Forum Discussion
DutchmenSport
Oct 30, 2019Explorer
When you come across travel trailers that advertise "Polar Package", that really does not mean a whole lot. The manufacturer has just run water lines a bit closer to the heat ducts under the floor. If the furnace is not running, those water lines and drain lines will freeze.
Those units that advertise Four Season, usually have a little bit better insulation on the bottom of the underbelly. But there again, if the furnace is not running, things still freeze under there.
We currently have a fifth wheel that advertised "full time living". Little did we realize what that REALLY meant. "Full time living" means the unit never moves. "Full time traveling" was quite another matter.
We've had this camper for a year now, and it's just been the last 5 weeks or so, the repairs have stopped. It does take a year at a minimum to flush out all the repairs, manufacturer faulty workmanship, bad construction, and cheap materials. And for what it's worth the list price on my 5er was $77,000! I've literally rebuilt this thing from top to bottom. It is a good camper NOW! and it's withstanding all the bumps and hard jolts on the road ... now! But not before.
So, if you purchase, take at least a year before you head out permanently to flush out flaws, to learn how things work, to settle into a pattern, and to adjust to living in a small space, dealing with campgrounds, roads, making plans and reservations. It's much more complicated and much more challenging than just hitching up and heading out. Those days are long gone. Sometimes reservations at select campgrounds need to be made in advance, 2 years out. (I said "choice" campgrounds). State Parks, CoE, National Forests are much easier to make reservation.
Meanwhile, visit RV dealerships and do lots of searching on the internet looking a floor plans. Then go visit dealerships that have those models and those floor plans. I think you'll be shocked that the reality of the unit is far different than the preceived concept of the unit via floor plans and simulated 360 degree reproductions or photos.
Those units that advertise Four Season, usually have a little bit better insulation on the bottom of the underbelly. But there again, if the furnace is not running, things still freeze under there.
We currently have a fifth wheel that advertised "full time living". Little did we realize what that REALLY meant. "Full time living" means the unit never moves. "Full time traveling" was quite another matter.
We've had this camper for a year now, and it's just been the last 5 weeks or so, the repairs have stopped. It does take a year at a minimum to flush out all the repairs, manufacturer faulty workmanship, bad construction, and cheap materials. And for what it's worth the list price on my 5er was $77,000! I've literally rebuilt this thing from top to bottom. It is a good camper NOW! and it's withstanding all the bumps and hard jolts on the road ... now! But not before.
So, if you purchase, take at least a year before you head out permanently to flush out flaws, to learn how things work, to settle into a pattern, and to adjust to living in a small space, dealing with campgrounds, roads, making plans and reservations. It's much more complicated and much more challenging than just hitching up and heading out. Those days are long gone. Sometimes reservations at select campgrounds need to be made in advance, 2 years out. (I said "choice" campgrounds). State Parks, CoE, National Forests are much easier to make reservation.
Meanwhile, visit RV dealerships and do lots of searching on the internet looking a floor plans. Then go visit dealerships that have those models and those floor plans. I think you'll be shocked that the reality of the unit is far different than the preceived concept of the unit via floor plans and simulated 360 degree reproductions or photos.
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