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Post by rhodycampers on Apr 22, 2015 11:45:59 GMT -5
Hi KZ Owners:
We JUST took delivery on our 2015 Spree 262 from Campers Inn in New Hampshire last weekend after a VERY long northeast winter. We live in Rhode Island and are completely new to camping. Our first 'shake-down cruise' is a whopping 15 miles from our house where we'll spend 3 nights at Fishermen's Memorial Park near Point Judith, Rhode Island! Anyone else out there with a similar TT in our area or elsewhere? Words of wisdom? Ken
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Post by johnr on Apr 23, 2015 7:03:21 GMT -5
Welcome to the group! Hope you enjoy your first trip out. Got propane and electric cord adapters?
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Post by rhodycampers on Apr 23, 2015 8:32:42 GMT -5
Hi John:
Yes, we have propane and also 2 adapters, 1 from the 30 amp cord to a 110V regular plug and one for connection to 50Amp. I'm still learning the systems as our orientation really wasn't too complete so I spent last Sunday just hooking up hoses, running water, flushing holding tanks, getting hot water, etc so here are some random thoughts:
1. I learned that the trailer does not come with its own lug wrench so I bought a 3/4" wrench at Walmart.
2. I now have a water pressure regulator AND in-line water filter.
3. Should I have a surge protector as a couple of people around me have suggested but don't know anything else about getting one?
4. If I get a flat on the trailer, can I use the leveler jacks to raise the flat tire off the ground?
5. Just how much pressure should I put on the leveler jacks when the camper is sitting?
6. Any suggestions on a cover to keep the leaves off the roof and maybe for storage down south in the winter?
Thanks,
Ken
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Post by johnr on Apr 23, 2015 11:31:15 GMT -5
Yes, water filters can be important depending on where you're camping.
A surge protector between the box and your cord? I honestly have never used one. You could spend a lot of money on them, needing a 50 amp, 30 amp and 20 amp depending on where you go. I guess they're never a bad idea, right?
What leveler jacks are you referring to? The electric ones or scissor type? They say you can use the electric ones to change a tire, but I've never done it. Scissor jacks usually aren't rated for that kind of weight.
There are two concepts. Leveling a trailer and stabilizing it.
Level the unit side to side and front to back so that things operate properly (so your doors don't fall open or shut, so the fridge runs optimally, so you're not walking crooked or sleeping with your head up or down). You always want your unit as level as possible.
Stabilizing the unit means taking the wiggle or shake out when you're moving around inside it.
The same jacks usually serve both purposes. I always try to get as level as possible side to side when setting up.
When stabilizing the camper, put just enough pressure on the jacks to take the wiggle out. Once you get a few trips under you, you'll notice when walking in the camper if it shakes. It's especially noticeable if you're trying to sleep and someone is walking around LOL. Depending on the ground, you may have to attend to this job more than once on a trip. If your boards sink into the ground, it will cause the trailer to become unstable again.
Sorry, don't know about covers.
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Post by shortlance on Apr 23, 2015 14:08:32 GMT -5
If you can afford one I'd recommend a surge protector. My 50 amp protector also works on 30amp also- not sure about 20 but I never run on just 20 amp. Can't really run more then one thing at a time with just 20 amp. A good surge protector not only protects against power surges but will also trip if campground voltage gets too low. Low voltage will slowly corrupt electronics and shorten the life of your electronic equipment. Camping world has good ones--just watch for a sale and you can save a lot. I have talked to two different people that purchased one after having to spend a small fortune to replace appliances that fell victim to a power surge. At very least you should have a volt meter plugged in an outlet just to be sure your campground has proper voltage. Some places have a voltage drop if it is really hot and everyone is running their air conditioners.
You said that you are new to camping so just be ready for the time of your life!! Almost everyone at campgrounds are more then happy to help you out and give advice to help new campers learn and enjoy their campers. If everyone was as friendly and helpful as campers the world would be a much better place.
