CHAPTER TWELVE
Will you be towing something with the RV?
If you plan to tow anything behind you, towing a travel trailer or fifth-wheel won't be practical, consider a Motorhome instead.
Number of people using the RV?
The more people who will be traveling in the RV on a regular basis, the more space you will need. The older the children, again the more space you will need. Taking the pets, too?
Types of use planned?
Are you planning tailgating at sporting events?
Weekend trips to local camp sites?
Vacations of 1-3 weeks?
Fulltiming?
Will you be dry camping?
Going to campgrounds with partial hook-ups or full hook-ups?
All these need to be considered for choosing the best type of RV for your use. Floor plan, sleeping space, refrigerator size, closet space, storage space and much more, are all effected by how many people are going to use the coach and how.
What are your hobbies, interests, sports?
How much storage space will these require?
What accommodations will you make to store your RV?
In your yard?
On the street? Is it allowed by local law?
In a storage yard? How much rent will it cost per month?
What monthly payment can you
comfortably 
afford? How much down payment do you have available? What do these
translate to in purchasing power? Once you have determined how much and what
style of RV you want and can afford, the fun starts. Shopping for one. There are
many manufacturers and each one has several models.
Go to RV Shows, talk to people, go on-line and browse, go to local campgrounds and talk to people. Go through the newspaper and look at used rigs. Go to dealerships and look at new and used coaches (leave credit cards and check books at home.) Shop, get informed. Try them on. Can you reach all the cabinets? Sit on the john, is there enough room? “Brush” your teeth, is the sink too low? “Make” the bed, can you reach it all ok? Find out what is important to you.
Once you have narrowed it down to a couple of models, go on-line and read the reviews. Who has the best record? The following is a checklist to use to inspect any prospective RV before making an offer on it. Be deliberate in your efforts and keep your emotions in check until after negotiations are completed. Remember, too, if you are looking at a used RV, be fair about normal wear and tear. If an item is a deal breaker and the seller doesn’t want to fix or replace whatever it is, walk away. It wasn’t the right coach.
Coach length: ________
Year ________
Mileage _________
Warranty Available __________
Chassis Make _________
Engine type and size ___________
Transmission: Automatic or Manual?
Tire condition ________________
Tread Condition and wear even? __________
Spare present? ___________
Does the wheel pattern fit the rig? _________
Air conditioning Unit(s) _________________
During test drive, take note of:
Engine/vehicle ______________
Battery accessory gauge ____________
Start and Idle operation (smooth, RPM) _________
Rear View Camera _____________
Steering function ____________
Cooling system operation __________
Cruise control operation _________
Ride comfort __________________
Cornering & lane changing __________
Alignment (also via tire inspection) __________
Shocks ________________
Brakes ________________
ABS Brakes _________
Noises & condition ____________
Parking Brake _________
Mirror remote adjustments ____________
Rattles & squeaks ___________________
Coach Interior Conditions:
Upholstery ___________________
Trim ________________________
Carpets _____________________
Instruments, warning lights _____________
controls, dash lights _____________
Wipers, washer _________________
Windows _______________
Seat adjustments ____________
Entertainment system, radios, tape, CD, speakers: __________________________________________
CB radio _________________
TV(s): ____________
TV antenna: _____________________________
TV cables: ________________________
Satellite Dish: _________________
Carpets & vinyl/wood flooring ________________
Woodwork, cabinets & trim _______________
Walls & ceiling ___________________
Windows, drapes, screens ______________
Mattresses ________________
Electrical Systems:
Do interior lights function on battery __________
How easy does the generator start _________
Do interior lights function on generator ________
With the Refrigerator in the auto position, does
it automatically switch between AC, DC & Gas
________________________________________
Coach control & display panel (functions)_______
Safety devices:
Fire Extinguisher _______
Smoke detector _________
CO detector __________
Propane detector __________
GFCI breakers work _____________
Vehicle Exterior:
Body, paint & trim ____________________
Doors & hood _____________________
Glass (nicks, cracks) _________________
Mirrors _____________________
Lights ________________
Roof and all roof seals ________________
Body, paint, trim _________________
Roof appliance seals __________________
Doors:
Entry door & screen _________________
Lower (basement) doors _____________
Windows & screens _________________
Awnings _____________________________
_____________________________________
Basement compartments ________________
Generator (hours, watts, starting) __________
Shore power connection _____________
Furnace ___________________
Storage tanks ______________
Exterior shower ______________
Rear bumper ___________
Hitch, electrical connector _______________
Ladder & roof rack__________
Lights (function) _______________
Battery(ies) ______________
Belts ________________
Hoses _______________
Leaks:
Fluids _______________
Exhaust _________________
Wiring (condition, connection, chafing)_________
Coach Interior & Functions:
Waste water system
Tank capacities:
Gray _______
Black _______
Control Panel Fill level indicators
Gray _______
Black _______
Use a flashlight to look in the toilet and see if the blackwater tank is clear and clean. Nothing but tank should visible.
