NedProvince
Advanced Member
Hi!
I kept thinking I would wait until we finished the window treatments, and I'd make a mod update video, but since you asked
, here's how it went (more information than you really wanted):
1. Our first trip was two nights at Dockweiler in Playa del Rey, 15 mins. from our house. We had a beach-facing spot, but there is a bern up until April, so we were looking at a massive 12- to 18-foot wall of sand. I didn't mind it, but since it is at the end of the LAX runway AND directly across the street from the water treatment (aka sewage) plant, it was noisy and occasionally (when the wind wasn't blowing the "right" way) stinky. Jim did not enjoy it. I found it only close-the-windows stinky for a couple hour stretch the first evening.
2. I don't know if I posted this before, but since we don't have a backup camera, I stand behind the caravan and Jim and I FaceTime each other and I show him exactly where he is when he's backing in and out of spaces and where he's at near the hitch. If you have a phone signal, its a super way to maneuver.
3. When we bought the FFx139, we had a brake put in at the U-Haul in Ventura (about $360).
4. We were getting an annoying push-pull thing, and Jim suspected something was wrong with the hitch arrangement. After we left Dockweiler the Monday before last, we went to Ekerd (sp?) on Sepulveda and they told us the stabilizers (?) were the wrong size (too big/powerful, I don't know -- Jim's on this forum, too, so he may want to offer more details). So we got a new set up ($650). When we got back from lunch, the guy showed Jim that the hitch on our 2004 Nissan Frontier was unstable (missing some stuff, etc. again, Jim may have to give details). We were going to need a new hitch, so we had one installed. Three-and-a-half hours and $980 (total) later, we were on our way home. Sigh.
5. We (and by "we" I mean Jim, the driver) are still getting used to the brake and adjustment thingy. They are very grabby.
6. Regarding the FF -- almost everything worked really well. Our caravan was the smallest one at Dockweiler by far. All the rigs were at least twice as big. I could not believe all the "pushers" and huge-ass motorhomes.
7. The radio was nice. Since we didn't have wi-fi (and haven't turned on the TV yet), we listened to a lot of NPR and classical. The AC works very well, but OMG, it is SO loud. The microwave works well. We brought salads and charcuterie so did not use the stove.
8. So, after our visiting friends left for some Picasso exhibit, our first night: Jim forgot his computer and he wanted to get a new sewage hose, so he left and the three wolves (our dogs) and I hung out and I LOVED IT.
9. The only thing obviously not working was the water heater. We have to find out what is wrong.
10. So, this past Saturday we went to Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach and it was really nice. You could see the actual beach, there wasn't jet noise and it was not stinky. There was a holiday party and we all got our photos with Santa (will post pics in gallery). There was, however, traffic noise from PCH. Again, this did not bother me. Just about everyone at the RV park was very nice -- our neighbors shared some yummy warm cake and fruit with us!
The day-after Christmas we are going up to Jamala with our son, who'll be home from school (in NY). We have one night at Jamala (sp?) and we'll see what it's like to have a 6-ft adult in the bunk above!
It was very cozy (some would say cramped) in the x139 with two regular-sized (I am actually more on the plus-ish side, but Jim is normal), two Heelers and a Chihuahua. There's a lot of maneuvering with the bedding and setting up and breaking down, but I didn't mind it. I absolutely love the caravan. I'm excited to go out again.
Check out my pics (they're not great, unfortunately) in the Gallery! Best, Nadine
I kept thinking I would wait until we finished the window treatments, and I'd make a mod update video, but since you asked
, here's how it went (more information than you really wanted):1. Our first trip was two nights at Dockweiler in Playa del Rey, 15 mins. from our house. We had a beach-facing spot, but there is a bern up until April, so we were looking at a massive 12- to 18-foot wall of sand. I didn't mind it, but since it is at the end of the LAX runway AND directly across the street from the water treatment (aka sewage) plant, it was noisy and occasionally (when the wind wasn't blowing the "right" way) stinky. Jim did not enjoy it. I found it only close-the-windows stinky for a couple hour stretch the first evening.
2. I don't know if I posted this before, but since we don't have a backup camera, I stand behind the caravan and Jim and I FaceTime each other and I show him exactly where he is when he's backing in and out of spaces and where he's at near the hitch. If you have a phone signal, its a super way to maneuver.
3. When we bought the FFx139, we had a brake put in at the U-Haul in Ventura (about $360).
4. We were getting an annoying push-pull thing, and Jim suspected something was wrong with the hitch arrangement. After we left Dockweiler the Monday before last, we went to Ekerd (sp?) on Sepulveda and they told us the stabilizers (?) were the wrong size (too big/powerful, I don't know -- Jim's on this forum, too, so he may want to offer more details). So we got a new set up ($650). When we got back from lunch, the guy showed Jim that the hitch on our 2004 Nissan Frontier was unstable (missing some stuff, etc. again, Jim may have to give details). We were going to need a new hitch, so we had one installed. Three-and-a-half hours and $980 (total) later, we were on our way home. Sigh.
5. We (and by "we" I mean Jim, the driver) are still getting used to the brake and adjustment thingy. They are very grabby.
6. Regarding the FF -- almost everything worked really well. Our caravan was the smallest one at Dockweiler by far. All the rigs were at least twice as big. I could not believe all the "pushers" and huge-ass motorhomes.
7. The radio was nice. Since we didn't have wi-fi (and haven't turned on the TV yet), we listened to a lot of NPR and classical. The AC works very well, but OMG, it is SO loud. The microwave works well. We brought salads and charcuterie so did not use the stove.
8. So, after our visiting friends left for some Picasso exhibit, our first night: Jim forgot his computer and he wanted to get a new sewage hose, so he left and the three wolves (our dogs) and I hung out and I LOVED IT.
9. The only thing obviously not working was the water heater. We have to find out what is wrong.
10. So, this past Saturday we went to Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach and it was really nice. You could see the actual beach, there wasn't jet noise and it was not stinky. There was a holiday party and we all got our photos with Santa (will post pics in gallery). There was, however, traffic noise from PCH. Again, this did not bother me. Just about everyone at the RV park was very nice -- our neighbors shared some yummy warm cake and fruit with us!
The day-after Christmas we are going up to Jamala with our son, who'll be home from school (in NY). We have one night at Jamala (sp?) and we'll see what it's like to have a 6-ft adult in the bunk above!
It was very cozy (some would say cramped) in the x139 with two regular-sized (I am actually more on the plus-ish side, but Jim is normal), two Heelers and a Chihuahua. There's a lot of maneuvering with the bedding and setting up and breaking down, but I didn't mind it. I absolutely love the caravan. I'm excited to go out again.
Check out my pics (they're not great, unfortunately) in the Gallery! Best, Nadine
