Agree with these comments fully. We full time in all kinds of weather and about 30% of the time boondocking. We have a residential fridge, 600 amp hours of lithium batteries, 900 watts solar, an 8K diesel generator and three sources of heat with propane furnace heating our tanks and living space. We’ve used it all and enjoy a 10 gallon three way hot water heater along with a massive propane tank. We also have 100 gallons of fresh water, 110 gallons of gray and 70 black storage and dual pane windows. The downside is maintenance on a complex and older diesel pusher. We have a 98 Foretravel.
@@largemarge1603 During the day, we are often out and about so I keep it on 80 since we are not in the TT. When we get back I turn the air cond to 74 and at night we sleep at about 71 or 72. Our TT is only 24 feet and we have a 15K BTU ac unit.
Been finding your videos very helpful. I was set on buying a Grand Design Imagine til I saw your video detailing their inability to properly plumb the travel trailer’s. For my situation you suggested a Park Model. I agree. Thank you
Thanks. Because of our cats and the desire to boondock a fair amount, we opted for the Forester 3011DS Class C, almost exclusively due to the floorplan and huge amount of storage. I added a 4" lift, Fox suspension and 32" all terrain tires plus 800W of solar. We tow a Cherokee Trailhawk and the 6.8L V10 struggles up hills. However, after 3 months and 4000 miles it's done great.
I took my gas refrigerator out and put a home refrigerator in. I have no battery to run it or solar. I can get about 8 hours running down the road before I half to worry. I pull everything far as food and put it in the freezer. That's how I keep my stuff cold.
OUTSTANDING INFO. Thanks a million. Please review Class C motor coaches with wetbath, 12v fridge, no slide, queen bed with walk around, dinette, wood stove, insulated windows, swivel captain seats, Ford 350. We are researching to find the best manufacturer. So far, Fraserway is in a league all by itself, even though some of our wants are not onboard.
I recently have come across this channel. Thanks, you do a good job presenting the information. I have a Class A 2013 Tiffin Open Road 31SA, with a regular gas engine. I agree with what you are saying. It's been a great rig for all sorts of camping. Boondocking is my first choice if I can. I also have an absorption style fridge and haven't had any issues in cold weather. But I must admit that the temps I've been in are cold overnight, maybe down to as low as 10 degrees, then usually warm up to the 40's or 50's during the day. So far so good. The engine is a Ford V10 and has served me well. I figure if I can keep up with the semi-trucks, then I'm doing Ok. You mentioned redundancies on electrical systems in a Class A. I have that, including solar with lithium batteries. It is tailored to my needs as I can run electrical items easily and heat my rig when needed. The propane/electric selectable items allow me to switch my day and night uses of them, to conserve either battery power or propane. And speaking of redundancy, I like having my coach and towing a car. This gives me two vehicles to use. If one were to ever break down, then I'm not totally stuck, as I have the other to drive somewhere for help. This can come in handy when in very remote places without cell service. The big thing is maintenance, it has to be done! Preventive maintenance is key and is ongoing. If you want to be enjoying as much of a trouble-free time in any RV, then you have to work at it. Also getting all the manuals for every device for your RV and reading them is key. This will help you immensely when something isn't working correctly.
You mentioned to say the brands that we are interested in - we bought a Heartland mallard Pathfinder specifically PB-17QBH - a myriad of initial problems which I fix because I'm pretty handy and I know the trades. Overall it seems to be fairly well-constructed but all the little stuff like the wiring in the plumbing really were in bad shape. If I couldn't defend this myself it would still be in the shop after a year-and-a-half LOL
We bought a brand new 2023 Heartland Mallard IDM26 a few months ago and have had electrical and plumbing issues as well... The microwave didn't work first outing; wasn't even plugged in, the outlet fell out of the wall, and the outlet read open neutral on my diagnostic equipment. The p trap under the kitchen sink came loose and dumped water all over under the sink. Bunch of other small, dumb issues as well (random screws rattling loose, trim pieces loose, floor squeaks at night, couch squeaks, bugs keep getting inside from somewhere, the solar controller wiring wasn't even hooked up, etc.). Tried to get warranty work, Camping World said they'd need to hold onto it for months. We full time, so I am just fixing stuff myself.
Great job. We have a fifth wheel and travel long distances with a residential refrigerator and did have an issue with the three batteries going dead on the long travel days. My solution was to install a 20 amp DC to DC charging system which eliminated the problem. Does require some wiring on both the tow vehicle and the fifth wheel, as well as connecting and disconnecting an additional heavy duty high amperage plug, however that is very easy to do.
I'm not clear on how a gas absorption refrigerator gets ruined in cold weather. I lived in New Jersey for two winters in my RV and never had an issue. I then moved to the mountains of southern Arizona and actually had my pipes freeze once in the winter, but for years I never had a problem with the refrigerator. Yes, it was gas absorption and I used propane most of the time. (I lucked out on the pipes freezing, they were not really under pressure at the time and only the faucet head in the kitchen popped out. Nothing else was damaged and I never had a leak.)
I would love to see some reviews on the KZ Durango (321RKT) and the Durango Gold series. I just found your channel today and really like the honest reviews and information you are providing. Thx
It would be great if you could review the Outdoor RV brand. While these still suffer from some of the quality issues all of them have, I would be interested in your opinion compared against other brands.