Propane system:
Tank capacity _______
Quantity level indicator _______
Updated Valve? Can’t fill without it. _______
Appliances:
air conditioning
cab _______
roof, rear unit _______
roof, front unit _______
Stove _________
Oven __________
Microwave _________
Coffee maker _________
Ice maker _________
Water heater _________
Electric outlets_________
Vent(s) & fan(s) _______
Interior lights:
AC _______
DC _______
Kitchen counters & sinks ______________
Bathroom fixtures
Sink _______
Toilet _______
Shower tub _________
Shower door __________
Main Features & Options: ______________________________________
______________________________________
Documents on the vehicle available:______________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Notes: _________________________________
______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Socks, Underwear, Pants,/jeans/skirts/shorts
Light shirts/blouses/tops
Belts, Walking/Hiking shoes, sandals, flip flops
Sweaters/Sweatshirts
Wind breaker
Sleep wear
Hats
Bathing suits
Bath robes. Often the park manager will be knocking on your door in the AM.
Rainwear (unless you’re in Arizona outside of monsoon season)
Umbrella
First Aid Kit, enough for each person
Adjustable wrench
Flashlights
Fuses
Pliers
Pocket Knife
Combination screwdriver kit (+ and -)
A small power converter can power a Laptop or small appliance from 12 Volt DC. Useful for looking at on-computer maps when traveling
If birds no Teflon pans (tight quarters higher risk)
Microwave bowls, Breakfast bowls, Measuring cups and spoons, Pot holders, barbeque tools, small grill (can you the provided ones but I prefer a semi-clean grill)
Covered soap dishes and soap, towels, washcloths, deodorant
Sun glasses, reading glasses, contacts supplies
Insect repellent
Jewelry, makeup, personal care items
Passport, Birth certificate, immunization records
medical records if full-timing or if you have a special condition
Medicines, prescription data, vitamins
Reading/listening material
Camera, panoramic
Shaving equipment, tooth brushes, toothpaste, floss
Sun tan lotion
Notebook, Writing paper, pens, envelopes, stamps
Address book
In case of emergency notice
Insurance information, Living wills, First Aid kit, Doctors names and phone numbers, If pets, Vets names and phone numbers
Fire extinguisher
Water purification tabs for areas where the water might not be good.
Matches, long wood or long lighter
Batteries for radios, clocks and flashlights
Small grill, charcoal / gas / tools
Scissors
Spices, ketchup, mustard etc.
Water filter jug (or external filter)
Clothes line, clothes pins (multipurpose)
A set of outdoor lights
Tablecloth for picnic table
String
Folding chairs
Travel alarm clock
Whisk broom and dustpan
Calculator
Laundry supplies
Zip lock bags, Plastic wrap, Aluminum foil
Utensils, eating and cooking
pots and pans
Coffee cups, plastic or paper plates
Trash bags
Plastic containers
Hand held vacuum cleaner or electric broom
Sponges
Broom
Glass cleaner
Spot remover
Dish soap or Shaklee’s Basic H
All purpose cleaner
RV type toilet paper
Towels and washcloths
Chemical for holding tanks
Trash can (plastic)
Extension cords
Blankets, pillows, pillowcases, alarm clock, earplugs
Portable electric heater 15 amp
Extra light bulbs
Doormat
Barbeque and utensils (and cleaning brush)
Traveling supplies
Binoculars
Compass
Navigational supplies (maps, laptop, GPS)
Water bottles and walking sticks for hiking
Brake fluid, motor oil, Coolant, Transmission fluid, WD-40 or silicon spray
Flares, extended life battery lights, available at your local wall-mart.
Weather radio
Water jugs (collapsible are available)
Power tester
Water restrictor
50 /30 /15 amp adapters
Cycles or electric shooters
Proof of insurance, RV Registration, Drivers license, Weapons permits
Passports, Credit cards, Travelers checks
Entertainment
Board games if you like them, cards, small electronic games and puzzles.
Video recorder and tapes (for those no-cable campgrounds)
Paper, art & craft supplies
Fishing gear, Metal detectors, hiking gear, whatever floats your boat.
Cell phone, Laptop computer, GPS, Mapping software.
Stationary and stamps
Video cable to connect to cable TV
Everything needs to be stowed away to prevent items from becoming projectiles or getting broken.
Close all interior doors
If you can’t put it away, tie it down.
Put trash in provided receptacle or take it with you.
Lower TV antennae and satellite dish
If you are pulling out of a campsite with full hook ups, dump your holding tanks, rinse out your sewer hose and stow it.
Disconnect from water supply and power supply.
Secure basement doors.
Start up generator if you will need AC.
Start engine, then turn on rear view camera.
Onward, ho!
|
|
Chapter Eleven |
Chapter Thirteen |
