Our Sunny's Maiden Voyage

[Campnut-SUN]

I was just informed my wife has a couple days off this week and we decided to to take the Sunny out for her maiden voyage and last hurrah of our camping season. Didn't get everything done that I wanted, like the awning, but I can do without for now. Looking forward to getting out and not dealing with setting up a pop up!

Pics to come when we get back.

I just remembered that the battery is dead. Should I have it charged before I go or will it to much for it to charge when I hook to shore power at the campground?

 

[Gene-SUN]

It would be a good idea to charge the battery before you go. Some converters struggle to charge a dead battery.

I found out the hard way that my 2002 vintage Centurion will not put out anything until it "sees" something close to 12 volts from a battery. Not all converters are like that though.

 

[Campnut-SUN]

Thanks Gene That was what I thought. I never had to deal with a battery in my old pop ups so this is all new to me.

 

[Campnut-SUN]

Since I will be hooked up to campground power, do I really need to have the battery hooked up?

 

[j52wf]

1. I think you need a charged battery for breakaway switch.

2. If campground loses power (has happened to me), you will need battery for lights and anything that has auto-ignition. This includes fridge, furnace, and maybe hot water heater.

 

[Campnut-SUN]

DOH!! I never thought about the breakaway switch. Not all that concerned about the others, but the breakaway switch is important. Thanks

 

[Campnut-SUN]

Had to replace my battery since it wouldn't charge, I think it sat dead for a couple years. Now I am kinda wondering what size ball I need. Right now I have a 2" and not sure if I need a 2 5/16. We towed it home using the 2" and it seamed ok, but it was less than 10 miles and under 35 mph. Now I am not sure and thought I would ask.

Good time to ask since we are heading out in the morning. Good thing U Haul opens at 7:00 if I need another ball.

 

[JohnGB]

A friendly heads up, I do not know on the little campers, but for sure, if it is 2 5/16" coupler change the ball. A 2" in a 2 5/16" coupler can come off given the right circumstances = not good.

Maybe some other members with single axle campers can chime in.

Try this, measure the OD of the ball coupler (the sides get a pretty good diameter) and measure the thickness of the metal at the edges. Subtract metal thickness 2 times from the diameter and you will be real close to the ball size.

OR

If you put your 2" up in the coupler and not hitch to the truck, lock the coupler, can you push the play left to right approx 5/16 to 3/8"? Then you know for sure it is a 2 5/16" coupler. There is only about a heavy 1/32" to 1/16" clearance around the ball when the correct size is used.

Hope this helps and happy camping

John

 

[JennyC]

My T1550 is a 2 inch ball hitch. Happy camping

 

[Campnut-SUN]

Thanks John and Jenny. I will test it in the am and hope it is the 2".

Thanks for all the help.

 

[bunjin]

My T-1550 is also a 2". I think yours is also. Mainah has a 1990 T-1700. He would know for sure. If need be go to a Wal*Mart and get a 2-5/16" ball. It shouldn't fit. If I'm right return item.

 

[Split-SUN]

JOHN, I had the same crazy battery charge, low / dead condition on my 86 from the prior lady seller... Charging the batt off the RV converter was still weak, yet ceiling light bright on the shore AC.. Finally when I unscrewed the red / POS wire I measured on a VOM meter only 9 NINE volts coming up to battery . !! THe other circuits were putting out 12 1/1 volts to ceiling lights etc..... I started to charge the RV battery off the garage SEARS car charger & the battery recovered.. It turned out to be only ONE yr old from date sticker, not the 11 yr old I 1st suspected........ 2) Ball coupler size should alwasy be samped on the top of frame housing., over yrs gets covered up with paint, etc.... Would only be 2 5/16 " if prior owner replaced the A frame couple with a Claw lever ,like from Amazon etc...?? MY 5th wheel style gooseneck is a 2 5/16

 

[j52wf]

When I sold my 19' Sunline and bought a 25', I towed it 360 miles home from VA. When I got to my RV guy for some upgrades, he said I needed a new ball. I asked why and he promptly inserted the ball into the closed coupler and pulled it right out. I had no idea it was different. Very lucky.

 

[bunjin]

When I sold my 19' Sunline and bought a 25', I towed it 360 miles home from VA. When I got to my RV guy for some upgrades, he said I needed a new ball. I asked why and he promptly inserted the ball into the closed coupler and pulled it right out. I had no idea it was different. Very lucky.

