The Conservative Cave
The Bar => The Lounge => Topic started by: NHSparky on June 14, 2013, 11:48:49 AM
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Scoobs and I just got an RV. Well, we got it home, anyway, not without a small amount of cursing, tears, and praying we didn't get plowed into by one of the psychos running 90 mph on the highway.
Now while my dad (quite literally) lived out of one when he at remote jobsites, I know piss-all about them.
Anyone with tips, tricks, etc., pipe in. Good Sam versus KOA, etc. Trailer gain for the truck braking system, I want to know it all.
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We have a Rockwood A-frame camper, weighs about 2000#. Towed it all along the Old Rt. US66 last year. No probs except for the decrease in gas mileage. It has a furnace, stove, A/C, but no john. It has trailer brakes, so we installed that device to control the braking back there.
We've avoided all the commercial camping places in the past, but last year we stayed at KOA and some others. I joined Good Sam and go with most of their suggestions.
We prefer places with water and electric hookups, but if that's not available it's OK too. We like to camp in the national forests out west, which do not have any hookups. They're usually quiet and peaceful; there's something about hearing the wind in the pines at night. The best site like that we used is in the Grand Canyon National Park on the NORTH rim. It's not nearly as commercialized as the South rim, and it has a restaurant, bar, some rental cabins, and great views and trails.
What kind of camper did you buy?
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My boss has one and I have done very general maintenance and repairs (mostly cosmetic and water lines) on it for three years. They like to use it on family vacations so they can all ride together and the littlest ones can nap. They also use it for guests who are staying longer than two nights. I volunteer as D-driver when we all go out of town to some event and there will be drinking.
Based on that experience I recommend having a carbon monoxide detector in the back bedroom while driving it. Both my boss and a couple of his friends heard this was a good idea, and have had the thing go off while driving. You may think no one will ever be back there during the drive time, but it's cheap insurance.
I also recommend having extra plumbing/water line supplies along on trips. Oh, and he carries a tester for current, and extra wire. Just like horse and stock trailers, it seems when you take them off the pavement wiring gets shorts more frequently. One of our projects this past winter was to trace and better secure wiring. We'll see how their season goes.
Have fun!
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Sounds great!! congrats!!! Do you have pics?? would love to see them!!
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Ours also has a CO detecter. I think they're standard equipment now.
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Scoobs and I just got an RV.
Sounds fun! My ex and I traveled the western US for several years decades ago and we loved the national parks for camping. Have a great time :cheersmate:
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Here's a Rockwood A-Frame popup. Really simple to set up (Demo on the Youtube link). Similar to ours, but ours is larger with a weather-tight storage box in the front.
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFWNqqgwxbs [/youtube]
This is a Rockwood A128S like we bought (discounted heavily) at the RV show in Rosemont, IL, last year.
Rockwood A128S (http://www.bestrv.com/detail.cfm?ID=100618&V=2013%20Forest%20River%20ROCKWOOD%20PREMIER%20A128S%20%20Limited%20Offer%20only%203%20at%20th%20)
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I love these bug out campers, only one I avoided were the pop up canvas ones as one does run into places that have bears one does not expect.
Going to the camper shows is a lesson in design, some of the ideas I have brought home to use in small rooms in my homes.
One can buy a used camper, for under $800.00 and redo the inside for Penny's on the dollar.
Best thing about solid shell campers is that in case your home is destroyed by flood, hurricane or tornado, you can live in it until the calamity is over.
Our last had heat, refrig , stove, and lights that would run on Propane. Slept 6, had a bathroom in case we camped at a place with no bathrooms or showers. 4 wheels and we bought it for $ 1,800, older model about 18 years old but in perfect condition.
I loved living the Gypsy life, we spent many a night in a Walmart parking lot or at the travelers rest stops.
Best thing was it could be hauled by a truck or SUV, plunk it down unhitch it and drive to see the sights.
The only thing I can think of to improve a camper would be to install a compost toilet so sewage would not have to go into a holding tank to be pumped out at a truck stop.
Gray water from the sinks and showers can be caught in buckets or into the ground as long as there is no chemicals in it.
One if they can needs to talk to construction crews that travel from site to site. One in NC on the VA line, Deep River Camp Grounds Hosts the workers that come up to do contracting for the Military.
They are true Gypsies, come with family's and kids that are home schooled. What an education the kids are getting as they move from State to State. As all the family's work for the same contractor, these kids all move together and become a sub culture we are not aware of.
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I asked boss guy about any things he wished he's known when he bought his. First, he had to point out that his wife purchased it. Then he said he was happier with it than a fifth wheel for vacations, housing, and party outings.
