Author Topic: Bought an RV  (Read 687 times)

Offline Chairboy

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Bought an RV
« on: June 02, 2003, 02:02:42 AM »
My wife and I just bought a 1984 33' Fleetwood Southwind, and we're looking forward to doing a lot of vacationing w/ our 1 year old son.

Anyone have any tips?  We're not going to be full timers, just the occasional weekend.  Anything we should know.
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Offline NUKE

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Re: Bought an RV
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2003, 03:05:38 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Chairboy
My wife and I just bought a 1984 33' Fleetwood Southwind, and we're looking forward to doing a lot of vacationing w/ our 1 year old son.

Anyone have any tips?  We're not going to be full timers, just the occasional weekend.  Anything we should know.


Stay in the right lane of the highway so you don't piss people off.

agefhx

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« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2003, 06:05:57 AM »
Get some "space savers" to double your cabenet space.

When camping keep septic valve close dump it before you leave or if it gets full.
Keep about 1 inch of water with some dish washing soap in septic tank, so it can slosh around while your driving to  keep tank clean, dont let it dry up.

when dumping tanks, dump septic first then grey water, helps clean out your dump hose

Offline Swager

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« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2003, 07:01:46 AM »
The wifw and I just bought a 1999 Jayco Laurel folding camper.  THe thing is huge.  Only problem is I need a new wiring rig on my Jeep due to it is over 2000 lbs and need the brake hookup.  I've towed smaller ones before but nothing this big, 3000 lbs!

Wish the other drivers luck!

:)
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Rock: Well that's where I got it, he's my son.
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Rock:  No ya wouldn't.

Offline Ripsnort

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« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2003, 07:54:07 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by agefhx
Get some "space savers" to double your cabenet space.

When camping keep septic valve close dump it before you leave or if it gets full.
Keep about 1 inch of water with some dish washing soap in septic tank, so it can slosh around while your driving to  keep tank clean, dont let it dry up.

when dumping tanks, dump septic first then grey water, helps clean out your dump hose


Wise advice from an obvious veteran. This applies to Travel Trailers too! :)

Offline midnight Target

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Bought an RV
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2003, 09:27:26 AM »
Fleetwood sucks




They are our biggest competitor, and own the largest market share in Class A motor homes, probably for a good reason. Enjoy your RV.

Check out http://www.rvia.org for all kinds of info about the RV experience. And when you are ready to trade that puppy in, let me know.
« Last Edit: June 02, 2003, 09:30:02 AM by midnight Target »

Offline Syzygyone

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Re: Bought an RV
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2003, 09:29:03 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Chairboy
My wife and I just bought a 1984 33' Fleetwood Southwind, and we're looking forward to doing a lot of vacationing w/ our 1 year old son.

Anyone have any tips?  We're not going to be full timers, just the occasional weekend.  Anything we should know.


One question......


WHY?

Offline OIO

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« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2003, 09:29:05 AM »
he bought the bangbus!

:D :D

Offline midnight Target

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« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2003, 09:34:07 AM »
Our newest little number...  No one else has anything like this..





Cool huh?

Offline Chairboy

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« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2003, 12:17:13 PM »
Thanks for the advice, especially agefhx!  I'll definately remember that.

MT, when I'm ready to upgrade, I'll be sure to let you know.  ;)

As for WHY, I'm looking for a new project vehicle.  My Ford Explorer is a bit cramped, the last server I installed took up precious space, and the wiring was a bit tricky.  I look forward to doing things like data acquisition on all the sensors, putting in a couple LCD monitors, MP3 server, etc.  My wife is going to have fun using it as her own project too, re-decorating, etc.

The main reason, of course, is that I want to spend more time with my family.  I work long hours, and on the weekends, we often find ourselves glued to the TV.  If we had an RV (we reasoned), we could take off to places a few hours away and spend more time together doing things like seeing interesting places without being too far from 'home'.

Plus, my wife misses her family up north (we live in LA, but we both came from Eugene, OR).  She drives up occasionally, but the 16-20 hour drive is pretty tough with a 1 year old in a car seat and she doesn't like sleeping on her parents couch, so....  the RV seems to be the ideal solution.  The reduced mileage means that it costs about as much as driving up and staying in a motel along the way, but it's much more comfortable.  Plus, she'll have a place to herself when she's in Eugene or Seattle (the other place we visit).

BTW, Midnight Target, that's one cool trailer!
"When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis

Offline Sox62

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« Reply #10 on: June 02, 2003, 12:44:15 PM »
If you like to ski,many ski resorts have hookups for RV's,at very reasonable prices(I believe Seven Springs was something like $10 a night).

Offline Syzygyone

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Why ........
« Reply #11 on: June 02, 2003, 12:54:43 PM »
The reason I asked why is that I've tried to use an RV for family travel.  From breakdowns of generators, causing loss of food in frig, to lack of furnace causing loss of hear in middle of winter, we've just decided that the money we'd spend renting or buying would go a long way to putting us up in nice hotel.

But, that's just our experience.  I have to admit to certain envy every time I see one of those behemouths ramblin' down the road.

Best of luck with it!

:cool:

Offline Swager

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« Reply #12 on: June 02, 2003, 01:06:21 PM »
Sox62,

Is that Seven Springs in PA?  

Swag
Rock:  Ya see that Ensign, lighting the cigarette?
Powell: Yes Rock.
Rock: Well that's where I got it, he's my son.
Powell: Really Rock, well I'd like to meet him.
Rock:  No ya wouldn't.

Offline Modas

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Bought an RV
« Reply #13 on: June 02, 2003, 01:32:45 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by midnight Target
Our newest little number...  No one else has anything like this..





Cool huh?


Now THAT is sweet.  Does it have a furnace in it for winter?  Would be GREAT for snowmobiling trips.....

Whats that badboy run in cost?

Offline midnight Target

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« Reply #14 on: June 02, 2003, 03:17:58 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Modas
Now THAT is sweet.  Does it have a furnace in it for winter?  Would be GREAT for snowmobiling trips.....

Whats that badboy run in cost?


Yes it comes with a furnace, and AC, and whatever else you might need. We designed the thing to provide a place to sleep and eat for all those guys you see going down the road with their quads and motorcycles in their pickups.

I don't get into the sales end of things too much, but depending on the dealer and the area of the Country this unit is retailing for 12 to 13k.

We have a 16' version that will retail for under 9k. And remember, RV's can be financed for much longer than a car. 10 to 15 years is standard. This translates to payments of less than $100 per month. Go buy 2!