@@SamkoTradBow Go out and buy a $60,000 truck to pull a $25,000 camper Well maybe you shouldn't went to Jackson Center and Bought yourself a Airstream You get what you pay for sleep in your $60000 Dodge truck
@@bobbazoid909 come on man 😞 we all the Mexicans are not the same i assume some of them sucks they just don't care but for me i do care and do things right just like it's being build for me 🙂 so, and i don't eat beans and fart if you wonder 😌👌 😆 🤣
On metal-to-metal fasteners like bolts, machine screws and nuts, put #2 (blue) loc-tite on the threads. When screwing two pieces of plastic together, put high temp hot glue on the threads before you run it in. It takes a minute or twp for that to cool and acts like loc-tite. If you can get to the far end of the screw where the threads protrude, put a daub of hot glue on it too. This will greatly reduce the number of loose screws. Don't just tighten a loose screw, take it out, dope it up, put it back in. Don't just fix the one loose screw, go around, remove them all, dope and replace them. Consider pop rivets ti replace screws. Learn about rivet nuts. When you see wire that is the long tube slit length wise, either tape it all up or replace with the spiral kind. Whichever kind, tape the ends to the wire with electrical tape to keep the looming from coming off or sliding out of place. When you use electrical tape, don't just wrap it around somethings, pull in snug as you wrap so it it tight. Use heat shrink tubing where possible. Cover electrical screws and connectors with so=silicone sealant to keep moisture and corrosion out and to somewhat reduce chance of screw coming loose. Silicone dope peels off when you need to get at the component. Clean stuff with Goof-Off Pro before you seal it up. When you caulk, work the bead inside the gap not just over it. Re-coat your roof at least one every two years, yearly is better. Never wash your vehicle or trailer with car wash "wax", it is silicone and makes re-painting and touch ups a problem later because Silicone Never Dies. Invest in a little hand held sand blaster from HF. Hook it to your compressor and blast off the rust before your spray it with rust-fixing primer. Coat that with a good Urethane paint. Keep an eye on the ceiling/roof, floor and walls for any sign of water ingress. A water stain over here may actually come from a seam ten feet over there. If you have to replace interior wood paneling, check out the 3/16" mahogany flooring underlayment sheets at HD or Lowes. It has a nice color and grain and looks great with a semi-gloss finish, cheap too. Carry chemicals. Get Loc-tite brand cyanoacrylate (super glue), JB Weld brand two-part epoxy, clear silicone sealant, Contact cement, rubber cement, Gorilla brand wood glue, 3M weatherstrip adhesive, Number 2 Permatex and learn and when how to use them and on what materials. Carry a High Temp glue gun and sticks. Super glue and Gorilla glue are both water-activated so DON'T use then on dry parts. Dampen the parts with a wet rag first. Not so with epoxy but you MUST mix epoxy well for two minutes (I know, it's a pain but you'll live). Spread on Contact Cement, put the pieces together then pull them back a part for a full minute before finally seating them together. Get em straight because this time is for keeps. Carry a spray de greaser, Goof-Off Pro, lacquer thinner and mineral spirits for cleaning grease, paint, etc. Also the usual household cleaners like Windex, vinegar, a couple Scrunges, Scotch-Brite pads (soapless). Rubbing alcohol, disinfectants, first aid kit. A package of single edge razor blades. Duct tape (You knew that). Roll of all purpose mechanic's wire for temporarily binding up loose pipes, hoses, mufflers, etc. Roll of string or twine, same reason. Soldering iron, silver solder. Moisture-displacing electrical socket spray. Bulbs, fuses, 12-10 and 8- gauge wire, good electrical tape, spiral loom. Pop rivet gun two or three lengths pf rivets. Drill, drill bits and driver bits. Extra battery and charger. Electrical wire connectors. D,C,9V, AA and AAA batteries. Asst of zip ties. Flashlight, headlamp. Rain gear. Plastic tarp. 4x4 sheet 3/4" plywood. Because. A few short pieces of 2x4 for chocking, blocking and improvising. Throw in a couple pieces of aluminum or steel bar, flat bar or angle just in case. 4 in. angle grinder with three grades of flap discs plus metal cut off wheel. Good 4-inch knife with whet stone and 3-in1 oil. Dremel kit with asst of heads and bits. Frog painters tape. Black, white and Silver paint pens for marking (better than Sharpies which fade). Spray can of rust fixing primer, black enamel or urethane spray. Lubricants. Dry Teflon (PTFE) spray, WD-40, 3-in-1 oil with the long slide out tube spout, light white grease. Liquid Wrench penetrating oil! Anti-seize for bolt threads like lug bolts. Block of paraffin (in the canning supplies at the hardware store). "lead" pencil, actually graphite, for scribbling on a metal latch. Quart each of motor oil, power steering and transmission fluid. Three grades of sandpaper and emery cloth. Wood and metal files. Wood and metal chisels and punches. Saws, metal and wood. Measuring tape, yard stick, calipers. Spirit (bubble) level. Magnifying glass. The usual hand tools, SAE and Metric. hammers. Jack (not the one that came with your truck, a hydraulic bottle jack at least 3 ton). Jack stands, chocks. Long steel bar for prying, leverage, just because. Tow strap. 4-way lug wrench. Tire plug kit, tire slime, 12V tire inflator. Owners manuals or PDFs for all your equipment, tools, generators, etc. Don't assume you'll have the Net when you need it. THEN... you should be ready for almost anything.
