farmer_s_daught
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Re: Is a propane fire ring a waste of money???
My daughter had bought one a few years ago from Costco to use on her patio. Once I bought my trailer, we started bringing it along. Washington State, and Spokane County specifically, has had fire bans in place each summer the past 3-4 years for most of the summer, even in RV parks. These propane fireplaces are so nice. I have a 3 lb. tank. We may or may not light it up for an hour or so on an evening or so, both for warmth and atmosphere. No worries about flying sparks, smoke, or having to stay up late to wait for the fire to burn down to dump water on. The ground isn't even hot underneath. You can still roast hot dogs and make s'mores (you just have to hose off the briquettes once in a while). Yes, I do love a good campfire, but these things are great!378Views0likes0CommentsRe: Seen it all now
Two summers ago I was staying at a small resort. The folks who camped next to me had brought their pet duck! The poor thing was in a little wire pen and constantly made little quacking noises. They'd shut it up in the trailer when they'd go fishing for the day and that was even worse, as it got noisier. Thankfully, they left after a couple of days (when the Fish & Wildlife officer came to question the man about his fishing. He'd go out early morning, catch his limit, the go back out 2 more times, limiting out each time. He was dumb enough to brag about it and someone called it in!).221Views0likes0CommentsRe: Traveling with a pet
I don't take my dog camping. She is almost 9, a black lab. She's used to being at home, going out in the backyard to do her 'business' and our daily routine. She's only on a leash when I take her to the vet. Two years ago I rented a space at a resort for a month, and took her up for 4 days. Campground rules required that all dogs be tied up or on a leash at all times (except when swimming in the lake). Stormy wasn't used to being on a long chain. She wasn't used to being walked down to a field to go to the bathroom. In 4 days she refused to poop! So now I leave her at home, where she's happy and contented. My adult kids stop by the house to feed her, give her a bit of attention, and let her out (they live down the street). She's happy and I don't have to worry about her.584Views0likes0CommentsRe: A Stroll down Memory Lane: 10+ years on this Forum
Well, Rv.Net may be old to some, but as a newer member I appreciate all the information I've been able to glean from 'old timers' experiences and knowledge. Maybe there are better forums out there; if so, I'm no techy and don't know how to find stuff, so this one suits me just fine. I have accessed youtube videos also to get information. I look at this site every day or so to see what folks talk about. I'm a single almost-65-yr old female who just got into being a travel trailer owner 3 years ago. I still work fulltime, and camp in the summer. I 'don't know what I don't know', so I do enjoy reading about others' difficulties. I'll be here for a long time. Thanks!397Views0likes0CommentsRe: My lady wants to know: Effort Hooking up WD bars
I'm a 64 year old single woman (65 next month) and have an Equalizer hitch for my 26' FR trailer. I can do it myself. I find the most difficult part is getting the cotter pin in! She shouldn't worry; just do it a few times and it won't seem so scary.367Views0likes0CommentsRe: A highway bridge at 7 ft., 7 in. -- what could go wrong?
Frequently in Spokane, WA, commercial truck drivers don't heed the signs and turn onto a busy street, only to find themselves stuck under an old railroad overpass. It's become a 'meme' here, it happens so often. I haven't heard of any trailers or fifth-wheels getting stuck; it must be either attentive drivers or it's a more commercial area for truck deliveries. http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/apr/08/truck-meets-bridge-the-story-behind-spokanes-much-/#/0169Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie purchase advice needed
I think you should do as others have suggested and rent at least a couple of different types of RV's to help you decide what you want and don't want. Also, are you planning to full-time or just camp here and there? That will also make a big difference in your decision on what to buy. Three years ago I bought a travel trailer, after undergoing a double mastectomy and reconstruction the year before. I'd dreamed of having a trailer and decided that if I didn't do it, who knows what the future would bring? I didn't want to look back on my life and think, "I wish I'd taken the plunge." I DO wish I'd found this forum first; I wouldn't have made the mistakes I've made. After using my trailer for one season I realized that the floorplan didn't work for me, so traded up (and consequently had to trade up my truck because of the trailer weight). I'm a single 64 year old woman who still works full time, but has summers off (I'm a teacher). I've discovered that instead of camping in different places every couple of weeks that I prefer to rent an rv space for a month and stay in one place (not so much set up and take down). My adult daughter goes along to help me and be my spotter, (I'm still a lousy backer). But you can learn and you can do it! Good luck, and please let us know what you decide to get.521Views0likes0CommentsRe: Terrible quality!
