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We weren't able to find a place online with the pricing breakdown, but here is some info directly from our window sticker. Hope this gives you an idea. Of course we recommend contacting a dealer directly to see what kind of actual purchase pricing is available. Looks like the numbers in front of the options are their internal code numbers for each one. 2024 CREEKSIDE 19MKS 002 TITANIUM SERIES 018 MTN. STORAGE SYSTEM (2" REC. HITCH & TOY-LOK) 102 12V HEAT PAD (FRESH WATER TANK) 715 OFF-GRID BATTERY RACK (CAPACITY: 4 BATTERIES) 716 DELUXE POWER VENT FANS (BED & BATH) Unit Base Price: $58,569.00 Options Total: $13,811.00 Freight: $226.00 Tags : $55.00 Total MSRP: $72, 661.00
This is PERFECT for how I live in an off grid area of Arizona. I don't say camp, because I enjoy all of the luxuries of a home while away. I HATE Dinettes Yours is perfect. Your solar system is spectacular, but I'm sure it was expensive. Well worth it for all of its benefits. You started with a great RV and made it far more functional. HOME RUN Best I've ever seen!
This 19’ RV is surprisingly large inside! So happy for you guys, and thanks for stopping by to show us your new home on wheels!! ❤ Can’t wait to do some rugged exploration with you in the future 😎
Thanks so much for the hospitality and awesome filming location! It was so great to see you both. Can’t wait to see how well our little camper can keep up with your monster truck! 😅
When I first read that you were downsizing to a 19’ travel trailer my thought was “why in the world would you do that?” But you explained it well in the video. Your point about the durable build of interior fixtures, compared to typical 19 footers, resonated with me. We are not off-roaders, but might consider downsizing from our 42’ 5th wheel. We, too, are moving from fulltiming to part time, but we’ll still be on the road for 6- 48:37 months of the year, so we’ll need to think hard about what we would give up, notably, storage.
One of the unspoken benefits of going smaller is being forced to get rid of stuff! We had violated our 1-year rule (if you don't use something for a year, pitch it) so many times, we went to a 2-year rule, then 3 years, then gave up! LOL It really felt freeing to bring only what we actually need, and going part-time made it so much easier.
We really like our '23 ORV 26KVS. We've had numerous RV's over the last 45 years. This one is built very well & made for Boon Docking. Yes it is heavier than most, but it is a lot more solid. And yes they cost more; but we feel well worth it. As a general rule these are not 1/2t towable. I speak from experience. A 3/4 t or better is far superior tow vehicle.
I really love the Outdoors RV trailers! They do such a fantastic job with build quality and I’ve been super impressed with them. my dad and stepmother have an older version. That’s very similar in size to the one you guys just got, but it doesn’t have that Murphy bed, such a game changer! If we were ever to go with anything other than our airstream, outdoors, RV would be at the top of the list. We do a lot of Boondocking and BLM camping and you just can’t beat their four season build, off-road capability and capacity for water and sewer.
@@RVgeeks Makes us almost wish we went with the 19MKS instead of our Grand Design 22MLE 😉. Ok that's not true: make sure you have all those locks on the rig if we're ever near you guys 😂
This camper looks awesome! We downsized to a Grand Design 17mke and didn’t realize the counter tops were fake. ☹️ Plus we can’t use our bed with the slide in, and I would love being able to have a table and the recliners. Great choice!
I own a 20 ft. Rockwood Geo Pro 19fbs that is 20’ long with 1 slideout and love it. Her name is ShortStack. She is perfect for me and my 2 Schnauzers. I have had no issues after 2 years of use.
Awesome trailer ! Have a Lance trailer but this would be on the list if replacement ever came up .. Great floor plan as you said . Enjoy and safe travels !
Met ya'll once in nashville years ago, always great to see ya'll creating new content. Hope the new rig is treating ya'll well. Looking forward to seeing more on the new RV as we are looking for another RV, going back to travel trailer to help with hauling bikes, etc. Looking for a solid rig and have been looking at ORV as well.
Hi Nick! We remember that even in Nashville! Thanks for the nice comment. Loving our new rig, and hope you enjoy the research and planning process as much as we did... and of course whatever new RV you decide to get.
What a great unit. I love the upgrades you made. The wall bed is so well thought out. I love that the bedding can be left on the bed so it is ready to climb into when you are ready for bed.
Nice rig. We down sized from a 32 foot Komfort to a 19.5 Imperial Outdoors X 195. Our new trailer is extremes off road capable including articulating hitch and independent suspension. We camp four seasons and do not chase the sun. I am looking forward to future tours. Oh, yes I am located in the Cascades west of Bend, Oregon.
Great tour! We have owned an Outdoors RV trailer and now an Arctic Fox 5th wheel. They are both made in LaGrande and I'm pretty sure they are now under the same ownership. We won't own another RV. They are stout! They may be behind the times with interiors, but the four seasons package and the fact that they make their trailer frames makes them the highest quality we've seen. BTW, we also owned a Forest River trailer. No comparison! I look forward to seeing your solar videos.
Besides floor plan, construction quality & builders detail are equal in importance. Finding those in one package is the trick. When our time comes to downsize, thanks for leading the way. Watching the video feels like being with old friends again!
We are owners of a 2023 ORV 19MKS and really love it. We have been on 7 trips so far and have another 8 trips planned for this summer. I really like your solar upgrade. Very jealous.
The tardis! Love it. We have our own name for our 24RLS Anniversary: The Beauty! It’s attached to the Beast…yes, a 1 ton diesel…because those « amazing ORV » are heavy!!! But they are the sturdiest we could find…and Corinne from out west was right from the start…we shopped until we dropped..and the we went all in in 2020 - right in the heart of the pandemic…bought it out west, traveled from Qc city to Kelowna, and back…with canned soup…and are really happy with it! Great choice! Built like a rock, sustained Alaska and now Newfoundland….more than 50,000km so far with nothing…Great decision! Good on ORV, they are still doing it the right way! Remi & Sylvain, Qc city followers and happy owners.
I’ve been following you guys for a few years now and have utilized your recommendations to great effect. I’m glad to see you back on my RUclips feed. We have a 35’ gas Class A and your decision really has me thinking. I was amazed at the interior height. I’m 6’7” and to see a TT with nearly 7’ ceilings is spectacular. Keep the videos coming and we’ll see how long it takes me to convince my better half to downsize.
Hi Thomas! Thanks so much for letting us know we've been helpful. Always great to hear. We'll do our best to help convince your wife that smaller is better in RVs... except maybe where height is concerned. 😉 We're several inches shorter than you are, but it really does feel open in here with that radius roof.
Good to see you back. I looked at that unit and almost switched. The deal breaker for me was no W/D as I am still FT for now. It's still tops of the list if/when I do switch to PT.
We are on day 3 of a 6 week maiden voyage in our new-to-us 2023 19MKS Mountain. We had planned to buy a new 19MKS Titanium, then decided we’d better go look at one before driving from SW Missouri to Pendleton, OR to buy one just based on RUclips videos. The used rig was so nice and saved us so much, we decided to get it. We LOVE it, but I already foresee that within a few years we’ll be trekking to Thompson RV for an upgrade. We’re coming from a horse camping lifestyle where 60% of the rig is for equines and we squeeze into the remainder. The ORV, with a slide out and theater seats feels like such a luxurious upgrade. Can’t wait for all your follow up videos. Love your channel!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! So great to hear from yet ANOTHER happy ORV owner! And a 19MKS even! Have a wonderful time on your trip, and maybe we'll cross paths in Pendleton sometime!
We miss your RUclips videos about the new 19MKS. Hope all is going well after the tree mishap. Question: Do you use a bike rack on the RV rear bumper? If so, what do you do with the spare tire? I’m thinking about a receiver hitch extender, but have concerns about stress on bumper and frame from the added leverage and torque.
Question: I saw the lock with the heavy duty chain that was securing your tires. What I the name of that particular lock. I went to the website but wow so many options I can’t seem to find it. I made a custom lock for my MTB using logging chain and that lock you have would be perfect. Thank you
Great question! We have TWO high-security chains & locks - one for our e-bikes and one for our trailer's wheels. Both of them are pretty equal in security (as in VERY high - super rugged locks, and extremely hard chains). We had someone try to cut the bike chain a few years ago, and did nothing more than shine up the metal a little bit! We just checked, and the chain we use on the trailer is very hard to find at the moment for a good price, we suggest that this 10mm 6' chain like we use on our bikes is a better deal, and absolutely capable of protecting your trailer's wheels. This is the one we recommend: amzn.to/3zuisvx Hope this helps!
We went back to a regular house after full time travel in a 40 ft fifth wheel and a f450 for 5 years We decided to downsize too, so we also bought a new 250rks titanium and a f350. We like to be able to do more state and federal parks and also boondocking Thanks for the inspiration Peter and John
Another GREAT video guys. I was really surprised to hear about you giving up your Class A , especially after all of the work, care and $$$ you have put into it over the years. Looking forward to viewing more videos about your future adventures.
Wow! It’s been a while since I’ve checked in, and what a shock 😅 Cool new rig. Looks very practical, but wondering what the cost new must be. By the way, my wife and i have been RV-ing part time for the last 10 years in our 1996 Safari Trek and love it’s all around practicality. I did some needed suspension upgrades, solar installation and other interior upgrades as well. For the couple on a budget, there hard to beat and are built strong. Happy safe travels you two!
@@grecopena Hey Gregory! Thanks for checking in. Yes indeed, we did make a big change. 20 years of full timing turned out to be just the right amount, and we’re happy that we’ve now downsized to an RV we can take into much more remote places. It’s an awesome rig and we really love it. Sounds like your Safari is serving you really well. We had friends with one years ago and they loved it too. Safe travels!
@@sandraromero5899 That bed made for an incredible floor plan that sealed the deal for us downsizing from a 43 footer to a 19 footer. We just love our new Outdoors RV!
Equally if not more important is your decision making process for choosing your tow vehicle. Consider a detailed video similar to this explaining how you picked your tow vehicle. The tow vehicle costs may be equal or greater than the trailer.
You guys are the ONLY ones who see the wisdom of a smaller RV. The idea of downsizing is often thought-about, but rarely fulfilled. I believe there is a right-size for an RV, it's just that most people start off much smaller than what they ultimately need, so upsizing is the norm.
We have a 22FQS for 1 year now! We had Tom and Ely do our solar too: 2 gamechangers and 1000 watt solar! We have been able to boondocks at 2 weeks. We love our ORV! We also got the dc to dc charger. Great to see a different floor plan!
Awesome guys! Eagerly awaiting a video about your towing experience with the half ton vehicle. Did you add the load balance / stability control hitch due to poor trailering or simply right off the bat as a preventive measure?
Thanks! We'll be a little while getting that weight/towing post and video ready (it's a complicated safety topic that we want to treat VERY carefully). In the meantime, as far as towing with a 1,500 - we custom ordered a pretty well maxed out 1/2 ton truck (Duramax Diesel, upgraded GVWR, Max trailering package, heavy-duty alternator etc). It's got a 12,900 lb towing capacity and a 1,600-lb payload. We went with a 1,500 because we have other reasons related to part-timing for wanting a truck that is absolutely no larger than needed. We did our math carefully, and still ended up pretty close to maximum payload and GVWR on the trailer (the solar/lithium system we installed weighs about 500 lbs alone). We tow really well, and are safe, comfortable and happy with our choice. That said, we will be recommending at least a 2,500 for anyone who doesn't want to have to worry about payload. As we've experienced, a 1,500 can work, but it can't be just ANY 1,500. Had we not maxed ours out in every possibly way, it wouldn't be up to the job. We'd suggest a 2,500 would be a great choice for most people pulling this trailer. As far as the weight distribution / sway control hitch, we added that before ever towing even one mile. It was needed because the truck's payload would be exceeded if we didn't shift some of the tongue weight to the rear of the trailer, which the hitch does beautifully. GMC also says that above a certain weight trailer, they recommend it, and the 19MKS easily exceeds that. Hope this helps!
