Newbie Owners, 1st Trip Upcoming

KRV1115 · 07-25-2011, 08:11 PM

New Jayco owners

picked up our ‘11 Skylark a week ago Saturday. Planning our first get-a-way this weekend, and can’t wait. Found the forum while we were deciding and it has been very informative already. While our dealer did a fantastic job on our 2+ hour walk-thru, I’m sure I’ll have a lot of newbie questions when we return. Our daughter’s 21 so it’s just the two of us now and the c o c ker Spaniel. Looking forward to many new adventures!

Denise · 07-25-2011, 08:21 PM

Welcome to the Jayco Owners Forum KRV1115! Another Skylark owner! Seems to be popular now! Take a paper and pencil with you for starting that stinkin' warranty list. Hope yours turns out to be a short one! Congrats on the tt!

wiscampsin · 07-26-2011, 07:02 AM

Welcome to the forum KRV1115 and congrats on your new Skylark. Have fun on your maiden voyage this weekend!

rog4kneer · 07-26-2011, 02:43 PM

Wishing you the best of "travels" and am hoping you enjoy your skylark as much as we do.

bender031177 · 07-26-2011, 02:53 PM

You should post pictures of youe TT/TV combination and let us know how it worked and the gas mileage.

**Crabman** · 07-26-2011, 05:35 PM

Welcome to the forum, KRV!

Zombied · 07-26-2011, 09:01 PM

Welcome! We are taking our first extended trip this friday. Had lots of short ones but going for a weeks stay in the mountains. Can't wait to get out of the heat.

Anyway, make a list of things you forgot. It will happen I promise. That way you will be prepared for the next time.

We really like our skylark.

KRV1115 · 07-26-2011, 09:16 PM

Will take some pictures during the weekend and hanks for the initial things to remember.

Zombied… while we have the 21FBV, we also have a 2011 Liberty. Are you pleased with the way your set-up handled? The short distance home from the dealer I way very happy but it was only 10 miles.

Zombied · 07-27-2011, 09:38 AM

Actually, I did not like the way it handled right from the lot. It swayed a lot. I have towed things since i could drive, but i was almost scared. I ended up getting a ball with a larger drop and that helped make it bearable. I have since bought a friction sway control device and installed it last night actually. After we get to our first stop on friday, ill make a post to report on the sway issue.

I wonder about the weight distribution from the two different floor plans. I noticed he sway immediately.

KRV1115 · 07-27-2011, 05:45 PM

Zombied,

Appreciate the feedback. Although new to TT’s, I have some background towing larger boats and obviously the same concerns apply. That’s why I (as my wife puts it, “went full metal jacket”) and went with a Reese sway control WD hitch right from the start. As I mentioned it was a short ride home but it was all expressway and I was happy so far.

Hope your trip is better this weekend; we’ll have to share notes.

Zombied · 07-27-2011, 09:29 PM

My plan is to see how the friction device works this season. Depending on the results, go to a full WD set up next year.

Hope you have a good trip!

Zombied · 07-29-2011, 10:05 PM

Halfway to estes park. I must say the Curt mfg. friction sway control works very well. The liberty on the other hand, meh. Need more power. I was running about 3000 rpm and only hitting 65mph. Gas mileage was about 11 mpg.

Overall it was an ok ride though. Looking forward to the mountains tomorrow!

2edgesword · 07-30-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombied

Halfway to estes park. I must say the Curt mfg. friction sway control works very well. The liberty on the other hand, meh. Need more power. I was running about 3000 rpm and only hitting 65mph. Gas mileage was about 11 mpg.

Overall it was an ok ride though. Looking forward to the mountains tomorrow!

Everytime I rent an economy car at the airport in Denver and tell them I'm traveling to Estes Park they try to talk me into a midsize car

. There are some pretty steep grades as you get into the Rockies. Have a safe trip. Enjoy!

KRV1115 · 08-06-2011, 03:20 PM

Ok,
It’s been a busy week at work so I haven’t been able to share our first ever camping experience. We journeyed about 60 miles away, not far but far enough. Towing went well, had expected sway with the big rigs passing but nothing unreasonable (‘11 Skylark, ’11 Jeep Liberty Reese SC, WD hitch). Averaged 14mpg @ 55-60mph.

Got set up with minimal questions going through my head but had several offers from other campers to “ask anytime”. Couldn’t ask for nicer people!
Had hot water, so I got that right and with the heat we’ve experienced in Illinois this year had AC without a problem. #1 item we forgot at home…. the deep woods off! Camping store had some (obviously) and wasn’t much more expensive than at Wal-Mart! Found a couple defects, cracked faucet in the sink, bad lock cylinder in an outside storage latch put it on our warranty list.

The TT was everything we had hoped; with just the two of us and the dog we had plenty of room. Need to re-arrange some of the items stored, seemed functional when we packed but will get it right in time.
We've already planned our Labor Day trip, going to journey about double the distance and can’t wait for the end of the month to get here!

Added a couple pictures in the photo album for your viewing pleasure, thanks to everyone for the tips, they have been great.

Terry · 08-06-2011, 04:27 PM

Glad you had a great first time out! Sounds like you are really going to enjoy that Skylark!

Zombied · 08-06-2011, 06:04 PM

Glad your trip was good!

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