| Maiden Voyage Trip Report [message #105397] |
Sun, 07 November 2010 19:17  |
pistolnut
Messages: 19
Registered: September 2010
Location: Caldwell, TX
Karma:
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Junior Member |
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I took the Birch out this weekend for the first attempt at motorhome camping. The destination was only 35 miles away, a military vehicles offroad rally. After all of the work I've done, it seemed like a good first outing to see how everything works. I flat-towed my 1967 M-715 (5500+ lbs)and was pleasantly surprised by how well that worked out. I had plenty of power, and the truck followed well. In a panic stop situation I would have been wishing for better brakes but otherwise all was well.
When I started the generator and switched the breakers from shore to generator a breaker immediately popped. The outlets down the driver's side of the coach didn't work which unfortunately included my inverter so I couldn't charge the house battery. I tried it again when I got home and had the same problem. Somehow on the 30 mile trip I developed a short or a bad breaker. I'll figure it out somehow I guess.
Here are the rest of my impressions:
The toilet is awfully small, but it worked well. I can see why some folks upgrade.
The shower worked pretty good but it was small too(I have the side bath). The little water heater worked great but I ran out of hot water, I'll have to hurry faster next time.
What is the deal with the water capacity exceeding the holding tank capacity? I guess you are supposed to dump the tanks every day somehow. Yesterday at dinner my grey water tank filled up and I had no place to dump. The black water tank did fine but when I dumped it when I got home it seemed like it had to have plenty in it although the electric guage said it was empty.
The Suburban furnace worked great, I got two nights out of it off of the house battery and I was toasty warm. My CO monitor said all was good too!
My little oven rocked! I never imagined I would use it for anything but I was very popular with the other MV'rs after making and sharing some Hungry Jack biscuits.
The new cushions in the back bedroom make for a too firm bed. I'll have to think of something there.
All in all, I'm pretty pleased. I've identified a bunch of stuff I can fix by packing the right things, and a bunch of issues to consider on future trips.
'76 Birchaven
Caldwell, TX
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