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Picking up your new PC.

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garmp

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Picking up your new PC.
« on: January 05, 2017, 05:04:58 pm »
How'd you do it? When you have the finish date and go to get your PC, how did you get there with you equipment, etc?
We have slightly more than 2 months before our anticipated completion date and already we're planning to pick it up and a trip on the way home.
Living in St. Louis, MO area and about a 6 hr drive to the plant, we are thinking of renting a SUV/mini van. Loading it with minimal camping gear (bedding, cookware, clothes, etc) and spent the day driving up there. Get a room and off to the plant in the a.m., unloading the rental and go thru our orientation and instructional sessions. Return the rental and head to the nearest campground to see what we bought. Trying to figure how to arrive at the plant unload the rental and return the rental, to cut down on cost, before the walk through/instructions. (I would feel more at eased and less hurried this way, and could really concentrate on learning the nuances of the new RV. Making the transition from "camper" to "RVer" easier.)
And on the way home!
We plan on making it at least a one week trip if not a day or so more. Like to hit Hocking Hills SP, OH, and then O'Bannon Woods SP, IN, with a couple of days in each before heading home. But these are not set in stone and are open to ideas and routes.
Thanks for reading and come on SPRING!!!  2o2
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Jack is what we call our PC 2351D, and he has taken us from campers to RV'ers and loving it. We're no longer Team Bob. Just Jack the RV!
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RheaNL

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2017, 05:39:32 pm »
You have more things to consider than stuff. There is still the potential for bad weather in March. I remember driving through St. Louis on my way from Colorado to Kentucky in mid-March several years back when the Midwest was in a giant deep freeze (not above20 in the day and down below 0 at night). Everything that could freeze had to be moved into the hotel every night and then the car pre-heated in the morning before we put the stuff back. There were parts of the major interstates with terrible ice and when you exited, driving was a nightmare. So, watch the weather closely because you may need to still be winterized and/or postpone pick-up--a very hard thing to do.

As to the stuff, don't try and take everything you think you will eventually want when traveling, just bare bones it.  I had relatives in Chicago area. So flew into Elkhart and drove PC back to Chicago as first stop. The family supplied some things and I made a trip to Goodwill and a Walmart for everything else that was essential. You could do the Goodwill and Walmart right there in Elkhart and be equipped enough for the return trip.

Exciting times.  Good luck and congratulations.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2017, 05:44:08 pm »
Hi garmp,

You are looking at 6.5 hours of driving time.  Don't forget, you will loose an hour due to the time zone.  Consider staying the night prior in a motel near the factory so you can get there when they open.  This will relieve a lot of stress so you can give Phoenix your full attention.  If you own a smart phone, consider having your spouse video record the walk through while you concentrate on the conversation.  Just make sure you saved-off then deleted all your old videos and pics so you have enough phone memory.

As far as your car rental is concerned, many rental companies will pick up your rental.  You don't necessarily have to drop it off at their nearest office.  I would think it is common practice there in Elkhart with people like you doing that on a regular basis.  Ask your local car rental company if they can pick up the car at your destination.  If you are not getting the answer you want, then ask Earl Robbins there at Phoenix.  He might offer some good advise.

It sounds like you already have a collection of camping equipment.  I like your idea of bringing along all you need in your rental for a week long RV trip.  Hint: leave the tent and air mattress home :)  Bring a little electric space heater too, just in case you have an issue with the furnace.  When our PC was 3 months old, I learned our furnace didn't work at a bad time on our first big trip camping at high altitude Brainard Lake, CO at 10,350 feet in subfreezing temps in September.  I got lucky, quickly finding a furnace kill switch outside behind the furnace panel.  I switched it on and we had heat.  It's that kind of thing you want a backup space heater for.

I also like your idea of staying at a local campground for the first night to make all your mistakes, and maybe find a few of Phoenix's too.  Many people do that, returning the next morning to get matters resolved, or learn about operator error.  So DON'T plan on getting there on a Friday for the next day Saturday they are closed.  I would play it safe and get to Phoenix on a Monday or Tuesday morning.  Doing so gives Phoenix more consecutive work days to assure you won't spend a weekend there.

It's going to be a long winter for you.  Hang in there.  Your day will come.

