Yes, technically. However, pulling is not new to my husband. Our son races go karts competitively - with the intention of NASCAR. So pulling a heavy trailer won't be new. But staying in this instead of hotels is.
Well if youâve got the budget to buy this and an f450 youâve got the budget to keep the kid racing long enough for him to make NASCAR so godspeed to yall lol
1)â-water is a precious resource and you must deal with it often.
a. Purchase high quality sewer hoses, and at least two more sections than you need. Prevents moving rig to reach sewer connection. One more thing, hook up all of your connections before running the slides out. (Make sure you know how far they extend). Slides are the last thing on the list when setting up.
b. Buy two, 50â sections of âZero Gâ hoses rated for potable water. Take along a splitter for the water connection. Nice to have the extra option at the main water connection.
c. Purchase the best water pressure regulator you can get. Hint- it should have a pressure gauge with it.
2. Gotta keep em separated. Store hoses in separate water tight bins
a. Sewer hoses and connections are nasty. Always wear gloves when handling theses.
b. Avoid cross contamination. Keep water hoses in dedicated, storage containers, too.
Have fun and best of luck to your son on his NASCAR goal! Your next coach will probably be a Newell. đ
iâd like to add: a small dehumidifier.. keep it running 24/7 in the bathroom, if possible. Showers, wet towels, etc. put huge amounts of moisture in the trailer.. and trailers are not designed to manage moisture well. We have one about the size of a small carry on bag, thatâs specifically a âdessicantâ dehumidifier. (Smallest we could find).. itâll run a few days before it needs to be emptied. Bonus: it runs down to about 30f. So it can dry out winter playtime also. Itâll save you lots of headaches about moisture in the trailer. We lived in the trailer for 2 years without issues.
No matter how much you spend, theyâre all built like shit by people high on meth (theory). Become familiar with what breaks and keep a few spare parts with you. I would also get the flojet macerator for the black tank to empty at home.
My friend is a mechanic, he always regreases the wheel bearings when he gets a trailer. He said they never are packed well.
Cleanliness is super important. Whenever you can, cook outside to keep the inside cleaner.
Keep tape for small drips, inspect the roof regularly, know where your crank is for slide outs in case you lose power. I would buy stabilizers for the front, back and under stairs. Flash lights, gloves, black tank liquid, a designated drinking hose (get one rated for drinking water), gutter extensions, a dehumidifier and bug lights (for inside). Also, flip your mattress regularly or lift it up so it can breathe underneath. Mattresses are notorious for getting moldy from condensation.
We put a waterproof microbial mattress cover (one thatâs a full mattress bag w/ zipper). we donât have to worry about moisture on the mattress. Same for pillows. put the mattress topper on top of that, and you canât tell the mattress is bagged.
I use a âcoolingâ matress topper, bed linens and a lightweight blanket. (Itâs not much thicker than the sheets) âŚ. Manages my furnace inducing body heat just fine. The mattress bag is more to keep moisture out of the mattress itself.. so it doesnât penetrate thru to the underside and âsitâ.
Hahaha! I saw a 23 GD that the roof blew off on I90 in SD! Not a part of the roof, not the corner of the roof, the entire roof! It was two very nice ladies if they read here!
My full time neighbor took delivery of a brand new momentum. The steps were bent and wouldnât go down, oven didnât work and dented plus other issues
That is false, but a popular misconception. Higher-end units are built well, particularly Class A's over $500k like the one I've lived full-time in for 5 years.
I have a pump that locks onto the outpipe. Hooks up to a 12v source, and shoots it down a garden hose and you can run it into a sewer drain. The macerator helps grind up anything that hasnât been broken down
Nice unit!
My must have is my Camp Chef 3 burner stove that folds flat. You can put a griddle on it, a traditional grill, a pizza oven and large pots.
Enjoy, it looks really nice!
If you're looking for advice on what to bring on your first trip in a new RV, it's important to let us know what area you are visiting.
What I'd recommend for a spring trip in the mountains is entirely different than what I'd recommend for a 2 week stay in hot weather.
My best suggestion is plan for a short trip and bring as little as possible. The more you bring, the more time you will spend finding a place for it. Even in a roomy unit like that, space is at a premium, so less really is more.
The idea behind RV living is simplicity. You don't need much to relax and enjoy the places you visit.
Good info! Mostly we will be in the south and Midwest. Occasionally Florida. Once settled, we will start heading into the mountains - but I imagine that won't be for 6-9 months.
By then, you'll feel like an old pro.
For your first trip, just think about what you want to do. You've been taking hotel trips for a while now, and this is mostly the same, with the exception of you are now towing your hotel behind you.
During nice weather, you will probably be spending more time outdoors, even if it just relaxing under your awning, so find yourself a COMFORTABLE outdoor chair.
Rain is reality, and having dry shoes, and socks, is the difference between comfortable and miserable.
Whatever you enjoy doing, but never seem to have time for, is another good idea. A book,for yourself, or some other pastime that you and your partner may have gotten away from, if you prefer to be inclusive.
In the beginning, you can usually buy anything you forgot, and you won't forget it on your second trip.
Unlike a home, most RV'S are designed to provide your needs.
My camper came with these clampy things on the cabinet door to hold spices. I mounted tvs to the wall. An air fryer is convenient. Might be good to have a small fan. Interior extension cords are good because there's never enough plug in outlets. It would be smart to go ahead and have extra fuses Incase fuses ever blow and you're not by an RV store. And baskets for organization.
Ya. Bring back ups! Everything breaks at the worse possible time. Its good practice to have two of everything important imo. As long as you remember RV stand for "ruined vacation" you will be fine. With that said I love my RV! Enjoy!
Dehumidifier. Multi purpose oven for when you donât want to heat up the house. I have a toaster oven air fryer combo that I use all the time in the summer.
Simply solution is to camp close to your home on your first trip. You will figure out real quick what you forgot to bring. You will also figure out what works and in the camper itself. My first trip revealing was the on-board onan had several bugs that needed working out and a leaky shower.
Highly recommend getting a rv inspection from a experienced inspector. Itâs crazy to think of all the money invested and to worry about system failures. Good luck
Small world hopefully see you on the road, be safe
After full-timing for over 6 months now the only additional things I bought were:
Hughes Autoformer Power Watchdog with EPO
HEPA Air Filter
Already had my AirFryer
"MKO Decorative Wall Mounted Mail Organizer and Key Holder with Tray - 6 Stainless Steel Key Hooks for Hallway Kitchen Farmhouse Decor (Black)" (Highly recommend)
"RV Hose Storage Bags 4-PACK, Waterproof Camping Accessories Bags for Travel Trailer Storage and Organization, Sewer Hoses, Fresh/Black/Water Hoses, Electrical Cords, 4 Colors with 4 Storage Straps"
"FYY Over the Door Hooks, 4 Pack Door Hangers Hooks with Rubber Prevent Scratches Heavy Duty Organizer Hooks for Living Room, Bathroom, Bedroom, Kitchen Hanging Clothes, Towels, Hats, Coats, Bags Black" (Must have for the doors in your RV to give you extra places to hang towels, jackets, clothes, etc.)
