[p]Will be leaving Rocklin Ca. tomorrow and heading to Truckee for a 3 day stay. I have been putting new fans in and new floor. Also put in electric tongue lift, new box to hold 6 volt batteries with shut off switch and fuse.
I started the fridge yesterday on land power, will put propane tanks in tomorrow before I leave. Seems to be working OK, put wheels on generator "Honda 3000 is". It says about 50% chance of rain tomorrow and 60% on Saturday so I may not get to test the AC.
Will be going dirt bike riding when weather permits, and some hiking and pictures. The last part is because I have a 7 & 1/2 month old teenager dog that needs at least 2 "1 hour" walks a day, she is a Belgian Tervuren sheep cattle dog and is very high energy. They were not kidding when they said this kind of dog would be a handful and needed to be kept busy.
Thankfully I will have an experienced toy hauler family going up this weekend to help tune me in on all the little things that I have not learned yet. And finally the worst part is I still do not have any experience towing a trailer other than when I went and picked it up. But as for backing it into a camping place well I was going to go to wally world and practice, I just never had time and now it is time to go camping. That said my friends have lots of experience and will be there to help me! I really liked the 26 foot axxess with the front bed room, but I think I am glad my neighbors talked me into something a little smaller I am starting to feel at home in the 8.5x22 axxess.
Lee
Sunday evining, back home.
Trip was fun, when we got there no backing just pulled around in a partical circle. Set up camp, gathered firewood, and learned how to put out the awning. Now if this sounds strange to you will I did not know any better when I picked up my toy hauler, I just drove it home. No one showed me anything or went over the air, heater, water heater, pump, fridge electric hook up or awning.
Now comes the good part, my teacher who has been doing this for 25 years told me they were supposted to do all that, it was part of the way to make sure everything worked!
Guess I was a little naive, so first night I had added a costco mattress memory foam topper and was tired so I just used double size sleeping bag on bed. Nice! But about a hour later the heater comes on, it has never been used so it has that new smell. I get up and look at thermostat it has a lever on top that does not move. So I go back to bed and about 2 hours later I decide it is getting cold so I turn up the thermostate and heater comes back on all is good. Next morning I tell the other camper about my experance, so he looks at thermostate. We take off the cover and can not figure out why the switch on top will not move so put the cover back on and add it to my list of thinks to ask livinlite about.
We had breakfest, cleaned up and I went out dirt bike ridding. It was a lot even though I did get a little lost I finley got back to camp. This was Saturday evening. Lite the fire had some beer and dinner and talked about my rv. I decided it was time for a shower, earlier I had washed some dishes and there had been hot water or so I thought. I turn on the hot water in the shower put my hand under the spray and it is cold, then it gets warm then I here the pump come on and it gets cold again. While I am standing there it gets warm again and turns back cold. You guessed it I had a cold shower!
After enjoying the fire and a few more beers the rain finley came about 10:20 pm so I went to bed, turned the thermostate up and nothing. Now I do not have a heater eather, went to sleep wondering if the dealer was still laughing at me. Going back in time for a minute, when I got back from my ride I noticed that my fridige said 60 and light was blinking also freezer was warmining up. Got the book out and found out I had it set on auto from having it plugged in at the house, and you can only use propane not auto when not hooked up to city power. So I changed it and things started getting better. Yes the dealer has been laughing!
I have been keeping the theenager dog in her crate at night, I would hate to see her get sick from eating my rv. I also put her in there while I go ridding and trun on the new fan "nice". We went for a 40 mile ride in the Sierra mountains to day "Sunday", it was really cool. I was just the passanger in a razer like ride but took the camera and was able to take in the sites.
Came back late afternoon and broke camp and headed home!
In spite of problems with rv it was a blast. I will open a flicker site and post a few pics.
Lee[/p][p]Here is the link to my photobucket http://s571.photobucket.com/user/oprlrt/library/#/user/oprlrt/library/?sort=3&page=1&_suid=1433823000877006617057138235466
[/p]
[quote timestamp="1433478670" author="@oprlrt" source="/post/11961/thread"][p]And finally the worst part is I still do not have any experience towing a trailer other than when I went and picked it up. But as for backing it into a camping place well I was going to go to wally world and practice, I just never had time and now it is time to go camping.
[/p][/quote]Lee,
Sounds like a great trip you have planned! Here's the two best ideas I can offer on your "inexperience":
1. Just put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and keep telling yourself "It ain't rocket science". Every fool with half a brain and a boat somehow manages to back it up. You're bound to do at least as well and probably better.
