Huntsville, AL here

03Avifamily · 08-17-2011, 02:35 PM

I've been browsing the site since buying our camper this past Saturday. My name is Nick and I purchased a 2003 Jayco Jayflight 29' BH this past Saturday..

I've bounced through some different hobbies over the past few years trying to find one for the whole family and wound up coming back to campers. I'm 29 and have a wife, Angela, and two sons, Jacob 5 and Austin 8 mos, and we are heading out this weekend for our first trip.

I grew up with my dad camping so I'm not new to camping by any means, but this is my first that I've purchased. Dad and I started in a 25' 1982 Nomad, and he eventually worked into a 36' double slide 5th wheel which he has set up at an RV park in Gulf Shores (close to where we are from). He goes down every weekend.

I look forward to my time here!

I'm towing with my 04 Avalanche Z66 or else my wife's 05 Expedition Eddie Bauer.

Any recommendations that we need to know?

**Crabman** · 08-17-2011, 04:08 PM

Welcome to the forum, Avifamily, and enjoy your new trailer!

Terry · 08-17-2011, 06:33 PM

Welcome! Sounds like your in for a fun adventure - the kids will love it!

mmm..what you need to know? Sounds like you have some good experience growing up with campers. Just search around here and ask any questions that come to mind. There are plenty of helpful folks here to help you any way they can.

03Avifamily · 08-17-2011, 08:35 PM

I do have a question more about my TV than my camper (for now.)

My Avalanche squats a lot more than my Expedition despite the Avalanche having an 8300 lb tow capacity. It is the Z66 with stiffer suspension, tow package, 3.73 gears,etc......

I'm thinking that I will need to at least add helper bags to the rear. No biggie. But does anyone have experience with the 4L60E transmission and how it will hold up with a 6,500 lb camper? I've been a Ford guy forever but sold my F150 to a friend and got this Avi a few months ago.

Dad recommended a larger trans cooler which I am looking into as well. Curious if anyone else tows with a Chevy that has the same trans in it and to know how well it holds up.

wiscampsin · 08-17-2011, 08:47 PM

Welcome to the forum 03Avifamily and congrats on your 2003 Jayco Jayflight 29' BH.

jbhsv04 · 08-18-2011, 07:30 AM

Congrats on the new rig. Where are you headed for the maiden voyage? (I live in Huntsville as well.)

03Avifamily · 08-18-2011, 07:37 AM

Well, we aren't the most up to date on the campgrounds around here so the only ones we know of are Goosepond, Siebold, Honeycomb, and Guntersville Park. We are going to go to Goosepond first (we live off of Ryland Pike) since it is the closest and has cable hookups for the kids. We plan to eventually camp more around Honeycomb.

Any other good places? Maybe we will run into each other sometime. We plan on camping a lot.

jbhsv04 · 08-18-2011, 08:40 AM

We live on the south end of town, but camp everywhere. We frequent Joe Wheeler (towards florence) as my family live in athens so that is where they all go. One of our favorite parks is Desoto SP, in Ft. Payne. It is newly renovated, A/C in the bathhouses, cable TV on all sites, pool, and hiking trails for activity also have several river/creek waterfalls in the area. It would be ~70 miles from your place.

03Avifamily · 08-18-2011, 10:57 AM

I completely forgot about Desoto. I will have to look into that one. My only concern is towing this thing up the mountain on 35 with my Avalanche or Expedition. :hihi: Would be one slow trip.

jbhsv04 · 08-18-2011, 11:08 AM

It is a big pull, i don't know how other vehicles pull but i have seen similar rigs to yours around up there. When they pull in i don't see smoke boiling out from their TV or anything.

03Avifamily · 08-18-2011, 02:08 PM

Good to know. I plan to add a larger trans cooler maybe next weekend.

**Crabman** · 08-18-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03Avifamily

I do have a question more about my TV than my camper (for now.)

My Avalanche squats a lot more than my Expedition despite the Avalanche having an 8300 lb tow capacity. It is the Z66 with stiffer suspension, tow package, 3.73 gears,etc......

I'm thinking that I will need to at least add helper bags to the rear. No biggie. But does anyone have experience with the 4L60E transmission and how it will hold up with a 6,500 lb camper? I've been a Ford guy forever but sold my F150 to a friend and got this Avi a few months ago.

Dad recommended a larger trans cooler which I am looking into as well. Curious if anyone else tows with a Chevy that has the same trans in it and to know how well it holds up.

I guess your powertrain setup is similar to mine. See My signature. If so you will not win any races but it will get the job done. These trailers (28/29bhs) are a bit tongue heavy for the half ton trucks so load accordingly.

skymutt · 08-18-2011, 05:20 PM

Welcome, Sounds like there are at least 3 of us from Huntsville here. In additition to the ones named try Tims Ford SP near Lynchberg.

skymutt · 08-18-2011, 05:22 PM

Humm....some how got posted to the wrong message. Sorry

03Avifamily · 08-19-2011, 05:04 AM

I found the Lynchburg sites yesterday so we will definitely be going up there. We are set to leave out for Goosepond after work this evening. I found a new wiring harness for my brake controller so we will have electric brakes. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

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