wish to head over to the popupportal.com great group of folks there for pup specific advice.

The views expressed may not be mine in five minutes.

[EsCopAy]

tnx TaftCoach.. been there doin that. great info on that forum

[njhappycamper]

We also upgraded 'off the ground' from our tents to a 12HMD hard wall pup - looks like a triangle house when popped up - we love it! and you can store SO much IN the camper that used to get shuffled back and forth between the shed and two vehicle - we are livin' the dream! Keep all your check lists from tent camping and modify from there- we still love the packing, setting up/taking down, and going to places local and afar. Have fun!

[JFlightRisk]

Don't be afraid to ask the dealer to throw in some freebies, like a nice starter kit, wheel chocks, etc. That'll be the perfect time to get some stuff on your list at no cost. Happy camping.

[MrEvolution]

We just took our 12SC on our first trip last week. I will post a lengthy report in a day or so. I'll title it "Maiden Voyage". I was worried about towing as well. I have a 2.7L Tacoma rated at 3500 pounds. It handled like a champ with no issues.

Some quick advice I would give. To save the one hour of troubleshooting I went through to get the hot water and fridge on gas, after you open the propane, turn on the stove first. It will pull all the air out of the lines. To save my total of SEVEN hours of troubleshooting getting the furnace to light, pull the housing off the thermostat and make sure the cutoff tab is making contact when the switch is in the ON position. Seven hours of troubleshooting on the phone with Roadside, the dealer, and online forums solved by accident on ten seconds.

[EsCopAy]

We made it!!

[EsCopAy]

Sideways.. dang newbies!!

[Marmai]

I highly recommend this leveler. Makes the job SO MUCH EASIER.

[EsCopAy]

Just wanted to let you all know that we are the proud owners of a 2017 Jayco Jay Feather x17z. We will be looking for a new tv in the near future. For now we are using my buddies 2016 F150 Platinum with the 3.5L eco boost to tow with and the Escape to back it into the driveway. Thanks for all the advise and well wishes!! See ya round the fire pit. Oh yeah.. first trips planned, Vail Lake in 2wks and Golden Village Palms Resort for 4th of July weekend!! Happy Campin!!

[Ortys]

Hi,
Our TV is a Honda Pilot, awd and rated to tow 5,000lb. We have a Jayco sport 12H which weights about 2400 lbs with two propane tanks and water in holding tank. On flat road, towing is great. On our trip from Illinois to Utah, we went through Colorado, Denver and we definitely knew we were pulling the trailer up the steep incline of the Rockies. My advise is get a TV rated more than the escape, maybe move up to the Explorer.
Safe travels

[EsCopAy]

Tnx Ortys. I will be looking at an F150 here in the near future. For now we will use our buddies F150 or rent an Expedition. We won't be using the Escape to tow our hybrid

[A2Z_Adventures]

As a recent convert to the F150, all I can say is....


I LOVE IT!

Congrats on the new camper and soon to be truck