New TT and dealers - RV-Dreams Community Forum

billsfann · RV-Dreams Community Member

New TT and dealers

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Diane,

First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You'll find the "family" here to be very helpful with answers and advice for all kinds of RV's. Don't be afraid of any question as the only "dumb" questions are those that don't get asked, and thus one makes an expensive or time consuming mistake.

As for the dealer's actions, I think that may be normal. Normally, a dealer won't hook to water until the unit is sold because if a buyer backs out, then they have to spend the time to clear all the lines and hot water heater of water in the event the unit isn't sold before winter. Normally, a dealer will do a PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) of the units and then also hook things up after the sale so they can demonstrate such things as winterizing and operating all the "systems" on the RV with the customer present. If problems are found in the PDI or during the demonstration to the customer, then they generally fix any problems before the customer actually takes ownership.

If a dealer just wants to sell it and get it off the lot without the demonstration, find another dealer.

Good luck with all your research and planning. And above all, have fun doing it.

Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 5th of October 2015 09:56:17 AM

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

We had the dealer set it up just like if we were camping. Awning out, antenna deployed, full hook ups, slideouts out, propane on and refrigerator on...

We then spent 4 hours trying everything out. We brought in fast food and ate at the table, sat in the recliners and watched TV, turned on the A/C, ran water in the sinks, shower and toilet (and no we didn't use it), dumped the holding tanks. And when we were satisfied, I put everything away just like we were getting ready to head out. These 4 hours convinced us the 5th wheel fit our needs and we ordered a new one through the dealer from the factory.

We had called the dealer in advance and setup an appointment to do this once we discovered they had the model of 5th wheel we wanted on the lot. We told them we would be ordering one from them if we liked it.

-- Edited by The Bear II on Wednesday 7th of October 2015 09:08:57 AM

billsfann · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks everyone. I've found a TT I like and, even though it is much smaller than a fifth wheel, it will meet my needs for a few years. I wasn't happy with the first dealer but have found another dealer that also has one in stock. I hate being talked down to or given the hard sell!! Hope to go look at it in a few weeks. Good idea about setting up an appointment. I won't be able to spend a whole lot of time that weekend (am off to a Buffalo Bills game) but maybe they can do it at a future weekend.

The only problem with the TT I like is that it does not have a "winterization package". I have seen a few others that do and, while I hopefully won't be camping in snow, I'm sure there will be times when it will get cold. So, should I go to my "backup" TT with the extreme weather package (I don't like the layout as well) or just insulate underneath the TT I like if it gets cold? I sure wish I had someone else to rely on so that I didn't have to make all these hard decisions myself!!!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Diane,

Normally, when we refer to winterization, it is a situation where one gets the RV ready for storage for the winter, not actually living in it. Now, if you are wanting a trailer that will work for you to live in during the winter, than pay attention to insulation R-ratings and check to see what has been done to make the trailer a "4-Season" unit. However, keep in mind that some manufacturers have different ideas of what 4 seasons are. 4 seasons in the south is easier to obtain than 4 seasons in the north.

If you're looking for a 4 season trailer, one that comes to mind is Arctic Fox. I know there is at least one other one that are better insulated, but right now, the name escapes me. Skirting under a trailer will help, provided that where you choose to stay for the winter will allow you to do that. In the park where we are in Colorado, we can skirt our trailers, but the park ownership wants the skirting taken down during the peak camping season.

I'm not an expert on maintenance of RV's by any means, but I like that our fifth wheel gives me room to work on plumbing, if necessary, without being a total contortionist. A fifth wheel might also make it easier for setting a small heater in the basement to help heat the basement and underbelly.

Also, keep in mind that a number of the folks here on the forums can likely answer most of any questions that you might have, so if you have questions, feel free to ask them. Also, I'd also suggest keeping an attitude of erring on the side of caution and to certainly not rush into anything. Sometimes, a "really good deal" is anything but that.