But... he got some real bad hail a couple days ago. Worse than what my car got up in the foothills two weeks ago. There is so much damage he's hoping it gets "totaled" by the adjuster today, though "If someone wants to buy it cheap, I'll even throw in the battery-operated CO monitor."
If he keeps it, I'll be learning how to replace skylights/vents, windows, and light covers. Lots of light covers.
We have more KOAs in my part of the west. Always nice places to stay when traveling, at least in WY and MT. The local Walmart parking lot seems to be more popular, though! I always think, "Really? You're 10 or 15 miles from absolute beauty and quiet, yet ya park at Wally World!"
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Ours also has a CO detecter. I think they're standard equipment now.
Yes they are.
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I asked boss guy about any things he wished he's known when he bought his. First, he had to point out that his wife purchased it. Then he said he was happier with it than a fifth wheel for vacations, housing, and party outings.
But... he got some real bad hail a couple days ago. Worse than what my car got up in the foothills two weeks ago. There is so much damage he's hoping it gets "totaled" by the adjuster today, though "If someone wants to buy it cheap, I'll even throw in the battery-operated CO monitor."
If he keeps it, I'll be learning how to replace skylights/vents, windows, and light covers. Lots of light covers.
We have more KOAs in my part of the west. Always nice places to stay when traveling, at least in WY and MT. The local Walmart parking lot seems to be more popular, though! I always think, "Really? You're 10 or 15 miles from absolute beauty and quiet, yet ya park at Wally World!"
The Walmarts around here always have RVs in the parking lots. It's a free place to stay. Walmart apparently doesn't mind.
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Well, first trip is done.
A weight distribution hitch might not be a bad idea in the long run, but for the short hops we're planning now, it's not a huge deal. It rode pretty well, but at a TON of gas. Normally the truck gets 21-22 mpg but with the trailer got about 11-12. Kind of to be expected.
Setup and breakdown was easier than I expected as well--about 30 minutes from pulling in to everything hooked up.
Even backing into the driveway yesterday wasn't the nightmare it was the first time around, unless I find that bitch who tried to run over Scoobie and the kids because she was so friggin impatient.
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What's the make & model of your camper?
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What's the make & model of your camper?
It's a R-Vision Trail Lite. 29 footer.
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I pulled a 34' 5th wheel all over this country for 6 years while I was building water towers. First I would recommend getting this;
http://woodalls.com/
(http://blog.woodalls.com/media/book2.jpg)
That book is a HUGE help if/when you go somewhere you're unfamiliar with. Their ratings are usually spot on.
Second, if you didn't get an automatic restart for the water heater I would take it back and have them install one. We didn't get one and it was a huge mistake.
Third, NEVER hook up to that thing without walking around it to make sure; the tv antenna is down, the awning is up, the stairs are up, the electric is not still hooked up, the gray water line and waste water line are not hooked up, etc ...
I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen someone pulling out of their RV site with something either ripped off or about to be. I saw a guy coming at me one day with his awning out and I tried to stop him but it hit a tree and ripped it off before I could get him to stop. Doors not being secured and stairs down were another 'hit' when they were driving off.
The very first place we stopped after buying ours we forgot to crank down the tv antenna and when we got to the next place our $200.00 antenna was gone.
Fourth, hold your waste water and your gray water as long as you can. Run the waste water out first when you dump then use the gray water to 'clean' the hose.
I could post more but I won't right now. Good luck and have fun!
KC
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Oh, one other thing, always keep a couple of short 2"x12" 's with you to help in leveling.
KC
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I am becoming more and more like Abe Simpson. I have a Good Sam card, a KOA, and of course AAA. All worthwhile things to have but they sure do generate a bunch of mail. Meh. The postal service needs the work.
Here are two phrases to learn, "It's in the camper." and "That's the one that goes in the camper."
Also, it is cheaper to buy supplies at Wally World than the campground. Extra sewer line and a sewer line holder / cradle are nice to have along with the splice fitting to put two lengths of sewer hose together along with the extra clamps. I also like a clear elbow off the camper for the sewer line to see what is going on when I dump. A water filter can be nice as is an extra length freshwater hose. A 30amp extension cord is nice to have (I assume you are a 30amp. If you are running 50 amp be prepared to shell out some dough). I also carry an extra heavy duty 25 ft extension cord just because along with jumper cables.
When on sewer, leave the valves closed until you tanks are at least half full then dump the black water valve followed by the gray. I usually try to get a shower in before I leave so I have nice warm sudsy water to flush the lines with. You might want to throw in a pair of yellow kitchen gloves to use when doing the sewer connections and do keep the potable and black water gear separated. I cringe when I see people throw the fresh water hose in the same tote as the sewer hose. :hurl:
Oh yeah, you might also want to pick up an elbow and seal for the sewer hose into the campground system and a clamp for it too. Smelling sewerage is a real drag.