Fantastic post! Very detailed and well said. Many people will benefit from this comment. Thank you! Wish more people took the time to share knowledge like this to help others out.
You should write a book, the "Everything On This Thing Will Break Must-Have List for Travel Trailer Owner's" lol So what you're saying is that these things are so terrible you might as well pull them with a fully stocked service truck?? Seriously, thanks for sharing your wisdom, that is a good list and will seriously help a lot of folks!
Buddy, I have watched hundreds of videos of RV-ing and this is THE most honest video I’ve watched. Thank you so much for the practical details you shared.
@@SamkoTradBow hey bro I have a 29ft 5th wheel looking for truck to pull it any recommendations on truck and hitch companies to look at for truck hitch 5th wheel?
Camped exclusively primitive my whole life, deserts, backpacking, Colorado River, redwoods, wherever. I hate campgrounds. I’m 66 and I retire in 80 days. I’m shopping for an RV because I’m too old to camp in the dirt. Period. I still hate campgrounds.
@@dreameryoung38 you will love having one and the freedom to explore you get. Just need to have or develop some basic knowledge on how to repair some stuff so that you can spend more time traveling and less time getting repaired. But it's all easy stuff and won't take long to figure out. Alot of women we talk to at camper grounds etc say thst driving and backing up a camper were thier biggest fear. Thst is so easy. Big trailers are so much easier to back up than small trailers. There is absolutely zero reasons that you should be worried about any of it. Just be prepared with some basic tools and some knowledge on how to fix some stuff like changing a tire, 12 volt electrical for when a light goes out on the road, putting up trim peices, proper trailer hook up etc. You will love having a camper.
@@SamkoTradBow Wow thank you so much for the response,dead set on getting one,everytime I see one my head turns.I have a RV lot within walking distance where I'm staying and I'm constantly looking wondering what my 2011 GMC CANYON can pull.Im back in my hometown taking care of family matters but am leaving making a RV perfect.I dont want another house or apartment
@@dreameryoung38 you will have to Google tow capacity by vin number. Then enter your vin and it will tell you what you can tow. Then look at campers that are no more than 60 or 70 percent of that weight. Closer to 50-60%is best as you are going to add weight when you put food, gear, dishes, etc in the camper. Its very easy ro put 500-800 pounds of stuff in a camper. So if you can tow 4500 pounds look at campers in the 2500-3000 pound dry weight range. You will also want a quality weight distribution and stabilizing hitch like the equalizer 4. It will make the ride so much better and safer!
I've owned 2 travel trailers in the past 3 years, 1st one was totalled, and I 100% agree with this! I felt like the words were being pulled right out of my mouth. Totally accurate! RV repair shops are horrible because they have to fix something that's designed to never be perfect! Great video!
You will love having a camper! Just make sure you buy it for the cheapest price possible and are prepared for the little annoying stuff that's gonna happen!
I 100% agree. I was warned about what goes wrong with travel trailers but you truly don’t understand it till you actually get one. I still go every summer with the family and have so much fun but I find myself fixing it up more and more. Nothing like getting to your campsite and finding multiple screws popping out on the outside and a cabinet door above your bed hanging off. True story….
I agree with the shoddy workmanship that goes into 99% of these RVs and thought exactly of the stark contrast in comparison with vehicle builds. We got our first travel trailer this month and just slowly discovering the type of materials the trailer is made of from fixing things, such as microwave mounts, bed braces, trims, etc. No major issues yet, but I don't see these things surviving in one piece past 10 years even with utmost care. We have no regrets and enjoy the heck out of it though!!!
So we'll said! Especially the last sentence. Yes they are crap materials and crap builds and crazy expensive. But thry take you to amazing places and make amazing memories. That is priceless. Enjoy your new rig!
@@kckettridge It still beats buying equally shoddy work you see in single and double wide trailers. You get lots more value with a TT especially a mid-upper class one
17:50. “None of this is hard to fix”. I agree with you especially if you are mechanically inclined and have the time. I like to fix things but spending my weekends working on something that that has inherent flaws and has to be watched like a baby is not appealing. Thanks for sharing. RV Quality is poor to subpar because they don’t have to meet the same standards as cars/trucks. There are no lemon laws for RVs.
