Things To Do Before First Outing with a New Jayco

[NGaCamperz]

Wife n I have lists with check boxes on our smart phones that we can check/uncheck and share with each other. We both can edit as we add items/ load items. No more "I thought you loaded that" conversations, well fewer anyway. We have lists for "needs", pre-flight checklist, and "what's in the tool bag".

[SueAndDenM]

Oh it’s been fun since we first started pulling our 38’ Jayco Eagle 5th wheel last year!!! I’m grateful to those who have answered our newbie questions here!

Here’s a few things we’ve learned:
1) Obtain and use a surge protector when hooking up your RV to the campsite’s electrical systems. Outages and brownouts could fry your electrical system. Our surge protector paid for itself this weekend when the campground lost some power!

2) Use a water pressure regulator when hooking up to the campsite’s water; and don’t forget to clean the screen.

3) If your campsite is elevated on one end (not level) you may need to put your truck in reverse (after the wheels are chocked and the landing gear is down) to relieve the pressure on the 5th wheel hitch kingpin or you may not be able to open the jaws to unhitch your RV. (Pressure on the kingpin won’t let you open the jaw).

4) if you have a short bed truck and a sliding 5th wheel hitch don’t forget to slide the hitch into maneuvering mode for tight corners!!! (My husband blew out the back window in his F350 the very first time trying to back up the camper into our driveway.)

5) Have a 30 amp adapter handy in case the campground only has 30 amps and your RV is 50 amps.

[Semix-Hex]

With the new induction cooktops coming out, don't be surprised that your favorite cookware doesn't work. They need specialized gear and they are heavier too.

[D2021]

Soon to be new TT owner. As for packing the fridge. Do we just load up our coolers as normal and then pack the fridge when we get to the site. Or pack the fridge with frozen bottles and cold stuff to help keep cool. WE have to keep it at a storage facility, so we can't cool down over night or in the morning prior to departure. Any info is helpful. Thanks

[AHW]

Originally Posted by D2021

Soon to be new TT owner. As for packing the fridge. Do we just load up our coolers as normal and then pack the fridge when we get to the site. Or pack the fridge with frozen bottles and cold stuff to help keep cool. WE have to keep it at a storage facility, so we can't cool down over night or in the morning prior to departure. Any info is helpful. Thanks

If possible, I try to pre-cool the fridge before leaving on a trip. I'll plug the RV into shore power a couple days before, then load the fridge with cold food and leave. If you're unable to pre-cool the fridge for a day or so, then start it as soon as you can using propane (it cools faster) and hopefully by the time you pack everything else, you can pack the fridge food last before you leave.

If putting drink in the fridge, I always have them cold before putting them in. If you put a bunch of room temperature water bottles, sodas, adult beverages in with cheese, meat and milk, the temperature of the fridge will raise before it cools the drinks down possibly spoiling some items.

Andrew

[Thelittlesquaw]

Wonderful information… much appreciated!!!

[Route 66 Traveler]

Originally Posted by D2021

WE have to keep it at a storage facility, so we can't cool down over night or in the morning prior to departure. Any info is helpful. Thanks

Without power it will run on gas only, so if your storage facility isn't too far away you could still turn it on the night before.

[kirkelli]

Say a prayer something doesn’t fail or break

[Big1]

Originally Posted by D2021

Soon to be new TT owner. As for packing the fridge. Do we just load up our coolers as normal and then pack the fridge when we get to the site. Or pack the fridge with frozen bottles and cold stuff to help keep cool. WE have to keep it at a storage facility, so we can't cool down over night or in the morning prior to departure. Any info is helpful. Thanks

The last time we went out I went out to storage and turn on the propane and the fridge the night before we left, I also had some of those frozen ice pack that I put in, it works, I don't do it all the time only for when we go out on a long trip.

[Mike Dickinson]

Our first time out was different. It was a week after Labor Day Holiday. We set it up with no problem. Had supper and enjoyed a fire. Went to bed. The temperature dropped into the 30S. I did not know that the thermostat had an on/off switch. Wife and Son gave up and went out to her car. I was sitting at the table and noticed a very small lever on the thermostat. Moved the switch to the left and guess what. The heater went on and warmed the trailer up. My Family will never let me forget that.
Mike Dickinson

[Route 66 Traveler]

Things To Do Before First Outing with a New Jayco

Read ALL of your owner's manuals and fill out ALL warranty cards...