Ron Dittmer
« Last Edit: January 05, 2017, 06:18:59 pm by ron.dittmer »
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Bruce

Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2017, 06:55:16 pm »
Hi gramp,
If I were in your spot on this, I would not be too quick to return the rental car--might even plan on keeping it for an extra day after picking up your PC.  Rather than trying to prepare meals in the PC on the first day, I'd use the car to find a nearby restaurant (might have to drive there).  Even if I have all meals in the PC, it might be easier to go to the market for food and other items that are needed but not packed when leaving home. The cost of an extra day of car rental will be small compared to the other costs to be incurred.

There will be many things to test out on the new rig--best to leave plenty of time in the campground--even an extra day would give me peace of mind.

Best wishes to you on this exciting occasion.
--Bruce
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jatrax

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2017, 06:58:42 pm »
Like Garmp we are roughly 8 weeks out or so and any tips on picking up would be appreciated.

We plan to fly into Elkhart from Oregon so all we can take has to go in the suitcase.  Earl said he will pick us up at the hotel in the morning and drive us to the shop.  I guess do the orientation and toss the suitcases in the rig.  Tentatively planning on one night at a campground in Elkhart and then on to Pittsburgh where our son lives.  Spend a few days there stocking the rig and getting to know things then head west.  We plan to ship some stuff to our son's house so we can pick it up there.  Then if there are any issues I figure we are likely driving back past Elkhart so we can get anything resolved at the factory.  Then 2500 miles to home.  Will watch the weather carefully to see what the best route might be.

We have been resisting the urge to buy stuff as there is no reasonable way to ship it.  So we have been making lists and will stop at Walmart, Ikea or wherever after we pick up the rig.  Figure we can just park in the parking lot try stuff out, if it doesn't fit just walk back in and exchange it. :lol
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Polish Prince

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2017, 08:39:42 pm »
Ah the fun of that first night.  We drove down to Elkhart from Northern Michigan in our Toad.  We had our Jeep Cherokee fitted with tow bars and were able to test our setup and hookup with our truck.  We hooked the Jeep to the truck and drove around the neighborhood to test everything before we went to Elkhart.  We took all the necessary gear, pillows, sheets, etc., and a little cookware.  We spent the night before in a hotel near PC and got there early in the morning.  We spent about 2 hours going through the unit.  I had reviewed every video multiple times before we got there so we had specific questions, and we found a few customized things they had forgotten.  They fixed a couple right then, but we had to come back 2 weeks later, as our backsplash hadn't been ordered.

We spent a night locally, there is at least one year round campground in Elkhart.  We didn't have to go back for anything the next day, but our air conditioning did quit on us the next week.  We just went to a certified Dometic dealer and had it fixed.  PC covered the bill, no problem.  Hooking up the Toad and having it available was nice and let us experience how everything was going to work long term. 
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jatrax

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2017, 09:23:23 pm »
Quote
We drove down to Elkhart from Northern Michigan in our Toad.
That's what I wanted to do!  However, dear wife nixed that because:
1) We don't have a toad and "you are not buying anything else!"
2) She isn't going to drive across country in a jeep and then tow it back behind an RV.
3) "You really, really are not buying a Jeep!!"
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keelhauler

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2017, 08:29:17 am »
I think all the comments were good.

Hotel
Camp with rig nearby 1st nite
Camp within a 5 hr drive back to factory the first week, in case something breaks.
Bring or buy some basic kitchen utensils and bedding,
Buy that small heater that Ron recommended, we use ours all the time, it is on today and we are near Tampa. We never go over 700 watts, so a really high output heater is not required.
Make sure you have Carol(Parts) and Bob(factory) contact info. Earl is a salesman and may be at a show.
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ragoodsp

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2017, 09:35:28 am »
Make sure you get the Vin #  well in advance and get your vehicle insurance all lined with the policy's effective date the day you pick your rig up.  I picked a coach up in Elkhart once and I had a 10 hour drive back to NH....thru in my sleeping bag, a few snacks and headed  home.   I would not worry much and just enjoy the coach.
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Ron Goodspeed
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jfcaramagno

