First trip - special things to check - 5,000 miles

[englewoodfl]

Other than driving StarShine (2023 23FBT) for a very limited miles locally we haven't put it to the test. Leaving for a 5,000 trip up to northern Minnesota, east across Canada and then back to SW Florida. This is also my first time towing a trailer.



I'll do the obvious such as inspecting underneath, checking tire pressures and ensuring the SwayPro is correct. I noticed one minor concern and one major concern. Minor - the power awning is noisy. Major - the power jack is incredibly noisy towards the end of travel and it needs to work for hooking and unhooking the SwayPro bars.


Anything else???

[Piggy Bank]

Do you have what you need to be decently self-sufficient? These all address safety and the ability to keep on rolling.

Tire inflator (viair 88p is what we have-buy on amazon)
Torque wrench and breaker bar to tighten lug nuts?
Spare parts on any "hard to buy at Walmart " items (we carry spares of our equalizer hitch pins and brackets since they are unusual and if we lost or damaged we would be unable to hitch up. buy on amazon)

You mention the jack. Do you have the crank handle to manually use if the power jack fails? Do you have a spare "bottle jack" you could use for an emergency? Tip: if your batteries are a bit undercharged because your rig has been sitting, we find if we get the truck close enough to plug in the 7 pin, that the jack gets more power.

Have you watched the you tube video on how to change an airstream tire? Best to watch at home in your easy chair to have in mind.

Since you are new to towing in general, I would write out some checklists for different scenarios.

Check list on overnight when not unhitching. To do when arriving, to do when departing.
Check list for overnight when you do unhitch. To do when arriving, to do when departing.

If you are traveling with another person, be sure each person knows and understands all the steps on what should be done, inside and outside, hitching, adjusting mirrors, setting up and breaking down power, water, etc. Then you can absolutely divide up the work, but you each "inspect" one another as a safety check.

On your vehicle, be sure to know the tow/haul settings and how to test the trailer brake.
If you have diesel, carry extra DEF.

For navigation, I recommend so much to leave as early in the day as you can possibly manage. Traffic is less. Truck traffic is very light until about 10 am and then it's heavy.

Get gas at the end of the day before you get off the road so you can just go in the morning.

Turn off the water pump when your are traveling!

Have a great time.

[Boxite]

Common Mistakes of First-Timers:

When setting-up camp:
Forgetting to check the Power-Pedestal functions/condition and water/sewer BEFORE parking in the campsite.
Forgetting to CHOCK the wheels BEFORE un-hitching from the Tow Vehicle.


When leaving camp:
Forgetting to lower the TV antennna before departing.
Forgetting to raise the stabilizers before raising/lowering the tongue-jack.

Suggestion: When you think you are completely ready to “pull out”…. make one final walk-around your trailer inspecting every detail of the trailer.

[Hans627]

My suggestion would be to have a check list of some kind. Here is one, https://luvsubbin.com/checklists.

It is easy to forget things.

All the best on your trip. Sounds like a wonderful adventure. Safe travels.

[JCWDCW]

The power jack will get noisy as is goes under high loads. It may help to keep the umbilical connected to the TV if your batteries are weak

[JCWDCW]

Originally Posted by Boxite

Common Mistakes of First-Timers:

When setting-up camp:
Forgetting to check the Power-Pedestal functions/condition and water/sewer BEFORE parking in the campsite.
Forgetting to CHOCK the wheels BEFORE un-hitching from the Tow Vehicle.


When leaving camp:
Forgetting to lower the TV antennna before departing.
Forgetting to raise the stabilizers before raising/lowering the tongue-jack.

Suggestion: When you think you are completely ready to “pull out”…. make one final walk-around your trailer inspecting every detail of the trailer.

Yess to aalll.., guilty as a 25 year veteran

[coasttocoast]

Originally Posted by englewoodfl

Other than driving StarShine (2023 23FBT) for a very limited miles locally we haven't put it to the test. Leaving for a 5,000 trip up to northern Minnesota, east across Canada and then back to SW Florida. This is also my first time towing a trailer.



I'll do the obvious such as inspecting underneath, checking tire pressures and ensuring the SwayPro is correct. I noticed one minor concern and one major concern. Minor - the power awning is noisy. Major - the power jack is incredibly noisy towards the end of travel and it needs to work for hooking and unhooking the SwayPro bars.


Anything else???

I recently completed my 9th trip to the Maritimes and have seen most of it including PEI, NB, NS, NFL and Labrador. Where are you headed?

[Acheron2010]

Sense of humor. A GPS backup, like Waze. Preview your route the evening before, identifying major roads, fuel stops, interesting places to stop, etc. Use Google Satellite View to review gas station entrances and exits. Take your time, have fun.

[W0X0F]

If your truck is a diesel, you might want to consider getting a fuel card to save some $$: https://myopenroads.com/
Have fun!!

[Trons4u]

Make sure not to load to much to the rear of the trailer. Having a lite load in the front of the trailer could cause sway. Look up a video on YouTube about trailer sway.

Definitely a checklist for arriving and departing. There are lots of good ones out there that you can download and modify to your rig.

As someone else said, know your routes. Know what your trailer height is, and any bridges you may encounter.

Keep an eye on weather...don't leave your awning out when you leave. You could come back to a mess because of wind.

**Important**
Have fun while traveling. Be safe.

[TinShanty]

Along with above super-good recommendations suggest you rehearse tire changing for both trailer and tow vehicle b4 departure. Also, incorporate a “rest day” about every 4 days. Makes the journey more enjoyable.
Take your time, try local foods, be flexible and have fun!

