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Great video Liz. As you buy units you discover something that would make it better. We bought over first 5th wheel in 2002, it fit what our 1/2 ton would pull and we enjoyed it for 7 years. 2009 we bought a 2500 GMC and upgraded to a nice rear kitchen 5er which we enjoyed for 5.5 years but there was a few things that we just weren’t happy with. 2015 we bought another rear kitchen that checked all the boxes and we still love it. I find the most common mistake is people buy a unit with a second room for beds thinking people will come and stay. The space you give up for this a waste. Guests will be happy to sleep on a pull out or you can give up yours for the one or two nights a year you might have overnight guests. Remember don’t give up full time space and comforts for that one or two nights a year you might have company. Another great video Liz.
You nailed it with that information! We had a 30amp 29’ bumper pull camper and went shopping for a newer 50amp camper and came home with a 29’ 30amp Class C. If we were to shop for a new camper it would have to have these things to pass our test. Big holding tanks. A bed that’s easy to make. Bigger then small shower. Storage to hold fishing poles. 50amp. Drain pipe must be higher from the ground then 6”. Things we don’t need are~ Outside tv. Overcab storage/bed. Dinette that makes into a bed . (That’s about it)
Thanks so much for your comment, John! A bed that's easy to make- a good tip to go along with this video! And the drain pipe-- been there done that with my last fifth wheel! I agree a lot of people don't need a dinette that becomes a bed. I think they'd be a lot more comfortable if they just did away with that. Thanks again and here's hoping third time is a charm.
Liz - I wanted to thank you so much for this video. My husband and I were getting ready to purchase a used Class C. Between the time we put down the deposit and the walk through I watched your video. During our walk through I paid special attention to the ceiling and lo and behold there was a crunchy water damage spot on the ceiling above the bunk of the cab. Major red flag and we walked away from the deal. I can’t thank you enough for all your informative videos.
Thank you so much for telling me this, Elena. Your comment has inspired me to keep on keeping on with these videos. And it sounds like you dodged a bullet for sure. I hope you find your dream RV - and that you get an inspection before purchasing. Thanks again for your comment- it made my day.
I always wanted to go camping when I retired, but wasn’t sure I would like it. So I bought a 12 year old $8000 fifth wheel camper. Turns out, I love camping! I don’t care how the inside functions, as long as the A/C, heat and shower works, because I’m up and outside at 7 am and don’t go back in it until after midnight. I’ve had it 2 years now and haven’t even switched the TV on yet. I hate being inside, rather be outside mingling, and I always sleep 10 times better in my camper than in my house.
Yay! So glad you've got something you love AND that you are using it!! Wishing you much happy camping this year. See you in the latest video right here, and thanks for watching: ua-cam.com/video/6CPgrdeGD34/v-deo.html
Liz's advice is also great for ALL large purchases. For large purchases, it's best to do hours and hours of homework first. Also, if possible, renting before you buy.
I paid 18k for my 2003 32ft National motorhome with huge slide and 11,040 miles on it. Love it! All I did was update the curtains. It was all very neutral colors so I had a lot of choices. It was a small country dealer. The dealer went over everything knowing I was leaving on an 2800 mile trip straight out of the lot. That made him do a lot of extras I felt he might not otherwise do. He even bought me a beautiful bed set I found on the bed when I picked it up.
Two relatives just bought a travel trailer in the Fall. I told them not to buy the first one they saw (they did) but asked them what type of camping they wanted to do. Boondocking or RV parks? Does it have enough inside/outside storage? Is the furnace quiet? What sizes are the tanks and much more. Those questions got them thinking and slowed down the process. Once I saw the trailer online, I knew it was suitable for them.
Totally agree, Liz!!!! It took us 16 months to find our non-negotiable list RV. Since we are full-time it was extremely important for us to have it the way we wanted it. The time and effort was all worth it!!! Each RV we found we asked for the spec/build sheet and compared it to our non-negotiable list if it didn't match we never went to look at it.
Great video Liz! Some of our non-negotiable items are 1. Heat registers on the floor are a huge no 2. Pantry space (we are full timers) 3. Where does a garbage can go?? So many RV's have no place for a garbage can and it end up in your living area! We have a Solitude 310 so you know it has the 2 stow away cans in the drawer, love that!
@@drauch913 there are more of us than you think lol!! They are huge dust collectors. And the plastic or metal covers are placed in the worst spot and eventually will get bent ane scraped. And if you have pets....forget it!
Never buy an RV where the kitchen door opens and blocks the entrance. Everything I am liadingbthe refrigerator that's when my husband wants to come in or go out. Every time!!!
Hi Erin! Glad you have the 310, I loved my time in mine! Yes, I couldn't believe when touring the new Alliance that they put floor registers in AND the same way when touring the pricey DRV Columbus. Enjoy that 310 and looking forward to seeing you on the road!
One dealbreaker for me is no washer/dryer or no place to put one. I *cannot stand* laundromats. Hate having to have quarters, finding laundromats, hate waiting around and having it be A Thing every time. Hate having my clothes ruined by careless people using bleach (happened sooo many times). I would much rather be minimalist with my clothing and just use a small washer dryer combo (as I do now). I just toss it in, continue my day, and hang it out to dry. No worries.
I did laundromats for my first 2.5 years as a fulltimer. I totally get it. Plus, my clothes were not getting clean! Love how clean they get now with my little w/d. Thanks for your comment.
Clothes storage - we had a Keystone Sprinter travel trailer with a full clothes cupboard in the bedroom which could hold ALL our clothes and shoes and other items - it was a major selling point and you don't see this on many RV's. Also you can never have to many slide outs which really increase your living space and the same for windows which allow light to come in and make it feel spacious and cheerful .
I love my rv. Winnebago adventure 2021 got an inspection even though I bought it new. I also negotiated it down from 180,000 to 120,000 out the door. I am a solo 68 yr young woman. Happy as a clam
All good items to consider. Just to add a little bit... Being able to squeeze yourself into position on the pot is one thing, being able to twist, contort, etc. in order to 'finish up' is another. I'm 6'4" and being able to just sit/fit is one thing... Main thought is don't be embarassed to close the door and go through the motions in order to be sure. In all likeliness you'll never see the salesman/seller ever again so don't worry about them. Do the same with the shower, dressing area, kitchen, etc. If you need to run the salesman/owner off for a half hour or more tell them to grab a chair and sit outside or 50 feet away (whatever makes YOU comfortable) while you meander, inspect, make notes, write down questions, etc. Don't be afraid to tell them you need space. If they won't give it to you they're likely trying to talk you past the deficiencies. This is not the time to act or feel as if you don't want to appear to be a newbie (even if you've bought 50 rvs already.) It's your money and they want it, take all the time you need. They won't run you off until they have your dough. Hopefully you have camped before and have some sort of idea what you want to do when you go someplace. That alone can guide you to your needs and desires. Just watching some other people on YT show you the fun parts of their journeys is not going to prepare you to make a very large, personal purchase. The best advice for newbies is to rent an RV close to the size that interests you and spend a week or two in it. You may find that you need bigger or smaller or that you really don't like any part of it. Remember, nobody dresses up anything - rv, house, car, etc. - so you'll love it forever. They do it so you'll love it enough to sign the check and that's it.
Super good advice, thanks! My husband has really broad shoulders and that's the first thing he checks. If that's not going to work, nothing is going to work! :)
Thanks so much for your wise words, Carl! Your comment is sure to help others who are camper shopping. Great tips, thanks for taking the time to share! If you haven't seen it yet, see you in my latest video right here: ua-cam.com/video/6CPgrdeGD34/v-deo.html
Great advice Liz! Another thing I look at these days after having a few campers and having some good and bad experiences is the mechanicals of the rig. The electrical system and where the hookups are, the plumbing system and how that works for water, winterizing and sanitizing and then the suspension system as far as axles, shackles and tires. Many times a little overkill on the axles and tires is a great thing to have when on the road! That’s where I’ve had the worst of my experiences and frustrations over the years! And I know I have never been overloaded being of the minimalist nature myself. I never travel with more than 10 gallons of fresh water and almost never have anything in my gray or black tanks. Keep up the great videos and stay safe.
On picking the right size rig, be aware which of your favorite parks have sites w pads avail for > 27' max length. This is a common limitation in state, county and federal parks close to natural attractions. Not many larger sites avail so go as small as possible. Driving it around and storing it is always easier too when shorter.
Our Jayco Seismic 5th wheel has a full-size residential refrigerator and it is the number one issue we've had with our camper. The weight of a full refrigerator causes the slide-out Schwintek motor to get out of line because it is so heavy on one side of the slide. We were stranded at a campground for 3 days because we couldn't get the slide in and a repairman couldn't come out for days. Be sure the slide motor is strong enough to pull in a full fridge.
It has been over 58 years since I did any RV Camping and, I was a skinny kid too. The 1967 Franklin bumper pull 15ft sits rusting in the back yard. What I do see is how high new campers are, same with pickup trucks. I couldn't mount either nowadays. Fast forward, being handicapped, solo female I need those wheelchair lifts. I have to put on my shopping list the following: If you walk with a cane now, buy to handle a wheelchair later. Know your physical weakness and get a bed access for your future decline. Majority of campers are designed for 1 handicapped but, not 2. Same with handicapped vans. Either too small, e.g. minivan or too big, e.g. commercial size or full size panel van. The rule of thumb trailering is to have a tow vehicle be able to two twice as much as a loaded trailer. My Dad taught me how to handle trailers with livestock or dry load. With my rapid decline I can't handle bumper pulls, 5th wheels. It must be a drive able B or C. Only handicapped builds are A and B. Winnebago Roam is enticing but, I worry as a recycled newbie camper, I have to rely too heavily on others to help. So, on my list will be: access via lift, bed height (being short even hotel beds are too high to mount), bathroom width, transfer from wheelchair to driver's seat and vice versa. Transfer from driver's seat is harder than from chair. Leveling itself, etc. It's hard in a chair to go back and forth with level, drive position, adjustment of tire height via blocks/pads.
Great points all. Thanks for this. You really add to the conversation and I know your comment gives others much to think about. See you in the next video.