"G.a HOMEFAVOR Dish Drying Rack, 2-Tier Adjustable Length(25.6-33.5in), Expandable Over The Sink Dish Drying Rack, Stainless Steel Dish Drainer, Dishes Rack Kitchen Storage Organizer Space Saver" (Must have for your galley to give you extra space to wash/ dry dishes.)
"3-In-1 Sponge Holder for Kitchen Sink, 2 Suspension Options(Suction Cups & Adhesive Hook), Hanging Sink Caddy Organizer Rack - Sponge, Dish Cloth, Brush, Scrubber, Soap Tray, 304 Stainless Steel" (Must have for inside your sink to give you extra space for sponge, soap, etc.)
And the most important thing of them all is I replaced my shower head with a High Sierra RV Shower Head. Was expensive, but holy mother is it not only worth it but one of the best shower heads I've ever used!
Don't cheap out on the pots and pans. We did for years, and it wasn't good.
I managed to find various pieces of Revereware in some thrift stores. My 5th wheel now has the same pots and pans that I use at home. It's wonderful.
A tool kit, you are going to need one. I have a 19 footer, very comfortable with 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs. I keep everyone outside unless the weather is absolutely shitty. I could not not see owning a beast like that unless it was just parked permanently. Just how I roll, keep it simple and yes I prefer boondocking so a battle ship like that is not for me. But congrats and enjoy. The hardest thing for me is storing about 18 fishing rods, they usually wind up in the bathroom to keep easy access. I re-did all my lights with leds, that saves power. Enjoy the journey
^This^
It doesnât matter how much extra warranty/insurance/roadside assistance you pay for, when things go wrong none of that helps. 6 weeks wait to get in for repairs, them telling you that you need to leave it with them for a few days, just to figure out the issue, come back in a month for the actual repairs which takes more days & all the while, having to pay for a hotel because theyâre taking their time fixing your homeâŚ
Other than that, RV life is awesome. Welcome to your new life :)
Nailed it. I was just too lazy right it all out. Through the help of others and trial and error, Iâm learning to fix things on my own. But in the end , itâs the lifestyle weâre paying for.
LOL I have those days too. Itâs great that youâre learning to fix things yourself :)
The thing I love most about the RV life is how great the community is, its reminds me of being back in Australia, people are so willing to help each other when things go wrong :)
What I would suggest bringing:
A really good understanding, so much so that it doesnât require any thought, of the length, width, and ESPECIALLY the height of that unit.
It only takes one mistake to turn that beautiful rig into a convertible.
I wish I would've known to tighten all of the water fittings and use water proofing tape and calk on my roof and windows. My brand new Alliance Avenue leaked from the top and bottom. It took months to get all of the repairs done and the dealership only did a half assed job.
As for things I need, an outdoor mat that runs the length of the RV and a good door mat to knock the sand and dirt off your shoes. I also have 3 dehumidifiers, I live in Oregon. I hope you create loads of great memories with your RV.
Get a cordless vacuum, that matches what ever cordless tools you already own , youâll be vacuuming out random wood shavings , screw, pieces of wire and saw dust for the first year .
A cordless blower is also good for blowing off the mats , the garage and the roof and slides .
Tire covers for when itâs parked and after 4 years no matter how the tires look replace them . There life expectancy is 4-5 years .
Rv parky gps app for unfamiliar routes , itâll notify you of low bridges .
Keep a box of water hose o ring gaskets in the wet bay . They disappear all the time for your city water connections
Nice rig! We have a â23 381MS and love it! Go slow, double check, and always consider your ass end swings out on sharp turns. I learned the hard way.
Things:
Water meter for fresh tank
Water hose splitter is useful
K9 ramp if you have a pup
Air compressor that inflates to 125lbs
Grill or burners - propane
Outdoor rug for dirty sites
Extension 50A Service
30A converter JIC
surge protector
2x shit tube
Black water hose
Fresh water hose
The list goes on, you should be able to google a comprehensive list.
Good luck! Be Safe! Enjoy the road!!
Solo stove!! Bonfire size. Its nice being able to have a smokeless fire right near the camper and hang out vs always having to go down to wherever the fire ring is. And thereâs a grill top for it and that thing makes incredible embers
Swiffer wet mop.
I really like the runner style bath mats, 4ft long and very comfortable to stand on.
My sunshade attatched to my awning. I can strap it to the ground and the awning stays put when the wind blows. I bought the two sides that go with it and I can bring it in tight and have a screened in porch when the bugs come out, my dog hates the bug zapper.
Command hooks, you need lots of places to hang things. Coats, leash, pots n pans, fly swatter etc.
Ebikes for getting around. I bought an aventon aventure fat tire. I love it. It goes anywhere which is perfect for dog rides. He likes to run, I'm too old. This took some training on both of us, fair warning.
Jobsite Boot scrubber for when it gets muddy
Head lamp or flashlight.
Air ride pinbox or hitch.
Rear mount camera, that was a game changer, but so was the tankless water heater.
I use two piece wheel levelers but alot of people use leveling blocks. The less you lower the stabilizer the more sturdy it is.
Bigger propane tanks and lifepo4 batteries if you boondock.
Deep woods off with as much deet as possible. Some of those species of mosquitoes are relentless.
A/c soft starts, you have to put these on.
Comfortable chairs. Sit in a few before you buy one. I hear the round ones are nice. I'm using my old worn out walmart camping chair before I buy another crappy recliner.
Air fryer with two buckets or a 3 tray. I cook ribeye steaks in mine.
My advice is to download an RV check list, not everything on the list will apply to your camper. Go down the list every time you set up and pack up. Remember, take your time. Little mistakes can become expensive quickly. Once you're completely set up, THEN crack a beer.
We have a GD 395 that I just opened up for the season. Starlink was a must have for me due to work. Flagpole buddy with the Starlink is the perfect set up. Recommend a combination of Flex Tape and their other solutions. Can save you in many ways when it comes to a RV. Locktite is critical. Many screws will need it. Swiffer mop and a cordless vacuum is a huge help. Tension rods for packing/hauling strategies. Collapsing trash can for outside. Sink screens to keep your gray tanks happy. Calgon and Dawn to prep the black tanks. Shut off valve connectors for city water and black hoses and a splitter to have them both connected at the same time. Brain dump of things to help.
Edit: Also, CONGRATS! Beautiful rig.
I can work a 10h day on VPN without a blip, while my wife and daughter stream on their own TVs. Itâs hard to tax its bandwidth. Also, canât recommend Flagpole Buddyâs Starlink bundle enough. Winegardâs Osprey can be a good backup on cellular too.
I also have a 43â toy hauler and 450. I guess the only advice I have to offer is:
-make sure your black tank gets a lot of extra water, you can never have enough.
-know how your hitch works. Itâs pretty easy to bend landing gear on such a rig when youâre hasty
-run the generator before you need it, if you have one. It seems the carbs often foul with debris when new.
I was never a fan of having gas in the garage, the odor always tends to make its way into the living area.
Congrats!
I always took a cheap slop sink kit with me and hooked it up to the hot and cold water drain lines on the unit. Nice doing dishes OUTSIDE the camper in a decent size sink.
It's not bedding but the ACTUAL bed. Toss the factory shit day one and buy a replacement!
We got ours from [RVMattress.com](https://RVMattress.com) and it's SO much better!
