Surprises with First NEW TT

We are newbies, too. I did lots of reading around here before I finalized the deal. Our dealer did no starter kit, only the 50 dollar gift card thing. I'd like to think I got decent deal on the major start-up accessories -- I got the overall price down where I wanted to see it but then I showed the sales guy the wholesalers quote for the exact same year / make / model and told him we need to make this deal a little better to make it NOT worth it for me to drive to the wholesalers lot. I said "I'll tell you what....make that 50 dollar gift card for a sewer hose into 1000 for all the assorted stuff I will need and we're good." He looked at me like I had 6 heads and said "1000?" And I said "Yeah, We have ZERO for accessories...we need everything from leveling blocks / chocks to hoses to an awning mat....some new lawn chairs....you name it..." He said "I have to go ask the manager." 3 minutes later we had 1000 credit in our name in the parts / accessories store to go with the new TT we where signing the papers on. I know some of the items we bought on that store credit deal could have been found a little cheaper, but for the most part their prices where right on par with everyone else's.

Probably the best thing you can do if you're a first time RV owner....whether buying new or used, sit down inside and think of the things you need for YOUR situation. Paper towel holder, towel racks, shelf organizers etc. Same with the outside. Do you want leveling blocks or do you have a 2x10 you can cut into blocks.
X10 on the starter kits. The sewer hose in the first starter kit I got leaked the first time I used it. And the fresh water hose had a cheap plastic connector that stripped out as soon as I tried to tighten it. You're not missing much if you didn't get a starter kit. Everything in there you will replace before your first season of camping is done. We've bought 1 used and now 2 new, all from a dealer. Each time it was a pleasant gesture to receive the "starter kit" but I have quite a collection of cheap pressure regulators and 30-15 amp adapters.......about the only thing in there I've hung on to.

The only other thing I would suggest is DON'T get all hung up on buying RV specific items without shopping around. Things like refrigerator or cabinet bars that are $10.00 a pop at the RV store are nothing more than spring curtain rods you can pick up at any Walmart for about a buck each.

Last year we traded in our trailer at the time for a slightly used Arctic Fox in inventory at Curtis Trailers in Oregon. They provided a rather complete "starter set" like those that often come with a new unit. I appreciated that since a lot of our hoses and such were getting old. Still, I wanted higher quality stuff, so I asked if they'd give us credit to swap. No problem. In addition we got a significant discount in their parts store at the time and for the next year. It wasn't a big expense to them, but it made a very good impression. I was smiling when we drove off the lot with our "new" rig.

It's up to the dealer what they want to give you. They normally don't come with the parts you mentioned. I got the $50 gift card too and got a GOOD slinky and a couple other things. Everything else I had to buy.

beemerphile1 wrote:


Seriously, you bought a trailer. Nothing comes with it unless you negotiate that at the time of purchase. You will just have to use all the stuff you already have from your previous two trailers.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

I now see that these items didn't (shouldn't have) come with the trailer and I will negotiate a better deal next time (Or atleast come prepared). It is my 3rd trailer, but first NEW trailer so I had no idea that those items would need to be discussed before hand. They mentioned the******shoot nose, but they didnt mention the other items.

Now that I know this is the norm, I feel better about it.. I am happy that I got 2 batteries and 2 full propane tanks and you are all absolutly correct... The deal we got on the Trailer (under 27k) and payments (around 4.5% for 120 months) was worth me keeping the trailer even after I assumed we were "hosed".

My plan in 12 years (if I remember) is to at least try and get a huge percentage off on items from the get go...or maybe see if they will just toss in a gift card to their shop and add it to the trailer cost. :-)

We were given a starter kit with ours but the sewer hose was a cheap, short hose and the water hose the same. I prefer to use something of better quality and also longer so as to not have to connect two together at some campgrounds. I don't think you missed much. What they gave me was a waste. We kept it in case something happens to ours and we needed an emergency extra until we could replace. It may be useful for an extra but wouldn't last for a long time.

I was very upset when we bought our RV.

We didn't get sheets, cookware, toilet paper, extension cords, awning lights, food, or even a GPS. I immediately called and complained! They said those things weren't part of the deal! The nerve! :B

Seriously, you bought a trailer. Nothing comes with it unless you negotiate that at the time of purchase. You will just have to use all the stuff you already have from your previous two trailers.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

So, if this was your third travel trailer, didn't you already have that stuff? Not being critical, just a question.

We bought ours new last spring.
Full propane, battery and starter kit.(sewer hose, fresh water hose)
Also a 100 gift card from camping world LR.
Did not come with a spare, I thought was strange.
After some delays on delivery date. I negotiated a Maxx air vent cover and spare tire and mount to be installed.

We just bought a new (2014) camper and got two full propane tanks and a standard battery (nothing to write home about), and the other items that came standard with the camper (shore power cord, etc.). I actually prefer to pick my own 'accessories' anyway, so this worked out just fine, especially considering that I got what I felt was an honestly good deal on the price of the camper.

- Randy