Got ya beat! I purchased and towed my 1983 T-1550 about 600 miles on 1-7/8" ball. Didn't realize it until I purchased my 1996 T-2053. I wasn't just sure what ball size the T-2053 would take; 2" or 2-5/16? Went to get my 2" ball and hitch only to discover it was 1-7/8". It was originally for a light utility trailer and I used it to tow the T-1550 purchase the 40 miles home. I tried a 2" ball in the T-1550 and discovered it fit. Decided to buy a 2-5/16" ball as I suspected the T-2053 needed it.....turned out it did.

Funny thing is, I swear it, (the T1550), pulled and handled better on the 1-7/8"!

I have 3 trailers and all take a different ball size.

 

[Campnut-SUN]

2" ball it was. Towed beautifully with no sway. Had a great time camping and loved the idea of not having to set up or tear down a pop up.

Only had a couple glitches. Minor ones being I have to replace some marker light bulbs and radio was hit or miss on reception. Major one was that the fridge didn't cool on electric. I could hear it running, but had a gurgling sound. I will have to take it to the shop and have checked out before next season.

All in all, like I said, it was a great time and will post a couple pics later today.

Oh, on a side note, I didn't use my Jimmy to tow it, I borrowed our Pastor's truck and pretty sure it was a good choice. I think that pulling the big hills may have been a little much since I know how my Jimmy pulled the same hills with the pop up.

 

[Campnut-SUN]

A question I have is, what are the two switches to the right as you walk in the door. I think one is for the water pump but not sure the other?

 

[JohnGB]

John and Colleen,

Great news !!!! Glad your first adventure turned out great!

Caution: Camping in the Sunny can become addictive!

To the switch when you come in the door, I do not know your floor plan however Sunline use to put an inside light and and outside light switch right next to the door as you walk in. The water pump, that should not be right there. Too easy to leave running but never know as things changed over the years.

Also, many Sunline inside lights have little toggle switches on the light fixture itself. If the fixture is off, then the wall switch will not turn the light on. And if the wall switch is off, the light fixtre switch will not turn the light on eother. Need both on at the same time to light the light.

Someone with a similar camper should be along soon to confrim.

Keep having fun!

John

 

[JennyC]

My 1995 T1550 has two switches by the door. One is for the light that is above or neat the table and the other is for the outside light. I took a sharpie marker and marked which was which. I also put some glow in the dark tape on it so we could find it in the dark. I think the water pump switch is on the stove vent hood along with a light switch for the vent stove light. I haven't had water in the water tank yet but my friend told me what that switch was for. I think it may be labeled on mine. For the light near the table the switch on the ceiling has to be on and the switch by the door has to be on and it will work. Then you can turn it on and off at the door. I found it to be handy to have lights when I walk in. My pop up the lights and all electric quit working a few years ago. I am starting to enjoy the being able to just pack and go no matter what the weather is. Not having to worry about wet canvas. I am looking forward to having a nice comfortable heated camping trip near the end of October. We use to put a little ceramic heater in the pop up but it was still chilly sometimes camping that late in October.

 

[bunjin]

This is interesting, as my 1983 T-1550 has the two switches on the left just as you enter the door. One is for the outside light just outside the door and the other is for the water pump. The one closest to the outside is for the "courtesy" outside light and the interior one is for the water pump.

I use the word "courtesy" to differentiate from "porch" or "patio" lights.

Also the range hood of the older units had only the hood light and fan with a knob dial switch for the light/fan. It wasn't until later That the pump switch made it into the range hood. I think one way to tell at a quick glace is if the hood is beige and slope toward user, it is just the one dial switch. If the range hood is a square box shape in white or black, it will have the pump switch.

Back to the "courtesy" light vs "porch" light. I believe if you have the courtesy light you have the pump switch on the left side at the entry. If you have a porch light you have on the left side at the entry a outside light switch and the inside light switch.

Campnut, looking at your picture, I think based on your "courtesy" light, you have the pump switch at the door. Those rocker switches are off when push down and on when pushed up.

I just looked at your album. Picture number two (2) does a beautiful job of showing the sloping hood with the single light/fan knob dial switch. I will bet money that your pump switch is at the door. The pump is just below it.

 

[Campnut-SUN]

I just looked at your album. Picture number two (2) does a beautiful job of showing the sloping hood with the single light/fan knob dial switch. I will bet money that your pump switch is at the door. The pump is just below it.

I did notice the one was to the pump and seen where it is located. I will have to check on the other switch. We don't have an outside light so it may be an inside courtesy light.