Terry

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Diane, since you are going to keep your house for now it sounds like you will be using your trailer mainly for vacations at first, and then back home. I'm also guessing that you probably won't be using it much in the North during the winter. For some people, "winterizing" means heading to Florida, Texas, or Arizona. If that's your plan you should be fine with any high-quality coach.

Terry mentioned the Arctic Fox as a good 4-season TT. Another one, or so I'm told, is the Open Range. One question to ask is whether there is an air return from the wet bay (plumbing area). Many coaches just have a heat duct going there with no way for the cool air to return.

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Billsfann, what make and model have you chosen? Maybe we can suggest another with a similar floorplan, in the same size and price range that is better insulated and more suitable to what you have in mind? Also what tow vehicle do you plan on pulling it with?

Chip

ticat900 · RV-Dreams Family Member

billsfann wrote:
Am hoping to go full time (solo) in the spring and am looking at a TT. I'm not sure I'm ready to sell my house (those pesky grandchildren I see all the time ) so have decided to get a TT rather than a 5er. If I like it, will sell my house in 2 years and upgrade. Since I love camping, I think I'll love living in a TT full time.
Now, my question. I found a new TT that I liked. But, the dealership refused to hook it up to water or electric before I signed, saying that everything would be in working order when I took ownership. I ended up not getting it at this time and that was one of the reasons. Is this normal? Is this something I shouldn't be worried about?
Thanks everyone. I've learned so much over the last 6 months by reading what many of you have done and what to look for.

Most all dealers would want a commitment such as two party agreed price and refundable deposit before going to the trouble of hook up to water and power etc
In other words a signed agreement in principle to purchase if it all works to your enjoyment.Dont just shop price in a Travel trailer as theres TT and then theres TT
BUT I would not complete any purchase till you see *ALL* system,s working and correctly. TT are notorious for Factory faults>

-- Edited by ticat900 on Sunday 25th of October 2015 10:25:56 AM

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Diane, a couple more thoughts. Buying a new RV and then selling it in two years means that you will take a HUGE hit in depreciation. I'd suggest that you buy a used coach as your first one. True, you will not get a warranty, but then most of the problem spots will already be taken care of, and someone else will have taken that depreciation hit. Secondly, you will probably be able to afford a higher quality coach for the same money.

Also, ask about a new owner's orientation camping if you buy from a dealer (either a new or used coach). Many dealers will want to spend at least several hours with you, going over every system. Take someone with you to video this. That way you can handle things and ask questions without having to put the camera down. Then, ask if they have hookups for overnight camping on the premises, or an arrangement with a nearby campground. Plan on spending the first night there - and keep a notepad handy. As you think of questions write them down. The next day go back in and get your questions answered. Also, if something isn't working properly you are already there for it to be taken care of. Spend the next night at the same campsite for the same reasons.

If you are buying a used coach (which I recommend) there will be little or nothing in the way of a warranty. A reputable dealership, though, will have made at least some effort to make sure that everything works. If something doesn't work, and they know about it, they are obligated to tell you before you buy.

Last point: check out www.pplmotorhomes.com/ over a month or two to see what coaches like what you want are listed for. If you go part-way down on that home page you will find a section where they show what has sold and the selling price. It won't take long for you to get a feel for what your coach should sell for. If a dealer has one for a lot less than what you expect you know there is something wrong. It may just be that the colors are all wrong or that it is an odd floor plan. If that isn't an issue for you, take the bargain. Just remember that you won't get as much for it later on when you trade it in.

ticat900 · RV-Dreams Family Member

kb0zke ?? Shes not looking at or buying a coach??? She,s looking at *travel trailers* not coaches

billsfann · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks everyone for the great help. I finally found a TT I liked and bought it last weekend!! It's a Jayco and can easily sleep 4-6. I generally won't have that many people but do hope to take the grandchildren for a few weeks next summer. It's not an all season but it does have underneath insulation. I'm sure it's not as well insulated as some trailers but I don't plan to camp in the snow and cold if I can help it. Since I plan to live in this for at least a year, I wanted something big enough to not feel claustrophobic.

