New Keystone Owners

[jeff_1967]

We are taking possession of our Premier 22RBPR on Tuesday!! This is our first travel trailer and super excited to become weekend warriors. We know the first few trips will be full of nervousness but I'm sure the neighbors will enjoy the comedy show.

[Tumble weed]

WE hope to get our new 19FB in a couple of weeks. Wanted to see if anyone had any good places to camp near Lubbock Tx?

[jeff_1967]

Congrats! We looked at the 19FB and liked it but the wife loved the entertainment center so we went with the 22. Happy camping!

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum, Tumble weed :wlcm:

Hopefully someone in Texas can recommend a good spot.

[rcmlndz]

Welcome tumbleweed .
I live in Lubbock. We spent last weekend over at Buffalo Spring Lake. Nice place. 3 weeks ago we spent a weekend in our rv at Fort Amarillo RV Resort in Amarillo. You can also check caprock canyon.

[B-O-B'03]

We are taking possession of our Premier 22RBPR on Tuesday!! This is our first travel trailer and super excited to become weekend warriors. We know the first few trips will be full of nervousness but I'm sure the neighbors will enjoy the comedy show.

:wlcm: and congratulations, I picked up our 2014 22RBPR, at a dealer in Louisiana, a week ago Friday.

This is our first "real" camper as well... we had a Starcraft popup previously.

WE hope to get our new 19FB in a couple of weeks. Wanted to see if anyone had any good places to camp near Lubbock Tx?

We were recently in Palo Duro canyon and it looked like there were some nice camping places there.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park (http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon).

Our first big trip will be to the Big Bend area, in April, after the 15th and we will probably take a couple of one-nighter shake down trips before that.

-Brian

[sourdough]

:applause: to all on your new purchases!! Your in for a fun time.

Jeff_1967 just get the dealer to go over the hook up procedures with you including setting up and attaching the WDH. My electric jack in the front is a lifesaver. Also, keep track of any "doo dads" that go with the hitch. I am forever laying the pins and L brackets from my Equalizer hitch on the truck bumper and almost leave them seems like every time (thank goodness for the dear wife).

Tumble weed - from Abernathy it's not much further to Canyon and Palo Duro than it is to Lubbock. Palo Duro has much nicer scenery. If you're just getting your camper and want to do a close shakedown trip then Buffalo Springs Lake is probably the place to go. Are you getting your RV in Lubbock? Camping World? I've spent literally months at Buffalo Springs around this time of year in the past and it's pretty nice. It will also keep you close to home and the dealership. I doubt you will need the dealer but it will give you more time in the camper if you only have a weekend or so. Any other thoughts just shout....I live in Lamesa.

[jeff_1967]

Thank you sourdough! Your info for me was so helpful! They are doing a thorough walk through which I will definitely need. Yes I don't know where I would be without the dear wife lol.

I'm going to make me several checklists and have her double check me but I know I will have a few "jeff" moments.

[sourdough]

You're welcome Jeff. Be sure and take the PDI form from this forum with you when you pick up your new camper. Have them go thru everything. My wife took notes and I used a handycam when we did our last one. Make sure they show you where, and how, to access the points for manual retraction of slides and electric stabilizers. No need to be nervous; you will be like a duck to water as soon as you see what does what. Just remember that pulling a trailer is like having a big streamer behind you.....it doesn't follow in the tracks of your truck so be sure and watch it all the time. Good luck and have tons of fun. Find you a place close by to go spend the weekend and learn the camper.

[GaryWT]

Congrats and good luck, have to love those Premiers.

Sourdough, you need to get in the habit of leaving your doo dads on the trailer. When we unhook, the pins etc go on top of the battery and the bars go between the battery and propane. We always know where they are.

[PARAPTOR]

:wlcm: to the Forum From Western PA.

CONGRATS on your new purchase Enjoy "bouncey:

X2 on the PDI list, I look at it as the foundation of a house, spent the time and do that correctly upfront and you will benefit three fold in the future. Bring a friend, take notes, and do not rush.

GOOD LUCK :D

[JAM2015]

The walkthrough is very important. Hopefully the prep/delivery department will have someone presenting it to you that has a lot of experience and knowledge about the unit you are purchasing.

Our prep guy Vaddie, at RVone in Winter Park, FL was extremely thorough. The prep took MUCH longer than I expected because I am not used to having someone explain all the things you NEED to know, and just breeze through stuff to get you off the lot.

Take a pad of paper and pen, ask questions and write down answers in your words. Ask twice if you need to get a clear answer. When you leave, the last thing you need on your maiden voyage is confusion and stress.

good luck!

[14george]

Dealer I got mine from they went through every nick and cranny eave showed me how to put slide out in manually

[sourdough]

GaryWT - My tanks and batteries are enclosed. The only place to put the pins etc. is either on top of the thin trailer frame or the bumper of the truck. I guess the frame of the trailer would be better since I'm not going to jump in it and take off somewhere. Then again, I guess that's why I've got two full sets of replacement pins/brackets for the bars - one in the truck and one in the trailer......:o

[jeff_1967]

Great info! They made the appointment 4 hours before closing time because they said the PDI and walk through was very thorough. Fortunately the DW is coming along because she is all about taking notes and will ask until she is positively sure where I have a tendency to think I have and really don't.

