Pros and Cons

[QZ]

Those are very important jobs you have. Must take alot out of ya. Glad she could remain so supportive as she heals.  ;D ;D ;D

Exactly what I was thinking. Thank God he's staying active on the golf course so he can stay in shape and keep the rig running. Good meals are mandatory when working that hard

 

[cadee2c]

we?re thinking we might like to pick four parks we like and move with the seasons instead of traveling around every few weeks. 

ya, good luck with picking just 4. 

 

[ArdraF]

we will be spending a lot of time in or near deserts

In that case, you WILL want a built-in generator!  If you're traveling in the desert southwest it gets really hot inside the motorhome when you're driving because the dash air simply isn't adequate for comfortable cooling with that big windshield.  We turn on the generator and then turn on the front roof air conditioner which keeps us comfortable while driving.  It also takes less time to cool the inside once we're parked and plugged into electricity.  Also, when you're driving you may want to stop somewhere in the boonies for lunch or a snack.  Having the generator makes it possible to use the microwave, not to mention the air conditioner, when you're not plugged in.

You don't need a stackable washer and dryer.  We have a Splendide all-in-one unit which takes half the space and goes through the entire washing and drying process at one time.  There are tricks to using them which many of us have talked about in other RV Forum discussions.  Just use the Search button and put in the term Splendide and you'll learn all about them.  I love our unit and it was one of my husband's priorities because he hated waiting for me while I went to do laundry.  Of course, I didn't object because I hated laundromats anyway!

We have only one good-sized bathroom and it's not a problem.  If you get the style of bathroom that's divided with a separate toilet room, two people can use it easily.

ArdraF

 

[John From Detroit]

I have a little RV Life pro/con list I?ve been working on for a few months and I?m posting it here because you guys are great and so generous with your experienced-gained, hardwon knowledge.

I am going to pick selected items to respond to.

People with RV?s tend to have generators, grid power outages not a problem.

Most motor homes come with Generators. Most Trailers do not but some buy them as a luggable item.. I do agree haveing a genny is handy.

Small living space, less to upkeep

Both a pro and a con and I'll say more later.

Furniture is part of/comes with the house.

Some of the furniture (Bed usually) Is part of the RV. much is standard "Home Goods" store stuff.  Some slightly modified for RV use.

Have to maintain and care for the entire rig, inside and out - learning curve.

Very small learning curve.. INSIDE, is basically a house. you care for it just like you do your Sticks and Bricks  Mop, Vaccum, Dust, Wash, Wax same as you do now. zero learning save to LOCK (physically lock) and secure before moving.

Outside.. The Roof is a lot like a kitchen floor. MOP do not wax
The sides are like a car, Wash and wax

Special Stuff.. You need make a mistake only one time and you will know far more about sewer systems than you EVER want to know.. Trust me on that .

Very close neighbors. (Difficult for me only; husband is very social)

Yes. or no depending on where you park but usually yes

One Bathroom/One Bedroom

Mine is a bath and a half  and bedroom and a half (The living room converts)

Unlikely to have onboard washer/dryer

Optional

No large tub or long, hot showers (in the RV)
Must be careful with water, conserve.

Some RV's do come with a tub. But most with a telephone booth shower (or smaller) most have 6-10 gallon water heaters but there are other options. Those have disadvantages as well. I use park showers. Nice, Long, Hot Showers.

NOTE. IN August, In GA. I had unlimited hot water for my shower... and I'd accidently turned the water heater OFF.

 

[gnewhall]

Those are very important jobs you have. Must take alot out of ya. Glad she could remain so supportive as she heals.  ;D ;D ;D

It does take a lot out of me, but I feel I should do my part. I can also multitask and check out the gravity chairs to be sure they work perfectly for when she?s healed and can use them. As I was testing one of the gravity chairs I noticed she was standing on a step stool to wash the windows. I immediately got her a ladder which is much safer than a step stool. Now had I not been testing that chair I might never have noticed there was a safety issue.

Exactly what I was thinking. Thank God he's staying active on the golf course so he can stay in shape and keep the rig running. Good meals are mandatory when working that hard

) ;D ;D ;D It?s all for the greater good, you need to man up when challenges (opportunity) present themselves! Like I gave up my man cave (half bath) so she would only have to walk three steps instead of five to the bathroom.

On a more serious note, that?s a good list of pros and cons, and many good suggestions but sometimes you just have to go with your gut.

 

[Chameleonxanth]

ya, good luck with picking just 4. 

LOL  I know, right?  We'll have to see how it goes; everything is in the "pencil" stage right now. 

 

[Chameleonxanth]

I am going to pick selected items to respond to.

Most motor homes come with Generators. Most Trailers do not but some buy them as a luggable item.. I do agree haveing a genny is handy.
Both a pro and a con and I'll say more later.Some of the furniture (Bed usually) Is part of the RV. much is standard "Home Goods" store stuff.  Some slightly modified for RV use.

Very small learning curve.. INSIDE, is basically a house. you care for it just like you do your Sticks and Bricks  Mop, Vaccum, Dust, Wash, Wax same as you do now. zero learning save to LOCK (physically lock) and secure before moving.

