March 20, 2015
RVs For Less
Knoxville, TN

I had to make the trip back to RVs For Less today to have them install the Blue Ox Bed Saver. This is a device that attaches to the hitch and it captures the King Pin if it ever slips out of the hitch. I had read several accounts where people had not gotten the pin locked in and when they tried to pull forward it slipped out and the RV crumpled the side rails of the truck bed and the pin either dented or sliced through the bed. That was reason enough for me to get one.

The only other item I have on my list that needs to be installed before we hit the road is a tire pressure monitoring system. At this time I am looking at the TST 507 with flow thru sensors.

March 16, 2015
RVs For Less
Knoxville, TN

We've been here at RVs For Less over the past week getting final warranty work completed and new items added. After two years its good to finally be done with warranty work. The last phase was getting three compartment doors replaced and repainted. This last trip was to have the entertainment door replaced and unfortunately the new door doesn't look much better than the old. The difference is we can't see light through the door and it now stays locked.
The final step in being road ready was to add a few items. We had them install an Onan 5500 watt LP generator, a TriMetric T2030 Battery Monitor System, Ride Ride Air Bags with an Air Lift compressor and remote, and a wired, four camera system that interfaces with the Ford dashboard monitor was installed by American Radio of Knoxville. We are also having a Blue Ox bed saver added to the hitch this Friday. That will prevent the rig from damaging the truck in the event the hitch is not locked and the RV pulls out unexpectedly.

The plan this week was also for us to be trained on how to hitch and unhitch the rig and ultimately how to drive and back the rig. Both Marilyn and I spent a few hours with Alan on Friday learning and practicing the hitch-unhitch process. Due to the weather we delayed leaving until Monday (3/16). On Monday we hitched up the rig and headed out. We went up and down the highway out front of RVs for Less a few times to get used to how it handled and then we made our way to the interstate.
 

  Driving through Knoxville was a little tense due to the amount of traffic and the number of potholes from the recent winter weather but all in all it wasn't too bad. Once back at Caney Creek we took advantage of a few empty sites to practice backing. Then we decided to pull over to our tight spot and practice a few times there. That turned out to be quite the challenge with cars and rigs limiting the maneuvering space but we were able to successfully park the rig twice. By then we were all ready for a break......We now feel like we're ready to be off on our own and plan to practice every few weeks around here until we become comfortable. Hopefully, we can take a few weekend trips to become even more experienced and ready for the road. September will be here before we know it.....stay tuned.