Who do you think makes the best RV for temperature extremes? Something you can take to the desert or Florida during the summer and also Ski resorts in the winter?
Jacob, This was an awesome video. Thank you so much for sharing and educating us. Would love a video comparing small class c rvs. Looking to purchasing one very soon.
Enjoy you videos and your no non-sense approach. We are contemplating full time RV living and remaining in one place for 3-4 months at a time. I don't intend to purchase a hauling vehicle and have a transport company move it for me to save on having to have such a large heavy duty vehicle as a daily driver and the associated costs. We have always lived in a brick and mortar home but have owned several RVs over the years. I have somewhat narrowed down the manufacturer to DRV. We will have to purchase a used one since they are so expensive. I would love to hear your take on this company's products. thanks again for the informative videos
One other issue with gas absorption refrigerators is altitude. Above 6000 feet, they need adjustment to stay lit. Fans help, but they still need adjustment.
Having just had to replace our gas absorption fridge, I can attest to the cost. I’d love your thoughts on fibreglass clamshell style RVs vs the more common fibreglass slab wall or stick-and-tin constructions: advantages and disadvantages. Brands include Bigfoot, Escape, Oliver, Casita, Northern Lite. The appeal to me is the reduced chance of water leaks, and the value retention. The latter sure makes them expensive on the used market, though!
I would definitely be interested in the knowing the different brands for migrant workers. I'm in the process of accepting a new job which has me traveling around every six months with my family. So far I have been thinking of doing so with a fifth wheel, so that I can disconnect and use the truck. Thanks so much for this awesome channel.
@A, I need to see your RequirementsStatement. * experience * souls aboard * duration off-grid * full-time live-aboard. . On skoolie and other home-built forums, we recommend: * acquire a likely candidate * toss in some car-camping gear * go have fun. Acquiring or building the rig prior to using it risks forcing the adventure to fit the rig. . Walk a RecreateVehicle park or resort. Chat with owners of rigs you might consider. . Join a caravan of experienced travellers. Watch, listen, offer to help. . Avoid believing 'this rig is my forever rig'. You grow and change, your rig needs evolve.
I have been RV'ing since 1973. The class B was reliable and a great unit. Bought a used class C and had continuous problems. Bought a used TT but got rid of it due to water damage I was not aware of upon purchase. Bought a new TT and it has been excellent. Class C's have a lot of stuff that can go wrong.
Awesome, I'm planning to do several head-to-head reviews where I show different brands at different prices and review them for the quality of the build. Coming soon!
For cold weather I'd use a class B with internal tanks. I would never use a propane powered fridge because I have a tendancy of parking on an incline or decline when walking my dog. My Snowmaster compressor chest fridge has lasted three years so far of daily use. And I have no propane on my campervan, use my vehicle's gasoline tank to power my Espar water heater and furnace.
There are electric tankless water heaters, but the ones I used are meant for commercial and residential use. Those pull a lot of amps. You have to have inverters that are heavy duty and a decent size bank of batteries. Run 4 to 8 in parallel and optimal will be 24 volt. And yes, this will have to be a do it yourself project as I don't know of any RV made set up that way. Anything that runs on propane means you have to buy it from time to time. That could be a problem if living in it year round and budget is tight.
@kirk, To compare, visit your local insurance salvage pool or wrecking yard aka 'dismantlers'. . We delivered RecreateVehicles, including BillionBuxBus conversions. Waiting for paperwork, we wandered the assembly area. We watched a forklift raise the center of a frame higher than our heads before the dropping ends cleared the floor. The box structure of the quarters provides the majority of the structural rigidity. . Any impact or trauma to the box transforms the RecreateVehicle to a trampoline. . But they have pretty decals!
I would like to see your opinion on best build quality on higher end fifth wheels like Alliance Paradigm vs Forest River Riverstone vs Grand Design vs Montana. The waters get muddy when looking at construction techniques. Thank you for the info you put out in your videos
We live full time in our Class A. For eight or nine months we traverse the US, from state to state, putting down stakes mostly at less expensive RV parks. On average, we relocate every five to six weeks. For three or four months, we are in the Texas Panhandle on property we own. We still live in our Class A. The property has 50 amp power, but no water or sewer. What would be the best RV for us?
Great question! I offer consulting where I get on a call with you and we can talk through your budget, camping goals and I can review any RV listings you’re considering - undercoverrvshopper.com/book-a-consultation/
What would you recommend for me? Will stay placed for a year or two before moving to another place which could possibly be over a 30 hour drive. One adult and two kids but possibly only on weekends or every other week. I don't have a truck.
It depends! I offer consulting where I get on a call with you and we can talk through your budget, camping goals and I can review any RV listings you’re considering - undercoverrvshopper.com/book-a-consultation/
After going through countless videos here on YT I am so happy I found you!!! This is exactly the type of honest expertise I am looking for. We are preparing to purchase within the next 3 months (after planning for 2+ years) and we have narrowed it down to Grand Design, KZ Durango Gold and possibly Riverstone by Forest River. Would love to hear what you have to say about those brands - and if they are not good - then what would you recommend? I applaud your work - you are providing such a valuable service - great job!!! Thank you. Also, I am curious - can we hire you to inspect a unit when we find one and if not how do I find someone I can trust?