Outside.. The Roof is a lot like a kitchen floor. MOP do not wax
The sides are like a car, Wash and wax

Special Stuff.. You need make a mistake only one time and you will know far more about sewer systems than you EVER want to know.. Trust me on that .
Yes. or no depending on where you park but usually yesMine is a bath and a half  and bedroom and a half (The living room converts)Optional
Some RV's do come with a tub. But most with a telephone booth shower (or smaller) most have 6-10 gallon water heaters but there are other options. Those have disadvantages as well. I use park showers. Nice, Long, Hot Showers.

NOTE. IN August, In GA. I had unlimited hot water for my shower... and I'd accidently turned the water heater OFF.

Thank you for this.    We are definitely going to get a generator if the rig doesn't come with one.  When you were describing using it to run the roof air conditioner while driving, I was wondering why you'd need to since the engine was running.  :/  Oh, right cause the engine doesn't power the entire rig.  lol  I'm so green.

 

[Chameleonxanth]

Very small learning curve.. INSIDE, is basically a house. you care for it just like you do your Sticks and Bricks  Mop, Vaccum, Dust, Wash, Wax same as you do now. zero learning save to LOCK (physically lock) and secure before moving.

Outside.. The Roof is a lot like a kitchen floor. MOP do not wax
The sides are like a car, Wash and wax

Special Stuff.. You need make a mistake only one time and you will know far more about sewer systems than you EVER want to know.. Trust me on that .

I do trust you as you've got experience and knowledge I don't.  I admit though, I hope not to have to experience the above if I can help it.  :/  I believe you about that.

Thank you for tips about roof and side care and the other information as well. 

 

[Chameleonxanth]

On a more serious note, that?s a good list of pros and cons, and many good suggestions but sometimes you just have to go with your gut.

I can see that, as well.  I'm very appreciative though for the advice I'm getting here.  --I know there are going to be issues we will encounter once we're launched that simply can't be planned for. 

 

[M_King46]

Tip for keeping your black tank clean: After you have emptied the black tank when leaving the RV park or dump station and get back on the road travelling add a few bags of ice and water to the point of where the tank is 1/4 to 1/3 full, the motion of driving will agitate the ice and break up buildup in the tank. I read this somewhere and thought it to be a good idea.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Seeing is believing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH6acEmqvcw

 

[Utclmjmpr]

  The ice thing is an old wives tale that continues with a life of its own,, never seen it work and isn't needed.>>>Dan

 

[Rene T]

  The ice thing is an old wives tale that continues with a life of its own,, never seen it work and isn't needed.>>>Dan

Agree. If I had to fill my tank to 1/4 to 1/3 full, it would take at least 10 bags of ice. When I came home from FL this year, I dumped all three of my tanks then added about 15 gallons of water to each tank. Then I dumped about 3 cups of Dawn liquid detergent in each tank. It sloshed around for 1500 miles. When I got home, all my indicators worked perfectly.

 

[Chameleonxanth]

Tip for keeping your black tank clean: After you have emptied the black tank when leaving the RV park or dump station and get back on the road travelling add a few bags of ice and water to the point of where the tank is 1/4 to 1/3 full, the motion of driving will agitate the ice and break up buildup in the tank. I read this somewhere and thought it to be a good idea.

Interesting idea and seems plausible.  Thank you. 

 

[Chameleonxanth]

Seeing is believing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH6acEmqvcw

Agree. If I had to fill my tank to 1/4 to 1/3 full, it would take at least 10 bags of ice. When I came home from FL this year, I dumped all three of my tanks then added about 15 gallons of water to each tank. Then I dumped about 3 cups of Dawn liquid detergent in each tank. It sloshed around for 1500 miles. When I got home, all my indicators worked perfectly.

Oh, I hadn't read these when I first responded.  I will watch the video also later this afternoon.  Thanks you guys.   

 

[gnewhall]

Agree. If I had to fill my tank to 1/4 to 1/3 full, it would take at least 10 bags of ice. When I came home from FL this year, I dumped all three of my tanks then added about 15 gallons of water to each tank. Then I dumped about 3 cups of Dawn liquid detergent in each tank. It sloshed around for 1500 miles. When I got home, all my indicators worked perfectly.

) )

 

[johnaye]

Pro
If you do not like your neighbor it is easy to move to another space, another park, another city or another state!!  ;D

 

[Chameleonxanth]

Pro
If you do not like your neighbor it is easy to move to another space, another park, another city or another state!!  ;D

)

 

[Chameleonxanth]

Seeing is believing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH6acEmqvcw

Great video.  Friction, inertia, the unwritten rules of marriage , and bonus, why ice in the tank isn't such a workable idea. 

 

[PopPop51]

I can crank it as loud as I want and none of my neighbors can hear it. My closest neighbor is maybe 25 feet away. [/i]

That?s encouraging. 

With today's wireless headphones and earphones, unintentionally sharing your superior musical preferences with your neighbors is completely preventable, no matter how close their campsite.