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06-11-2014, 06:07 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 227
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Steps in setting up..
I was wondering once backing or pulling into your site, what are your steps in setting and unhooking? For example, take me through your routine in what is done first and so on.... Thank you!
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06-11-2014, 06:59 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Fort Wayne
Posts: 1,271
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well i am sure fith wheel is different but on my tt i back in about where i think i want the unit to sit and check side to side level.... if it is off i use my lego leveling blocks to level side to side.... then i chock the wheels.. after that i go on and plug the camper in... next i unhitch the camper from tow vehicle and using the tongue jack i level front to rear... after that i put the stabilizer jacks down then the slides out ... then the awning and whatever else you have to throw under it ... thats the way i do it ... oh and dont forget to turn on the propane tanks lol
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06-11-2014, 07:13 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 39
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Hello Meadows11,
Once I have the camper where I want it, I determine if I need to level it side to side with blocks under the wheels. If I do then I usually pull forward onto the blocks instead of backing onto them. Just seems easier to do it that way. Then I chock the wheels on the camper to prevent rolling then I release the ball latch, disconnect the tow vehicle wiring plug and the breakaway cable for the brake, then raise the camper enough to clear the ball, then pull the TV forward. Then, I lower the trailer tongue until it is level front to back, then put down the stabilizers on all four corners. Hooking up water, or filling the holding tank comes next, then connecting to the electric. Turn on the propane and light the stove to clear most of the air out of the gas lines. Open all the hot water faucets to clear all air out of the water heater and when a full stream is steady then close off and light the water heater. Proceed to light the furnace if needed. Add about a gallon of water to the black water tank and add chemical. Let out the awning, open a folding chair and build a fire in the fire ring. Enjoy!! If I forgot something maybe another member can fill it in. If you have never set up before you may want to do a trial run at home before you leave.
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06-11-2014, 07:25 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ottawa Valley
Posts: 403
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After getting in to the aproximate position I consult with the Navigator to find out if that is where it should be. Then check level side to side and what might be required for front to back while considering distance for sewage, water and electrical hookup, slide and awning clearance. After all adjustments are made, I lower the front jacks on to 12" square pads making sure I will have the proper jack length to raise or lower depending on the grade of the site. I chock the wheels before extending the slides so I don't have to crawl under after.
Then I unhook the tv and move it out of the way if required so as not to block traffic. Then hook up power, sewage and water. By now the Navigator is opening slides making sure that there is nothing to hit. I finally lower the rear jack/stabilizers on to pads to firm up the 5er from excessive movement.
By now the Navigator is asking why there is no water, or power, because even though I hooked up I was distracted and forgot to open the valve or turn on the breaker.
Then I set up the dish and tune in the signal, sometimes easy sometimes not, The published settings aren't exact. After that remove what is required to be from the tv, record the info from the tv dic ( odometer, daily trip, time, engine hours). Usually half hour to 45 minutes. As I mentioned there are lots of distractions during the process, try to keep focused. All equipment has its storage place or specific container to keep it simple. On setup and take down it becomes a routine and you might even leave with everything you brought!
I once left about $30.00 worth of brass water fittings on the pedestal at a KOA in Virginia cuz I got distracted.
__________________
Married To The Navigator
2005 Red GMC Duramax 4X4 HD Crew Cab
2018 North Point 315RLTS
4" Magnaflow, Banks Air Intake
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs
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06-11-2014, 08:02 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DeWitt, MI
Posts: 1,212
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· Back in
· Check level side to side
· Add boards under tires as needed
· Chock camper
· Unhook from TV
· Level front to back
· Hook utilities up
· Pop beds out
· Open windows
· Make beds
· Awning out and everything under it set up
· Mix drink
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MODERATOR
2007 Jayco Feather 19H
2008 Ford Explorer SportTrac
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06-11-2014, 08:08 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: VA
Posts: 394
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snake Plissken
· Back in
· Check level side to side
· Add boards under tires as needed
· Chock camper
· Unhook from TV
· Level front to back
· Hook utilities up
· Pop beds out
· Open windows
· Make beds
· Awning out and everything under it set up
· Mix drink
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X2 on this. Except sometimes the beverage is step#2.
