What to get, what not to get? That is the question.. - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Hamshog · RV-Dreams Family Member

What to get, what not to get? That is the question..

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Can only help you with a couple points,We have the central vac in our Cedar Creek and do not like it at all. The hose is heavy and cumbersum and will eventually scratch parts of your woodwork.It actually takes up more room to store the hose and attachments than a good upright. The bags are small and expensive.You might want to reconsider the generator you have unless it's one of the "quiet" ones. I carry a small 2800 watt Yamaha that works well in a pinch and is not noisy at all.Many campgrounds prohibit use altogether and others have generator hours and most people appreciate not using contractor grade units. You will get both positive and negative responses on the slide toppers. I have them and like them. Good luck. Also read the two years in planning thread. Lots of good info there.

-- Edited by Racerguy on Thursday 18th of February 2010 01:29:28 PM

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

We also have the central vac in our 2009 Montana. It came with the unit. I, too, do not like it. As George said, the hose to very heavy to drag around. Come to think of it, maybe I do like it. It is so heavy that hubby does most of the vacuuming. Yea, I do like it!

A fireplace was one of my must haves. We had one in our 2002 Cedar Creek and loved it. We have one in this rig and still love it.

Phyllis

Hamshog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Racerguy wrote:

Can only help you with a couple points,We have the central vac in our Cedar Creek and do not like it at all. The hose is heavy and cumbersum and will eventually scratch parts of your woodwork.It actually takes up more room to store the hose and attachments than a good upright. The bags are small and expensive.You might want to reconsider the generator you have unless it's one of the "quiet" ones. I carry a small 2800 watt Yamaha that works well in a pinch and is not noisy at all.Many campgrounds prohibit use altogether and others have generator hours and most people appreciate not using contractor grade units. You will get both positive and negative responses on the slide toppers. I have them and like them. Good luck. Also read the two years in planning thread. Lots of good info there.

-- Edited by Racerguy on Thursday 18th of February 2010 01:29:28 PM

Hey Racerguy,

Does the vac have a beater brush on the head or is it just a vac? My genset is a Champion. I understand the noise issue concern, but backup is backup. It will only be used if the power is out to keep things cool or charged as needed. Hopefully solar will be used at a later date also. I think the toppers would help with debris and cooling in the coach..

Thanks for your input!!

Regards, Hamshog

Hamshog · RV-Dreams Family Member

phyllen wrote:

We also have the central vac in our 2009 Montana. It came with the unit. I, too, do not like it. As George said, the hose to very heavy to drag around. Come to think of it, maybe I do like it. It is so heavy that hubby does most of the vacuuming. Yea, I do like it!

A fireplace was one of my must haves. We had one in our 2002 Cedar Creek and loved it. We have one in this rig and still love it.

Phyllis

Hey Pyllen,

Well, I do 95% of the vacuuming anyway, but does it really work good?
We have a handheld Shark in our TT now and I like the beater brush on a vac. Have a cat also(can you say "hair") and have to get that up. May have a dog or two once the cat is gone. (She's pretty old)

Regards, Hamshog

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ours came with a beater brush but is unimpressive.We used it for 30 days recently on a full timing "practice " run and will not use it again.

Hamshog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Racerguy wrote:

Ours came with a beater brush but is unimpressive.We used it for 30 days recently on a full timing "practice " run and will not use it again.

Thanks George, I may have to have them plug one in for me to try before I buy..

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Definitely the central vac is one to leave off the list of options to get. I still use it, out of laziness, but it's a piece of junk. The floor nozzle with the beater stopped working after a few months and I use the small nozzle for every thing. The bags are too small and quite expensive.

Save you money and get a regular vacuum.

DagoRanch · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'll definitely be keeping my Dyson!

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

You asked for “opinions” and so we share ours concerning “fireplaces” and air conditioners. I know you “just want the fireplace,” so by all means get it and enjoy. However, we offer the following just for information.

