What to look for when buying an RV?

[Chunky]

The first one I owned looked fancy, but everything in it was super cheap and did not last. I guess they do this to keep the weight down. I just gave it to a friend I was so tired of messing with it.

I went year without and then had a need to have one for a cabin on a deer lease. I bought a mid sized toy hauler. Front half has a queen bed, shower, kitchen, the back half is open for bikes, ATVs, etc. It has a rubberized floor, and a one piece metal roof. I have a friend who has had the exact same one for about 8 years with no issues. It has no slides, because I know they are nice for room and all, but more maintence and more to go wrong, plus the added weight. I wanted a bumper pull so I could load up the truck bed with stuff as well.

Anyway, I have been happy with it so far, but I don't use it as much as I thought I would and am not considering selling it.

I think the guys above gave some good advice, buy the trailer that fits your needs and that you can pull with what you have.

One more thing, the only issue I have had was the decal on the out side got crispy and curled in the sun. It was a big job to take them all off and get rid of the glue. All cosmetic of course, but what a pain. My trailer is all white now.

[txwhitetail]

Is it better to go with a little shorter length trailer with a slide out or a few feet longer with no slides?

[Mike D]

Is it better to go with a little shorter length trailer with a slide out or a few feet longer with no slides?

I will NEVER own another one without slides. If the shorter length still has all the amenities you need then go for
It with a slide.


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[jryzz]

We went with no slides but the layout is open with the bathroom in the rear and its just the two of us. The bumper pull's with the bathroom in the middle (between the living area and bedroom) felt really cramped to me. If you have kids or are planning on taking other people with you when you go camping the slide makes for a more comfortable experience because you wont feel like you're stacked on top of eachother

[Chew]

Buy used! Get a bigger restroom than most of them have. Nothing like stepping out of the shower and stepping into the toilet.

[Texas Tracker]

We just picked this up. Its what the wife wanted so that's what we got. 25 ft with a slide out well built but only time will tell.

[flywise]

Buy used! Get a bigger restroom than most of them have. Nothing like stepping out of the shower and stepping into the toilet.

I lived with that problem for 7-8 months

[Mossback]

If you buy a used one, go ahead and spend the time recaulking and sealing the roof again. Few hundred in supplies and some elbow grease will go a long way to keeping any leaks from forming.

[Atfulldraw]

You can easily check the roof (without wasting a bunch of caulk and making a mess) by pressurizing the interior with a fan and then spraying soapy water on the roof.

[Mike Murphey]

Roof!

[whitecrow]

As everyone says, leaks. They will all eventually leak, especially if it sits outside all the time. Metal roofs > rubber roof. My thought on the slide is not if, but when, they develop a leak. If it's sitting at the deer lease, it might be a while til you find it.
Also, seems to me the furnaces in RV's are hit or miss. Some work wonderfully, some are about 50/50 if they'll light. I have a heat strip in my A/C that saves the day.

[Chew]

Took me $9000 to stop leaks....

[KNEE DEEP]

Whatever you buy make sure there service department is good. Some are terrible. Don't care about you at all once you drive off with it.

[flatlander]

Rent a few and it will tell you a lot about what you like and don't like, need and don't need, etc.

My wife and I rented them to take the kids on vacation before we bought and are very happy we rented because we found out how much we hate RVs. It would be fine for me at a deer lease but wow we were miserable.

I think renting is money well spent.

[DZM]

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