Hello From Florida West Coast First Timer

[RVMichael]

Hi All!

I posted to somebody else's thread, but thought I would start a new thread just to officially say Hello.

Hello!

My wife Mary and myself, Michael, are early retirees who lived on the West Coast of Florida before retiring. We are first time RV'ers. The RV is a 2018 Thor Vegas with a 24.1 floor plan. Our plan is to hit all 55 Florida state parks that have RV campsites, starting with the closest to us and working our way out to the furthest from us. Should be fun (he says nervously, LOL.)

I have a ton of questions and need tons of advice. I have a 20 foot boat that I use for camping so I understand the concept of less is more when camping. However, my concern is to 1. make sure I make the camping experience enjoyable for my city raised wife and 2. keep the RV in tip-top condition since it was brand new when we bought it.

Here's my first question...we have purchased a Cricket golf cart and carrier specifically designed for the Cricket to hang on the end of the RV. Since the Cricket is only 303 pounds and the carrier is about 50 pounds, I'm thinking it will be well inside the 500 pound tongue weight limit. However, should I think about secondary bracing? Am I asking for trouble? Should I look at a beefier hauler that includes multiple receivers? The intended use for at least the first year is local meaning 150 plus or minus miles out to camp and then a 150 miles back to our home base. Any opinions welcome, especially clean experienced opinions!

Thanks,

Michael

[JamieGeek]

Congratulations and welcome.

[JamieGeek]

If you have access to your RV could you measure the couch width (outside dimensions)? Is it 68"?

[RVMichael]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

If you have access to your RV could you measure the couch width (outside dimensions)? Is it 68"?

It is currently in the shop down the street for the cameras, but I would very much like to have an excuse to go visit. I'll be right back and give you a measurement.

BTW, we are trying to get rid of the couch. Would you be interested in taking it off our hands? it is brand new fresh from the factory and never be used as we have not camped in or RV yet.

[The Gritz Carlton]

I would be careful with extending the hitch with only 500# capacity. "They" say, whoever "They" is, that any extension to a factory hitch reduces capacity by 50%. Add to this the vertical surges of hitting bumps and dips along the way. Have a professional hitch installer look at it and beef it up if possible.

[RVMichael]

Originally Posted by RVMichael

It is currently in the shop down the street for the cameras, but I would very much like to have an excuse to go visit. I'll be right back and give you a measurement.

BTW, we are trying to get rid of the couch. Would you be interested in taking it off our hands? it is brand new fresh from the factory and never be used as we have not camped in or RV yet.

I measured it right at 67 and 1/2 inches so I would say 68 inches would be an accurate measurement.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by RVMichael

It is currently in the shop down the street for the cameras, but I would very much like to have an excuse to go visit. I'll be right back and give you a measurement.

BTW, we are trying to get rid of the couch. Would you be interested in taking it off our hands? it is brand new fresh from the factory and never be used as we have not camped in or RV yet.

LOL nope I've already replaced our couch with recliners...
(see here: http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f17...tml#post100858 In fact if you go to the end of that thread you'll see where the couch size question pops up).

[RVMichael]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

I would be careful with extending the hitch with only 500# capacity. "They" say, whoever "They" is, that any extension to a factory hitch reduces capacity by 50%. Add to this the vertical surges of hitting bumps and dips along the way. Have a professional hitch installer look at it and beef it up if possible.

A little googling and I think the first stop will be a very reputable hitch shop a 1/2 mile down the street before I pick up the Cricket. Even though the Cricket is only 300 pounds, it sure would give a feeling of comfort to have a pro give an opinion and fix if necessary. A few hundred dollars vs. worrying and given my luck having a golf cart bounce down I-75 in downtown Atlanta during rush hour causing damage to car after car. Yeah, a small trip and few bucks now is definitely worth it.

[The Gritz Carlton]

I live in ATL...you won't have to worry about bumping around and up and down in downtown ATL...if it broke, you'll be sitting still anyway! Offer free use of a toilet and you'll have all the help you need!! Smart of you to have it looked at...you probably just saved yourself a huge insurance claim...real close to your first voyage!

[RVMichael]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

I live in ATL...you won't have to worry about bumping around and up and down in downtown ATL...if it broke, you'll be sitting still anyway! Offer free use of a toilet and you'll have all the help you need!! Smart of you to have it looked at...you probably just saved yourself a huge insurance claim...real close to your first voyage!

LOLOL...

[revjeffrey]

I always connect "trays" middle to hitch, left & right bolted to left & right outer hitch rails or the chassis frame. No wobble Very firm & sturdy.

[Summerwind]

Re couch
Jamie G I stand corrected then
But that means the one I looked at at lemons world had 5" armrests on each end
Hmmm

[The Gritz Carlton]

"I always connect "trays" middle to hitch, left & right bolted to left & right outer hitch rails or the chassis frame"


WHAT?? Can't picture this. We're talking about overloading hitch capacity more so than horizontal stability.

[Tony&Sheryl]

Originally Posted by Summerwind

Re couch
Jamie G I stand corrected then
But that means the one I looked at at lemons world had 5" armrests on each end
Hmmm

I have a 2016 Vegas 24.1 and stop by the CW that is a couple of miles down the rd from us quite often. I have been in the 2018 Vegas 24.1 many,many times and can tell you without a doubt the 18 has the exact couch as our 16 outside armrest to outside armrest.....

[Summerwind]

Originally Posted by Tony&Sheryl

I have a 2016 Vegas 24.1 and stop by the CW that is a couple of miles down the rd from us quite often. I have been in the 2018 Vegas 24.1 many,many times and can tell you without a doubt the 18 has the exact couch as our 16 outside armrest to outside armrest.....

I was wrong in this
I stand corrected
Sorry
I'll use the excuse I was tired from driving to look at the unit!
58" interior 68" total
My bad
Mea culpa
Mea maxima culpa

[RVMichael]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

LOL nope I've already replaced our couch with recliners...
(see here: http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f17...tml#post100858 In fact if you go to the end of that thread you'll see where the couch size question pops up).

Maybe I will just store it and just put it in for the grandkids.

[lazinskm]

If it is 68 inches and jack knife I am interested. I live in Tampa. pm me if interested.