So now I'm "scared" about retiring and actually going on the road. I do plan to keep my house at first but hope to rent it out. Since I live near several colleges, I'm hoping I can rent it to grad students or visiting professors. My main concern is traveling alone. Granted, I'll have RV insurance but I don't do well when things go wrong - I'm a control freak. I know I'm going to have to learn to go with the flow but things going wrong really scare me. I'm good at building things but not very confident in doing mechanical repairs. Guess it's something I'm going to have to learn. Also, the thought of being a woman traveling alone isn't something I'm comfortable with yet. And, since I'm somewhat of an introvert, it's hard for me to go out of my way to meet people. As you can see, I have lots of angst but really want to do this.

Thanks for listening to my concerns. Hope to see some of you when I go out on the road next summer.

Diane

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Diane,

You wouldn't be alone with being a lady full-timing. There are a number of them out there. I imagine that now that you've made that statement, someone will come along and provide you with the links to others like yourself. In the meantime, check out the RV'ing Solo category of the forums and see if you can find examples of others and links to their blogs.

The next thing to be sure and check out is whether your tow vehicle is heavy enough to safely handle the trailer. It's one thing to tow it, but another to handle the trailer in a crosswind or emergency braking situation. Whatever you do, don't take a salesman's word (whether he sells RV or automobiles) that a certain vehicle would do just fine. You'll want to check to see what the tow vehicle's GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicular Weight) is and that it is sufficient. You'll also want to calculate the weight of the tow vehicle, including cargo, pets, and passengers, and add it to the GVWR (Gross Vehicular Weight Rating) of the trailer. That GVWR is the capacity of what the trailer weighs and includes your stuff that you put in it. Those two vehicular weights need to be less than the GCVW when added together.

If you're confused with all that, ask around here, and I'm sure someone will help you with weights.

Terry

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

ticat900 wrote:
kb0zke ?? Shes not looking at or buying a coach??? She,s looking at *travel trailers* not coaches

Paul,

Not to be nit-picky, but we have a 38-foot fifth wheel and it is nice enough that we call it a coach instead of a trailer. While it doesn't matter to us, when talking to folks about where we live, they seem to have a problem if we say we live in a trailer. I guess that to them, the word "coach" seems to lessen their anxiety.

Terry

billsfann · RV-Dreams Community Member

Terry,

You're right. Vehicle car salesmen are clueless and keep telling me that I'd only need a vehicle that could tow 6,000 lbs. Even with the vehicles they sell, they have no idea what their actual tow ratings are. I've had to correct several salespeople who tried to tell me that their vehicles would tow more than was stated. Thank heavens I've done my research (after reading this and other forums) so know the minimum I need. I'm getting to "hate" salespeople. Not sure if it's because I'm a woman, if they really don't have any idea about their vehicles or if they think I'm stupid. I was looking at a Chevy Tahoe with a tow rating of 8,400 lbs but I think I'm going to go with a Ford Expedition which can tow 9,200 lbs. I don't want a truck right now. If I decide this is the life for me, then I'll get a truck with a fifth wheel, but that's several years down the road.

Thanks to all of you, I won't be getting a TV that is too small to handle my coach.

Diane

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Diane,

Expeditions are good vehicles. At least they have been for Jo and I, as we have had 3 or 4 over the years. In fact, our daily driver vehicle is a 2014 Expedition. After we moved to Colorado, Jo wanted to be sure that we had 4WD, so we traded a perfectly good Ford F150 for the Expedition. Also, here in the Colorado Springs area, we see a LOT of Expeditions.

Be sure and look into whether you will need equalization bars and an anti-sway bar for your hitch. We used to pull a 26-foot travel trailer with a Ford F250, and even it needed the help of the bars.

Terry