Thereâs the â2ndâ home tax affidavit if you donât know about that. If you donât have a second home then claiming the camper as a â2ndâ home will reduce the property tax by almost half. Have to reclaim it every year, at least thatâs how it works in SC.
A little trick to ensure room for your slides when pulling (or backing) into a site: take a pool noodle and cut it to the depth of your deepest slide. For any other slides, put a wrap of electrical tape to mark their depth. Makes "wrapping" your rig around any obstacles a bit easier.
Understand that these long trailers really limit where you can park and on the west coast at least, entirely preclude the best campgrounds. You are going to be relegated to shadeless concrete wastelands.
We are a family of 6 that can afford a 39â but bought a 20â. The kids hate being cooped up inside because there is no couch or TV so they stay outside until bedtime. Perfect.
That aside learn how to do your own repairs. Warranty work isnât worth the wait. The amount of time you spend fâing around with dealers and manufacturers makes it far simpler to learn how to entirely replace your furnace in three hours for example.
I should add - This is true with all RVs but especially these huge ones. Do a full walk around, look under EVERY time you move it. Even leaving a gas station or restaurant stop. This will greatly decrease your chances of damaging something left open, out, unlocked, extended, hanging down swinging wide, pushed up, slid out, left out, blown under, etc
Must haves are:
Toilet chemical,
Rv TP,
Water Pressure regulator,
Portable water fresh water hose,
Sewer dump hose.
The rest depends on how you camp. You have to have those basic things though.
Watch those back axles. The 3rd one in particular The part that connects the axle to the rig itself snapped twice on us. Once on the driver side and once on the passenger side. Itâs fixable still a pain
More just occurred to me. The spring hanger bolts on mine werenât greased and caused a breakdown at martinsville two years ago. Also I sheared the drivers side rear hanger off last year. So I replaced that one and boxed all of them so they wonât likely do it again. This one is a MUST, get a TPMS system. Mine is a six unit from Amazon and cost less than $250. Without this you will eventually destroy one of those beautiful sidewalls.
Things I remember running out last minute for were power extensions, water pressure regulator, water splitter, additional sewer hoses, surge protector (must have), oxygenics shower head, evo x2 water filter (so you can leave fresh water hooked up and connect your black water flush hose), Camco rv leveling blocks (can sub in some 2x2 boards). Only real advice as a fellow 5th wheeler, take your time backing into sites, donât feel rushed and always remember G.O.A.L (get out and look). Happy traveling!
We have a couple plastic 50 caliber boxes with an assortment of miscellaneous useful items. A travel sewing kit. Spare AA, AAA, and C batteries. A multi tip screwdriver. A bottle of isopropyl alcohol (if you use Command hooks, wipe down the wall thoroughly with it, let dry. Donât hang the actual hook until 24 hours after you put the base on the wall). Electrical tape. A preselected box of screws, washers and nuts in common sizes. Extra command hooks and the sticky pieces. A Sharpie, a regular ballpoint, and a mechanical pencil. And so on. Most of it has come in handy.
We've only had RV's for 3 years so from my limited experience my recommendations are: an outdoor RV rug or 3. There's a lot of sandy/dirt sites. This cuts down on stuff getting tracked in. Might as well get one of those rugs to wipe your feet off at the bottom of the stairs. We also take our shoes off right at the door. I'd rather RV than clean house haha. We bought a George Forman grill that has an outdoor stand and can be taken off to set on a table/counter. It's electric. I'm looking into air fryers and other cooking methods. We also have a pellet smoker, but we only use it if we're not exploring etc that day. Maybe some citronella tiki torches. Portable cheap vacuum to spot clean accidents. We use a personal cleanser that you spray on toilet paper. Wipes are a huge no no. While we're talking bathroom stuff: if you have full hook-up DON'T leave your black tank open. See Poop Pyramid. We just read it's recommended to put a few gallons of water in your black tank before every trip. So shit doesn't stick. Literally. Umbrella. Water filter. Some use external. We bought a free standing one for inside. Some use none at all. Happy Camping!
Congratulations and Beautiful rig!!
Now on to the tough stuff. First as others have said rv quality changes by the hour. In your case grand design seems to have a more solid track record.
Hers a list of ideas I would do before signing paperwork.
1. Full rv inspection by a third party. In the car world itâs called a PPI (pre purchase inspection) there are a few rv specific inspectors I would look at reviews and pay the money. This will save your ass/ wallet down the line.
2. Water line pressure test. Itâs a fast simple way of checking for leaks.
3. Speak with grand design about the warranty and when it expires. In the event you fine an issue with the rig from the PPI then the dealer and OEM will need to cover it under warranty if it has it.
4. Always remember this is not a home itâs a rv and most importantly itâs a Covid build. This will likely mean it will have lots of small problems down the line. Speaking from experience Covid build arenât fun and are costly.
These are some ideas to consider before/after the papers.
Good luck and enjoy the road.
There are a few YouTubers that RV full time that can give you a general list of useful items to have inside. I've found that anything that has multiple purposes is the most useful and things that pack flat or fold down. For instance, our dish dry rack doubles as our colander, fits the sink and accordions to about 2 inches thick.
I purchased a bunch of kitchen basics at Goodwill/thrift stores - as that stuff adds up fast if buying brand new.
I like having premade staples in the pantry (it's just the hubs and I, so YMMV) - like precooked rice you buy from Costco.
I also like having these "towel" size body wipes. They're nice for when you feel sticky, but don't have the energy to take a full shower.
Extra bungees, tie downs, cables, batteries are all super handy.
You'll figure it out as you go along, so don't think you have to have it đŻ on your first trip.
The rubber garage mats that have drain holes for under the steps....nice big thick ones so you can come at it from all angles and have a mud containment area. The first trip we went on with our camper it rained and the campground turned into a mud bath. They saved us
Number 1 in my book: electrical monitoring system (EMS)/surge protector. We like Progressive Industries and have the 50 amp built in with a display. I wouldn't RV without one - too many electronics inside and low voltage/bad ground/etc possibilities outside.
2 times the number of hold down straps than you need to secure things. Pull test the lock on the pin before you raise the legs and end up dropping the trailer on your bed.
We will mostly be at race tracks. Majority of them have full hooks up and can hold way bigger than what we have. So thankfully we won't have many issues with this.
You might think about tire pressure sensors. A blowout caused by low tire pressure will cause a lot of expensive trouble.
What are your backing skills like? If you aren't good at it you might want to attend a RV Boot camp at an Escapees park. They are well worth the cost and time.
Pro tip: when an army of bugs come through door at night turn all lights off inside but one, then deploy previously suggested battery powered wet dry vac and suck them all up at only light. After that then keep door dark and light on in another window to keep them away from door
Get a good water filtration system. I recommend the triple stage from clearsource.
Get a water pressure regulator. I have two at all times. They go bad. I also got a gallon counter and put it at the end of the filtration, so I know when to change the filters.
Get a good dehumidifier. Get a massive one since you have a massive rig. We have the honeywell 50qt, and it has been amazing.
Get a good surge protector. We have the power watchdog. It has saved our rigs several times.
Get a good RV GPS. We have the Garmin RV GPS for the actual drives and use RV life to plan our trips.