The major consideration is full time, or part time, and how many weeks part time. Because THAT will be key to determining defined needs. THEN you can make "the list". Men, make absolutely sure the lady decides 90% of the items. You want to have good times right? For every woman I know, the style toilet, and shower is number one. Most women I know will NEVER want to empty a cassette type, or hook up to the waste dump station. Doesn't matter how long the excursion. Then the refrigerator/freezer capacity. Nobody wants to spend more then one day per week gathering groceries. And you will want to have variety of your meals. Then the heating/air conditioning comfort system. (Might be item #2). Need big batteries and/or generator! Think about where and when you will be visiting various locations. Air conditioning might be more important than heating. Then bedroom of course, and most RV supplied beds are crap! Make absolutely sure the type/manufacturer of bed you need is available and fits! And your existing (home) bedding fits! Knowing where and when you travel will determine the type of RV you need. Some RVs will not get you to some places, due to the size. Spend more time thinking, and discussing, time of year, activity needs, and length of stay. Might be some places you may enjoy, experience better, staying at a hotel/cabin, driving your car instead. Sometimes the less you need to bring, the better the experience.
Wife and I went from a popup travel trailer, to a Hybrid travel trailer.... used it once, regretted it. Sold it at a loss to get rid of it. We not have a 25' TT, we love it, but it has its issues, and we're looking for something else... but while we figure out what we want, this one suits our needs just fine (just needs to be smaller). We thought that the hybrid would be amazing, but it's still a popup basically.
Oh. yes, I've seen those Hybrids. So sorry it didn't work out. Happy RV shopping next time around. Sometimes it takes having these experiences to clarify what you REALLY want. Best of luck!
@@LizAmazing we loved the popup, but it was too small. the hybrid was a great idea, smaller, but still lots of "bed", but the bed, SUCKED! our 25' TT has full queen bed, not a popup mattress, and we got a great deal on it used, but now having it, we know what we want, and what not to get... so we're waiting to find a great deal on what we want next :) I love your videos, learned a few things from you as well :)
Thank you Liz I just bought a 2004 Alfa See Ya. I’m hoping it’s going to be everything I dreamed it was when I bought it. Haven’t got to use it yet so I’m very excited. It’s nice hearing advice from someone that knows what they love and dislike about a camper. The first year I’m just gonna go to my regular camp spot about 70 miles away. Storage has always been completely full for me. But this next coming spring I’m not going to pretty much empty my house because I have ample storage. In the coming years, I hope to go full-time in the winter to the south I love watching your videos.
Great video! You hit almost every item on my list. The only thing I would add is access to bathroom, bedroom and kitchen when slides are in so I can have full access when stopping at rest stops for lunch. Also, I have learned that I prefer to camp in 70 degree weather where it cools at night so a working furnace is also key!
Yes, that a great point. I am going to return my rv for that very reason. I have no access to the bedroom with the slides in and cant get my clothes out of the closet.
Great advice! We modified our GD 2250RK because we were miserable w/the queen bedroom. Just not enough room on either side of the bed. Hubs is great w/carpentry so he created twins in the same space. We lost a little storage but not enough to hinder our routine since we don’t full time and have actual room to get dressed in our bedroom. Seldom there’s a perfect RV but it’s got to be livable to meet your needs.
So yet another great video! I am waiting for your book to come out! You have a real clear view of what to look for! Getting closer to the 100,000 goal :) many thanks as always!
Hey Liz. Still amazing. I can relate to what your saying. My wife and I have always had tp trailers. She wanted to try a 5r for the next 1. I was so nervous about it. We bought used and paid cash. We researched for a year. We found what i think was a perfect fit. Should have seen how nervous i was pulling that beast home. My main thing was a covered outside kitchen. Just cant cook the bacon in the camper. I grew up with grandparents that were full time rvrs. They had a massive 42 footer mh. Always had a mh. It was nice to have everything inside. They always had a towv. That's where the problem lies. We always had to drive behind them. With the camper we always unhooked and went. Just something to consider. Thanks for another amazing video.
Sounds like great memories with your grandparents! Yes, there are definitely pros and cons between towing a car behind a motorhome or towing a camper behind your truck. You may have seen my recent video comparing fifth wheels versus motorhomes. There is no right answer and what may be perfect for you now may change down the road. Thanks for your kind words and for watching! Happy camping!
Liz These are the best tips I have ever heard. You are so organized with these thoughts. My wife and I have camped on and off all our lives. Thanks. Charley and Laura
Hi Charley and Laura, wow, thanks so much for your kind words!!! So glad to have you here! Also thank you for commenting within the first hour, really helps the channel. See you in the next video and enjoy your weekend!
Great video Liz. The comments section adds even more value to your video. Lots of good advice from experienced and rookie RV’ers. We’ve had everything from tents to motorhomes and there is no such thing as a unicorn. If you do find one you’ll change your mind about what a unicorn is in a few months/years! It’s all part of the RV life! 🤓
You are looking through a full timer’s lense. While I agree with many of the issues you raise, it’s all about intended use. Occasional use requirements are very different than full-time. For example full timers probably watch more TV than occasional users. If they were going to watch TV then they may have stayed home. Rent first and then buy to figure out what is important to you. While you may recover the majority of your regretted purchase, you will never recover the sales tax. Sales tax on an RV will pay for a lot of rentals.
One thing I always love about your videos, Liz, is just how "analytical" you are! You're "Amazing", LOL. You should really write a book on the subject, because the things you have learned, applied, and shared with your followers is very important ... especially to a newbie! I had the good fortune to have I good friend to chat with ... and after hearing all the problems he had with his 36- foot Winnie, I decided to short circuit all the potential shortcomings ... and after discovering that I could acquire a used Prevost, for less than the price of a new Winnie ... bought my 1996 45 ft Mirage XL (10 yrs ago) with only 150,000 miles on it, with new Michelins and batteries! Fresh water is 135 gals and economy is 7-8 mpg ... which is great for a 48,000lb vehicle with a 470hp diesel engine. It holds 209 gals too, which gives about a 1,600 mi range. Add the household frig and washer and dryer, plus huge storage ... and most of the problems disappear! Another thing, since the shell is the best commercial bus available, the duty cycle is built for rugged 24/7 operation ... and there are no roof leaks! I paid $124K for it and am offered far more than that, virtually every time we take a trip! Finally, I appreciate learning about all the issues you have experienced since many are applicable to any RV!! Keep up the great work, Liz, and I look forward to your next "masterpiece"! LOL
Hi Tom! Last year I had a camping neighbor with a Prevost, wow! You got yourself a good deal there! Enjoy that bus, it's a keeper for sure. Looking forward to seeing you out here, and thanks for you comment and kind words.
I couldn't agree any more! Folks get wow'd by the "pretty" travel trailers ect and don't realize that they could get a far superior quality rig for same or close by going used market on a quality coach. Some people have to learn the hard way by working their way up the chain and spending bookoo's along the way when they would be money ahead with the used motor coach. 👍
@@edensfamilyadventures2714 Exactly! Other RVers I meet, who tour the bus, often say that they ""aspire" to get a Prevost someday, unaware of the fact they spent far more $$$ than what a good used rig would cost! Another thing ... I go to ABC Coach for maintenance, and they don't waste time or milk the clock, bcs their main business is commercial customers ... and they give me a "fleet" rate at all their locations, which is substantially less than normal rates. They also wash it for under $100 ... but I use truck washes @! $41! Also, diesel pumps at truck stops pump much faster than at normal gas stations ... plus, with a 2 wk drycamp capability for 2 ppl with 135 gals/fresh H2O... It only costs about $5 to use a campground dump station. The coach batts are big 8Ds, and I have 6 ... with a 20 KW Gen that comes on automatically when batts reach 60%! Automatically leveling makes uneven sites a non-issue, Edan. The thing is "intimidation" ... but if you can forget what's behind you, the ride will be unrivaled ... and high winds are no problem either, with the 3 axles and 48,000 lb gr wt! Finally, the biggest bonus is "depreciation" ... it will be minimal to none ... depending on negotiation skills!
@@LizAmazing Thank you, Liz! My coach is presently in storage at a very reasonable U-Haul RV facility ... under a canopy ... & about $185/mo ... with electricity! There are mice around, so I have numerous electronic repellent devices positioned throughout and a few sticky traps ... so the inside and bays are rodent free! I am hoping to get away again this Spring and it would be great to actually meet you ... and even get your autograph! LOL
I love your videos. They are so helpful and I really like how you explain things. My husband and I ae looking at maybe buying a motorhome -first time RVing . I've always tent camped and now am at a age where I want to get a trailer. Thanks for suggesting a list
Liz you have such a professional and knowledgeable way of presenting your episodes. thank you. BTW, my wife and I bought a 19' Airstream Bambi and have been thrilled with it these 23 years with it and hope it continues be our last. its small but every inch as so well thought out and we never felt cramped. we will be doing a 3 month trip late summer, we will keep an eye out for you so we can meet you in person. that would be cool
Would love to meet you on the road! I just camped in Joshua Tree and toured a friend's Bambi. They are pretty sweet! Thanks for bringing me closer to 100k subscribers and I'll see you in the next video.
I like the list idea Liz, you have been living full time for a long time. My first experience was, am I'm not exaggerating, was living in a VW van, down by the river in college. That is also where I met my wife. Now, we both had different camping adventures as children, but when we decided to get into RVs, my wife saw an ad in the local paper about an RV dealer, that let you rent a new RV by the day week or weekend. That was an excellent way to know what we wanted and what we didn't.
Hi Liz, All good great info! We are in the process of choosing an RV for part time camping, we know the layout we want and type of RV, but I think we are going to rent a couple more times just to see if everything works for us! thanks for the info.
Hi Liz, great video, I don't have any of those problems. We have our ALFA seeya, as you know, storage is no problem at all, our fridge is a dabble door with an extra freezer in the basement. We have the big closet with his and her sides and more storage in the middle. We love our ALFA. Thanks for the great video! 👍
Liz, we love watching your videos! Thank you for sharing these insights. I wish now if you could come up with some great ideas on solutions on some of these issues because we already have purchased our RV. You’re very thorough and you do such a great job on ideas of problem solving. We have enjoyed that with you. Thank you.
I am feeling extremely validated for our choice in full time rigs. We have a walk around bed, the largest peninsula counter, a removable dining table and chairs situation, the washer dryer space turned into a fully adequate mudroom for our homestead life. The rear lounge has only one built-in slated for removal and replacement with a standard computer desk this spring. Great checklist!
We bought a brand new Motorhome in 2021 -It wasn’t right for us -We just picked up the new motorhome and it is perfect-Luckily, we got on this last May and we didn’t lose money-We aren’t full time but we do love travel in a Motorhome-Newmar Dutch Star 3736 turned out to be perfect for us -so we went for it-Ordered it how we wanted and just spent a month traveling in it -😃🚌🎉🇺🇸
Our bedside tables are too skinny for our cpap machine, so we placed them in the overhead cabinets in our motorhome, and we have the hoses to the masks hang down from the cabinet and the cabinets open up and it looks and works fine - it is pretty nifty, in my opinion.