I have a review video including Grand Design coming out tomorrow! As for inspections, unfortunately I'm not able to take any jobs now as I'm focusing just on RUclips and my course. Watch my video on why RV service is bad for my best reccomendations on finding a tech or inspector. Thanks for watching!
would love to know more about the rockwood lite and the flagsstaff micro lite campers. they seem to be well built but what are your thoughts. Can you do reviews for us midsized truck owners?
The concern I have about Class A units is that the boondocking I want to do involves some off-road or at least, unpaved roads as well as camping in winter. Are there ways to address those concerns? My thought has been a truck camper makes the most sense.
I had an 18month temp job in KC, and decided to live in my 5th wheel at an RV park and not get an apt. My winter there they had a freak cold front come in...fortunately there was some warning and i was able to get some electric tank blankets which kept the propane tanks warm and i did not lose my furnace in -14 weather. RV had the optional belly pan which kept the tanks warm too, but didn't help the drain hoses, but fortunately we had a quick thaw after a few days. By and large i would not recommend winter RV'g unless you have backups to everything in case it goes haywire. but i enjoyed my adventure
I just saw your videos on water leaks due to the flex tubing used with pex fittings. Can you tell me where the best place is to purchase all the flare-it fittings I will need, and flex hose insert with collar? I have a grand design and am experiencing the exact leaks in your video.
Residential and 12 volt refridgerators don't have the cold weather limitations like gas absorption. Running from an inverter is fine for travel, you just are limited in drive time by the amount of solar and battery capacity you have.
Word of caution....if you don't have a DC to DC charger between the house and chassis batteries, if the house batteries get low they will draw excessive current from the engine alternator and can damage the solinoid or the alternator. For example, I recently had to replace a blown 125amp fuse on a motorhome with a large lithium battery bank because they were running the AC off inverter power while traveling. When the battery bank got low it drew more than 125 amps from the alternator and blew the fuse. I've replaced many solinoids that were damaged by high current on motorhomes with standard batteries because the solinoid is usually only rated for 80 continuous duty. Because of the alternator limitations, you don't want to put a more heavy duty solinoid in. Easiest thing is to only discharge batteries 50%. If you want to cycle them deeper, or have lithium, I reccomend a DC to DC charger because it limits the charge output to an amperage level that is safe for all components. On your Tiffen, I don't know what you battery set up is, or your travel habits, so I don't know if you would run into problems. But I would encourage you to keep an eye on the charge level of the batteries while traveling and run the generator if needed to keep up the charge.
Just found your channel. Thank you for your info. Question, if we were below 25 degrees with a gas absorbtion fridge, could i just turn it off until it gets warmer? I run mine on electric all the time as i stay plugged in.
Well drat. I have been looking for an rv or big toy hauler to live in on relatives property under shelter. Now I’m totally discouraged and sad as every rv after 2020 definitely sounds like a pile of crap. Isn’t there anything you would recommend?
Is a PM rv self contained? Well no they aren’t so you can’t live in one unless you have sewer etc so it negates the idea of trying to live cheaper. So can you suggest the best toy hauler or?
Gas/electric combo is a gas absorption refrigerator. It can just use electricity to boil the ammonia in the system rather than a propane flame. Same for a 3-way refrigerator, it just has both 12v dc and 120v ac heating elements in addition to gas flame.
I have a 35 foot motorhome. I have seen contradicting statements about running the fridge while driving. If it is an electric/gas fridge it must be off or it can ruin the fridge. Is that true? Is there a situation that you can run the fridge as you drive? Is it best to turn it off as you drive, maybe put some ice in it to keep things cool, and then turn it back on when you are settled? I appreciate any help you can give. Thanks. Frank
Driving is not a problem. If it stays out of level front to back more than 6 degrees when you are parked it can damage the cooling unit and even be a fire hazard. I full-timed for a year and a half on the road constantly with a gas fridge and never had issues. Thanks for watching!
a quality 23-27 foot Travel Trailer with a medium sized tow vehicle with a diesel engine. Good luck finding or even affording a quality rv of any kind these days though...unfortunately new trucks are so laden with failure prone electronics youll be ending up stuck in a town where the dealer is more than sooner than you expected.
Unfortunately no. Propane mode and electric mode are alternative heat sources to boil the ammonia in the cooling unit. Because the problem is with the ammonia in the cooling unit gelling, it does not matter what heat sources you use. Norcold makes a cold weather kit which is a heater that allows for operating down to 0deg Farenheit, and Dometic makes a replacement vent door with no vents for use under 45 deg Farenheit. It just blocks air flow and should make the fridge operable down to -22 deg Farenheit. That is what they advertise, I don't have enough data to say how well those systems work as I just get called to fix the ones where people did nothing 🤣
On my 5th wheel they put fridge on the slide out ,so you have to lift it over the lip to get behind it to clean the dust bunnies, Why did they not put this on a separate little slide so you could simp push button to have the fridge slide out and in. Just a idea r.v manufacturers.
I can count on one finger the number of people I've heard with that complaint! Lol....good for you keeping things clean! The lip is to help stop the fridge from falling out during transit if the screws come loose.
Wish I could send a drawing of what I mean by a separate slide for the fridge , the lip would still be there so the fridge would be stable while traveling just that section of the slide would slide separately. Hard to explain, but it's in my head. 😆 😂
After watching several of your videos I have come the conclusion that there is NO toyhauler or manufacturer in our price range with quality that we could ever buy. With that said our desire to travel full time and winter in warm climates is a bust! For information we where looking at the Grand Design 349 now I will just forget it very disappointing thanks for the info. I also looked at Alliance and Brinkley. Bad floor plans bad Prices.
