RV Purchase/Renting Questions and other ramblings

Take a breath. Always remember that there is plenty of room under Jonesville for both of us and your wife. Probably room for my new friends. We will have to block off some space for the "service rabbits" .
Just save your money and stake your claim!
Spaces are going fast! Contact uʞɔo˥ewbn_fest_space_realty

did you get the black water tank leak fixed? Could affect those crawl space dwellers....

I went to the dealership on Friday (I had the day off) and had a poor salesguy walk me through a ton of RV in the pouring/cold rain.

I think the only thing standing in my way now is the outstanding question of ... can I get it up my driveway.

I installed an inclinometer app on my phone, it says its a 10% incline at the transition from the sidewalk to the driveway. And the curb to sidewalk transition looks like nothing from this angle.

It doesn't look that bad does it? If it does end up bottoming out, would I be able to build a ramp with 2x10, to give it a smoother transition?

What kind of trailer? Teardrop? Travel trailer? If it's a teardrop you'll be fine. If it's a travel trailer it's not the bumper you need to worry about, it's the metal skid bars and stabilizer jacks you have to worry about. Let us know what style first.

When I bought my Miata I was concerned about it bottoming out on my driveway. I took the measurements online for the wheel center and distance between the wheels and created a jig. I dragged it over my driveway and it didn't hang up. now there is a Miata in my driveway

I don't think you'll come anywhere near dragging the spare tire. I think you'll be fine. If you can provide Dimension "A", the center of the stabilizer jack to the rear of the camper, Dimension "B" the distance between the axle and the center of the jack, and dimension "C" the height of the jack to the ground I can give you a pretty good idea if there will be an interference. We already know the grade is 10%.

The popups are optional, some have none, some have one, some have both front and back. And they come in soft canvas like material, or hard sided.

I'm trying to find the hard sided ones. But the one the dealership has already shipping to them has none, and I might be ok with that.

They will order one for me with exactly what I want but I think I wont be able to get as good a deal on an order vs already on the lot.

Well I did it. I'm an RV owner now (or I guess a trailer/camper owner, not RV)

I bought a 2024 Aliner Ranger 12.

It's like the ones in the picture above, but with no sections that pop out.

Once sitting in them I thought the popout parts weren't quite in the right place for my big head so they wouldn't be worth the extra $$$.

So mine is just going to have the main triangle.

It has AC, propane furnace with thermostat, water heater, 12V cooler/fridge, outside shower, stove, sink, sofa bed, dinette that converts to bed, dual propane tanks, etc.

They have to do a bunch of set up on it before I can bring it home, so I don't have any pictures yet. I'll get it on 12/2.

Now my head is spinning with all the random stuff I need to buy (the $3k TOO recommended setting aside, he wasnt joking!)

But the good thing is that it's black friday week, so if there was going to be a good time to buy this stuff, this is it.

This thread will probably turn into a what crap do I need to buy now.

The only thing I've bought so far is some wheel chocks, with the hill on my driveway I figured I need to get those before I get the trailer.

But I'm pondering the following:

suit case solar panels,
mattress toppers,
some kind of battery status monitor so I can see how much juice I have left,
battery tender for when I keep the battery in the house in the winter.
Some kind of levelling system (although I saw a picture on ths forum that someone made out of 2x10s, those looked within my carpentry skills)
Something to lock the trailer wheels and/or hitch.
Extension cord for the 30amp connector
Surge protector for the 30amp connector.
15>30 and 50>30 adapters?
Figure out someway to turn the flimsy almost see through curtains into blackout curtains ( I can't sew!)
camp toilet
storage tarp for when its in the driveway
mouse traps for when its in the driveway
hose?
water pressure regulator?
spare fuses
small toolbox with basic tools
small usb fan(s) that would run off the battery

Things I think I probably want but maybe I'm going to wait:

Dual Fuel Generator (no pickup bed to store smelly gas cans so I'm thinking propane even though its not as efficient, is this a bad idea?)
2nd battery or battery upgrade (going to wait until I see how the stock battery can handle a long festival weekend if I have the solar)

Thanks for all the help and advice!


(edits,constant edits, i've been adding stuff to the list all day, let me know if I forgot anything or dont really need something)

Thanks.

Yea, its a 15' trailer with a 12' cabin.

Originally I was just thinking festivals, but I'm already looking at campgrounds and state parks.  Expect me to hit you RV guys up for all the secret spots.

Congratulations on your purchase, many great times ahead. Your list is missing the first and maybe the most important item you need...the hitch. I use a Progressive hitch and have been quite pleased with its performance.

Way to go!

Good list there; go crazy!

I'm familiar with the solar panels (Jackery brand) and they are expensive, and not the be all/do all that you may think; a little shade or cloud cover does them in. And the Jackery battery boxes are great, too--but pricey. Mine is 1000w and can run a kitchen refrigerator overnight. If you go with Jackery, watch for sales and buy direct, NEVER through Amazon, etc.

Look at solar water heaters. Doesn't have to be fancy; even a black bucket works. You may figure out how to feed it through your shower.

I don't recall seeing this from the picture but I think you want to have an attached/attachable awning at the door for a great number of reasons.

Dogbones and cords typically won't short. I've had mine in every type of weather there is and never had an issue.

You shouldn't have too much issue with sway but the hitch also serves as weight distribution. Your hitch may make some noise when you turn. That's fine, it's doing what it is supposed to. Do not grease the friction/sway bar. The friction is what makes the anti sway work. Grease reduces or eliminates the friction and in turn the effectiveness of the hitch. No need to grease the ball either.

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