Great points to consider. When we bought our Solitude 305re we were looking for the double door fridge gas/electric, rear living, kitchen island, all in one room bathroom, & king bed. We got everything but the king bed but there was enough room to change the queen to a king. The only thing we didn't consider is the TV placement. The TV is in the rear and all the seating is on the sides. My husband put his recliner on a small rug so he can easily slide it out to the middle of the room to watch TV. Other than that our 6yrs with our 5th wheel have been great! Safe travels!🤗
So glad to hear this. I am glad you got the tv watching figured out! I loved my nearly three years in a Solitude! Lookin forward to seeing you out here. Thanks for watching.
We live full time in our first camper ever, a 2018 Grand Design Momentum 397TH. The toy hauler is my husbands office space. That was our #1. The second bath and W/D have become non-negotiable too.
Me, too! I just love having a W/D. And a second bath is so helpful when there's two. Thanks for watching and so glad your first camper is a winner for you!
Great ideas for the “list” . High on my list of non negotiables is high resale value, track record for reliability, and driver safety and experience (no white knuckling in wind, on rutted freeways and through mountain passes). High resale value need not be expensive. Fibreglass clamshell trailers perform for decades and are easy to resell.
I agree that resale is important & dependability. We are interested in buying a travel trailer but it’s more complicated now that companies have purchased other companies. Also workers are in short supply since COVID. RVs that were once on the dependable list are now on the do not buy list, so I’m taking my time & I keep listening to videos to get more educated!
Awesome video Liz. You mentioned several things that I would not have thought about before making the purchasing decision. For me the sleeping area and kitchen set up is non-negotiable.
We bought a small class c. It had enough room, barely, for us except that my husband and I were both uncomfortable sitting in the cab. And the couch and dinette were hard as rocks.
Oh goodness. Sorry to hear this, Sandra. I wonder if you can take the dinette cushions to an upholster to get re-stuffed. Still, you'd need to replace the couch and don't know what you could do about the cab. You make such a helpful comment about the cab though!! Great tip to make sure it's comfortable for travel. Thanks for being here.
@@LizAmazing we were lucky. We had purchased it before Covid. The RV dealers were anxious to get their hands on it so we were able to sell it and stop the bleed. Now I am compiling a list of must haves just in case we are able to sell our house with enough money to buy a fifth wheel to live in full time.
Great video and tips. When making your lists consider travel days. What access do you have to your bathroom, refrigerator or table. This is especially true with trailers. You may not be level to open slides. Also logical storage for your arrival and hookups. You don't want to have to unload half your storage to get to items you have to set up first.
Great point, thanks for adding this to the conversation, Joe! See you in the latest video right here, and thanks for watching: ua-cam.com/video/6CPgrdeGD34/v-deo.html
i did OVER 2 YEARS of research. I talked to UMPTEEN people. (i was talked out of a class B - if i got rid of more stuff, a B would have worked! - but i want analog, not all this digital junk) I bought a 2015 Coachmen Leprechaun 220QB.... SIGHT UNSEEN I LOVE IT I LOVE IT! The ONLY issue i have is that it was almost like the engineering team designed the floor plan and at 445PM on a Friday, they said OH HELL WE FORGOT A BATHROOM! It's thrown in, at an angle. They could have put it in straight, but storage would be compromised! The tanks are under the bed. Otherwise, storage is great! I love the floor plan! it works FOR ME FOR ME FOR ME (your mileage may vary, please check your owners manual)
Yes, yes! So glad you found something that you LOVE. So very important that you only tried to please you. Your two years of research definitely paid off!!! Thanks for watching!
@@LizAmazing well hon, i live in it alone, with my 5 lb dog. It was supposed to be an "escape vehicle". Plan B, as it were. She went mad over "health, safety adn the flu" I went to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So who ELSE would i have "planned it for"?
The bed in our motor home is similar to the first bedroom you showed. The head 2 or 3 feet are against the walls on the slide and it’s real hard to make the bed. My wife hates it. We bought the motor home new in 06. We hadn’t RV ed for 2 years. Within 3 weeks we got COVID . Luckily we had mild cases
Whew, so glad you got through Covid ok. I don't know why manufacturers don't give us a little more room around the bed! Good tip to go along with this video, so thanks for that.
Liz, this video was really good. When we got our Grand Design 22REB we looked for everything on your list. We didn't have it on paper but I had online shopped for a year before we settled on this one. We have deep cubbies at the head of the bed for storage of books phone and yes big enough for a c-pap machine. The bathroom is so big that if a person ended to use a walker they could easily use the bathroom. Our bathroom is bigger then our daughters grand design 5th wheel. The TV us right across from theater setting. The only thing I don't like is that the table attached to the theater seating,so we stored that and we use a free standing table. The bed is high for a shorty like me so I use a step stool,but designing a wooden storage compartment that will also work as a step also. From April to November we take trips that are two weeks to a month long then back to the house to catch up on things there and to see the kids and grandkids. It's working for us and we're happy with it!
Wow, Deb, your bathroom sounds amazing! I enjoyed my GD Reflection and the Solitude, very happy with both. Good for you for making a non negotiable list and sticking to it. Happy travels!
Really really good video on this subject..I always go to the nuts and bolts of anything with an engine and cab. Then when it passes my inspection, I then get into the looks and comfort and accommodations..thanks for posting this..
I have two solutions for the problems you mentioned: 1. Not enough counter space? Get a folding console table from amazon etc. theyre about 4 or 5 ft long, about 12 to 18" wide, are the perfect size/shape to go in an rv kitchen to provide instant more counter space; fold up quickly for travel, dont cost much and dont weigh much! 2. TV in an odd space/have to sit straight but look sideways to watch it: well, theres 2 solutions to that one. I for one, tend to LAY(ZE) when i watch tv! right now im sitting on my loveseat with my back against one end and my feet UP on the other end, watching my tv on the adjacent wall. that way i dont have to sit straight with my face/head cranked sideways to look at my tv. The next solution for this issue is to get long metal flat strong S shaped hooks, like the ones you put over a door to hold a wreath for christmas. if u get a long enough flat metal one with 90 degree S bends, you can hook one end over the edge of the overcab MH bed section so the other end of those hooks curve forward (opposite direction); then place the TV resting in those forward facing hooks, (like two hands holding the lower edge of the tv,), placed towards each side of the tv screen so u can see the tv screen! you can drill slots in the upper vertical ends of the hooks and screw HD screws into the flat side surface of the overcab bed, so the hooks just slide onto the screws also, for more secure fit. for travel, the tv and long hooks can be secured onto the overcab bed.
@@LizAmazing 😆😆work hard, play hard, have FUN! truth b told, I ask God for solutions to most issues I encounter! 🙏 But i definitely like the console table idea for counter space in any rv!
My non-negotiable is residential queen bed, kitchen counter space/pantry space, comfy living room seating w/TV viewing, room for my fur kids and being disabled, a ramp to get into the unit and storage space fory motorized wheelchair or scooter.
Very informative video. Both my husband and myself sleep with a CPAP, our Jayco Greyhawk did not have two nightstands but had the electrical outlets we needed so we put our machines in the overhead cabinets…had a hole drilled to accommodate the hose and cord and voila they are out of site and it works perfect! Actually like it better than having them take up space on a nightstand!
Im on my 4th Rv, when looking for 27ft approx travel trailer, dining table had to be facing the campsite and camper had to have a couch n walk around bed. With the fifth-wheel it was storage and table still facing campsite, now with the truck camper my main priority was no slides, and no tpo roof, so sick of their maintenance, so I sacrificed dining table on opposite side, no regrets-love my camper…but priorities change as you get older lol.
It’s a great idea to hire an outfit first, you may think it’s a waste of funds spending money that’s just dead money. Then you can make your choices from the knowledge you have. We borrowed my Uncles caravan for our first holiday 40 years ago because we wanted a caravan for holidays it was our dream wish, but it was a disaster from the first day, my husband who is 6’4” couldn’t stand up straight unless his head was out the sky vent. Also because of his size he didn’t fit the bed either, and the draining board where you stacked the dishes opened across the main door, held by a small latch, this kept getting caught and all crocks would be on the floor, or worse still if you were cleaning the sink and moved the bowel on to the draining board all that would drop on the floor your feet soaking wet. So we now knew what we needed and what was definitely no good.
We got a 2002 ..20ft forest river Cherokee jewel for 5thousand dollars stay out two months at a time ever other year and short two week trip in between..we look at those folks with an RV mortgage and breathe a sie of relief.. love our full kitchen and bath a must.. could not do a van I could not stand up n..but they r a fit for some greetings from NC and ..Just one more mile..
I did not get an inspection but she certainly gave me lots to think about. I will be talking about this more when I do an update about some repairs. Thanks for watching.
Having owned every type RV made my conclusion is there's really no such thing as the perfect RV . They are all a give and take situation. They all require too much maintenance. They all have their little quirks that can be irritating at times. I think many people expect too much and end up disappointed.
Excellent video with an education reading all the comments since I’m trying to decide what I and my lady wants in an RV. I made a list and I will have my lady sign it so she fully understands what we’re getting into and Will post it in our RV so i can point to it If there ARE any complaints. Since I’m gonna do most of all maintenance I won’t complain either. I only want to buy one once. In my older age We don’t want to a winter camp anymore and keep everything simple and enjoyable and meet others to share the adventure. I will need a place to put my cross country skis which is another consideration. There are many compromises with the house on wheels so best to fully understand what you’re getting. Thank you for this wonderful video.
Sounds like you are putting some good thought into your next purchase. Happy RV shopping and looking forward to seeing you and your lady out here! Thanks for watching.
Great video and I loved all the comments. One thing I might add is- the difference between pull type trailers and motorhomes. So many folks don't think about the fact that you can use the bathroom, eat, ect if you have a motorhome instead of pull types not to mention that the vacation starts the moment you pull out of the driveway whereas it's only about "when we get there" with the trailers. I also highly recommend tag axle coaches as well because they drive and handle high winds like a boss! No comparison and they are often very reasonable when you consider the cost of a truck that you have to have to pull a large camper.. Just another opinion........😬👍
Ooh, such a great point! I love the part where you say your vacation starts the moment you pull out of the driveway with a motorhome. YES!!! Thanks for this and for watching!
Great tips Liz on different things in the rv I think were lucky that our trailer suits us cause ya I’ve watched a lot of rv walk thru videos and what were the designers thinking when they build an rv that somethings were completely stupid and does not work
This is SO true, Corey. I bet most RV designers have never been to a campground. Glad you are enjoying your trailer! Hope you have some good trips planned for this summer!
