Another total rookie question

Sandals 123 · 03-17-2019, 06:53 AM

As we finally work up the courage to take our 29RKS out another question came up.

We live on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver Island and during what I would consider "shoulder season" early spring and later Fall the overnight temperature can dip down to - 1 to - 3. If we are actively using the RV should I be concerned about anything freezing even though daytime temperatures will be in the 10 to 15 range?

Thanks
Alan

66joej · 03-17-2019, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandals 123

As we finally work up the courage to take our 29RKS out another question came up.

We live on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver Island and during what I would consider "shoulder season" early spring and later Fall the overnight temperature can dip down to - 1 to - 3. If we are actively using the RV should I be concerned about anything freezing even though daytime temperatures will be in the 10 to 15 range?

Thanks
Alan

Talking Celsius? Just run your furnace at night and you should be OK. The enclosed underbelly has a heat duct to keep tanks/valves from freezing. You may have to disconnect your fresh water hose if it gets down much below freezing.

nellie1289 · 03-17-2019, 07:45 AM

You can also get a heated water hose off amazon if you desire

Sandals 123 · 03-17-2019, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66joej

Talking Celsius? Just run your furnace at night and you should be OK. The enclosed underbelly has a heat duct to keep tanks/valves from freezing. You may have to disconnect your fresh water hose if it gets down much below freezing.

Yes, talking Celsius, sorry for not clarifying that. Thanks for the reply, I forgot that the dealer told me about the heated underbelly. These new RVs are so sophisticated compared to my old VW Westfalia... Lol.

So, just to be clear, I have run out of excuses for not taking our maiden voyage?

nellie1289 · 03-17-2019, 08:46 AM

I camped in my driveway before I went anywhere to make sure I was ready. Not kidding. Ha

Sandals 123 · 03-17-2019, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nellie1289

I camped in my driveway before I went anywhere to make sure I was ready. Not kidding. Ha

That is probably a great idea! So far, we have enjoyed the "idea" of being 5th owners, now it's time to actually get her out on the road... and slight panic and elevated heart rate is kicking in...

ADQ K9 · 03-17-2019, 09:48 AM

Baby Steps Practice, it will be second nature in no time. We do the same up here (push the seasons) and have not had a problem in those temps converted to F. Our deciding factor on when to hang it up is when it gets too slick to move in and out of storage.

Sandals 123 · 03-17-2019, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADQ K9

Baby Steps Practice, it will be second nature in no time. We do the same up here (push the seasons) and have not had a problem in those temps converted to F. Our deciding factor on when to hang it up is when it gets too slick to move in and out of storage.

I have heard that it becomes second nature but where I am standing, it seems daunting. My dealer, Greg's RV in Duncan, BC, have been very helpful and accommodating which makes the process seem more manageable. In fact, when we bought the unit in November, they had us spend a night in their lot... Lol. We didn't want to cook in the new rig so we ordered in pizza and I had to go to the locked gate for the delivery. We even bought our fireplace and the dogs...

66joej · 03-17-2019, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandals 123

I have heard that it becomes second nature but where I am standing, it seems daunting. My dealer, Greg's RV in Duncan, BC, have been very helpful and accommodating which makes the process seem more manageable. In fact, when we bought the unit in November, they had us spend a night in their lot... Lol. We didn't want to cook in the new rig so we ordered in pizza and I had to go to the locked gate for the delivery. We even bought our fireplace and the dogs...

Looks like you're already camping. Enjoy!

RRTrick · 03-18-2019, 07:17 PM

We are just across the Saanich inlet from you in Sidney and we are in a very similar situation. We bought a second hand unit out of Campbell River, hauled it home and are waiting till May to do a cross Canada trip. We have to make a point of getting out there as well cus that is the only way we are going to learn.

**JRTJH** · 03-18-2019, 07:42 PM

Sandals123 and RRTrick,

You've both already taken the first step when you towed it home. The "hurdle is behind you" so to speak. From here, it only gets better (and easier) the more often you do it. I urge you not to let your RV sit until you forget all the experience you gained "in that first tow".... It's not quite like riding a bicycle. You can forget all the tricks of the trade, but towing a trailer isn't as daunting as it seems, the more you do it the more you'll enjoy it....

