New Heartland Owners! (3690SL)

[MCTalley]

Heading down this Friday to get the hitch put in the bed of the truck and do an inspection and overnight at the dealer in our new 2013 3690SL. Can't wait!

We just fell in love with this floorplan. Have tramped through literally dozens of different fivers over the past year and a half and kept coming back to this model.

 

[jimtoo]

Hi MCT,

Welcome to the Heartland Owners Forum and Family. We have a great bunch of people here with lots of information and all willing to share their knowledge when needed.

When you go for your PDI, do a real through, slow inspection. Make sure it's hooked to water and power, check all the water connections you can and even to draining the tanks. Check all electrical appliances and make sure you know how they work and can make them work. Just take your time.

Enjoy the forum and the Heartland family is here to help if needed.

Jim M

 

[danemayer]

Hi MCT,

Congratulations on your new Big Country and welcome to the Heartland Family and the Owners Forum. You'll find a lot of useful information here along with a bunch of friendly people who are willing to share their knowledge and experience.

Take your time during the PDI and make sure you understand how everything works. It's like drinking from a fire hose, so don't be afraid to stop and ask questions if something goes by too quick. Make sure you understand the operation of the remote and you'll want to get a thorough explanation of the plumbing. Try everything while you're still at the dealer including the TV, radio and surround sound.

(Jim must type faster than I do)

And of course, have a great time.

 

[MCTalley]

Thanks, Jim. We have pretty much all day Friday to play around in it and check it out as well as spending the night in it, so we plan on doing just that. Not sure what all hookups they have available, but I thought I understood at least electric and water. We're stopping overnight at a campground about 1/2 way between on the way home and will definitely test out dumping the tanks there. Fortunately, though the selling dealer is about 3 hours drive from home, our nearest Heartland servicing dealer is only about a hour up the road (interstate vs. state routes).

 

[SJH]

Congratulations on the new rig! The Big Countrys are awesome coaches. We hope you enjoy yours as much as we enjoy ours! Don't forget to check out the Heartland Owners Club and a Chapter near you! Lots of fun times!

Best Wishes for many happy and safe camping adventures!

 

[MCTalley]

Thanks, SJH. We definitely plan on joining the club. A member of another forum encouraged us to join so we can sign up for the national rally next year, which we definitely want to do.

Will also check out our local chapter as well.

 

[jbeletti]

MCT,

Congrats on your BC purchase and welcome to the Heartland Family!

I see you are already thinking about the club - smart If you don't reach out to him first, you'll be hearing from Hogan, our MS Chapter Leader. Until we have an AL chapter, Hogan leads you guys as well. His Alamissabamassippi rallies are epic! In fact, there's one coming up soon! Check it out. Have fun and happy camping.

Jim Beletti
President, Heartland Owners Club

 

[Nabo]

Congratulations on your new "condo on wheels" and Welcome to the Forum. If you have an opportunity, plan on coming to a HL rally in the future. They are fun and a great way to meet/talk to other HL owners.

Enjoy and travel safely.

 

[MCTalley]

Thanks everyone for the warm greetings. We hope to be doing many of the rallies. I hadn't mentioned yet, but our plans are to be full-time around Feb. 2013, so we'll be able to do all those fun things. I saw the upcoming MS/AL rally. We might be able to swing a Fri to Sun visit but not sure yet.

Just spent the morning getting an education on RV insurance. Now have a Good Sam policy in force with full replacement option and low deductibles. Their customer support was excellent.

 

[MCTalley]

We are officially Heartland owners! Currently watching a DVD on our living room TV after a dinner of hamburgers cooked on the grill in our outdoor bistro. We're camped in the dealer's lot for the night. So far, only a couple minor issues found. One is a couple of small holes in the outdoor awning. Dealer is already on it from a warranty standpoint.

 

[Bob Vaughn]

I would advise staying at the dealers camping spot thru the weekend that will give you 3 nights to find out if every thing is going to work as advertised. Turning things on and off disconnecting things and reconnecting. Running the slide outs in and out, the awning in and out. Give everything a workout. Then hope it rains on you so you can make sure you do not have any leaks. If parked in the sun make sure the A/C is running perfectly. If you plan on using the outdoor shower make sure the hose is not kinked and comes out far enough. Check also to make sure the built in vac works. Grimlins will pop up any time hopefully the sooner the better.

 

[MCTalley]

Unfortunately didn't have available vacation time to do that. However, we're going to be parking it at a full hookup campground on a monthly basis once we get home. We'll be living in it from time to time and taking it out on trips here and there.

We did give it a really good run-through, though (hasn't rained yet). Obviously, we'll find stuff from time to time. Will collect a list and take it to our nearest Heartland dealer (an hour from the house, but not same dealer as where we purchased, which is 3.5 hours away) to get those items fixed.

 

[jayc]

MCT, congrats on the new rig! You'll need to bring it to a rally as soon as you can.