Y non-negotiable list was a washer and dryer. I paid a little extra and love my 2013 infinity!!. I think parks that don't like rvs 10 yrs are complete snobs. The out and insides are perfect and beautiful
Yep! I think a lot of that ten year rule is rumor. I haven't come up against it in real life. I even talk about it in my camper tour video. They just want to make sure your rig is not held together by duct tape. Thanks for being here!
Great points. I need to be able to use the kitchen and open the fridge when the slide is in. What do you do if your slide fails and you can't get a repair for several days?
There is generally is a tool where you can manually open or close it. Plus mobile repairable generally come out pretty quick. Thanks for watching out for your question.
I think you overlooked ..the chew on the gristle factor..learn to adapt,i use that a lot,and you will get used to stuff..and avoid the dreaded showroom.
Lots of people end up buying multiple RVs because they realize they "need" something else. Whether you keep it a year or months doesn't matter. Many people trade pretty frequently and spend a fortune in the process.
The bed is a queen in our 5th wheel, just those few minutes trying it out at dealer is not enough. Our first night was good for about 2 hours, then the body aches started. We kept that mattress and I ordered a 10 inch Chime mattress from Ashley furniture online and put it on top of rv mattress, so comfortable and it was pnly $300. Make sure you have mattress on your bed before opening plastic to start expansion. This also put height of bed to where I could get out on side of bed instead of scooting to the bottom. Also fixed me getting dizzy when laying down. Other great help 5th wheel or gooseneck stabilizer. I put baby sheets on my pleather dinett cousions used mattress corner straps on back. Easier to get in and out, nosticking or dog toe nail holes
We have just retired and are going to rv for the very first time fulltime. We want to buy a 2023 Rockwood 2204S. It's about 23 ft. Our budget will not allow us to get anything bigger. I'm afraid this might be too small, but it has everything I think we want. Is this a size that can be comfortable full time? This rv has no sofa, just dinette and king bed.
Great Video Liz, Hoping you will do one soon on how to choose the right length RV. I bought one recently but its a little too long for me and I don't feel comfortable driving on windy road and I know some mountain roads do not allow long RVs. Plus the swing out is terrible, I trashed the side of mine the first week when getting gas and did not realize. I wonder what would be the best length to look for. The other thing is making a U turn is almost impossible especially when I have the car on the back, I jack knifed mine 2 times and have not been brave enough to attempt it again. Anyway hope you could address these issues soon in a video. PS I have a 32ft. Class C Coachement. Do you think I should return it? Or try to learn how to drive it? Its so hard to know what to do. Thank you Liz!
Wow, Donna. This is such a great topic. I truly think that any length camper can be driven by anyone. It's just a matter of practice and willingness to learn. I remind myself of all the many over the road tractor trailers (18 wheelers) that are out there. If people can drive those, then I can drive mine. Definitely the more I do it the better I become. That said, I have heard of people trading their rig in because it's just too much. Too long, too much stress each day. Only you know the answer that is right for you. You could also look into RV driving school. I did a video about that and I found that course to be helpful.
For 1 night I rented a 3 axle luxury high end 5th wheel with a fireplace it was in the Yukon it was around Sept I found it drafty ,.. try Imagine travel trailers, or Arctic FOX.. insulation and quality are important
When you purchased your diesel pusher, did the sellers explain to you about allowing the engine to cool down by leaving it running for about fifteen minutes before shutting it off? Also you should not shut down engine when refueling. Also, depending on how many speeds you have, you need to know how to shift to keep from overheating when driving up steep grades. Diesel engines are a different animal.
I knew from having a diesel 3/4 ton and then a one ton not to shut them down right away after the engine's been under load. I do shut them off when refueling as it's the law, and everyone at truck stops does do that. This is my first diesel pusher so I'm definitely spending a lot of time learning! Thanks for the tips.
We’ve had a few different styles of RV’s over the years. We bought what suited our needs at the time. Those needs change over time. No matter how hard you look there is no such thing as the perfect camper. One thing we failed to do when we purchased our Winnie a couple of years ago was sit on the couch for an extended period of time. It’s the most uncomfortable couch I’ve ever sat in. Some things you can change without getting a new RV. If we ever decide we need a change I’m buying a cargo trailer and making my own. Safe travels!
Thanks Warren! Yes, that RV furniture is often lacking. Many people complain about their recliners, too. You're right. There is no such thing as the perfect camper. Thanks for being here!
The old saying "It's easy to be wise after the event" comes into play here Liz. lol . The CPAP machine is one of my problems, which will be easy to fix, but you certainly need a god stable position for it. I'm only a part time camper with a small caravan. I camp at places where there are 4x4 tracks and though I go with friends, we all do our own thing with our campers. As a Vietnam Vet, I swore I'd NEVER sleep on the ground again, so I tend to pamper myself, when I can 🤣 Most times I try to get a powered site and in the heat at the moment, here, we all seem to gravitate to my van, with the air con on, drink and play 500 til all hours.I love it. It's too bad that you are having to go back and buy a different RV. No doubt you will lose money on yours, but that's the way it is. Anyway, good luck with whatever you do, and I enjoyed your video. Cheers from Australia.
Hi Steiny! By now you've probably finished watching the video so you know that I was talking about neighbors who bought the wrong RV. I'm loving mine BUT I have had to do some repairs. I will talk about that soon. Sounds like you go to some pretty places down there in Australia. Thanks for watching and see you in the next video.
Thank you for your advice I'm going through thae same problem I bought a travel trailer with a bunkhouse and it's not the right one for me and my with my grandkids moved away and now I'm stuck with this travel trailer . And I can't get out what I paid for plus all the up grades I bought it with can you help me with some advice.
You’ll get more if you sell it privately. I helped sell a trailer marketing the bunk as extra storage and potential for a walk in closet. Best of luck!
Excellent and informative video Liz...SO Important before signing on the dotted line. It could cost you Thousands, right? So sorry to hear about your current A/C problems. But Provost is a nice place to wait it seems. Have a great Memorial Day weekend. will in Florida
Thanks so much for the good wishes, Will! This is all part of the journey, and I think I need to make up a new saying about how a bad day RVing beats being stuck at home! Thanks for watching and have a great weekend yourself. See you in the next video.
Is that rv you have too big for one person. I think a 24’ class c would be about right for one person. But I’m sure it’s a good idea to maybe rent one for a week or so.
Thanks Steve. I'm glad I started out fulltime RV life with a 21' camper van. I worked my way up to my motorhome and I'm thrilled! You are so right that renting first is the way to go. Thanks for watching.
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I guess I don't have to worry about that cuz my RV is my electric bike a wagon and a tent
@@LetArtsLive I like it!
@@LizAmazing 😄
Wish to be with you. On adventure hiking😊✌️
Let’s grab lunch! Where can I find you?
Great video Liz. As you buy units you discover something that would make it better. We bought over first 5th wheel in 2002, it fit what our 1/2 ton would pull and we enjoyed it for 7 years. 2009 we bought a 2500 GMC and upgraded to a nice rear kitchen 5er which we enjoyed for 5.5 years but there was a few things that we just weren’t happy with. 2015 we bought another rear kitchen that checked all the boxes and we still love it. I find the most common mistake is people buy a unit with a second room for beds thinking people will come and stay. The space you give up for this a waste. Guests will be happy to sleep on a pull out or you can give up yours for the one or two nights a year you might have overnight guests. Remember don’t give up full time space and comforts for that one or two nights a year you might have company. Another great video Liz.
That’s a really good point.
Great point, Martin. Thanks for sharing this. Your comment is bound to help others. See you in the next video!
You nailed it with that information!
We had a 30amp 29’ bumper pull camper and went shopping for a newer 50amp camper and came home with a 29’ 30amp Class C.
If we were to shop for a new camper it would have to have these things to pass our test.
Big holding tanks.
A bed that’s easy to make.
Bigger then small shower.
Storage to hold fishing poles.
50amp.
Drain pipe must be higher from the ground then 6”.
Things we don’t need are~
Outside tv.
Overcab storage/bed.
Dinette that makes into a bed .
(That’s about it)
Thanks so much for your comment, John! A bed that's easy to make- a good tip to go along with this video! And the drain pipe-- been there done that with my last fifth wheel! I agree a lot of people don't need a dinette that becomes a bed. I think they'd be a lot more comfortable if they just did away with that. Thanks again and here's hoping third time is a charm.
Liz - I wanted to thank you so much for this video. My husband and I were getting ready to purchase a used Class C. Between the time we put down the deposit and the walk through I watched your video. During our walk through I paid special attention to the ceiling and lo and behold there was a crunchy water damage spot on the ceiling above the bunk of the cab. Major red flag and we walked away from the deal. I can’t thank you enough for all your informative videos.
Thank you so much for telling me this, Elena. Your comment has inspired me to keep on keeping on with these videos. And it sounds like you dodged a bullet for sure. I hope you find your dream RV - and that you get an inspection before purchasing. Thanks again for your comment- it made my day.
I always wanted to go camping when I retired, but wasn’t sure I would like it. So I bought a 12 year old $8000 fifth wheel camper. Turns out, I love camping! I don’t care how the inside functions, as long as the A/C, heat and shower works, because I’m up and outside at 7 am and don’t go back in it until after midnight. I’ve had it 2 years now and haven’t even switched the TV on yet. I hate being inside, rather be outside mingling, and I always sleep 10 times better in my camper than in my house.
Yay! So glad you've got something you love AND that you are using it!! Wishing you much happy camping this year. See you in the latest video right here, and thanks for watching: ua-cam.com/video/6CPgrdeGD34/v-deo.html
Liz's advice is also great for ALL large purchases. For large purchases, it's best to do hours and hours of homework first. Also, if possible, renting before you buy.
Thank you so much for this, Jonny!
I paid 18k for my 2003 32ft National motorhome with huge slide and 11,040 miles on it. Love it! All I did was update the curtains. It was all very neutral colors so I had a lot of choices. It was a small country dealer. The dealer went over everything knowing I was leaving on an 2800 mile trip straight out of the lot. That made him do a lot of extras I felt he might not otherwise do. He even bought me a beautiful bed set I found on the bed when I picked it up.
Wow, sounds like you've got yourself a winner there, Kathyrn. 32 feet is a great size and Nationals were very well built. Hope to see you on the road!
Winner winner, chicken dinner!!👍
Sounds like a great supplier!🧐👍🏻
Two relatives just bought a travel trailer in the Fall. I told them not to buy the first one they saw (they did) but asked them what type of camping they wanted to do. Boondocking or RV parks? Does it have enough inside/outside storage? Is the furnace quiet? What sizes are the tanks and much more. Those questions got them thinking and slowed down the process. Once I saw the trailer online, I knew it was suitable for them.
Glad to hear this and thanks for doing your best to help them!
