Shopping..,so a few questions

[Shado]

Hi,

I have been lurking here for some time and looks like we may be ready to make the move this week or next on a new 233s.

Our questions is this. The model we are looking at does not have an oven. We have spoken to a few ppl who swear by them and others who swear them off. We like the option with additional storage (however do not like how they have moved everything around on the 2014s and you loose some under the sink). But we also like to be able to bake and reheat some items for the kids.

So we are wondering if a good toaster oven would be equivalent to the stove in there. We know if we are not on power we cannot run it without a genny. But wondering what peoples experience is with them. It's only about 300-400 as an option and I don't want to try and install one after the fact so trying to see if we wait.

The other option is the aluminum wheels. After searching google seems its back and forth as to what is the better option. Current model has steel. We prefer the look of aluminum but is there really a need instead of just "look".

Thanks in advance

[KMP44]

Shado,

My two cents - which may be more than it's worth, but... we camped for years without an oven and always got along fine. But now that we have one, we seem to use it to a lot and wouldn't want to be without out one. Not sure on the toaster oven, but the only thing that may be at more of a premium in the tt kitchen than storage is counter space. It becomes one more thing to lug around and find a place to setup.

I am big fan of the aluminum wheels. They look nice, but I like'em because the won't chip or rust. They just a lot more durable. Again, we had steel wheels on our 13 year old pop-up and they worked fine, but started showing their age eventually. TT's don't get the mileage a vehicle does, and they don't see the road salt like my snowmobile trailer with steel rims does. So, I don't think the aluminum rims are must have, but for me they were a big plus.

And in our case, we plan to keep this trailer at least 10 years, so for us it was worth it to spend a litttle more up front to get something we will be happy with for a long time. For somebody who plans to trade up in a couple years, it might be a different story.

[ependydad]

We have used our oven a grand total of once in the year and 80 nights of camping so far, I think. We made brownies. When we did- it sure warmed up the camper.

Otherwise, our meals are either cooked on a stove, microwaved or cooked on the fire.

To be honest, I'm a little surprised at how little we have used it.

[Grizzlygibbs]

I have used the oven a couple times. It is convenient but does warm up the interior. Also even on a low heat, the bottom of my piggies in a blanket burned and the tops were not quite done yet and I had to flip them. With muffins or brownies this would not have worked. This was on the highest rack and a fairly high heat. . Others have used a pizza stone to help disperse the heat.

I think there are pros and cons. It depends on what you will want to bake. Good luck!

[bikendan]

we use our oven all the time, in our 23SS. wouldn't be without it, since we dry camp nearly all the time.

IMHO, aluminum wheels are more bling than actual benefit, over regular steel wheels.
if you have the money, go for it.

[Oakman]

We use our oven regularly. I like to bake biscuits in the morning to go with my sausage gravy. I think the key to using an RV oven is to have an accurate oven thermometer. When not in use we use the oven for storage, bread, baked goods, etc.

[TURBS]

We use our oven almost everytime we camp.
Its especially useful if its raining or inclement weather where we can't have a fire.
When oven isn't in use we store chips and bread in it.

Aluminum wheels imo!

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by Oakman

We use our oven regularly. I like to bake biscuits in the morning to go with my sausage gravy. I think the key to using an RV oven is to have an accurate oven thermometer. When not in use we use the oven for storage, bread, baked goods, etc.

yum....sausage gravy. Now I'm hungry

OP- we also use our oven both for cooking and for storage. If you decide to get one, a pizza stone will help it heat more evenly.

The toaster oven wouldn't be nearly as useful as we dry camp often.

[RVChick]

One secret I have learned here and have used successfully ever since.....line the outside of your pans with aluminum foil! I baked a white cake with white icing in my oven while in Goshen last week, and it was so moist!, the underside was the perfect color! Bake just a few degrees lower, and begin checking for done ness on the minimum baking time of your directions! I also made key lime cupcakes and they were perfect! You can save the foil to reuse as well! I love my oven and am so happy I understand how to bake in it!

Congrats on your new camper!!

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by RVChick

One secret I have learned here and have used successfully ever since.....line the outside of your pans with aluminum foil! I baked a white cake with white icing in my oven while in Goshen last week, and it was so moist!, the underside was the perfect color! Bake just a few degrees lower, and begin checking for done ness on the minimum baking time of your directions! I also made key lime cupcakes and they were perfect! You can save the foil to reuse as well! I love my oven and am so happy I understand how to bake in it!

Congrats on your new camper!!

How do sugar cookies turn out ?

[RVChick]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

How do sugar cookies turn out ?

I think I will try them tomorrow to find out....... ;-D

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by RVChick

I think I will try them tomorrow to find out....... ;-D

My address is ............

[Cowracer]

They are nice to have, but don't let it be a deal breaker. You can always get a portable camp oven if you need one.

tim

[RVChick]

Originally Posted by Cowracer

They are nice to have, but don't let it be a deal breaker. You can always get a portable camp oven if you need one.

tim

Very true! Lots of choices on how you want to cook!

[rockfordroo]

My popup had steel wheels with plastic chrome wheel covers. Had it for 20 yrs. Best of both worlds?

[Canonman]

Oven???
I thought it was the liquor cabinet!
Cheers!!

[Shado]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. So the oven isn't a deal breaker at all. Wheels appear to be a nice to have.

2 other questions then.

Slide topper on a 233s - a must or a nice to have? And power tongue jack. I have read that it seems to really be much easier with one for a wdh. Opinions?

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Shado

Slide topper on a 233s - a must or a nice to have? And power tongue jack. I have read that it seems to really be much easier with one for a wdh. Opinions?

Slide toppers are one of those great debates. Most people who have them, will have them again. A small few won't have them again. A lot of people choose not to have them. My vote is I ordered them with my camper and will have them again.

IMO, I'd totally spring for the power tongue jack. Though, it sounds like the one from the factory can be noisy- maybe it's better to get the manual jack and then buy a specific brand/model aftermarket? (I've never had one, just saying what I've read.)

[KMP44]

Originally Posted by Shado

Thanks for all the replies everyone. So the oven isn't a deal breaker at all. Wheels appear to be a nice to have.

2 other questions then.

Slide topper on a 233s - a must or a nice to have? And power tongue jack. I have read that it seems to really be much easier with one for a wdh. Opinions?

Slide toppers seem to have some opinions each way. Ours came with one, and it is great for keeping leaves and junk off the slide, but the real benefit, I think, is that it keeps the water off the top of the slide. Everything is sealed, so you don't have to have the topper, but I feel a lot better knowing those rubber seals aren't the only thing keeping the rain out.

On the power tongue jack - absolutley get one. You will not regret that expense when you are hooking and un-hooking with the WDH. The factory one is pretty inexpensive and convienient, or have an after-market one installed. Some of the after-market models are quieter and probably a little better built than the factory supplied jack, but either way, this would be the one option I would not skip.

[B and B]

Slide toppers and aluminum wheels for sure. Power tongue jack and power stab jacks, both very good additions. A Dewalt 1/2 18 v drill and socket can work quite well as power stab jack alternative, that is what I used with my 2703SS.

Brian