Thanks so much! And thanks for protecting our new camper from theft. We'll be shooting a short video all about our awesome PacLocks this coming week, especially our incredible coupler lock. Stay tuned!
We are ORV owners of a Glacier Peak F26RKS Titanium which we love but after watching your great presentation of this rig I am thinking about switching over to this model so I can recoup my truck bed for carrying motorcycle / ATV.
@@usmcshepherdE9 This is the first pickup truck either one of us has ever owned. If we had realized how handy that bed is, we probably would’ve gotten one sooner.!😁
I have looked very closely at Outdoors RV to go full-time when I retire. Unfortunately I want a unit with a washer/dryer and larger storage. I am leaning towards Alliance RV 370FB
I bought my 24' nash 9 years ago, its the perfect size for all situations , i don't full time in it, but i did live in it for almost 1 year, i couldn't see going any bigger or smaller
Glad you pointed out the ladder. I love that on our 22 FQS. I have Flag Pole Buddy with the starlink adapter attached to it. Many other things you mentioned are reasons we went with ORV. Also, the complaints I do see about ORV are all things that Thompson RV checked and took care off if necessary. Shows me how important the dealer is as well as the factory.
Ok I need more. How you are cabinets set up etc? My husband and I have a 19MKS and after watching this video, I now know my recliners actually recline. I just thought you could only prop up you feet but they do actually recline. Thanks! Keep sharing. 😂. One thing we do is put a cargo net up between the dinette chairs so that we can stow things there when we travel. Also put a corner towel rack in the bath to hang towels.
Love our 2016 22RB Creekside. Outdoors RV makes an awesome unit. We are off-road, off-grid a lot. Roughing it smoothly. I am Captain Janeway, towing the Voyager.
@5:50 sitting on the edge like that is wild Couldn't the tv antenna just been moved a little since there's still space between the two rows of solar panels
Hi guys! I've been waiting for the big reveal and when I saw the title to this video, I thought it was a joke of some kind but here is it! This video is so timely and interesting to my wife and I. I'm 62 and have owned a camper/rv of every type since I was 18 and started with tent and then a slide-in truck camper. Eventually we upgraded to a gas class a, 41' DP and our current RV which is a 2007 Holiday Rambler Navigator 45' w/tag,525 Cummins, 4 slides and more gadgets and switches than the space shuttle. I't luxurious and huge. Our children our all grown and gone so it's just the two of us. I am really debating if we should sell our rig as it is sooooo big, especially for just two people (and two English Bulldogs). I find it very stressful and scary to downsize, only because we are so used to all of the luxury items. I thought about a smaller class a, say 30' or a class b or a towable as we also own a GMC Denali Yukon XL, which we never drive. We are going to use the Navigator thiis summer season and then decide if want to sell it. Who knows....but I find it so terrifying to "change" and downsize. This was an awesome video and thanks for sharing. I always love your videos. Take care and have fun with the new toy!!
Hi Terry! Thanks so much for the awesome comment. We were in the same boat.... VERY used to, and happy with, our big rig, which probably accounts for why we kept it for so long. We'd suggest that the single biggest thing you might want to think about as you decide is HOW you use your rig. That was what spurred us to go small, because we wanted to go EVERYWHERE... even little places and rugged places, and everywhere else in between. The problem was likely that the size of our rig was preventing us from RVing in the locations we wanted to go, and smaller was the answer, enabled by going part-time. Now, that may not be the case for you, as you may prefer to RV differently that we do (snowbird to Florida, Texas, or Desert SW RV resorts, for example, which a big rig is great for). We weren't all that enamored with the luxury aspects of our rig so much (yes it had a dishwasher, but we don't care about hand washing dishes). Although we do miss the on-board washer & dryer... but we console ourselves when we get two weeks worth of laundry done in 90 minutes at a laundromat! LOL You might consider renting the type of RV you're considering on a platform like RV Share or Outdoorsy to take a test trip without committing. Have fun thinking about the possibilities. We sure did. Safe travels!
Question for you: what did you upgrade your mattress to? We have a Murphy bed which desperately needs a new mattress. Between a comforter, blankets and sheets it could only be about 8 inches thick. We dislike memory foam. Just curious what you have. Thanks in advance.
We didn't actually change the mattress. The Titanium Series includes an upgraded mattress made by Heartland and we're really comfortable on it. We've always had (and loved) very firm traditional pocketed coil innerspring mattresses (don't like memory foam, either), but the one that came with our Outdoors RV is really nice, even though we're pretty sure it's some type of foam (we don't think it's the Tempur-Pedic type, but it's something similar as it bends when the bed gets closed). But despite the fact that we like very firm mattresses, we're really comfortable on it. You might be, too. Just not sure what specific model of Heartland it is (sorry, we're visiting family away from the RV, and can't check the label). It's supposedly a cooling gel type of material, which find we sleep well on.
Love & appreciate the video guys. My question would be about the hitch weight. I read in the comments how you're calculating 1000lbs which is like 350lbs over manufacturers specs. Another owner mentioned that they weighed theirs and it was 662lbs. As a fellow 1/2 ton owner who isn't looking to upgrade the daily driver to an expensive diesel drinker, i am worried about my 1400 payload limitation. Have you specifically weighed your hitch weight? And if so is there anything unique about your rig that adds extra tongue weight (extra solar panels, batteries, generator, or propane, full fresh tank, etc.)?
@@zackhayes1052 Hey Zack! A lot of this stuff does get confusing, all right, since there are SO many numbers to consider. As far as our trailer tongue weight at 1000 pounds, we’re not sure which manufacturer spec you’re referring to that would be 350 pounds below that. The maximum downward force that we can put on the trailer hitch is 1200 lbs, as limited by our Camco TR3, so we’re good on that (our trucks door placard allows up to 1290 lbs max tongue weight). We also have a 1,602 pound payload, which was key to being able to tow an 8,200 pound maximum GVWR trailer. The thousand pounds of tongue weight leaves 600 pounds for the two of us and gear. Since the two of us together weigh about 350 pounds, that leaves about 250 pounds for gear, which is plenty for us, since we carry so little in the bed of the truck. If you have a 1400 pound payload capacity, we suggest there’s no reasonable way that you could manage to tow an 8200 pound trailer since it’s important to put between 10 and 15% of that weight on the tongue for good sway control and balance. So if the trailer were loaded to 8000 pounds, that means that 800 to 1200 pounds needs to go on the hitch. Doesn’t leave much payload. We’re planning an upcoming video that lays out our exact specs, which we were only able to achieve by custom ordering our truck with every possible option to increase towing and (especially) payload capacities.
What a great set up. Question for you. Have you pulled the trailer with full or close to full tanks and if so how did your 1/2 ton GM do as far as cargo capacity and towing? Look forward to more videos of your set up.
Thanks for the great question. We have indeed towed the trailer with full fresh water, full propane, and fully loaded with all our gear. While we are within limits, and the rig tows really really well, we had to order a very specifically optioned 1500 to make it possible. You can’t tow a trailer this heavy with any old 1500. We do plan a video all about how the weights worked out, but it may be a little while before we get that finished. In the meantime, we would say this… If you want to have a very easy time towing, a trailer just like this without worrying about capacities, get a well equipped 2500 and you won’t come anywhere near as close to limits as we are and won’t have to worry about it. That said, we are very happy with our entire rig. We went with a 1500 for other reasons, but if not for the fact that we park our pick up truck in an extremely tight parking space in the basement garage of an apartment building when we’re not on the road, we would have gone for 2500 and given ourselves a little more breathing room.
I know you were able to observe the PDI process at Thompson RV and were impressed with their thoroughness. Did you decide to hire an NRVIA Inspector prior to purchase or were you sufficiently satisfied with Thompson's process and ORV's warranty coverage to go without a 3rd party inspection? Someone mentioned in the comments that there could be a potential crease in the mattress, and you said it was not noticeable. I'm confused because I thought the entire mattress is always fully deployed whether stowed or extended. Can you please clarify. We were so excited after seeing this post that we are touring the factory next week and plan to order the same model for year-end delivery. So thank you for your research and we'll look forward to more closely following your adventures!
@@janisnau9971 Hi Janis! We’re so excited for you ordering the same brand and floorplan that we have so come to love so much. As far as the mattress goes, it’s a memory foam type mattress, and folds 90 degrees about 1/4 of the way down from the head when it’s vertical up against the wall. But we absolutely cannot detect any fold, crease, or problem of any kind when we lie on it. It’s absolutely like a regular mattress that doesn’t fold at all, and we’re very comfortable on it. We think that is simply a non-issue with this mattress and bed set up. As far as inspections, both Outdoors RV and Thompson RV’s reputations were so good, and we heard so many positive things, that we never even considered having an inspection done. We did run into an inspector there while we were taking delivery that was looking at someone else’s rig prior to pick up, but we had zero problems with ours, and feel like it would’ve been a waste of money for us to have paid an inspector. That said, if you are coming a long distance, and want to make sure you have the smoothest delivery possible, an investment in an inspection is certainly reasonable to consider. But if you were going to do without one, the combination of Outdoors RV and Thompson (if that’s where you’re buying it) are pretty hard to beat.
@@RVgeeks Thank you for your thoughts and quick reply!! Yes, Thompson will be our dealer too and we're full-timers so we'll be in the area and can spend time nearby to ensure all is operating correctly before departure. Thank you for sharing your experience, it has really helped us make our decision. The bed size was a concession for us, but it sounds like we will be very comfortable with it.
Awesome rig, I got a Class C because I'm not good at backing up trailers. I have been stationary for a while but will be back on the road soon. I see you have a few videos I haven't seen so I got to catch up. You mentioned Starlink in the video so I wanted to ask if you would recommend Starlink as an Internet provider?
@@MrMarkCaudill Hi Mark! Starlink is pretty incredible. It has become our main source of Internet whenever we are stationary, and it’s really reliable and fast. And of course, it works in extremely remote places where cellular might be weak. The only area it’s not so good in is the forest, since of course it does need at least a bit of view of the sky.
@@jimragone3495 Being able to step over onto the seat of the booth dinette on each side of the bed makes it MUCH easier than other peninsula beds we’ve slept on. No need to slide down to the foot of the bed. Not bad at all!
Nice video! We are looking at getting a 19MKS. Our only concern is getting into and out of the bed in the middle of the night for bathroom trips. We’re pretty nimble for 70 YO’s, what has your experience been so far with getting into and out of the bed? Thanks!
@@mikethompson8855 Hi Mike! Love that you’re considering a 19MKS, since we are SO happy with ours. For sure, nothing is simpler and more like a sticks & bricks than a bed that’s as clear as possible along the length of both sides. We’ve been in rigs (the Black Series we were on for over a month is a good example) that required entering and exiting the bed directly over the foot of the bed, which we really hated. The 19MKS ‘s setup is kind of half-way in between. By taking advantage of the benches of the booth dinette, you have a step-down area alongside the lower half of the bed. We’ve gotten used to it, and don’t mind at all. Not too difficult for this mid-60s (Peter) guy. I’d definitely recommend getting on board one to check it out if you can, especially if you think it might be an issue for you. But it’s been fine for us, and just one of those minor compromises we’ve gotten used to as part of downsizing.
Hello guys! Hope you’re enjoying the new rig. I’m anxiously awaiting the video explaining your tow vehicle. I know it takes time and you want to get things right. I’m still in the process of building up a 1500 that has maximum capabilities as well, wondering if you have 18” tires or 20” tires on your truck? Not trying to rush you guys lol, but I know it will be a popular video.
