Luxury RV rental start-up

[GregE_325]

Originally Posted by 3LOU5

I was just going to advise you on getting some sort of brake controller. Also, a good set of antisway bars/weight distribution hitch will greatly improve the towing. I have seen some trailers going down the interstate pass a semi, then all of a sudden, the trailer initiates a fish-tailing motion that looks wicked scary and unsafe.

I will also HIGHLY suggest a good surge guard/protector that will protect your electrical appliances/items from sketchy power posts in some of these campgrounds. The ones from Progressive Industries are highly rated, and their customer service is outstanding. They stand behind their product, and will replace their unit should a thunderstorm or any other power surges fries it. I have the portable one with the Electrical Management System (EMS) that helps to protect my motorhome "against voltage fluctuations, power surges and incorrectly wired shore power which can cause severe and costly damage to RV appliances and electronics". It's pricey, but I feel the investment is worth it.

A good water regulator will also help keep the pressure from blowing up your plumbing. Unlike surge protectors, they're inexpensive.

It strikes me as really odd that people buy their travel trailers, 5th wheels and motorhomes that're worth thousands and thousands of dollars, but don't spend a couple of hundred bucks to protect their investment.

I think you've seen my shopping list. . I've been on a buying spree with Camping World and Amazon. I have surge protectors (30 and 50 amp), extension cords, dog bones for each plug type, a fancy adjustable pressure regulator, Dish Network portable satellite and receivers, a TattleTale alarm system, jacks, blocks, you name it. We've probably spent $2500 in equipment and supplies and we haven't even gone anywhere yet. Haha!

[GregE_325]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I'd also think about some helper springs. The rear looks pretty loaded down.

Believe it or not, it's connected to a ReCurve R3 weight distributing hitch in that picture. The angle that I took was slightly below the level of the driveway, but you are right that the truck is pretty well loaded. We are going to make sure we travel as lightly as possible to avoid unnecessary weight. But I may be getting that 3/4 ton truck sooner rather than later.

[GregE_325]

Originally Posted by 3LOU5

When we were looking at getting an RV, we were already seasoned campers with LOTS of experience using a tent. We knew that it was time to get an RV to make the camping experience more fun and comfortable.

So off we went to go check out a pop-up trailer. There was a barely-used one on sale on some parking lot. The owner was there and we decided to check it out. After going through and inspecting it, we decided to buy it from him after excessive haggling on the final price. He wanted a cashier's check, so my g/f and I go to the bank. On the way back, there was another car in the lot. So we go and talk to the owner only for him to say, "Sorry, but this guy just showed up and offered me a better price and he's paying with cash".

We took that as a sign that the pop-up wasn't meant to be, so off I go on another research on RVs.

I decided that while pop-ups are nice, Class C motorhomes (the ones with a van chassis) were even nicer. Imagine driving down the road, and then having your Significant Other go to the kitchen and fix you a sandwich for you to eat while driving and checking out the scenery !! After weeks of research, a 24-footer would be THE best length for our needs.

So we check out a few Class Cs. The thing I didn't like about it was the stupid overhang above the driver/passenger roof. It was kind of wasted space, because if you're claustrophobic, you are SOL if you have to sleep on top of that bunk.

I then decided that while Class C motorhomes are nice, Class A motorhomes (the ones that look like rolling bread boxes) were even nicer. Imagine driving down the road, and then having your Significant Other go to the kitchen and fix you a sandwich for you to eat while driving and checking out the scenery out that YOUUUUUGE windshield !! After weeks of research, we decided that a 28-30 footer would be ideal, since some national parks do not allow anything over 30 feet.

Long story short, we ended up with a 27-foot Class A.

It's true what they say: Sometimes you have to "buy your last RV first", lol.

I guess it's somewhat similar to thinking about buying a Miata, but end up with a Camaro or Mustang.

That's awesome. I can definitely see the appeal of a Class A. Well, except for the sandwich part. My wife would probably tell me where the sandwich supplies could be found. Actually, she's excited about taking some trips starting next week. Hopefully we can find someplace close to try it out.

In talking about Class A's, we've found some places to go that looked really interesting, but they required a Class A to even stay there. So that may have to be a longer term goal if we enjoy it. That television series that shows people shopping for RV's has been playing quite frequently at our house. I'm wondering if she's looking for ideas.

[kognito]

Windcreek casino down in Atmore has a nice RV park on the south side of it, We stayed there a few nights on our trip from Seattle to where we live now near Clemson.

If RV'ing is new to you I highly recommend hooking up the rig in your driveway and spending a night in it there. No matter how well you think you packed to be in the RV, a night in the driveway will show you what you forgot.

[GregE_325]

Originally Posted by kognito

Windcreek casino down in Atmore has a nice RV park on the south side of it, We stayed there a few nights on our trip from Seattle to where we live now near Clemson.

If RV'ing is new to you I highly recommend hooking up the rig in your driveway and spending a night in it there. No matter how well you think you packed to be in the RV, a night in the driveway will show you what you forgot.

