just bought a 21' travel trailer BUT I am in way over my head

[Shelly T]

I am a disabled 57 year old woman who just bought a 21' travel trailer I plan to be living in completely by Dec and be at the next RTR. BUT I am in way over my head. I would love to have someone to talk to about things. I can be contacted by PM or email.

 

[bullfrog]

Tell us all you can about your general location,your trailer, your abilities and your means or just ask specific questions. Tell us more about where you plan to go and what you will be able or want to accomplish. The more we know the better we can answer. You can join a caravan or club like Escapees if you need more personal one on one type interaction.

 

[1shemp]

Don't be too frightened.Before you know it you will realize things are pretty simple.Good luck.

 

[Shelly T]

Don't be too frightened.Before you know it you will realize things are pretty simple.Good luck.

Making the decision to get the trailer (it's always a stress relief to have a definite course of action), getting the loan for the trailer, and then getting the trailer was all accompanied with excitement adrenaline. But once that wore off I just cried because I knew I was  in way over my head. I can't get the solar to work and the many hours in googleland have not helped. I am just so overwhelmed with it all and I have no one here to help me.  ~shelly

 

[Shelly T]

Tell us all you can about your general location,your trailer, your abilities and your means or just ask specific questions.  Tell us more about where you plan to go and what you will be able or want to accomplish.  The more we know the better we can answer.  You can join a caravan or club like Escapees if you need more personal one on one type interaction.

I forgot to mention that I can't get the solar to work  :huh:

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Shelly! That more information we have the more help we can give you. Do you have a good tow vehicle? Is there a campground near you that you can go to for a few days to test everything? Can you tell us any more information about your solar install - the wattage of the panels, how many batteries you have, specifics on the problem, etc?

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[LERCA]

Do you have a business relationship with a good mechanic? Can you ask around for one? Mine just moved (like the rest of the state) but he was an incredible resource. For those of us who don’t know a lot about vehicles a good mechanic is a godsend. It might not help immediately but it’s something to look for.

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the CRVL forums 

I didn't see where you mentioned your tow vehicle.   A 21 ft trailer shouldn't require a super powerhouse of a tow vehicle.
(unless you are in steeper mountains) 

Finding someone who can trouble shoot/fix your Solar shouldn't be too difficult.  to expensive.

Once your rig ready to travel,  you will need some idea of...."where to go & what to do".  A way to plan for that
should be in place.  Let me invite you to check out the bottom link below in my signature line.  It could stand in
for a planner and keep anyone from feeling too lost or overwhelmed.

All the best in your travels !

 

[user 22017]

I forgot to mention that I can't get the solar to work  :huh:

Do you have a place to live, before your trip starts? If so, then maybe skip the solar for now?

What else do you need help understanding?

 

[Qxxx]

Shelly, you can learn a lot on this forum, and ask questions in specific sections, like electrical and solar. It might take a while to sort things out. Possibly there are experienced RV travelers or a local club that you could get in direct contact with. There should also be RV dealers around that can help sort "immediate" problems. Things like solar are highly technical, and answers you get here may sound like babble in a foreign language.

 

[maki2]

I forgot to mention that I can't get the solar to work  :huh:

Rule #1 of troubleshooting electrical stuff....always check the physical connections first.  Are all the wires actually hooked up? If they are not then it won't work.

But there is a sequence to what you connect to what first.   Panels should never be connected to the controller without first connecting the battery to the controller. If you don't obey that rule you can ruin your controller.

I would suggest you try to find someone to help you look at the connections if you can. But be right there with them asking questions about anything you don't understand. Take notes, take photos, add notes to the photos. It is going to be overwhelming to try to remember it all without some reference notes.   If you don't have a helper log onto a website and have a connected phone or tablet right there in your hand to look at so you can try to find the components they are talking about. Identify everything before you take any actions. Use some masking tape and make your own labels to stick on stuff if you need to. You need to create the roadmap of your system in your head so that you understand your new trailer's solar system. Most of us are visual learners so use that to your advantage as it will be the fastest way to learn.

 

[RVTravel]

Maybe HOWA can give her a call?