@@derykcampbell8508 Thanks so much! Yes indeed we are loving our new rig. Our truck is equipped with 20 inch tires. We are indeed planning a detailed video and post about setting up our rig to tow, including all of the important weights and considerations that need to be taken into account. That said, we wanted a 1500 because now that we’re part time and parking our truck in the underground parking garage in our apartment building, which is VERY tight. When our post and video come out, we will be detailing how carefully we had to equip the truck, how close we came to its limits, and we will be advising anyone who wants to tow a trailer like this to go with a 2500. That said, our rig tows safely and comfortably within limits, but there really isn’t any weight to spare. Keep in mind that we ordered the most capable 1500 we could find, with the Duramax diesel, Max Trailering package, increased GVWR, 3.73 rear axle, and upgraded alternator. All that said, if we wanted to bring our heavy E-bikes, or a couple of other people along with us, we would be over some weight limits. If you’re planning to tow a 19MKS, you will either have to plan extremely carefully to get exactly the right truck, and/or go very light on your gear.
@@derykcampbell8508 The dirty little secret is that while manufacturers love to tout “Towing Capacity!” it’s virtually impossible to determine the more important number: payload. The ONLY place that’s 100% knowable is the door sill plate on each specific truck. But how do you see that when you’re custom ordering and it’s not even built yet?! We ordered our 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT with the options we mentioned above and got a 1,600 lb payload. Sounds like a lot, but since you have to include the trailer’s tongue weight down onto the hitch ball in that 1,600 lbs, a weight distribution hitch was a MUST for us to help shift weight back to the trailer’s rear axle and off the ball. We made it under the wire on all weights, but not by as much as we’d hoped. Since you want 10-15% of the trailer’s weight on the ball for safe balance, an 8,000 lb trailer (not far off our trailer’s GVWR) means putting 800 - 1,200 lbs on the ball. You can do the math and see that 1,600 lbs isn’t all that generous. And we checked the box on the GMC order form for the optional 7,300 lb GVWR to get the max payload available. In our upcoming post and video, we’ll be diving into more detail. But since you’re looking now, we just want you to be very careful if you’re planning to tow something like 8,000 lbs with a 1500.
Looking over the rig, I get the fact of quality that you have found. Having had 3 MH, the weakest link over time was the Schwintek slide out and it's proness to alignment/installation failures. How has Outdoor RV approached the slide out?
We know that Schwintek has had some issues, and we thought about that as part of our decision process. We were advised to always hold the slide control button, both in and out, until the slide completes the cycle, and then for a second of two afterward. Our understanding is that some of the problem is more likely to crop up when going part-way in or out and stopping or reversing the direction of travel (changing from in to out at the half-way point for example). That supposedly increases the risk of the motors getting out of synch. It's early for us of course, but so far, no problem!
Hey guys, I was wondering if you could comment about the air conditioning how it works in regards to power usage and how loud is it, also wondering what type of water heater you have? thank you.
Hi Ron! You can certainly hear it (a bit louder than the ducted system on our motorhome), but the steady sound of an A/C unit doesn't bother us. So we're happy with it. It's a 15k BTU that pulls about 1,400 watts. We've got a 6-gallon Suburban propane/electric water heater, and it's been great. If we were ever to upgrade, we'd get the same Truma we installed in the moho.
Not at all! You literally can't tell it's not a regular mattress. It's amazingly comfortable. There's no crack detectable at all, probably because it's the memory foam type. It's not like the ones with a seam that bends in a designated spot, so just like any high-quality residential mattress.
Thanks! We're really loving it so far. So about the shower head... there's a bit of a story. LOL We're pretty serious about using as little water as possible, so we've been happily using this Delta shower head for many years on our motorhome: amzn.to/3RJI5yg It's always been about the best one we've ever tried for low flow and an acceptable spray (although very little compared to what most people are used to... we shower in about a gallon or two of water). But the way the 19MKS shower is set up, it wasn't really compatible with just swapping that head onto the flexible hose. So we tried this High Sierra one instead: amzn.to/4cYOSwr which is what's on the shower in the video. It raised the head nicely up so we don't have to bend down to wash our hair, etc. But it's expensive, so it was a splurge to try it out. Well, we didn't really like the spray pattern without using more water than we'd prefer, so we bought the Delta head, too, and unscrewed the High Sierra head from its handle and now have an expensive Frankenstein setup! LOL It's the handle from the High Sierra, but with the Delta head on it. The Delta head is chrome, so it doesn't match the dark bronze finish, but we're all about functionality over appearance, so we're happy with our old Delta head, raised up high, so more comfortable than bending over. We only wish the High Sierra wasn't so expensive, but at least we're happy with the results. Hope this makes sense and helps.
Congrats on your new TT. It is gorgeous. I love the floorplan...especially the kitchen & counterspace! I too am in Michigan..... Lower Peninsula. :) Safe travels!
Thanks for the tour it looks very spacious and comfortable for such a small RV, I was wondering how well the half/ton pulls it especially in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest areas, I really like this RV but I don't want to have to buy a 3/4 ton, , do you feel safe and comfortable pulling it in those areas with the half ton? What truck do you have and what is your tow and cargo capacity? Thanks
Our GMC Sierra 1,500 tows it really well… but keep in mind that truck manufacturers tend to promote one number and only one number, and that is towing capacity. Unfortunately, they’re referring only to the maximum available towing capacity of one specific configuration of truck, and don’t talk at all about payload. We have a 12,900 pound towing capacity, and a 1,600 pound payload, which we achieved by custom ordering our truck with the turbodiesel engine, Max trailering package, 3.73 rear axle ratio and optional increased payload capacity. That said, the truck handles our fully loaded rig in a really comfortable, safe, and satisfying way. We drove all through the mountain west when we first got it, and never once felt uncomfortable. Also keep in mind that we do use a weight distribution hitch, which is required, especially when you come this close to maximum capacity on the truck. It’s all good, but you can’t just go out and buy any old 1500 and expect a tow a solidly built trailer like this. We will be writing a post on our blog in the near future about our experience sizing and ordering a truck that we were confident would do the job. It can be confusing, and many people get it wrong and undersize their truck. You are smart to be keeping this in mind as you consider your options.
My titanium 19MKS will start being built next week. Can’t wait. What size are the magic carpets you purchased? What happens to the chrome trash can when you are going down the road? Thanks
Wow! How exciting! We sure know what that feels like to be getting ready for a new 19MKS! Congratulations. Those two rugs are the 3'x5' and as you can see, two of them fit perfectly. We ordered two complementary ones (same pattern, different color) and LOVE them. You might notice in the video when John folds the edge of one rug back to show the non-skid backing, there's one heating vent underneath it. On cold nights when the heat might come on, we simply leave it folded back under the bed platform so the vent isn't covered in case the heat kicks on. But BE SURE TO GET THEIR 40% discount! The first link at the top of our Gear & Discounts page has the details and code to use (RVGEEKS40): www.thervgeeks.com/discounts/ As far as the trash can, we ideally would prefer to have any trash can hidden under the sink or some other cabinet. But space is at a premium, and we didn't want such a small trash can. Since it would be visible, we sprung for a quite expensive (but fantastic) Simple Human can with butterfly lid and the step pedal on the end instead of the front: amzn.to/4b2AkKx It fits great right against that wall, with easy access from the kitchen, and without blocking the recliner from reclining. When the slide is going to come in, which it would be in the way of, we simply set it up front against the folded-up bed for travel, and it has never moved.
I've watched this video, and others on this trailer several times now. We've got a 2017 Grand Design Solitude 384GK that we bought new, and lived in it FT for about 3 years. Now that we've got our new house built, we've been considering getting a truck camper, however we're now leaning towards this exact same model that you have. Like you, we're not FTing any more, and are looking for something we can take anywhere, and thought a truck camper was the way to go. We've already got a 2017 Ford F350 DRW Diesel truck, so the truck camper seemed like a good fit. Well, we're now thinking this trailer would be an even better fit, and maybe even downsizing on the truck. Love, love, love all the upgrades you've done to the trailer. Especially like the slide topper. We got our Solitude with slide toppers and I ended up taking them off, I hated the popping in the wind, and I always got on top of the rig and brushed them off before leafing because they would hold water on the largest slider. A total waste of money. The new topper you have is so cool, and we love how it gets the water off as well as the debris. My wife and I are considering a trip to OR to the dealership you got yours at, maybe make it a flight and mini vacation on the NW. Thanks for all you do, I've been subscribed for several years now and have used you as a resource for much of the improvements we made to our 5th wheel.
Thanks so much, Pete! We can't recommend Outdoors RV, the 19MKS floorplan, True Topper, Thompson RV, and MYT Solar enough. Thompson gets buyers flying or driving in from all over North America for a reason! We considered a truck camper as well, but so happy went this way. The one thing we'd say about truck size (until our upcoming post and video about weights comes out) is that we custom ordered a pretty well maxed out 1/2 ton truck (Duramax Diesel, upgraded GVWR, Max trailering package, heavy-duty alternator etc). It's got a 12,900 lb towing capacity and a 1,600-lb payload. We went with a 1,500 because we have other reasons related to part-timing for wanting a truck that is absolutely no larger than needed. We did our math carefully, and still ended up pretty close to maximum payload and GVWR on the trailer (the solar/lithium system we installed weighs about 500 lbs alone). We tow really well, and are safe, comfortable and happy with our choice. That said, we will be recommending at least a 2,500 for anyone who doesn't want to have to worry about payload. As we've experienced, a 1,500 can work, but it can't be just ANY 1,500. Had we not maxed ours out in every possibly way, it wouldn't be up to the job. Bottom line, if you're thinking about downsizing your truck to try to go with a 1,500, proceed VERY carefully. If you're ready for a new truck anyway, we'd suggest a 2,500 would be a great choice for most people pulling this trailer.
@@RVgeeks Thank you so much for the detailed reply!! I'm with you on the 2,500 series truck. We live on a small 16 acre farm, and I've got a 14,000 lb dump trailer that we use each spring to get mulch. With my F350 it's NBD, with a 1500 series truck not such a good idea. After remembering we had the dump trailer, and we also rent a skid steer now and again (putting it in the dump trailer), a 2500 series truck is certainly the way to go. BTW, I contacted Thompson RV, really nice people, and I also contacted on Outdoors RV dealership in PA (about 5 hrs from where we live in IN). I was told by the PA dealer that because of your coverage of the 19MKS they are sold out of that model, so was Thompson RV, and won't have anymore until the plant builds more. We're not in a rush, and probably won't be buying one until we get our Solitude and truck sold (we'll sell them ourselves), which gives us time to shop around. My wife and I may even take a trip to OR to see the sites, visit the Outdoors RV plant and get a plant tour, and stop by Thompsons RV. We did a lot of plant tours here in IN before deciding to get the Grand Design Solitude. We FD'd in a Travel Supreme 5th wheel from 2006-2008, and the Solitude from in 2018, 2020-2021, like you we've got a pretty good idea on what we're looking for. I also gutted and renovated a 1972 Airstream Ambassador this past summer with my son-in-law and daughter. They FD in it from Oct-Mar, and are back in it today out in Bend OR. Sorry this was so long, but I really like what you two have done with your channel and how you tried to help others with their RVing experiences. Thanks again for all you've done!!
@@petenelson8136 Thanks so much for the kind words, Pete. It sounds like you know plenty about RVing and will make a great choice. Sorry we’ve created a run on the 19MKS! 😁 It really is an amazing little floor plan.
We have four kids and use a little 22 foot bunk house. Our neighbors have two kids and a 37 foot monster of a trailer. We prefer state parks with narrow lanes and small wooded/private sites. Our neighbors are limited to kitschy RV parks with zero privacy. They take their rig no more than 40 minutes away a few times a year. We go 7-8 times a year and can go much further with our 3000lb rig. Although it's small the floorplan works even with all of us in the rig. We've toyed with moving up to 25-27 feet but many of our favorite sites and campgrounds wouldn't work.
Sounds like you have a great rig! We have friends with three boys who full-time in a 26’ travel trailer, so we know that good-sized families can fit in smaller rigs too!
