Maiden voyage x17a

[jsundin]

We planned a 3 day trip bit things changed we we did a single overnight at local campground.

Mazda cx9 and x17a hybrid. Towing, got about 10mpg. That seems to be universal constant.


Backing in. Good since I had a good spotter and extended mirrors.

Setup. It was raining when we got there. I was happy of our choice to move up from our popup to this. We were in trailer very quickly and dry.

Use. Tv did not work with local HDTV. I just wanted to test it. I got part of one local channel so I know it can work if it is within signal. Maybe good for driveway camping. I don't want tv when I camp. A little tv fits in cabinet perfectly for storage. Along with all our games.

Not much counter space. Need to get grill cover and make a mod with extended counter space. Also need towel bar mod. Maybe another couple coat hooks. I wondered if I could put coat hook outside?

Sleeping. Just fine for 3 of us. Even my cpap machine can be tucked in he alcove by the back bed.

Dinette. Weak link here. How can we all fit. It is a puzzle and we will figure it out.

Toilet. It works. I wonder when a ring or earrings will fall in the sink?. Might get little wire strainer.

Fridge. Should have turned it on well before departure but it worked well.

Sewer. Found I might have to lift hose to help the drain process. No problem. I used the rhino hose kit. I placed it in tub and in the shower pan for storage. It worked well.

Stereo. I love having some music in background while lounging outside.

Gas tanks. I might buy some gauges to figure how full they are.

Overall. It was too short of a trip but I feel great about it.

Jeff

[Jmooney]

Well, you got it 100% right.

Your list and descriptions are perfect for a first time out.

Welcome to the world of RVing, and all the things you now have on your list.

[Itsmeamanda]

I think the 17a models have the stove/oven in them right? We looked at them because I have a real soft spot for dinettes. Ended up with the x20e. Both are cool and Jayco siblings!
Anyway. Here are some pics of the metal camco universal black stove cover. It screws into the back of the counter so it never budges an inch. I suffer from no counters as well. :-)
You can also just pull over the dinette table and kick everyone out too. :-)

Happy camping!

http://www.etrailer.com/Motorhome-Ac.../CAM43554.html

[Itsmeamanda]

I have the big sister to your camper. Same lack of counters. Small flaw in my eyes.
I bought this and it's great. Screws to the counter in the back so it doesn't move at all.


http://www.etrailer.com/Motorhome-Ac.../CAM43554.html

[norty1]

Experience is the best teacher.

[Threebutchers]

Congrats.....the bugs will work out.

[DonnaD]

I learned a neat trick here on the blog. To find out how much propane is in the tank, boil some water and pour it down the side of the tank. Then feel the tank where the water had been. It will feel warm at the top where it's empty, and as you run your hand down it, it will turn cold when you get to the level of the fuel! I trust this method more than a gauge.

[Brownie]

Sounds like a good first outing - a great learning experience for you. You were smart to catalogue your observations. It will help you make your "pre-outing trailer prep", "before you pull away", "and packing up to leave" lists.

"Lists! We don't need no stinking lists!"

OH YES YOU DO, MY FRIEND! Even us old timers rely on lists. That's how you get to be an "Old Timer"!

[howie]

Sounds like a good trip even if it did rain!
As far as sewer hose storage in the shower pan....will it not fit in the bumper or did you just not want it in there?

[jsundin]

The bumper on the X17A is not a square, so I need some alternate method of storing the hose. I will use the plastic tub for now (and store my gloves and hand sanitizer in there also.). It works, but I know I will do something different this summer.

[scottystang]

I have the X17Z and there is a Sewer Hose Storage door on mine, but it's not deep enough to fit my RhinoFLEX hose, which is 15'. I did the "sewer hose mod", which involved an 8' long 5" square PVC fence post to store the hose, but I couldn't figure out how to attach it to the bumper securely. I tried zip ties and they snapped right off. Perhaps some L bracket would work, but I need to be confident it will stay put during travel.

For now, my solution is a rubbermade container.

[howie]

If using zip ties, try to find Panduit or T&B (Thomas & Betts). If you get the larger ones, they will hold. You may have to get these an electical supply house as opposed to a box store. I work for a power company and we use them a lot. You would be surprised what they will hold.

[scottystang]

Thanks, howie. I bought some rather industrial strength zip ties at Lowe's, that claimed to be able to support 150 lbs., but they snapped when the fence post fell off the bumper when I was test fitting it.

The problem is that the X17Z bumper isn't square, it's only an inch or two wide on the top, so the 5" fence post doesn't fit flush. It wants to fall forward towards the back of the camper or the other way off the back of the bumper. I know I could get those U bolts to go up and around the fence post and bumper, but they look ugly IMHO.

A more seamless install would be L brackets, but I'd have to be 100% confident that they wouldn't fail during travel. I would never know it came lose until it was too late and it's super dangerous to have a sewer hose and fence post flying down the highway haha.

Too bad the X17Z doesn't fit the RhinoFLEX hose & fittings. I've very happy with the hose and don't want to use a cheaper 10' one (that might fit in the Sewer Hose compartment).

[howie]

Can you mount it under the camper? I used PVC pipe on my old camper mounted to the frame.

[scottystang]

Good idea, but I don't think so. The X17Z already has a pretty low ground clearance so I don't think there's room. I've seen other mods/hacks made to the sewer hose compartment itself to accommodate the 5" PVC fence post, but that involved cutting into the camper which is something I don't want to do. Other installs attached it to the back of the camper, but again, requires drilling into the body of the camper. For now the container works fine, although not ideal. I might ask the dealer if they'd install it for me on the bumper using L brackets of sorts.

[howie]

Check out post #38 on this thread. It may be of some help.
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...?t=2053&page=4

[scottystang]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing. Something I could definitely try. It looks like he secured the post directly to the bumper in two places through the bottom of the post and then a third point to the bumper connecting piece via the curtain rod bracket. I already built the fence post w/ gutter drawer and secured the end caps, so I have the assembly already to go, just need to secure it to the camper with confidence.