My last bill from Camping World had a $1600 discount for my Life Good Sam membership (more than paid for the membership). Tires for a diesel pusher are not cheap, they a land yacht ( boat: bust out another thousand).
Enjoy it and don't forget a nice hatchet for the fire wood necessary to make Samoas :fuelfire: .
/zeit
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Oh, one other thing, always keep a couple of short 2"x12" 's with you to help in leveling.
KC
Didn't know about the auto restart for the water heater, but as we have selector switches and it will do either gas or electric, not sure it's a necessity. I wasn't sure about the black/grey water, but I remembered at the last minute before everyone took their showers--more grey water to rinse the hose that way. I snagged a few pair of purple nitrile gloves for that. Only problem I have now is I have the Rhino fittings which don't fit in the bumper with the hose.
Did the 2X12's before I brought it home and it came in very handy.
Zeit--apparently a lot of places aren't allowing campwood anymore because of the beetle issues. Certainly none from out of state.
All--Will look into a Good Sam membership. Can't see going too long without that.
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Didn't know about the auto restart for the water heater, but as we have selector switches and it will do either gas or electric, not sure it's a necessity. I wasn't sure about the black/grey water, but I remembered at the last minute before everyone took their showers--more grey water to rinse the hose that way. I snagged a few pair of purple nitrile gloves for that. Only problem I have now is I have the Rhino fittings which don't fit in the bumper with the hose.
Did the 2X12's before I brought it home and it came in very handy.
Zeit--apparently a lot of places aren't allowing campwood anymore because of the beetle issues. Certainly none from out of state.
All--Will look into a Good Sam membership. Can't see going too long without that.
Yup, you darn need a certificate of origin for wood now, and, don't forget to keep a copy of the rabbies cert in the rig too. I use to carry wood all the time. No more. It grieves me to pay some of the prices they get but what you going to do? Reminds me of trying to take oranges into Kaliphonia back in the 80's. "Nope, can't bring those in". "But they are Kaliphonia oranges, says right on the bag". "Sorry they been out of state". :mental: Of course silly as it seems one does not really want to spread bugs and such.
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All--Will look into a Good Sam membership. Can't see going too long without that.
We belong, and all we get are ads and junk mail. All we need is covered by State Farm and the manufacturer's lifetime warranty.
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Didn't know about the auto restart for the water heater, but as we have selector switches and it will do either gas or electric, not sure it's a necessity.
All--Will look into a Good Sam membership. Can't see going too long without that.
Well, if it will switch back and forth from gas to electric it may not be much of a problem unless you're somewhere where you have no electricity. The pilot light on ours would blow out if the wind was blowing a certain direction and it was a PAIN to keep it lit when that was happening but we couldn't switch to electric at all.
I never had the Good Sam membership but we did carry that Woodalls directory with us everywhere we went. It would really help you find good campgrounds and it gave great directions TO the campground. When they are off the beaten path that is a huge help. I don't know how much traveling or how far you plan to go so it may be moot.
KC
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We have Good Sam/Camping World membership. The Good Sam website for trip planning is really good and we did use the roadside assistance once when the ABS on the truck went out while we were pulling the trailer.
The only advice I'd add is check with your insurance company. When we are traveling, we carry full coverage on the trailer, but during the winter it goes into a "storage" insurance, which still covers for fire, theft and natural disaster.
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If you bought it used, check the floor in the corners for soft spots. We bought a small used one several years ago to see if we like camping (yeah, it's fun!) and after a while we noticed the floor felt spongy in the front and back end of the camper. My husband spent a good bit of time ripping out the bathroom and the floor under the bed replacing the plywood. We never did find out where the water came from. There were no noticeable leaks from the ceiling, so I guess it splashed up from underneath. If you bought a new one, congrats! We got a brand spanking new one with a slide out and love it. Gave the older one to our daughter and son in law and he renovated it. Apparently, nineties décor isn't in.
The only tip/trick I know about RVs, is to marry someone who knows about them and do what he tells me to do. :p And hide when it's time to back the truck up to the hitch. Anyway, my husband didn't know anything about them, but he watched a lot of youtube videos and that's where he picked up the most useful info.
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Nope, bought it new.
On the one hand, I'm getting better at backing it into our (narrow) driveway. But then that means Scoobie and I want to get out more.
Downside is, with her arm and both of our work schedules, we're pretty much stuck with weekend trips this year.
One thing I picked up from one of the guys who does a lot of camping is when we winterize and store the trailer, it's to NOT put out the stabilizers. The reason for that is because if you get frost heaves underground, it can actually warp the frame of the trailer. Who knew? That's what will suck for us--the fact that we'll only be able to camp maybe 4-5 months a year. Finding that most places around here don't open until the beginning or middle of May, their "peak" season hits right about Bike Week through Labor Day, and then nearly everyone is shut down by early October. Those few who stay open don't do water/sewer, for obvious reasons.