2. Most importantly, DO NOT LET ANYONE RUSH YOU. Take it as slow as molasses and it'll go just where you want it. Someone getting impatient to move past? Let 'em wait. It's a campground, for heaven sake. What's the rush?
And lastly, enjoy. You've probably looked forward to this experience for some time. This is it. Have fun!
[quote source="/post/11961/thread" author="@oprlrt" timestamp="1433478670"][p]Will be leaving Rocklin Ca. tomorrow and heading to Truckee for a 3 day stay. I have been putting new fans in and new floor. Also put in electric tongue lift, new box to hold 6 volt batteries with shut off switch and fuse.
I started the fridge yesterday on land power, will put propane tanks in tomorrow before I leave. Seems to be working OK, put wheels on generator "Honda 3000 is". It says about 50% chance of rain tomorrow and 60% on Saturday so I may not get to test the AC.
Will be going dirt bike riding when weather permits, and some hiking and pictures. The last part is because I have a 7 & 1/2 month old teenager dog that needs at least 2 "1 hour" walks a day, she is a Belgian Tervuren sheep cattle dog and is very high energy. They were not kidding when they said this kind of dog would be a handful and needed to be kept busy.
Thankfully I will have an experienced toy hauler family going up this weekend to help tune me in on all the little things that I have not learned yet. And finally the worst part is I still do not have any experience towing a trailer other than when I went and picked it up. But as for backing it into a camping place well I was going to go to wally world and practice, I just never had time and now it is time to go camping. That said my friends have lots of experience and will be there to help me! I really liked the 26 foot axxess with the front bed room, but I think I am glad my neighbors talked me into something a little smaller I am starting to feel at home in the 8.5x22 axxess.
Lee
[/p][/quote]Lee, we were just in Truckee last weekend. Nice little town and 3 good places to eat there. Watched the news last night and the chance of T storms is way down (20%) so I think you will be hit and miss on the rain. Plus mostly South of us today. That being said we know how reliable weathermen are :o. You boondocks or staying at the RV park there? We checked it out last weekend and didn't like the fact that there were permanent campers throughout the park. Backing is not to bad you'll get it down soon enough. Happy camping from Reno.
I will offer the following:
1) A 22' trailer is not all that big, don't let it freak you out.
2) You know that slow guy in the right lane driving an RV or pulling a trailer ? Be that guy. Be comfortable being that guy. It's OK if people pass you or pull in front of you. Expect it. Welcome it.
3) When backing up, you will rarely be exactly straight with the trailer. And you probably don't really want to be. When it's straight, you really can't see both sides to the wheels anyway, and certainly not both rear corners. But when you have an angle, you can see the wheel and corner on one side. So figure out where that wheel needs to be in order to clear both sides and be where you want to be. Your spotter shouldn't be trying to tell you anything other than what's happening with the rear corner you can't see.
4) When backing in, don't be afraid to get out and put out markers that you need to hit. Actually putting a wheel chock on the ground so you know you are as far into the campsite as you want to be is very helpful, but you need to have measured the distance from the rear of your trailer to the back wheel, so you can know where to place it. Pay attention to where you want that little piece of curb to be, relative to your trailer, so it doesn't interfere with the stabilizer jacks.
5) Drive with the rear wheels in mind. Tight turns, pulling across intersections, changing lanes, etc. you are probably twice as long, or more, than just your tow vehicle.
I'll bet she's a beautiful dog. And oh ya, you'll be fine with the trailer; just keep a sense of humor about backing it into a campsite and know that you are providing excellent entertainment to your camping neighbors who have nothing better to do than watch you heat up your power steering fluid.
Looking forward to future trip reports!!!! Are you hauling 4 or 2 wheelers in the Toy Hauler?
Have fun and enjoy the adventure!!!!!
[quote timestamp="1433478670" author="@oprlrt" source="/post/11961/thread"][p]Will be leaving Rocklin Ca. tomorrow and heading to Truckee for a 3 day stay. I have been putting new fans in and new floor. Also put in electric tongue lift, new box to hold 6 volt batteries with shut off switch and fuse.
I started the fridge yesterday on land power, will put propane tanks in tomorrow before I leave. Seems to be working OK, put wheels on generator "Honda 3000 is". It says about 50% chance of rain tomorrow and 60% on Saturday so I may not get to test the AC.
