CHAPTER FOUR
The RV
Looking
to buy an RV?: There are several types of RVs and the type that is best for you
depends on your individual needs, wants and lifestyle.
You also need to look at how much stuff you want to take along and more
so what it all will weigh. Will you
be towing another vehicle? What is
more important, a lot of counter space or storage space?
Are you looking for a weekend away vehicle or one to live in full time?
Already have an RV? Then
make sure you know about GVWR.
The least expensive are great for weekend warriors or those looking to just get off the ground out of the tent. You can also spend a million dollars or more for a real classy rig.
The
slide-in camper that fits in the
back of a pickup truck is one
we’re all familiar with. The newer ones have slide-outs that allow much
more room than the campers so many of us had at one time or another in the
past.
The
van conversion may have a
toilet, sink, a microwave and a bed, but
again is mostly useful for weekend or short term escapes.
The
pop-up trailer is low profile and
tows relatively easily. A pop-up
can have two queen size beds, a small refrigerator, cabinets, a sink and a
cook top.
The
van camper is commonly called a Class B. The Winnebago LeSharo,
Rialta, Mini-Winnie are of this class. They have dining areas that convert
into a bed, their pullout bathrooms have a sink, toilet and a shower and
they have a refrigerator, kitchen sink, stovetop, and all the basic
necessities. They are compact, convenient, reasonably priced and fun.
The
class C Motorhome is typically
the RV with the front end that looks like
a truck with a queen size bed over the driver’s cab. This feature gives
extra room and sleep space for the size of the coach, though the upper bunk
should be left to the younger set as climbing and low ceilings are involved.
The
class A Motorhome is the
drivable model with the largest space
capabilities with newer models available in more than forty feet in length,
slide-outs, basement storage space and rooftop patios.
The plus to having a Class A or Class C is that the passengers can be preparing sandwiches, napping in bed or sitting in the living room. It is also easier for quick stops for catching a nap, using the restroom or grabbing a meal. You don’t have to get out of your vehicle to go into your RV, you just get out of your chair and walk to the back. And it is already air conditioned or heated when you get there!
Word of advice here. Cruise control does NOT allow you to get out of the driver’s seat and walk away. Cruise in an RV works exactly as cruise in your car. Believe it or not, this was tried and the manufacturer sued because the driver didn’t have sense to know this shouldn’t be tried.
Travel
trailers (17 to 36 feet) and 
fifth wheels (26 to 40 feet) are
both towables that will give maximum living space for the length of the RV since no space is taken for driving. The fifth wheel is touted as “the choice” for full timing if you are looking for space. They can contain up to 3 slide-outs, washers and dryers, spacious bathrooms with bathtubs. If you choose to go with a towable, you need to look closely at the vehicle you intend to tow it with. It is important to match the trailer to the tow vehicle.
A plus to having a towable RV is that once it is parked the towing vehicle is free for shopping or sightseeing.
When buying an RV look at livability: How large is the rig? Will one air conditioner be enough or will it require two? Is the rig 30 amps or 50 amps? If you will want to be running both air conditioners at once you will need the higher amperage. But, not all parks have 50 amp hookups so this can hinder you. You may want to consider a pulse system that alternates cooling between the two air conditioners requiring less amperage to operate and stay cool. The value of a pulse system is that a single air conditioner is not running full time, so the chance of “air conditioner freeze up” is reduced.
Do you really enjoy cooking? Or are you a sustenance cooker? Do you need counter space to bake that pie or will you be buying one ready made? Is there enough cupboard and drawer space to stow the equipment you consider a necessity? Do you need a place to hang a Toaster oven, a place to brew coffee? Look for the kitchen that matches your lifestyle.
Is there enough
room in the bathroom to do what’s needed? Does it fit you? Lean over the sink
like you are rinsing your face or brushing your teeth, how is the height? Is 
there enough room left when sitting on the toilet? Can you stand up straight in
the shower?
