Maiden Voyage

[MRichaud]

Finally got the Xterra sorted out and we've hit the road! Spent last night near Tuscaloosa at Jennings Ferry Campground (picture), and just arrived in Slidell. Going to Jazz Fest this weekend.


Boiled crawfish this evening!

[Bob Denman]

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1556823885

[Grizz]

Cool! Be safe and have Fun!!

[MRichaud]

The ACE did very well, with the exception of a bit of buffeting by the wind and passing trucks. Still in the learning curve here, but will be doing some suspension modifications, per the posts here...



...once we recover from some of the cash deficits caused by buying all the towing equipment! At least I did the installation, and will do so with the suspension bits.

[Long & Winding road]

Thats great. Once you get the RV sorted out with "must have" your add on's and any factory defect you will be one happy camper.

[MRichaud]

Forgot to mention - the previous owner didn't do the cheap handling fix, so that will be the first step, and won't cost anything but time and maybe a busted knuckle (certainly not the first!) And actually, the buffeting wasn't too drastic, so I'm curious to see how much difference it will make. Main thing I'm concerned about is a bit of wandering off to the right, so an alignment is also in the works.

[MRichaud]

Follow-up now that we're back home:


The ACE did very well. As I mentioned, there were a few issues with buffeting by crosswinds and passing trucks, but they weren't all that bad. I will be doing the CHF soon and see how that does. Next step will be a steering stabilizer, and unless I miss my guess, those two mods should take care of most of the issues.


Gas mileage was a fair 8.6 pulling the Xterra between 55 and 65 mph. All in all, I'm pretty satisfied.


And more importantly, Jimmy Buffett was fantastic at Jazz Fest! Played nearly two hours, and it was obvious he was having as much fun as the audience. We OD'd on boiled crawfish and shrimp po-boys while in N.O., but wonder of wonders - I only gained about a half-pound. Probably sweated it all off at Jazz Fest!


But back to task, this trip did wonders for my self-confidence driving the ACE and pulling the Xterra. I won't go so far to say that I didn't know it was back there, but once underway it was quite easy. The rear-view camera is a plus, just to keep an eye on things.


Looking forward to the next venture!

[JEL]

Getting ready for our maiden voyage in our new Thor 31w. Has anyone made any mods to there suspension? Airbags? Sway bar?