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Old 06-11-2014, 06:07 PM   #1
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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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Old 06-11-2014, 06:59 PM   #2
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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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Old 06-11-2014, 07:13 PM   #3
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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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Old 06-11-2014, 07:25 PM   #4
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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.
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Old 06-11-2014, 08:02 PM   #5
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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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Old 06-11-2014, 08:08 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Snake Plissken View Post
· 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
X2 on this. Except sometimes the beverage is step#2.
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Old 06-12-2014, 02:41 AM   #7
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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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Old 06-12-2014, 03:41 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Meadows11 View Post
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?
stove, furnace, hot water heater....possibly external grill hook-up
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Old 06-12-2014, 07:18 AM   #9
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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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Old 06-12-2014, 07:39 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Meadows11 View Post
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?
My propane is on the day before I leave the house for the fridge.
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Old 06-12-2014, 07:40 AM   #11
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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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Old 06-12-2014, 08:28 AM   #12
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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 (don’t 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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Old 06-12-2014, 09:20 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Threebutchers View Post
stove, furnace, hot water heater....possibly external grill hook-up
Call me stupid... But the hot water heater runs off the electric right?
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Old 06-12-2014, 09:29 AM   #14
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Call me stupid... But the hot water heater runs off the electric right?
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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Old 06-12-2014, 09:31 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by Jagiven View Post
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 (don’t 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.
Those wheels must have really ticked you off.
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Old 06-12-2014, 09:42 AM   #16
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Those wheels must have really ticked you off.
But wait, there's more...he went so far as to X-Choke them as well!!
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Old 06-12-2014, 09:45 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by howie View Post
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.
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.
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Old 06-12-2014, 09:58 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by eldermike View Post
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.
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!
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Old 06-12-2014, 11:08 AM   #19
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But wait, there's more...he went so far as to X-Choke them as well!!
spell check is wonderful!
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Old 06-12-2014, 12:39 PM   #20
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spell check is wonderful!
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.
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