RV Things That Work for Us
A number of the tips, tricks, tools and conversions that work for us are ones we haven’t seen anywhere else. Others are developed from the advice of other RVers over the years. We have bought and used any number of RV parts, RV accessories and RV conversions over the years. Take what works for you with our compliments.
How we chose the rig
We’ve owned the spectrum of Recreational Vehicles, from truck/camper combinations, travel trailers of varying styles and sizes, a motorhome and tow vehicle and a 41 ft sailboat with dinghy. With a world of experience behind us, we had four essentials in mind when we configured our current RV rig.
1. Power
Every RVer has a list of “must haves” and “would like to haves.” Our must haves include versatility, agility, power and value. Our “nice to have” features are the ability to handle rough roads, high clearance to negotiate byways and sandy beach roads that are off the beaten path. We got it all with a one-ton 4WD diesel truck and a lightweight travel trailer modified with a factory lift kit.
Here are factors that influenced our choice.
A half-ton or ¾ ton pickup truck would pull our 4950 lb.-capacity unloaded travel trailer for casual, close-to-home weekend use. But we really use the daylights out of our rig and we’re often far from home. Our travels include high mountain ranges with roads heavy on switchbacks and hairpin turns. Just as often we ease onto fast-moving U.S. freeways where traffic halts suddenly or on Mexican highways where the traffic roars for miles only to slam to a stop for a slow-moving herd of sheep.
The one-ton truck doesn’t even notice the lightweight trailer in tow. We can pull at the speed of traffic and stop just as though there is no trailer behind. Even fully loaded with fresh water on all our gear, the trailer doesn’t hold undue authority over the truck.
2. Value, Including Fuel Economy
The unmodified diesel engine one-ton truck, when it’s not pulling the trailer, gets about 22 mpg. When it’s pulling the loaded trailer, it gets about 14 to 16 mpg. For some RVers, fuel efficiency isn’t a deciding factor. For us, it affects the value of the experience. Twice the mileage means twice the miles we can cover and enjoy on the journey.
The choice of a lightweight travel trailer means you forego some of the luxury and convenience of a luxury motorhome or fifth wheel. You don’t get self-leveling. You don’t get a “basement” that’s insulated against sub-freezing weather. On the upside, you get an entry price that barely amounts to a year’s depreciation on many of the luxury rigs. Your ongoing maintenance costs are much lower. And, your appliances including refrigerator, stove, etc. are usually of the same or equal quality as those that come standard with non-lightweight units.
3. Versatility
A fifth wheel trailer would beat our rig for maneuverability. But we would lose the use of the truck bed. By covering the truck bed with a fiberglass shell, we keep the bed dry. It becomes our “storage shed” when we’re on the road, housing all those weighty necessities that either won’t fit or will overburden the trailer. And when we’re not on exploring, we always have a use for the covered truck bed.
4. Agility
Our 27 ft. travel trailer gives us the ability to use more public camping spaces than we could in a long RV. Many U.S. national forests and parks, state parks and recreation areas have RV length (and width) restrictions. Some of these campgrounds were developed long before RVs got super-sized. Some are in densely forested areas. Many offer unparalleled scenic beauty. And many are available first come-first serve at very reasonable rates. We find we have more camping options by being on the small side.
Yes, we have a slide and that eliminates some of the more narrow camping opportunities. However, by going shorter instead of longer, we can take advantage of some super scenic camp spots and be nimble about getting in and out.
Other considerations we looked for in the trailer
• Mostly aluminum (for durability), smooth fiberglass sides
• Convenient layout for comfort
• Features we have enjoyed in various rigs throughout the years
o Fantastic fan
o Full awning
o Outdoor sound system
o Barbecue, attaches to rig
o Electric tongue jack
o Additional 12 volt house battery
With a lightweight travel trailer, we can remain comfortable until the temperature dips to freezing. To us, this is no burden. As extended but not full-time RVers, we are usually not living in our RV during deep winter. So we winterize if the travel trailer will be exposed to a firm freeze. Then, when the opportunity arises, we take off and leave the winterization intact until we arrive in a climate where the temperature is warmer.
With the RV rig that meets our requirements and our want-to-haves, all we needed to do was to outfit and personalize it. Check out any of our following pages for more information: