An RV That Won't Take My Breath Away - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Paul James · RV-Dreams Community Member

An RV That Won't Take My Breath Away

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Paul,

After hurricane sandy FEMA setup folks in brand new RVs throughout the areas hit. The biggest complaint by folks living in these RVs was respiratory problems. It seems the materials and glues used to construct the RVs were causing folks to have breathing problems. Out gassing is a problem.

In addition, mold became a factor in high humidity areas with some of these RVs. However, a lot of the problems were due to poor maintenance...these folks didn't own these RVs so they didn't take care of them.

I'm not sure an RV would be a good fit for you due to your sensitivity.

That being said we have had 5 different RVs none of them had water leaks as long as they were properly maintained. You do have to re-caulk windows and re-seal the seams on the roof about every 5-10 years depending on the geography and amount of travel to prevent leaks

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Paul,

I think Bear is pretty much on target for you. Just about any home or RV is capable of leaking and then developing mold. As for off-gassing, I'd say that you would definitely want an little older RV, but I'm not sure it would need to be a 3-year-old unit.

Another factor to consider, and I know it isn't what you've been considering, but a fifth wheel might be better for you, especially if you won't be moving the RV much. A motorhome really needs to be "exercised" fairly regularly, so one would have to be prepared to take it out and get it up to operating temperatures on a regular basis. Even in our case (fifth wheel with tow vehicle), I "exercise" our Ford F450 about every 3 or 4 weeks.

As for insulation, I can't speak to very many of the RV's out there, especially the motorhomes. We have a Mobile Suites fifth wheel, and the Mobile Suites and Elite Suites models made by DRV Suites has 3 1/4" walls with extra insulation. We've been living full-time in our RV for about 4 1/2 years now in temperatures ranging from 115 degrees down to -6 degrees and have been comfortable inside. The only issue we've had is that the hot water line from the water manifold to our kitchen sink wants to freeze up after it gets down to about zero degrees. I'm sure we could do a lot better with that if we were to skirt around the trailer, but I hate to provide homes for critters under the trailer. The hot water line freezing isn't a problem because the lines are PEX lines and they don't break when they freeze.

Should you ever be interested in a fifth wheel, there is a dealer in Oklahoma that I can recommend that really looks after their customers. They sell a lot of rigs for a mom and pop dealership, so they tend to get some pretty good used Mobile and Elite Suites models. They are Alicia and Slade at Rolling Retreats. I think they will deliver, even to the northeast.

One other thing...on roofs, fiberglass roofs don't have the same warranty that the "rubber" ones have. For instance, I think the warranty on a fiberglass roof on a DRV Suites is something like 1 or 2 years. The warranty on the "rubber" roof is more like 10 years.

Terry

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Paul James wrote:
So I need a place to live. I can't see moving into a third house only to find it's unlivable. I'm thinking motor home, but.. I keep reading the number one problem with motor homes is water intrusion, and I can’t live in even a low level moldy environment. I read a post yesterday saying areas that don’t get air circulation, behind beds, closets, often grow mold. Worrisome.

Is there such an animal as a water/mold free MH. I’d find the Casitas and such too small for full time, thinking of a Class A gas (for price), with welded metal construction and fiberglass roof. Yes?

I was at an RV show in AC 2 weeks ago. RVs with lots of carpeting gave me allergy symptoms, but in units with hard flooring and not much carpeting (only on the slides) I was pretty much ok. I think off-gassing in a brand new RV will be problematic, so I'm thinking 3- 6 years old. Would you agree I’d be best off in a fairly new RV with a fiberglass roof? Should I minimize the number of slides to minimize water problems?

My budget is flexible, I could do 50K or 150K+, when I sell my house. There aren’t any RV dealerships close so I’m forced to look online, but if I go on RVTrader, I’m sort of overwhelmed. I’ve read so many posts saying to go with top brands like National, Tiffin, Newmar, Monaco, but I don’t know what brands/models to focus on for my particular requirements. So I’d appreciate recommendations as specific as possible of what’s worked for you, likes or dislikes. My kids are here in New Jersey, so I'd like something that can take the Northeast climates, 3 seasons plus some, so insulation and heating would be important.

Thanks to anyone who read all this, it is much appreciated. I'd really like to do this if I can.

Paul

Paul

It may be too small, but looking at your budget and criteria I would suggest one of the “modern look” 34’ Airstreams. With wood, or simulated wood floors and by the very nature of the Airstream interior aluminum inside wall construction could make it a good choice. The inside walls of the “modern look” Airstreams are actually aluminum with a minimum of fabric material.

Airstreams sit year round in Florida, many closed up for the summer. I can tell you with 35 years of experience with Airstreams they don’t tend to exhibit the problems you are describing. Most other RV’s will in comparison simply due to the method of interior construction.

Airstreams, like any trailer, can leak. But by the very nature of their aluminum interiors (the modern look ones, not the new or old Classics) they don’t have that formaldehyde smell when they get hotter. I think that’s the smell you’re referring to and also reacting to.

A thought for your consideration based on what seems the most important part of your criteria.

(For those reading along, I am not saying newer trailers are using formaldehyde as was common in days past. I’m saying it is a smell similar to formaldehyde and I’ve smelled it in a lot of new trailers at the Tampa RV show including the higher priced ones mentioned on this forum when they get hot. It is quite common.)

Bill

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

Look into the Evergreen line of Rv's. Their marketing suggests no outgassing.

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome, Paul. To add to Bill and Linda's post, check out the classifieds on airforums.com for a 34' Airstream. Click on ADVANCED SEARCH and select either by price or by decade. Keep in mind that most of them do NOT have slides. Those few that do have only one, and it isn't all that deep. The wide-body models started about 1995. Also, the 34' models weren't made every year, and even when they were made, there weren't many of them.

BTW, one of the biggest Airstream dealers is in NJ, Colonial Airstream. www.colonialairstream.com/ They don't have any 34' coaches on the website, but they do have some new 30' ones. The 34 is a triple axle coach, and the added length seems to be in the bedroom (a few inches), bath, and salon. Might be worth a trip there to see one in person.

Also, airforums is an open group, so you can join even without owning an Airstream. They are a very friendly group and will be more than willing to help you with your questions. Yes, I'm on there, too, as kb0zke (same as here). No, I don't own an Airstream.

Paul James · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for the post so far..

@ Terry & Joe/ The Bear Hoping I can find some form of RV that will be a fit. I was initially looking at 5th wheels, thinking cost wise it's the best fit and it give me the the most living space. If if I were going to move around a lot the Class A seemed a better fit. I like the idea that you 5th has such good insulation and you've been able to do such low temps. I don't know that any of the camp grounds in NJ stay open all year.

@ Bill I was looking at some tours of Airstreams on YouTube after reading your comment, I like them. I noticed there doesn't seem to be much storage in the outside compartments. Could you explain what you meant, " modern look ones, not the new or Classic"?

@ Alie & Jim I watched a couple of promo videos on Evergreen and their "Green Building No Off-Gass" approach after reading you comment, looks very interesting. There was a lot of info on the construction and materials used in the build. Good stuff.

@ David My friend in LBI just bought and RV at Colonial and recommended them, I will take a trip down and check out the Airstreams. He was very happy with the service he got from them. Also I'll check out the forums.

Any further suggestions much appreciated.. Paul