Posts
1449
Joined
1/5/2022
Location
North Tonawanda, NY, USA
Edited Date/Time
8/1/2022 10:02am
My wife and I have been wanting a camper but not thrilled with the inflated prices. My buddy offered up his older unit for a 2 grand so we went ahead and bought it. Everything works except the awning needs some tlc . Just curious if anybody has any advice for a newb ,I've only ever tent camped my whole life. We have a 6 and 1 year old and the thought of a tent right now with those 2 gives me anxiety LOL.
The wife and I have been RV’ing for YEARS now and while I am in no way an expert or any kind of authority, I have had 5 RV’s prior to our current rigs, as we
actually have TWO toyhaulers right now!
(A big one if the wife is along, a micro for solo trips!)
And I’ve actually worked for/helped out a family friend that own’s an RV service center during busy times of the year, and been fortunate to have been exposed to expert knowledge and repair procedures.
I am happy to try and help you and I can offer some good starter tips for helping keep your new toy properly maintained and out on the road making memories!
Holler back at me here and we’ll figure out the best way to visit on the subject!? I’d be happy to chat here or we can exchange emails or phone calls etc!
Look forward to hearing from you and happy to help you any way I can! 👍😎❗️
RV’s aren’t too difficult to maintain and with the right input and effort anyone that can keep a dirt scooter dialed in can easily maintain an RV!
Good luck and enjoy! I think you got a hell of a deal and that little RV will be a great way to get busy making fabulous family memories without have to take out a 2nd mortgage! 🤪👍
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
You and the family will have lots of fun. I was in your area back in '79. We picked the wrong time for a cross country trip.
Gas rationing. The odd even thing. You don't have to go far for some great camping spots from there.
Pads or blocks for the stabilizer jacks can help compensate and adjust for uneven ground, most RV places sell "stackable" blocks that work very well
Congratulations nice rig
I'm kidding. You did well. At least you didn't run out and buy a $40,000 albatross to hang on your wallet.
I suspect, however, you're going to eventually want more room and will end up with a giant payment. Resist that urge.
Pit Row
Is that called a camper everywhere else? Up here a camper sits in the bed of a truck.
Looks like you probably got a decent deal, that's for sure!
This was from my friend that runs a tire store. Don't buy "trailer" tires for your trailer, buy heavy duty E rated truck tires the same size. They have thicker stiffer sidewalls, higher top speed and weight ratings, and are generally going be less likely to get blow outs. I'm not a tire expert but it makes a lot of sense. Trailer tires aren't held to the same standards as truck tires apparently.
Kind of a no brainer but heavy stuff goes on the bottom and think light when your stocking it with plates and cups and bowls mugs and forks and knives and spoons and pots and pans and tongs and spatula and on and on. Plastic is your friend. Leave the glass beer mugs and cups and plates etc at home. Light light light. The less to stop and start the better.
Get a notebook and pen so you can make a list all the shit you realized you forgot. First thing on the list ? a way to make a list
This one came from a plumber named crustybutt (true story) Spray your toilet bowl with Pam vegetable spray. It not only helps prevent skidmarks, but also helps lube the seal which helps to keep the bowl from draining, thereby helping to minimize annoying "Dry Docking" Also keep a gallon or so of fresh water / toilet chems in the tanks after you empty them. That and ice like mentioned earlier will help keep them less stinky.
As far as what you are going to load, keep it simple. that trailer is too small to haul a bunch of extra boomer need only stuff. Add or subtract to suit your needs. There are tons of Youtube videos that can answer every question you can think of.
Something about the different stresses, or something.
I'd definitely look into that closely before making a decision. I am not a tire specialist.
Probably a good idea. I had some blowout issues on my toyhauler. Wound up being a bent axle. During that time I switched to truck tires. Didn't have any more issues with the new axle, and the tires seemed to last longer.
I put truck tires on my small enclosed trailer about 4 years ago and have had zero issues, but it's light 3,500lbs loaded.
By all means do your own research. I just posted what I was told and my experience. A 2nd or 3rd opinion is never a bad idea.
I wouldn't mind hearing from a tire guy if there's one in here, or someone who might know. Proffesional125 deals with tires and trailers on the daily, what's your take on it ?
I'm all ears
Lots of good information so far here.
TM
have the hubs greased yearly.
don't buy towels/rags unless you like spending money. all our old used stuff goes to the trailer. same with dishes, blankets, etc.
get a stick-vacuum from Walmart, they're a must in a trailer. i got the cheapest one, like $79 and it's awesome.
put together a tool kit specifically for the trailer. mine has a 1/2" ratchet with socket for the lug nuts.
get the attachment so you can use a drill for the jacks. the orange jack legos are awesome for leveling. i have 3 packs of 10 and rarely need more than 2 packs.
upgrade all the interior lights, see link, this has been a game-changer for me. lighting is night-day better and i don't need to worry about my battery life.
i haul around a natural-gas fire-pit because a lot of times where we go open flame is prohibited but i've never had an issue with the natural gas pit.
9 times out of 10 you can get parts/accessories/etc cheaper online than at an RV store. our local one is close to 3 times as expensive. i always go online if i don't need it same/next day.
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