Prepping for RV life!

[DonnaR57]

I have RV'd a lot, but never full-timed. I'd concur about all of the above. Buy the best used rig you can afford, but still be prepared to spend some time in repair shops or calling mobile repair places to send someone out to you.

Here is an entire forum of public places to "camp" that are close to major highways and interstates in the USA. Some will have the electrical hookups and water that you will need.


Donna

[MichelleJacques]

All great advice! I agree, the excitement can be hard to contain, especially as this becomes more "real."

I love the tip for keeping water lines warm! Brilliant.

I also would never buy a new RV (I've bought new cars before, and regretted the instant depreciation, so I refuse to go that route with this type of vehicle. Thankfully, my partner has lots of mechanic experience, and has even worked for RV repair and customization shops, so we can do most repairs/modifications ourselves.

We went and checked out some RV's for sale recently, and I noticed what you guys said, about even new ones having......issues. So that's definitely something on my mind! On that thought, does anyone know of any brand specific issues/brands that may not hold up as well? I was a little disappointed to see a brand new, quarter of a million dollar RV, with lamination problems!

Going to go check out those links shared, now! Thanks again everyone!

[MichelleJacques]

Question about the kitchen appliances:

I'm wondering about the differences/cost effectiveness of the combo microwave/convection ovens vs the small "regular" ovens I've seen on some models. I have food allergies, and we love to cook (makes the allergy component safe, it's more cost effective, healthy, and fun to do), so I'm curious which option might work best? Is one more cost friendly? Does one type tend to work better? I like to bake, as well!

After our shopping around, I was starting to think the little oven would be a "must have" for me. But I've never used one like that, and my experience with the combo microwaves is very limited and from long ago.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Question about the kitchen appliances:

I think you have already identified the #1 criteria. You like to bake. And, if you like to bake, having a convection/microwave combination is going to drive you batty.

I am not a baker -- our convection/combination unit was OK for baking in-a-pinch and we even used it a couple of time to bank a birthday cake -- but hardly the device for a real baker.

On the other hand, we used the convection/combination unit virtually every day over 6.5 year period and it worked well for us.

The second criteria is space. If you have the room for a conventional oven and microwave -- that would sound like the ideal set-up for you.

Mark

[Midwest Michael]

For baking, there's an interesting stovetop oven that I have heard good things about.

https://www.omniasweden.com/us/

I haven't used it myself, but it's been in my Amazon cart for a while. The only thing that's held me back from buying it is that We don't do much baking on the road, and when we do, we break out the cast iron dutch oven, and bake in a campfire.

[Lifemagician]

I think you have already identified the #1 criteria. You like to bake. And, if you like to bake, having a convection/microwave combination is going to drive you batty.

It may not be in an RV, but my convection/microwave does everything for me. Roasts, cakes. baked potatoes, you name it, whatever I need and want. I have never used a conventional oven since purchasing it more than 25 years ago.

Lifey

[olarme]

And don't get too excited over buying stuff that you would see as "camp friendly" or 6 in one tools.

When working, I usually do it outside our parked rv and I would just set up a mini table and comfy chair just so I would have the "separation" space for work vs personal time.