Buying my first TT, and I have a few questions

[JWP127]

Looking at a new 2017 Dutchmen Aspen Trail 2790BHS (stick and tin). I walked around the trailer and liked some of the features, but realised it was missing a few things, and I wanted your input to see if these are big deals.

1. No electric tongue jack.
2. No water heater bypass.
3. No black water flush inlet.
4. Roof is rubber with walk on joints.

It does have:

1. Small outside kitchen.
2. 15000 BTU a/c (ducted) with quick cool feature.
3. Covered and insulated underbelly.
4. Two gray water tanks.

There is a cable hookup for the tv's, but the technician was unsure if this would hook up to satellite, like Dish. He said there should be a decal stating it will and I did not see one. Will it? Also, I did not see a switch on the refrigerator to switch from electric to propane. The technician said it's automatic. If you're not hooked up to electric, it will automatically run off propane, and when you hook up, it starts running off electric. Is this true or BS?

TT shopping is exhausting, and your help is appreciated.

[bikendan]

Terryallan wrote:
A first for me. I've never seen a TT with out a water heater bypass. Don't sound like a good plan. But IF you never use antifreeze. Not a big thing.

As for the electric jack. They are easily added, and you could prolly get one in the deal if they want to sell.

most of us have rubber roofs, Few have black tank washouts

totally agree.

never heard of any RV that had a water heater but no bypass. so i doubt if the RV tech knew what he was talking about.

i picked up a refurb electric jack on Ebay for $90. still working after 11 years.

[Terryallan]

SoundGuy wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
You buy used. You never know what the prev owner did to it, Or for that matter, Didn't do to it. Did they wax it, did they clean out the tanks, did they winterize it correctly, Did they keep the AC filter clean. did they drag it into a parking lot, bottom it out on a hump. Did they jack it too tight, and bend something.

And most important - did the PO ever run the fridge off level, how often, and for how long? Enough of that and you'll be buying a new (very expensive) fridge. :E

So true. There are so many things that a bad owner can do to a RV. Just another reason to buy new

[SoundGuy]

Terryallan wrote:
You buy used. You never know what the prev owner did to it, Or for that matter, Didn't do to it. Did they wax it, did they clean out the tanks, did they winterize it correctly, Did they keep the AC filter clean. did they drag it into a parking lot, bottom it out on a hump. Did they jack it too tight, and bend something.

And most important - did the PO ever run the fridge off level, how often, and for how long? Enough of that and you'll be buying a new (very expensive) fridge. :E

[SoundGuy]

coolmom42 wrote:
You do want a water heater bypass, unless you live somewhere that you don't need to winterize. Otherwise you will have to fill the water heater with antifreeze, before you get any antifreeze in the hot water lines. Aside from being a big waste of antifreeze, it's a PITA to get OUT of the water heater in the spring.

Filling the water heater tank with antifreeze isn't necessary at all even without a bypass kit. Once you've drained the tank just disconnect the intake and output lines to / from the tank and barrel them together - instant bypass. OR just install your own water heater bypass kit ... no biggie at all.

[Terryallan]

A first for me. I've never seen a TT with out a water heater bypass. Don't sound like a good plan. But IF you never use antifreeze. Not a big thing.

As for the electric jack. They are easily added, and you could prolly get one in the deal if they want to sell.

most of us have rubber roofs, Few have black tank washouts

I also suggest buying new. Why. Because I like the warranty. Short as it is. Worth it to me. I like knowing that what I find wrong with it will be fixed by the dealer. I also like that If anything gets broken. I am the one that did it. I also like sleeping in a new bed. I like the new smell. Honestly. I like everything about NEW.

You buy used. You never know what the prev owner did to it, Or for that matter, Didn't do to it. Did they wax it, did they clean out the tanks, did they winterize it correctly, Did they keep the AC filter clean. did they drag it into a parking lot, bottom it out on a hump. Did they jack it too tight, and bend something.

If it is new. None of that happened to it.

[Lwiddis]

Almost 10k fully loaded. What is your TV? Many...most...TTs come with fiberglass sides and caps. Metal is the “old” look. Ok with that?

[MitchF150]

All of those things can be added if you really want them.. The only thing on that list that I added was the electric tongue jack. I don't even remember what I paid for it, but it wasn't much and didn't take anything to install.

I did have to add the BAL sissor jacks too.. I bought my trailer brand new back in 2002 and still own it to this day.. I've done a LOT of 'upgrades' to it along the way to make it work better for us..

Good luck!

Mitch

[ScottG]

I have no need for a WH bypass either because I just blow everything out.

[fitznj]

I live in a cold climate and don't use the hw bypass and don't use anti-freeze.
When I winterize, I open all the faucets and the HW relief valve. The open the
cold and hot water low points and drain the whole system. Been doing this for 20+ years and never had a problem.

I camp during the winter, so I just close all the faucets, refill the HW tank and I'm on my way.

[jfkmk]

My 7 year old TT is the first one I've owned, and lacks the same things the one you're considering does . We did have a class c prior, so we had a pretty good idea what we wanted. We do not miss the things lacking that are on your list. Unlike others, we bought new and advocate buying new. These tt's are not built to exacting standards and require maintenance. I cringe reading some (but definitely not all!) of the posts here regarding how some maintain their trailers. Buying used in some cases is definitely buying a headache.

If you're the type who is always looking for the next better camper then maybe buying used makes sense. But if you are the type to research what you buy and are happy with what you have then new may make better sense.

[JWP127]

coolmom42 wrote:
You do want a water heater bypass, unless you live somewhere that you don't need to winterize. Otherwise you will have to fill the water heater with antifreeze, before you get any antifreeze in the hot water lines. Aside from being a big waste of antifreeze, it's a PITA to get OUT of the water heater in the spring.

I thought so too until he showed me that you can drain the hot water heater, by removing a cap, and then opening up all the faucets and blow air into the pipes. Does this sound correct?

[coolmom42]

You do want a water heater bypass, unless you live somewhere that you don't need to winterize. Otherwise you will have to fill the water heater with antifreeze, before you get any antifreeze in the hot water lines. Aside from being a big waste of antifreeze, it's a PITA to get OUT of the water heater in the spring.

[JWP127]

newman fulltimer wrote:
want better features look at a higher end trailer. You cannot buy a 30k trailer for 15k

Exactly. That's why I'm asking others, that may not have these features, if it's that big of a deal for them.

[ScottG]

Totally agree with Donn. Dont buy first trailer new because once you get one you will come up with a more refined idea of what you want. Then you'll trade in your new TT and take a huge hit on depreciation.

Also nothing wrong with a rubber roof (I prefer them) and you don't have much choice anyway.
Black tank sprayer is very nice to have but you can stick a wand down the toilet and do a better job. (I have the flusher and still use a wand).

[newman_fulltime]

want better features look at a higher end trailer. You cannot buy a 30k trailer for 15k