Totally agree, Liz!!!! It took us 16 months to find our non-negotiable list RV. Since we are full-time it was extremely important for us to have it the way we wanted it. The time and effort was all worth it!!! Each RV we found we asked for the spec/build sheet and compared it to our non-negotiable list if it didn't match we never went to look at it.
You guys are doing it the smart way! I can't wait to see it. And to see you on the road. Hoping that will happen this year! Safe travels.
Great video Liz! Some of our non-negotiable items are 1. Heat registers on the floor are a huge no 2. Pantry space (we are full timers) 3. Where does a garbage can go?? So many RV's have no place for a garbage can and it end up in your living area! We have a Solitude 310 so you know it has the 2 stow away cans in the drawer, love that!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who hates the heat registers in the floor. More like dirt traps especially near the door.
@@drauch913 there are more of us than you think lol!! They are huge dust collectors. And the plastic or metal covers are placed in the worst spot and eventually will get bent ane scraped. And if you have pets....forget it!
Never buy an RV where the kitchen door opens and blocks the entrance. Everything I am liadingbthe refrigerator that's when my husband wants to come in or go out. Every time!!!
Hi Erin! Glad you have the 310, I loved my time in mine! Yes, I couldn't believe when touring the new Alliance that they put floor registers in AND the same way when touring the pricey DRV Columbus. Enjoy that 310 and looking forward to seeing you on the road!
All rvs have built in trash cans. Right out the window
One dealbreaker for me is no washer/dryer or no place to put one. I *cannot stand* laundromats. Hate having to have quarters, finding laundromats, hate waiting around and having it be A Thing every time. Hate having my clothes ruined by careless people using bleach (happened sooo many times). I would much rather be minimalist with my clothing and just use a small washer dryer combo (as I do now). I just toss it in, continue my day, and hang it out to dry. No worries.
Finding laundromats is easy. Most laundromats either have coin dispensers or use cards. Go early in the weekday to avoid the crowds.
I did laundromats for my first 2.5 years as a fulltimer. I totally get it. Plus, my clothes were not getting clean! Love how clean they get now with my little w/d. Thanks for your comment.
I love our washer and dryer in our coach, and would not like an RV without one.
I picked up an expandable washing machine for my Rec Van. Amazon, $180......
Clothes storage - we had a Keystone Sprinter travel trailer with a full clothes cupboard in the bedroom which could hold ALL our clothes and shoes and other items - it was a major selling point and you don't see this on many RV's. Also you can never have to many slide outs which really increase your living space and the same for windows which allow light to come in and make it feel spacious and cheerful .
All good points. Thanks so much!
I love my rv. Winnebago adventure 2021 got an inspection even though I bought it new.
I also negotiated it down from 180,000 to 120,000 out the door.
I am a solo 68 yr young woman. Happy as a clam
Wow, you did great, Marsha! So happy for you! Looking forward to meeting you on the road. Happy travels!
All good items to consider. Just to add a little bit...
Being able to squeeze yourself into position on the pot is one thing, being able to twist, contort, etc. in order to 'finish up' is another. I'm 6'4" and being able to just sit/fit is one thing... Main thought is don't be embarassed to close the door and go through the motions in order to be sure. In all likeliness you'll never see the salesman/seller ever again so don't worry about them. Do the same with the shower, dressing area, kitchen, etc. If you need to run the salesman/owner off for a half hour or more tell them to grab a chair and sit outside or 50 feet away (whatever makes YOU comfortable) while you meander, inspect, make notes, write down questions, etc. Don't be afraid to tell them you need space. If they won't give it to you they're likely trying to talk you past the deficiencies. This is not the time to act or feel as if you don't want to appear to be a newbie (even if you've bought 50 rvs already.) It's your money and they want it, take all the time you need. They won't run you off until they have your dough.
Hopefully you have camped before and have some sort of idea what you want to do when you go someplace. That alone can guide you to your needs and desires. Just watching some other people on YT show you the fun parts of their journeys is not going to prepare you to make a very large, personal purchase. The best advice for newbies is to rent an RV close to the size that interests you and spend a week or two in it. You may find that you need bigger or smaller or that you really don't like any part of it.
Remember, nobody dresses up anything - rv, house, car, etc. - so you'll love it forever. They do it so you'll love it enough to sign the check and that's it.
Super good advice, thanks! My husband has really broad shoulders and that's the first thing he checks. If that's not going to work, nothing is going to work! :)
Thanks so much for your wise words, Carl! Your comment is sure to help others who are camper shopping. Great tips, thanks for taking the time to share! If you haven't seen it yet, see you in my latest video right here: ua-cam.com/video/6CPgrdeGD34/v-deo.html
Great advice Liz! Another thing I look at these days after having a few campers and having some good and bad experiences is the mechanicals of the rig. The electrical system and where the hookups are, the plumbing system and how that works for water, winterizing and sanitizing and then the suspension system as far as axles, shackles and tires. Many times a little overkill on the axles and tires is a great thing to have when on the road! That’s where I’ve had the worst of my experiences and frustrations over the years! And I know I have never been overloaded being of the minimalist nature myself. I never travel with more than 10 gallons of fresh water and almost never have anything in my gray or black tanks. Keep up the great videos and stay safe.
Hey Ed! Yes, the mechanicals are so important. Thanks for adding this comment, so helpful! Stay self as well.
On picking the right size rig, be aware which of your favorite parks have sites w pads avail for > 27' max length. This is a common limitation in state, county and federal parks close to natural attractions. Not many larger sites avail so go as small as possible. Driving it around and storing it is always easier too when shorter.
Yes, great point. Thanks so much!
That's what she said
Our Jayco Seismic 5th wheel has a full-size residential refrigerator and it is the number one issue we've had with our camper. The weight of a full refrigerator causes the slide-out Schwintek motor to get out of line because it is so heavy on one side of the slide. We were stranded at a campground for 3 days because we couldn't get the slide in and a repairman couldn't come out for days. Be sure the slide motor is strong enough to pull in a full fridge.
Oh no, so sorry to hear this, Susan. How frustrating!
It has been over 58 years since I did any RV Camping and, I was a skinny kid too. The 1967 Franklin bumper pull 15ft sits rusting in the back yard. What I do see is how high new campers are, same with pickup trucks. I couldn't mount either nowadays. Fast forward, being handicapped, solo female I need those wheelchair lifts. I have to put on my shopping list the following: If you walk with a cane now, buy to handle a wheelchair later. Know your physical weakness and get a bed access for your future decline. Majority of campers are designed for 1 handicapped but, not 2. Same with handicapped vans. Either too small, e.g. minivan or too big, e.g. commercial size or full size panel van. The rule of thumb trailering is to have a tow vehicle be able to two twice as much as a loaded trailer. My Dad taught me how to handle trailers with livestock or dry load.
With my rapid decline I can't handle bumper pulls, 5th wheels. It must be a drive able B or C. Only handicapped builds are A and B. Winnebago Roam is enticing but, I worry as a recycled newbie camper, I have to rely too heavily on others to help. So, on my list will be: access via lift, bed height (being short even hotel beds are too high to mount), bathroom width, transfer from wheelchair to driver's seat and vice versa. Transfer from driver's seat is harder than from chair. Leveling itself, etc. It's hard in a chair to go back and forth with level, drive position, adjustment of tire height via blocks/pads.
Great points all. Thanks for this. You really add to the conversation and I know your comment gives others much to think about. See you in the next video.
The major consideration is full time, or part time, and how many weeks part time. Because THAT will be key to determining defined needs.
THEN you can make "the list". Men, make absolutely sure the lady decides 90% of the items. You want to have good times right?
For every woman I know, the style toilet, and shower is number one.
Most women I know will NEVER want to empty a cassette type, or hook up to the waste dump station. Doesn't matter how long the excursion.
Then the refrigerator/freezer capacity. Nobody wants to spend more then one day per week gathering groceries. And you will want to have variety of your meals.
Then the heating/air conditioning comfort system. (Might be item #2). Need big batteries and/or generator! Think about where and when you will be visiting various locations. Air conditioning might be more important than heating.
Then bedroom of course, and most RV supplied beds are crap! Make absolutely sure the type/manufacturer of bed you need is available and fits! And your existing (home) bedding fits!
Knowing where and when you travel will determine the type of RV you need. Some RVs will not get you to some places, due to the size.
Spend more time thinking, and discussing, time of year, activity needs, and length of stay.
Might be some places you may enjoy, experience better, staying at a hotel/cabin, driving your car instead. Sometimes the less you need to bring, the better the experience.
Exactly this! Thanks for taking the time to share. Yes, so much to think about before buying! Thanks for watching and see you in the next video!
Wife and I went from a popup travel trailer, to a Hybrid travel trailer.... used it once, regretted it. Sold it at a loss to get rid of it. We not have a 25' TT, we love it, but it has its issues, and we're looking for something else... but while we figure out what we want, this one suits our needs just fine (just needs to be smaller). We thought that the hybrid would be amazing, but it's still a popup basically.
Oh. yes, I've seen those Hybrids. So sorry it didn't work out. Happy RV shopping next time around. Sometimes it takes having these experiences to clarify what you REALLY want. Best of luck!
@@LizAmazing we loved the popup, but it was too small. the hybrid was a great idea, smaller, but still lots of "bed", but the bed, SUCKED! our 25' TT has full queen bed, not a popup mattress, and we got a great deal on it used, but now having it, we know what we want, and what not to get... so we're waiting to find a great deal on what we want next :) I love your videos, learned a few things from you as well :)
Thank you Liz I just bought a 2004 Alfa See Ya. I’m hoping it’s going to be everything I dreamed it was when I bought it. Haven’t got to use it yet so I’m very excited. It’s nice hearing advice from someone that knows what they love and dislike about a camper. The first year I’m just gonna go to my regular camp spot about 70 miles away. Storage has always been completely full for me. But this next coming spring I’m not going to pretty much empty my house because I have ample storage. In the coming years, I hope to go full-time in the winter to the south I love watching your videos.
Wow, congrats on your Alfa! I'm super happy with mine. Sounds like you have a good plan. Looking forward to seeing you on the road!
Some of the Alfa's had a problem with blistering on the exterior but if that has been resolved they are great coaches👍
Great video! You hit almost every item on my list. The only thing I would add is access to bathroom, bedroom and kitchen when slides are in so I can have full access when stopping at rest stops for lunch. Also, I have learned that I prefer to camp in 70 degree weather where it cools at night so a working furnace is also key!
Yes, good things on your list! Thanks for watching.
Yes, that a great point. I am going to return my rv for that very reason. I have no access to the bedroom with the slides in and cant get my clothes out of the closet.