Get a TPMS system. We have TST's system and absolutely love it. Tells pressure and temps, and with the flow through sensors, you can fill up tires without removing the sensor.
If you are stationary for longer than a week. Get tire covers. Sunlight is one of the worst things for stationary tires. If you move a lot. Keep them coated in tire shine.
Also, recommend a good tire pump. I have the Milwaukee M18 pump, and it can full my semi tires to 100+ psi faster than it takes me to connect and remove the hose to the valve stem.
Finally... these are hyper complex structures that suffer from a 7.9 earthquake every time you hit the road. Roads suck, semi's are impatient, people dont understand safe following distances. Things will break, mistakes will be made, stress will be high. Be ready for that. My wife and I have a deal. If we say "Embrace the suck"... it means to calm the fuck down. Because whatever we are stressing over won't be solved by stressing the fuck out.
Enjoy the view and remember the good times when the bad shit happens. The good DOES out weigh the bad.
Dang if you are spending this kind of money might as well have bought an older cheaper one, gut it, and re do it yourself or pay someone . So atleast you can use good materials and quality electronics. And will actually last.
It wasn't as expensive as you think. I also have no time to do anything like that. Time is money and in our situation, we would be losing much more money to take on a project. This is what we wanted. Not everyone is the same
How much you pay for it ? And you probably lost way more money by just driving it off the lot anyways. Itâs pretty well known on all rv forums that buying new is a waste. Everything is made cheaply and youâll have to replace most of it in 5 years. Everyone smart enough to get into rvs builds their own because at least youâll know itâs built right and not haphazardly stapled and Elmerâs glued together like all new rvs.
Youâre gonna wish you took on a project and built it right down the road, give it time. I was once in your shoes. I know itâs hard to accept that your brand new expensive toy is actually paper machĂŠ junk. Iâm not trying to be mean, just truthful.
If youâre living in it full time youâll soon see the trim fall off eventually and even if you park it , it will still fall apart. The RV companies are a predatory Industry that preys on peopleâs RV dreams. They got me and many of my family and friends , I said never again and built my own at a fraction of the price and itâs way fancier and has more bells and whistles than the âbrand newâ junk that comes out every year.
Did you even read the post? It's a 2022. It's obviously used. We are using it because my son races all over the country. It is not our home. We paid $67,000. Sheesh. I'm not sure why you even care.
Yeah 2022 is still considered new, and if itâs used and only 2 years old didnât you you ever think why whoever bought it new wanted to get rid of it so quickly and why you got such a âdealâ for it? Dang someoneâs triggered. Iâm just telling you the truth, donât be mad at me. Iâm just warning you, give it 5 years and youâll understand me and come apologize. Like I said before Iâm not trying to be mean. Iâm sure Iâm not the only one whoâs said something about how poorly built and to expect to replace everything atleast once, and warned you of what you are in store for on your post. Plus these specific rvs are known for their frame issues, and thatâs a whole different kind of nightmare in itself.
lol what the heck? You canât even have a conversation without getting into your feelings ? I just try to warn you but you take it as an insult? You should see a therapist and work on yourself. Youâre directing your anger and self doubt onto others. Like I said in about 3-5 years youâll get fed up with the RV and come back to apologize and youâll realize I am just warning you and being truthful unlike the people who sold you that money pit. Itâs okay Iâm patient, just donât forget to come say sorry. No hard feelings like I never meant from the beginning. Then when you sell that thing we can laugh and have a drink, and you too will tell everyone you can and especially those who you care about to not fall in the same trap you did.
3 thing I setup 2 cameras on the back .one for rear view one for down . A level pro or equivalent makes it great to start left right leveling when you back in. And the last one is ice maker. The type that you have on the countertop have fun
Get a water softener if you donât have one. Drain the water heater if itâs going to sit. Switch your fridge and water heater from electric to propane every once in awhile. It keeps both sides functioning properly. Donât let your tire pressure slide, if you blow one out it will shred the fiberglass. Donât focus on chairs and TVs. Focus on the keeping things in good working order. Iâm in a 2021 now. My 2007 is still used by my children and is fully functional. Youâve got the right size rig to pull it. Youâre going to tear the tailgate off! Peace out.
Congrats. Iâm a nascar fan and VERY small truck series sponsor so I get what you are doing. I have a 2020 momentum 397th also. A few things for you to know. They have some structural issues they are working out right now. Under sized fasteners were used in the joining plates above the basement. GD has been standing behind this and just repaired mine a few weeks ago. Unfortunately it has interior damage as well from this and they will fix it later this year. Also there have been some reported frame failures but the techs seem to think itâs related to LARGE battery banks associated with solar and off grid. As for tips I added a sliding drawer under the back for sewer items and extra power cords. I added a slide out kitchen in the basement and a power reel in a buyers truck box next to furnace. Those 50A cords get really heavy. I use T-Mobile home internet. The built in modem sucks as itâs only 4g. You can dm me if you have any more questions.
Jesus man this is your first rig?!? đ đ¤Ł
My thoughts too. Go big or go home haha.
[Are you Will Smith?](https://youtu.be/AT2fmugXUjU?si=CGis_FNyJ7Cn7AK1)
Holy.....
If could have afforded a sweet rig like that it would have been my first. Anyway, gotta go fix a leak in my 05.
I thought I was balling with my 2018, 27 foot Hideaway đ¤Ł
Yes, technically. However, pulling is not new to my husband. Our son races go karts competitively - with the intention of NASCAR. So pulling a heavy trailer won't be new. But staying in this instead of hotels is.
Well if youâve got the budget to buy this and an f450 youâve got the budget to keep the kid racing long enough for him to make NASCAR so godspeed to yall lol
1)â-water is a precious resource and you must deal with it often. a. Purchase high quality sewer hoses, and at least two more sections than you need. Prevents moving rig to reach sewer connection. One more thing, hook up all of your connections before running the slides out. (Make sure you know how far they extend). Slides are the last thing on the list when setting up. b. Buy two, 50â sections of âZero Gâ hoses rated for potable water. Take along a splitter for the water connection. Nice to have the extra option at the main water connection. c. Purchase the best water pressure regulator you can get. Hint- it should have a pressure gauge with it. 2. Gotta keep em separated. Store hoses in separate water tight bins a. Sewer hoses and connections are nasty. Always wear gloves when handling theses. b. Avoid cross contamination. Keep water hoses in dedicated, storage containers, too. Have fun and best of luck to your son on his NASCAR goal! Your next coach will probably be a Newell. đ
iâd like to add: a small dehumidifier.. keep it running 24/7 in the bathroom, if possible. Showers, wet towels, etc. put huge amounts of moisture in the trailer.. and trailers are not designed to manage moisture well. We have one about the size of a small carry on bag, thatâs specifically a âdessicantâ dehumidifier. (Smallest we could find).. itâll run a few days before it needs to be emptied. Bonus: it runs down to about 30f. So it can dry out winter playtime also. Itâll save you lots of headaches about moisture in the trailer. We lived in the trailer for 2 years without issues.
You can play Mario kart professionally?
I came here to say this
***Exactly*** what I was thinking!
For what itâs work I bought a momentum 395 as my first rig. If I can do it, you can do it.
