I had this learning curve about this time last year. Previously, my RV experience was helping a friend of my mom with a popup camper. From that experience with the Coleman, I learned that I wanted a hard shell camper, so I wouldn't have to go out in sub-freezing temperatures to take a shower or use the bathroom.
The one lesson I would pass on which thankfully wasn't something I had to learn in the school of hard knocks, because others did it: Caveat emptor.
Educate yourself, and when you do buy a rig, bring some people who know what they are doing so they can find stuff before it leaves the dealer's lot.
There is a big difference between a 72ft boat where you might be a deck hand and a 25ft trailer. We can sleep 6 in our 200 sq ft hotel room but it wouldn't be fun long. Nor sharing the bath.
2011 GulfStream Amerilite 25BH
2007/2003 Ford Expedition
Nights camped in 2011 21
Nights camped in 2012 16
JiminDenver wrote: There is a big difference between a 72ft boat where you might be a deck hand and a 25ft trailer. We can sleep 6 in our 200 sq ft hotel room but it wouldn't be fun long. Nor sharing the bath.
Yes, I agree there is a difference, but certainly the premise is the same, but I think I have received the point. Loud and clear. Thank you.
We took the advice of most posters on here and went to a local campground today. We were polite, well dressed and attempted to ask questions relevant to camping with a Class A (as that is what we are looking at) and to say we were met warmly would be a blatant lie. We have never in our life met such rude, snobbish and elitist people. We never even once suggested tagging along as passengers for learning, we only wanted to talk and brain pick. The first person we met....(and if you are on here reading this, you know who you are and I challenge you to post that this scenario went any differently)
We said hello, introduced ourselves and said that we were looking into purchasing a RV and were looking to ask questions and maybe get a non-dealer introduction. The Mrs stared at us and my wife immediately sensed that this was a close encounter of the third kind and attempted to tell her that we were not weirdos, we were just trying to make an informed decision. The Mr came out from inside and said, "who the hell are you?" So we proceeded to tell again, who we were and what we were attempting to do. Within a matter of 5 seconds he said, "you get the hell away from here or I am calling the cops" So of course we moved on, undeterred at this point. Thinking that one crabapple does not necessarily mean anything, just bad luck.
The second, third and fourth said they had no interest in talking to us. The third group we met was at least polite as they told us to sod off. The fourth person being the most colorful in his manner of telling us to leave. Well now we are deterred and frustrated.
As we decided to leave, we were met by a nice couple from Alabama. Harry and Janet. They were here visiting relatives and heard how Jerk #4 spoke to us. They apologized even though it was not their fault. They were not RV owners, just visitors. So question and answer wise, not much help, but finally someone was at least polite.
As we were walking out of the grounds, we saw Jerk #1 and Jerk #4 talking together and I waved and said, "thanks anyway guys, sorry to have disturbed you" and would you like to hear the response I received from them?
It rhymes with firetruck and then a female sheep. Suffice to say, this adventure today, has not only answered NONE of our questions, but it has also seriously made us reconsider whether this is what we want to be doing. If these are the people in this "community" do we really want to encounter this daily? I would say its isolated, but really 4 people in one place? Then factor in the PM's I have received on here, except for TWO and our perception seems to be right on.
Not sure what we did wrong, not sure how we offended anyone and I am not sure what type of clique mentality exists in the RV world, but apparently you have to have someone get "jumped in" like a gang banger. I am an ex-Navy Teams member and I have never been treated with such disrespect in my whole life, to be honest. All I could think about while in the sandy expanse of hell, was traveling the country that gave me so much and that I gave my all to, but now...not so much.
For those of you with positive things to say and good advice and links, THANK YOU. We will evaluate them and pour over them still, but with how we are feeling right now, I am not so sure.
First there is not alot to really learn. Most important is to find the right RV for how YOU intent to use it, and fits your budget. Go to RV shows, So. Florida is the RV show capital. Climb in every rig, ask alot of questions, this is the place to ask questions. Go to dealers, somewhere like Lazy Days in Tampa, they have every kind of RV from little trailers to million doller rigs, new and used, spend a few days there, they have a hotel and resturants on the property, the sales persons are very professional and will spend plenty of time helping you. Every RV is different and when you find the right one learning the systems is not difficult, not much different from a new car, thats what oweners manuals are for. You really do not need anyones help, RVing is not like yachting, the basic skills you already have. And of course you can ask here which is much better then approaching strangers.
Prevost H3-45 Featherlite Vantare
500HP Series 60 Detroit Diesel
Assorted trailers,toys and toads
And Zoie the Doberman.(01/26/01 - 07/23/11) R.I.P.
It sucks that happened to you, from what I have gathered from this board most RVers are very laid back and are usually very excited to show off their rig.