Great advice! We modified our GD 2250RK because we were miserable w/the queen bedroom. Just not enough room on either side of the bed. Hubs is great w/carpentry so he created twins in the same space. We lost a little storage but not enough to hinder our routine since we don’t full time and have actual room to get dressed in our bedroom. Seldom there’s a perfect RV but it’s got to be livable to meet your needs.
Wow, that a great solution, Beth! Thanks for sharing!
So yet another great video! I am waiting for your book to come out! You have a real clear view of what to look for! Getting closer to the 100,000 goal :) many thanks as always!
Awww, thanks Bernard! Sure appreciate having you here. And, yep, getting closer to that 100k every day! See you in the next video.
Hey Liz. Still amazing. I can relate to what your saying. My wife and I have always had tp trailers. She wanted to try a 5r for the next 1. I was so nervous about it. We bought used and paid cash. We researched for a year. We found what i think was a perfect fit. Should have seen how nervous i was pulling that beast home. My main thing was a covered outside kitchen. Just cant cook the bacon in the camper. I grew up with grandparents that were full time rvrs. They had a massive 42 footer mh. Always had a mh. It was nice to have everything inside. They always had a towv. That's where the problem lies. We always had to drive behind them. With the camper we always unhooked and went. Just something to consider. Thanks for another amazing video.
Sounds like great memories with your grandparents! Yes, there are definitely pros and cons between towing a car behind a motorhome or towing a camper behind your truck. You may have seen my recent video comparing fifth wheels versus motorhomes. There is no right answer and what may be perfect for you now may change down the road. Thanks for your kind words and for watching! Happy camping!
@ole blue tundra, I so agree about the bacan. We sold our RV with an outdoor kitchen. Wish we hadn't. May I ask what make and model you purchased?
Liz These are the best tips I have ever heard. You are so organized with these thoughts. My wife and I have camped on and off all our lives. Thanks. Charley and Laura
Hi Charley and Laura, wow, thanks so much for your kind words!!! So glad to have you here! Also thank you for commenting within the first hour, really helps the channel. See you in the next video and enjoy your weekend!
Liz, I always get a kick when you start laughing at it all , when you get everything all figured out😁, Ron M.
Great video Liz. The comments section adds even more value to your video. Lots of good advice from experienced and rookie RV’ers. We’ve had everything from tents to motorhomes and there is no such thing as a unicorn. If you do find one you’ll change your mind about what a unicorn is in a few months/years! It’s all part of the RV life! 🤓
YES! I learn so much from this community. Many people willing to share and help others. I love that!!! Thanks for watching.
You are looking through a full timer’s lense. While I agree with many of the issues you raise, it’s all about intended use. Occasional use requirements are very different than full-time. For example full timers probably watch more TV than occasional users. If they were going to watch TV then they may have stayed home. Rent first and then buy to figure out what is important to you. While you may recover the majority of your regretted purchase, you will never recover the sales tax. Sales tax on an RV will pay for a lot of rentals.
Excellent point. Thanks for this. David! See you in the next video.
One thing I always love about your videos, Liz, is just how "analytical" you are! You're "Amazing", LOL. You should really write a book on the subject, because the things you have learned, applied, and shared with your followers is very important ... especially to a newbie!
I had the good fortune to have I good friend to chat with ... and after hearing all the problems he had with his 36- foot Winnie, I decided to short circuit all the potential shortcomings ... and after discovering that I could acquire a used Prevost, for less than the price of a new Winnie ... bought my 1996 45 ft Mirage XL (10 yrs ago) with only 150,000 miles on it, with new Michelins and batteries! Fresh water is 135 gals and economy is 7-8 mpg ... which is great for a 48,000lb vehicle with a 470hp diesel engine. It holds 209 gals too, which gives about a 1,600 mi range. Add the household frig and washer and dryer, plus huge storage ... and most of the problems disappear!
Another thing, since the shell is the best commercial bus available, the duty cycle is built for rugged 24/7 operation ... and there are no roof leaks! I paid $124K for it and am offered far more than that, virtually every time we take a trip!
Finally, I appreciate learning about all the issues you have experienced since many are applicable to any RV!!
Keep up the great work, Liz, and I look forward to your next "masterpiece"! LOL
Hi Tom! Last year I had a camping neighbor with a Prevost, wow! You got yourself a good deal there! Enjoy that bus, it's a keeper for sure. Looking forward to seeing you out here, and thanks for you comment and kind words.
I couldn't agree any more! Folks get wow'd by the "pretty" travel trailers ect and don't realize that they could get a far superior quality rig for same or close by going used market on a quality coach. Some people have to learn the hard way by working their way up the chain and spending bookoo's along the way when they would be money ahead with the used motor coach. 👍
@@edensfamilyadventures2714 Exactly! Other RVers I meet, who tour the bus, often say that they ""aspire" to get a Prevost someday, unaware of the fact they spent far more $$$ than what a good used rig would cost!
Another thing ... I go to ABC Coach for maintenance, and they don't waste time or milk the clock, bcs their main business is commercial customers ... and they give me a "fleet" rate at all their locations, which is substantially less than normal rates.
They also wash it for under $100 ... but I use truck washes @! $41! Also, diesel pumps at truck stops pump much faster than at normal gas stations ... plus, with a 2 wk drycamp capability for 2 ppl with 135 gals/fresh H2O... It only costs about $5 to use a campground dump station. The coach batts are big 8Ds, and I have 6 ... with a 20 KW Gen that comes on automatically when batts reach 60%!
Automatically leveling makes uneven sites a non-issue, Edan.
The thing is "intimidation" ... but if you can forget what's behind you, the ride will be unrivaled ... and high winds are no problem either, with the 3 axles and 48,000 lb gr wt!
Finally, the biggest bonus is "depreciation" ... it will be minimal to none ... depending on negotiation skills!
@@LizAmazing Thank you, Liz! My coach is presently in storage at a very reasonable U-Haul RV facility ... under a canopy ... & about $185/mo ... with electricity! There are mice around, so I have numerous electronic repellent devices positioned throughout and a few sticky traps ... so the inside and bays are rodent free! I am hoping to get away again this Spring and it would be great to actually meet you ... and even get your autograph! LOL
I love your videos. They are so helpful and I really like how you explain things. My husband and I ae looking at maybe buying a motorhome -first time RVing . I've always tent camped and now am at a age where I want to get a trailer. Thanks for suggesting a list
Thanks so much for watching, Connie! Happy RV shopping to you, can't wait to hear what you get!
Liz you have such a professional and knowledgeable way of presenting your episodes. thank you. BTW, my wife and I bought a 19' Airstream Bambi and have been thrilled with it these 23 years with it and hope it continues be our last. its small but every inch as so well thought out and we never felt cramped. we will be doing a 3 month trip late summer, we will keep an eye out for you so we can meet you in person. that would be cool
Would love to meet you on the road! I just camped in Joshua Tree and toured a friend's Bambi. They are pretty sweet! Thanks for bringing me closer to 100k subscribers and I'll see you in the next video.
Quality camper!
I like the list idea Liz, you have been living full time for a long time. My first experience was, am I'm not exaggerating, was living in a VW van, down by the river in college. That is also where I met my wife. Now, we both had different camping adventures as children, but when we decided to get into RVs, my wife saw an ad in the local paper about an RV dealer, that let you rent a new RV by the day week or weekend. That was an excellent way to know what we wanted and what we didn't.
Yes, such an excellent point. Thanks for sharing this, Richard. Renting is a great way to try before you buy!
Hi Liz, All good great info! We are in the process of choosing an RV for part time camping, we know the layout we want and type of RV, but I think we are going to rent a couple more times just to see if everything works for us! thanks for the info.
Hi Kathy! Yes, renting is so smart just to be sure. Thanks for watching and happy camping! Hope to see you out here.
Hi Liz, great video, I don't have any of those problems. We have our ALFA seeya, as you know, storage is no problem at all, our fridge is a dabble door with an extra freezer in the basement. We have the big closet with his and her sides and more storage in the middle. We love our ALFA. Thanks for the great video! 👍
I love mine, too! WE need to meet up sometime! Happy travels to you~
Liz, we love watching your videos! Thank you for sharing these insights. I wish now if you could come up with some great ideas on solutions on some of these issues because we already have purchased our RV. You’re very thorough and you do such a great job on ideas of problem solving. We have enjoyed that with you. Thank you.
Awww, thanks so much Tammy!!! That's a great suggestion and I may do that down the line. Making a list, now.
Hey Liz this is a really really good video we can learn a lot from this video God bless and be safe in your RV life and enjoy all your trips
Thank you so very much!!! Glad to have you here, be safe to you as well.
I am feeling extremely validated for our choice in full time rigs. We have a walk around bed, the largest peninsula counter, a removable dining table and chairs situation, the washer dryer space turned into a fully adequate mudroom for our homestead life. The rear lounge has only one built-in slated for removal and replacement with a standard computer desk this spring. Great checklist!
Yay! So glad to hear this You did great! See you out here!
Liz, this is why I love your channel.❤🥰
You always give the best advice and use common sense.
That's why you're Amazing!!🤩
Awww, you are too kind. Thanks so much for your support!
If and when I buy an RV, I'll be sure to remember these tips and make that list. Thanks so much!
You are so welcome, thanks for being here and for your comment. See you in the next video.
We bought a brand new Motorhome in 2021 -It wasn’t right for us -We just picked up the new motorhome and it is perfect-Luckily, we got on this last May and we didn’t lose money-We aren’t full time but we do love travel in a Motorhome-Newmar Dutch Star 3736 turned out to be perfect for us -so we went for it-Ordered it how we wanted and just spent a month traveling in it -😃🚌🎉🇺🇸
Yay! I did a review on the Dutch Star a few years ago. Newmar makes great stuff! Enjoy yours and hope to see you on the road!
Love your videos!
On my non negotiable list is small bathroom and uncomfortable dining area
Yes, indeed. Thanks for watching and see you in the next one.
Our bedside tables are too skinny for our cpap machine, so we placed them in the overhead cabinets in our motorhome, and we have the hoses to the masks hang down from the cabinet and the cabinets open up and it looks and works fine - it is pretty nifty, in my opinion.
That is a great solution, thanks for sharing!
I always look forward and enjoy your videos I hope you’re well and safe wherever you are sending positive energy 🙏🏼❤️🤙🏼
Thanks so much for your positive energy, I SO appreciate it. Looking forward to meeting you hopefully one day soon!
