More Questions

[JudyJB]

OK, I have been reading and listening to the discussions here. I REALLY appreciated the Dumping 101 topic, and figure I will need it someday! And I think I have refrigerators and freezers figured out.

I'm hoping some of you can answer these questions:

1. I've noticed that a lot of national parks have at most electrical hookups in their campsites, but many do list dump stations. If they have a dump station, is it also likely they would have a water connection you could refill tanks with? If not, how do you refill tanks once you run out? I like the idea of staying inside of a park rather than something with full hookups outside of it, since after all, I am doing this partly for the scenery.

2. Also, I am concerned about reading about "leveling jacks." Do these come on all motor homes? How level do you have to get a Class C motorhome? Someone on another forum wrote about having the wheels come off the ground. That doesn't sound very stable. (My kids think I will not be up to some of the more physical tasks.)

3. Finally, at least for now, how difficult is it to open and close slides? Are these manual operations or electric, or does it depend? Ditto for awnings. Do you really need electric ones or are the manual not too difficult?

The good news is that my kids are liking the idea. I was afraid they would dismiss it as a crazy-mother idea. My older son even said maybe if I bought one and used it a couple of years only, they could buy it when I was done. (Of course, they'd have free privileges while I owned it. That's one reason I think I want one big enough to sleep 6.)

I also have to say that reading your morning posts about sunshine and kayaking really makes me jealous as I am sitting at my desk in a dull office building supposedly working while you are out in the fresh air!! Right now I am suffering from a lousy cold caught from spending last weekend with my older son and his 5 year old son, while staying at my younger sons house with his wife and three little ones--ages almost 4, 2, and almost 1. What a zoo! And lots of cold germs to spare. I stay healthy when I am not around little folks!!

JudyJB

[Birdie]

Evening Judy,
Good questions if you haven't gotten your rig yet.

1. I don't have that much experience with the National Parks electric/water so will leave that to someone else.

2. Leveling jacks don't come on all Class C's but you can add them should you want to, but it might be an expense that would not pay for itself. It really isn't that difficult to level a 'small rig'. What's small? Mine is 30' and it isn't that difficult unless the ground is pretty wet. If it is wet, you level it and it will go out of level as the ground drys. The rigs that have the wheels come off the ground have air thingy's that level the rig and that pushes the rig up off the wheels. It's supposed to do that. I think that is mostly on Class A's.

3. I don't have slides so I'll let someone with them answer that question.

My Class C can sleep 4 in the back bunk beds, 2 in the queen over cab, 2 in the sofa and maybe 2, 1/2 persons (small folks) on the dinette (made into bed). So those units are out there, you just have to search for them. Glad to hear from you. Don't be so shy. We love giving our opinions based on our experience.

[snowball]

Judy
A lot of questions you have will be answered by what type of rv you get... as to the slides ours is so simple our
grandkids could do it and so we don't let them know that they could! it's covered with a thing!
I have a dh that is good at getting the awning out some times I help him but most of the time he handles it
by himself....if I had to I think I'd opt for the push button kind... in part because I'm short...
and as to the campground's those are questions you would need to ask the individual campground.
we work camp in a national forest we have no dump for the campers but there is water faucets scattered about
you can fill your tank but not leave the hoses hooked up to it or even laid out to it...a possible contamination problem.

have fun looking for a rv and planning on using it... are you thinking of fulltiming or are you going to be a sometimer?
have fun
sheila

[bikerchic777]

Judy...My answers to your questions.

1) If there is a dump station, there should be water there, too. Make sure you fill with the correct spigot. One should be for drinking water and one will be non-potable for rinsing the dump area after you're done dumping. Like Sheila said, if there are spigots around the park, but not at your site, you can use them to fill your tank as long as you don't leave it hooked up. It's a good idea to have an extra hose or two for this as sometimes it is a bit of a distance to it. I like to drive around and look for a site close to one if I'm going to need it.

2) I have always had leveling jacks, but still have to use boards if it is too unlevel. I have seen mh's with their tires off the ground, but I have read that it's not a good thing to do that. I had a friend with a 30' class c and it had after market hydraulic jacks. She was very glad. It is much easier if you ask me. Otherwise, you will be driving your tires on the low side up on pads or boards to get as level as you can.

3) Slides are easy to put in and out. There is a button on the inside of your RV. I chose not to have slides with my mh now. I have experienced leaking hydraulic fluid in one and rain leaks in another. I just thought it better to eliminate possible problems. They do make for a more spacious living area, though.