__________________
2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 5.7 HEMI
2̶0̶1̶4̶ ̶J̶a̶y̶ ̶F̶e̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶X̶1̶9̶H̶
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06-12-2014, 02:41 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 227
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Thank you for your response's...
Question:
You mentioned turning on the propane....If I'm using the power at the campground, why would I need to turn the propane on?
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06-12-2014, 03:41 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 6,818
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Meadows11
Thank you for your response's...
Question:
You mentioned turning on the propane....If I'm using the power at the campground, why would I need to turn the propane on?
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stove, furnace, hot water heater....possibly external grill hook-up
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06-12-2014, 07:18 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Kamloops
Posts: 405
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And do not forget to set up the chairs and drinks of course in the best location to watch the next people come in and set up, IT can quite entertaining
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06-12-2014, 07:39 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Colorado
Posts: 282
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Meadows11
Thank you for your response's...
Question:
You mentioned turning on the propane....If I'm using the power at the campground, why would I need to turn the propane on?
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My propane is on the day before I leave the house for the fridge.
__________________
Becky, Bob and Taylie & Bode
2009 Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison
2014 Heartland Sundance XLT 245RL
His and Hers Polaris 570 Touring ATV's
2018 Polaris General 1000
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06-12-2014, 07:40 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 974
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Not much to add here but I will add a few good things to do but not necessary.
We use 2 way radios so we are not the couple that is yelling at each other while we are parking our rig. This is part of the entertainment Annie was speaking about. Once you learn that you don't have to yell at a radio it makes backing in with your helper much less stressful. I always walk my back in sites before I back in and decide where I am going to stop based on my slideouts, position of water/electric and where I want my front porch. By doing that my spotter (wife) now knows the plan and we don't have to discuss it while I am backing up.
Everything else here is perfect.
__________________
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2016 36FBTS Pinnacle
2016 F350, 6.7, 4x4, DRW, long bed
B & W Companion 5th wheel Hitch
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06-12-2014, 08:28 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,769
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I would think for most people it should be fairly similar, but I have seen many people just drive up and start backing in without ever getting out of their TV.
We get out look at the site conditions, where is the fire pit, electrical post, over hanging trees, water run off/ pooling conditions (dont want the door there), and so forth. We talk about where we want the unit placed. After backing in;
Check side to side level, and adjust as needed.
Choke wheels.
Disconnect from TV
Level front to back
Add wheel stabilizers (X-Chokes)
If at an electric site, plug in after checking power conditions
Drop corner stabilizers onto plywood pads
Open slideout and awning
Drop bunk ends
DW sets up the tent ends and gets bedding ready all from the inside.
I open the E exit windows from the outside and help make the outer edges of the beds (lot easier than crawling over the mattresses.
Let the dog out of the TV
Depending on the time of rolling in, remove lawn chairs, grill and outside stove from cargo hold, and them setup. Reheat dinner.
Start campfire and relax
Total time, 15-30 minutes
If we are at a non electric site for more than 3 days, I will open the awning and slideout with the TV running and the power cord connected to the HTT, just to save a bit of battery power. I will also keep the TV running for a bit afterwards just to keep the battery as fully charged as possible.
Very rarely do we ever have any hook ups beyond electric.
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06-12-2014, 09:20 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 227
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threebutchers
stove, furnace, hot water heater....possibly external grill hook-up
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Call me stupid... But the hot water heater runs off the electric right?
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06-12-2014, 09:29 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: VA
Posts: 394
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Meadows11
Call me stupid... But the hot water heater runs off the electric right?
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Some, if not most newer ones, will run off electric or gas. Everyone I know that has used the elctric has told me they eat elements like candy. Not sure about that. Perhaps someone else can chime in on that though. My old camper's h2o heater was gas only. This one has gas & electric so I may find out myself soon enough.
