Picking up Friday

nancentina

We went to "look" yesterday and purchased an Outback.. The price seemed low compared to what I've seen online. 

We are thinking about getting to Harbor Freight for a trailer dolly and some chocks just to be prepared as im going to be towing a few hundred miles that day. While my husband drives a uhaul and we split the three dogs and a cat between us. I'll probably get stuck with the crying cat.

my life is pretty unmanageable but I know this trailer will be a good investment for my sanity.  Looking forward to my orientation Friday morning. Alde system is entirely new to me, always had suburban water heaters with constant anode rod replacement. Curious how maintenance will change.

i won't forget to unplug the pigtail when I stop to walk my dog- any other words of advice?

thanks and happy camping! See you around (maybe at the big bend meetup after all)

nancentina

Also I think I'm going to get the visor xl, seems less fussy than the awning. I'm hoping to not go overboard on every accessories this time around. 

RZRBUG

nancentina said:

...I won't forget to unplug the pigtail when I stop to walk my dog- any other words of advice?...

No need to unplug from the trailer if you are away for just short periods of time.  I never unplug for rest stop/dog walking or a quick trip into Wal-Mart.

Congratulations!  You are going to have sooooooo much fun!  You will add and discard a lot of equipment before you decide on what you really need.  I'm still doing that and expect to continue.  Just don't go overboard with buying things you think you "might" need until you've camped a few times.

Tabaz

Did you mean this trailer dolly?

http://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-heavy-duty-trailer-dolly-69898.html

If so, I assume you attempted to move the Outback around by hand at the dealer when you visited, and found it too cumbersome.  If you haven't attempted to move the Outback by hand, you may be surprised how easy it is.  There are four round handles at each corner.  They actually work well when maneuvering the trailer.

Jenn has posted a wonderful link for newbie owners.  I'm sure she'll put a link here for you.  The only thing I'd suggest before picking it up is to check the tire iron in your TV (Tow Vehicle).  My Outback lug nuts are 3/4" while my TV nuts are a different size.  Important point because the Outback does not come with a tire iron.

Congratulations and welcome to the T@B family!  If you're like the rest of us, you're going to love your Outback.

Michigan_Mike

Congratulations on the new trailer and can feel your excitement!   Take your time, enjoy the trip home and post up some photos when you get a chance.  It's fun setting these trailers up and making them your home and you are about to create many lifetime memories, while exploring new places.  

Enjoy!

John_and_Kris

Congrats and Happy T@Bing. 

Tabaz

nancentina said:

Also I think I'm going to get the visor xl, seems less fussy than the awning. I'm hoping to not go overboard on every accessories this time around. 

I agree with RZRBUG - hold off on any big dollar purchases until you take the trailer camping a few times.  The XL visor and awning are not cheap by any measure.

Photomom

On the other hand, the awning is on sale thru the end of the month!

Cyclonic

Chocks are a good choice, you will need some. 

The dolly you may or may not need.  I have one at home that I have used occasionally to move the T@Bpole out of its regular parking spot, but I don't take it with me.  With a second set of hands it is pretty easy to move on pavement, and four people can move it, in my experience, anywhere.  Harbor Freight offers a good deal on it though, some it is an easy pick up.

I love my Visor XL, and do recommend it, but as others have said, go camping a few times before making any big purchases.  Everyone camps differently, and soon enough you will find what you really do or don't need.

Have fun, and of course, post some photos.

Norbert1223

Would it be pretty easy to move with one person with the dolly? 

jkjenn

Congrats and welcome!

Norbert1223 said:

Would it be pretty easy to move with one person with the dolly? 

That would depend on your set up. I can manage moving it alone on a large enough piece of pavement or concrete or even smooth hard packed dirt, all assuming it's a flat surface.

Cyclonic

jkjenn said:

Congrats and welcome!

Norbert1223 said:

Would it be pretty easy to move with one person with the dolly? 

That would depend on your set up. I can manage moving it alone on a large enough piece of pavement or concrete or even smooth hard packed dirt, all assuming it's a flat surface.

That is my experience.  If I have any kind of incline it becomes very difficult to move alone, even with the dolly.  It works well on a level, hard packed surface though.

nancentina

Thanks everybody! I'm pretty sure I won't regret the visor as I camp in the desert and with our last rv the awning was essential. The casita awning was a pain, though so we just didn't use it but I could have.

 Trailer dolly I'm not so sure but the husband thinks it will help with moving the trailer in our new driveway/ lot which is pretty loose gravel. We might hold off on that for now.

not sure which one gets to tow or drive the uhaul yet, all I hope is that this rain will letup by Friday.

open to any advice if there's more, but thanks for chiming in and wishing us well. Very excited about this little trailer. 

TaB2go

Cool! Soooooo happy for you guys. Gonna love it allot, i can tell by the tone of your voice. Ha!   Enjoy, enjoy.    Jim & Edith,  Mich.

nancentina

Towing the Tab was *awesome* today, I think in part because it's so light and tight, but also the integrated braking system in my Chevy is the bomb. As we are moving across state (Texas=huge) and we have a uhaul three dogs and a cat with us, we are in a hotel tonight and have everything locked up on our new sweet trailer. So not our first night in it. The cat is too much of a wild card.

Anyway, Ive never had such a pleasant towing experience even though I was exhausted and it was pouring on I 10. So far a fabulous first impression.

also I had a great experience with the walk through at Princess Craft in Round Rock. 

RZRBUG

Like you said, "Awesome!"  Enjoy.