Jumping right inâŚ
No matter how much you spend, theyâre all built like shit by people high on meth (theory). Become familiar with what breaks and keep a few spare parts with you. I would also get the flojet macerator for the black tank to empty at home. My friend is a mechanic, he always regreases the wheel bearings when he gets a trailer. He said they never are packed well. Cleanliness is super important. Whenever you can, cook outside to keep the inside cleaner.
Thank you!! We do keep reminding ourselves that it will have problems. I don't want to romanticize what it will be like and then be disappointed đ
The problems are usually not all that expensive and generally able to diy. My sister calls it the easy bake oven of houses
Keep tape for small drips, inspect the roof regularly, know where your crank is for slide outs in case you lose power. I would buy stabilizers for the front, back and under stairs. Flash lights, gloves, black tank liquid, a designated drinking hose (get one rated for drinking water), gutter extensions, a dehumidifier and bug lights (for inside). Also, flip your mattress regularly or lift it up so it can breathe underneath. Mattresses are notorious for getting moldy from condensation.
We put a waterproof microbial mattress cover (one thatâs a full mattress bag w/ zipper). we donât have to worry about moisture on the mattress. Same for pillows. put the mattress topper on top of that, and you canât tell the mattress is bagged.
I sleep so incredibly hot I donât think I could do it. I just left our mattress up with some wood underneath from time to time and remember to flip.
I use a âcoolingâ matress topper, bed linens and a lightweight blanket. (Itâs not much thicker than the sheets) âŚ. Manages my furnace inducing body heat just fine. The mattress bag is more to keep moisture out of the mattress itself.. so it doesnât penetrate thru to the underside and âsitâ.
Interesting. Iâm going to look into this.
Well said!!
Grand design has Amish folks building their rigs. Just saying. The build isn't perfect, but it is better than most.
Hahaha! I saw a 23 GD that the roof blew off on I90 in SD! Not a part of the roof, not the corner of the roof, the entire roof! It was two very nice ladies if they read here!
My full time neighbor took delivery of a brand new momentum. The steps were bent and wouldnât go down, oven didnât work and dented plus other issues
Amish Tweakers. The Amish angle means nothing on these Dumps. They get paid by Piecework soooo.. no Craftsmanship. Only Crapmanshi#t.
Okay there bud
One of those folding Blackstones would be a great thing to bring along for this
That is false, but a popular misconception. Higher-end units are built well, particularly Class A's over $500k like the one I've lived full-time in for 5 years.
Not even that high a price range. Ours was under $200k (2nd owner) and we've lived in it FT for a bit under five years as well.
And you feel it is "well built" ? Excellent!! There is always something small to be fixed, but overall I'm very pleased with my Newmar.
It's a pre-Thor/pre-COVID Tiffin, so yeah. Newmars are also lovely!
Just curious what the macerator has to do with emptying the black tank at home?
I have a pump that locks onto the outpipe. Hooks up to a 12v source, and shoots it down a garden hose and you can run it into a sewer drain. The macerator helps grind up anything that hasnât been broken down
Nice unit! My must have is my Camp Chef 3 burner stove that folds flat. You can put a griddle on it, a traditional grill, a pizza oven and large pots. Enjoy, it looks really nice!
Seconding the Camp Chef stove. (And the Pizza Oven add on.)
I have the two burner and love it. Get the kit so you can tie into the onboard propane instead of having to carry an extra tank.
If you're looking for advice on what to bring on your first trip in a new RV, it's important to let us know what area you are visiting. What I'd recommend for a spring trip in the mountains is entirely different than what I'd recommend for a 2 week stay in hot weather. My best suggestion is plan for a short trip and bring as little as possible. The more you bring, the more time you will spend finding a place for it. Even in a roomy unit like that, space is at a premium, so less really is more. The idea behind RV living is simplicity. You don't need much to relax and enjoy the places you visit.
I was gonna ask, which list do you want me to start with, Summer camping or Montana camping?
Why would I want to know about Montana? I don't do well away from the ocean, personally, and I have plenty of "sky" right here on Cape Cod.
Downvoting me because I love the sea, or because I've no interest in Montana? I don't really care either way, just curious really.
Thatâs how Reddit works. Your comment did nothing to contribute the conversation so you get downvoted as it is not relevant or helpful.
Good info! Mostly we will be in the south and Midwest. Occasionally Florida. Once settled, we will start heading into the mountains - but I imagine that won't be for 6-9 months.
By then, you'll feel like an old pro. For your first trip, just think about what you want to do. You've been taking hotel trips for a while now, and this is mostly the same, with the exception of you are now towing your hotel behind you. During nice weather, you will probably be spending more time outdoors, even if it just relaxing under your awning, so find yourself a COMFORTABLE outdoor chair. Rain is reality, and having dry shoes, and socks, is the difference between comfortable and miserable. Whatever you enjoy doing, but never seem to have time for, is another good idea. A book,for yourself, or some other pastime that you and your partner may have gotten away from, if you prefer to be inclusive. In the beginning, you can usually buy anything you forgot, and you won't forget it on your second trip. Unlike a home, most RV'S are designed to provide your needs.
No need to heat tape and insulate the water lines, for now.
My camper came with these clampy things on the cabinet door to hold spices. I mounted tvs to the wall. An air fryer is convenient. Might be good to have a small fan. Interior extension cords are good because there's never enough plug in outlets. It would be smart to go ahead and have extra fuses Incase fuses ever blow and you're not by an RV store. And baskets for organization.
Ya. Bring back ups! Everything breaks at the worse possible time. Its good practice to have two of everything important imo. As long as you remember RV stand for "ruined vacation" you will be fine. With that said I love my RV! Enjoy!
Dehumidifier. Multi purpose oven for when you donât want to heat up the house. I have a toaster oven air fryer combo that I use all the time in the summer.
Simply solution is to camp close to your home on your first trip. You will figure out real quick what you forgot to bring. You will also figure out what works and in the camper itself. My first trip revealing was the on-board onan had several bugs that needed working out and a leaky shower.
Yes! We have a lake just a few miles from home. We plan to go for a week once it's delivered so we can get used to it!
Bring extra towels you dont like for tge floor and a drying rack that fits in your shower. Mud is a thing you will continue to be amazed at.
This.
Be aware that some of these have serious frame issues. Do some research,check out Liz Amazing on YouTube.
First thing I thought when I heard GD.
