Still haven't picked up my new trailer...

[RCrawler]

I had planned on posting on the new member forum after we had brought our 5th wheel home.

Made a deal on our new Cougar about 2 weeks ago and had made arrangements to pick it up and PDI it yesterday. Ordered the 5th wheel hitch Thursday before the 4th weekend and was assured that it would be here by Weds or Thurs for me to get it installed in time. We were planning to pull our trade in over on Friday night, get a room and let the kids swim and then be up at the dealer early Saturday morning. Our dealer is about 100 miles away.

Thursday comes around, no hitch still. No hitch on Friday. So we cancelled our appt with the RV dealer and motel reservations.

So, on Saturday morning at about 5:30, our dog started barking and my wife got up to let her out. She woke me with screams from our family room. I jumped out of bed, my first thoughts was that someone was trying to get in the house or breaking into our car. As I came into the room, she said that the stereo was making some weird loud noises and now was starting to smolder from that area. I found that it was actually the power bar surge protector that had shorted out and had started to melt, catching the carpet on fire and starting to ignite a tablecloth near it. I jerked the plug out of the wall and put out the small flames.

There are so many what if's. If our dog hadn't woke us, it could have spread quickly with my family in the house. If my hitch would have shown up, we would be asleep in a motel 100 miles away.

So, I'm very thankful for delayed shipping right now. I'm not upset at all about not picking up our new trailer.

Don't skimp on those surge protectors. I learned that they have a typical lifespan of about 5 years and should be replaced after that. This was a Walmart special that had been in use almost 9 years. Constantly on, either running a computer, or being used for a TV and other electronics.

Jason

[Cathie&Al]

Very scary. Thanks for the tip.
Sure hope you get your hitch and get on your way to fun traveling.

[antiqfreq]

Congrats on the new camper and when you DO pick it up I hope your first trip goes smoothly.

I know ALL too well about having a house burn down so I am happy to hear that you were able to prevent such a disaster.

Good luck with your travels!

Jo

[Me.Bikes.Dogs]

I agree wholeheartedly on the surge protectors. Having worked with computers for 30+ years I have seen some crazy electrical setups. It amazes me when someone spends $1000 on a computer/monitor setup and then skimps to save $10 on the surge protector to protect the new investment. I've seen 10 year old surge protectors protecting brand new $3000 Macs!

I hope your dog got a steak or two for saving the house and/or more!!

Enjoy the new trailer when you do get it.

[RCrawler]

So, I finally got my hitch, installed it and picked up our new 5th wheel. Everything went well aside from some minor loose fasteners and sticking interior doors. Trying to get organized and get everything put away from the old trailer.
Planning on heading to the lake Weds evening for our first trip out. Really excited for all of the room we are going to have.

Out with the old. It was hard to see it go away



In with the new

Jason

[KanTC]

Congrats Jason on the 'homecoming' arrival. Go, have fun & make some new memories in your 5th wheel.

Terri, the Chevy co-pilot & DH Kevin

[hankpage]

Nice looking rig ..... Enjoy, Hank

I'm sure your old TT will be adopted and make another family happy.

[kenn209]

Nice rig! Love the color of the TV. Gotta love the MC.