Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-07-2020, 10:06 AM   #1
Capt Squid
 
2020 22' Caravel
Key Largo , Florida
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 6
Purchased 2020 Caravel 22FB

Planning to take delivery of a new 22FB April this year in Tucson. This is a very first experience with a travel trailer. Have many years experience with boats of all sizes including trailerable. Understand that all design is a compromise, maintenance is constant and everything needs repair at some point. Would appreciate advise to a beginner with travel trailers.



Thank you
Tom M
captsquid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2020, 06:11 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
daleyocum's Avatar
 
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Portland , Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,317
Congratulations! You've come to the right place for advice.

There are a million threads here that will be helpful. I'd start, however, with watching Sean and Kristy's Long Long Honeymoon's Youtube channel. Some will apply to you and some won't but they are about as knowledgeable as they come. The playlist for beginners will get you started.
daleyocum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2020, 07:23 AM   #3
dropped rivet in grass
 
2019 23' Flying Cloud
Tarzan , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 85
I brought my first AS home to start my travel trailer education, but I only had a five-hour drive. You apparently are going almost all the way across the country. Better be ready to begin your education right there on the dealer lot. At least you've found the forums, that counts for a lot.
Tall Grass is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2020, 10:07 AM   #4
"Cloudsplitter"

 
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
Images: 1
Welcome Aboard...👍

There is a learning curve...but you have successfully reached adulthood and it should not be insurmountable.
Use this resource, and more importantly...common sense.👍
“Education is what people do to you,
Learning is what you do to yourself”
Joichi Ito

Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
ROBERT CROSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2020, 04:48 AM   #5
Rivet Master
 
JJTX's Avatar
 
2024 23' International
South of Austin , Texas
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 661
Quote:
Originally Posted by captsquid View Post
Planning to take delivery of a new 22FB April this year in Tucson. This is a very first experience with a travel trailer. Have many years experience with boats of all sizes including trailerable. Understand that all design is a compromise, maintenance is constant and everything needs repair at some point. Would appreciate advise to a beginner with travel trailers.



Thank you
Tom M


My Advice is, don't use a tow vehicle where you are at near maximum tow ratings with an empty trailer and use a good quality weight distribution hitch. Lastly don't be in a hurry.
JJTX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2020, 08:47 AM   #6
4 Rivet Member
 
2019 22' Sport
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 303
Congrats on your purchase lots of advice is gonna be thrown your way. My advice is don’t rush out and get a weight distribution hitch for the 22 I don’t use one and haven’t ever used one. The 22 is a small trailer and my tow vehicle is an f150 . Multiple trips to the car scale have shown me that weight distribution is unnecessary and others have pointed out that it may cause bouncing in this application. Others will tell you, and me now, that this is wrong but I disagree.

Do yourself a favor tow on the ball till you have time to make some measurement and decide if you need one of those hitches.

Sway control is available separately and would be a good thing to consider
Kanusport is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2020, 09:00 AM   #7
New Member
 
San Clemente , California
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 4
Having owned boats in the water, boats we trailered and a cab over camper (hoping to purchase a 22 Bambi within 6 months) I would suggest after your walk thru with the dealer camp somewhere close for a few nights to figure things out. Don't get on the road too quick.
pacificstar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2020, 02:42 PM   #8
1 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Caravel
Sarasota , Florida
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 16
Images: 3
Just picked up my 22FB, yesterday! Can't wait to carve out some time for a trip..
Trucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2020, 03:17 PM   #9
Rivet Master
 
waninae39's Avatar
 
2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR , Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,085
we have a WD and sway bars + pressure and temp measure on all 6 wheels.

IMHO, it is safe insurance. just because some people dont recommend, its like insurance. If it keeps me safe. then its a win.
waninae39 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2020, 03:26 PM   #10
Rivet Master
 
JJTX's Avatar
 
2024 23' International
South of Austin , Texas
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 661
Quote:
Originally Posted by waninae39 View Post
we have a WD and sway bars + pressure and temp measure on all 6 wheels.

IMHO, it is safe insurance. just because some people dont recommend, its like insurance. If it keeps me safe. then its a win.

100% With you on the TPMS for the trailer tires. I've had a TST system for almost two years and love it.
JJTX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2020, 10:33 AM   #11
1 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Caravel
Boston , MA
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 8
Images: 1
adding a 32" smart TV to Caravel 22FB

Congrats on your new caravan!

we just took order of ours and are waiting for delivery to Boston (from Louisiana!) - got a great deal and we worked with a trusted dealer from local friends.

question - do any of you Caravel owners upgraded to a larger TV (from 24 to 32") and will the space and bracket system accomodate this mod?

we plan to add a new Apple TV and HDMI switcher.

https://www.lg.com/us/tvs/lg-32LM620BPUA-led-tv

thanks all!
Miezi 2020 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2020, 08:31 PM   #12
1 Rivet Member
 
Currently Looking...
Brooklyn , New York
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 14
I just put a deposit down on a 2021 22FB. Managing to keep the cost down as it does not have the full awning set and no convection oven. Very excited. I am taking the next 48 hours to make a final decision. If I do take possession, I will be picking it up in Scottsdale AZ and driving it out to the New York area.
HUDSEEZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2020, 11:44 AM   #13
2 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Caravel
Cincinnati , OH
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 69
Imho

We are planning on getting a Caravell 22FB also, hopefully we will find a used trailer next year! By the way, our plan is to convert it to Twin Beds.
The topic of WDH always interests me, especially on smaller trailers. It has occurred to me that some people don't think a WDH is necessary on Small/Light Trailers to control Sawy. They simply get a Big Truck thinking that it will do the job of preventing the rear end of truck from snagging. Of course this doesn't address SWAY at all.
I am concerned about Trailer Sway/JackKnifing, particularly on Wet/Icy and Windy conditions. Because the Caravell has one axle, it also has less traction, (form the tires) to resist the pressure from side winds. I think that these contributing factors can occur quicker/easier on Short WheelBase TVs! Normally, a WDH not only transfer/distrituates the weight between the Trailer/TV, but it also tries to controls Sway by increasing the friction within the Hitch itself, it doesn't eliminate it. We plan on using either the Hensely or Propride WDH that does eliminate Sway 100%!
Sailorguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
caravel


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
the 2020 caravel 22FB walkthrough waninae39 2005 and newer - Bambi all models 4 01-16-2021 04:24 PM
Overhead speakers in 2020 Caravel 22FB malicoreon 2020 And Newer Caravel 31 06-15-2020 09:41 AM
Danby Microwave and trim kit - New, removed from my new 2020 Bambi 22FB nomadiclife Airstream Classifieds 0 11-16-2019 08:26 AM
Dinette table, bench frame, and cushions from 2020 Bambi 22FB nomadiclife Airstream Classifieds 0 11-16-2019 08:23 AM
New Old 1967 Caravel just purchased knishiya Member Introductions 1 04-29-2012 09:41 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:47 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.