We chose specifically not to get the “fireplace” / built-in electric heater because “most of the time” the heat-pump option in the air conditioning unit does such a good job heating the rig. By leaving out the fireplace we got a lot of very useable / accessible storage space and can still use a portable electric heater, plugged into the wall outlet, if that is ever necessary. But that’s just us.

We find the heat-pump option for the AC unit to be really good and have had excellent results down to the high 30’s without using the gas furnace or any other auxiliary heater. The heat pump unit is also tied into the same thermostat with the LP furnace gas heater. I won’t go into a lot of details, but we have found this combination to work very well even in temps in the teens. In most cases, if it gets much below freezing you have to run the LP gas furnace anyway if you want the holding tanks heated. They are usually “ducted” from the gas furnace but obviously not from the heat pump or the “fireplace.” (I know, “don’t go where it's that cold.” J Well sometimes you do so best to be prepared.)

Also, for your consideration: Assuming the rig is large for full timing, a second AC unit in the bedroom is indeed a “must have” in our opinion. Both as a “backup,” but also on some hot days it just takes two units. Some feel otherwise, that is why it is an “opinion.” But we’ve been really glad to have to two AC units on a lot of days even in Maine when we have arrived and needed two units to get the rig cooled off from a day’s travel. I don’t think you will be sorry you have that on your list.

Convection Microwave - “Don’t travel without it.” J Great idea. Works really well for us.

Dual Pane Windows – Yes, they make a big difference to outside noise and they don’t sweat. At least that is our experience.

Safe travels

Bill

netters · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with the others about the Central Vac...We NEVER use ours. We love our Fireplace, not only for heat but for ambiance. Dual Pane Windows are a must along with the 2nd air conditioner! We also have the Microwave/Convection Oven and I use it all the time. We also have the 4 door refrigerator and would never go down to a smaller on again!!! We have full body paint so I can't give you an opinion on the High Gloss Gel Coat. We also have the electric cord reel and find it very helpful.

-- Edited by netters on Thursday 18th of February 2010 11:33:06 PM

-- Edited by netters on Thursday 18th of February 2010 11:34:53 PM

-- Edited by netters on Thursday 18th of February 2010 11:36:10 PM

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hamshog wrote:

Hey All,

My bride and I are getting ready to start fulltiming, ...

The options we've chosen for the coach are:

1- Hi-gloss Exterior ( Gel coat should look and last longer)

2- Slide Awning Package ( Help keep the heat off the slides)

3- Power Cord Reel ( Less weight in front storage when traveling)

4- 14ft. 4 door fridge ( More fridge space)

5- Central Vac ( Don't have to store a regular vac. Do the centrals work ok???)

6- Convection Microwave ( I hear they're good to have)

7- Electric Fireplace (We just want it)

8- 2nd A/C in Bedroom( Probably more of a backup if the main unit goes out, or for those really hot days we have here)

9- Dual Pane Windows ( I hear the coach is quieter and a little better insulated. Wifes a lite sleeper)

Would like any opinions on our options list and anything else you might suggest to add to our "must have" for fulltiming.

Regards, Hamshog

If I was ordering I'd get 1, 6, 8, and 9.

#2 The slide toppers have issues in high wind and I understand the area your in is prone to winds.

#3 Depending on layout you may need some weight in the front storage to get a smoother ride, but more important one more thing to go wrong I'm a keep it simple guy.

#4 We have the basic 8 cu ft fridge and it holds more then you'd expect. And I prefer having the storage for dry goods that would be eaten by the upsized fridge.

#5 We have cats we need a vac that works and isn't a gadget.

#7 Chews up a pretty big storage area so don't want.

#8 In hot areas the second AC will speed up dropping the temps down see if it's a ducted AC though as that will be better then one that is just dumping air right down onto the bed.

Mallo

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

As long as it was brought up, here’s my 2 cents on the electric power reel:

We have one. I love it. However, it has been the only thing on our rig to give us a little annoying trouble. If the cord gets tangled inside the rig storage area and you can’t get to it to straighten it out, then you have an issue. (I.e. it won’t come out – a physical problem with the cord, not a mechanical problem with the reel.) Now, what are you going to do till you get it fixed? This all just depends on the layout and design of your installation. There are many ways this is handled in a 5’er, you have to take a look at the unit your considering.