__________________
2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 5.7 HEMI
2̶0̶1̶4̶ ̶J̶a̶y̶ ̶F̶e̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶X̶1̶9̶H̶
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06-12-2014, 09:31 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: VA
Posts: 394
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jagiven
I would think for most people it should be fairly similar, but I have seen many people just drive up and start backing in without ever getting out of their TV.
We get out look at the site conditions, where is the fire pit, electrical post, over hanging trees, water run off/ pooling conditions (dont want the door there), and so forth. We talk about where we want the unit placed. After backing in;
Check side to side level, and adjust as needed.
Choke wheels.
Disconnect from TV
Level front to back
Add wheel stabilizers (X-Chokes)
If at an electric site, plug in after checking power conditions
Drop corner stabilizers onto plywood pads
Open slideout and awning
Drop bunk ends
DW sets up the tent ends and gets bedding ready all from the inside.
I open the E exit windows from the outside and help make the outer edges of the beds (lot easier than crawling over the mattresses.
Let the dog out of the TV
Depending on the time of rolling in, remove lawn chairs, grill and outside stove from cargo hold, and them setup. Reheat dinner.
Start campfire and relax
Total time, 15-30 minutes
If we are at a non electric site for more than 3 days, I will open the awning and slideout with the TV running and the power cord connected to the HTT, just to save a bit of battery power. I will also keep the TV running for a bit afterwards just to keep the battery as fully charged as possible.
Very rarely do we ever have any hook ups beyond electric.
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Those wheels must have really ticked you off.
__________________
2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 5.7 HEMI
2̶0̶1̶4̶ ̶J̶a̶y̶ ̶F̶e̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶X̶1̶9̶H̶
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06-12-2014, 09:42 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kalamazoo, West Michigan
Posts: 1,817
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Quote:
Originally Posted by howie
Those wheels must have really ticked you off.
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But wait, there's more...he went so far as to X-Choke them as well!!
__________________
2006 23B Hybrid with 10k round bar WDH
2011 F150 4x4 SCREW Ecoboost, Max Tow, Integrated TBC, 3.73 LS axle, Firestone Ride Rite airbags.
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06-12-2014, 09:45 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kalamazoo, West Michigan
Posts: 1,817
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Quote:
Originally Posted by howie
Some, if not most newer ones, will run off electric or gas. Everyone I know that has used the elctric has told me they eat elements like candy. Not sure about that. Perhaps someone else can chime in on that though. My old camper's h2o heater was gas only. This one has gas & electric so I may find out myself soon enough.
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My 2006 DSI propane/electric water heater is on the original elements and I run primarily the electric mode except for initial heat up. Maybe the full timers are eating elements like M&M's but I haven't.
And you should watch me eat M&M's.
__________________
2006 23B Hybrid with 10k round bar WDH
2011 F150 4x4 SCREW Ecoboost, Max Tow, Integrated TBC, 3.73 LS axle, Firestone Ride Rite airbags.
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06-12-2014, 09:58 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,216
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eldermike
Not much to add here but I will add a few good things to do but not necessary.
We use 2 way radios so we are not the couple that is yelling at each other while we are parking our rig. This is part of the entertainment Annie was speaking about. Once you learn that you don't have to yell at a radio it makes backing in with your helper much less stressful. I always walk my back in sites before I back in and decide where I am going to stop based on my slideouts, position of water/electric and where I want my front porch. By doing that my spotter (wife) now knows the plan and we don't have to discuss it while I am backing up.
Everything else here is perfect.
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Fantastic advice! I couldn't say it better myself! This is exactly what we do, so I'm glad I can tell DW that I'm not nutty!
__________________
-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
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06-12-2014, 11:08 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,769
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcfarmall
But wait, there's more...he went so far as to X-Choke them as well!!
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spell check is wonderful!
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06-12-2014, 12:39 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,216
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jagiven
spell check is wonderful!
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Except spell check wouldn't have caught that, it's spelled correctly!
To proof read is wonderful, but we still all choke a wheel once in a while!
If I have to see a "their" instead of "there" one MORE TIME.....!
I might have to ignore it and move on... or my head will explode, but whatever.
__________________
-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
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