Help ordering first new RV

[rblake39]

Hi all. We are ordering a new Columbus firth wheel and I have a few questions before we talk to the dealer today. We are ordering from RV wholesalers and on the bottom of their order list are some extras. The ones we were looking at and considering are:
First let me say I do not know the prices of any of these options yrt.

1- vent covers... Are these neccessary and can I add them later by myself cheaper?

2- rainkap... They look like little gutters that supposedly prevent black streaks on the side of the RV.

3- Starter kit... Deluxe Starter Kit
•RhinoFLEX 15' Sewer Hose Kit
•Water Hose
•Faucet Hose Kit
•Master Blaster
•Park Adapter - Straight 30F-15M Amp
•Water Pressure Regulator
•2 Pack Toilet Chemical
•10pk Stackers w/Bag
•Wheel Chock

Worth getting any of these? I'm going to ask what kind of hoses it doe's come with first. Guessing this is just an "upgrade" maybe?
Thanks

[allen8106]

rblake39 wrote:
Hi all. We are ordering a new Columbus firth wheel and I have a few questions before we talk to the dealer today. We are ordering from RV wholesalers and on the bottom of their order list are some extras. The ones we were looking at and considering are:
First let me say I do not know the prices of any of these options yrt.

1- vent covers... Are these neccessary and can I add them later by myself cheaper? Are necessary in my opinion to keep bugs and mud daubers out. Mud daubers especially can create havoc with RV systems. Depending on cost you can likely buy them cheaper at your local RV dealer.

2- rainkap... They look like little gutters that supposedly prevent black streaks on the side of the RV. Not necessary but they sure do help minimize the black streaks on the sides.

3- Starter kit... Deluxe Starter Kit Not 100% necessary but I would make them throw it in at no cost.
•RhinoFLEX 15' Sewer Hose Kit
•Water Hose
•Faucet Hose Kit
•Master Blaster
•Park Adapter - Straight 30F-15M Amp
•Water Pressure Regulator
•2 Pack Toilet Chemical
•10pk Stackers w/Bag
•Wheel Chock

Worth getting any of these? I'm going to ask what kind of hoses it doe's come with first. Guessing this is just an "upgrade" maybe?
Thanks

[Allworth]

Good solution.

By the way, this is out third fiver in twelve years and the dealers have thrown in the "starter kit" at closing all three times.

Given the quality of the stuff in the kits, free is probably about the right price.

[Ron3rd]

rblake39 wrote:
Vents were $69.99 installed. We went ahead and did it. Only 3 vents. Going to order the rest separately. Thanks for the replies.

Good choice and good luck with your new rig.

[rblake39]

Vents were $69.99 installed. We went ahead and did it. Only 3 vents. Going to order the rest separately. Thanks for the replies.

[johnwalkerpa1]

On the startup kit, I too would skip it and get higher quality items yourself..you can use the kit as a reference list and then get your own.

For the vent covers, I think they are very important...but, what are they charging to put them on? If its not too high, let them do it just to save the hassle. They are very easy to install, though, so if they want too much, you can do it yourself as long as you don't mind getting on the roof...

[Ron3rd]

rblake39 wrote:
Thanks. If a 15ft. sewer hose isn't long enough can you add on to it? Or is that asking for trouble?

15ft is fine 99.9% of the time.

[Ron3rd]

Halmfamily wrote:
I'd have them throw them in as part of the deal.

Probably won't work with RVwholsalers. They do rock bottom pricing so you get what you pay for.

[Ron3rd]

The vent covers are a must-have IMO and the rainkaps are nice too. Nothing wrong with the Starter Kit either as it looks like they give you a good sewer hose (Rhino). I would go for all three.

[Halmfamily]

I'd have them throw them in as part of the deal.