Great video series, thank you. Question: we have a 21 GD 5th wheel with a ac/propane dometic fridge. We have found ourselves in sub 25 f conditions with no issues, but we only ran the fridge on electric. Does cold weather negatively effect this type of fridge when running on electric, or is just a problem when running propane?
It's a problem on both. Gas or electric can break the fridge if it's on in sub 25 F. The issue is the ammonia in the fridge that gels because of the cold
They are great for travel if you have enough battery and solar to run for the amount of time you want to travel. You really have to start with the desired run time and size your battery bank and solar accordingly.
@use, Excellent q. In our ExpeditionVehicle, we use a dual-zone 61qt SnoMaster. It sips micro amps per decade. . On our ExpeditionVehicle, we have six 305-Watt photovoltaic, a total of 1,830-Watts. These top our ancient bank of eight 105ah Lifeline AGM. . Two decades full-time live-aboard, we boondock exclusively. . [edited to add] For a 12vdc fridge, look into any of the 'expedition' series. These are engineered for extended travel over rough terrain. They are designed with excess insulation and substantial innerds. One example is National Luna, built in South Afrika for the harshest conditions.
I would like to see reviews of several Class C RVs. A comparison of the top three brands in the 24 ft size range would be great.
Winnebago view 2005-06 best choise for the money and engine built mine makes 18 MPG diesel .
This is hands down your best video for people that have no experience with RVs but considering purchasing
Thanks!
Agree with these comments fully. We full time in all kinds of weather and about 30% of the time boondocking. We have a residential fridge, 600 amp hours of lithium batteries, 900 watts solar, an 8K diesel generator and three sources of heat with propane furnace heating our tanks and living space. We’ve used it all and enjoy a 10 gallon three way hot water heater along with a massive propane tank. We also have 100 gallons of fresh water, 110 gallons of gray and 70 black storage and dual pane windows. The downside is maintenance on a complex and older diesel pusher. We have a 98 Foretravel.
Awesome, thanks for sharing!
I would love input on a 4 season toyhauler!!!! Totally looking forward to your videos about the most reliable rv brands.
Me too!
Excellent info, did not know about gas fridges need to stay above 25 degrees. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
@G,
What temperature do you keep the inside of your rig.
@@largemarge1603 During the day, we are often out and about so I keep it on 80 since we are not in the TT. When we get back I turn the air cond to 74 and at night we sleep at about 71 or 72. Our TT is only 24 feet and we have a 15K BTU ac unit.
Been finding your videos very helpful. I was set on buying a Grand Design Imagine til I saw your video detailing their inability to properly plumb the travel trailer’s. For my situation you suggested a Park Model. I agree. Thank you
Glad I could help!
How about doing a video on how to protect bottoms of RVs from critters eating wires, etc.?
Thanks. Because of our cats and the desire to boondock a fair amount, we opted for the Forester 3011DS Class C, almost exclusively due to the floorplan and huge amount of storage. I added a 4" lift, Fox suspension and 32" all terrain tires plus 800W of solar. We tow a Cherokee Trailhawk and the 6.8L V10 struggles up hills. However, after 3 months and 4000 miles it's done great.
"Don't break your RV", he says. My RV breaks itself!
Lol....so true!
But I still like the tag line. We all need the extra encouragement to slow down and take the turn a little wider.
I took my gas refrigerator out and put a home refrigerator in. I have no battery to run it or solar. I can get about 8 hours running down the road before I half to worry. I pull everything far as food and put it in the freezer. That's how I keep my stuff cold.
I would like for you to review a Rockwood/Flagstaff Minilte trailer!
OUTSTANDING INFO. Thanks a million. Please review Class C motor coaches with wetbath, 12v fridge, no slide, queen bed with walk around, dinette, wood stove, insulated windows, swivel captain seats, Ford 350. We are researching to find the best manufacturer. So far, Fraserway is in a league all by itself, even though some of our wants are not onboard.
I recently have come across this channel. Thanks, you do a good job presenting the information.
I have a Class A 2013 Tiffin Open Road 31SA, with a regular gas engine.
I agree with what you are saying.
It's been a great rig for all sorts of camping. Boondocking is my first choice if I can.
I also have an absorption style fridge and haven't had any issues in cold weather. But I must admit that the temps I've been in are cold overnight, maybe down to as low as 10 degrees, then usually warm up to the 40's or 50's during the day. So far so good.
The engine is a Ford V10 and has served me well. I figure if I can keep up with the semi-trucks, then I'm doing Ok.
You mentioned redundancies on electrical systems in a Class A. I have that, including solar with lithium batteries. It is tailored to my needs as I can run electrical items easily and heat my rig when needed. The propane/electric selectable items allow me to switch my day and night uses of them, to conserve either battery power or propane.
And speaking of redundancy, I like having my coach and towing a car. This gives me two vehicles to use. If one were to ever break down, then I'm not totally stuck, as I have the other to drive somewhere for help. This can come in handy when in very remote places without cell service.
The big thing is maintenance, it has to be done! Preventive maintenance is key and is ongoing. If you want to be enjoying as much of a trouble-free time in any RV, then you have to work at it. Also getting all the manuals for every device for your RV and reading them is key. This will help you immensely when something isn't working correctly.