I agree with the OP. My trailer was less than 1 year old. It had been sitting for the winter when I heard the smoke alarm chirping. I discovered water all over the floor, countertops, and a huge puddle on top of the slide. Long story short, caulking/seals had never been applied to the slide and part of the roof. At first the dealership tried to blame it on me, but I threatened to go to the local news station. Then they spent over two months going back and forth with Forest River. I finally had to call FR myself and the claims agent was extremely rude and condescending. However, they finally said 'go ahead and use it for the summer, then empty it and bring it in' and they'd send it back to FR for a re-build. I'd documented extensively all the damage, along with pictures, tape, and even hidden pencil marks on the walls (so I'd be able to tell if they'd replaced them!). I got it back in late fall and was surprised. New roof, new ceiling, new walls. Cupboards had been removed and replaced, windows re-sealed/caulked. FR had actually used MY list to work off of. Now it remains to be seen if I'll find anything else wrong, as it's been stored for the winter. If they'd built it right to begin with I wouldn't have had these troubles. I had pushed for a new, replacement trailer but they wouldn't go for it. I won't be dealing with that dealership again. Oh, and I live in NE Washington, only 30 miles from the North Idaho state line.501Views0likes0CommentsWater Damage
UPDATE: I had posted last spring about my troubles with my less-than-1-yr.old trailer suffering severe water damage due to the manufacturer failing to put seals and caulking on the trailer at the factory, AND the dealer failing to discover such upon receiving it or before selling it to me. It was missing more than a foot of sealant on the top of the slide-out, as well as numerous caulking on windows and around the AC unit. As soon as I discovered puddles of water on top of the slide, on the floor, and countertop, I took it in to the dealer. They had it for 2 1/2 months (Mar. to June) while they attempted to hear from Forest River. It finally took a call from me to get the ball rolling! FR made the decision that I could pick up the trailer and use it for the summer (I'd already had to cancel the reservation I had for a seasonal spot at a nearby lake) and then return it to the dealership. They would then ship the trlr to the factor and FR would rebuild it. (I'd pushed for a new one, but they wouldn't do it!). I left the trlr off the end of August and just picked it up last Friday. This trailer had had so many defects that I had already been in numerous times before the water damage, and every contact with dealership was an unpleasant one. They always acted like something was my fault--Oh, the shower had not been caulked--that's my fault? They'd lost my file (luckily I kept copies of everything!). I documented and took pictures of all the damage, and FR actually used my document to address each problem. They removed and replaced the entire roof, removed the slide, put new seals and caulking on everything, removed and replaced walls, ceiling panels, closet panels, etc. I know, because I had made little pencil marks is certain places so I'd know if it was a new panel! I have to say, after closely inspecting the trailer, FR did a great job. They even addressed issues I'd had earlier (which I'd added to the document) and that the dealership said they'd fixed (which I didn't believe them!). Unfortunately, this nightmare could have been avoided if FR had done their job IN THE FIRST PLACE. I won't know for sure how things go until next June when I use the trailer again.....2KViews0likes8CommentsRe: Difficulties with Pets and RVing
As I got my trailer a few years after I got the dog, she is not used to traveling. I tried to take her a couple of times, but she is more comfortable at home. Dogs like consistency and routines--at least my lab does. I'd reserved a space at a campground for a month and took her for a 4-day stay. She is not used to being on a leash or tied up (CG rules), and was well-behaved, but I couldn't leave her to even walk a few feet to the camp store--she became very anxious. And rightly so-she was in a completely new environment and felt insecure. it wasn't fair to her. She loved being able to swim and loved that part. However, she wasn't used to being walked on a leash to 'do her business' and didn't poop for 3 days! She was used to roaming a huge backyard. So now I leave her at home (I have an adult son who stays at my house while I go camping). The dog is happy and I am, too.173Views0likes0Comments
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