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Nope, bought it new.
On the one hand, I'm getting better at backing it into our (narrow) driveway. But then that means Scoobie and I want to get out more.
Downside is, with her arm and both of our work schedules, we're pretty much stuck with weekend trips this year.
One thing I picked up from one of the guys who does a lot of camping is when we winterize and store the trailer, it's to NOT put out the stabilizers. The reason for that is because if you get frost heaves underground, it can actually warp the frame of the trailer. Who knew? That's what will suck for us--the fact that we'll only be able to camp maybe 4-5 months a year. Finding that most places around here don't open until the beginning or middle of May, their "peak" season hits right about Bike Week through Labor Day, and then nearly everyone is shut down by early October. Those few who stay open don't do water/sewer, for obvious reasons.
The trick is to be out of NE before the snow flies. I have yet to master that one. I would point out that as you head south you will find more public dump stations on the interstates.
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One thing I picked up from one of the guys who does a lot of camping is when we winterize and store the trailer, it's to NOT put out the stabilizers. The reason for that is because if you get frost heaves underground, it can actually warp the frame of the trailer. Who knew? That's what will suck for us--the fact that we'll only be able to camp maybe 4-5 months a year. Finding that most places around here don't open until the beginning or middle of May, their "peak" season hits right about Bike Week through Labor Day, and then nearly everyone is shut down by early October. Those few who stay open don't do water/sewer, for obvious reasons.
That's why they are often called "travel trailers".
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That's why they are often called "travel trailers".
:rofl:
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That's why they are often called "travel trailers".
Well, when we can call ourselves "independently wealthy" or "don't need jobs anymore" then we'll be able to experience that.
Hell, just for a joke I looked at RV parks in the Keys. Surprisingly there are quite a few of them and aren't horribly expensive. Some of the ones up here in fact cost more.
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I always liked our state run camp grounds. They all had bathrooms with hot showers and fun activities planned. The Nat'l Park service not so much, but if your self contained, no problem, as they don't charge very much. I got great camping maps and travel books from AAA that are free.
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Well, when we can call ourselves "independently wealthy" or "don't need jobs anymore" then we'll be able to experience that.
Hell, just for a joke I looked at RV parks in the Keys. Surprisingly there are quite a few of them and aren't horribly expensive. Some of the ones up here in fact cost more.
Do you know anything about the campgrounds on the Outer Banks?
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I always liked our state run camp grounds. They all had bathrooms with hot showers and fun activities planned. The Nat'l Park service not so much, but if your self contained, no problem, as they don't charge very much. I got great camping maps and travel books from AAA that are free.
State campgrounds around here aren't exactly friendly to anyone with over a 20-22 foot camper.
CG--don't know nuthin about campgrounds outside our immediate area. Although NC for a few days next summer sounds like an awesome idea.
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State campgrounds around here aren't exactly friendly to anyone with over a 20-22 foot camper.
CG--don't know nuthin about campgrounds outside our immediate area. Although NC for a few days next summer sounds like an awesome idea.
Depending on our situation, with the house and all, the better 3/2s has made noises about going to the Outer Banks.
Hell, I could never get her past North Carolina!
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Depending on our situation, with the house and all, the better 3/2s has made noises about going to the Outer Banks.
Hell, I could never get her past North Carolina!
http://www.outerbanks.org/outerbanks-campgrounds-and-rv-parks/ (http://www.outerbanks.org/outerbanks-campgrounds-and-rv-parks/)
It's been eons, CG, but I'm pretty sure Frisco Woods was the campground where we stayed. It was very nice -- we were in a regular tent though, not an RV.
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http://www.outerbanks.org/outerbanks-campgrounds-and-rv-parks/ (http://www.outerbanks.org/outerbanks-campgrounds-and-rv-parks/)
It's been eons, CG, but I'm pretty sure Frisco Woods was the campground where we stayed. It was very nice -- we were in a regular tent though, not an RV.
Thanks, Sue. We tow an A-frame popup, so we're not as limited as a motorhome.
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Hauled the trailer down to a local campground for Scoobs and the kids to enjoy this weekend. To say those sites were "snug" was a friggin understatement.
Memo to owners--boulders are cute and pretty. BUT NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ****ING PATH.
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If any of you campers have the chance, go to the NORTH Rim of the Grand Canyon. The campground there is great, and the temperature is much cooler in the pine forests than the south rim (because it's about 8000' in elevation). They also have cabins for rent (hard to reserve), a good restaurant, hiking trails, etc.