As promised I am following up with a trip report. The trip out to Ohio started on Monday afternoon with 20 mph winds gusting to 40 throughout the entire route from Colorado Springs to Lakeview OH. We arrived at RV Wholesalers at 9:30 am on Wednesday. My name was on the welcome board and it took only a few minutes before we were walking through the TT. I was shown every feature and system and their operation was explained. They had already installed a deep cycle battery before I had arrived. The staff assured me they do a thorough inspection and they operate all the equipment and appliances. A nine volt battery was removed from the fire alarm due to the fumes when they operate the heater for the first time and burn off the coatings on the components. They check out all the pluming and after that they winterize the systems with compressed air. We checked what we could and had the tanks filled with propane. A winter storm was raging in Colorado and the forecast was for another storm to start Friday night. Given our weather constraints I decided to take the dealer at their word and get on the road. The winds were still raging and I was warned by a professional driver in the lobby that the conditions were going to be potentially dangerous for transporting a travel trailer. Fortunately, I have a lifted 2004 Ford Expedition with new adjustable struts, 2" spacers, and 35" load D tires. In addition, we had a brand new Equal-I-zer hitch. The wider stance and struts at about 80% dampening combined with the hitch made the trailer behave very well in the 40 mph gusts. We were having less trouble than the semi trailers in winds that ranged from head-on to 90 deg cross-winds. I found that 30 mph winds on the nose was a challenge to maintain any speeds above 55 mph. I got good at using the semi trucks as rolling wind blocks. My son and I stopped on the west side of St. Louis for an overnight in a very nice RV park in St. Charles MO. The forecast that evening was for thunderstorms so we were going to see if there were any leaks and if the heater worked. We had several hours of drenching rain and no leaks. The heater worked flawlessly and there was no smell when it operated. We also turned on the fridge and it was nice and cold the next day. We bucked heavy winds the next day until the winds moderated in western Kansas. We made it home at 10:30pm on Thursday night. I am looking at a snow storm outside my window now and thinking I am glad I got home during good weather and I'm lucky that Heartland provided a quality trailer with zero issues, so far. We have not been able to run water through the systems so when it warms up again I can test the gray and black water tanks and the fresh water systems. However, I believe RV Wholesalers have already done that. I am sure we will run into a issues at some point so I bought an extended warranty and expect Heartland with be there for us as we get experience with her.
Would I suggest buying a TT at RVW. Yes, but don't expect to be doted on. They are a volume dealer and they do not provide a lot of customer/dealer interaction. They execute the sale, perform the walk-through, and let you inspect what you want. After that you are provided a tour through the parts department and its time to depart. If it is a kit glove experience you are looking for I would expect to pay a lot more.
I really like this trailer and am very excited to get her out this summer for some great family time. The trip with my son was challenging due to the weather and schedule but is turned out to be a very special experience we both shared and one we will remember with fondness.
Dave
