OT: I bought a camper

[ckDOG]

I used rvshare.com

Thread Hijack Hijack: How difficult or easy is it to rent an RV? Advisable?

Good experience there but I suppose it comes down to the owner - much like Airbnb.

I've heard good things about Outdoorsy as well.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

Don’t buy too many accessories to start. Buy the basics, sewer hose, water hose gloves, the lego looking leveling blocks. As you find you need something buy it then, that way you don’t find that you are hauling a lot of stuff you never use. An electric tongue Jack is a worthwhile investment. If it has stabilizer jacks, a good cordless impact driver is a must. A weight distribution hitch and sway control makes towing safer and easier. Everyone is buying RVs, campground vacancies are going to be rare. If you want to go somewhere for a weekend, book it now. Weekdays are easier if your schedule allows. Never leave your awning out unless you are sitting under it, it’s an expensive lesson to learn. Ms Horse Park is the best option for football.

This is some of best advice I've ever read on RVing. I'll add:
-Don't drive fast, stay at 60-65
-Camper tires are small and heat up fast - buy the highest quality
-There is strategy to refueling - scope out refueling points before hand
-There'll be a wal mart within a few miles of most campgrounds, don't over pack
-Some campgrounds are very tight and backing can be tough, make sure you apologize to the wife in advance
-buy a good circuit protector/analyzer
-get a dogbone adaptor
-fuel economy will be cut by 25% or more when towing
-do the first trip or two close to home

 

[Where'sWaldo]

Pop ups just aren’t made for the south. You can’t put enough AC on it to keep it cool during the summer. All that canvas just doesn’t have enough insulation for this part of the country.

I'm sure it varies by Model but our 2010 flagstaff can get plenty cold in the heat of the summer. We live in New Orleans so we know heat. We did purchase the "PUGS" to put over the bunk ends which helps.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

Pop ups just aren’t made for the south. You can’t put enough AC on it to keep it cool during the summer. All that canvas just doesn’t have enough insulation for this part of the country.

Good point, on the hottest days, even campers with the best AC units have a hard time keeping up. The general rule of thumbs the units can only cool to 20 degrees lower than the outside temp. Get a camper with two units and make sure they are serviced well. I changed all the interior lights to non heat producing LED bulbs. Get a spot in the shade on hot days if you can (as long as there are no storms).

One more thing, get to your destination and get set up before dark if possible.

 

[PhredPhantom]

This is some of best advice I've ever read on RVing. I'll add:
-Don't drive fast, stay at 60-65
-Camper tires are small and heat up fast - buy the highest quality
-There is strategy to refueling - scope out refueling points before hand
-There'll be a wal mart within a few miles of most campgrounds, don't over pack
-Some campgrounds are very tight and backing can be tough, make sure you apologize to the wife in advance
-buy a good circuit protector/analyzer
-get a dogbone adaptor
-fuel economy will be cut by 25% or more when towing
-do the first trip or two close to home

Speaking of tires, I have learned that, in addition to having good quality tires, proper tire *inflation* will go a long way towards helping your tires hold up. I learned this when I handled warranties for an industrial trailer manufacturer for 10 years. Before that, I used to think that if tires didn’t “look low”, it was no big deal. Under-inflated tires won’t last.

I also learned that tires have a maximum rated speed and that for approximately every 5 mph you go above the rated speed, tires lose 8% of their weight capacity. If you are already near their rated load carrying capacity, going faster than their rated speed can cause premature failure - if not immediately then eventually. This applies to all tires; not just trailer tires.

Check tire pressures when the tires are cold before starting your trip. Inflate all the way to the pressure listed on the sidewalk of the tire. You don’t need to leave them a little under that to allow for heating up while running; that is already “ figured in” to the recommended pressure. I don’t sell, and never have sold, tires so I don’t have a dog in this hunt. These are just lessons I have learned through research and experience.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Winterizing sucks and then if you use it in the winter having to rewinterize it isn’t fun.