Thanks for watching and commenting! Glad the video was helpful!
Amazing video!!! As a mobile worker i would of thought TT..now I have a much bettwr idea!
You mentioned to say the brands that we are interested in - we bought a Heartland mallard Pathfinder specifically PB-17QBH - a myriad of initial problems which I fix because I'm pretty handy and I know the trades. Overall it seems to be fairly well-constructed but all the little stuff like the wiring in the plumbing really were in bad shape. If I couldn't defend this myself it would still be in the shop after a year-and-a-half LOL
We bought a brand new 2023 Heartland Mallard IDM26 a few months ago and have had electrical and plumbing issues as well...
The microwave didn't work first outing; wasn't even plugged in, the outlet fell out of the wall, and the outlet read open neutral on my diagnostic equipment. The p trap under the kitchen sink came loose and dumped water all over under the sink. Bunch of other small, dumb issues as well (random screws rattling loose, trim pieces loose, floor squeaks at night, couch squeaks, bugs keep getting inside from somewhere, the solar controller wiring wasn't even hooked up, etc.).
Tried to get warranty work, Camping World said they'd need to hold onto it for months. We full time, so I am just fixing stuff myself.
Great job. We have a fifth wheel and travel long distances with a residential refrigerator and did have an issue with the three batteries going dead on the long travel days. My solution was to install a 20 amp DC to DC charging system which eliminated the problem. Does require some wiring on both the tow vehicle and the fifth wheel, as well as connecting and disconnecting an additional heavy duty high amperage plug, however that is very easy to do.
Thanks for watching! Glad the video was helpful!
I'm not clear on how a gas absorption refrigerator gets ruined in cold weather. I lived in New Jersey for two winters in my RV and never had an issue. I then moved to the mountains of southern Arizona and actually had my pipes freeze once in the winter, but for years I never had a problem with the refrigerator. Yes, it was gas absorption and I used propane most of the time. (I lucked out on the pipes freezing, they were not really under pressure at the time and only the faucet head in the kitchen popped out. Nothing else was damaged and I never had a leak.)
Come to the Praires of Canada or the Rockies.....and experience the wonder 😂
I would love to see some reviews on the KZ Durango (321RKT) and the Durango Gold series.
I just found your channel today and really like the honest reviews and information you are providing. Thx
It would be great if you could review the Outdoor RV brand. While these still suffer from some of the quality issues all of them have, I would be interested in your opinion compared against other brands.
I'll add them to my list, thanks for watching!
They are crap like the rest. There's zero consistency in RV's... Except if you consider they are consistently made terrible?
Who do you think makes the best RV for temperature extremes? Something you can take to the desert or Florida during the summer and also Ski resorts in the winter?
Good analysis. Appreciate the categories.
best class A motorhomes pre def reviews would be nice
Jacob, This was an awesome video. Thank you so much for sharing and educating us. Would love a video comparing small class c rvs. Looking to purchasing one very soon.
Enjoy you videos and your no non-sense approach. We are contemplating full time RV living and remaining in one place for 3-4 months at a time. I don't intend to purchase a hauling vehicle and have a transport company move it for me to save on having to have such a large heavy duty vehicle as a daily driver and the associated costs. We have always lived in a brick and mortar home but have owned several RVs over the years. I have somewhat narrowed down the manufacturer to DRV. We will have to purchase a used one since they are so expensive. I would love to hear your take on this company's products. thanks again for the informative videos
It would be cool to see a review thingy on the Northwood Artic Fox (North Fork) TT's and 5th wheels (Grande Ronde)...also from them are the Nash TT's.
Can’t wait for the comparing of models
Would love to see a review of the new Airstream Tradewind for Boondocking.
One other issue with gas absorption refrigerators is altitude. Above 6000 feet, they need adjustment to stay lit. Fans help, but they still need adjustment.
recommend you go back and link the videos you refer to in the video itself with a pop up. Had to go looking for it but most wont bother.
Having just had to replace our gas absorption fridge, I can attest to the cost.
I’d love your thoughts on fibreglass clamshell style RVs vs the more common fibreglass slab wall or stick-and-tin constructions: advantages and disadvantages. Brands include Bigfoot, Escape, Oliver, Casita, Northern Lite. The appeal to me is the reduced chance of water leaks, and the value retention. The latter sure makes them expensive on the used market, though!
They will sell for about what you paid for them.
They are better in every way to 99.9% of other RV's.
So informative, thanks for making all these, learning so much!
My pleasure!
I would definitely be interested in the knowing the different brands for migrant workers. I'm in the process of accepting a new job which has me traveling around every six months with my family. So far I have been thinking of doing so with a fifth wheel, so that I can disconnect and use the truck. Thanks so much for this awesome channel.
Us too
I'm working on a review video of some 5th wheels that I think you will find helpful. Stay tuned!
Class A review(s) would be awesome. Currently own A Winnebago.
Love to hear ur comments on the Ember travel trailers a and Jaycos
Haven't look at Ember yet, but have several Jaycos coming up. Thanks for watching!
Please review the Ember RVs for the purpose of a permanent nomad lifestyle.
Thank you
Great video! I'd love if you could cover the best brands/models of Class C RVs.
Class C is a broad category, is there a more specific size you are looking at?
@A,
I need to see your RequirementsStatement.