It's good to have your kids' support! Sorry they shared their colds with you. Hope you get to feeling better soon

[Acadianmom]

I am on my 4th motorhome and none have had a slide. It would be nice to have the extra room but something else to have problems with.

Only one motorhome had an awning and I never used it. I do more traveling than staying somewhere so haven't missed an awning. If you read rv forums, it looks like a lot of people have trouble with awnings being torn up by wind or unrolling when you're going down the highway.

I had a 27' class c that slept 6-8. After a few trips with my sister and her kids I decided I don't know 7 people I want to sleep with. And as far as someone taking my motorhome, not happening. Kids want to push every button and turn every knob which could cause some problems.

I have never had leveling jacks either and have gotten along with a couple of 2x10x24 inch boards and some of the plastic blocks. Most places are close to level, but I don't stay at many parks with dirt or gravel pads. I have a round level I put on the bottom of the freezer. If the bubble is mostly in the center I figure it's good enough. The main reason to be level is for the refrigerator to work. You can ruin the refrigerator by operating it too much off level.

Martha

[BirdbyBird]

And answers you get....

As mentioned most COE's and state parks have a water source for drinking. That said many carry our drinking water and use the rest for washing, etc. The water next to the dump station is usually NOT drinkable and only offered up for rinsing the tanks and flushing any escaping dump water, etc.

Putting an awning up and down by yourself is doable but more difficult and as mentioned awnings are very easily damaged in sudden storms and wind gusts. When camping it is not recommended leaving them up if you are away from your site even for a short while. And some of those pop up thunderstorms come on very fast. I figure if the wind takes a $100 or less, pop up awning or screen room...there is not as much lost.

Slide or no slide is a personal choice. There are those that would not be without and those of us that try to avoid another potential leak or problem down the road and adjust to the less space. Traveling mostly by myself, the space is not an issue.

I've gotten much better at using my orange leveling block but the "bus" is only 22 ft long. Levelers...are one of those "would be nice" items but I would rather invest in a kayak. So many toys and so limited in funds.

And think about how you plan to use your rig the most. I am with Martha. Having room to accommodate an occasional adult travel buddy or two might be nice (especially on longer road trips!).... But children are pretty adaptable...I remember a picture of Lori and Doc's rig accommodating multiple people, which I don't think they do often but were able to ...with sleeping bags on the floor. And there are some wonderful tents out there or a younger family can pick up a small travel trailer and join the fun. They don't have to all stay in your rig. Just my opinion... For me, I am not full timing and when I had a larger unit I became more and more aware of the "empty air" I was driving down the road. It made parking lots and driving around sight seeing I little more complicated and the smaller unit met my comfort needs (and my dog's) as I headed down the road. The answer to this question will be as diverse as all of us! ...It doesn't mean that I don't think about the lovely living rooms that some rigs have but every time I swing into a small parking lot....I think this will do for now

Have fun investigating and dreaming!

[Bethers]

I don't have automatic levelers - use the little orange blocks - and I am in a very NOT level site right now. Takes a few more minutes to get basically level, but no biggie after you're used to it. And while fridges have to be somewhat level - they don't have to be perfect - not nearly. I was at a tech demonstration with the back off a fridge, and they showed how and why a fridge has to be level - you'd have to be uncomfortably uneven for it the matter to the fridge. If I'm comfortable, it's good enough (I started out using wood, but replaced it with the orange plastic things they sell - just as a matter of weight - there's a recent thread about these.)

My slide is a breeze. I do have to remember to lock or unlock the awning above it - otherwise it's a matter of pushing a button - one way takes it out, the other in. As for slides and leaks - my rig has had leaks - never from the slide. I probably would side with the folks who prefer having a slide to not having one, but it's again, not a deal breaker for me buying - would depend on the rig and how I like it - some I couldn't live in without one, others, the space inside would work. And I'm the fan of the small motorhome!

It's real easy to find water - there are occasions where a dump station doesn't have drinking water - but many do. I go weeks with water/sewer or even elecrtric hookups - relying on my tanks to do their job!

I lost my awning in 2005 and am full -time and never replaced it. There are occasions when I'd like one - then I watch people rushing in and out to put it or bring it in for wind or storms - and I just don't need that. Now, my next rig will have one - and I'll use it, I'm sure - on occasion. But it's definitely not something I need like I would. (Others will totally disagree with that - which is what makes this all so much fun).