Will be going dirt bike riding when weather permits, and some hiking and pictures. The last part is because I have a 7 & 1/2 month old teenager dog that needs at least 2 "1 hour" walks a day, she is a Belgian Tervuren sheep cattle dog and is very high energy. They were not kidding when they said this kind of dog would be a handful and needed to be kept busy.
Thankfully I will have an experienced toy hauler family going up this weekend to help tune me in on all the little things that I have not learned yet. And finally the worst part is I still do not have any experience towing a trailer other than when I went and picked it up. But as for backing it into a camping place well I was going to go to wally world and practice, I just never had time and now it is time to go camping. That said my friends have lots of experience and will be there to help me! I really liked the 26 foot axxess with the front bed room, but I think I am glad my neighbors talked me into something a little smaller I am starting to feel at home in the 8.5x22 axxess.
Lee
[/p][/quote]Sure would enjoy seeing pics of your new Axxess and hearing how it goes for you. There doesn't seem to be many Axxess/Polaris owners out there, even fewer who post here regularly, so it will be really good to hear about your experiences.
We did buy the 26 ft. specifically for the front bedroom, but found ourselves just this past weekend sleeping on the Happijac bed with back cargo door open, screen down to face the Atlantic Ocean. Lullled to sleep by the sounds of the surf and waking to the sun's first rays displayed above the ocean's horizon was extraordinary. Have pics, but that's another topic. The Happijac is spacious, though the mattress is harder than the front bedroom's. However, with enough pillows and cushy bedclothes, it was hardly noticeable by night #2. We're learning that the front bedroom without a dedicated A/C heats up quickly in warm weather especially if the sun is shining directly on it. Mattress is warm and comfy in cooler weather, but too hot for one of us when temps rise.
As to the 26 vs. 22 ft. difference, we were indeed nervous in the beginning, but are learning that there's nothing to it but to do it. We're doing it....and if we can do it....anyone can! Just take it nice and slow. You'll find folks at the campgrounds gracious to wait and/or help. They've been through this learning curve too.
Enjoy your new Axxess. We can tell you that we REALLY like ours! Oh, do prepare for the attention you'll get especially from younger folks who like the exterior finish, though not as much as woodpeckers!
[quote source="/post/11964/thread" timestamp="1433507300" author="@ammobob"][quote source="/post/11961/thread" timestamp="1433478670" author="@oprlrt"][p]Will be leaving Rocklin Ca. tomorrow and heading to Truckee for a 3 day stay. I have been putting new fans in and new floor. Also put in electric tongue lift, new box to hold 6 volt batteries with shut off switch and fuse.
I started the fridge yesterday on land power, will put propane tanks in tomorrow before I leave. Seems to be working OK, put wheels on generator "Honda 3000 is". It says about 50% chance of rain tomorrow and 60% on Saturday so I may not get to test the AC.
Will be going dirt bike riding when weather permits, and some hiking and pictures. The last part is because I have a 7 & 1/2 month old teenager dog that needs at least 2 "1 hour" walks a day, she is a Belgian Tervuren sheep cattle dog and is very high energy. They were not kidding when they said this kind of dog would be a handful and needed to be kept busy.
Thankfully I will have an experienced toy hauler family going up this weekend to help tune me in on all the little things that I have not learned yet. And finally the worst part is I still do not have any experience towing a trailer other than when I went and picked it up. But as for backing it into a camping place well I was going to go to wally world and practice, I just never had time and now it is time to go camping. That said my friends have lots of experience and will be there to help me! I really liked the 26 foot axxess with the front bed room, but I think I am glad my neighbors talked me into something a little smaller I am starting to feel at home in the 8.5x22 axxess.
Lee
[/p][/quote]Lee, we were just in Truckee last weekend. Nice little town and 3 good places to eat there. Watched the news last night and the chance of T storms is way down (20%) so I think you will be hit and miss on the rain. Plus mostly South of us today. That being said we know how reliable weathermen are :o. You boondocks or staying at the RV park there? We checked it out last weekend and didn't like the fact that there were permanent campers throughout the park. Backing is not to bad you'll get it down soon enough. Happy camping from Reno.[/quote]Man I knew I should never believe the weatherman. You would think that at 60 years old I would have learned. Lee hope you didn't get to soaked. 20% must mean rain like cats and dogs, lightening everywhere, hail and possible tornados. 30% chance today so we'll probably get washed away.