We're going to do that when we get it back home tomorrow. We need to finish getting it cleaned up and all of the "stuff" put in place so we can see how we do. A friend of mine is coming to finish installing a 50 amp plug outside of our detached garage so that we can run everything like we would do it at a park.

A colleague of my wife's has actually been staying in his RV at Windcreek for a few weeks now. We are all "working from home" for likely the rest of the year, so he's taking advantage and working during the early day and then playing in the afternoon and evening. I told my wife that since we can work from anywhere, there's no reason we can't go traveling and working at the same time. As long as there's power for a laptop and working cellular service, we can work and play at the same time.

[kognito]

Originally Posted by GregE_325

We're going to do that when we get it back home tomorrow. We need to finish getting it cleaned up and all of the "stuff" put in place so we can see how we do. A friend of mine is coming to finish installing a 50 amp plug outside of our detached garage so that we can run everything like we would do it at a park.

A colleague of my wife's has actually been staying in his RV at Windcreek for a few weeks now. We are all "working from home" for likely the rest of the year, so he's taking advantage and working during the early day and then playing in the afternoon and evening. I told my wife that since we can work from anywhere, there's no reason we can't go traveling and working at the same time. As long as there's power for a laptop and working cellular service, we can work and play at the same time.

Cool, we did this too on our trip from Seattle to the east. My wife's company gave her a Verizon hot spot and cellphone. We would travel on Saturday or Sunday, then stay in a park for the weekdays so she could work from the RV. Moving should have taken us 6-8 days at best, we spent 3 months getting here.

50 amp wiring from your house can be tricky, and dangerous for your RV if Neutral and ground are not properly placed. (lots of diagrams online)

I have one of these (but mine just has LED's no display) and one of these I would like to sell if you find you want them.

I'd like to get a hundred bucks for them, and if you have a Fastenal store near you shipping store to store is very cheap through Fastenal's freight service.

[3LOU5]

Originally Posted by GregE_325

I think you've seen my shopping list. . I've been on a buying spree with Camping World and Amazon. I have surge protectors (30 and 50 amp), extension cords, dog bones for each plug type, a fancy adjustable pressure regulator, Dish Network portable satellite and receivers, a TattleTale alarm system, jacks, blocks, you name it. We've probably spent $2500 in equipment and supplies and we haven't even gone anywhere yet. Haha!

DISH satellite ??

Niiiiiiiice.

If your jacks are the manual type like this:



bring a cordless drill to easily raise and lower them.

Also, a set of levels like this:



will help you ensure your trailer is level and that your fridge will work as efficiently as possible......and you getting the best possible sleep.

(Sorry if I'm insulting your intelligence by my suggestions, lol).

[3LOU5]

Originally Posted by GregE_325

That's awesome. I can definitely see the appeal of a Class A. Well, except for the sandwich part. My wife would probably tell me where the sandwich supplies could be found. Actually, she's excited about taking some trips starting next week. Hopefully we can find someplace close to try it out.

In talking about Class A's, we've found some places to go that looked really interesting, but they required a Class A to even stay there. So that may have to be a longer term goal if we enjoy it. That television series that shows people shopping for RV's has been playing quite frequently at our house. I'm wondering if she's looking for ideas.

Yeah, my dream Class A would be something like a Thor Outlaw toyhauler:



We'd probably have our Spyder and Harley in the back for those times we want to explore the area.

However, a luxury diesel pusher towing a matching trailer with our vehicles in it wouldn't be so bad either:



I really need to hit the lottery....

[kognito]

oh yeah, I second the battery hand drill with socket, if your jacks are manual

[GregE_325]

Originally Posted by kognito

Cool, we did this too on our trip from Seattle to the east. My wife's company gave her a Verizon hot spot and cellphone. We would travel on Saturday or Sunday, then stay in a park for the weekdays so she could work from the RV. Moving should have taken us 6-8 days at best, we spent 3 months getting here.

50 amp wiring from your house can be tricky, and dangerous for your RV if Neutral and ground are not properly placed. (lots of diagrams online)

I have one of these (but mine just has LED's no display) and one of these I would like to sell if you find you want them.

I'd like to get a hundred bucks for them, and if you have a Fastenal store near you shipping store to store is very cheap through Fastenal's freight service.

You're right about the wiring. My "friend" is actually a general contractor who also built my house. He's great about coming to help me with little projects when I'm in need. He lives on property adjacent to ours, so it's convenient to swing by. Hopefully he can get by here in the next few days to connect it up. My wife and I were out there this evening getting things loaded and set up while running a generator with a 30 amp plug so that we could use one of the A/C units. When I first hooked the trailer up to the generator, the thermostat said it was 99 degrees inside. I'm guessing that was low since it only has 2 digits on the display. Alabama gets a bit warm in the summer.

Sure, I'll be happy to buy the surge protector and extension cord from you. There is a Fastenal store on the way to my house. I've never been in there, so I've never given them much thought. Please let me know how to best handle it and I'll send you the money. Thanks!