Welcome to the Beginner’s Guide to RVing from RVtravel.com. The information we present here every Monday through Friday is for brand-new RVers – those in the market to buy their first RV and those who just purchased theirs. If you are an experienced RVer, this material may be too basic for you.
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Friday, September 16, 2022
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DID YOU MISS reading this morning’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter? Good stuff there.
Page Contents
RVing Basics
I plan to go full-time for a year and will probably buy a fifth wheel trailer. What is the minimum size I will need to be comfortable?
There is no definitive answer. We see full-timers in huge RVs – whether fifth wheels, travel trailers or motorhomes – and yet others get by in relatively small units – 24 feet or less. Some full-timers swear they need at least 30 feet of RV or they’ll be at each other’s throats, and yet others say they are perfectly happy in tighter quarters. Slideouts, common in most RVs these days, provide a lot of extra space, making day-to-day living more comfortable. Our suggestion is to explore many, many units of different lengths, and talk with current full-timers about what works for them. Single RVers, of course, will most often need less space.
We don’t know what to do with our house and our “stuff” when we go full-time. What do other full-timers do?
Everybody does it differently. Some just lock up their homes while they’re gone. Others find a housesitter. Others rent their home for a year or two while they travel with their RV. Some sell their home, get rid of most of their possessions and store what’s left in a rental storage unit. There is no one way to do this. Just do what works for you.
If you’re a full-time RVer or thinking of becoming one, you should be signed up for our Full-Time RVer newsletter, which is delivered every other Wednesday straight to your inbox.
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Essential book for newbie RVers
The third edition of The ABCs of RVing by editor Chuck Woodbury has arrived! The book is for RV beginners, those just getting started who don’t even know the right questions to ask about buying or using an RV. It’s quick reading and will get newbies up to speed on choosing the right RV (for them), buying it at the best price, and then using it. It provides important information that will keep them out of trouble, both in the buying process and then on their trips. If you know someone who is considering buying an RV, please let them know about this. You can learn more about the book or order it for instant reading by clicking here.
Quick Tips
Spray lube can storage
Finding it hard to find a place to put those cans of WD-40 and similar spray lube cans? The irksome things just get up and roll around or, in a worst-case scenario, run up against something and squirt. Here’s a suggestion from Lew Wilkinson on Facebook. He stores his in a “magazine” storage bin. You can find them on Amazon, or in your local Walmart or other big box store.
Watch your washer floor tray
An RVer who had to replace his defunct RV washing machine got to replace more than he bargained for. The plastic spill tray didn’t contain leaks, and he has a nasty floor replacement job ahead of him. If you have a washer, you might want to add a periodic inspection of your spill tray to your maintenance list. Many are screwed down to the floor, and if the sealant around the screws doesn’t stay sealed, ruination could be the result.
If you could tell someone new to RVing just one thing, what would it be?
From the editors: We asked our readers this question. Here is one response:
“Be sure that you have reliable support/service for your unit after the purchase. Get it in writing!!” —Charles Allen
Random RV Thought
At this very moment, as you read this, thousands of people across North America are daydreaming about their next RV trip. Some are at work, others at home, others just walking down the street. Daydreaming about an RV trip is not as good as taking the actual trip, but it’s better than daydreaming about things like mowing a lawn or ironing clothes.
“What’s the best modification you’ve made to your RV?”
From the editors: We asked our readers this question. Here is one response:
“I added a second air conditioner to our Class C. Summer camping in Florida is no buenos with just the one A/C unit. Added a 13500 BTU unit where the fan was in the bedroom. Wired it down into the basement and it plugs into the 110 spot on the pedestal.” —Mike
RESOURCES:
• If you’re a member of Facebook, be sure to sign up for our groups RV Buying Advice, RV Advice and Budget RV Travel. For a list of all our groups and RVtravel.com newsletters, visit here.
• If you buy a defective RV and are unable to get it fixed or its warranty honored, here is where to turn for help.
• If you need an RV Lemon Law Lawyer, Ron Burdge is your man.
• Why you should never finance an RV for 20 years!
Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
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Spray lube can storage-Since we installed solar panels and our lithium batteries are located in the storage bay, we removed our old batteries from the front battery boxes and reuse the one of the battery boxes to store spray lube cans, ant spray, goof off etc and the other battery box to store liquids like RV wash. Be sure to use bungie chords around the battery boxes to secure the lid down while traveling as we had one battery lid tab wiggle its way loose and lost it while traveling which left the the contents exposed.
I use these (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-File-Crate-Mauve-Splash/497683808?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1361&&adid=22222222252447398460&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=472654492749&wl4=pla-297183444695&wl5=9018248&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=497683808&wl13=1361&veh=sem&wl18=showcase&gclid=CjwKCAjwlbr8BRA0EiwAnt4MTk6zjPOL27_XmsZxune94bZzZYQEg3-PyzVaROgdGYKVHGQrt1YunRoCfiUQAvD_BwE) in various colors to store nearly everything in my storage compartments. They are stackable and interlock side by side. They hold sprays upright a securely with easy viewing and access.
Good tip–but good luck…
Plus many service issues are the manufacturers fault and out the dealers control. The manufacturer may refuse to support a repair to the structure and it often takes weeks for them to ship a needed part.
I went with the philosophy of absolute cheapest price–and I’ll pay a mobile tech to fix what I can’t fix myself. The mobile tech can’t get reimbursed on the manufacturers warranty but the appliances all have their own warranty and they’ll reimburse him.
A high volume dealer a days drive away was $6000 less than a dealer two hours away. 18K vs 24K. The 24K dealer said 18K was what they paid wholesale.
After 4 years, nothing major and nothing I couldn’t fix myself–so I won that bet.
Use a 5gal bucket to store spray can in, can be used if needed.
I find that for the two of us our 40ft 5th wheel with 4 slides is just right. I wouldn’t suggest going this big for your first trailer unless you have some experience in pulling a trailer near this size. There are times our RV is too big as we can’t always park or get into specific campsites but like everything else it’s a trade-off.