Is the bed long enough for you? If it is a bed/dining space, try going through the routine of the conversion and act like you are putting the sheets on. Do the whole process because this is what it will take to go to bed daily.
Washers and dryers take space, water and holding tank capacity. An unused washer’s p-trap will dry out and become a source of gray water holding tank odors seeping into the RV interior.
How about electrical outlet placement? Are there enough and in the areas you will need them? How many are DC outlets?
Check insulation of the unit you are looking at buying. If you will be visiting very cold or very hot climates, adequate insulation is a necessity.
Look for smart storage over big storage. Large compartments often means less efficient use of available space, and harder to organize. Milk crates and storage organizers might make large storage areas more useful.
Check out Don Wright’s book “How to buy an RV”, ask in the notes conferences. You can also talk to dealers, they will certainly tell you why you should buy a particular model, and will probably tell you why you shouldn’t buy a different manufactures’ RV than they sell. Of course you will need to verify anything you hear that was said about a competitors’ RV offerings.
Some Accessory Ideas:
A rearview camera is a wondrous tool that will allow you to see what is going on behind you. It allows you to see your tow vehicle if you are pulling a car, trailer or boat behind your rig.
Minimize sway during driving with minimal expense with stabilizing systems like Steer Safe.
Awnings all the way around will help when visiting hot, sunny climates. Awning safety clips and straps can save your rig if you are not there to take down the awning if rough winds come up. Be aware though that trying to remove the clips and put away the awning in an Arizona monsoon wind will be next to impossible. Best to wait it out and hope for the best. Best thing is to watch the weather or your neighbors. If they are taking their awning down then they might know something you don’t.
Levelers will keep the coach from swaying when parked.
A water pressure regulator will keep your water lines from being burst by city connections while you travel the countryside.
A water filter will remove minerals from hard water further protecting your water lines. It will also remove any debris that may come through the city water lines.
You should know all the specifications of your rig before you start out. You don’t want to guess how high the rig is when you are approaching a underpass that says “clearance 11 feet”.
You should know how much your rig weighs when loaded . You should know how far to the right you can drive without hitting the curb. You need to know where the back of the rig is so you don’t cut off cars when changing lanes. This is especially important if you have a toad.
You should know how quickly you can slow down in the event of an emergency.
Knowing and checking the tire pressure is an important one that most RVers overlook.
About GVWR and
GCWR:
Your RV is designed to operate safely up to a
certain load capacity. Once you exceed that capacity you can easily find your
safety is severely compromised. There
are two terms that you need to know about and never exceed. These are the GVWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, and the
GCWR, the Gross Combination Weight Ratings.
The GVWR applies to how much weight you can have in your RV without
exceeding the safety margin. The
GCWR applies to the weight of an RV towing another vehicle.
What is included in
GVWR:
GVWR includes everything that goes in the RV.
Think about how much does
40 gallons of water or fuel weigh?
The answer is, a lot. How
many people are going to be on board, what will the RV weigh once everyone takes
their seat? And, of course, all the
stuff in the storage areas weighs a lot, too.
Consider the following:
Besides the safety concerns there are other reasons not to exceed GVWR and that is handling problems, poor gas mileage, and if you have ever seen the movie “The Long Trailer” with Lucile Ball, you know what happens when going up or down a mountain with too much weight!
The bottom line on GVWR is you need to find out the rating for your vehicle. Calculate what it will weigh when loaded and make sure you are not exceeding the rating.
When you are either getting a toad to tow with your Class A, or buying a new RV to pull behind your truck you need to stay within the limits of the Gross Combination Weight Ratings.
Equipment:
Knowing your rig also includes
making sure the
safety devices are in working order. 
Make
sure Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors are functional.
RVs burn very fast. Make
sure fire extinguishers are fully charged.
Use the Halon type for best results.
It is always a good idea to have a weather radio handy that can alert you
to dangerous weather conditions. The
fact is you are more vulnerable to everything in an RV.
That is not to say you should be afraid but rather you should be a little
paranoid and prepared.
|
|
Chapter Three |
Chapter Five |