[bqcooker]

This forum, YouTube, Wal Mart and Amazon will become your best friend. Any good dealer will have a courtesy package w/ the generic stuff. I got a flimsy sewer hose, blowout plug, short water hose and some toilet balls. After reading here, I went to Wally World and got the Rino drain hose, longer water hose and some more RV TPmalong w/ a few other odds n inns. Made my own tire chalks and stabilizer pads from leftover 4x4s. Best of luck to you..

[Campinfan]

You can add to the Rhino hose...I just bought a 15 footer and a 10 footer this year. They are great. Very heavy duty. I would also get the vent covers... well worth it. They are easy to install as long as you have a little time. You will want them for those unexpected rains or it rains while you are gone and you are thinking...did i close the vents? There are other reasons too for getting them. Not sure about the raincaps...my gutters came with small extensions that seem to work fine. Congrats on getting a new rig. RVW seems to do a good job from what I have seen with friends and people here.

[GoPackGo]

I personally would not get the starter pack.

Buy good stuff separately. Amazon is your friend.

The Rhino hose is a good choice (get the extension too). I carry, and have used, 2 extensions.
- Get the see thru elbow to go with it.

Buy good non-kink water hose (CW has it). Get two pieces totaling at least 75 feet. 100 ft is better. I also carry a shorter section (15-20 ft ?) which is easier to handle and works most of the time. I also use the screw on perforated end caps for my hoses to keep bugs out.

Get a GOOD water pressure regulator with a gage. The kind that you can adjust. The cheap ones are set at about 45 pounds and just restrict flow. Not what you want. Go to RVWATERFILTERSTORE.COM. I have a Watts 263.

Get a metal 2 way hose connector and attach to the CG water outlet so you can hook up an extra hose (flushing black water tank, etc). Get a normal green water hose for this purpose.

If you have a 50 amp system, you will need a 50 to 30 amp adaptor at some point. If a 30 amp system, then 30 to 15 adaptor is a good idea. In 2 years of fulltiming I have never plugged into a 15 amp connection. But I do carry the 30 to 15 adaptor too.

At some point you will probably need the electric cord extension (not cheap). Maybe watch for them to go on sale.

Buy a good surge protector. They are absolutely NOT cheap.

Get 4 decent wheel chocks. Not just the cheapest ones you can find. I have 4 each of Camping World Catalog # 77819. I got them thru Amazon and tied ropes to each of the eyes for easy handling. They live in my truck bed during travel. Yes, they weigh almost 7 pounds each, but I sleep easy because I know they will keep the trailer from moving on an un-level site. CHOCKING THE CAMPER WHEELS IS THE FIRST THING I DO AFTER PULLING INTO THE SITE AND THE LAST THING I DO AFTER HITCHING UP.

I have an auto-level system with a total of 6 jacks. I carry 3 packs of plastic jack pads. 1 six-pack of wide ones and two 8 packs of smaller ones.

Buy good stuff first and you'll never have to buy twice.

My .02

Tim

[2gypsies1]

If you have a Wal Mart or Camping World near you, check prices. Usually dealer's prices are higher.

All are do-it-yourself items. Items 1 & 2 are not needed right away but they are nice to have.

Usually, the dealer gives you a cheap, thin sewer hose which isn't worth a darn. Go to WalMart or Camping World and purchase the heaviest-duty one you can find. It's worth it. Then you can see about the adapters, etc. that fit that particular hose.

WalMart also has the white RV water hoses.

Toilet Chemicals? Definitely not needed. All you need is an extra bowl of water to flush solids. Water is your black tank friend. We've never used chemicals - a waste of money.

Good luck with your purchase.

[rbtglove]

Bought our first and second TTs from RVW and was very satisfied with both. Couldn't beat their price. We are only and hour away. We did get the starter kit (good price but this was years ago)for the first one, cheaper than buying each item. If you are experienced you may want to buy better quality items. If you are picking the RV in Ohio you may want to stay over a day or two at Indian Lake State Park near RVW just to make sure everything is working.