I actually carry an extra 50 amp 30 foot power cord. Yes, it weights, but I have needed it as an extension as well as a backup when the reel cord got “stuck.”

If the rig design allows you to fully access the power cord when retracted, etc. that is “un-kink it,” then I do like the electric reel. If not, think about it.

A point: Some of us travel a lot, others, not so much. If you not going to move very often then simple is better in our view. If you plan to move a lot, or often, then the power cord reel is more important in our opinion. Right now we move a lot in comparison to say, Howard and Linda. Everything is relative to your needs.

I think many of the opinions you hear are all correct. It just depends on your style, application and desires. So we suggest you take that thought into consideration in evaluating what you feel is best.

Safe travels

Bill

SoonToTravel · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm with everyone else about the central vac. The suction power is ok but the hose & attachments are cheap.

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would have them put the optional heat strip in the 2nd a/c. Nice to have on those chilly mornings.

I'm thinking the model you are talking about already comes with an electric awning and electric stabilyzer jacks, both are handy.

I'm not sure if they offer the option of a rear view camera but that would also be handy. We have installed our own but it would sure be easier to order it that way and then just have to get the moniter for the tow vehicle.

-- Edited by Phil Bob on Tuesday 23rd of February 2010 06:41:13 PM

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another thing we like - a remote control. It opens slides, operates stabilizers, opens awning. We keep it in the truck. Nice when we come home, the awning is closed and it is raining.

I wish we had the dual pane windows. For the last two weeks we have been parked relatively close to I10 in Louisiana near the Texas border. The truck noise at night is bothersome. For that matter I hear it loud and clear right now. We would move but Len's mother is ill and this park (more like a parking lot with hookups) is cheap and only one mile from her house. We can live with it another week. Yes, if had to do over, we would have dual panes.

Sunriser · RV-Dreams Community Member

Everything being shared is so-o helpful! Even as a first time RV buyer, I feel like I won't be completely in the dark going in. Thanks to all in this wonderful community.

Hamshog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sunriser wrote:

Everything being shared is so-o helpful! Even as a first time RV buyer, I feel like I won't be completely in the dark going in. Thanks to all in this wonderful community.

Hey Sunriser,

This is a great source of knowledge and a great community. As are other RV forums and the Brand forums to research and learn all you can before you make your decision to purchase and to find out how to "fix" things that go wrong or that you'd like to improve on your coach. A bunch of good people and this internets thing make it an easy task to learn..

Regards, Hamshog

PS- We saw an '09 Legacy we may consider also.. What a beautiful coach! :)

TheHensons · RV-Dreams Community Member

I agree, invaluable information on this thread for those of us still shopping!

traveljunkie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ditto everyone else on the central vac EXCEPT for the kick plate vac in the kitchen. I love it, but don't think i'd miss it too much now that I have my Swiffer and probably not worth the cost of the whole central vac system. In our rig there is only one Central Vac outlet and dragging the hose around is a pain, the suction is good but the hose and attachments are cheap and racerguy is right - dragging the hose around will eventually scratch the woodwork.

A few random thoughts on other items:

I would remove the oven and keep the stovetop. The convection/microwave works great (just baked a cake in it last night!) and I would prefer the storage to the never used oven.

I would love a dishwasher, i know it's not practical in a rig for 2 people, but i like to cook and hate to do dishes.

We do not have a washer and dryer, but I don't mind going to the laundrymat and like being able to get it all done at once. We haven't run into any yucky laundrymats yet, although I'm sure they are out there.

We went with the king bed option, and it's nice, but a queen would have been just fine and given us a little more room. Not a deal breaker though.

We didn't go with the factory provided furniture, except for the couch and dining table. We provided our own seating/recliners and use a Sleep Number mattress. This saved us weight and is more comfortable.