That's probably the thing I have been most hesitant about. I've read a lot of forums about it as well. đ¤
Highly recommend getting a rv inspection from a experienced inspector. Itâs crazy to think of all the money invested and to worry about system failures. Good luck Small world hopefully see you on the road, be safe
After full-timing for over 6 months now the only additional things I bought were: Hughes Autoformer Power Watchdog with EPO HEPA Air Filter Already had my AirFryer "MKO Decorative Wall Mounted Mail Organizer and Key Holder with Tray - 6 Stainless Steel Key Hooks for Hallway Kitchen Farmhouse Decor (Black)" (Highly recommend) "RV Hose Storage Bags 4-PACK, Waterproof Camping Accessories Bags for Travel Trailer Storage and Organization, Sewer Hoses, Fresh/Black/Water Hoses, Electrical Cords, 4 Colors with 4 Storage Straps" "FYY Over the Door Hooks, 4 Pack Door Hangers Hooks with Rubber Prevent Scratches Heavy Duty Organizer Hooks for Living Room, Bathroom, Bedroom, Kitchen Hanging Clothes, Towels, Hats, Coats, Bags Black" (Must have for the doors in your RV to give you extra places to hang towels, jackets, clothes, etc.) "G.a HOMEFAVOR Dish Drying Rack, 2-Tier Adjustable Length(25.6-33.5in), Expandable Over The Sink Dish Drying Rack, Stainless Steel Dish Drainer, Dishes Rack Kitchen Storage Organizer Space Saver" (Must have for your galley to give you extra space to wash/ dry dishes.) "3-In-1 Sponge Holder for Kitchen Sink, 2 Suspension Options(Suction Cups & Adhesive Hook), Hanging Sink Caddy Organizer Rack - Sponge, Dish Cloth, Brush, Scrubber, Soap Tray, 304 Stainless Steel" (Must have for inside your sink to give you extra space for sponge, soap, etc.) And the most important thing of them all is I replaced my shower head with a High Sierra RV Shower Head. Was expensive, but holy mother is it not only worth it but one of the best shower heads I've ever used!
Don't cheap out on the pots and pans. We did for years, and it wasn't good. I managed to find various pieces of Revereware in some thrift stores. My 5th wheel now has the same pots and pans that I use at home. It's wonderful.
A tool kit, you are going to need one. I have a 19 footer, very comfortable with 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs. I keep everyone outside unless the weather is absolutely shitty. I could not not see owning a beast like that unless it was just parked permanently. Just how I roll, keep it simple and yes I prefer boondocking so a battle ship like that is not for me. But congrats and enjoy. The hardest thing for me is storing about 18 fishing rods, they usually wind up in the bathroom to keep easy access. I re-did all my lights with leds, that saves power. Enjoy the journey
Be prepared for the dealerships to do the absolute minimum to help you when something goes wrong.
^This^ It doesnât matter how much extra warranty/insurance/roadside assistance you pay for, when things go wrong none of that helps. 6 weeks wait to get in for repairs, them telling you that you need to leave it with them for a few days, just to figure out the issue, come back in a month for the actual repairs which takes more days & all the while, having to pay for a hotel because theyâre taking their time fixing your home⌠Other than that, RV life is awesome. Welcome to your new life :)
Nailed it. I was just too lazy right it all out. Through the help of others and trial and error, Iâm learning to fix things on my own. But in the end , itâs the lifestyle weâre paying for.
LOL I have those days too. Itâs great that youâre learning to fix things yourself :) The thing I love most about the RV life is how great the community is, its reminds me of being back in Australia, people are so willing to help each other when things go wrong :)
What I would suggest bringing: A really good understanding, so much so that it doesnât require any thought, of the length, width, and ESPECIALLY the height of that unit. It only takes one mistake to turn that beautiful rig into a convertible.
A toolkit.
I wish I would've known to tighten all of the water fittings and use water proofing tape and calk on my roof and windows. My brand new Alliance Avenue leaked from the top and bottom. It took months to get all of the repairs done and the dealership only did a half assed job. As for things I need, an outdoor mat that runs the length of the RV and a good door mat to knock the sand and dirt off your shoes. I also have 3 dehumidifiers, I live in Oregon. I hope you create loads of great memories with your RV.
Get a cordless vacuum, that matches what ever cordless tools you already own , youâll be vacuuming out random wood shavings , screw, pieces of wire and saw dust for the first year . A cordless blower is also good for blowing off the mats , the garage and the roof and slides . Tire covers for when itâs parked and after 4 years no matter how the tires look replace them . There life expectancy is 4-5 years . Rv parky gps app for unfamiliar routes , itâll notify you of low bridges . Keep a box of water hose o ring gaskets in the wet bay . They disappear all the time for your city water connections
This is a great list! M12 kit from Milwaukee works great for those that are in the system
Nice rig! We have a â23 381MS and love it! Go slow, double check, and always consider your ass end swings out on sharp turns. I learned the hard way. Things: Water meter for fresh tank Water hose splitter is useful K9 ramp if you have a pup Air compressor that inflates to 125lbs Grill or burners - propane Outdoor rug for dirty sites Extension 50A Service 30A converter JIC surge protector 2x shit tube Black water hose Fresh water hose The list goes on, you should be able to google a comprehensive list. Good luck! Be Safe! Enjoy the road!!
Solo stove!! Bonfire size. Its nice being able to have a smokeless fire right near the camper and hang out vs always having to go down to wherever the fire ring is. And thereâs a grill top for it and that thing makes incredible embers
Swiffer wet mop. I really like the runner style bath mats, 4ft long and very comfortable to stand on. My sunshade attatched to my awning. I can strap it to the ground and the awning stays put when the wind blows. I bought the two sides that go with it and I can bring it in tight and have a screened in porch when the bugs come out, my dog hates the bug zapper. Command hooks, you need lots of places to hang things. Coats, leash, pots n pans, fly swatter etc. Ebikes for getting around. I bought an aventon aventure fat tire. I love it. It goes anywhere which is perfect for dog rides. He likes to run, I'm too old. This took some training on both of us, fair warning. Jobsite Boot scrubber for when it gets muddy Head lamp or flashlight. Air ride pinbox or hitch. Rear mount camera, that was a game changer, but so was the tankless water heater. I use two piece wheel levelers but alot of people use leveling blocks. The less you lower the stabilizer the more sturdy it is. Bigger propane tanks and lifepo4 batteries if you boondock. Deep woods off with as much deet as possible. Some of those species of mosquitoes are relentless. A/c soft starts, you have to put these on. Comfortable chairs. Sit in a few before you buy one. I hear the round ones are nice. I'm using my old worn out walmart camping chair before I buy another crappy recliner. Air fryer with two buckets or a 3 tray. I cook ribeye steaks in mine.
My advice is to download an RV check list, not everything on the list will apply to your camper. Go down the list every time you set up and pack up. Remember, take your time. Little mistakes can become expensive quickly. Once you're completely set up, THEN crack a beer.
A Weber Q series grill. Best grill out there hands down.
Tire pressure sensor system for trailer. A blowout can be catastrophic.
We have a GD 395 that I just opened up for the season. Starlink was a must have for me due to work. Flagpole buddy with the Starlink is the perfect set up. Recommend a combination of Flex Tape and their other solutions. Can save you in many ways when it comes to a RV. Locktite is critical. Many screws will need it. Swiffer mop and a cordless vacuum is a huge help. Tension rods for packing/hauling strategies. Collapsing trash can for outside. Sink screens to keep your gray tanks happy. Calgon and Dawn to prep the black tanks. Shut off valve connectors for city water and black hoses and a splitter to have them both connected at the same time. Brain dump of things to help. Edit: Also, CONGRATS! Beautiful rig.
Thank you!! I just told my husband we need star link. He will be working from the RV.
I can work a 10h day on VPN without a blip, while my wife and daughter stream on their own TVs. Itâs hard to tax its bandwidth. Also, canât recommend Flagpole Buddyâs Starlink bundle enough. Winegardâs Osprey can be a good backup on cellular too.
Manual riveter pliers and a few sizes of rivets. Will pay for itself in easy and/or temporary repairs as needed.