Thank you for being HONEST about this process because they shine everything up and make it look real PRETTY and BAM you will be sitting on the side of the road with a hunk of real pretty stuff
Hahaha. Its not quite that bad! But there sure could use some quality control and improvements. None of this would be acceptable in the auto, boat, motorcycle, etc industryies.
This guy has nailed it. We had a 28 foot Pass Port made by Keystone and it was bought brand new. It was the first trailer we ever bought so we really didn't know what questions to ask or what to look for. After a year we found out just how crappy these things are put together. They use the minimum rated equipment on the trailers and Keystone says they do that to save the OWNER some money...............that's just a big pile of BS. At the end of the day after the warranty runs out, the dealership and the company that built the thing will not have a lot of interest in you any longer. Pay close attention to this video, he is dead on.
This video is spot on correct. For new travel trailer buyers, don't let this dissuade you. You will need to learn how to fix things in your trailer but the fun and memories you have far outweigh the work. Almost every time we go out, I have to fix something. We go camping with a group which is more fun but also we have a pool of knowledge and experience that we lean on. Please keep posting videos like this one.
Yep so worth it! the memories you can make are amazing in a camper. The knowledge you gain from working on them is also a benefit in everyday life at home.
Excellent. I have owned boats (Bring Out Another Thousand) and it's very similar to RVing -- especially travel trailers. One thing I'd like to mention is how people get so caught up in tow capacity but only learn later that payload matters. But I think your concept of travel trailer being a disposable asset is rock solid.
Great point about the payload. Especially for the fifth wheels. If I had a nickel for every rig I passed on the highway that has 3500 in tongue weight in a 2500 truck..lol
Preach Brother!! We love our travel trailer, but it is a fair amount of work. And you better be in pretty good physical shape AND mechanically inclined to fix things. I grew up in mobile homes as a kid and knew about the shoody work and cheap materials and wasn't surprised. I have repaired and improved many items. ALL THAT SAID, I LOVE MY TRAILER (2017 FLAGSTAFF 832IBS)!!!!
Don’t have a travel trailer, but have always watched those traveling down the road and said a prayer that they make it safely as anything and everything can go wrong. I use to drive semi’s and just having to pull a trailer loaded with dirt, gravel, etc just to job sites was nerve racking. Can’t imagine how driving a pulling a travel trailer would be like. I did help drive RV from Florida to Michigan while towing a jeep behind one time, that was enough for me. Hope everyone who travels stays safe
Yep they can be white knuckle driving for sure. Especially when I watch these huge trailers pulled by vehicles not capable of safely towing that much or that much tongue weight.
Im 27 and my new next move is that im going to create my own creative WORLD on a plot of land in the woods near a stream of water. I will gradually create something very profitable from it, in my world away from the world, whilst tucked away within the rustle and bustle (nearby).
I tow a 22ft 3400lb dual axle travel trailer on my 2013 Tacoma that’s rested for 6500lb max towing. Installed a brake controller and have a 8000lb weight distribution hitch with sway bars and no issues at all. Been in 25mph winds and been passed by big rigs and don’t feel it sway.
Just got a truck (Ram 1500 Limited), gonna be getting a trailer within the next year or two. Saving this vid so I can refer to it once I've purchased. This is gold.
You are so CORRECT! I bought a second hand travel trailer and just about had to rebuild the entire thing! I adopted Warrens philosophy and Bought a high-back camper shell for my truck and have not regretted it for a minute! I built a bunk with storage under it and have a home away from home! Down side, it's a one-man operation and cannot accommodate but one person, "THE KILLER"!
One of my cargo bays is dedicated to all the tools I need for everything I've ran across so far. I put up pegboard and use it for a stocked toolbox storage. Anything I end up using on my RV, I put it in that storage or buy a duplicate if I need it in the home garage as well.
Looking for my first RV but if and when I buy it won’t be moved.Putting it on one site in Florida and will use it when I’m down there.I would guess there would be a lot less wear on it.Jayco seems that it’s well made.
They are all built the same. So just find a floor plan you like by any of them. But with you planning to leave it at one site might be worth looking at what they call "Park" or destination models. They are much better built, and bigger tanks, higher ceilings etc. Much more residential but still towable anytime.
How true and correct the gentleman was about RV trailer quality being not very good. My solution is to build your own RV Trailer. My trailer will be made out of wood and steel corrugated roof using only screws and lag bolts in structure, on a former C-channel frame RV Trailer. My belief is that the method I build it, it will withstand the forces of most weather conditions and will outlast any current manufactured RV. It will have self-contained features and will employ other features useful making it enjoyable for its intended use. If you can't build your own, then you have no choice but to buy one with all of the risks with one.