* experience
* souls aboard
* duration off-grid
* full-time live-aboard.
.
On skoolie and other home-built forums, we recommend:
* acquire a likely candidate
* toss in some car-camping gear
* go have fun.
Acquiring or building the rig prior to using it risks forcing the adventure to fit the rig.
.
Walk a RecreateVehicle park or resort.
Chat with owners of rigs you might consider.
.
Join a caravan of experienced travellers.
Watch, listen, offer to help.
.
Avoid believing 'this rig is my forever rig'.
You grow and change, your rig needs evolve.
I have been RV'ing since 1973. The class B was reliable and a great unit. Bought a used class C and had continuous problems. Bought a used TT but got rid of it due to water damage I was not aware of upon purchase. Bought a new TT and it has been excellent. Class C's have a lot of stuff that can go wrong.
@@Gman-qm6bv Which make do you own?
@@NewYorkGiant518 Right now we have a Coachmen Freedom Express TT.
I would like to see a video on quality and brand/modle and price
Awesome, I'm planning to do several head-to-head reviews where I show different brands at different prices and review them for the quality of the build. Coming soon!
For cold weather I'd use a class B with internal tanks. I would never use a propane powered fridge because I have a tendancy of parking on an incline or decline when walking my dog. My Snowmaster compressor chest fridge has lasted three years so far of daily use. And I have no propane on my campervan, use my vehicle's gasoline tank to power my Espar water heater and furnace.
There are electric tankless water heaters, but the ones I used are meant for commercial and residential use. Those pull a lot of amps. You have to have inverters that are heavy duty and a decent size bank of batteries. Run 4 to 8 in parallel and optimal will be 24 volt. And yes, this will have to be a do it yourself project as I don't know of any RV made set up that way. Anything that runs on propane means you have to buy it from time to time. That could be a problem if living in it year round and budget is tight.
Appreciate your insite and description of a proper DIY upgrade 👍🏻
I’m a snowbird, boondocker & rv park nomad.
I’d be interested to know what you think about Grand Design TTS. Thank you!
Grand Design is on my list and I've got several I plan to review - stay tuned!
Ours has a 12v power supply; the battery is only on its own when off the truck or shore power.
I would like to see reviews for Oudoors Rv travel trailers.
Good info. Thanks. For motorhome comparison video, would love your take on Tiffin Phaeton vs Fleetwood Discovery LXE.
Thanks for the request! I've added those to my list :)
@kirk,
To compare, visit your local insurance salvage pool or wrecking yard aka 'dismantlers'.
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We delivered RecreateVehicles, including BillionBuxBus conversions.
Waiting for paperwork, we wandered the assembly area.
We watched a forklift raise the center of a frame higher than our heads before the dropping ends cleared the floor.
The box structure of the quarters provides the majority of the structural rigidity.
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Any impact or trauma to the box transforms the RecreateVehicle to a trampoline.
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But they have pretty decals!
Thanks 😎✌️
Thanks for watching!
I would like to see your opinion on best build quality on higher end fifth wheels like Alliance Paradigm vs Forest River Riverstone vs Grand Design vs Montana. The waters get muddy when looking at construction techniques. Thank you for the info you put out in your videos
Great suggestions, I've added those 4 to my list. I plan to do some head-to-head comparison videos so stay tuned
@buck.
See my reply to 'googleuser' in this comment thread.
I’d like you to compare some brands that aren’t made in Elkhart County, IN. Northwood/ORV/Oliver/NuCamp come to mind. Thanks!
very informative! how about reviewing airstream?
Would love to see your review of a Brinkley.
Coming soon!
Excellent video and information. Does a gas absorption refrigerator work fine when plugged in and running off electric?
Thank you for the video. Blessings to you.
Thanks for watching!
We live full time in our Class A. For eight or nine months we traverse the US, from state to state, putting down stakes mostly at less expensive RV parks. On average, we relocate every five to six weeks.
For three or four months, we are in the Texas Panhandle on property we own. We still live in our Class A. The property has 50 amp power, but no water or sewer.
What would be the best RV for us?
Great question! I offer consulting where I get on a call with you and we can talk through your budget, camping goals and I can review any RV listings you’re considering - undercoverrvshopper.com/book-a-consultation/
Could you do a review on ATC RVs? I like to the idea of there being zero wood in them, but unsure about the rest of the build quality.
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll add it to my list
Please review the best Super C for full time living! Thank you!
Would you include F550 chassis or are you looking for more of a big rig chsssis?
What would you recommend for me? Will stay placed for a year or two before moving to another place which could possibly be over a 30 hour drive. One adult and two kids but possibly only on weekends or every other week. I don't have a truck.
It depends! I offer consulting where I get on a call with you and we can talk through your budget, camping goals and I can review any RV listings you’re considering - undercoverrvshopper.com/book-a-consultation/
After going through countless videos here on YT I am so happy I found you!!! This is exactly the type of honest expertise I am looking for. We are preparing to purchase within the next 3 months (after planning for 2+ years) and we have narrowed it down to Grand Design, KZ Durango Gold and possibly Riverstone by Forest River. Would love to hear what you have to say about those brands - and if they are not good - then what would you recommend? I applaud your work - you are providing such a valuable service - great job!!! Thank you. Also, I am curious - can we hire you to inspect a unit when we find one and if not how do I find someone I can trust?
