First Outing of the Season

[atkinsb3]

Got to our campsite in Winchester VA and nothing worked. My first thought was a fuse but quickly noticed that the ground from the battery had come out of the lug connected to the chassis frame. Was able to reinsert the wire into the lug and with the butt end of an ax head and the picnic table bench got it recrimped just fine...obviously better than it came from the factory. Hooked it back up and everything worked great.

Not quite the way I thought I would be taking an ax to the trailer!?!?

Other than that it was a fun trip and a good weekend, even though, to be honest, I was slightly proud of the ingenuity.

[MarkEHansen]

Hey, if you had to have something go wrong on your first trip, why not let it be something you can resolve on your own? :)

Sounds like you did a great job. I hope I meet my problems with such ingenuity!

[rjrelander]

"If it ain't broke, you're not trying." ~ Red Green

[Cbrez]

Sounds like you have the proper mindset for the RV lifestyle :cool:

We just checked in down here in Stewart’s Draft. Tire problems, traffic issues and diesel fuel coating the back of the truck and front of the 5er due to new fuel cans that obviously weren’t wind tunnel tested. But after trading lies with fellow campers around the campfire this evening over a couple of brews, the verdict is in - Life’s good.

[notanlines]

I concur with everything said so far. And we travel with two different sized axes. Just in case....:eek:

[roadglide]

I believe rv needs power to the brakes to release. I would check the brakes you can't tell if some some one with fork lift moved it around the yard.

[MarkEHansen]

Huh? What do you mean "needs power to release"? If the brakes are electric, they need power to apply braking power.

[roadglide]

Huh? What do you mean "needs power to release"? If the brakes are electric, they need power to apply braking power.
True my dumb.

[atkinsb3]

I did have power from the TV to the brakes and lights, but I think if the trailer would have come loose from the truck, it would have needed battery power for the breakaway switch to engage the brakes...which it wouldn't have had.:popcorn:

[MarkEHansen]

Right. And if your trailer were to come loose, you definitely don't want it running on it's own down the highway :)

[atkinsb3]

It's getting better but I've thought about unpinning the hitch, backing up real fast to a cliff and slamming on the brakes... guess it running on its own down the highway would get similar results:). But wouldn't want anyone getting hurt.

[cdotson]

Do you have your trailer inspected? I'm overdue on my VA state inspection, but haven't taken the trailer out yet this year.

I'd hope they'd catch something like that, neglecting the general futility of the inspection regime to do anything between inspections. I was busted last year for having a DIY breakaway cable (original rusted through) and forced to buy an OEM replacement. Apparently I chew up breakaway cables as shortly after my DIY (yeah, went back to it) broke between the hitch and a rock I hit backing, then the 2nd OEM one is half rusted through all in one season.

[atkinsb3]

I do. I kept it up on our previous trailer, but we bought our current trailer in June of last year and the inspection isn't due until the end of September. I know if it fails inspection it won't be because the ground wire connection to the frame is loose!?!?

[beeje]

IMHO, if you are not somewhat of a handy man, it will cost you a lot of grief and $ to own an RV. Just this past Memorial day weekend our water heater would not work on electric. I discovered the outside switch was toast and not moving at all. Pulled it out, disconnected it and jumped it with 2 connectors and a piece of wire. Ordered a new switch when we got home.

[atkinsb3]

I agree. I know more about RV problems and grief since we bought our new trailer than I ever did with our old one. Luckily I'm handy enough to fix most things with it. If not, it would still be sitting in the maintenance lot at the dealer... and then no telling what else they would screw up trying fixing what I had it in for. I've decided that the times they did work on it, Mr. Magoo's 5th grade shop class was visiting the service department and the service manager picked my trailer to give them some hands-on experience.:)

[JRTJH]

As RV's become more complex with increasing levels of "electronics and convenience" items, the potential for increased problems rises. Our 2014 Cougar doesn't have any of the "conveniences" that are present on the newer trailers. No auto level system, no "in-command system", no integrated cooling/remote system, no multiple thermostat sensing units, no electric adjusters on seating, no automatic lighting in cupboards/cabinets and the list could go on and on.....

IMHO, with each of these "convenience items" the potential for something else to go wrong increases. I sometimes wonder if the addition of such complex systems is more a "ploy" to increase dealership service department income or if it's intended to make the "RV experience" better for the customer..... To me, the jury is still out on where the "real motivation" rests.....