Person New to RVing Requests Your Insights
Hi, all- This is a post that a new user "RicJoyner" made in a very long, older thread. I hope it's okay to re-post it as a new, stand-alone topic. Hopefully it will get more exposure this way and t...
Forum Discussion
Hi, Rick. Wanting to RV is one thing. Really looking into it, if it's a new pastime, can be pretty overwhelming. We've been in your shoes. I love RVing because our 2nd home is with us. There is no packing/unpacking suitcases, no digging toiletries out of a bag. There's food I like in the fridge, a comfy bed/pillows, and a great big windshield with a easy chair for enjoying the drive. We like the feeling of being home wherever we park, whether that's a patch of grass with no hookups at the State Fair or a deluxe campground. RVing is not cheaper than hotels/cars for us.
We dove right into the deep end with only a few nights tent camping experience. I read a whole book about RVing, and did about 70% of the basics it covered by spending one night in an RV. There are a lot of details to keep in mind, but it's not like you're building a space shuttle. There are many checklists already floating around on the internet for what to pack, how to set up, what to inspect before you hit the road, and so on. We don't do mechanical things either, and yes, that help costs plenty, but we know our limits.
I'll do my best with your questions, and I'm not an expert.
Paint bubbles on the door frame aren't necessarily rust. It could be poor adhesion due to improper surface prep. Check underneath the rig and in the propane compartment (where you can see into the chassis) to get a better idea of rust.
Gas or diesel? That's a constant debate here. I'd suggest you first get the floorplan you like, and let that and your budget determine the answer. There are a few tips for knowing if a floorplan is suitable. To see if the dimensions work, sit on the toilet and stand up, stand in the shower, lie on the bed and on the sofa. Have the cook decide if the kitchen layout will work or be a pain. Can you live with the storage inside for clothes and kitchen stuff? How about outside/basement storage -- will it work for your grill, golf clubs, etc.?
Towing adds slightly to fuel usage. If you want to tow without putting the car on a dolly (called "flat towing" or "4 wheels down"), you may need a different vehicle. With some vehicles it's a simple process to hook up and go. With others it's best to be a bit mechanical. Horsepower ranges from about 300-425 on diesels. Any of them tow a vehicle just fine. I'm not familiar with gassers, but there are a lot on the road towing.
It's a good idea to look at several rigs to get your bearings. You'll pick up on comparisons right away and start seeing things you do and don't want. It's quite possible that the RV you're referring to isn't the right one for you.
Best wishes!
We dove right into the deep end with only a few nights tent camping experience. I read a whole book about RVing, and did about 70% of the basics it covered by spending one night in an RV. There are a lot of details to keep in mind, but it's not like you're building a space shuttle. There are many checklists already floating around on the internet for what to pack, how to set up, what to inspect before you hit the road, and so on. We don't do mechanical things either, and yes, that help costs plenty, but we know our limits.
I'll do my best with your questions, and I'm not an expert.
Paint bubbles on the door frame aren't necessarily rust. It could be poor adhesion due to improper surface prep. Check underneath the rig and in the propane compartment (where you can see into the chassis) to get a better idea of rust.
Gas or diesel? That's a constant debate here. I'd suggest you first get the floorplan you like, and let that and your budget determine the answer. There are a few tips for knowing if a floorplan is suitable. To see if the dimensions work, sit on the toilet and stand up, stand in the shower, lie on the bed and on the sofa. Have the cook decide if the kitchen layout will work or be a pain. Can you live with the storage inside for clothes and kitchen stuff? How about outside/basement storage -- will it work for your grill, golf clubs, etc.?
Towing adds slightly to fuel usage. If you want to tow without putting the car on a dolly (called "flat towing" or "4 wheels down"), you may need a different vehicle. With some vehicles it's a simple process to hook up and go. With others it's best to be a bit mechanical. Horsepower ranges from about 300-425 on diesels. Any of them tow a vehicle just fine. I'm not familiar with gassers, but there are a lot on the road towing.
It's a good idea to look at several rigs to get your bearings. You'll pick up on comparisons right away and start seeing things you do and don't want. It's quite possible that the RV you're referring to isn't the right one for you.
Best wishes!
