New Z-1 zt301bh can't wait to go camping

JA

jakesz28

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2014
Messages
234
Location
Iowa
We bought a new RV. Can't wait for the weather to stay warm. We had a small pop up last year and only used it 4 or 5 times. Twice were week long trips and it was to small for a family of 4. Now I'm worried I got a camper that is to big to fit in some of the small places we camp at.
I'm pulling it with a 2006 Chevy 2500hd, gas 6.0L. It did OK taking it home but worried about the long halls when it's loaded down. Pulled it home in 30 mph winds.
I'm already starting to make changes. LED bulbs above the bed, bunks and couch, waiting to get some brighter ones in the main lights. May do some camping in non electric sites. Bought some MaxAir vent covers so I don't have to worry about leaving a vent open in the rain. Plus it will act as a little shade in the bed room. LED light strip going under the awning track this week end.

Biggest complaint so far is all the wood shavings and steel chips all over the place. Especially above the stove top. Plus I found two screws poking thru the couch cushions.

Any tips for a new RV'er?
 
Welcome. Mine is almost a year old and we just now think we have all the shavings cleaned up.
 
Welcome Jake, sounds like you're digging right in. Good luck with all your mods. Hope you get to take it out soon.

Travel Well,
Jim
 
Thanks. I am glad I found this place. Found some interesting things to consider.

The wife had it all cleaned out and we opened the slide a couple times. Looked in the corners and two more piles to clean up. I'm glad I looked at the range light before we cooked on the stove.

It is warming up. Next weekend I'm going to do some work to the RV. Then hopefully the following weekend we get to take it out.
 
jakesz28 said:
We bought a new RV. Can't wait for the weather to stay warm. We had a small pop up last year and only used it 4 or 5 times. Twice were week long trips and it was to small for a family of 4. Now I'm worried I got a camper that is to big to fit in some of the small places we camp at.
I'm pulling it with a 2006 Chevy 2500hd, gas 6.0L. It did OK taking it home but worried about the long halls when it's loaded down. Pulled it home in 30 mph winds.
I'm already starting to make changes. LED bulbs above the bed, bunks and couch, waiting to get some brighter ones in the main lights. May do some camping in non electric sites. Bought some MaxAir vent covers so I don't have to worry about leaving a vent open in the rain. Plus it will act as a little shade in the bed room. LED light strip going under the awning track this week end.

Biggest complaint so far is all the wood shavings and steel chips all over the place. Especially above the stove top. Plus I found two screws poking thru the couch cushions.

Any tips for a new RV'er?
Click to expand...

First, congrats on the upgrade!

know the winds your talking about..took a cross country trip last summer from Ohio to West Yellowstone and back via 80 going east and 90 coming home. holy moly. Iowa taught me a lesson on towing in windy conditions. so did southern Minnesota.

My best recommendation is to get the best WDH (Weight Distributing Hitch) you can afford. Do the research and get recommendations. Lots of stuff on this site.

Also, you'd be surprised how much EASIER towing a dual axle longer trailer is to maneuver than a single axle pop-up. Don't ask me why, but I had the hardest time backing in our pop-up and I whip our 35 trailer around like nobodies business. Has to do with the pivot point I guess.

I upgraded the chintzy fan in the bath on my trailer. I bought an all in one fan with motorized vent cover.

Also, get yourself a tongue scale. Too much weight on the tongue can really make a towing experience miserable. Trust me.
 
Welcome and congrats. Your chevy should be just fine towing that tt once you get a good wdh w/ integrated sway control dialed in properly. (What hitch are you running?). While it is true the bigger you go the more you limit your camping options, you should still be able to find some nice camping with that tt and enjoy the experience better. Practice driving, maneuvering and backing in an empty parking lot. You will get used to its size and handling quickly.

As for advice, don't run out and buy every gizmo in the first year. One very important one to have is a water pressure regulator (available really cheap at Wal-Mart). If you have the money a surge protector is a good investment too.
 
I will have to look at the brand. The RV dealer set up a round bar 10,000 lb wdh and a friction sway control.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
jakesz28 said:
I will have to look at the brand. The RV dealer set up a round bar 10,000 lb wdh and a friction sway control.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the new purchase and welcome to the forum!:)

Each dealer has their own favorites as do many members here. I suggest doing some research and determining what you feel is best suited to your needs. I used an Equal-I-Zer brand for years with our former TT and was happy with it but some of the newer designs get great reviews such as the Anderson No Sway WDH. A properly set up WDH with sway control can make your towing experience fantastic. Do some searches in the forum and feel free to ask questions. Lots if members here with great experience and advice.
 
Ours is all most seven year old and has about 25K on it had to clean out light fixtures last week. I think they breed:D
 
Just got done mounting the MaxAir Vent covers. Got them for $18 each. In champagne, the color stands out a little but the price was right. A six year warranty so they should hold up a while. Now I can leave them open and air this out.
 
One piece of advice I haven't seen mentioned yet is to keep a good set of tools and a step ladder with you when you camp. Extra fuses in all sizes that are used in the trailer is also a must.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new purchase. Hope you have many pleasant trips with it.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I am taking it out this weekend. I'm flying home today and hope to take it out tomorrow.
 
fhenn said:
Ours is all most seven year old and has about 25K on it had to clean out light fixtures last week. I think they breed:D
Click to expand...

We have a desk stored crossways in the back of the trailer under the overhead cabinets. When we got home last weekend DW noticed some wood chips on the desk. Still don't have a clue where they came from.
 
You will have visits from the wood chip fairy for at least a year. It's an added bonus with every new Crossroads now.

I think there's sawdust in every outlet, light fixture, and between the cabinets and walls from the factory.

Rest assured it's normal.
 
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