It seems like you are overthinking this a bit. If you have rented one and it was an enjoyable experience then go for it. It almost sounds like you are trying to talk yourself out of it. We are about to take delivery on our first RV and are very nervous. Everything from pulling it, to backing it to maintaining it will be new. But, I think we are up for it. Sometimes ignorance is bliss! We have done research read about issues, weight and anyhting else that people have written about and feel like I still won't know anything until we actually strap it to our truck and drive off.
I was a newbie to all of this last year. My DH and I spent a whole year hunting for the perfect TT and trying to learn everything we needed to know ahead of time. When it came down to it, that year of research found us the perfect TT but nothing else. We bought a TT that was too much for the TV and so at the advice of others, we upgraded after they had all so nicely tried to help us make the old TV work. THis was also after months of them trying to help me get a WDH set up correctly. Then they patiently explained to me the things I was doing wrong. They diagnosed my battery was hooked up backwards and even told me what fuses to check to see if they had blown when DH made his battery mistake. They helped me when I tried to blow the TT up w/ a chemical reaction in the black tank. They helped me with every mistake I could manage to make in 1 years time. At the campgrounds, we were received warmly. Our first trip, I couldn't get the TT backed in so someone did it for me. They also offered to help if we needed anything else. Our second trip, our neighbor helped us dewinterize and even got soaked to the bone helping us when DH sent the water heater plug flying across the campsite with the city water still running (note to self, don't loosen the hot water tank plug to see if water is filling in the tank). I have received so much help over the last year, I don't even know where to begin to thank people. I have also taken what I have learned and payed it forward so to speak. I think that is what the camping thing is all about. I have learned that you should have a couple of cold brews available to offer whoever helps you (and fresh cookies are often well accepted too!) Please don't let those people discourage you, my experiences have been quite different than that and I am actually surprised to hear about it. I am sorry that you have received this kind of welcome but you also have to understand that your proposed idea is way out of the box for most here on these boards. Many on here live with the idea that their RV entertains 6, feeds 4 and sleeps 2. Most like their privacy but love to stop by and chat or hang out on these boards. The nice thing is these boards are here 24-7-365 so when your heater quits working at 3am in 25 degree weather, someone is often times here to try and help you out.
As to figuring out what to get, your best bet is to spend some time at RV shows going through lots of rigs. You know you want a class A so that is a good start. Maybe even spend time at dealerships. When you go, sit in a rig with the doors closed and imagine your usage. Think about where you will put things (ie DW's clothes in that cabinet, pots & pans in this cabinet, flashlights in that drawer etc). Practice your daily activities in the rig (ie DW pretend to cook while DH walks around, pretends to go to the bathroom, watch TV etc). Also think about how you will use your rig. Will it be for year round camping? Hot weather, cold weather? Mostly RV parks, national parks, state parks or boondocking? Do you want full hook ups (water, sewer, & electric), partial hook ups (water and electric only) or boon docking (no hook ups). Do you have kids or others camping with you? If so how many? Where will they sleep and where will their stuff go? These types of questions help guide you to knowing what type and length of rig to get.
BWS1105 wrote: It sucks that happened to you, from what I have gathered from this board most RVers are very laid back and are usually very excited to show off their rig.
We thought the same exact thing. I wouldn't say we were overthinking it or trying to talk our way out of it, but I don't want to spend <$350,000 on something we are not absolutely sure of, if that makes any sense.
I must have idealized the camaraderie and the friendships I saw him having with people at campgrounds and such while traveling with my grandfather as a kid, or things have surely changed.
ANARO...thank you for your post. VERY HELPFUL and informative.
HA, it was like reading an old military manual, DH, DW, TT, TV, WDH....it reminds me of the Robin Williams movie, Good Morning, Vietnam where he says...."Seeing as how the V.P. is such a V.I.P. shouldn't we keep the P.C. on the Q.T. 'cause if it leaks to the V.C. he could become a M.I.A. and then we'd all be put out on K.P." HA HA HA
I guess we didn't realize it was so far out of the box, see...that's something we could have learned first hand while tagging along. HA I jest.
We thought the same exact thing. I wouldn't say we were overthinking it or trying to talk our way out of it, but I don't want to spend <$350,000 on something we are not absolutely sure of, if that makes any sense.
I must have idealized the camaraderie and the friendships I saw him having with people at campgrounds and such while traveling with my grandfather as a kid, or things have surely changed.
That makes total sense and it is very smart to do your own due diligence. It is a huge investment, but you can't let a few jerks sway you!
You might look at it from their point of view. Someone walks up wanting to look around their $350,000 rig, without having one of their own. I am sure friendliness has its limits, and you really can't be too careful these days. They could have thought you were going to try some kind of salesman pitch (remember the stories of the vacuum salesman walking in and throwing dirt on peoples floor so they could show how great their vacuum works!) or worse try to rob them or who knows what else.
I'm going into this with your idealized view of your grandfather and hope I am not disappointed!
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