Is Your First RV Always a Learning Experience?

[Snotrub]

I bought my first travel trailer about a year and a half ago. It's a 2019 FR Salem T27RLSS and for the most part, my fiance and I enjoy staying in it and traveling in it. We completely gutted it this winter and put in our own furnishings which fit us better. With that being said, I've learned a lot about owning and traveling in the trailer and was wondering if most RV'ers have had their first trailer as a learning trailer. I've made a lot of mistakes and have had to fix/replace lots of items that I broke. There are some things that were of poor quality (mattress, Kitchen sink, etc) in the trailer that I replaced, but most of it was rookie mistakes, i.e. bent axel, worn tires from underinflation, torn awning from low hanging tree branches, towing it with a 1/2 ton Ram, etc.

I'm going to retire pretty soon, hopefully at the end of the year, and I'm thinking about upgrading to a trailer or 5th wheel that fits our needs a little better. The current trailer doesn't have a lot of clothes storage and not much room in the bedroom to do anything but sleep. I upgraded my tow vehicle to a Chevy 2500 HD, so weight is not an issue (anymore). I know there will always be something to fix, but I'm hoping these fixes are less my doing and more just common ownership or poor quality fixes. Luckily, I've fixed everything myself except for the axel replacement and spring upgrade.

So, I guess my question is to all the experienced RV'ers is: Are most 1st trailers/RV's/5th wheels learning/training trailers to work the kinks out of ownership and determine what you want in a trailer? I'd really like to get a new one that fits our needs better, but I've put so much into this one.

 

[Grumpy53]

I am on my 3rd TT/RV and still learning and working the kinks out.

 

[Oaklevel]

We purchased our first trailer in 1985 to see if we would like camping.......... It was a 1973 Terry................ It was $500 and needed a lot of work..... ........ Learned much about trailers and tow vehicles over the years.

Second was a new 1988...... Next did tent camping with the Boyscouts with our boys, next was a nice used fifth wheel, next a fifth wheel toyhauler (DW didn't like it as well). Currently have a destination trailer so the boys and their families can join us (not on a permant site but kept stored at a campground near Myrtle Beach.............................

Today....... the DW will be retiring soon, and our plans are to find a nice lightly used motorhome. As our live needs changed so did our type of camper.

Liked towing the fifth wheels the best. Even have a fifth wheel flat bed.......

Todays campers are very different than our 2017........... always leaning....

 

[tomupnorth]

We had a Class C but never a TT so hoping the towing is straightforward enough.

I think you get a TT whose layout/storage you like, and resign yourself to the fact that virtually nothing about it is as robust as a well-built home. So "maintenance" means maybe an order-of-magnitude more effort to keep it nice.

Probably depends a lot on how hard it's used of course.

 

[reidfo]

So, I guess my question is to all the experienced RV'ers is: Are most 1st trailers/RV's/5th wheels learning/training trailers to work the kinks out of ownership and determine what you want in a trailer? I'd really like to get a new one that fits our needs better, but I've put so much into this one.

This is one of the reasons I bought my current TT, "Audrey." I call her that after little shop of horrors. She seems to demand a blood sacrifice any time I work on her.

I wanted a small trailer that would fit in my relatively short (but thankfully level) driveway. It was to get out on some trips and see how the lifestyle suited me. I have made some improvements like a new mattress, 600W of solar and 200Ah of lithium. A few repairs too due to my own rookie mistakes. Two blowouts in the same trip took out the passenger side fender skirt (one blowout was on the way to the tire shop to get all new tires after the first blowout).

I have learned a lot, and I'm now in the market for a fifth wheel toy hauler to live in. I wanted my "experiment" trailer to be cheap enough that I wouldn't cry too much if I damaged it on the road before buying a big boy RV.

 

[reidfo]

@Snotrub Where in Texas are you? I'm near Galveston usually, but also spend a month or two a year outside of Lubbock.

 

[DJ252]

Our first was an ancient, tiny, Apache popup. There were no systems to it. Not even lighting, or propane, nothing. All canvas top. Basically a tent but off the ground. Nothing really to learn there.

Then a bigger, nicer and less ancient, Steury popup. It had a furnace and cooktop, a light or two and a simple hand pump at the sink. Had to work on the furnace a bit, rebuild the hand pump and some electrical now and then but simple systems. It had surge brakes, so some brake maintenance / replacement.

Then a RoadTrek Class B. Fully equipped. Again some work on the furnace and had to replace the aircon and fridge but otherwise, the camper part was trouble free. Did learn a hard lesson about the age of tires on that one. It doesn't matter what the tread looks like, or lack of dry rot, RV tires need to be replaced at 5 or so yrs. else risk of blowouts. One was no big deal but the other, did real damage requiring a tow and canceling the trip.

