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Old 10-20-2019, 02:20 PM   #1
Cyride
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Just purchased a new 381th!

We just committed to a new late year 2019 Montana High Country 381th. The only other camper we have owned was a Jayco fold down many years ago. Wouldn't mind some information on what we will immediatly need for the RV. The 5th wheel will come with two batteries, full propane, and a rear monitoring camera system. I will probably purchase a Surge protector, TPMS system, landing pads, sewer hose, fresh water pressure regulator, and some fresh water hoses for the RV. The surge protector I am considering is the South Wire MODEL 34950 50A Portable surge protector.

I am open to recommendations on what I will need and equipment/parts recommendations. Also, is there anything I should pay particular attention to when we go through our walk through? Planning on picking it up in 3 weeks.

Thanks,

Jon
 
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Old 10-20-2019, 03:38 PM   #2
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Good list. I would also pick up a 50amp to 30amp dog bone and a 25' 50amp extension cord comes in handy sometimes too. You will probably need 30' of sewer hose as well as donut or twist on connector to attach to the camps sewer connection. A clear elbow at one end or the other helps you know when your sufficiently flushed. There is lots more you may decide you want, but this will get you started.
PS. The Progressive Industries EMS or surge surpressor is the Gold Standard.
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Old 10-20-2019, 05:48 PM   #3
DQDick
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I would also recommend the Progressive EMS. When you do the walk thru video it so you can go back and see how some things work should you forget. Also, while there is a good list here on the forum look closely at everything. Our old rig came with a broken landing gear. Don't let the dealer rush you, take all the time you need.
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Old 10-20-2019, 06:10 PM   #4
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Get a good walkthrough. When we bought ours the guy took about 4 hours. Covered every switch, each and every piece of gear. Went through all the manuals. He was excellent!!!
Google Pre-delivery checklist by Tom Boles. Fairly comprehensive list.
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/buenavistas/
Needless to say, get everything in writing.
Welcome, lots of good, very knowledgeable people here.
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Old 10-20-2019, 10:26 PM   #5
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Some dealers have on-site hookups so that you can camp for a few days in order to find some of the problems and maybe get them fixed before you drive off their property....otherwise you'll find out down the road.
If the power cord does not come with a 90 elbow or at least a 45, then get an adapter or another cord with the factory elbow....save you some electrical issues later maybe.
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Old 10-20-2019, 10:46 PM   #6
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for the love of GOD check the alignment before you sign !! Long piece of angle iron make sure it contacts all 4 points of the tire, both sides.
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Old 10-21-2019, 05:10 AM   #7
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here is something that isn't on the list.


once you buy the trailer dealers seem to forget you; sales dept ends, service dept. begins.



You will have some trailer warranty issues and the dealer will have to deal with them. Schedule a future appointment out a few months with dealer.... you can always cancel if there are no issues.
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Old 10-21-2019, 12:18 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Last2Die View Post
for the love of GOD check the alignment before you sign !! Long piece of angle iron make sure it contacts all 4 points of the tire, both sides.
YES, CHECK YOUR AXLES. Not hard to do for peace of mind.
Axle alignment
https://www.centrevilletrailer.com/h...ler-tire-wear/
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Old 10-21-2019, 12:24 PM   #9
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Make sure you actually see (verify VIN) the title OR the manufacturers certificate of origin, BEFORE you sign. We we bought ours (and I asked), we were told "just take your bill of sale to get it titled".
LIE!! Took 2 months to get the manufacturers certificate of origin from CW. Almost had to get a lawyer.
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Old 10-21-2019, 12:34 PM   #10
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total cost for axle alignment and new tires about 1700.00 so yes do your self a favor and check before you sign !!!!
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Old 10-24-2019, 09:33 PM   #11
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With regards to the alignment check, this is a 42 foot triple axle 5th wheel so I don’t think I will be able to take a long enough straight edge with me to perform some of the checks as shown on the attachment. I could use a string line to check alignment of the wheels and run a 100 foot tape measure from the king pin to each corner of the RV. My question is since this is a new RV wouldn’t the warranty cover any issues found later on? I asked the salesman about alignment concern, he contacted service to get their input. The service manager said since the RV was towed to the dealership over 500 miles away that if there was an alignment issue it would also show up in tire ware. I will do my best to check alignment but may not be able to check it at the dealer exactly as suggested in the attachment.
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Old 10-24-2019, 09:54 PM   #12
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Jon,

Congrats on your new purchase. You have a good list to start with and have received some good suggestions.