Hitch em up and hit the road YEHAAAAA

**sourdough** · 03-18-2019, 07:53 PM

^^^^What he said. The thought of all that "stuff" can seem daunting but in reality it's not. Study your manuals (usually minimal help), talk to our dealer, do your internet searches and then, more importantly, ask here. The first round may be a little trying but, after that, it will become 2nd nature and.....FUN. No worries, just hook 'er up and go; it will all fall into place quickly; and, any concerns, problems, failures can be addressed here.

vampress_me · 03-18-2019, 08:20 PM

At the end of the camping season here for us, our camper has sat at our house unwinterized with temps getting down to 20*F (-6.7*C) for a few nights each year until I can get it in to be winterized. We’ve camped in it in the Bighorn Mtns where it would get down to that at night also (in the middle of August of all the times!). As long as you have propane and the heater is on, I don’t think you will have any problem since it warms up again during the day. The heated underbelly works for those temps. Even if we did freeze the water hose one night.

As far as getting out and going? Go! As John said, you already did the first and hardest towing - getting it home. Just take it easy the first few times until you get the hang of it, and don’t cut your right turns too close. And have fun!

Sandals 123 · 03-21-2019, 04:53 AM

Thanks everyone for the encouragement! I really appreciate the support.

I have just downloaded an app for my Android phone called Checklist Pro, it has a list for pre-trip, trip and packing up. It seems pretty comprehensive. Has anyone used a tool like this or something like it?

Thanks
Alan

ADQ K9 · 03-21-2019, 06:07 AM

More details on the app please if you could. Is it a generic check list or RV specific?

Sandals 123 · 03-21-2019, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADQ K9

More details on the app please if you could. Is it a generic check list or RV specific?

It is a RV specific App and there is a free version and an upgraded version for $1.

As I have never taken my 29RKS out yet, the idea of a checklist was appealing to me. I found a couple of "paper lists" but I thought that an app would be easier as I always have my phone with me.

Here is a picture of the home page of the app.

**JRTJH** · 03-21-2019, 07:30 AM

I find that "checklists in Apps form" are generic and usually have many items that don't apply to my situation, so being "human most times" I tend to skip over the areas that don't apply. Over time, I've found that I'll skip more than intended and miss the two or three steps that do apply that are located between the "don't need these" parts.... So, if I'm going to "skip parts" why even use it?? Just my opinion...

Besides, everywhere we've camped (or trailered to be more specific) in the past 10+ years has had a WalMart within 10 miles, so anything we forgot to pack is "literally, right around the corner"....

I've found a good comprehensive "hitch checklist" is usually all that gets used after the first couple of trips anyway, and for many of us, after a couple of years, even that gets "left in the door compartment of the truck".....

In other words, make your checklist of what to pack, hang it on the refrigerator door (in your house kitchen) a couple of days (or a week) ahead of departure, as you think of things, write them on the list. Make sure you pack those things and for any checklist you do make, be sure the last entry is:

Lock the house and put on "travelin' smiles".....

Logan X · 03-21-2019, 08:06 AM

I don’t really use a checklist except for groceries and things I need to make sure make it into the trailer, like medicine. I always do a walk around the truck and trailer before I pull out to make sure the hitch looks good, all of the hatches are locked, the hoses are put away, and the shore power cord is put away.

cookinwitdiesel · 03-21-2019, 08:34 AM

I head out on my first trip (6 months after bringing the trailer home) tomorrow night. I spent yesterday making a 2 page checklist of stuff to pack and things to check. It has been a good process.

And I am massively over packing on tools and such just in case

ADQ K9 · 03-21-2019, 08:46 AM

I was thinking more along the lines of a pre trip/post trip walk around perspective. DW and I check each others work inside and out to confirm we are ready to go. Inside items include securment of doors (we bungie strap our kitchen cabinets) drawers, furniture, shower doors,television etc. Outside items include water/sewer connections, awning, slides, stabilizer jacks, shore power cord. Then we go to the truck which has its own trailer connection check list. Now a laminated paper copy of one for both the truck and trailer is a good idea. Check of with a dry erase marker.
Maybe keep them in a small 3 ring binder in a seat pocket along with other important paperwork or manuals that are referenced frequently.

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