First timer

[AFJeeper]

I just wanted to introduce myself and say hi to everyone. My wife and I just bought our first pop up, a 95 Starcraft satellite...hopefully the weather in New Jersey clears out soon so we can use it. Any surprises I should expect my first time out? I am in the Air Force and there is a small site on base I was thinking about hitting first...nice and close to home should I forget anything.

AFJeeper

[TimK]

Make lists: how to set up, how to close, what to take.

Make notes during your trips: what went wrong, what went right.

Don't stress out. We ALL make mistakes.

Have fun!!! It's all a work in progress.

(I make lists because I'm older than dirt, and I............................)

[AFJeeper]

I went through the setup with the previous owner, and he was the original and took great care of it. Canvas has the wear spots, but no major stains and zero rips. Already have the note pad out, what stinks is I can't open it up in the driveway, we live on base and they have pretty strict rules against that stuff.

[ric66]

Welcome aboard I,m new pup owner as well there is a lot of good advice here on about anything on your pup. I to can,t wait to use mine for the first time but I still have a lot to do to mine first to ge it ready it is a 88 starmaster  that Igot cheap but it needs some work 

[chiefd]

Welcome to PUX and congrats on the PUP.  So are you stationed at McGuire? How many years of service?

I retired from the AF in 97 after serving for 23 years.

And yes the campground on the base will be perfect to test all systems etc.  So what does it have?  Stove, heater, water heater etc. 

Some things to avoid is buying all kinds of things for the PUP. If you wee a camper then all of your camping supplies will work.  For example I still use my coleman stove, lantern, coffee pot, sleeping bags (for cold weather) etc.  So with pen and paper in hand camp and write down things you will need.  We keep a pen in paper in the camper all the time so when we close up I have a list of items to buy for the next trip.  It could only be dish soap and paper plates or more. 

[austinado16]

Welcome to PUX and GO TEAM STARCRAFT!!

Your first purchase should be a BAL Light Trailer Leveler.  Best $80 you'll ever spend on the camper.  Allows you to park and level the camper anywhere, without needing to use the tow vehicle to push or pull the camper up onto stacks of wood, or ramps, while the wife stands back there yelling at you.  Just put the camper where ever you want, and if the camper is of a size you can move by hand, you can even spin the camper or walk it to a different location, in order to face it a certain way for a better view, sun or shade exposure, etc.  Then just toss the leveler under the low side wheel, spin the screw jack, and you're done.  Level front to rear using the tongue jack, and that's it.

Incase the owner didn't tell you, the 4 stabilizers are not jacks and they are not for leveling.  Also, they are not to be in contact with the ground while you're operating the roof lift system.

Have fun!!

[JerseyPopUp]

Welcome aboard , fellow Jerseyan. Good luck with your popup. They do make awesome memories that will last forever. My kids don't go a day without talking about camping.

[Twinmom]

  Our first night in our popup was in May 2005 at the Wright-Patterson AFB famcamp--about 3 miles from our base house.  I remember going home at least once.   We had bought the camper in November 2004 and put it in storage.  It was a great learning experience with the security of home nearby. Check out militarycampgrounds.us--sorry don't know how to make it "clickable". There is a lot of great information  about all the military campgrounds, directions, reviews, etc. We have stayed at at least 10 miitary campgrounds. Some really nice, some not. I enjoy the security of being inside the gate, and amenities such as commissary, bx, etc. Enjoy!

[chiefd]

to make it clickable you go to the second row and select the third icon when selected it will look like this (url)(/url).  except these will be square brackets insert the web page tyou want clickable in between and you get this

militarycampgrounds.us

[AFJeeper]

I drove by the site on base, it appears there are a good amount of people actually living there...so we are going to find another spot close by. We camped a lot before, so the anything we bought would be to update the pup like new curtains, rugs, etc...We are just looking forward to getting out in it, to answer some of the questions it does not have heat or hot water, just a water tank and fridge.

ChiefD, thank you for your service, I have done 14 myself. I have my fingers crossed to see my name on the SMSgt list on the 28.

AFJeeper

[chiefd]

ChiefD, thank you for your service, I have done 14 myself. I have my fingers crossed to see my name on the SMSgt list on the 28.

AFJeeper

Whats your AFSC?  Its all about the board scores at some point.  My guess is you will do well since you put on MSgt early in your career as well. Good luck

Dont give up on the base as your first trip.  Even if its full of people living there you can learn from them.  IIRC there is a limit on how long they can stay.  So there is turnover. 

[Potstech]

Also think of all the help you will have if something should go wrong or your are not sure of how to do something. Campers basically are a really friendly group and are always willing to help someone when they need it. Especially military campers.

[AFJeeper]

Chiefd, I am comm and this is my first time seeing the board, I am hoping to get some good news. I had leg surgery on both my legs in Oct and November so I had con leave to stay at home and study, no matter the outcome I feel good knowing I put in the effort to study and get my records straight.

I drive by the site every day going to work, yes it is on a main road. My wife found a few others that are close to home, one benefit of being close to the Jersey Shore is that within 30-45 min of our home there are about 9 sites and a few state parks, although the parks have no hookups once I get a battery system wired up the park will work just fine.

AFJeeper

[AFJeeper]

ChiefD, I found another site on base out at the Rod and Gun club, we are going to head that way once the weather looks stable. I missed Senior by 26 points, The board was not bad to me, and I did well on the PFE...just was out gunned in the TIS and TIG area. Beefing up the EPR for next year, hopefully next spring.

AFJeeper

[chiefd]

ChiefD, I found another site on base out at the Rod and Gun club, we are going to head that way once the weather looks stable. I missed Senior by 26 points, The board was not bad to me, and I did well on the PFE...just was out gunned in the TIS and TIG area. Beefing up the EPR for next year, hopefully next spring.

AFJeeper

Too bad on SMSgt.  Do not be surprised if your board score drops the second year. At least that's what happened to most when I was in.  26 points is not much.  How long have you been at McGuire?  Long enough for the boss to put you in for a medal?