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2017, 05:41:41 pm »
Quote from: jatrax on January 05, 2017, 09:23:23 pm
3) "You really, really are not buying a Jeep!!"
:-)
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Polish Prince

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2017, 08:57:00 pm »
I think the correct reply should have been - "You're not buying a Jeep -- yet!!"  Give it some time and it will look great behind your PC.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2017, 09:10:04 pm »
Hi jatrax,

If you are like us in the national parks and other public lands, your wife will eventually come to the realization that a Jeep is a very good idea.  Just be sure your first trip is in an area where a Jeep is an absolute necessity  :)

Our first tow vehicle was a 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder.  We went to Escalante and drove to the trail head to the narrows.  At the trail head were Jeep Wranglers and Libertys and us.  People there looked at us like we were crazy....................we were crazy......and determined.  We drove that little car through deep-entry dry river beds and other 4x4 terrain to get there.
« Last Edit: January 06, 2017, 09:18:27 pm by ron.dittmer »
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jatrax

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2017, 09:45:22 pm »
Thanks Ron!  That Liberty seems just about ideal unfortunately no longer made.  I did stop at the Jeep dealer last month and asked about a Jeep to tow.  He recommended the Jeep Compass but I am not sure it can be towed 4 down, despite the sales droid saying it was.

Anyway, we will get a toad eventually, just not right away.  I think we both realize that we will need it for our intended traveling.  But as always she is right, getting it NOW is not going to happen.  Still need to do some research.

Would get a Liberty again if yours died?  Or something else?
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Michelle Dungan

Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #13 on: January 07, 2017, 01:29:35 am »
Jatrax, keep your eyes and ears open for the next generation Jeep Wrangler, probably coming Fall 2017 as a 2018.  It's supposed to have a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with good power and mileage; we'll all have to see if it does in the real world and whether there's turbo lag, something you don't want while carefully crawling along doing the "Jeep creep".  And, suspension linkages may better prevent "death wobble" than in previous generations of Wranglers and CJs, a shimmying wobble that can actually occur for various reasons on any solid front axle vehicle.  It'll take 'em a year to get the bugs out, too.  By then, you'll likely be in a better negotiating position than now for a go-anywhere vehicle that hopefully'll get halfway decent mpg.  But if you need something sooner, there are plenty of used small 4-cylinder 2WD pickups out there, many of which can be used as toads if equiped with a manual transmission; however, check various online resources before buying.  A few hundred pounds of gear in the rear of a small 2WD pickup helps with dirt road traction; I know, as that's all I was given working for the USFS 30 years ago, but it did the job.
« Last Edit: January 07, 2017, 01:43:49 am by Michelle Dungan »
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Picking up your new PC.
« Reply #14 on: January 07, 2017, 09:56:44 am »
Quote from: jatrax on January 06, 2017, 09:45:22 pm
Would get a Liberty again if yours died?  Or something else?
You ask a very good question.

I am an advocate in buying used vehicles over a brand new one.  I have made a few exceptions in life like our PC for example.  We would have bought a used 2350 back in 2007, but there were none to be found.

We bought our 2006 Liberty at 3 years old and ~30,000 miles for $12,000 in the St. Louis area which meant less salt exposure compared to here in the Chicago area.  If we lost our Liberty tonight, given that it is my wife Irene's daily driver and she loves it "TOO" much, I might be on the search for the exact same body style Liberty in mint condition & low miles, and pay more than the books say it's worth.  Irene does not like the style of the newer Liberty so I can't see that a consideration.

But I would love to replace our 2006 Liberty with a small used 4x4 pickup truck with an extended cab and suicide doors, and use that as our tow vehicle.  Now that I am retired, a small pickup truck around here would be so much more useful than the Liberty that doesn't pull it's weight around the house.  I would most likely seek a 4x4 Ford Ranger or GM/Chevy Colorado.  But I am not certain they can be towed 4-wheel-down.  If we can't do that, they would drop off my wish list.  I also would need to research their curb weight.  Our 4x4 Liberty is ~4300 pounds, only 700 pounds less than our hitch is rated for.

My ideal tow vehicle would look something like this with a lockable flat or domed bed cover for our trips.
« Last Edit: January 07, 2017, 10:11:43 am by ron.dittmer »
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