New to all this.... but, beats tent camping!

[Apablo]

My family and I were getting tired of pitching up a tent (I should say myself and my wife) and decided to test the waters on a towing a trailer. We're a family of 4, with 2 small kids here in Riverside, California. Just bought a new-to-us 09 Jay Feather 17C over the weekend, but don't know the first thing about it. I've got a couple more days to cram for the long weekend. I'm hoping this forum will be an added guide in addition to the countless pages from the manual.

[Screwby]

Welcome to the group and use the search function like a library of “other people have most likely had the same question/problem”. Enjoy the new rig and new adventures

[Marcm157]

Welcome to the group from across this great land. There are lots of great folks here for sure!!

[Jagiven]

Welcome Aboard. If the 17C is at home, try everything out that you can while sitting in the driveway. You might be a little limited by your shore power limitations when connected to the house.

You will have a great time! Just remember your notepad and pencil as you will want to add/remember things for the next trip.

[Pops&Dee]

Welcome and safe travels!

[wiscampsin]

Welcome from Wisconsin. Congrats and enjoy your 2009 Jay Feather 17C.

[crl]

Welcome. I hope you and your family enjoy RV,g as much as my family has through many years. I can testify that equipping your rig is a continuing process. I am always putting stuff in I think I need and taking out things I find out I don’t need (lol).

Good suggestion to take a pad and pencil with you and when you find a need, jot it down. I have put together a tool kit that just stays in the rv. You will find that with rv,s, some maintenance and repair is gonna be needed. Just the nature of things no matter what rv you have. I alway have a torque head screwdriver, assorted small wrenches and pliers, assorted sheet metal and wood screws, small bolts and nuts, spare fuses. Wire ties,WD-40, duct tape, etc, etc. Will allow minor repairs and could save a camping trip.

I also got a surprise when I went to check the lug nuts on our 6 month old trailer before we head out in the morning. I have always carried a 4 way lug wrench to check lug nuts and change a tire if needed. To my surprise it would not go over the lug nuts because of the hole size in our “fancy” rims. Just glad I found this at home and not in the middle of interstate with a flat. Got a deep 3/4 socket and break over handle and problem solved.

I could give you a supply list for stuff aaa I have but most people do have a limit on their credit cards (lol). Bottom line, first trip should be close to home, take your time, make a list, and gradually build up your equipment.

Best of luck, and make sure you have the right stuff to change a flat.

[Ohiofinlander]

Welcome from Ohio!

[64osby]

Congrats!

Level it, plug it in, turn on the fridge, fill the propane tanks, fill the water tank. Turn everything on except the AC, most ac's wont work on a small extension cord. Make sure everything is working. Start thinking about all the little stuff you might need to fix when camping and pack a kit of emergency supplies and tools. I have a large tote filled with tape, wire connectors, fuses, led bulbs, rope, caulk, screws, wire, and lots of other misc. stuff.

Pack a cheap voltage meter, hammer, screw drivers, a #2 square bit driver and a cordless drill, hatchet, axe, wire cutters, rope, straps............

There is always something to work on or tinker with.

Go camping, have an adventure, have fun!

[Thomson]

Your first trip should be to camp driveway. Cook, shower, run everything and sleep in it. One TT we bought new caused my eyes to burn to tearing. We found it was formaldehyde outgassing from the walls. I won't go into the multitude of things we tried so here's the bottom line. Put it in the sun, and run the heater up to 100 F. Leave it there four hours. Then then off the heater and open every window and turn on all the fans. Repeat if necessary.

[JFlightRisk]

Welcome to the Forum from Western New York State!

[fochman]

Welcome from York County, South Carolina!

[norty1]

Welcome to JOF. Lots of friendly members who have the same interests.

My idea has already been voiced. Get familiar with all systems on your rig so when ones needs attention, you may not be be able to repair it but at least you will know where it is. A VOM meter and some spare fuses can save a weekend.

Enjoy your new to you rig as you make family memories and soon you can help someone with their questions. We like pictures.

[curver900]

grease those bearings... how old are the tires? spare have air? how old is that? trailer tires are 5 years and they need to be replaced...bearings repack every other year...

[travelingjw]

Welcome. My DW and I got a good laugh from you title. We used to tent camp in Upper Yosemite till one summer it got so cold one night my DW slept in two sleeping bags and could not stay warm. Our next trip was in a new travel trailer. This forum is great. The knowledge here is endless and the moderators are probably the best of any forum I have participated in.