I am bummed that it will be three weeks before we can take a weekend maiden voyage due to work requirements. I work in the motorcycle industry and Bike Week starts this week so no days off for a while.

Oh well, we have a lifetime of fun ahead of us and we are so ready.

[JRTJH]

GaryWT - My tanks and batteries are enclosed. The only place to put the pins etc. is either on top of the thin trailer frame or the bumper of the truck. I guess the frame of the trailer would be better since I'm not going to jump in it and take off somewhere. Then again, I guess that's why I've got two full sets of replacement pins/brackets for the bars - one in the truck and one in the trailer......:o

Have you ever thought about mounting a container somewhere on the tongue, either behind the jack or just in front of the propane tanks? With something like this, you could "toss the pins in" and close the container, they wouldn't get lost and you'd have a designated spot for them....

I have a "battery box" and "emergency battery" for the electric brakes on my tractor trailer. It's mounted to the tongue jack. Maybe it would work for you? Here's a picture:

[sourdough]

Thanks John. That's a good idea. A box like that would come in handy for any number of things. I'm going to look into it.

[koko]

You will love your Premier.

[jeff_1967]

Thanks Koko!

I think we will too. Today is the big day!!

[jeff_1967]

And she is ours! We will be taking our maiden voyage in three weeks and we can't wait. The F150 with 4.6L towed her just fine. We won't be taking any long trips for awhile and Florida is pretty flat so this TV should work fine.

[kguess]

I had the same TV for a year pulling the Hideout 19 FLB. My trailer weight is 4200 empty and the Ford pulled fine on flat land ,actually pulled it to the Keys last summer from the Diamondhead, Ms. And had a great trip. I would suggest not to use overdrive and cruise also get a transmission cooler and don't be in a hurry. Good to have you here, have a blast with your new camper....!
PS I got lots of great info on this site because we were rookies too a year ago.

[michael_h]

if I may suggest additions such as hatch covers so you don't have to worry about rain, then a slide topper so not to accumulate trash on the slide top

[frankenstang]

We are picking up a 2014 outback 312 on Monday. It was used. But only slightly. Outside kitchen we never touched. Still tying to figure out where to go for our first trip. Might go south and check out Springfield, Illinois area at the beginning of the season. The 312 will be a huge step up from out Starcraft 297bh.

[{tpc}]

I don't have the same TV as described above, but I second the notion of a trans cooler, no overdrive, and no cruise. In mine, prior to trans cooler I got temps above 200 consistently, now below 200 consistently with a spike here or there depending on grade. For me overdrive worked, but now I run in "3" all the time, the only reason I used overdrive is because I didn't realize it. I thought the tow/haul button would keep it in 3 but it did not. It wasn't terrible, but it is better in 3. I tried cruise once, and that was enough for me not to try it again. I suppose if the land is flat and noone is on the road and your solidly in a spot where the trans won't "hunt" then maybe. Otherwise just doesn't seem worth the effort. And that one time you approach a grade and the trans drops down a gear and nails the gas making the engine scream....well that might be all you need lol.

I would get the vent covers. First thing I did before leaving the dealer. I didn't get the slide topper because of cost at the time. But its nice to be able to open the vents and not worry rain will get in. For now I clean the slide off with ladder and broom.

[devosays]

We purchased the Outback 316RL a week or so back, haven't taken delivery yet, it is being stored on the Dealers lot until the end of April, if we can wait that long!

We basically went as big as we could in the hopes this TT will be our weekend home for as long as possible. We are so happy with it so far, we have visited it several times just to walk around and check out ever inch both for warranty but also just to start planning what we will put where and what nick nacks will look the best here or there!

We plan on local WI camping the first year and as our youngest moves out for college next year, we'll see where we go!



http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_163881_0_2c1bedda8527d15481d43010166a1ab0.jpg

[koko]

Very nice! I'm sure the wait will seem like an eternity.

[gunner1]

We pick up our Premier 22 RBPR next weekend and looking forward to camping in a tt. We have had a pop up for years.

[koko]

No comparison!

[RFM]

8138I got mine this summer, and all ready we whent to:
Eastman Quebec Canada,
LaBaie, Sagunay Quebec,
Cape code MA USA
Florida

And wow, what a fine trailer, you will have fun, we just can't wait to go to our next trip in May.

[RFM]

We when from -14 in very cold weather, and the Premier, keeped us hot inside, I was impressed 8139

[Micah.TX]

DW and I bought a Passport 2890RL TT and have had one short practice trip. Have two more - San Antonio and Fredericksburg. Then in June, head to New England for 6 weeks. 4,000 miles round trip, not to mention the miles when we get there. Booked RV sites along the way. Tried to get pull throughs (33' trailer) wherever I could. Backing up is a humbling experience. I'm not too proud to ask for help. On amenities, have decided we need sewer hook up at every site. Once I get set up, I do not want to pick up and drive to the dump station and then back to the site. DW is having fun pimping out the RV. Can't seem to convince her weight matters! It will be an adventure! Good luck on your trips.