Newbe Picked up a 29RLBS at Jeff Couch's RV Nation June 13th

First, Hello to all!

Yes, on Friday the 13th the wife and I picked up our first RV, a WC 29RLBS. Never had a truck let alone a diesel and now a 5th wheel. Everyone at Couch's was courteous and helpful when we did the PDI that morning (some very minor issues fixed). We left in the afternoon (after we set the Prodigy brake controler up that my son and I installed back home) for a campground in Indiana (after receiving a faxed copy of the insurance papers for the RV) where we spent 5 days on our shakedown trip. Full hookups at the campground.

We decided to fill the freshwater tank, sanitize it, and refill it. The monitor never indicated that it was filling above 1/3 full and after a time there was water coming out the overflow tube. I called Couch's and they said they would look at it on our way back over the next week to see if they could fix it. Called Couch's on the cell phone to ask a couple of tech questions and they answered them on the spot.

Couch's found that a freshwater tank strap had broken and added a new one. Water was put in the tank and the level indicators were fixed and now work. Kept a 1/3 water level in the tank so I could weigh the truck and trailer on CAT scales on our way back up to Michigan (which we did). Spent another night in a campground on the way back home.

After a week at home, we took off for 5 days at Sleeping Bear Dunes (NW Michigan). Had some more tech questions for Couch's which they answered via cell phone. Learned how to use a dump station at this campground. We are planning to take a couple more trips up north before fulltiming it through the Rockies from Montana to Texas for an extended period of time.

Duro Radial DS2100's ST225/75R15 came on the RV (stems all ok!). Anyone know anything about the DURO radial tires? RV weighs 9200 lbs per CAT scales with 1460 of that on the 5th wheel hitch (about 1935lbs/tire). I will re-weigh when loaded for fulltiming.

Our experience with Couch's was excellent and highly recommend them as they are a Forest River wholeseller that we found out about on E-BAY.

All in all, the wife and I thoroughly enjoy the RV and are looking forward to fulltiming as soon as possible.

My signature was off in the prefferences. It shoud show now.

Welcome to the forum Magna, Its great to hear you've had some excellent service from Couchs. I've heard a lot of good things from them....

Seems like you guys have a good handle on the cat so far.
Enjoy your trip, and take some good scenic
with the new cat...........

Phillip

Welcome magna! Enjoy that WC 29rlbs. DW and I got our rig in the sig in February from a co-worker of mine and we are loving ours. I lived for 12 years in the Ann Arbor, MI area. One of our tent camping experiences back then was at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Did you stay at the national lakeshore, or at some other campground?
We are looking forward to your participation, remember, we love photos!

Welcome Magna, and congratulations on you 29RLBS.

If you have any other questions that the dealer's answer sounds a little fishy, don't hesitate to ask. Lots of us here of the same model as you.

Welcome!!

Several forum memebrs in your back yard in MI. Have fun and keep us posted on your adventures.

Best regards,
Keith

Glen S:
Yes, stayed in the Nat Lakeshore Park campground w/elec hu only for 5 nights for a total cost of $65. Used the senior pass (62 or older for a 1 time fee of $10) which gets you in the gate free then 1/2 price for a campsite in NP's, Nat Forests, BLM and Bureau of Rec campgrounds.

Great stay and lots of activities: tours, programs at the ampitheaters, and around the area but be careful if you tour the dunes it takes a lot of effort to walk in the sand (or am I aging)!

Welcome to the forum, I am looking forward to your input.

Welcome to the forum from another 29rlbs owner. We've done some camping in MI, mostly state parks. Great experiences there.

Got our 29RLBS from the same place. Welcome.

Welcome!

You ask about Duro tires and I have about 10K miles on mine and no problems. The valve steems had to be replace after 10 months. Welcome and many happy camping trips.