Great points to consider. When we bought our Solitude 305re we were looking for the double door fridge gas/electric, rear living, kitchen island, all in one room bathroom, & king bed. We got everything but the king bed but there was enough room to change the queen to a king. The only thing we didn't consider is the TV placement. The TV is in the rear and all the seating is on the sides. My husband put his recliner on a small rug so he can easily slide it out to the middle of the room to watch TV. Other than that our 6yrs with our 5th wheel have been great! Safe travels!🤗
So glad to hear this. I am glad you got the tv watching figured out! I loved my nearly three years in a Solitude! Lookin forward to seeing you out here. Thanks for watching.
We live full time in our first camper ever, a 2018 Grand Design Momentum 397TH. The toy hauler is my husbands office space. That was our #1. The second bath and W/D have become non-negotiable too.
Me, too! I just love having a W/D. And a second bath is so helpful when there's two. Thanks for watching and so glad your first camper is a winner for you!
Great ideas for the “list” . High on my list of non negotiables is high resale value, track record for reliability, and driver safety and experience (no white knuckling in wind, on rutted freeways and through mountain passes). High resale value need not be expensive. Fibreglass clamshell trailers perform for decades and are easy to resell.
I agree that resale is important & dependability. We are interested in buying a travel trailer but it’s more complicated now that companies have purchased other companies. Also workers are in short supply since COVID. RVs that were once on the dependable list are now on the do not buy list, so I’m taking my time & I keep listening to videos to get more educated!
Good things to think about. Thanks for your comment!
Hi Liz! I'm just starting out and I'm looking for a 21' to 27' bumper pull. I have a house to sell first. Very informative on the video!
Great! So glad to hear this! Thanks for your comment and happy camper shopping!
Another awesome video, Liz! Like I always tell you...keep 'em coming!!
Thanks, Gary! Your support keeps. me going each week!
Great tips. You're getting closer to 100,000👍
I am! Thanks Bob, glad to see you here!
Great advice!!! My non negotiable is not having enough room for my dogs and grandkids.
Yes! Priorities for sure! thanks for watching.
@@LizAmazing you’re welcome
Awesome video Liz. You mentioned several things that I would not have thought about before making the purchasing decision. For me the sleeping area and kitchen set up is non-negotiable.
Yes, indeed. Thanks Rob!!! Hope you are getting some good rides in, I hear you were in AZ lately.
We bought a small class c. It had enough room, barely, for us except that my husband and I were both uncomfortable sitting in the cab. And the couch and dinette were hard as rocks.
Oh goodness. Sorry to hear this, Sandra. I wonder if you can take the dinette cushions to an upholster to get re-stuffed. Still, you'd need to replace the couch and don't know what you could do about the cab. You make such a helpful comment about the cab though!! Great tip to make sure it's comfortable for travel. Thanks for being here.
@@LizAmazing we were lucky. We had purchased it before Covid. The RV dealers were anxious to get their hands on it so we were able to sell it and stop the bleed. Now I am compiling a list of must haves just in case we are able to sell our house with enough money to buy a fifth wheel to live in full time.
Great video and tips. When making your lists consider travel days. What access do you have to your bathroom, refrigerator or table. This is especially true with trailers. You may not be level to open slides. Also logical storage for your arrival and hookups. You don't want to have to unload half your storage to get to items you have to set up first.
Great point, thanks for adding this to the conversation, Joe! See you in the latest video right here, and thanks for watching: ua-cam.com/video/6CPgrdeGD34/v-deo.html
i did OVER 2 YEARS of research. I talked to UMPTEEN people. (i was talked out of a class B - if i got rid of more stuff, a B would have worked! - but i want analog, not all this digital junk)
I bought a 2015 Coachmen Leprechaun 220QB.... SIGHT UNSEEN
I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!
The ONLY issue i have is that it was almost like the engineering team designed the floor plan and at 445PM on a Friday, they said OH HELL WE FORGOT A BATHROOM!
It's thrown in, at an angle. They could have put it in straight, but storage would be compromised! The tanks are under the bed.
Otherwise, storage is great! I love the floor plan! it works FOR ME FOR ME FOR ME
(your mileage may vary, please check your owners manual)
Yes, yes! So glad you found something that you LOVE. So very important that you only tried to please you. Your two years of research definitely paid off!!! Thanks for watching!
@@LizAmazing well hon, i live in it alone, with my 5 lb dog. It was supposed to be an "escape vehicle". Plan B, as it were.
She went mad over "health, safety adn the flu"
I went to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
So who ELSE would i have "planned it for"?
Great advice Liz. Thanks for sharing. I always look forward to your videos.
Thanks Mike, your kind words keep me going each week. See you in the next video.
The bed in our motor home is similar to the first bedroom you showed. The head 2 or 3 feet are against the walls on the slide and it’s real hard to make the bed. My wife hates it. We bought the motor home new in 06. We hadn’t RV ed for 2 years. Within 3 weeks we got COVID . Luckily we had mild cases
Whew, so glad you got through Covid ok. I don't know why manufacturers don't give us a little more room around the bed! Good tip to go along with this video, so thanks for that.
Liz, this video was really good. When we got our Grand Design 22REB we looked for everything on your list. We didn't have it on paper but I had online shopped for a year before we settled on this one. We have deep cubbies at the head of the bed for storage of books phone and yes big enough for a c-pap machine. The bathroom is so big that if a person ended to use a walker they could easily use the bathroom. Our bathroom is bigger then our daughters grand design 5th wheel. The TV us right across from theater setting.
The only thing I don't like is that the table attached to the theater seating,so we stored that and we use a free standing table. The bed is high for a shorty like me so I use a step stool,but designing a wooden storage compartment that will also work as a step also. From April to November we take trips that are two weeks to a month long then back to the house to catch up on things there and to see the kids and grandkids. It's working for us and we're happy with it!
Wow, Deb, your bathroom sounds amazing! I enjoyed my GD Reflection and the Solitude, very happy with both. Good for you for making a non negotiable list and sticking to it. Happy travels!
Hi Liz...good information...we love our drv...we had it made for us...one day we may full time in it...thanks for the video..
Stay safe...J&A 🙋♀️🙋♂️
I have yet to hear from anyone who does NOT like their DRV. They sure look great!!! Be safe as well.
Really really good video on this subject..I always go to the nuts and bolts of anything with an engine and cab. Then when it passes my inspection, I then get into the looks and comfort and accommodations..thanks for posting this..
Thank you for being here, Sam! See you in the next video.
@@LizAmazing you sure will..thank you..have a very happy valentines day..I 💝
Ms. Amazing's channel is very informative & comes from a place of experience. I will continue to watch.
Thank you so much! See you in the next video!
Another great video from a very educated and common sense person. Love the video. Thank you.
Aww, thanks so much for your kind words!
I have two solutions for the problems you mentioned:
1. Not enough counter space? Get a folding console table from amazon etc. theyre about 4 or 5 ft long, about 12 to 18" wide, are the perfect size/shape to go in an rv kitchen to provide instant more counter space; fold up quickly for travel, dont cost much and dont weigh much!
2. TV in an odd space/have to sit straight but look sideways to watch it: well, theres 2 solutions to that one. I for one, tend to LAY(ZE) when i watch tv! right now im sitting on my loveseat with my back against one end and my feet UP on the other end, watching my tv on the adjacent wall. that way i dont have to sit straight with my face/head cranked sideways to look at my tv.
The next solution for this issue is to get long metal flat strong S shaped hooks, like the ones you put over a door to hold a wreath for christmas. if u get a long enough flat metal one with 90 degree S bends, you can hook one end over the edge of the overcab MH bed section so the other end of those hooks curve forward (opposite direction); then place the TV resting in those forward facing hooks, (like two hands holding the lower edge of the tv,), placed towards each side of the tv screen so u can see the tv screen! you can drill slots in the upper vertical ends of the hooks and screw HD screws into the flat side surface of the overcab bed, so the hooks just slide onto the screws also, for more secure fit. for travel, the tv and long hooks can be secured onto the overcab bed.
You have the best ideas, Lauren! If I get shipwrecked, I hope it's with you. I feel like you can McGyver yourself out of any situation!
@@LizAmazing 😆😆work hard, play hard, have FUN! truth b told, I ask God for solutions to most issues I encounter! 🙏
But i definitely like the console table idea for counter space in any rv!
Another amazing video from Liz. Well Done.
Yay! So glad you think so! Thanks for watching and see you in the next video.
My non-negotiable is residential queen bed, kitchen counter space/pantry space, comfy living room seating w/TV viewing, room for my fur kids and being disabled, a ramp to get into the unit and storage space fory motorized wheelchair or scooter.
Sounds like a good list. Thanks for watching Rosemary and happy camper shopping!
Very informative video. Both my husband and myself sleep with a CPAP, our Jayco Greyhawk did not have two nightstands but had the electrical outlets we needed so we put our machines in the overhead cabinets…had a hole drilled to accommodate the hose and cord and voila they are out of site and it works perfect! Actually like it better than having them take up space on a nightstand!
Voila! What a great solution! Thanks for watching and for bringing me closer to 100,000 subscribers. See you in the next video.
Im on my 4th Rv, when looking for 27ft approx travel trailer, dining table had to be facing the campsite and camper had to have a couch n walk around bed. With the fifth-wheel it was storage and table still facing campsite, now with the truck camper my main priority was no slides, and no tpo roof, so sick of their maintenance, so I sacrificed dining table on opposite side, no regrets-love my camper…but priorities change as you get older lol.
They sure do! I adored my truck camper, they are so great!!! Glad to hear you have one. Happy travels!
It’s a great idea to hire an outfit first, you may think it’s a waste of funds spending money that’s just dead money. Then you can make your choices from the knowledge you have. We borrowed my Uncles caravan for our first holiday 40 years ago because we wanted a caravan for holidays it was our dream wish, but it was a disaster from the first day, my husband who is 6’4” couldn’t stand up straight unless his head was out the sky vent. Also because of his size he didn’t fit the bed either, and the draining board where you stacked the dishes opened across the main door, held by a small latch, this kept getting caught and all crocks would be on the floor, or worse still if you were cleaning the sink and moved the bowel on to the draining board all that would drop on the floor your feet soaking wet. So we now knew what we needed and what was definitely no good.
That's a fantastic idea, Sandra. Try before you buy! Thanks for sharing this, your comment is bound to help others.
We got a 2002 ..20ft forest river Cherokee jewel for 5thousand dollars stay out two months at a time ever other year and short two week trip in between..we look at those folks with an RV mortgage and breathe a sie of relief.. love our full kitchen and bath a must.. could not do a van I could not stand up n..but they r a fit for some greetings from NC and ..Just one more mile..
So great that you have it paid for and it sounds nimble, too! Thanks for watching and happy travels!
Nice video Liz! Maybe, do a video on dealing with RV sales people and dealers, such as not falling for the confidence artist.
