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Post by zanderman on May 26, 2020 12:25:45 GMT -5
My wife and I are expecting our new arrival this week, a Sonic Lite 169VRK.
It’s been several years in the making and lots of research on features, but we’re true noobs on the RV trailer life. We’ve done a little bit of camping and I’ve done a fair bit of backpacking, but this is new territory.
My wife has watched hours of YouTubes, but that’s no substitute for experience. We’re gonna take it slow, make sure the tow rig is up to it, get familiar with the WDH and EBC, leveling, refrigerator, charging systems, waste water management, bed comfort, maintenance, the whole deal before we make any extended trips.
We’re in the Piedmont area of North Carolina so not too many long inclines but Asheville is only a few hours west of us and will be a good test after we get a few miles logged.
Grew up in farming community and an electrical/mechanical engineer so have a good set of skills and tools for upgrades or repairs. Backing up should not be a problem other than relying on the rear camera... I’m more of a mirrors and throw-an-arm-over-the-seat kinda guy so that’ll take some adaptation, lol.
Anyway, hoping to hear from others in NC... I’m also on the Venture board.
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Post by midlotexan on May 26, 2020 15:54:44 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum! Great people on here, always eager to help!
Kirt
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Post by Edd505 on May 26, 2020 21:26:13 GMT -5
First tip, do not count on the mirrors backing and take your time. Have your wife give directions from the back of the trailer, find what works for you, walkie talkies, cell phones, hand signals. The 1st time you don't and back into something you will wish you had.
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Post by johnr on May 27, 2020 6:20:40 GMT -5
Hi, welcome to the forum!
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Post by zanderman on May 27, 2020 8:46:48 GMT -5
First tip, do not count on the mirrors backing and take your time. Have your wife give directions from the back of the trailer, find what works for you, walkie talkies, cell phones, hand signals. The 1st time you don't and back into something you will wish you had.
Yah we used to have a set of FRS radios and thinking I need to get a new set. The backup camera on the trailer will be helpful as well. My dad and I had a set of hand signals when backing feed wagons into tight spaces, I guess I'll need to teach them to my wife and watch her in my backup camera along with the radios. |
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Post by lynnmor on May 27, 2020 13:46:45 GMT -5
My wife is the spotter, she has learned that I don't move an inch unless I can see her and understand the directions. There are just too many obstacles in many campgrounds to depend on mirrors alone. For example, a genius decided to install site number stakes right on the corner of the drive making it physically impossible to back in without running in the grass at a state campground.
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bluegrass
Seasonal RV’er
2019 1500Durango 259rdd
Posts: 177
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Post by bluegrass on May 27, 2020 19:17:11 GMT -5
We use walk-talkies...I, the DW, was not using the hand signals that made sense to DH, lack of consistency and creativity didn't work...LOL,. Trust me, we were NOT laughing when we finally parked the trailer with hand-signals. I love the walkies for MANY reasons...well worth the investment. I try to stay in sight also but there are times I am moving behind the trailer to check both sides. Lynn is correct, many State parks and some private CG never put a trailer in the site when they were building/renovating. Then we have to remember some CG were build when 20 ft was a big camper...they are trying to make sites work for more campers.....not always good. You cannot count on a CG map but we try to look at what we might get into before we reserve..and then ask when we call...sometimes a site with a CG road, angled approach, or open area across from it helps.
I hope some of you are able to get out and enjoy traveling. We are still mostly locked-down for NYS Parks CGs, though we did see several Campers returning home on Labor Day.
Enjoy, safe travels, and stay health and safe
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Post by Edd505 on May 27, 2020 19:28:35 GMT -5
I like the hand signals but you both need on the same page. I drove 18 wheeler & wife has many miles riding shotgun. We use the same signals, large movements and she knows if she can't see me in the mirrors I can't see her. I have (had) a backup camera on the truck & just didn't work for me, no depth perception.
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Post by nvguy on May 27, 2020 22:48:26 GMT -5
Welcome to the site, good people here. One of the best sites for straight non wise guy answers. We started with hand signals - have moved to radios.
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Post by Chuck on May 31, 2020 19:05:23 GMT -5
zanderman Welcome to the Kz form an family  As I'm sure there is lots of good info here on the form, take'er slow an easy 
May you have many safe travels an camping memories 
Chuck
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Post by laknox on Jun 1, 2020 10:53:41 GMT -5
Welcome!
Lyle
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Post by zanderman on Jun 1, 2020 11:12:03 GMT -5
Thanks, everyone!
Brought the trailer home Friday, pouring rain for the 75 mile return trip.
As a first test, I backed the trailer down our driveway using mirrors and back-up camera. The Furrion screen is nice because of the guide lines, all I had to do was keep the far horizontal line evenly spaced between the sides of the driveway. It is a curving, downward sloping driveway so nice and challenging for a first attempt. Wife only had to get out as I got near the garage so that I didn't smack the eaves / gutters, but backed it in w/o much drama. At the time, we were using cell phones and mine was connected to BT on the 4Runner so hands-free to check mirrors and turn w/o hindrance. May not have cell reception at CG so will still be shopping for radios.
Oh, and it was raining... all that farm experience has paid off, I think!
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Post by laknox on Jun 1, 2020 11:23:09 GMT -5
Thanks, everyone! Brought the trailer home Friday, pouring rain for the 75 mile return trip. As a first test, I backed the trailer down our driveway using mirrors and back-up camera. The Furrion screen is nice because of the guide lines, all I had to do was keep the far horizontal line evenly spaced between the sides of the driveway. It is a curving, downward sloping driveway so nice and challenging for a first attempt. Wife only had to get out as I got near the garage so that I didn't smack the eaves / gutters, but backed it in w/o much drama. At the time, we were using cell phones and mine was connected to BT on the 4Runner so hands-free to check mirrors and turn w/o hindrance. May not have cell reception at CG so will still be shopping for radios. Oh, and it was raining... all that farm experience has paid off, I think! I knew one guy that got so frustrated with using walkies, that he found a surplus ground-guide intercom system and wired that into his trailer, with an extension into his truck. Just put on headphones and mike and she did, too. Yeah, guy was a vet and handy as hell, and it was pretty cool. :-) Lyle |
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Post by rvdude on Jun 12, 2020 10:25:23 GMT -5
Hi and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your new trailer.
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