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09-21-2012, 09:00 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 448
SUN #4364
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Commonly Overlooked
For the benefit of all of us newbies:
What are some of the common things that are overlooked or mistakes that are made concerning Sunlines, towing, camping, etc.? What is the biggest "oops" you've created or have seen?
Thanks,
-Dale
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09-21-2012, 09:51 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 249
SUN #809
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The most common thing I see or read about is something forgotten during the break-down and hitch-up process, like leaving the TV antenna up.
A close second would be leaving the awning out in high winds.
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Jeff, Laurie, + kids
Three time former Sunline owner
2011 Big Horn 3670RL Fifth Wheel
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD D/A DRW, Classy Chassis Conversion, aka "Garage Queen II"
Hensley Trailersaver BD3 Air Hitch
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09-21-2012, 12:08 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 107
SUN #4353
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Wow, we all could write a book!
Black water valve open , in a full hook up. one must let the solids / paper time to break down, and have at least 2/3 tank to flush it out
If you leave valve shut while using a tank flush and flood unit.
Backing up without removing friction type saw control.
etc!!
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Wayne & Sandy
1981 19.5 SB Sunline
1987 C 851 Sunline
1997 E-150 4.2 v6
1976 F-150 4.9 I6
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09-21-2012, 12:44 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 448
SUN #4364
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I love these! Hopefully If I ever do any of them, I'll be comforted knowing I'm not the first one.
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09-21-2012, 01:54 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 162
SUN #1591
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leaving your awning up @ any time while away from your trailer is asking for trouble
Winds change, I learned the hard way even w/ tie downs
Driving down a narrow rd well past the last turn around location w/o impeccable back up skills (or @ least a wheel attachment for your jackpost)
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Glen & Kathleen
06 4.7L Tundra
06 T-1950, our 6 months/yr traveling home
one of numerous canoes
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09-21-2012, 02:04 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 96
SUN #4407
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Boy there are plenty of stories. I used leveling jacks on my old class C. Once I was cranking down one side and all the water that had pooled on the roof came across and the awning acted like a funnel to dump it down on me. After that I learned to crank and stand back!
Another tip on the dumping is black tank first, gray second. Hopefully the sink & bath water rinses most of the poop out of the hose.
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09-21-2012, 03:22 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,131
SUN #64
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Quote:
leaving your awning up @ any time while away from your trailer is asking for trouble Winds change, I learned the hard way even w/tie downs
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Ditto- Had it tilted to one side and tied down. Major storm/tornado hit the area. Water built up behind the center rafter. Got back to the trailer just in time to watch the roller break in half.
The PDI instructions aren't always the best method!!!
When showing the unhitching, watching the salesperson lean the Equalizer WD bars against the a-frame while jacking up the trailer off the hitch........I'm unhitching in the dark and the bars slid against the front of the trailer. Let the nose down to level....result....two very nice square holes through the front diamond plate!!!
Leaving the low point drain valves open when winterizing is another favorite.....it amazing how big that pink puddle gets so quickly!!!
Mack
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2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Club Cab 4x4 CTD
2007 Sunline Solaris T-276-SR: Misty Blue/Cherry
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Reg Cab 4x4 OFF-ROAD
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09-21-2012, 05:06 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 162
SUN #1591
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Hey Dale
I've got a question for you .......
Hailing from Amarillo have you ever eaten one of those 72 oz steaks @ that steak house (Cattlemen's?) they advertise for miles along I-40 ?
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Glen & Kathleen
06 4.7L Tundra
06 T-1950, our 6 months/yr traveling home
one of numerous canoes
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09-21-2012, 05:56 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,125
SUN #4040
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Forgetting to chock wheels before unhitching while on a slope away from TV.
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09-21-2012, 06:48 PM
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
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Leaving for the day and leaving an awning out not strapped, thinking it'll be there that evening. Been there done that, and seen it with others too many times.
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2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
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09-21-2012, 09:05 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,515
SUN #768
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First time I winterized I wondered where that first gallon went since none came out the faucet ..... oh yes, ... I left the low point drains open.
Hitched up once and then couldn't get the trailer to move. After half an hour checking wheel chocks, brake controller, breakaway cable ..... OH, release the parking brake on the tow vehicle.