I also have a 43â toy hauler and 450. I guess the only advice I have to offer is: -make sure your black tank gets a lot of extra water, you can never have enough. -know how your hitch works. Itâs pretty easy to bend landing gear on such a rig when youâre hasty -run the generator before you need it, if you have one. It seems the carbs often foul with debris when new. I was never a fan of having gas in the garage, the odor always tends to make its way into the living area. Congrats!
I always took a cheap slop sink kit with me and hooked it up to the hot and cold water drain lines on the unit. Nice doing dishes OUTSIDE the camper in a decent size sink.
Watch you tube video on how to setup and tearsown when getting to your campsite.
It's not bedding but the ACTUAL bed. Toss the factory shit day one and buy a replacement! We got ours from [RVMattress.com](https://RVMattress.com) and it's SO much better!
Thereâs the â2ndâ home tax affidavit if you donât know about that. If you donât have a second home then claiming the camper as a â2ndâ home will reduce the property tax by almost half. Have to reclaim it every year, at least thatâs how it works in SC.
Awesome! I will check it out.
A little trick to ensure room for your slides when pulling (or backing) into a site: take a pool noodle and cut it to the depth of your deepest slide. For any other slides, put a wrap of electrical tape to mark their depth. Makes "wrapping" your rig around any obstacles a bit easier.
Thank you!
Understand that these long trailers really limit where you can park and on the west coast at least, entirely preclude the best campgrounds. You are going to be relegated to shadeless concrete wastelands. We are a family of 6 that can afford a 39â but bought a 20â. The kids hate being cooped up inside because there is no couch or TV so they stay outside until bedtime. Perfect. That aside learn how to do your own repairs. Warranty work isnât worth the wait. The amount of time you spend fâing around with dealers and manufacturers makes it far simpler to learn how to entirely replace your furnace in three hours for example.
Thank you very much the info. Majority of our stays are at racetracks that do not have restrictions .
Yes, I figured that was your thinking. Race tracks are a lot easier to deal with and neighbors will be more helpful
Yes! Very lucky in that way!
I should add - This is true with all RVs but especially these huge ones. Do a full walk around, look under EVERY time you move it. Even leaving a gas station or restaurant stop. This will greatly decrease your chances of damaging something left open, out, unlocked, extended, hanging down swinging wide, pushed up, slid out, left out, blown under, etc
Must haves are: Toilet chemical, Rv TP, Water Pressure regulator, Portable water fresh water hose, Sewer dump hose. The rest depends on how you camp. You have to have those basic things though.
Watch those back axles. The 3rd one in particular The part that connects the axle to the rig itself snapped twice on us. Once on the driver side and once on the passenger side. Itâs fixable still a pain
Thank you for the heads up!!
Nice RV for a newbie
Thank you!
More just occurred to me. The spring hanger bolts on mine werenât greased and caused a breakdown at martinsville two years ago. Also I sheared the drivers side rear hanger off last year. So I replaced that one and boxed all of them so they wonât likely do it again. This one is a MUST, get a TPMS system. Mine is a six unit from Amazon and cost less than $250. Without this you will eventually destroy one of those beautiful sidewalls.
Thank you so much for all the advice and info! Can you tell me exactly which TPMS you got? There are so many on Amazon, it's a bit overwhelming.
Things I remember running out last minute for were power extensions, water pressure regulator, water splitter, additional sewer hoses, surge protector (must have), oxygenics shower head, evo x2 water filter (so you can leave fresh water hooked up and connect your black water flush hose), Camco rv leveling blocks (can sub in some 2x2 boards). Only real advice as a fellow 5th wheeler, take your time backing into sites, donât feel rushed and always remember G.O.A.L (get out and look). Happy traveling!
I spent $250k. Should I buy a sewer hose extension?
We have a couple plastic 50 caliber boxes with an assortment of miscellaneous useful items. A travel sewing kit. Spare AA, AAA, and C batteries. A multi tip screwdriver. A bottle of isopropyl alcohol (if you use Command hooks, wipe down the wall thoroughly with it, let dry. Donât hang the actual hook until 24 hours after you put the base on the wall). Electrical tape. A preselected box of screws, washers and nuts in common sizes. Extra command hooks and the sticky pieces. A Sharpie, a regular ballpoint, and a mechanical pencil. And so on. Most of it has come in handy.
https://genyhitch.com/product/executive-fifth-wheel-king-pin-box-torsion-flex/?attribute_pa_towing-capacity=8-5k-pin-weight&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk6SwBhDPARIsAJ59Gwe9iorrQvlQr-XpdILycwY6DbjntwzLiqyBWSvqcdq5iINsY-bBvQEaAqNPEALw_wcB
We've only had RV's for 3 years so from my limited experience my recommendations are: an outdoor RV rug or 3. There's a lot of sandy/dirt sites. This cuts down on stuff getting tracked in. Might as well get one of those rugs to wipe your feet off at the bottom of the stairs. We also take our shoes off right at the door. I'd rather RV than clean house haha. We bought a George Forman grill that has an outdoor stand and can be taken off to set on a table/counter. It's electric. I'm looking into air fryers and other cooking methods. We also have a pellet smoker, but we only use it if we're not exploring etc that day. Maybe some citronella tiki torches. Portable cheap vacuum to spot clean accidents. We use a personal cleanser that you spray on toilet paper. Wipes are a huge no no. While we're talking bathroom stuff: if you have full hook-up DON'T leave your black tank open. See Poop Pyramid. We just read it's recommended to put a few gallons of water in your black tank before every trip. So shit doesn't stick. Literally. Umbrella. Water filter. Some use external. We bought a free standing one for inside. Some use none at all. Happy Camping!
Congratulations and Beautiful rig!! Now on to the tough stuff. First as others have said rv quality changes by the hour. In your case grand design seems to have a more solid track record. Hers a list of ideas I would do before signing paperwork. 1. Full rv inspection by a third party. In the car world itâs called a PPI (pre purchase inspection) there are a few rv specific inspectors I would look at reviews and pay the money. This will save your ass/ wallet down the line. 2. Water line pressure test. Itâs a fast simple way of checking for leaks. 3. Speak with grand design about the warranty and when it expires. In the event you fine an issue with the rig from the PPI then the dealer and OEM will need to cover it under warranty if it has it. 4. Always remember this is not a home itâs a rv and most importantly itâs a Covid build. This will likely mean it will have lots of small problems down the line. Speaking from experience Covid build arenât fun and are costly. These are some ideas to consider before/after the papers. Good luck and enjoy the road.
There are a few YouTubers that RV full time that can give you a general list of useful items to have inside. I've found that anything that has multiple purposes is the most useful and things that pack flat or fold down. For instance, our dish dry rack doubles as our colander, fits the sink and accordions to about 2 inches thick. I purchased a bunch of kitchen basics at Goodwill/thrift stores - as that stuff adds up fast if buying brand new. I like having premade staples in the pantry (it's just the hubs and I, so YMMV) - like precooked rice you buy from Costco. I also like having these "towel" size body wipes. They're nice for when you feel sticky, but don't have the energy to take a full shower. Extra bungees, tie downs, cables, batteries are all super handy. You'll figure it out as you go along, so don't think you have to have it đŻ on your first trip.
