[p]Just a one-nighter in the new 14DBS. Out and back, 260 miles, averaged 12.5 mpg with the '13 4-Runner. Stayed in a state park with nothing but dunes between us and the Pacific.[/p][p]
[/p][p](See other thread for report of the ever-exciting coupler jumping off the ball episode)[/p][p]
[/p][p]Checked at a weigh station, she was showing 3300#, I figure plus the tongue weight she was really 3600-3700#. Hefty margin of safety from the 5,000# tow rating. Her dry weight after all the options and such was 2900# and change.[/p][p]
[/p][p]On the flats, we could barely tell the trailer was there. We knew it in the hills, but it was pretty tame - something we attribute to the dual axles. We actually left the sway bar off after we recovered from the coupler jump. I don't think we'll bother putting it back on. My wife is convinced it had something to do with the coupler jump, though I can't see how.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Everything else went swimmingly. She is very well behaved when backing up. We have one ceiling light that has a dodgy switch. A 1000 watt electric heater in the Low position kept us toasty warm all night instead of running our propane. I had bought a pack of interlocking foam floor tiles for cushion and insulation, but took them out before the trip because, like everything you buy from Harbor Freight, they smelled like gasoline. They're airing out now, and I'm sure I'll try again. Getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom your bare feet can feel the cold even through the carpet mats.[/p][p]
[/p][p]The corners on all the cabinets are razor sharp. I'm going to take a stone to them and knock the knife edges down, then re-black them with a sharpie. Hope that does it.[/p][p]
[/p][p]High point in the coastal mountain pass was a measly 800'. Here's a tip I got from a cyclist friend. Find a website that maps your route and shows elevation and grade. I use [a href="http://ridewithgps.com/"]http://ridewithgps.com/[/a], it's free and allows you to pick a start and end point and drag the route to see alternates and avoid the highest/steepest routes. Or at least know when they're coming and what to expect.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Oh, and whatever dump hose you bought, throw it out and go back and buy the better one. You can never have too nice a dump hose. Mine separated from the collar as I was putting it on, and I had to wrestle it back on and hold it in place while dumping. Dump stations are about the last place you want to experience equipment failure.[/p][p]
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[quote source="/post/272/thread" timestamp="1395625183" author="@pinstriper"][p][span style="font-size:10pt;"]like everything you buy from Harbor Freight, they smelled like gasoline[/span][/p][p]
[/p][/quote] (rofl) This is the only reason I usually buy elsewhere. Unless it's a tool I will use once and throw away, then I can't stand the stench. My local HF reeks so badly that I try to hold my breath the whole time...
Sounds like you've worked out most of the kinks... glad nobody was hurt during the coupler incident. Everyone has a "new camper story" to share (usually it involves feces).