[retiredhappy]

You can always find potable water, usually at any site that has electric. That said I once stayed at a state park that had water every 3rd site and that's why I carry about 3 water hoses; one 10', and two 25'. (OK everyone stop laughing - I'm known for having extras of everything). When traveling I try to stay in a park with full hookups about every 3rd night to dump and fill my water tanks. Unless I'm boondocking I try not to travel with full water tanks cause of the extra weight and how it effects gas mileage.

Personally I'm kinda leery of after market stuff like levelers. I use the "legos" and have no problem using them. When I pull into a site I don't pull all the way up. I get out and check my levelers (they're on the outside front and side). If I need to add levelers I can put them down and then drive forward up onto them. Worst problem? Driving off and leaving them behind. I often am on gravel or dirt and have no more problem with them than cement. Worst unlevel place ever stayed was at the Ute Mountain Casino with nice looking cement pads. Apparently whoever installed them didn't own a level.

Loaning out your rig to someone who isn't completely familiar with it can be a bad thing for the rig. A tree branch scraping the roof can give you a BIGTIME leak; kids putting unknown objects down toilet; running too many things at once can blow fuses; etc, etc.

Buy the rig for YOUR comfort. If you sometimes have company you can figure out something. I will be 70 in March and have a 30' Class C and tow a car. I have no problem doing everything that is necessary to hook up, etc. I may be slower than the 30 year old but I get it done eventually.

Slides are a personal choice. I didn't want one and the potential problems that went with it. During my workamping days I saw a lot of problems - either wouldn't go in or wouldn't go out or leaked. That said, if I ever downsize I will want a living room slide. If you decide on a slide try to find one that you can manually crank in or out in case the motor fails for any reason. Its my understanding that a lot of the newer rigs don't have a manual crank.

I LOVE my awning when I'm going to be somewhere for a while. I use it as an extra room BUT I use long screw-in anchors, stake the arms to the ground, motorcycle tie-downs and a lot of deflappers. My awning set up that way is good to about 30 mph winds. I do watch the weather and if they predict high winds, I take it down. I looked into getting one of the push button ones and found it was not only expensive but you couldn't angle it to help shade the side of the RV (it only went straight out so your only shade was pretty much at high noon). The one that you COULD angle was almost $5,000. The ones with the "wind sensor" were sometimes so sensitive they kept going in and out with the slightest breeze.

Have fun with your search - that's half the fun.

[Bethers]

I didn't talk about the kids part - and them using it. Some will disagree with me - but I wouldn't loan my rv to anyone - family or not. Sounds mean - but I know everything I've done to this - knowing everything about it. Many problems will occur when someone else uses it. One person I know let her son - her dearly beloved son - use her rig. He brought it back - said all was fine. Had NOT dumped the tanks - did not tell her. Put the rig in storage - where it wasn't used for a few months. Needless to say - that black tank stunk and she ended up having to replace it - very expensive.

Staying in Port Aransas, TX - a couple had their grown son visiting - a friend had a 5th wheel he let son, wife and kids stay in. They put paper towels down the toilet tank (and who knows what else) and didn't tell anyone. Well, they don't degrade. Backed things up - friend was dumping and he thought tank empty - took off sewer hose - wasn't empty - put hose back on - was forcing water down the tank - dumping - and got PART of it down - it BROKE the sewer hose. Do you have any idea what he got hit with? Head to toe - and I saw it ... was funny from where I was. Not to him. And less so because even though he cleaned up the mess outside and himself, he still had to call a repair service to come out - ended up replacing the toilet.

(These are trues stories - I couldn't make them up).

It's a small enclosed space - and while you might want one or two of them to visit you for a trip - do you really all want to be in there for any long period of time? Get the size and space that works for YOU when YOU travel - and think about someone overnight - maybe taking a grandkid on a trip, etc - but don't buy it for IF they might use it. Buy it for how YOU will use it.

[AlmostThere]

As for loaning the rig to friends and family:
I don't think I'd loan my rig out to friends, but would to certain family members. You will know which ones you can trust.
I have loaned my MH to my SIL and 2 GDs. They slept in it before I did! I know my SIL is very responsible (actually did some work on his parent's MH for them), and
the GDs have been in RVs before and know the rules. They have also visited me and know how things are but as kids have to be re-reminded sometimes.

[JudyJB]

Thanks, all. I can't believe how fast you responded.

I never even thought about the problems of being short--and I am 5'1". I knew I would need some sort of folding step stool for inside to reach high cabinets. Sounds like I might need a very small, lightweight "ladder" for outside!

One thing I know I do need is a unit with a bed in the back where you can walk around at least one side. I've seen some shorter ones with the bathroom also in the back where you have to crawl into the bed from the end. I have two replaced knees, so kneeling is not easy, although it is getting easier. I still wouldn't want to get up and down 4 times each night crawling over the bed.

