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05-05-2012, 11:26 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 10
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New! And a "good" question...
Hi everyone!
We are picking up our first RV on Monday (Crossroads Z-1 211RD) and I'm really excited . We still need to get a lot of "stuff" before we can actually take our first trip, and that leads me to my question.
I have been reading posts on this forum and lots of other places, and I have discovered a recurring phenomenon:
Newbie says: "I don't know anything, tell me what I should get!"
Experienced RVer says: "Whatever you do, make sure you have a good ___________!" (fill in the blank with "pressure regulator", "weight distributing hitch", "freshwater hose", "sway control", "leveling blocks", or whatever)
The problem is that the newbie doesn't know how to tell the difference between a "good" or a "bad" version of the item in question, because they still a newbie.
So I know I need to get a bunch of "good" stuff, but I don't have a clue as to which of the dozens and dozens of freshwater hoses (or whatever) are the "good" ones...
So other than starting a new thread for each of the things on my list, asking what the "good" ones are, I really don't know how to find out. Suggestions??
Thanks and happy camping!
Sara
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05-06-2012, 12:25 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Solo Rvers Club
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Zigzag, OR
Posts: 1,063
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That is a great question. If experienced RVers try to answer, and they will, I think the situation would still be perplexing because people like different things and different levels of convenience and quality, so there would be plenty of disagreement about various benefits and values. For most things, it is a matter of your own cost/benefit analysis. So my simple advice is this: If you know you need a widget, you go to several sources that sell different kinds of widgets (a couple of stores, some time at websites) and figure out which one offers you the most benefit and which you are willing to trade your dollars for. Generally, although there will be exceptions, the best quality water hoses will be the most expensive. If that fails to make sense, you might consider that more often than not the cheapest item will not be the best quality. Some leveling blocks take a lot of storage room, others stack cleverly to take up less room when not in use. Are you willing to pay more for the ones that stack? It's all part of the adventure, and the 'learning curve' can be a lot of the fun. Happy trails!
__________________
'07 Itasca 35L/W22 FULL-TIMING
1000 Trails - VFW - 5 Yrs Army
"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST"
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05-06-2012, 12:33 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,469
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Research here on the more expensive items i.e. surge protectors, shocks, steering dampeners, etc.. Will save you time and money.
Be prepared opinions are going to vary widely. This is like asking which is better Ford or Chevy.
Read all the advice, add it to your own opinion and have it. SHopping for new items is half the fun.
__________________
US Navy Vet, Liberty Tree Member of Oath Keepers, NRA & VFW Life Member, Alaska EMT.
2009 Safari Cheetah 40 SKQ
2009 Winnebago Chalet 231CR
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05-06-2012, 05:45 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,701
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Hello and welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy the site and the many fine people you'll meet here. I see you have gotten some comments already on your question. I have to agree that everyone has there own ideas of what they may like and how much money they want to spend on a particular item. It's trial and error in the process. Wish you the best and hope all your traveling experiences are great. Be safe and Happy Motoring!!
__________________
Steve & Sally / Hudson Our Little Pom / Heidi, Houston & HiTee Forever in our Hearts
04 NEWMAR MACA 3778 W22 / 05 PT Vert
Michigan (Summer) Michigan (Winter For Now)
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05-06-2012, 06:58 AM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Nor'easters Club Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NH
Posts: 5,099
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sdennislee
Research here on the more expensive items i.e. surge protectors, shocks, steering dampeners, etc.. Will save you time and money.
Be prepared opinions are going to vary widely. This is like asking which is better Ford or Chevy.
Read all the advice, add it to your own opinion and have it. SHopping for new items is half the fun.
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Read and ask, as your doing. It'll all make sense in time.
__________________
Bruce & Nancy
FMCA F280542
2004 Bounder 35E
US Navy Vet.
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05-06-2012, 07:14 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 30
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Stuff
Hey, we are also new to the RV life.
When we bought our coach the dealer,Camping World, had a list of items they recommended. It was very complete and we use everything except one item.
Camping World also priced matched the internet prices that we found that were lower.
We have been on the road for 5 months and are having a blast.
__________________
John, Cheryl, and Wahoobee
2011 Tuscany 42RQ FOR SALE
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05-06-2012, 08:08 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 85
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Welcome! Congrats on your new camper! This really is a good question, but it is one that has no easy answer. We just bought our first camper last fall so I know where you're coming from. You are obviously researching the internet which is a great start. Since everyone has their own opinion based on their personal experience, it is hard to determine the "best" of anything. I'm still not 100% sure we have the "best" tow vehicle or weight distributing hitch, but I am comfortable with what we have. Fortunately, we have friends and acquaintances that have experience we can draw from. Another good source is our RV dealer. They hold 2 campouts a year where they have "fireside chats". We talk to them and the other campers to get advice. I wish I could post a list of everything we've purchased, but if I did, you would just get 50 other opinions of the things on my list. The best advice I have received that I can pass on to you is to relax and enjoy the learning experience. It's all part of the fun!
One more thing...if you're buying from a dealer, they should provide you with everything you need to go camping. If that is the case, you can wait to make any other major purchases until you have had a chance to talk to other campers.
Good luck and happy camping! We love to see others pictures
__________________
Sherri2015 Ford F-250 Superduty with Powerstroke Diesel.
2016 Jayco Eagle 317 RLOK
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05-06-2012, 09:17 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Appalachian Campers Coastal Campers Carolina Campers
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,828
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Hi Sara, welcome to IRV2. I agree with everyone, so I won't repeat. For inside the RV, just list your basics. I bought sheets, towels, dishes etc. that I could leave in the RV so there was less to load and unload. Try not to overload with things you won't use. I bought a dish drainer that folds up. It has been sitting in the cupboard for over a year. As said, it's a trial and error and you will figure out what works for you over the season. Have fun, be safe and let us know how your first trip goes.
__________________
Brenda and Frank, FTers, Zebulon, NC
Raisin our mixed hound and BooBoo our cat.
2004 Itasca Suncruiser
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05-06-2012, 09:35 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Pond Piggies Club
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,320
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Hello and welcome to iRV2.
__________________
Darlene
2014 Gulf Stream Conquest Lite Model 218MB
2013 Chevy Traverse LT
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05-07-2012, 08:52 AM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: In a lawnchair
Posts: 11,993
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Howdy and welcome!
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