Quote:
Originally Posted by gargoyle999
Hi all- we just purchased our first trailer, a 26DBH and will pick it up in a couple weeks! We have some questions that we didn't think of when making our decision (did I mention this is our first trailer?  ). Thought I'd ask here before heading back to the dealer.
-It has been suggested to me that we get an inverter installed so we can use the outlets with our battery if needed. I send an email to the salesman but his reply was mostly why would you need that and mentioned going to an auto parts store to buy one. lol Is an inverter something worth getting?
-It was also suggested we get two 6 volt batteries installed instead of the one 12 volt. Again is that something worth doing?
-Will we need to buy hoses to use to fill the trailer with water or to drain the tanks?
-We are looking at booking some camp sites, is the power needed 30 or 50 amp?
-Is the mattress in the main bedroom a standard queen? My wife already wants to replace it. 
-What size TV would you recommend we get?
-Understand the TV mount isn't all that great, but I saw the plastic piece on the wall and the outside. Does it come with another part that attaches to the TV?
-Any other suggestions or advise for a first time trailer and 26DBH owner?
Thank you! |
Since most dealers don't "give" free sets and usually charge you a higher price for a Walmart trailer kit, I don't recommend getting it. I got my trailer from a dealer that had better prices then everyone else but they didn't give you a starter kit that you could pick up from Walmart for cheaper. They did charge me for the items they sell and added it to the trailer total. Now this is where you need to decide what to finance and pay Interest on. I got a weight distribution hitch so my truck will ride level. The one I got an ez hitch from fastway, round bar, has less points to make noise. When you do turn, unless you got the plastic insert in, sold separately, it will goan and squeak on turms, I use some WD-40 on both ends of contact for the round bar. Reduced the noise by like 80-90%.
And before I forget, check out the owners manual and look for extend manufacturing warranty, I paid about $150 for a second year from forest river. Its in the owners manual that most don't read. The dealer I went to has only did it once before me, so many don't know of this.
Trailer brake controller like tekonsha P2 or better is recommend and what's on my truck.
I bought a locking arm TV mount that can swing around, love it! Paid $30 or so on Amazon. The outside bracket is usually a second mount for the TV mount you have inside.
Weight in mind, make sure you don't overload, if unsure head down to a weight station, some already know how to weigh you, tow vehicle, then both, then trailer. Usually done in one shot.
If you want to do more boon docking ( no hookups) I recommend a large solor panel 200-400 watts, depending on how much you use, run time, you want and size of battery bank.
Two 6volt battery will last more than twice as long then a deep cycle 12volt, way longer.
I started with the battery they sold me and, I use trailer every other weekend like clockwork, was no good after two cycles of storage and trips. A month and battery was bad.
Costco, interstate batteries are the way to go. $90 bucks a piece for the 6volt golf car batteries. 42 month replacement warrenty. Not pro rated.
As for the drain hose kit, get a hold its shape hose cause you want a good one. Or a hose slunky and decent name brand hose with the 4way threaded end for easy setup, cheaper 10-20' drain hose for the times your good one is too short.
A clear section, I use a 90° clear elbow to see when I'm done flushing tank(s).
25' Drinking hose, different then a waterhose, 45 psi water pressure regulator, 90°elbow for hose to RV connection, a water filter of sorts,
30amp to 15 amp adapter. 30 most common, won't hurt to carry extra adapter or extension if you plan for generator use to keep noise down.
RV toilet paper is expensive so buy in bulk for cheaper or find a place that has sales on it, I go to camping world when they have the twoply on sale, most are one-ply.
Chemicals for the black tank, future will need for the gray tank if you hold grey water for long periods of time. Remember you need gray water to flush your hose after you drain the black tank, so you will always be holding some grey water, I do at least half to 3/4 of a tank.
Wheel chocks and blocks for leveling, get the good yellow heavy-duty ones, not the cheaper weaker ones. Do not get them from Walmart. The orange sets don't last.
Camping world is always sold out of the good yellow ones that come with there own carry case, and get the wheel chock set that matches it, helps soo much when the ground is a mess.
Door mat, good heavy duty one outside, softer one inside. Keeps dirt down.
Pizza stone and thermometer for the oven. Make sure to secure during travel or it will bounce around and break, but well worth the trouble to even out the cooking.
Tow mirrors if not equipped on your tow vehicle.
As for the bed, topper or a new mattresse.
Short queen can become a long queen with a foamblock same width as bed 6"x6" or whatever your mats thickness is. And put it at the head of bead if you got the space.
A fan for the RV fridge does wonders.
A three piece trailer lock set from resse Towing is the best price and I get three locks, hitch lock, locking pin for hicth on trailer side, and hitch lock for the ball side.
A roll of gorilla tape, pex push on fittings, bug candles, folding chairs, small shovel, wood for jacks or when you have a flat, airpump for tire, decent small folding table, toys for kids, extra sheets I'd they have an accident, extra seals for drain hose-water hose, extra drinking hose 30' second larger fire extinguisher, RV mats large, hatchet for firewood and 5lb sledge to help the hatchet.
Yeah, I carry a lot of stuff cause I mentioned half of what I carry all the time. What can you say, I was a boyscout.
Just so you know, I have a Salem cruise lite T281QBXL With outdoor kitchen, three bunks, one queen, 15k AC, full tub/shower.
Love it and the truck I tow it with.
2010 Toyota Tundra 4.6 V8 Extra-cab with tow/haul package (8,600lbs tow capacity)
Sorry this was so long, got carried away.
Safe and happy travels to you and your family.
Queen topper
What I got when I got my first travel trailer
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