Thats the only thing top of mind, that I caused.

On the current TT, lots more and complicated systems, more maintenance and therefore, more to learn.

 

[jimmoore13]

Thoughts:

• Yes, the first rig is a learning experience. So is your third, fourth and so on. Bigger, heavier, more complex, and the added gee gaws all add up to "learning opportunities." Slides = problems. Self-leveling = problems. Electronic and blue-tooth controls = problems. All are great, but every time you add bells and whistles, there are new opportunities for problems.
• Unless you have a big budget, expect to replace the faucets, sinks, and so on, and to be stuck modifying closets, pantries, and so on all over again. You aren't likely to see anything close to a residential quality (Delta, Moen, etc.) faucet till you crest well beyond $100K. So some of what you've done you'll do again.
• New will disappoint you, because QC is, by and large, on a downhill slide since COVID. And things you thought were "old-camper-problems" are likely to pop up in a new rig. Myriad posts will sustain this claim. They don't build 'em like they used to - with the exception that welded aluminum framing and a fiberglass/foam monocoque structure are definitely superior to the old stick and tin construction.
• Regardless of your towing skills and the configuration (bumper pull or fifth wheel), a bigger rig is more challenging to tow that what you currently have. If you have a long-bed truck, great, but if not, you'll need a sliding hitch if you choose a fiver. And all of a sudden, fuel stops are going to present an entirely new level of difficulty...or service station selectivity.
• Remember that "affordable" (read "cheap") rigs are just that. They are cheaply made and to save weight, everything is made out of balsa wood and bubble gum. You are buying an extremely lightweight house on wheels that includes every ammenity that your actual house has, AND it has onboard water storage, 12 volt power systems, and road-worthy running gear...all for less than $75K or so. It's made out of tissue paper so it can be towed.
  If you are serious about quality, narrow your search to rigs rated for "full-time" use. MOST ARE NOT...and using them full time will void the warranty. That should tell you something. "Full-time" rated quality will cost more and likely sacrifice some ammenities in favor of stout construction and more reliable components.
• The same applies to 4-seasons use. Most rigs are not equipped to survive in cold weather. The ones that are cost more.
• Your 2500 HD is a good truck. But it ain't a 3500 dually or more, so you need to be very weight conscious when shopping.
• Lastly, I'll bet a nickel that your 2019 Salem came equipped with an absorption fridge (120 volt and propane). If so, you are about to enter the brave new world of 12 volt compressor fridges and their voracious appetite for batteries (unless you buy older used). Only going to RV parks with hookups? No problem. But if you have ambitions to boondock, we have LOTS to talk about. If you have boondocking ambitions, set aside about $2000 to $3000 for lots of solar and battery upgrades. A discussion for another time.

None of this is meant to discourage you, because many of us have been through a string of rigs, but put the rose colored glasses back in their case. Regardless of what you choose, you'll need all your newfound skills and more to cope with your new rig. As others hinted, RVs are an order of magnitude more demanding to maintain than your "bricks and mortar" home on a concrete foundation.

 

[Snotrub]

@Snotrub Where in Texas are you? I'm near Galveston usually, but also spend a month or two a year outside of Lubbock.

I'm in Amarillo. My trailer stays in Turkey, TX when we're not traveling. I belong to a motorcycle club (offroad/enduro) and we lease 30,000 acres there to ride on. We have a camp with about 40 slots with full hookups. I'm there once or twice a month on the weekends so the camper gets used a lot.

 

[Snotrub]

Thoughts:

• Yes, the first rig is a learning experience. So is your third, fourth and so on. Bigger, heavier, more complex, and the added gee gaws all add up to "learning opportunities." Slides = problems. Self-leveling = problems. Electronic and blue-tooth controls = problems. All are great, but every time you add bells and whistles, there are new opportunities for problems.
• Unless you have a big budget, expect to replace the faucets, sinks, and so on, and to be stuck modifying closets, pantries, and so on all over again. You aren't likely to see anything close to a residential quality (Delta, Moen, etc.) faucet till you crest well beyond $100K. So some of what you've done you'll do again.
• New will disappoint you, because QC is, by and large, on a downhill slide since COVID. And things you thought were "old-camper-problems" are likely to pop up in a new rig. Myriad posts will sustain this claim. They don't build 'em like they used to - with the exception that welded aluminum framing and a fiberglass/foam monocoque structure are definitely superior to the old stick and tin construction.
• Regardless of your towing skills and the configuration (bumper pull or fifth wheel), a bigger rig is more challenging to tow that what you currently have. If you have a long-bed truck, great, but if not, you'll need a sliding hitch if you choose a fiver. And all of a sudden, fuel stops are going to present an entirely new level of difficulty...or service station selectivity.
• Remember that "affordable" (read "cheap") rigs are just that. They are cheaply made and to save weight, everything is made out of balsa wood and bubble gum. You are buying an extremely lightweight house on wheels that includes every ammenity that your actual house has, AND it has onboard water storage, 12 volt power systems, and road-worthy running gear...all for less than $75K or so. It's made out of tissue paper so it can be towed.
  If you are serious about quality, narrow your search to rigs rated for "full-time" use. MOST ARE NOT...and using them full time will void the warranty. That should tell you something. "Full-time" rated quality will cost more and likely sacrifice some ammenities in favor of stout construction and more reliable components.
• The same applies to 4-seasons use. Most rigs are not equipped to survive in cold weather. The ones that are cost more.
• Your 2500 HD is a good truck. But it ain't a 3500 dually or more, so you need to be very weight conscious when shopping.
• Lastly, I'll bet a nickel that your 2019 Salem came equipped with an absorption fridge (120 volt and propane). If so, you are about to enter the brave new world of 12 volt compressor fridges and their voracious appetite for batteries (unless you buy older used). Only going to RV parks with hookups? No problem. But if you have ambitions to boondock, we have LOTS to talk about. If you have boondocking ambitions, set aside about $2000 to $3000 for lots of solar and battery upgrades. A discussion for another time.

None of this is meant to discourage you, because many of us have been through a string of rigs, but put the rose colored glasses back in their case. Regardless of what you choose, you'll need all your newfound skills and more to cope with your new rig. As others hinted, RVs are an order of magnitude more demanding to maintain than your "bricks and mortar" home on a concrete foundation.

All very good points. I appreciate the feedback. I only do full hookups. I have no desire to boondock. I know for sure I'm not going to buy anything that says "Lite, Light, etc." When I say I'm not worried about weight, I just mean I have up to about 13,000 GVWR. Everything I'm looking at is well below that. I don't plan on going full time, either. 2 weeks max.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I appreciate it greatly.

 

[reidfo]

All very good points. I appreciate the feedback. I only do full hookups. I have no desire to boondock. I know for sure I'm not going to buy anything that says "Lite, Light, etc." When I say I'm not worried about weight, I just mean I have up to about 13,000 GVWR. Everything I'm looking at is well below that. I don't plan on going full time, either. 2 weeks max.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I appreciate it greatly.

One thing I have learned is to disregard the max towing capacity of your truck for the most part and look instead at the max cargo carrying capacity and hitch weight. That is usually the limiting factor. In my case looking at a toy hauler, I know I'm going to need to upgrade to a dually with a heavy carrying capacity. Cargo weight on the truck includes you and any passengers too. That's easy to forget.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

Our first rig was a travel trailer where we made a lot of the same mistakes you did. We now have a C which was a purchase made because of health concerns.

Major considerations for a second rig are usually cargo carrying capacity for everything you want to carry and length. We ran into one very unhappy camper who had a fifth wheel that exceeded the length permitted at his favorite state park. We have a friend who has a large Class C who has a cargo carrying capacity similar to our smaller C. So size doesn't necessarily mean that you can carry more.

You've gotten a lot of good advice. Life is too short. You've got enough experience to know what you need in a camper. Just make your best decision and start making memories.

 

[sherman12]

Snoteub, if it's any consolation you are in the majority of moving on from your first RV. According to a recent survey by RV Travel Newsletter 67% of first time RV'ers are not satisfied with their first RV and upgrade to rig #2 not long after.

This makes total sense to me. I'm in year 18 RV'ing and still learning.

When I read posts from folks looking to get into the RV lifestyle often many replies will suggest renting an RV to find out what they might want in an RV. I don't care if you rent a TT, Class C or Class A motorhomes, or a simple pop-up camper for a month and spend thousands on the rental you are going to be no closer to knowing what you'll be happy with when you buy one .

Only seat of the pants use to experience All of the RV trials and errors will you be able to decide what you like and don't, what your absolute needs are, and what you can do without. And, as you sort through all of this new information your focus will sharpen where your second RV will be much closer to what satisfies your needs.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

You will quickly learn that any RV, motorhome, travel trailer, 5th wheel, or pop-up is a regular maintenance demanding item. Of the ones we've owned for each about 10 years, there is always something to adjust, clean, repair, or replace. I do all my maintenance myself.

A bit of common sense and general knowledge about everything, i.e. electrical, AC, DC, HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical, along with a reasonable set of tools and a DVM is all that is needed. Otherwise, be sure your toolbox has an adequate supply of credit cards, and you have the patience to be inconvenienced and delayed by Dealers and shops.

Bob