Posted on 05/01/2013 7:58:48 AM PDT by Vermont Lt
I just took the plunge and purchased a small travel tailer (25 ft.) My wife and I will use it for mostly stationery camping at a lot we own on a lake in Northern VT. We have all of the power and water hook-ups there, and it will be our vacation and weekend home for the summer.
The trailer is brand new and has all of the normal, mid range functions: Refrig, TV, stereo, Queen bed, one slider, shower, etc.
I am writing to ask other trailer owners what things they would get at the outset to make their lives easier. We do not expect a lot of road travel over the next year, although going cross country in 2014 is a probability.
Looking back on your experience, what things do think of and say, "Boy...it would have been nice to have....."
Any advice is welcome. The last time I had any kind of a camper was a pop-up deal in 1976, so consider me a complete newbie. The fact that this has a refrigerator and TV seems like cheating, but I am older now, so that is OK.
Thanks in advance for your responses...serious or otherwise!
Sounds perfectly sensible to me—LOL!
I’d bet his 25 foot unit has black and gray water tanks built in.
By the way Vermont is one of the states to which I have never been.
“As a woman, anything that takes a kitchen along on a “vacation” is not something that interests me.”
By any chance, are you and my wife related?
2012 Silverado 1500, gross towning weight is about 9500 pounds, dry weight of the trailer is 5,300.
I’m sure it has those tanks built in.
What I’m referring to are the waste toters that you can drain your tanks into, then attach the toter to your tow vehicle and take the toter to the dump. Saves having to hitch up and drive your RV to the dump, which is a major pain.
yep, I forgot about the “blue boy” tote. Also forgot about chocks and lego level blocks. I also agree with another poster, rv.net is a great site.
YES. An RV tool box is essential! It has saved our bacon on many an occasion.
Hitch a car to the back and drive 45 in the left lane of a 70 MPH zone like all the other ones.
Every time you return you should make it a point to clean it thoroughly. It will last longer and hold its eventual re-sale value.
Also by a RV satellite receiver..
My wife and I lived in a 5th wheel for about a year. Things that were used the most: a microwave oven, a small electric space heater and a two burner electric hot plate. The propane stove can be a PITA. We cooked almost everything on the hot plate, in the microwave or on a small (tabletop) Weber BBQ.
An attached awning or a stand alone room with netting is a good idea.
Enjoy!!
www.wackyarchives.com/featured/rednecks-tree-house.html
Husband and I have a fifth wheel and do a fair amount of traveling. I read through the responses and they’re all great. If you go to Camping World and browse through their web site you’ll find lots of stuff that’ll apply to all situations. Thing is, they are a bit *pricey* and you can probably find it elsewhere (Craig’s List, etc.)
Another good place to get info is rv.net.
It’s a forum for RV owners.
Good luck and HAVE FUN!!
Oh, be sure you have vent covers so the vents can stay open while it’s raining.
Ya never know—LOL!
800 kW would be larger that the largest trailer.
I forgot to mention that if you can, always tow it “dry” meaning don’t add water if you can and make sure you drain all of your tanks(potable, gray, and black) before you head home.
Helps a little with few mileage getting rid of a few hundred extra pounds.
Thanks for the replies.
Yes, its a trailer. Sorry about that.
These are great posts, you cannot imagine how much I appreciate the feedback. Even the funny stuff.
The the Five-Star folks, I just got my lifetime GOLD Marriott Rewards level. It IS possible to get sick of staying in nice hotels—when you do it three nights a week for years.
It is a Cougar Super Lite. I got it new. Not gonna tell you what I paid because I am still happy and don’t want to find out this newbie got ripped off!
The lot is one my brother used to use with his huge Fleetwood Diesel monster—so the ground is level, well graveled and set up for water and power. My dad actually put a shed/toilet next to the pad. So at least I will be using the “indoor” facilities 99% of the time. My wife will not battle spiders at night.
We are excited. And I spend my days at home taking care of her 91 year old mother in law, and the last three years taking care of three 90+ aunts and uncles of my wife. After all of that, spending time with her, alone, is a gift from God that I am not going to squander.
Keep the ideas coming. And even the funny comments. I love them. And I am great at laughing at myself.
>2012 Silverado 1500, gross towning weight is about 9500 pounds, dry weight of the trailer is 5,300.<
My friend swears by the GM/Chevy 6.0 gas engine. He maintains it is a towing powerhouse.
extra propane tanks. you never know when one will run out.
also, a small burner attachment for a standard propane tank is cheap and small, and can be very useful if you’re not where you can hook up power.
jugs of water, just in case you can’t hook up, or the water is total crap.
consider helper springs for your vehicle.
fire starters and a camp fire ring- if you like camp fires.
bug spray and sunscreen- it’s one of those little things you always seem to forget to pack.
shovel, bow saw and axe should be part of your tool kit.
Take it to the Dakotas and sell it for a profit, then buy another one.
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