Enjoy your new toy,
Thane and Sharon
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 23, 2015 14:11:05 GMT -5
1. Make sure that your lug wrench fits the spare tire lugs as well, I've seen them different. Better still, get a torque wrench with the proper socket. A cheap, usable one can be purchased at Harbor Freight. Use it now and often. Also check the cold tire pressure often.
2. If you got the cheap barrel shaped regulator, they can be restrictive and useless.
3. A bigger worry than a surge is low voltage. Get a voltmeter and check it often. An AC can be damaged if the voltage drops below 104. Many campgrounds are wired poorly and on a Friday evening when crowds roll in and start their AC's and water heaters seems to be the worst time. If you see low voltage, turn the AC off.
4. Never use the stab jacks to lift a trailer as you can twist the frame. I use a jack under the spring u-bolts but I have beefed up axles. The frames and axles are extremely light on this model so you have to be careful. If you run the good tire up on blocks is one way.
5. Not much, just a little more after ground contact. Again, this frame will twist like a noodle.
6. Adco
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Post by rhodycampers on Apr 23, 2015 15:02:40 GMT -5
WOW! Thanks to John, Thane, Sharon, and Lynn (at least I think those are your names!)....Awesome advice!!!! I am SO excited to start camping soon now that the weather is TRYING to improve in the northeast. Anyone from the northeast? Anyone going to the KZ rendezvous in Pennsylvania mid-June?
Just to be clear on leveling and stabilizing, based on what I'm reading?:
- The hitch jack (power on ours) will LEVEL the camper front-to-back? Simply adjust as needed to level? But what happens if there is a big downward slope to the camp site- is there such a thing as jacking up too much and therefore, a set of tires might have more or less weight on them? I guess add or subtract a block under this foot?
- There are 2 sets of what I now think we call 'stabilizer' jacks- they are 'scissor' shaped and power operated. One SET (left/right) is forward under the trailer and the other SET (left/right) is towards the rear. These simply need to meet the ground enough to take the wobble out of walking around the camper? Side note: I noticed when I put them down when I got the trailer home that one side went down with the button but the opposite side I had to help along by pushing it towards the ground- is this normal?
- If I want to level from side to side, then the way to do that would be with my orange level pads (Lego like blocks). I would place a set under the tires on one side to anticipate a sideways slope in the ground before rolling the camper into position? If this is correct method and I GUESS I might need say, the height of 2 blocks but then it's slightly off side-to-side, what do I do to even it out? Do I need to pull the camper off and add or subtract an orange block?
Do I have this correct?
Thanks AGAIN,
Ken
Rhode Island
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Post by johnr on Apr 23, 2015 16:04:15 GMT -5
Yes, you can put blocks under your hitch to ensure you don't run out of jack.
That doesn't seem normal to me... if there's a button for the jacks, they should operate smoothly.
What I do is put my trailer where I want it. I have a level that I then throw on the back bumper to check side to side. I will then make an educated guess based on how far the bubble is to the left or right how much I need to build up under the tires. It takes a little practice to get to know your trailer.
Lay your legos or boards next to the tires you want to raise, then pull forward or backward, slide the legos into place and pull back to the original position. Check your level. Repeat if necessary. If the bubble is toward the left line, you need to raise the right side. If bubble toward the right, raise the left side. One trick for that is to pick up the side of the level so that it's centered. That's the side you need to raise. Does that make sense?
Sorry, feel like I'm fumbling over myself trying to explain this one.
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Post by rhodycampers on Apr 23, 2015 19:32:11 GMT -5
Yes, makes perfect sense. I'll go check the stabilizing jacks- I was so happy that I got the trailer backed into my driveway and level, that I haven't touched it since I got it home! One trick I learned from the dealer is I bought a single round bubble level that detects both side to side and front and back with the one small device. I put it inside on the kitchen counter for now but he suggested putting it in the refrigerator since it's crucial to have it be completely level there.
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