Nice setup! Can you tell about those side view mirrors on the truck? Are those aftermarket? If so, did you sacrifice the 360 camera system. I have a similar truck and I'm considering a mirror upgrade.
Nice Camper, so far. I have Three downsides: No Truma hot water system for endless H2O, No induction cooktop (never use the oven), and I like slide windows for better ventilation. Also, don't know if the upholstery is standard "fake leather" (plethra). Let's see how long before they start to peel. Did you happen to look at the Brinkley towables???
Hi James! We did indeed look at Brinkley, which makes a very nice rig, but in the end, they’re bigger than we were looking to go. We did indeed love our Truma in the Mountain Aire, but it becomes less important when we spend almost all oour time boondocking, since endless showers can’t be taken anyway. And we do like the better ventilation from sliding windows, but we’ve found ourselves in heavy rain several times already and love how we don’t have to worry about leaving the windows open when we used to have to run around closing them. Obviously we can’t report on ageing leather yet since we’re only two months in, but stay tuned. So far, they seem like higher quality than many of the peeling furniture we’ve seen. We know that induction is popular, but we’ve always had gas cooktops, even in our new apartment, and do like it. Luckily, if we ever change our minds, we can see about switching to an induction cooktop.
Are you guys satisfied with your tow vehicle, overall ability to pull that trailer, diesel mpg, def consumption? And if you had to do it again, would you have went up to a 3/4 ton? I am looking at the exact same setup and would like to hear an honest opinion from someone who has actually done it such as yourselves. I am leaning towards the 3 litre baby duramax 1500 as well but am wondering if I will regret not sizing up to the 2500. Also, other than your wdh, are you using airbags, or timbrens, or any other such product to prevent squat? Thx
Thanks for the great questions. So, we have a slightly special situation in that we got an apartment in a building with a VERY tight garage situation. If not for that, we'd have likely gotten a 2500 just to make it more brainless to tow more without being so careful about towing and payload capacities.. But we wanted to stay as small as possible for the garage and other times we're not towing, and we're very happy with the truck and it tows great with only the weight distribution hitch and no other special towing gear at all. We'll be covering all this in detail in a future post & video, but to summarize, we ordered the beefiest, most towing-capable 1500 we could get - the GMC Sierra 1500 Duramax Diesel with max trailering package, 3.73 rear axle ratio and optional 7,300 lb GVWR. It has a 12,900 lb towing capacity and a 1,600 lb payload, and it is JUST enough to tow our fully loaded 19MKS, which has a maximum GVWR of 8,250 lbs, and a tongue weight of about 1,100 lbs as currently loaded (pretty close to max). If we’d gotten a 2500 heavy duty truck, it would have been a no-brainer, and that’s what we recommend… just to make it super easy and add additional payload capacity. We stayed with a 1500 to keep the truck as small as possible for our parking garage. But if we lived in the ‘burbs, it would have been easier to get a truck with capabilities that easily exceeded our needs, instead of just meeting them with not too much more to spare. It works great, but it’s important to keep in mind that not just any 1500 can tow our trailer. We’ll hopefully have a detailed post and video about this topic ready fairly soon. Hope this helps as you decide what’s next for you, too. For what it’s worth, we’re SUPER happy with the truck, even though it uses a bit more DEF when towing than we would have hoped (about a 500-mile range), or two tanks of diesel, so filling with DEF every other fuel stop, mostly due to the higher usage during towing. But we do have to keep our rig and truck loaded a little more lightly than some people might want to stay within limits. We're okay with that, but if you want to be able to carry just about anything you want in the truck bed, or on board the rig, without thinking about it, we'd recommend a 2500 makes that easier. Ours pulls the trailer beautifully without issue, getting about 14-ish MPG, and about 30 MPG when not towing. Hope this helps.
Thx so much for the detailed response. I was thinking that trailer would probably be at the upper limits of that trailer and i still want to put on a cap and carry kayaks as well. I really wanted that 1500 with the diesel, because when not towing, it is a great daily driver and amazing on fuel consumption, but now I’m probably leaning towards a 2500. Good grief… decisions, decisions! But again, thx so much, and enjoy your setup 😊
@@derykcampbell8508 If you are going to carry even one kayak, we suggest you don’t even think about a 1500 to go with this trailer. We’re close enough to the limit that we’re carefully shopping barbeque grill choices with weight in mind! 😂
Surprisingly I really like your new travel trailer. Very impressive. I love how the bathroom is tucked away from the rest of the RV. The only change I think the manufacturer needs to make if there isn’t one already is to add an outlet back in your coffee nook. That would free up the outlet near the sink for other appliances. I personally don’t like seeing cords unnecessarily. So having my coffee pot cord visible all the time would drive me crazy. That being said, I would just plug in my coffee pot on an as needed basis…Problem Solved…LOL… I have looked at many travel trailers but had given up since none of them checked enough of my boxes to be on the consideration list. Therefore I have been for using on 5th wheels. Well you have peaked my interest and I will be putting Outdoors RV on my list. Thanks for an amazing and honest walkthrough. Safe Travels.
I was beside one of those at River Sands in Ehrengerg AZ this past winter and had never heard of the brand so I looked them up. It would certainly be on my short list if I ever switched to a trailer.
Fabulous choice. Our 40' Newmar Canyon Star has a very robust solar/battery package installed and we loved to take it boondocking, but well like your old Mountain Aire its a wee bit big to fit in many places. When I first heard you were going to a trailer I was quite surprised, but I can see why you like this rig and it really does come down to Floor plan, floor plan and floor plan, with build quality, durability and the ability to option and add options such as the solar and batteries to it. The key seems to be that Murphy/ wall bed that saves so much space. I guess questions include how you are dealing with the radical decrease in storage. Where are things like outdoor tables and chairs going now (After all being outdoors is a big part of the magic of RVing)? Ability to put bikes on the back of the trailer or in the bed of the truck? Looking forward to your adventures and to seeing the company market an RV Geeks version integrating your special upgrades!
Thanks so much! We always used to say "great to hear from a fellow Newmar owner" but guess we can't exactly do that any more. LOL But it is a great brand, and we sure did love our MADP for a long time. The real trick for us when it comes to storage really is mostly about going part-time. We just need so much less stuff. As far as our bikes, we didn't ride then enough to warrant dealing with them, so not a big deal leaving them behind. And while we do have folding chairs on board, we're doing without a table for the moment until we find out how much we miss having one (we didn't break our old one out that much, so maybe not an issue?) If we do decide to bring a table, or other gear along that we don't have on board yet, the bed of the truck is an awesome place to fill with stuff! Safe travels, and we'll look forward to seeing you down the road... maybe in an RVgeeks Series ORV! 😁
Thanks very much. So far our truck is getting about 30 MPG when not towing, and about 13-14 when towing. A LOT better than the 7 MPG our motorhome got!
A couple of comments; as a mountain Aire owner myself being used as a winter ski lodge, I missed seeing how that rig addresses gray and black sewer ports. As you know, the mountain Aire has a heated water bay. Every trailer I’ve seen has sewer ports hanging underneath. No way that works in extended sub freezing temperatures. Secondly, that squeegee type slide topper would destroy the slide when the slide top has an inch of ice on it as is common in snow country. A 3k inverter won’t run an AC unit without overheating your victron system. I have twice what you have installed in my mountain Aire and can’t run a single AC system unit more than a few hours before a full recharge is needed.
Hey Dave. Thanks for the input. Couple of things… while our trailer is very capable of making trips to sub-freezing weather, there’s no trailer we’d consider using as an extended sub-freezing ski lodge that stays in those conditions all or most of the winter. Same thing with the True Topper. We’ve seen demonstrations of it clearing off some ice with no problem, but an inch? Everything has its limits, so not looking to use it in arctic conditions for any length of time. And not only have we already run our 15k BTU AC unit off the battery bank for hours on end without the system getting too hot, we’ve seen, and personally know others who do it all the time. Might want to check your system in case there’s something causing overheating. We’ve calculated the approximate run time with no solar coming in to about 7 hours. Of course we wouldn’t run it all the way down, but the nice part is that the hottest situations are usually the sunniest!
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Can you add a link that describes the pricing structure for this trailer... I love the "Floor Plan, Floor Plan, Floor Plan" too
We weren't able to find a place online with the pricing breakdown, but here is some info directly from our window sticker. Hope this gives you an idea. Of course we recommend contacting a dealer directly to see what kind of actual purchase pricing is available. Looks like the numbers in front of the options are their internal code numbers for each one.
2024 CREEKSIDE 19MKS
002 TITANIUM SERIES
018 MTN. STORAGE SYSTEM (2" REC. HITCH & TOY-LOK)
102 12V HEAT PAD (FRESH WATER TANK)
715 OFF-GRID BATTERY RACK (CAPACITY: 4 BATTERIES)
716 DELUXE POWER VENT FANS (BED & BATH)
Unit Base Price: $58,569.00
Options Total: $13,811.00
Freight: $226.00
Tags : $55.00
Total MSRP: $72, 661.00
@@RVgeeks it sure is a beauty! I am so glad it survived its first 🌪️ twister and your Truck is blessed too !!!! You both deserve all the Best !
I have lived in my Outdoors 24RLS full time for over a year. I'm on my way to Alaska with it right now. I love it!
This is PERFECT for how I live in an off grid area of Arizona. I don't say camp, because I enjoy all of the luxuries of a home while away. I HATE Dinettes Yours is perfect. Your solar system is spectacular, but I'm sure it was expensive. Well worth it for all of its benefits. You started with a great RV and made it far more functional. HOME RUN Best I've ever seen!
Thanks so much!!
This 19’ RV is surprisingly large inside! So happy for you guys, and thanks for stopping by to show us your new home on wheels!! ❤ Can’t wait to do some rugged exploration with you in the future 😎
Thanks so much for the hospitality and awesome filming location! It was so great to see you both. Can’t wait to see how well our little camper can keep up with your monster truck! 😅
When I first read that you were downsizing to a 19’ travel trailer my thought was “why in the world would you do that?” But you explained it well in the video.
Your point about the durable build of interior fixtures, compared to typical 19 footers, resonated with me. We are not off-roaders, but might consider downsizing from our 42’ 5th wheel.
We, too, are moving from fulltiming to part time, but we’ll still be on the road for 6- 48:37 months of the year, so we’ll need to think hard about what we would give up, notably, storage.
One of the unspoken benefits of going smaller is being forced to get rid of stuff! We had violated our 1-year rule (if you don't use something for a year, pitch it) so many times, we went to a 2-year rule, then 3 years, then gave up! LOL It really felt freeing to bring only what we actually need, and going part-time made it so much easier.
Love the new rig! Excited to see what is coming up in the future for your adventures
Thanks so much!
@@RVgeeks you are so welcome. Love the rig you picked. I bet there’s a lot of great adventures ahead
Great to see you guys back on YT….Looking forward to following your next phase in RVing. Congrats on your new rig.
Thanks so much, Fred!
We really like our '23 ORV 26KVS. We've had numerous RV's over the last 45 years. This one is built very well & made for Boon Docking. Yes it is heavier than most, but it is a lot more solid. And yes they cost more; but we feel well worth it. As a general rule these are not 1/2t towable. I speak from experience. A 3/4 t or better is far superior tow vehicle.
Great to hear from yet another happy fellow ORV owner! 😃
I really love the Outdoors RV trailers! They do such a fantastic job with build quality and I’ve been super impressed with them. my dad and stepmother have an older version. That’s very similar in size to the one you guys just got, but it doesn’t have that Murphy bed, such a game changer! If we were ever to go with anything other than our airstream, outdoors, RV would be at the top of the list. We do a lot of Boondocking and BLM camping and you just can’t beat their four season build, off-road capability and capacity for water and sewer.
Awesome! There are SO many happy ORV owners out there, including us. We know we made a great choice.