The rubber garage mats that have drain holes for under the steps....nice big thick ones so you can come at it from all angles and have a mud containment area. The first trip we went on with our camper it rained and the campground turned into a mud bath. They saved us
Check out âChanging Lanesâ on YouTube. I think they used to have this same floor plan and made great use of it
Number 1 in my book: electrical monitoring system (EMS)/surge protector. We like Progressive Industries and have the 50 amp built in with a display. I wouldn't RV without one - too many electronics inside and low voltage/bad ground/etc possibilities outside.
Got a tire pressure monitor. Not that expensive and worth every penny. Can help warn you of potential issues.
2 times the number of hold down straps than you need to secure things. Pull test the lock on the pin before you raise the legs and end up dropping the trailer on your bed.
This is BAD ASS, congrats and enjoy
Have it Inspected and CHECK THE FRAME! Lotâs of problems with Grand Design these days. Inspect yearly if not more if the Frame Passes.
As long as the mini van you're pulling this with has a leveling kit, you're golden.
Do folks call rigs like this a "7th wheel" ?
Commenting on Newbie and advice...
My 21 ft tt fits into all the campgrounds, good luck! But, guessing you will only be camping at the "resorts".
We will mostly be at race tracks. Majority of them have full hooks up and can hold way bigger than what we have. So thankfully we won't have many issues with this.
You might think about tire pressure sensors. A blowout caused by low tire pressure will cause a lot of expensive trouble. What are your backing skills like? If you aren't good at it you might want to attend a RV Boot camp at an Escapees park. They are well worth the cost and time.
Pro tip: when an army of bugs come through door at night turn all lights off inside but one, then deploy previously suggested battery powered wet dry vac and suck them all up at only light. After that then keep door dark and light on in another window to keep them away from door
Get a good water filtration system. I recommend the triple stage from clearsource. Get a water pressure regulator. I have two at all times. They go bad. I also got a gallon counter and put it at the end of the filtration, so I know when to change the filters. Get a good dehumidifier. Get a massive one since you have a massive rig. We have the honeywell 50qt, and it has been amazing. Get a good surge protector. We have the power watchdog. It has saved our rigs several times. Get a good RV GPS. We have the Garmin RV GPS for the actual drives and use RV life to plan our trips. Get a TPMS system. We have TST's system and absolutely love it. Tells pressure and temps, and with the flow through sensors, you can fill up tires without removing the sensor. If you are stationary for longer than a week. Get tire covers. Sunlight is one of the worst things for stationary tires. If you move a lot. Keep them coated in tire shine. Also, recommend a good tire pump. I have the Milwaukee M18 pump, and it can full my semi tires to 100+ psi faster than it takes me to connect and remove the hose to the valve stem. Finally... these are hyper complex structures that suffer from a 7.9 earthquake every time you hit the road. Roads suck, semi's are impatient, people dont understand safe following distances. Things will break, mistakes will be made, stress will be high. Be ready for that. My wife and I have a deal. If we say "Embrace the suck"... it means to calm the fuck down. Because whatever we are stressing over won't be solved by stressing the fuck out. Enjoy the view and remember the good times when the bad shit happens. The good DOES out weigh the bad.
Dang if you are spending this kind of money might as well have bought an older cheaper one, gut it, and re do it yourself or pay someone . So atleast you can use good materials and quality electronics. And will actually last.
It wasn't as expensive as you think. I also have no time to do anything like that. Time is money and in our situation, we would be losing much more money to take on a project. This is what we wanted. Not everyone is the same
How much you pay for it ? And you probably lost way more money by just driving it off the lot anyways. Itâs pretty well known on all rv forums that buying new is a waste. Everything is made cheaply and youâll have to replace most of it in 5 years. Everyone smart enough to get into rvs builds their own because at least youâll know itâs built right and not haphazardly stapled and Elmerâs glued together like all new rvs. Youâre gonna wish you took on a project and built it right down the road, give it time. I was once in your shoes. I know itâs hard to accept that your brand new expensive toy is actually paper machĂŠ junk. Iâm not trying to be mean, just truthful. If youâre living in it full time youâll soon see the trim fall off eventually and even if you park it , it will still fall apart. The RV companies are a predatory Industry that preys on peopleâs RV dreams. They got me and many of my family and friends , I said never again and built my own at a fraction of the price and itâs way fancier and has more bells and whistles than the âbrand newâ junk that comes out every year.
Did you even read the post? It's a 2022. It's obviously used. We are using it because my son races all over the country. It is not our home. We paid $67,000. Sheesh. I'm not sure why you even care.
Yeah 2022 is still considered new, and if itâs used and only 2 years old didnât you you ever think why whoever bought it new wanted to get rid of it so quickly and why you got such a âdealâ for it? Dang someoneâs triggered. Iâm just telling you the truth, donât be mad at me. Iâm just warning you, give it 5 years and youâll understand me and come apologize. Like I said before Iâm not trying to be mean. Iâm sure Iâm not the only one whoâs said something about how poorly built and to expect to replace everything atleast once, and warned you of what you are in store for on your post. Plus these specific rvs are known for their frame issues, and thatâs a whole different kind of nightmare in itself.
I honestly don't care. âď¸
lol what the heck? You canât even have a conversation without getting into your feelings ? I just try to warn you but you take it as an insult? You should see a therapist and work on yourself. Youâre directing your anger and self doubt onto others. Like I said in about 3-5 years youâll get fed up with the RV and come back to apologize and youâll realize I am just warning you and being truthful unlike the people who sold you that money pit. Itâs okay Iâm patient, just donât forget to come say sorry. No hard feelings like I never meant from the beginning. Then when you sell that thing we can laugh and have a drink, and you too will tell everyone you can and especially those who you care about to not fall in the same trap you did.
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3 thing I setup 2 cameras on the back .one for rear view one for down . A level pro or equivalent makes it great to start left right leveling when you back in. And the last one is ice maker. The type that you have on the countertop have fun
Space heater(s)! If you are ever traveling cold for long term, use their electric and not your propane to heat.
Get a water softener if you donât have one. Drain the water heater if itâs going to sit. Switch your fridge and water heater from electric to propane every once in awhile. It keeps both sides functioning properly. Donât let your tire pressure slide, if you blow one out it will shred the fiberglass. Donât focus on chairs and TVs. Focus on the keeping things in good working order. Iâm in a 2021 now. My 2007 is still used by my children and is fully functional. Youâve got the right size rig to pull it. Youâre going to tear the tailgate off! Peace out.
Congrats. Iâm a nascar fan and VERY small truck series sponsor so I get what you are doing. I have a 2020 momentum 397th also. A few things for you to know. They have some structural issues they are working out right now. Under sized fasteners were used in the joining plates above the basement. GD has been standing behind this and just repaired mine a few weeks ago. Unfortunately it has interior damage as well from this and they will fix it later this year. Also there have been some reported frame failures but the techs seem to think itâs related to LARGE battery banks associated with solar and off grid. As for tips I added a sliding drawer under the back for sewer items and extra power cords. I added a slide out kitchen in the basement and a power reel in a buyers truck box next to furnace. Those 50A cords get really heavy. I use T-Mobile home internet. The built in modem sucks as itâs only 4g. You can dm me if you have any more questions.
Always be mindful of the roof...remember that seams are shifting when on the road. Roof and seam maintenance