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Gene & DW Ginny
2002 Sunline T-2363
2008 Toyota 4-runner 4wd 4.7L V-8
Reese Dual Cam straightline - P3 Brake controller
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09-22-2012, 05:21 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,279
SUN #1830
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LOLL! @ Gene.
I helped a friend tie his car to a tow dolly behind his big pusher motorhome. After putting straps on the tires fastening the vehicle to the dolly we said our goodbyes and Wifey and I stood back to watch them drive away from our house. I heard tires squeal, noticed black stripes on the road and the parking brake was still set. Waving arms frantically I finally got them stopped to correct the problem. It is funny how we get in a hurry to drive off into the sunset. Much like the time I pulled off without raising the jack foot all the way and wondered what that sudden stop was about.
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Beverly & Jim
Sebring, Florida
1991 T-2363 Solaris
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09-22-2012, 06:49 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 448
SUN #4364
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GKLarson
I've got a question for you .......
Hailing from Amarillo have you ever eaten one of those 72 oz steaks @ that steak house (Cattlemen's?) they advertise for miles along I-40 ?
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Ain't no way! Maybe I could have come close when I was 17 or 18, but those days are long gone. It's called "The Big Texan".
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09-22-2012, 06:54 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 448
SUN #4364
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GKLarson
leaving your awning up @ any time while away from your trailer is asking for trouble
Winds change, I learned the hard way even w/ tie downs
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Winds are a way of life here in the TX panhandle. Add to that, we can have all 4 seasons in a 24 hour period. I don't think I'll overlook that one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GKLarson
Driving down a narrow rd well past the last turn around location w/o impeccable back up skills (or @ least a wheel attachment for your jackpost)
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I'm always thinking ahead for that possibility. It hasn't yet, but could nail me one day, though. Don't have a wheel on my tongue, so I'll have to do some serious backing if it ever happens.
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09-22-2012, 07:00 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 448
SUN #4364
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gene
Hitched up once and then couldn't get the trailer to move. After half an hour checking wheel chocks, brake controller, breakaway cable ..... OH, release the parking brake on the tow vehicle.
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Ok, I'll admit it. I did do that one once already. Found it before I tried the second time. Nice to know I have a good parking brake.
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09-22-2012, 01:22 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Alabama
Posts: 5
SUN #2401
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Driving down a road ( not knowing it is a deadend road) and trying to turn around with a trailer/camper in very limited space. Hopefully won't do that one more than the one time I already have.
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09-23-2012, 08:09 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 638
SUN #987
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jim44646
Forgetting to chock wheels before unhitching while on a slope away from TV.
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Or not chocking wheels on both sides. Before unhitching my Pup, I put a chock behind and in front of the left wheel (way underestimating the slope of the site). I unhitched and the Pup made a left turn, pivoting on the chock, right wheel running free. This would've been disasterous with the Taj.
Teach
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Wright Ellis and Penny Sedgley
'10 Tundra 4X4
SOB -'14 Rockwood 2604WS ( Rocky)
"Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows."
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09-23-2012, 12:11 PM
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#18
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by awellis3
Or not chocking wheels on both sides. Before unhitching my Pup, I put a chock behind and in front of the left wheel (way underestimating the slope of the site). I unhitched and the Pup made a left turn, pivoting on the chock, right wheel running free. This would've been disasterous with the Taj.
Teach
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Not saying it's the right way to do it, but I've unhooked many times without putting the chocks in. But I usually look at where I'm parking it before unhooking. The only time it was a problem (and it didn't happen to me, but I saw it) was when the trailer was unhooked and one side's wheels were going into a big hole. Covered in grass, it was hard to tell it was even there. Popped off the ball and the trailer just twisted around the pivot point of the right side tires, and the jack went sliding off the board in front and into the dirt.
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
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09-23-2012, 12:22 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,125
SUN #4040
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jim44646
Forgetting to chock wheels before unhitching while on a slope away from TV.
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Forgot to mention downhill slope was towards a lake right behind TT. Luckily for a log.
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09-26-2012, 07:00 AM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 96
SUN #4407
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jim44646
Forgot to mention downhill slope was towards a lake right behind TT. Luckily for a log.
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That could have ended up like the Robin Williams movie RV.
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