Same company who builds nash and arctic fox.. my nash is 9 years old, it's been absolutely perfect , I'm still impressed by the quality years later
@@Liimpy Great to hear, Jack!
It’s about freaking time! So glad you guys shared your process. We really enjoyed it.
Yes! Thank you!
@@RVgeeks Makes us almost wish we went with the 19MKS instead of our Grand Design 22MLE 😉. Ok that's not true: make sure you have all those locks on the rig if we're ever near you guys 😂
😂
WOW, the trailer is amazing, what a great floor plan so much space inside.
Thanks! We love it! 😃
Glad to see you back and love the new rig! Making me give second thoughts to a Tab400. Can’t wait to see more about the modifications!👍🏽
Thanks so much. Nice to see you back on the air! Sounds like a great trailer. We are possibly due to change so will look into it. 🇨🇦
Thanks so much. Great to be back!
This camper looks awesome! We downsized to a Grand Design 17mke and didn’t realize the counter tops were fake. ☹️ Plus we can’t use our bed with the slide in, and I would love being able to have a table and the recliners. Great choice!
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your amazing new rig!
We had never heard of OutDoors RV, the quality and features are really smart!
Thanks so much!
I own a 20 ft. Rockwood Geo Pro 19fbs that is 20’ long with 1 slideout and love it. Her name is ShortStack. She is perfect for me and my 2 Schnauzers. I have had no issues after 2 years of use.
Awesome trailer ! Have a Lance trailer but this would be on the list if replacement ever came up .. Great floor plan as you said . Enjoy and safe travels !
Met ya'll once in nashville years ago, always great to see ya'll creating new content. Hope the new rig is treating ya'll well. Looking forward to seeing more on the new RV as we are looking for another RV, going back to travel trailer to help with hauling bikes, etc. Looking for a solid rig and have been looking at ORV as well.
Hi Nick! We remember that even in Nashville! Thanks for the nice comment. Loving our new rig, and hope you enjoy the research and planning process as much as we did... and of course whatever new RV you decide to get.
What a great unit. I love the upgrades you made. The wall bed is so well thought out. I love that the bedding can be left on the bed so it is ready to climb into when you are ready for bed.
Glad you like it!
Nice rig. We down sized from a 32 foot Komfort to a 19.5 Imperial Outdoors X 195. Our new trailer is extremes off road capable including articulating hitch and independent suspension. We camp four seasons and do not chase the sun. I am looking forward to future tours. Oh, yes I am located in the Cascades west of Bend, Oregon.
Thanks! Your rig sounds great!
Congrats Guys. Great floor plan and most important, a quality company and rig. Look forward to the detailed videos to come.
Thanks so much!
Great tour! We have owned an Outdoors RV trailer and now an Arctic Fox 5th wheel. They are both made in LaGrande and I'm pretty sure they are now under the same ownership. We won't own another RV. They are stout! They may be behind the times with interiors, but the four seasons package and the fact that they make their trailer frames makes them the highest quality we've seen. BTW, we also owned a Forest River trailer. No comparison! I look forward to seeing your solar videos.
Awesome! Great to hear! Thanks so much.
Besides floor plan, construction quality & builders detail are equal in importance. Finding those in one package is the trick. When our time comes to downsize, thanks for leading the way. Watching the video feels like being with old friends again!
Absolutely! Thanks so much!
We are owners of a 2023 ORV 19MKS and really love it. We have been on 7 trips so far and have another 8 trips planned for this summer. I really like your solar upgrade. Very jealous.
Awesome! That solar is indeed fun. 🤩
The tardis! Love it. We have our own name for our 24RLS Anniversary: The Beauty! It’s attached to the Beast…yes, a 1 ton diesel…because those « amazing ORV » are heavy!!! But they are the sturdiest we could find…and Corinne from out west was right from the start…we shopped until we dropped..and the we went all in in 2020 - right in the heart of the pandemic…bought it out west, traveled from Qc city to Kelowna, and back…with canned soup…and are really happy with it! Great choice! Built like a rock, sustained Alaska and now Newfoundland….more than 50,000km so far with nothing…Great decision! Good on ORV, they are still doing it the right way! Remi & Sylvain, Qc city followers and happy owners.
So great to hear!!
I’ve been following you guys for a few years now and have utilized your recommendations to great effect. I’m glad to see you back on my RUclips feed. We have a 35’ gas Class A and your decision really has me thinking. I was amazed at the interior height. I’m 6’7” and to see a TT with nearly 7’ ceilings is spectacular. Keep the videos coming and we’ll see how long it takes me to convince my better half to downsize.
Hi Thomas! Thanks so much for letting us know we've been helpful. Always great to hear. We'll do our best to help convince your wife that smaller is better in RVs... except maybe where height is concerned. 😉 We're several inches shorter than you are, but it really does feel open in here with that radius roof.
Good to see you back. I looked at that unit and almost switched. The deal breaker for me was no W/D as I am still FT for now. It's still tops of the list if/when I do switch to PT.
We’re with you on the washer/dryer, Joe! An absolute MUST for us for FT!
That is a big change congrats RVGeeks, enjoy !
Great video and great choice. We have had 2 ORV's and love our current 280KVS.
Thanks David! Great to hear!
We are on day 3 of a 6 week maiden voyage in our new-to-us 2023 19MKS Mountain. We had planned to buy a new 19MKS Titanium, then decided we’d better go look at one before driving from SW Missouri to Pendleton, OR to buy one just based on RUclips videos. The used rig was so nice and saved us so much, we decided to get it. We LOVE it, but I already foresee that within a few years we’ll be trekking to Thompson RV for an upgrade. We’re coming from a horse camping lifestyle where 60% of the rig is for equines and we squeeze into the remainder. The ORV, with a slide out and theater seats feels like such a luxurious upgrade. Can’t wait for all your follow up videos. Love your channel!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! So great to hear from yet ANOTHER happy ORV owner! And a 19MKS even! Have a wonderful time on your trip, and maybe we'll cross paths in Pendleton sometime!
We miss your RUclips videos about the new 19MKS. Hope all is going well after the tree mishap.
Question: Do you use a bike rack on the RV rear bumper? If so, what do you do with the spare tire? I’m thinking about a receiver hitch extender, but have concerns about stress on bumper and frame from the added leverage and torque.
What an efficient layout. That kitchen counter was a real surprise. Now you're ready to go anywhere. 👍
Thanks Brian! There’s so much we love about this amazing little rig. Can’t wait to show it to you in person. Been way too long.
Good choice, seems perfect for you guys !
Thanks so much Glenn! We think so too! 😃
Love the name of the RV. Couldn't be more perfect.
Love the new rig. Perfect for all your new adventures.
Thanks!! We’re so happy with it!
The murphy bed/dinette really is a brilliant feature and I love the new name… It’s perfectly fitting!
Thanks Lisa! Can’t wait to show it to you in person. It’s much more comfortable! 😅
Question: I saw the lock with the heavy duty chain that was securing your tires. What I the name of that particular lock. I went to the website but wow so many options I can’t seem to find it. I made a custom lock for my MTB using logging chain and that lock you have would be perfect.
Thank you
Great question! We have TWO high-security chains & locks - one for our e-bikes and one for our trailer's wheels. Both of them are pretty equal in security (as in VERY high - super rugged locks, and extremely hard chains). We had someone try to cut the bike chain a few years ago, and did nothing more than shine up the metal a little bit! We just checked, and the chain we use on the trailer is very hard to find at the moment for a good price, we suggest that this 10mm 6' chain like we use on our bikes is a better deal, and absolutely capable of protecting your trailer's wheels. This is the one we recommend: amzn.to/3zuisvx Hope this helps!
We went back to a regular house after full time travel in a 40 ft fifth wheel and a f450 for 5 years
We decided to downsize too, so we also bought a new 250rks titanium and a f350. We like to be able to do more state and federal parks and also boondocking
Thanks for the inspiration Peter and John
@@christeldinkler6736 Love it!
Congratulations on your apartment and your new trailer. You look well rested and apartment living is agreeing with you both.
Thank you so much!
Another GREAT video guys. I was really surprised to hear about you giving up your Class A , especially after all of the work, care and $$$ you have put into it over the years. Looking forward to viewing more videos about your future adventures.
Love the new rig. Congrats! Looking forward to upcoming videos.
Thanks so much! More to come!
Wow! It’s been a while since I’ve checked in, and what a shock 😅 Cool new rig. Looks very practical, but wondering what the cost new must be.
By the way, my wife and i have been RV-ing part time for the last 10 years in our 1996 Safari Trek and love it’s all around practicality. I did some needed suspension upgrades, solar installation and other interior upgrades as well. For the couple on a budget, there hard to beat and are built strong. Happy safe travels you two!
@@grecopena Hey Gregory! Thanks for checking in. Yes indeed, we did make a big change. 20 years of full timing turned out to be just the right amount, and we’re happy that we’ve now downsized to an RV we can take into much more remote places. It’s an awesome rig and we really love it. Sounds like your Safari is serving you really well. We had friends with one years ago and they loved it too. Safe travels!
@ also glad you survived the storm and falling trees! All the best to the best RV Geeks on RUclips! 👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Congratulations - what a fun rig!
Thanks! 👍
Oh-my-gosh, that Murphy bed is amazing! I love the ingenuity!!! Well done. I hope there is the same option on the 20BD.
@@sandraromero5899 That bed made for an incredible floor plan that sealed the deal for us downsizing from a 43 footer to a 19 footer. We just love our new Outdoors RV!
Equally if not more important is your decision making process for choosing your tow vehicle. Consider a detailed video similar to this explaining how you picked your tow vehicle. The tow vehicle costs may be equal or greater than the trailer.
Hi Peter! We have a video just like you’re describing in the works.
You guys are the ONLY ones who see the wisdom of a smaller RV. The idea of downsizing is often thought-about, but rarely fulfilled. I believe there is a right-size for an RV, it's just that most people start off much smaller than what they ultimately need, so upsizing is the norm.
We have a 22FQS for 1 year now! We had Tom and Ely do our solar too: 2 gamechangers and 1000 watt solar! We have been able to boondocks at 2 weeks. We love our ORV! We also got the dc to dc charger. Great to see a different floor plan!
Great to hear from another happy ORV owner! We just love our rig, and love how much better Tom and Ely made it for us!
Professional presentation. Best floor plan I have ever seen !
Wow, thanks!
Love the modifications you have done. Thank you for this video.
Awesome guys! Eagerly awaiting a video about your towing experience with the half ton vehicle. Did you add the load balance / stability control hitch due to poor trailering or simply right off the bat as a preventive measure?
Thanks! We'll be a little while getting that weight/towing post and video ready (it's a complicated safety topic that we want to treat VERY carefully). In the meantime, as far as towing with a 1,500 - we custom ordered a pretty well maxed out 1/2 ton truck (Duramax Diesel, upgraded GVWR, Max trailering package, heavy-duty alternator etc). It's got a 12,900 lb towing capacity and a 1,600-lb payload. We went with a 1,500 because we have other reasons related to part-timing for wanting a truck that is absolutely no larger than needed. We did our math carefully, and still ended up pretty close to maximum payload and GVWR on the trailer (the solar/lithium system we installed weighs about 500 lbs alone). We tow really well, and are safe, comfortable and happy with our choice. That said, we will be recommending at least a 2,500 for anyone who doesn't want to have to worry about payload. As we've experienced, a 1,500 can work, but it can't be just ANY 1,500. Had we not maxed ours out in every possibly way, it wouldn't be up to the job. We'd suggest a 2,500 would be a great choice for most people pulling this trailer. As far as the weight distribution / sway control hitch, we added that before ever towing even one mile. It was needed because the truck's payload would be exceeded if we didn't shift some of the tongue weight to the rear of the trailer, which the hitch does beautifully. GMC also says that above a certain weight trailer, they recommend it, and the 19MKS easily exceeds that. Hope this helps!
