Hello Jim and Mary,
The trip overall went really well. The camping was really great and relaxing for our first trip. Knock on wood, I did not have any issues with setting up the camper at the site except that when we finally arrived it was pitch dark, so backing in was a bit of a chore but not too bad. We had a very nice couple next door from Canada that helped us out getting the TT in the site. They left before we could exchange contact information which I really regret because we really had alot in common. They just retired and was touring the US in their very first TT that they purchased in October of last year in Ohio. Super couple and I really wish I could have gotten to know them better.
The State Park is absolutely perfect. Me and my wife discussed this while there and on the way back that we really spoiled ourselves on our first trip. The bar has been set really high by this trip but I am sure that each State Park/camp ground has their own positives. We are defintely looking forward to getting back down there in May when the weather will be a bit warmer and before the crowds are in full swing.
As far as pulling the T1950, no issues with the Jeep Grand Cherokee other than gas mileage
I am still trying to figure out if I need to be riding in Tow/Haul mode all the time or just when the speeds are below 50 mph or in hilly areas. Me riding in Tow/Haul mode probably did not help my MPG at all. So now I am looking into the "best" or "recommended" driving practices for the Jeep. One other issue I ran into was the local RV dealer in the Panama City area. They were nice people just did not prepare for what I might need. I contacted them several times the week prior to coming down and the week prior to that discussing what I was doing. I informed them that I was driving down from Greenville, SC to look/buy a TT and that the weight distribution hitch was coming with it. I also informed them that I may need to adjust the hitch head to the correct height and that it may be necessary to buy a shank in the event that the existing shank did not provide the necessary drop. Their response was not to worry, they have them in stock. Well, got there and needed to have a shank with more drop and NO SHANK did they have in stock. They adjusted the existing shank as far down as they could and informed me that the TT is not ideal but is safe to drive. So I parted ways and went straight to the State Park. No issues other than the Jeep feeling a bit smooshy from the TT being a bit higher in the tongue which I think put more tongue weight on the Jeep causing the front end to be a bit high and lite but it did fine. I now have a new shank on order and it is supposed to be here on Friday of this week. Hopefully I'll be able to tell a big difference in the way the Jeep pulls, drives and handles with the TT behind it. One other issue I did have was the Universal Clip on Mirrors. The ones I purchased did not work well for me. They are the Universal Dual XLR mirrors with two different angles of view. With the OEM mirror and then the two other mirrors it got a bit confusing and aggravating at first with them being in such close proximity. I got a bit better with them but never really comfortable, so I now have another set on order that only have a single view which should be sufficient. Other than that all went very well. The trailer I believe will be jusf fine for me and my wife, we were very comfortable and cozy in this one and like it alot.
I guess I should have abbreviated my response but the excitment is hard to contain.
Oh and Thanks Kitty for the kind welcome. This is a great group and hope to eventually meet as many of you as possible. Maybe we'll meet at Topsail one day!!!
Thanks Honda03842 for the suggestion on Henderson Beach State Park. I'll definitely look it over while down there in May to see about staying there as well one day. I wonder if they book up like Topsail.
Scott