That would be great one, thanks for the suggestion!
Hi Liz. Great video. On another note. How did you make out with your last video with the rv inspector
I did not get an inspection but she certainly gave me lots to think about. I will be talking about this more when I do an update about some repairs. Thanks for watching.
Having owned every type RV made my conclusion is there's really no such thing as the perfect RV . They are all a give and take situation. They all require too much maintenance. They all have their little quirks that can be irritating at times. I think many people expect too much and end up disappointed.
Exactly this, Bobby. That's why I try to keep it real and talk about the good AND the bad of RV life. Thanks for watching.
@@LizAmazing I think you do a great job of showing both the good and bad points of owning an RV . Stay safe and keep putting out great content.
Another great video Liz! Very informative, as usual! Thanks!
Thanks for being here, Karen!
Excellent video with an education reading all the comments since I’m trying to decide what I and my lady wants in an RV. I made a list and I will have my lady sign it so she fully understands what we’re getting into and Will post it in our RV so i can point to it If there ARE any complaints. Since I’m gonna do most of all maintenance I won’t complain either. I only want to buy one once. In my older age We don’t want to a winter camp anymore and keep everything simple and enjoyable and meet others to share the adventure. I will need a place to put my cross country skis which is another consideration. There are many compromises with the house on wheels so best to fully understand what you’re getting. Thank you for this wonderful video.
Sounds like you are putting some good thought into your next purchase. Happy RV shopping and looking forward to seeing you and your lady out here! Thanks for watching.
Great video and I loved all the comments. One thing I might add is- the difference between pull type trailers and motorhomes. So many folks don't think about the fact that you can use the bathroom, eat, ect if you have a motorhome instead of pull types not to mention that the vacation starts the moment you pull out of the driveway whereas it's only about "when we get there" with the trailers. I also highly recommend tag axle coaches as well because they drive and handle high winds like a boss! No comparison and they are often very reasonable when you consider the cost of a truck that you have to have to pull a large camper.. Just another opinion........😬👍
Ooh, such a great point! I love the part where you say your vacation starts the moment you pull out of the driveway with a motorhome. YES!!! Thanks for this and for watching!
Great tips Liz on different things in the rv I think were lucky that our trailer suits us cause ya I’ve watched a lot of rv walk thru videos and what were the designers thinking when they build an rv that somethings were completely stupid and does not work
This is SO true, Corey. I bet most RV designers have never been to a campground. Glad you are enjoying your trailer! Hope you have some good trips planned for this summer!
Y non-negotiable list was a washer and dryer. I paid a little extra and love my 2013 infinity!!. I think parks that don't like rvs 10 yrs are complete snobs. The out and insides are perfect and beautiful
Yep! I think a lot of that ten year rule is rumor. I haven't come up against it in real life. I even talk about it in my camper tour video. They just want to make sure your rig is not held together by duct tape. Thanks for being here!
Buying used; garage kept and maintenance records. A must is an inspection prior to finalizing the deal.
You got that right. Thanks for your comment!
Great points. I need to be able to use the kitchen and open the fridge when the slide is in. What do you do if your slide fails and you can't get a repair for several days?
There is generally is a tool where you can manually open or close it. Plus mobile repairable generally come out pretty quick. Thanks for watching out for your question.
@@LizAmazing if it were only so easy.
I think you overlooked ..the chew on the gristle factor..learn to adapt,i use that a lot,and you will get used to stuff..and avoid the dreaded showroom.
Good plan thanks for watching.
A lot of great points you shared. Is that you in the video at 2:42? Have a great weekend wherever you are
That's me for sure. Thanks for watching and have a good weekend to you, too!
Fire the Grid 2-21-23 @ 11:07 Peace & Love !
Thank you for watching, Janet!
This is a very helpful video. I like how you get to the point and keep it full of good info without lots of fluff. 😊
Thank you so much for saying, so Evita. So glad to have you here and looking forward to seeing you in the next video.
Lots of people end up buying multiple RVs because they realize they "need" something else. Whether you keep it a year or months doesn't matter. Many people trade pretty frequently and spend a fortune in the process.
You are so right, David! Some people get swept up in all the bells and whistles. Thanks for watching.
you pay for the convenience when you trade in. You pay dearly!!!! Last year at this time RV's were going for insane prices.
They sure were, John! Houses, too! Thanks for watching.
The bed is a queen in our 5th wheel, just those few minutes trying it out at dealer is not enough. Our first night was good for about 2 hours, then the body aches started. We kept that mattress and I ordered a 10 inch Chime mattress from Ashley furniture online and put it on top of rv mattress, so comfortable and it was pnly $300. Make sure you have mattress on your bed before opening plastic to start expansion. This also put height of bed to where I could get out on side of bed instead of scooting to the bottom. Also fixed me getting dizzy when laying down. Other great help 5th wheel or gooseneck stabilizer. I put baby sheets on my pleather dinett cousions used mattress corner straps on back. Easier to get in and out, nosticking or dog toe nail holes
Great tips, thanks so much, Charlotte! Looking forward to seeing you out here!
We have just retired and are going to rv for the very first time fulltime. We want to buy a 2023 Rockwood 2204S. It's about 23 ft. Our budget will not allow us to get anything bigger. I'm afraid this might be too small, but it has everything I think we want. Is this a size that can be comfortable full time? This rv has no sofa, just dinette and king bed.
You might want to rent something that size just to be sure, Linda. Best of luck and looking forward to seeing you out here.
All excellent points Liz
Thanks so much for being here, Matilda!
Thank you for another well thought out and well delivered video!
Thank you! So glad to have your support and encouragement! See you in the next video.
Great Video Liz, Hoping you will do one soon on how to choose the right length RV. I bought one recently but its a little too long for me and I don't feel comfortable driving on windy road and I know some mountain roads do not allow long RVs. Plus the swing out is terrible, I trashed the side of mine the first week when getting gas and did not realize. I wonder what would be the best length to look for. The other thing is making a U turn is almost impossible especially when I have the car on the back, I jack knifed mine 2 times and have not been brave enough to attempt it again. Anyway hope you could address these issues soon in a video. PS I have a 32ft. Class C Coachement. Do you think I should return it? Or try to learn how to drive it? Its so hard to know what to do. Thank you Liz!
Wow, Donna. This is such a great topic. I truly think that any length camper can be driven by anyone. It's just a matter of practice and willingness to learn. I remind myself of all the many over the road tractor trailers (18 wheelers) that are out there. If people can drive those, then I can drive mine. Definitely the more I do it the better I become. That said, I have heard of people trading their rig in because it's just too much. Too long, too much stress each day. Only you know the answer that is right for you. You could also look into RV driving school. I did a video about that and I found that course to be helpful.
For 1 night I rented a 3 axle luxury high end 5th wheel with a fireplace it was in the Yukon it was around Sept I found it drafty ,.. try Imagine travel trailers, or Arctic FOX.. insulation and quality are important
Yes indeed! Thanks for your comment, Peter!
When you purchased your diesel pusher, did the sellers explain to you about allowing the engine to cool down by leaving it running for about fifteen minutes before shutting it off? Also you should not shut down engine when refueling. Also, depending on how many speeds you have, you need to know how to shift to keep from overheating when driving up steep grades. Diesel engines are a different animal.
I knew from having a diesel 3/4 ton and then a one ton not to shut them down right away after the engine's been under load. I do shut them off when refueling as it's the law, and everyone at truck stops does do that. This is my first diesel pusher so I'm definitely spending a lot of time learning! Thanks for the tips.
We’ve had a few different styles of RV’s over the years. We bought what suited our needs at the time. Those needs change over time. No matter how hard you look there is no such thing as the perfect camper. One thing we failed to do when we purchased our Winnie a couple of years ago was sit on the couch for an extended period of time. It’s the most uncomfortable couch I’ve ever sat in. Some things you can change without getting a new RV. If we ever decide we need a change I’m buying a cargo trailer and making my own.
Safe travels!
Thanks Warren! Yes, that RV furniture is often lacking. Many people complain about their recliners, too. You're right. There is no such thing as the perfect camper. Thanks for being here!
The old saying "It's easy to be wise after the event" comes into play here Liz. lol . The CPAP machine is one of my problems, which will be easy to fix, but you certainly need a god stable position for it. I'm only a part time camper with a small caravan. I camp at places where there are 4x4 tracks and though I go with friends, we all do our own thing with our campers. As a Vietnam Vet, I swore I'd NEVER sleep on the ground again, so I tend to pamper myself, when I can 🤣 Most times I try to get a powered site and in the heat at the moment, here, we all seem to gravitate to my van, with the air con on, drink and play 500 til all hours.I love it.
It's too bad that you are having to go back and buy a different RV. No doubt you will lose money on yours, but that's the way it is. Anyway, good luck with whatever you do, and I enjoyed your video.
Cheers from Australia.
Hi Steiny! By now you've probably finished watching the video so you know that I was talking about neighbors who bought the wrong RV. I'm loving mine BUT I have had to do some repairs. I will talk about that soon. Sounds like you go to some pretty places down there in Australia. Thanks for watching and see you in the next video.
Excellent stuff, once again!
Aww, you are too kind, Renata! Thank you!
Another great video. I like how Mango made an appearance.
Aww, thanks for remembering him. I miss him so bad.
Thank you for your advice I'm going through thae same problem I bought a travel trailer with a bunkhouse and it's not the right one for me and my with my grandkids moved away and now I'm stuck with this travel trailer . And I can't get out what I paid for plus all the up grades I bought it with can you help me with some advice.
You’ll get more if you sell it privately. I helped sell a trailer marketing the bunk as extra storage and potential for a walk in closet. Best of luck!
Excellent and informative video Liz...SO Important before signing on the dotted line. It could cost you Thousands, right? So sorry to hear about your current A/C problems. But Provost is a nice place to wait it seems. Have a great Memorial Day weekend. will in Florida
Thanks so much for the good wishes, Will! This is all part of the journey, and I think I need to make up a new saying about how a bad day RVing beats being stuck at home! Thanks for watching and have a great weekend yourself. See you in the next video.
is there a way to haul the waster away in a tank so you don't have to move the trailer ?
Yes. You can pump it into a tank.
Is that rv you have too big for one person. I think a 24’ class c would be about right for one person. But I’m sure it’s a good idea to maybe rent one for a week or so.
Thanks Steve. I'm glad I started out fulltime RV life with a 21' camper van. I worked my way up to my motorhome and I'm thrilled! You are so right that renting first is the way to go. Thanks for watching.
THANK YOU LIZ AMAZING!!! 💐💐💐
Dee Dee, you ares so sweet! Thank you for your comment!