Great video guys! Awesome setup! Very helpful with how our rving is changing.
@@chrispierce8525 Thanks Chris! Always great to hear we’ve been helpful. 😊
We are on our second rv in three years! I thing our 24 ft rv is the perfect size for our lifestyle! Miles and I love your videos!!!
Thanks so much guys!
Great trailer review, I subscribed and look forward to the upcoming videos of your rig.
This is a beautiful looking setup. Grateful we get to be part of it! Looking forward to following along in your travels! Go RVgeeks!! 💪
Thanks so much! And thanks for protecting our new camper from theft. We'll be shooting a short video all about our awesome PacLocks this coming week, especially our incredible coupler lock. Stay tuned!
@@RVgeeks Woohoo! Can't wait!
Amazing layout! Thanks for the tour of your new travel trailer. Best of luck with it.
Thanks so much!
We are ORV owners of a Glacier Peak F26RKS Titanium which we love but after watching your great presentation of this rig I am thinking about switching over to this model so I can recoup my truck bed for carrying motorcycle / ATV.
@@usmcshepherdE9 This is the first pickup truck either one of us has ever owned. If we had realized how handy that bed is, we probably would’ve gotten one sooner.!😁
I have looked very closely at Outdoors RV to go full-time when I retire. Unfortunately I want a unit with a washer/dryer and larger storage. I am leaning towards Alliance RV 370FB
I bought my 24' nash 9 years ago, its the perfect size for all situations , i don't full time in it, but i did live in it for almost 1 year, i couldn't see going any bigger or smaller
Congratulations to you both on your new TT. What a wonderful floor plan, amenities and equipment. As you say they are well built.
Thanks so much!
Glad you pointed out the ladder. I love that on our 22 FQS. I have Flag Pole Buddy with the starlink adapter attached to it. Many other things you mentioned are reasons we went with ORV. Also, the complaints I do see about ORV are all things that Thompson RV checked and took care off if necessary. Shows me how important the dealer is as well as the factory.
Great to hear from yet another happy ORV owner! Apparently there are a LOT of us! 😍
Ok I need more. How you are cabinets set up etc? My husband and I have a 19MKS and after watching this video, I now know my recliners actually recline. I just thought you could only prop up you feet but they do actually recline. Thanks! Keep sharing. 😂. One thing we do is put a cargo net up between the dinette chairs so that we can stow things there when we travel. Also put a corner towel rack in the bath to hang towels.
Love the cargo net idea! We’re gonna have to steal that! 😉 We just live our 19MKS, and it’s always great to hear from fellow ORV owners. 👍
Very nice rig. One question: can you use the murphy bed with the slide in - if necessary for an overnight travel stop - say in a walmart parking lot?
We sure can, and we’ve already done it a few times!
Love our 2016 22RB Creekside. Outdoors RV makes an awesome unit. We are off-road, off-grid a lot. Roughing it smoothly.
I am Captain Janeway, towing the Voyager.
Love your handle, Captain! Beam us up! 😁 Great hearing from yet another happy ORV owner! ❤️
@5:50 sitting on the edge like that is wild
Couldn't the tv antenna just been moved a little since there's still space between the two rows of solar panels
Maybe, but we never used the one we used to have anyway, so we just jettisoned it.
Hi guys! I've been waiting for the big reveal and when I saw the title to this video, I thought it was a joke of some kind but here is it! This video is so timely and interesting to my wife and I. I'm 62 and have owned a camper/rv of every type since I was 18 and started with tent and then a slide-in truck camper. Eventually we upgraded to a gas class a, 41' DP and our current RV which is a 2007 Holiday Rambler Navigator 45' w/tag,525 Cummins, 4 slides and more gadgets and switches than the space shuttle. I't luxurious and huge. Our children our all grown and gone so it's just the two of us. I am really debating if we should sell our rig as it is sooooo big, especially for just two people (and two English Bulldogs). I find it very stressful and scary to downsize, only because we are so used to all of the luxury items. I thought about a smaller class a, say 30' or a class b or a towable as we also own a GMC Denali Yukon XL, which we never drive. We are going to use the Navigator thiis summer season and then decide if want to sell it. Who knows....but I find it so terrifying to "change" and downsize. This was an awesome video and thanks for sharing. I always love your videos. Take care and have fun with the new toy!!
Hi Terry! Thanks so much for the awesome comment. We were in the same boat.... VERY used to, and happy with, our big rig, which probably accounts for why we kept it for so long. We'd suggest that the single biggest thing you might want to think about as you decide is HOW you use your rig. That was what spurred us to go small, because we wanted to go EVERYWHERE... even little places and rugged places, and everywhere else in between. The problem was likely that the size of our rig was preventing us from RVing in the locations we wanted to go, and smaller was the answer, enabled by going part-time. Now, that may not be the case for you, as you may prefer to RV differently that we do (snowbird to Florida, Texas, or Desert SW RV resorts, for example, which a big rig is great for). We weren't all that enamored with the luxury aspects of our rig so much (yes it had a dishwasher, but we don't care about hand washing dishes). Although we do miss the on-board washer & dryer... but we console ourselves when we get two weeks worth of laundry done in 90 minutes at a laundromat! LOL You might consider renting the type of RV you're considering on a platform like RV Share or Outdoorsy to take a test trip without committing. Have fun thinking about the possibilities. We sure did. Safe travels!
Wow! I love it. What a great layout. Excellent choice.
Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing the new season in your RV life.
Thanks so much! More to come!
Question for you: what did you upgrade your mattress to? We have a Murphy bed which desperately needs a new mattress. Between a comforter, blankets and sheets it could only be about 8 inches thick. We dislike memory foam. Just curious what you have. Thanks in advance.
We didn't actually change the mattress. The Titanium Series includes an upgraded mattress made by Heartland and we're really comfortable on it. We've always had (and loved) very firm traditional pocketed coil innerspring mattresses (don't like memory foam, either), but the one that came with our Outdoors RV is really nice, even though we're pretty sure it's some type of foam (we don't think it's the Tempur-Pedic type, but it's something similar as it bends when the bed gets closed). But despite the fact that we like very firm mattresses, we're really comfortable on it. You might be, too. Just not sure what specific model of Heartland it is (sorry, we're visiting family away from the RV, and can't check the label). It's supposedly a cooling gel type of material, which find we sleep well on.
Awesome job. Thanks for another fantastic video. Especially enjoyed the humor. Several good belly laughs.
Thanks so much! So glad we made you laugh. 😆
I am now looking for this TT, hopefully i can afford it, lol. New subscriber.❤😊
Welcome to the ORV family! We full time in our 2022 280KVS but use to own a 23KTS. We definitely miss being able to get into tight places.
@@GreenCtry Thanks! Great to be here!
Love & appreciate the video guys. My question would be about the hitch weight. I read in the comments how you're calculating 1000lbs which is like 350lbs over manufacturers specs. Another owner mentioned that they weighed theirs and it was 662lbs. As a fellow 1/2 ton owner who isn't looking to upgrade the daily driver to an expensive diesel drinker, i am worried about my 1400 payload limitation. Have you specifically weighed your hitch weight? And if so is there anything unique about your rig that adds extra tongue weight (extra solar panels, batteries, generator, or propane, full fresh tank, etc.)?
@@zackhayes1052 Hey Zack! A lot of this stuff does get confusing, all right, since there are SO many numbers to consider. As far as our trailer tongue weight at 1000 pounds, we’re not sure which manufacturer spec you’re referring to that would be 350 pounds below that. The maximum downward force that we can put on the trailer hitch is 1200 lbs, as limited by our Camco TR3, so we’re good on that (our trucks door placard allows up to 1290 lbs max tongue weight). We also have a 1,602 pound payload, which was key to being able to tow an 8,200 pound maximum GVWR trailer. The thousand pounds of tongue weight leaves 600 pounds for the two of us and gear. Since the two of us together weigh about 350 pounds, that leaves about 250 pounds for gear, which is plenty for us, since we carry so little in the bed of the truck. If you have a 1400 pound payload capacity, we suggest there’s no reasonable way that you could manage to tow an 8200 pound trailer since it’s important to put between 10 and 15% of that weight on the tongue for good sway control and balance. So if the trailer were loaded to 8000 pounds, that means that 800 to 1200 pounds needs to go on the hitch. Doesn’t leave much payload. We’re planning an upcoming video that lays out our exact specs, which we were only able to achieve by custom ordering our truck with every possible option to increase towing and (especially) payload capacities.
What a great set up.
Question for you. Have you pulled the trailer with full or close to full tanks and if so how did your 1/2 ton GM do as far as cargo capacity and towing?
Look forward to more videos of your set up.
Thanks for the great question. We have indeed towed the trailer with full fresh water, full propane, and fully loaded with all our gear. While we are within limits, and the rig tows really really well, we had to order a very specifically optioned 1500 to make it possible. You can’t tow a trailer this heavy with any old 1500. We do plan a video all about how the weights worked out, but it may be a little while before we get that finished. In the meantime, we would say this… If you want to have a very easy time towing, a trailer just like this without worrying about capacities, get a well equipped 2500 and you won’t come anywhere near as close to limits as we are and won’t have to worry about it. That said, we are very happy with our entire rig. We went with a 1500 for other reasons, but if not for the fact that we park our pick up truck in an extremely tight parking space in the basement garage of an apartment building when we’re not on the road, we would have gone for 2500 and given ourselves a little more breathing room.
Thank you for the response. Can't wait for more videos. @@RVgeeks
I know you were able to observe the PDI process at Thompson RV and were impressed with their thoroughness. Did you decide to hire an NRVIA Inspector prior to purchase or were you sufficiently satisfied with Thompson's process and ORV's warranty coverage to go without a 3rd party inspection?
Someone mentioned in the comments that there could be a potential crease in the mattress, and you said it was not noticeable. I'm confused because I thought the entire mattress is always fully deployed whether stowed or extended. Can you please clarify.
We were so excited after seeing this post that we are touring the factory next week and plan to order the same model for year-end delivery. So thank you for your research and we'll look forward to more closely following your adventures!
@@janisnau9971 Hi Janis! We’re so excited for you ordering the same brand and floorplan that we have so come to love so much. As far as the mattress goes, it’s a memory foam type mattress, and folds 90 degrees about 1/4 of the way down from the head when it’s vertical up against the wall. But we absolutely cannot detect any fold, crease, or problem of any kind when we lie on it. It’s absolutely like a regular mattress that doesn’t fold at all, and we’re very comfortable on it. We think that is simply a non-issue with this mattress and bed set up. As far as inspections, both Outdoors RV and Thompson RV’s reputations were so good, and we heard so many positive things, that we never even considered having an inspection done. We did run into an inspector there while we were taking delivery that was looking at someone else’s rig prior to pick up, but we had zero problems with ours, and feel like it would’ve been a waste of money for us to have paid an inspector. That said, if you are coming a long distance, and want to make sure you have the smoothest delivery possible, an investment in an inspection is certainly reasonable to consider. But if you were going to do without one, the combination of Outdoors RV and Thompson (if that’s where you’re buying it) are pretty hard to beat.
@@RVgeeks Thank you for your thoughts and quick reply!!
Yes, Thompson will be our dealer too and we're full-timers so we'll be in the area and can spend time nearby to ensure all is operating correctly before departure. Thank you for sharing your experience, it has really helped us make our decision.
The bed size was a concession for us, but it sounds like we will be very comfortable with it.
Awesome rig, I got a Class C because I'm not good at backing up trailers. I have been stationary for a while but will be back on the road soon. I see you have a few videos I haven't seen so I got to catch up.
You mentioned Starlink in the video so I wanted to ask if you would recommend Starlink as an Internet provider?