My kids are both super careful, and one is an engineer who started tearing cars apart when he was 14, so I would allow them to borrow my rv, especially after they had traveled with me a couple of times. Kids and low switches are another thing.

Good thing to know that I don't have to worry so much about getting things perfectly level. I think I do want a slide for space, but the awning does sound unnecessary, so I will think about that. Many years ago, we borrowed a pop-up and the awning collapsed while we were gone one day. Terrified the dog, but the campground owner went and got her out and tied her up so she wasn't so scared. Guess she was barking and howling from the storm and the collapse.

Now here is my tip for all of you: When I had my knees replaced, I ended up with two of those handicap grabbers. They are incredibly useful and i keep one in my kitchen and one in my minivan for grabbing things that slide around. I store paper towels and TP on a very high shelf so a grabber makes it really easy to get stuff down. You can also use them to snatch things that get behind furniture and cabinets. They will definitely go with me when I buy an RV.

Thanks

JudyJB

[Marslet]

Gonna put my two cents in on loaning my rig. The answer is a big resounding NO. Unless I am with it, it doesn't leave her shelter. I also have made it a rule to never loan my nice suitcases, (came back with huge scratch across the Samsonite, no offer to replace), nice camera (came back broken-again no offer of replacement), boat (came back with transom torn out,(no offer of replacing or paying for work), car (came back running on fumes, left out with full tank gas $3.10 a gallon, no offer to replace gas). Have had my fill of loaning things and getting slapped in the face with the appreciation. As you can tell, I wasn't a stingy person, but have learned my lesson. Oh and all of them were family members. Enough said.

[Bethers]

As to being short - my Class C has a ladder to the roof - so I don't need another. I have one little step - can use inside or outside - that gets me everywhere I need to go. At the moment, it's in use at my door, as I have a problem with my steps. Probably won't fix them - use that - and grab it for the rare times I need it inside.

My rule of thumb in the rv - don't buy things others need that aren't necessities - as I listend to so many and have now given away probably a few hundred dollars of "things" I never used - or used once or twice and discovered weren't worth it. You'll still do some of that - but an rv is small - and you need to figure out what you're necessities are. Mine changed considerably the more I traveled. Lots of things I thought I needed, I don't. A few things I didn't bring, I did. Must were of the former category though - and since I'm on a budget - I'm more careful now. It doesn't mean I don't listen to suggestions - I just weigh them first now -

Another note about lending. I know it's family. But how much would it hurt if an unintentional accident happened when someone else had your "borrowed" rig. Whose insurance would cover it? And today, you almost have to put anyone on your policy of you want them covered. Another expense. The only way I'd let mine out (if I wasn't fulltime) would be if we co-owned it - like when my sis, bil and I co-owned a boat. Again, this is just me.

[bikerchic777]

I have one of those handy dandy little folding step stools and have used it a lot, even though I'm tall It has come in handy for a bottom step if the ground is unlevel. I also have a really cool telescoping ladder that fits easily in one of my compartments. It is easy to use and I just love it!!! I know they are expensive, but it wasn't tall enough for the DXH's mh, so I traded him ladders. I got the better end of that deal

[rvgrammy1953]

Yep, we have had 4 adults and 3 "little persons" sleeping in our 5er.... and there are photos posted somewhere.... But that was last summer when it rained every other day....our original plan was to use our screen room/add a room that we have attached to the camper and the awning when we are parked for a long period of time (a month or more) for extra sleeping space for the "men/boys of the group (Ernie, DS and DGSs) with the girls (DIL ,GD, & Me) inside, but we all did fine inside with an air mattress and using the converted table bed and couch.....but that being said, really we prefer just 1 or 2 "camping guests"...makes things alot easier....besides, that's one of reasons why we full time....the kids can't move back in....NO ROOM!!!!

As for loaning out my HOUSE...Nope....where would we sleep.... At one time we did have 2 campers and set the 5er for relatives visiting for a weekend or so, but it was right here in our campground and everyone got their basic course on what not to touch....worked out okay, but probably would advise against it, unless you are sure of the guests....

Don't have much advice on "electric only" camping as we've always been with at least electric and water hookups and a dump station, so will leave that to others....

Our screen/add a room adds additional weight to the awning, so we don't get too concerned unless the winds are more that 30 mph....I think the only place we didn't use the awning and/or the screen room was our time spent in Texas....It's always windy in TX..... Awning/Screen room are Ernie's department....he makes the decision on if we use them or not.....