I will second taking a lot of time on your walkthrough. If you have an RV knowledgable friend, bring them - if not still bring some for another set of eyes. Keep lots of notes and video. Have them run every system. If they run the heater - they can also run the ac even if its cold outside.

Don't feel pressured by the dealer (or yourself) to pull it off the lot with a promise they will fix issues later. You will likely get quicker service if it has not been paid for or delivered.
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Old 10-24-2019, 10:17 PM   #13
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Thanks AZ Traveler, I plan to take my time and go through the checklist provided earlier. Since this is the first RV of this kind we have purchased I will ask a lot of question throughout the PDI. I have been a master electrician for over 35 years so even though I have not been an RV owner I feel I should be able to make sense of how most of the systems on the RV work and identify most of the problems that could arrive during the walk through. I have also done a lot of research on extended service plans available and have gotten a couple of quotes (one from Wholesale Warranties another from Good Sam) should I decide to purchase a little piece of mind.
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Old 10-26-2019, 04:48 PM   #14
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fold down to a TH …good move …enjoy the new rig.
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Old 10-26-2019, 10:02 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick View Post
I would also recommend the Progressive EMS. When you do the walk thru video it so you can go back and see how some things work should you forget. Also, while there is a good list here on the forum look closely at everything. Our old rig came with a broken landing gear. Don't let the dealer rush you, take all the time you need.
Dittos to this! Enjoy the 381TH. We sure enjoy ours!
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Old 10-27-2019, 08:49 AM   #16
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Welcome to the forum. Congrats on the new rig. It’s a monster so be careful.
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Old 10-27-2019, 10:05 AM   #17
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Congratulations! Welcome to the forum!
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Old 10-30-2019, 02:02 PM   #18
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We do enjoy ours also. Welcome to the forum.
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Old 10-30-2019, 04:44 PM   #19
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Suggestion for new owner

Great suggestion above, about spending some time in the RV before leaving the dealer lot.
We were able to spend Friday afternoon through Tuesday morning hooked up to utilities on our dealer lot using the unit on the lot like we were rving. Got to ask lots of questions after using RV.
Also found things that were not working
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Old 10-30-2019, 09:19 PM   #20
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Congratulations on your new purchase! Heed everyone's advice as much as practical and don't take delivery late in the day. Get a morning appointment so you won't be rushed! Now I add my megger two cents, but it has served me very well. O the subject of sewage, a very crappy subject indeed! Buy 2 items, 1.Valterra T58 twist-on waste valve. Put it on the end of your dump line and then the outside cap on it. These things, at least mine, has a bad habit of seeping into the drain line and the last thing you want is to pop that cap and have a lap/shoe full of poo and other nasties. So you leave that gate valve on always and closed while not in use. Available from Amazon $17.68. 2. Camco RV Dual Flush RV Holding Tank Rinser (39072) $21.01. When you set up this goes directly onto the twist on gate valve. While it doesn't really flush your holding tank, it does backflush the pipe from the RV and when you turn the valve from tank to hose it nicely flushes your hose. Optional, but recommended: buy 2 twist on gate valves, the second one goes after the rinser, and then the hose. I have had several occasions where my tank clogged and I had to close the outermost valve and use the water pressure from the Holding tank rinser to clear the clog. Sometimes it takes a couple of attempts, but it always works. I have come up with this system for me from "crappy" experience. I would like anyone else's thoughts on this too. I have a picture of my arrangement if I can figure how to get it on here.
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