@@MrMarkCaudill Hi Mark! Starlink is pretty incredible. It has become our main source of Internet whenever we are stationary, and it’s really reliable and fast. And of course, it works in extremely remote places where cellular might be weak. The only area it’s not so good in is the forest, since of course it does need at least a bit of view of the sky.
@@RVgeeks Thanks for your reply and question to my question. 😀
How is it getting in and out bed? Looks like you would have to slide down to the foot of the bed to get out.
@@jimragone3495 Being able to step over onto the seat of the booth dinette on each side of the bed makes it MUCH easier than other peninsula beds we’ve slept on. No need to slide down to the foot of the bed. Not bad at all!
Nice video! We are looking at getting a 19MKS. Our only concern is getting into and out of the bed in the middle of the night for bathroom trips. We’re pretty nimble for 70 YO’s, what has your experience been so far with getting into and out of the bed? Thanks!
@@mikethompson8855 Hi Mike! Love that you’re considering a 19MKS, since we are SO happy with ours. For sure, nothing is simpler and more like a sticks & bricks than a bed that’s as clear as possible along the length of both sides. We’ve been in rigs (the Black Series we were on for over a month is a good example) that required entering and exiting the bed directly over the foot of the bed, which we really hated. The 19MKS ‘s setup is kind of half-way in between. By taking advantage of the benches of the booth dinette, you have a step-down area alongside the lower half of the bed. We’ve gotten used to it, and don’t mind at all. Not too difficult for this mid-60s (Peter) guy. I’d definitely recommend getting on board one to check it out if you can, especially if you think it might be an issue for you. But it’s been fine for us, and just one of those minor compromises we’ve gotten used to as part of downsizing.
Great video and nice detailed explanation
Hello guys! Hope you’re enjoying the new rig. I’m anxiously awaiting the video explaining your tow vehicle. I know it takes time and you want to get things right. I’m still in the process of building up a 1500 that has maximum capabilities as well, wondering if you have 18” tires or 20” tires on your truck? Not trying to rush you guys lol, but I know it will be a popular video.
@@derykcampbell8508 Thanks so much! Yes indeed we are loving our new rig. Our truck is equipped with 20 inch tires. We are indeed planning a detailed video and post about setting up our rig to tow, including all of the important weights and considerations that need to be taken into account. That said, we wanted a 1500 because now that we’re part time and parking our truck in the underground parking garage in our apartment building, which is VERY tight. When our post and video come out, we will be detailing how carefully we had to equip the truck, how close we came to its limits, and we will be advising anyone who wants to tow a trailer like this to go with a 2500. That said, our rig tows safely and comfortably within limits, but there really isn’t any weight to spare. Keep in mind that we ordered the most capable 1500 we could find, with the Duramax diesel, Max Trailering package, increased GVWR, 3.73 rear axle, and upgraded alternator. All that said, if we wanted to bring our heavy E-bikes, or a couple of other people along with us, we would be over some weight limits. If you’re planning to tow a 19MKS, you will either have to plan extremely carefully to get exactly the right truck, and/or go very light on your gear.
Thx for the reply! And yes i am most certainly looking for the most capable 1500 3.0 diesel, whatever that configuration may be.
@@derykcampbell8508 The dirty little secret is that while manufacturers love to tout “Towing Capacity!” it’s virtually impossible to determine the more important number: payload. The ONLY place that’s 100% knowable is the door sill plate on each specific truck. But how do you see that when you’re custom ordering and it’s not even built yet?! We ordered our 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT with the options we mentioned above and got a 1,600 lb payload. Sounds like a lot, but since you have to include the trailer’s tongue weight down onto the hitch ball in that 1,600 lbs, a weight distribution hitch was a MUST for us to help shift weight back to the trailer’s rear axle and off the ball. We made it under the wire on all weights, but not by as much as we’d hoped. Since you want 10-15% of the trailer’s weight on the ball for safe balance, an 8,000 lb trailer (not far off our trailer’s GVWR) means putting 800 - 1,200 lbs on the ball. You can do the math and see that 1,600 lbs isn’t all that generous. And we checked the box on the GMC order form for the optional 7,300 lb GVWR to get the max payload available. In our upcoming post and video, we’ll be diving into more detail. But since you’re looking now, we just want you to be very careful if you’re planning to tow something like 8,000 lbs with a 1500.
Thx so much for the info. Really appreciate it!
Looking over the rig, I get the fact of quality that you have found. Having had 3 MH, the weakest link over time was the Schwintek slide out and it's proness to alignment/installation failures. How has Outdoor RV approached the slide out?
We know that Schwintek has had some issues, and we thought about that as part of our decision process. We were advised to always hold the slide control button, both in and out, until the slide completes the cycle, and then for a second of two afterward. Our understanding is that some of the problem is more likely to crop up when going part-way in or out and stopping or reversing the direction of travel (changing from in to out at the half-way point for example). That supposedly increases the risk of the motors getting out of synch. It's early for us of course, but so far, no problem!
welcome to the travel trailer family guys.. :)
Great to see you back, can't wait for hacks and mods.
Thanks so much, Todd! Stay tuned!
Hey guys, I was wondering if you could comment about the air conditioning how it works in regards to power usage and how loud is it, also wondering what type of water heater you have? thank you.
Hi Ron! You can certainly hear it (a bit louder than the ducted system on our motorhome), but the steady sound of an A/C unit doesn't bother us. So we're happy with it. It's a 15k BTU that pulls about 1,400 watts. We've got a 6-gallon Suburban propane/electric water heater, and it's been great. If we were ever to upgrade, we'd get the same Truma we installed in the moho.
Nice RV. Is the bed comfortable with the bend in the mattress? I worry about my shoulder sinking into that crack. Thanks.
Not at all! You literally can't tell it's not a regular mattress. It's amazingly comfortable. There's no crack detectable at all, probably because it's the memory foam type. It's not like the ones with a seam that bends in a designated spot, so just like any high-quality residential mattress.
Looks like a perfect, small rv! Can you please share the details with me on the replacement shower head? Thank you!
Thanks! We're really loving it so far. So about the shower head... there's a bit of a story. LOL We're pretty serious about using as little water as possible, so we've been happily using this Delta shower head for many years on our motorhome: amzn.to/3RJI5yg It's always been about the best one we've ever tried for low flow and an acceptable spray (although very little compared to what most people are used to... we shower in about a gallon or two of water). But the way the 19MKS shower is set up, it wasn't really compatible with just swapping that head onto the flexible hose. So we tried this High Sierra one instead: amzn.to/4cYOSwr which is what's on the shower in the video. It raised the head nicely up so we don't have to bend down to wash our hair, etc. But it's expensive, so it was a splurge to try it out. Well, we didn't really like the spray pattern without using more water than we'd prefer, so we bought the Delta head, too, and unscrewed the High Sierra head from its handle and now have an expensive Frankenstein setup! LOL It's the handle from the High Sierra, but with the Delta head on it. The Delta head is chrome, so it doesn't match the dark bronze finish, but we're all about functionality over appearance, so we're happy with our old Delta head, raised up high, so more comfortable than bending over. We only wish the High Sierra wasn't so expensive, but at least we're happy with the results. Hope this makes sense and helps.
@@RVgeeks thank you so much for all the info! We are like you. Functionality over looks! 😊
Congrats on your new TT. It is gorgeous. I love the floorplan...especially the kitchen & counterspace! I too am in Michigan..... Lower Peninsula. :) Safe travels!
Thank you so much!!
Thanks for the tour it looks very spacious and comfortable for such a small RV, I was wondering how well the half/ton pulls it especially in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest areas, I really like this RV but I don't want to have to buy a 3/4 ton, , do you feel safe and comfortable pulling it in those areas with the half ton? What truck do you have and what is your tow and cargo capacity? Thanks
Our GMC Sierra 1,500 tows it really well… but keep in mind that truck manufacturers tend to promote one number and only one number, and that is towing capacity. Unfortunately, they’re referring only to the maximum available towing capacity of one specific configuration of truck, and don’t talk at all about payload. We have a 12,900 pound towing capacity, and a 1,600 pound payload, which we achieved by custom ordering our truck with the turbodiesel engine, Max trailering package, 3.73 rear axle ratio and optional increased payload capacity. That said, the truck handles our fully loaded rig in a really comfortable, safe, and satisfying way. We drove all through the mountain west when we first got it, and never once felt uncomfortable. Also keep in mind that we do use a weight distribution hitch, which is required, especially when you come this close to maximum capacity on the truck. It’s all good, but you can’t just go out and buy any old 1500 and expect a tow a solidly built trailer like this. We will be writing a post on our blog in the near future about our experience sizing and ordering a truck that we were confident would do the job. It can be confusing, and many people get it wrong and undersize their truck. You are smart to be keeping this in mind as you consider your options.
@@RVgeeks thank you for the detailed and quick response, I will keep that info in mind ,I appreciate it, have safe and fun travels!
My titanium 19MKS will start being built next week. Can’t wait. What size are the magic carpets you purchased? What happens to the chrome trash can when you are going down the road? Thanks
Wow! How exciting! We sure know what that feels like to be getting ready for a new 19MKS! Congratulations. Those two rugs are the 3'x5' and as you can see, two of them fit perfectly. We ordered two complementary ones (same pattern, different color) and LOVE them. You might notice in the video when John folds the edge of one rug back to show the non-skid backing, there's one heating vent underneath it. On cold nights when the heat might come on, we simply leave it folded back under the bed platform so the vent isn't covered in case the heat kicks on. But BE SURE TO GET THEIR 40% discount! The first link at the top of our Gear & Discounts page has the details and code to use (RVGEEKS40): www.thervgeeks.com/discounts/
As far as the trash can, we ideally would prefer to have any trash can hidden under the sink or some other cabinet. But space is at a premium, and we didn't want such a small trash can. Since it would be visible, we sprung for a quite expensive (but fantastic) Simple Human can with butterfly lid and the step pedal on the end instead of the front: amzn.to/4b2AkKx It fits great right against that wall, with easy access from the kitchen, and without blocking the recliner from reclining. When the slide is going to come in, which it would be in the way of, we simply set it up front against the folded-up bed for travel, and it has never moved.
@@RVgeeks Thank you so much for the quick reply. Vern
I've watched this video, and others on this trailer several times now. We've got a 2017 Grand Design Solitude 384GK that we bought new, and lived in it FT for about 3 years. Now that we've got our new house built, we've been considering getting a truck camper, however we're now leaning towards this exact same model that you have. Like you, we're not FTing any more, and are looking for something we can take anywhere, and thought a truck camper was the way to go. We've already got a 2017 Ford F350 DRW Diesel truck, so the truck camper seemed like a good fit. Well, we're now thinking this trailer would be an even better fit, and maybe even downsizing on the truck. Love, love, love all the upgrades you've done to the trailer. Especially like the slide topper. We got our Solitude with slide toppers and I ended up taking them off, I hated the popping in the wind, and I always got on top of the rig and brushed them off before leafing because they would hold water on the largest slider. A total waste of money. The new topper you have is so cool, and we love how it gets the water off as well as the debris. My wife and I are considering a trip to OR to the dealership you got yours at, maybe make it a flight and mini vacation on the NW. Thanks for all you do, I've been subscribed for several years now and have used you as a resource for much of the improvements we made to our 5th wheel.
Thanks so much, Pete! We can't recommend Outdoors RV, the 19MKS floorplan, True Topper, Thompson RV, and MYT Solar enough. Thompson gets buyers flying or driving in from all over North America for a reason! We considered a truck camper as well, but so happy went this way. The one thing we'd say about truck size (until our upcoming post and video about weights comes out) is that we custom ordered a pretty well maxed out 1/2 ton truck (Duramax Diesel, upgraded GVWR, Max trailering package, heavy-duty alternator etc). It's got a 12,900 lb towing capacity and a 1,600-lb payload. We went with a 1,500 because we have other reasons related to part-timing for wanting a truck that is absolutely no larger than needed. We did our math carefully, and still ended up pretty close to maximum payload and GVWR on the trailer (the solar/lithium system we installed weighs about 500 lbs alone). We tow really well, and are safe, comfortable and happy with our choice. That said, we will be recommending at least a 2,500 for anyone who doesn't want to have to worry about payload. As we've experienced, a 1,500 can work, but it can't be just ANY 1,500. Had we not maxed ours out in every possibly way, it wouldn't be up to the job. Bottom line, if you're thinking about downsizing your truck to try to go with a 1,500, proceed VERY carefully. If you're ready for a new truck anyway, we'd suggest a 2,500 would be a great choice for most people pulling this trailer.