We tried to anticipate how we'd use the storage and had extra shelves put in the pantry, bathroom linen closet, and the large storage unit in the living room.

Also - love the fireplace. It heats up the house and provides ambiance. We were iffy on the fireplace in the beginning but now love it and would definately get it again. We also have the heatpump on one of the air conditioning units and this works fabulous - keeps the propane usage down.

Finally the automatic levelling jacks saved our marriage.

Beth

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Check all of your options. In reference to the above posting by traveljunkie, we found that if we purchase the Select Comfort (Sleep Number) bed from the manufacturer, we will actually get it about $200 to $300 cheaper than from buying it directly from Select Comfort.

DRV's representative found our for us that the Select Comfort bed that DRV is putting in their units is the one that has the thickest pillowtop.

Also, if you check other posts and threads, washers and dryers can be purchased cheaper on the open market instead of through the manufacturer of the RV.

In other words, leave no stone unturned.

Terry

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Beth reminded me of 1, for us, very important thing. Ours came with a King bed and after making the bed twice Linda said she would rather sleep on a Queen and have more room to get around the bed easier.I cut the platform down and we bought a 13" thick 4 layer memory foam mattress.When looking to buy a 5ver pretend you are making the bed if it has a King,you might think twice depending on how that particular unit is built. On ours the bed filled the slide from wall to wall.

Hamshog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Racerguy wrote:

Beth reminded me of 1, for us, very important thing. Ours came with a King bed and after making the bed twice Linda said she would rather sleep on a Queen and have more room to get around the bed easier.I cut the platform down and we bought a 13" thick 4 layer memory foam mattress.When looking to buy a 5ver pretend you are making the bed if it has a King,you might think twice depending on how that particular unit is built. On ours the bed filled the slide from wall to wall.

Hey Racerguy,

You've heard the saying "Where does an 800# gorilla sleep?". I'm 6'-5" , 270#'s(yeah I need to loose a few), so we need a king bed. I'd prefer a Cal King, but they don't offer it. If we went with queens we'd need a 2 bedroom coach. We make the bed together, so it should work.. wink

Regards, Hamshog

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Howard,in your case I see the need for the King.We all need to lose a few,that's why I had to get 13 inches of foam mattress biggrin

.

coal · RV-Dreams Community Member

Best optoinon our rig is the electric awning, when I am away and the wind kicks up the other half can hit a button and close up the awning.

Electric fireplace, at first I thought well we really don't need that, but now we use it all the time.

Washer dryer, can't live without it now.

Dual pane windows a must have imho.

Slide awnings, yes like them, keeps debris off your slides, but harder to wash the tops and concerns when snowing and ice build up, at least in my area.

Window awnings, love them, nice touch to the trailer, this combined with tinted windows a must have for me.

Hi gloss gelcoat or painted, mine has both in sections, yes easy to clean and looks great, 5 years in now and still looking like a new trailer.

Mor ryde suspension and pin box, definete improvement.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

A consideration for those who may travel “a lot” and are willing to go to the trouble:

We had the MOR-ryde suspension on our rig from the factory. The one that uses the standard leaf springs in addition to the “rubber” shocks or insulators. (Call them whatever you will.) We thought it was “pretty good.” (We also have the MOR-ryde RL – rubber – suspension on our Chevy 3500 DRW. That was a magnificent improvement in ride, solo and towing, over the stock suspension. We’ve had it 4 years. But that’s another story.)

Then I decided, to have the MOR-ryde IS (Independent Suspension) installed on the trailer. “Oh My Gosh,” to quote the DW. The improvement in ride for the trailer and the truck was astonishing. I no longer “felt” the trailer go over rail road tracks, etc. I thought the older MOR-ryde was good. The IS is in another league in my opinion. Others may feel it is not necessary. It’s not “necessary” but it is a worthwile improvement. We already had an air-ride pin box, etc. and this still made a significant improvement.

If you sitting most of the time, it may not be worth the investment. But it sure was for us the 6,000 miles we’ve towed since last fall.

Bill