I have a review video including Grand Design coming out tomorrow! As for inspections, unfortunately I'm not able to take any jobs now as I'm focusing just on RUclips and my course. Watch my video on why RV service is bad for my best reccomendations on finding a tech or inspector. Thanks for watching!
Class A’s and Super C’s please
Can you review some of the DRV mobile suites? Specifically, I am interested in the Memphis 44.
SUGGESTION: time to use a lapel mic for better audio.
would love to know more about the rockwood lite and the flagsstaff micro lite campers. they seem to be well built but what are your thoughts. Can you do reviews for us midsized truck owners?
Added to my list, thanks for watching!
The concern I have about Class A units is that the boondocking I want to do involves some off-road or at least, unpaved roads as well as camping in winter. Are there ways to address those concerns? My thought has been a truck camper makes the most sense.
I had an 18month temp job in KC, and decided to live in my 5th wheel at an RV park and not get an apt. My winter there they had a freak cold front come in...fortunately there was some warning and i was able to get some electric tank blankets which kept the propane tanks warm and i did not lose my furnace in -14 weather. RV had the optional belly pan which kept the tanks warm too, but didn't help the drain hoses, but fortunately we had a quick thaw after a few days. By and large i would not recommend winter RV'g unless you have backups to everything in case it goes haywire. but i enjoyed my adventure
Very informative, thankyou so much
Glad it was helpful!
How about a class c motorhome for a RV park nomad with long distance drive in between parks?
If a Park Model isn’t an option for a permanent camper type, what RV make/model would you suggest?
Can you review the Redwood 4120GK
Also, there are manufacturers putting 1000 watt solar on 30 foot trailers now, with large battery banks and inverters. They Ain't cheap though
Have you done any reviews for Voltage Triton 5WTH?
Thanks for the info, just subbed. I am looking at the 1/2 tonne towable 5th wheel from Keystone, Cougar 29RLI I think it is. Thanks!
Added to my list, thanks for watching!
I have three way refrigerator all seasons has heat wrap
Thanks for the feedback! Is it a Norcold?
@@undercoverrvtech yes it may not last as long but I won't get left out in time of need also added cu in
What is the coldest temperature you have operated it in?
@@undercoverrvtech 65* LOL it didn't cost me any more so in case I get caught in bad weather but that ain't going to happen
Please consider reviewing Oliver Elite II RV's. Thanks.
Thanks for the request, added it to my list :)
I just saw your videos on water leaks due to the flex tubing used with pex fittings. Can you tell me where the best place is to purchase all the flare-it fittings I will need, and flex hose insert with collar? I have a grand design and am experiencing the exact leaks in your video.
I hope you review the Prime Time Crusader 382 MBH!
Added it to my list! Thanks for the request
What about running the residential refrigerator off of the Inverter plug?
Residential and 12 volt refridgerators don't have the cold weather limitations like gas absorption. Running from an inverter is fine for travel, you just are limited in drive time by the amount of solar and battery capacity you have.
@@undercoverrvtech My Tiffin charges the house batteries while driving, so that eliminates that issue.
Word of caution....if you don't have a DC to DC charger between the house and chassis batteries, if the house batteries get low they will draw excessive current from the engine alternator and can damage the solinoid or the alternator.
For example, I recently had to replace a blown 125amp fuse on a motorhome with a large lithium battery bank because they were running the AC off inverter power while traveling. When the battery bank got low it drew more than 125 amps from the alternator and blew the fuse. I've replaced many solinoids that were damaged by high current on motorhomes with standard batteries because the solinoid is usually only rated for 80 continuous duty.
Because of the alternator limitations, you don't want to put a more heavy duty solinoid in. Easiest thing is to only discharge batteries 50%. If you want to cycle them deeper, or have lithium, I reccomend a DC to DC charger because it limits the charge output to an amperage level that is safe for all components.
On your Tiffen, I don't know what you battery set up is, or your travel habits, so I don't know if you would run into problems. But I would encourage you to keep an eye on the charge level of the batteries while traveling and run the generator if needed to keep up the charge.
@@undercoverrvtech Thanks and will do.
Just found your channel. Thank you for your info. Question, if we were below 25 degrees with a gas absorbtion fridge, could i just turn it off until it gets warmer? I run mine on electric all the time as i stay plugged in.
A better title for this video probably is "What RV and Refrigerator is best for full timing?"
*Which
then make your own video genius
I'm retiring soon and want to travel and live full time in a toy hauler. Any suggestions?
Great video, enjoy your content and have learned a lot. Would enjoy a video including slide-in truck campers for vagabonds.
Thanks for the request - added it to my list!
Hi! I agree - what are the best truck campers - I’m most interested in the four season models. Thanks!
Well drat. I have been looking for an rv or big toy hauler to live in on relatives property under shelter. Now I’m totally discouraged and sad as every rv after 2020 definitely sounds like a pile of crap. Isn’t there anything you would recommend?
Your website is not coming up!?!? Is it no longer acitive??
undercoverrvshopper.com/ it's still active!
Is a PM rv self contained? Well no they aren’t so you can’t live in one unless you have sewer etc so it negates the idea of trying to live cheaper. So can you suggest the best toy hauler or?
I am looking at the. I bex 19 ft trailer or a no boundaries trailer do you think these are fair quality trailer?
So, we are going to be, possibly, Campworkers, would that fall into the migrant worker class?