@@RVgeeks Thank you so much for the detailed reply!! I'm with you on the 2,500 series truck. We live on a small 16 acre farm, and I've got a 14,000 lb dump trailer that we use each spring to get mulch. With my F350 it's NBD, with a 1500 series truck not such a good idea. After remembering we had the dump trailer, and we also rent a skid steer now and again (putting it in the dump trailer), a 2500 series truck is certainly the way to go. BTW, I contacted Thompson RV, really nice people, and I also contacted on Outdoors RV dealership in PA (about 5 hrs from where we live in IN). I was told by the PA dealer that because of your coverage of the 19MKS they are sold out of that model, so was Thompson RV, and won't have anymore until the plant builds more. We're not in a rush, and probably won't be buying one until we get our Solitude and truck sold (we'll sell them ourselves), which gives us time to shop around. My wife and I may even take a trip to OR to see the sites, visit the Outdoors RV plant and get a plant tour, and stop by Thompsons RV. We did a lot of plant tours here in IN before deciding to get the Grand Design Solitude. We FD'd in a Travel Supreme 5th wheel from 2006-2008, and the Solitude from in 2018, 2020-2021, like you we've got a pretty good idea on what we're looking for. I also gutted and renovated a 1972 Airstream Ambassador this past summer with my son-in-law and daughter. They FD in it from Oct-Mar, and are back in it today out in Bend OR. Sorry this was so long, but I really like what you two have done with your channel and how you tried to help others with their RVing experiences. Thanks again for all you've done!!
@@petenelson8136 Thanks so much for the kind words, Pete. It sounds like you know plenty about RVing and will make a great choice. Sorry we’ve created a run on the 19MKS! 😁 It really is an amazing little floor plan.
Fantastic floor plan...beautiful rig!!
Glad you like it!
We have four kids and use a little 22 foot bunk house. Our neighbors have two kids and a 37 foot monster of a trailer. We prefer state parks with narrow lanes and small wooded/private sites. Our neighbors are limited to kitschy RV parks with zero privacy. They take their rig no more than 40 minutes away a few times a year. We go 7-8 times a year and can go much further with our 3000lb rig. Although it's small the floorplan works even with all of us in the rig. We've toyed with moving up to 25-27 feet but many of our favorite sites and campgrounds wouldn't work.
Sounds like you have a great rig! We have friends with three boys who full-time in a 26’ travel trailer, so we know that good-sized families can fit in smaller rigs too!
Nice setup! Can you tell about those side view mirrors on the truck? Are those aftermarket? If so, did you sacrifice the 360 camera system. I have a similar truck and I'm considering a mirror upgrade.
They’re the trailering mirrors right from GMC, and include the awesome 360 view. We love them!
Nice Camper, so far. I have Three downsides: No Truma hot water system for endless H2O, No induction cooktop (never use the oven), and I like slide windows for better ventilation. Also, don't know if the upholstery is standard "fake leather" (plethra). Let's see how long before they start to peel. Did you happen to look at the Brinkley towables???
Hi James! We did indeed look at Brinkley, which makes a very nice rig, but in the end, they’re bigger than we were looking to go. We did indeed love our Truma in the Mountain Aire, but it becomes less important when we spend almost all oour time boondocking, since endless showers can’t be taken anyway. And we do like the better ventilation from sliding windows, but we’ve found ourselves in heavy rain several times already and love how we don’t have to worry about leaving the windows open when we used to have to run around closing them. Obviously we can’t report on ageing leather yet since we’re only two months in, but stay tuned. So far, they seem like higher quality than many of the peeling furniture we’ve seen. We know that induction is popular, but we’ve always had gas cooktops, even in our new apartment, and do like it. Luckily, if we ever change our minds, we can see about switching to an induction cooktop.
James, sorry, have to ask, do you even own an RV?
@@FrankBullitt390 I've owned three new 5th wheel RVs, one used motorhome, and now a new Phaeton
Are you guys satisfied with your tow vehicle, overall ability to pull that trailer, diesel mpg, def consumption? And if you had to do it again, would you have went up to a 3/4 ton? I am looking at the exact same setup and would like to hear an honest opinion from someone who has actually done it such as yourselves. I am leaning towards the 3 litre baby duramax 1500 as well but am wondering if I will regret not sizing up to the 2500. Also, other than your wdh, are you using airbags, or timbrens, or any other such product to prevent squat? Thx
Thanks for the great questions. So, we have a slightly special situation in that we got an apartment in a building with a VERY tight garage situation. If not for that, we'd have likely gotten a 2500 just to make it more brainless to tow more without being so careful about towing and payload capacities.. But we wanted to stay as small as possible for the garage and other times we're not towing, and we're very happy with the truck and it tows great with only the weight distribution hitch and no other special towing gear at all. We'll be covering all this in detail in a future post & video, but to summarize, we ordered the beefiest, most towing-capable 1500 we could get - the GMC Sierra 1500 Duramax Diesel with max trailering package, 3.73 rear axle ratio and optional 7,300 lb GVWR. It has a 12,900 lb towing capacity and a 1,600 lb payload, and it is JUST enough to tow our fully loaded 19MKS, which has a maximum GVWR of 8,250 lbs, and a tongue weight of about 1,100 lbs as currently loaded (pretty close to max). If we’d gotten a 2500 heavy duty truck, it would have been a no-brainer, and that’s what we recommend… just to make it super easy and add additional payload capacity. We stayed with a 1500 to keep the truck as small as possible for our parking garage. But if we lived in the ‘burbs, it would have been easier to get a truck with capabilities that easily exceeded our needs, instead of just meeting them with not too much more to spare. It works great, but it’s important to keep in mind that not just any 1500 can tow our trailer. We’ll hopefully have a detailed post and video about this topic ready fairly soon. Hope this helps as you decide what’s next for you, too. For what it’s worth, we’re SUPER happy with the truck, even though it uses a bit more DEF when towing than we would have hoped (about a 500-mile range), or two tanks of diesel, so filling with DEF every other fuel stop, mostly due to the higher usage during towing. But we do have to keep our rig and truck loaded a little more lightly than some people might want to stay within limits. We're okay with that, but if you want to be able to carry just about anything you want in the truck bed, or on board the rig, without thinking about it, we'd recommend a 2500 makes that easier. Ours pulls the trailer beautifully without issue, getting about 14-ish MPG, and about 30 MPG when not towing. Hope this helps.
Thx so much for the detailed response. I was thinking that trailer would probably be at the upper limits of that trailer and i still want to put on a cap and carry kayaks as well. I really wanted that 1500 with the diesel, because when not towing, it is a great daily driver and amazing on fuel consumption, but now I’m probably leaning towards a 2500. Good grief… decisions, decisions! But again, thx so much, and enjoy your setup 😊
@@derykcampbell8508 If you are going to carry even one kayak, we suggest you don’t even think about a 1500 to go with this trailer. We’re close enough to the limit that we’re carefully shopping barbeque grill choices with weight in mind! 😂
Appreciate it, again, thx so much!
Surprisingly I really like your new travel trailer. Very impressive. I love how the bathroom is tucked away from the rest of the RV. The only change I think the manufacturer needs to make if there isn’t one already is to add an outlet back in your coffee nook. That would free up the outlet near the sink for other appliances. I personally don’t like seeing cords unnecessarily. So having my coffee pot cord visible all the time would drive me crazy. That being said, I would just plug in my coffee pot on an as needed basis…Problem Solved…LOL… I have looked at many travel trailers but had given up since none of them checked enough of my boxes to be on the consideration list. Therefore I have been for using on 5th wheels. Well you have peaked my interest and I will be putting Outdoors RV on my list. Thanks for an amazing and honest walkthrough. Safe Travels.
Thanks so much! We absolutely agree with you about the outlet on the back wall because we don’t like seeing cords either. 😁
I was beside one of those at River Sands in Ehrengerg AZ this past winter and had never heard of the brand so I looked them up. It would certainly be on my short list if I ever switched to a trailer.
Fabulous choice. Our 40' Newmar Canyon Star has a very robust solar/battery package installed and we loved to take it boondocking, but well like your old Mountain Aire its a wee bit big to fit in many places. When I first heard you were going to a trailer I was quite surprised, but I can see why you like this rig and it really does come down to Floor plan, floor plan and floor plan, with build quality, durability and the ability to option and add options such as the solar and batteries to it. The key seems to be that Murphy/ wall bed that saves so much space. I guess questions include how you are dealing with the radical decrease in storage. Where are things like outdoor tables and chairs going now (After all being outdoors is a big part of the magic of RVing)? Ability to put bikes on the back of the trailer or in the bed of the truck? Looking forward to your adventures and to seeing the company market an RV Geeks version integrating your special upgrades!
Thanks so much! We always used to say "great to hear from a fellow Newmar owner" but guess we can't exactly do that any more. LOL But it is a great brand, and we sure did love our MADP for a long time. The real trick for us when it comes to storage really is mostly about going part-time. We just need so much less stuff. As far as our bikes, we didn't ride then enough to warrant dealing with them, so not a big deal leaving them behind. And while we do have folding chairs on board, we're doing without a table for the moment until we find out how much we miss having one (we didn't break our old one out that much, so maybe not an issue?) If we do decide to bring a table, or other gear along that we don't have on board yet, the bed of the truck is an awesome place to fill with stuff! Safe travels, and we'll look forward to seeing you down the road... maybe in an RVgeeks Series ORV! 😁
Very nice video of your rv and the benefits of downsizing. Do you have mpg numbers towing this RVers with your diesel GMC 1500?
Thanks very much. So far our truck is getting about 30 MPG when not towing, and about 13-14 when towing. A LOT better than the 7 MPG our motorhome got!
Missed you two! Good to know there is are good brands out there. What about the underbelly? Are there panels?
Thanks! The underbelly is sealed up with panels that keep it well enclosed - a sandwich of reflectix & corrugated coroplast.
What a great camper.. thanks for the wonderful and informative tour... Enjoy your new adventures... :)
Thank you! Will do!
A couple of comments; as a mountain Aire owner myself being used as a winter ski lodge, I missed seeing how that rig addresses gray and black sewer ports. As you know, the mountain Aire has a heated water bay. Every trailer I’ve seen has sewer ports hanging underneath. No way that works in extended sub freezing temperatures. Secondly, that squeegee type slide topper would destroy the slide when the slide top has an inch of ice on it as is common in snow country. A 3k inverter won’t run an AC unit without overheating your victron system. I have twice what you have installed in my mountain Aire and can’t run a single AC system unit more than a few hours before a full recharge is needed.
Hey Dave. Thanks for the input. Couple of things… while our trailer is very capable of making trips to sub-freezing weather, there’s no trailer we’d consider using as an extended sub-freezing ski lodge that stays in those conditions all or most of the winter. Same thing with the True Topper. We’ve seen demonstrations of it clearing off some ice with no problem, but an inch? Everything has its limits, so not looking to use it in arctic conditions for any length of time. And not only have we already run our 15k BTU AC unit off the battery bank for hours on end without the system getting too hot, we’ve seen, and personally know others who do it all the time. Might want to check your system in case there’s something causing overheating. We’ve calculated the approximate run time with no solar coming in to about 7 hours. Of course we wouldn’t run it all the way down, but the nice part is that the hottest situations are usually the sunniest!