[Fungus]

OP mentioned the noisy awning. Bring along your emergency retraction kit for the awning and a ladder to reach the wire at the forward arm. The process of using a direct connection to the battery is a simple one but the right gear helps a lot. You might practice it once in your driveway.

Way down on my list of enhancements is a switch near the awning control board that would supply 12V to the roller arm without the need for the kit and ladder.

I carry brake assemblies on long trips because they are difficult to find and I’ve had to replace a brake assembly on a trip. The process is relatively easy with the right equipment. Three-brake non-emergency braking is fine. It’s the emergency braking that is a little scary with just three.

Spare fuses.
Rivets and manual riveter.

I carry probably too much in the way of spare parts.

[Wazbro]

Don't forget to re-torque the lug nuts and the shock nuts (some have mentioned them falling off). Checking the bolts for the steps is probably a good idea to.

[englewoodfl]

I downloaded the Luv Subbin checklist. Lots of space with the unnecessary logo repeat - but interesting. I already have a 2 1/2 page packing out list - V1 was based on the old Sprinter but lots more with two things with tires. Ohh - and of course more take "stuff" with you that I'll likely never use.



For tire changing I have both the plastic ramp and an 8" bottle jack. Should be enough - I will watch the video.


Excellent point about the 23FBT lug nuts. It has aluminum wheels so the torque s/b 110 ft/lbs. I have a TW just for the rigs but I had my neighbor test the calibration against his Snap-On and it's the same.


I've reached to Blue Ox about several technical items related to the SwayPro 750 and haven't any response yet.


We're on the second TPMS for the trailer. The new TyMate has problems - I've contacted them as I'd like to have something before we leave.

[englewoodfl]

Turns out every lug was likely at 100 ft lbs which is the torque for the steel wheels. I'm guessing they use a torque stick at the factory. Set them all to 110.


Finally decided not to follow the directions (manual or email support) for the Tymate M7-3. Started right up. Values are close - shows 77 PSI when each tire is 80+-1 measured 3 gauges. Have see how it goes on the road.


Did a small and a large BRN.

[gblackburn]

Check, Double Check, and Triple Check your Windows are latched.

A friend of mine left one unlocked during travel and it blew out the window when he was on the highway. A quick $1k down the tubes.

I check on the inside and always walk around the outside several times and literally put my finger where each latch is to make sure it is latched. An easy one to miss.

Also, take your time and enjoy the travel.

Good Luck and let us know how you did.

[Di3s3l_Power]

Make sure the water pump is off in case a faucet opens during bumpy roads

Make sure sure to close the roof vents and windows

Latch the fridge so door cannot open during drive

[Aluminium Falcon]

Very good advice above. Take your time, always do a circle check of your trailer and tow vehicle before hitting the road, take frequent breaks when towing and try not to drive for more than five hours per day. We usually make mistakes, sometimes costly ones, when we try to rush things or are tired. Enjoy your Airstream!

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by Piggy Bank

Do you have what you need to be decently self-sufficient? These all address safety and the ability to keep on rolling.

Tire inflator (viair 88p is what we have-buy on amazon)
Torque wrench and breaker bar to tighten lug nuts?
Spare parts on any "hard to buy at Walmart " items (we carry spares of our equalizer hitch pins and brackets since they are unusual and if we lost or damaged we would be unable to hitch up. buy on amazon)

You mention the jack. Do you have the crank handle to manually use if the power jack fails? Do you have a spare "bottle jack" you could use for an emergency? Tip: if your batteries are a bit undercharged because your rig has been sitting, we find if we get the truck close enough to plug in the 7 pin, that the jack gets more power.

Have you watched the you tube video on how to change an airstream tire? Best to watch at home in your easy chair to have in mind.

Since you are new to towing in general, I would write out some checklists for different scenarios.

Check list on overnight when not unhitching. To do when arriving, to do when departing.
Check list for overnight when you do unhitch. To do when arriving, to do when departing.

If you are traveling with another person, be sure each person knows and understands all the steps on what should be done, inside and outside, hitching, adjusting mirrors, setting up and breaking down power, water, etc. Then you can absolutely divide up the work, but you each "inspect" one another as a safety check.

On your vehicle, be sure to know the tow/haul settings and how to test the trailer brake.
If you have diesel, carry extra DEF.

For navigation, I recommend so much to leave as early in the day as you can possibly manage. Traffic is less. Truck traffic is very light until about 10 am and then it's heavy.

Get gas at the end of the day before you get off the road so you can just go in the morning.

Turn off the water pump when your are traveling!

Have a great time.

Good ideas all. Make sure every driver knows how to go into 4WD if your truck has it, and what it does.to your turning radius, and why it is important to turn it OFF before you get out for lunch in a strange place. No one wants a surprise while.backing out.

[englewoodfl]

Chipping away at items. The spare tire is 70 PSI, didn't have a valve stem cap, in trying to lower it decided to make a nylon rope strap which rally helps and added a safety with zip ties for the release mechanism. I can only image what would happen if it dropped down at freeway speeds. You'll notice that the Blue Ox already shows of rust signs after 3 weeks of being outside in the driveway. I rotated it around which might help.



I was at dinner with +30 Corvette people the other night and the guy that sat down next to me was a retired engineer who very strong on fasteners. Described the step bolts to him - his solution was Locktite 290 WICKING. Advised me to just put a drop or two on the threads and it would penetrate and I'd be good. Did as suggested.


What is the purpose of the 2 black zip ties around the jack? Looked at jack covers but mine is tight to the propane tank. I'm going to print a 3D version but I'm not really sure how good it's going to work.