How about Truck Campers like Northern Lite, Bigfoot, Cirrus, etc. ?
Added them to my list, thanks for the suggestion!
What about gas/electric combo refrigerator?
Gas/electric combo is a gas absorption refrigerator. It can just use electricity to boil the ammonia in the system rather than a propane flame. Same for a 3-way refrigerator, it just has both 12v dc and 120v ac heating elements in addition to gas flame.
I have a 35 foot motorhome. I have seen contradicting statements about running the fridge while driving. If it is an electric/gas fridge it must be off or it can ruin the fridge. Is that true? Is there a situation that you can run the fridge as you drive? Is it best to turn it off as you drive, maybe put some ice in it to keep things cool, and then turn it back on when you are settled? I appreciate any help you can give. Thanks. Frank
Driving is not a problem. If it stays out of level front to back more than 6 degrees when you are parked it can damage the cooling unit and even be a fire hazard. I full-timed for a year and a half on the road constantly with a gas fridge and never had issues. Thanks for watching!
I've had nothing but problems with my new springdale ever freeze refrigerator. The dealer is basically useless and won't replace the refrigerator.
So you won't be surprised that I gave it a very low score in the review video I just posted....sorry to hear that you are dealing with that.
a quality 23-27 foot Travel Trailer with a medium sized tow vehicle with a diesel engine. Good luck finding or even affording a quality rv of any kind these days though...unfortunately new trucks are so laden with failure prone electronics youll be ending up stuck in a town where the dealer is more than sooner than you expected.
I owner a GD 390RK, do U have access to SIB Infor. On the repair to the rear flooring- Thanks
You mentioned not operating an absorption-style refrigerator below 25 degrees. Is it safe to do it on electric only?
Unfortunately no. Propane mode and electric mode are alternative heat sources to boil the ammonia in the cooling unit. Because the problem is with the ammonia in the cooling unit gelling, it does not matter what heat sources you use.
Norcold makes a cold weather kit which is a heater that allows for operating down to 0deg Farenheit, and Dometic makes a replacement vent door with no vents for use under 45 deg Farenheit. It just blocks air flow and should make the fridge operable down to -22 deg Farenheit.
That is what they advertise, I don't have enough data to say how well those systems work as I just get called to fix the ones where people did nothing 🤣
You ignored the diesel boiler rigs - Aqua Hot, Oasis, et. al. Not all rvs have propane. The greenies will call these units “all electric”.
On my 5th wheel they put fridge on the slide out ,so you have to lift it over the lip to get behind it to clean the dust bunnies, Why did they not put this on a separate little slide so you could simp push button to have the fridge slide out and in. Just a idea r.v manufacturers.
I can count on one finger the number of people I've heard with that complaint! Lol....good for you keeping things clean! The lip is to help stop the fridge from falling out during transit if the screws come loose.
Wish I could send a drawing of what I mean by a separate slide for the fridge , the lip would still be there so the fridge would be stable while traveling just that section of the slide would slide separately. Hard to explain, but it's in my head. 😆 😂
Would love to know your opinion of the alpha wolf by Forest River / Cherokee
I'll add that to my list, thanks for watching!
Great info! I'm hoping to retire in a few years and if not full-time then at least "most time " I'm trying to learn as much as I can.
Awesome, thanks for watching!
After watching several of your videos I have come the conclusion that there is NO toyhauler or manufacturer in our price range with quality that we could ever buy. With that said our desire to travel full time and winter in warm climates is a bust! For information we where looking at the Grand Design 349 now I will just forget it very disappointing thanks for the info. I also looked at Alliance and Brinkley. Bad floor plans bad Prices.
Do they make 4 season Class A s ?
Great video series, thank you. Question: we have a 21 GD 5th wheel with a ac/propane dometic fridge. We have found ourselves in sub 25 f conditions with no issues, but we only ran the fridge on electric. Does cold weather negatively effect this type of fridge when running on electric, or is just a problem when running propane?
It's a problem on both. Gas or electric can break the fridge if it's on in sub 25 F. The issue is the ammonia in the fridge that gels because of the cold
Intech RVs any good ??
I've not had the chance to see them, but have added to my list to review!
We are looking at a 2024 B+ Gemini 23 TW, it’s about 24 feet long built by Thor. Have you had any experience working on these?
I've not, but I've added to my list to review!
What about 12v refrigerator? Are they good for traveling on a regular basis?
Also could you review the Rockwood 5th wheel? Thanks for all the info.
They are great for travel if you have enough battery and solar to run for the amount of time you want to travel. You really have to start with the desired run time and size your battery bank and solar accordingly.
@use,
Excellent q.
In our ExpeditionVehicle, we use a dual-zone 61qt SnoMaster.
It sips micro amps per decade.
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On our ExpeditionVehicle, we have six 305-Watt photovoltaic, a total of 1,830-Watts.
These top our ancient bank of eight 105ah Lifeline AGM.
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Two decades full-time live-aboard, we boondock exclusively.
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[edited to add]
For a 12vdc fridge, look into any of the 'expedition' series.
These are engineered for extended travel over rough terrain.
They are designed with excess insulation and substantial innerds.
One example is National Luna, built in South Afrika for the harshest conditions.
What is your views on rv's manufactured during covid ,2020-23?
Staples into particle board while wearing a mask aka 'face-mask'.