Weigh-in and first trip.

[FinAde]

We've finally done our first trip away, a short distance away on a site near Cullompton in Devon in the Blackdown Hills. Lovely site, great walks in the woods, couple of pubs nearby (although we didn't try any out), and a r***y field (without EHU), potential site for a West-Country visit..

Had a couple of teething problems, first being the trip to the weighbridge. After the concern caused by the weighpads we removed the tailgate, then the spare wheel - but decided that it's too important to leave behind so put it back on - loaded everything into the front lockers over the bed or on the bed and still over weight on the rear axle Seems adding dog and another human was just too much. So we came back home, picked a few heavier items to leave behind, including leg motors - we weren't planning on demounting... , moved more bits forward until there was nothing left to relocate, and headed off.

Arrived at site, filled up water tanks etc and found a leak in the refurbished water heater, so no onboard water for a couple of days until we gave in and demounted using a drill, and went to find a place to get repairs. Job done, hot water and no leaks. Will not be leaving the motors at home again though.



All in all a good trip, sunburn in April but going to see about getting the truck uprated for peace of mind.



It is level, honest




Zildjian; We often leave the front legs at home anyway unless we specifically plan to drop it off,
could do without the spare wheel too, I read you dropped it off for awhile and they are perfectly OK just steadying them on truck overnight on rear legs (in case you were wondering)

[rubberrat]

Its hard getting the weight in the right place isn't it. Its not just us lot either, the Motorhome press is full of grumbles about new motorhomes being over the payload as soon as the occupants are in.

I wouldn't leave the legs behind in case there was an incident requiring removal of the camper, but then again, you can't take every conceivable scenario into account. I try to put every heavy thing on the back seat of the truck to push weight further forward.

I'm sure we all carry too much stuff, and I began a weight reduction thing a couple of years ago, swapping out big heavy things for a lighter version whenever possible. If its not to muddy at the local weighbridge i'll do mine at the end of the month.

BTW, are Apollo's difficult to wind the legs by hand? I ditched my electric drill as it seemed so quick and easy (and lighter) just using the hand cranks - and we drop it right down to the ground too.

[Bookend]

Looks like you had good weather for your first trip.

I'm going to have to weigh mine now to see what it looks like

[FinAde]

You have seen the angle of the truck... levelling meant all four legs even whilst still strapped down(ish) Have now purchased some levelling ramps to help.

Can't manually wind these legs - we've had special tools fabricated by 'a mate' to fit on the end of a drill as we only have 3 useable motors (or ratchet for slow and painful manual winding), but it's slower for lowering than using the motors even though they are pretty tired. Would have dropped it lower but needed the height for the waste water tank and to save the drill batteries to raise again. Was a bit 'boat-like' especially when the dog decided to move around but stable enough.

[derestrictor]

Last one I was in while off truck was fine, but then again ws down at ground level nearly so dont' know about waste water height thing
(not thought of that before)

looks good with that VW anyway bet they are full of goodies and driver comforts eh

[FinAde]

Was comparing it to our VW Golf today and came up with the differences are the Amarok pulls and accelerates better, has heated leather seats, better aircon but sat nav is not as sophisticated. Love it to bits.

[rubberrat]

How about fitting those caravan type side exits for waste water than the waste container will be 'outboard'

Z; Careful Mark, your Daily Mail pull out & keep CC guide is showing

[Mike]

To make it more stable when de mounted and living I it I drop it onto 4 fold up axle stands which work well more weight! But they store out of way the the passenger seat in the Truck. sounds like you had a good first trip.

[rubberrat]

How about fitting those caravan type side exits for waste water than the waste container will be 'outboard'

Z; Careful Mark, your Daily Mail pull out & keep CC guide is showing

Is that 'the mark of Zorro' chipping into my post there?

[zildjian]