Glad ypu are making one like you want. I uear many people are doing that now. Would be great to see some of those custom built ones being sold. Could be a great business idea
Preach it, brother! First time camper owners here. Just got first one 2 weeks ago. Had a Ford F-150 could tow 11,700lbs on paper. Turns out dealership reps were the only ones who told me that truck would be fine pulling a 9,300lb toy hauler. Well, after driving from Tampa dealership to my home near Jacksonville, the engine worked its arse off, I was being thrown all over the interstate, I decided the next day to go get a Ford Super Duty with the 6.7L Diesel. Best decision ever. What a difference. Got 6mpg with F-150, getting 14mpg with camper fully loaded with 2 Harleys and full water tank, 4 adults in truck.
Love it! Way to make it happen and roll with the punches. You are gonna love camper life and the amazing memories you are gonna make! Excited for you and how much fun your gonna have!
Funny you should mention this, I have an F-150 with the 8200 GVWR package and 9500# tow, it's payload is over 2300#, however, with a 5.0L, my intent is to get a 4500-6000# dry, fully loaded under 7000# target. I think towing anything over 7000 with a 1/2 ton, while possible is not something you want to do long-term or great distances. Hopefully I won't hate it, but I can't afford a new truck too. Live in Florida, so not a ton of hills, let alone mountains, so I got that going for me. I guess we'll see.
Amazing. You said exactly what I needed to hear. When I was conjuring questions while watching the video, you would just go straight into my mind. Thank you. I was about to drop 15k at random spur of the moment decision. Using an X5 diesel,6k cap, 600lb tongue. Didn’t even think about people, gear, water alone is 8lb a gallon. Man thank you so much
I work in the RV industry and you are 100 percent correct about how trailers are build. I see so many mistakes and sloppy workmanship in trailers from every manufacture. People listen to what he is saying and check every inch of your trailer.
Thanks for commenting. Alot of people seem to think that higher price means better build and nice to hear from an insider that they all have the same issues.
I preferred a short two bed. Kept it simple. Hot shower, toilet, heater and cook top. Warm, dry and a good bed makes you a bette hunter. I added some accessories for more creature comforts lol. Flipped the axels for added clearance in rough country. Loved it. After using it for like 15 years one of those Texas monster grass fires got it and the barn it stayed in. Was basically in mint shape. Dang! the bad luck.
You will love having a camper! Now you know the stuff to watch for and things needed to do to make it last and keep the memories coming. They are amazing. Just need to attention and care.
Awesome true video...may I add after owning two I would NEVER tow a trailer of any substantial size without a Hensley hitch its a safety tool thats worth its weight in gold!! Thanks
Finally someone's truthful about the quality of a product🤔I hope a lot more people wake up that sales men are trying to sell a dream and then they sell it to you and it falls apart😮
Yup, poor construction and grade of material is sickening today. The price war again and you get what you pay for if your lucky, lol. We have had lots of fun RVen and I just don't stress anymore, I expect it to fall apart now. We store it inside, out of the weather also and everyone should if they want it to last bit longer, lol. We're still dragging ours down the hwy and having lots fun! You bring up some good points, thanks for sharing yours! Drive slow, be safe.
I've been trailering for years. Agree on build quality, but I have never had the nuisance problems you have had. The most important lesson here is matching the tow vehicle to with the trailer. I have a half ton Silverado. And I tow a 5000lb trailer. Its a perfect set up. My Silverado is rated for 9200 lb but I would not go anywhere near that.
Yep that was our biggest mistake, Buying a camper too big for our truck (6500 pound camper and truck rated for 7200). Hence the new diesel...lol My wife calls the ram 2500 the best 60 grand mistake we ever made.
Bought my first trailer used six years ago. Immediate electrical issues. Took me a month to trace it. Leaking pipes. So many problems. Bought a new one a few years later. Same problems but now I get to see everything wear out from the start!
Couldn't agree more. We own a Winnebago Minnie 2606RL, overall a great trailer but you need to be a Mr. Fixit or Jack of all trades. I ordered a PEX repair kit with various clamps/hose and keep in camper, superglue, pop-rivet gun/various rivets, we keep seal, slide, dry lock spray lube. We keep white and clear silicon chaulk/RTV, a tube of dicor, drill and bits, self tapping screws, finishing nails... You get the picture. We're on year 2 of ownership and mostly minor things but it's slowed way down. Our first year warranty service involved 3 trips to dealership for slideout leak repair. Fixed one corner, then other started. My second trailer so I was prepared for it. The dealer explained to me that all manufacturers push these out as fast as possible and then count on dealership to do final inspection and or repair quality issues factory should have caught. I am VERY PROACTIVE on trailer maintenance. Before every trip I examine dicor on roof, crawl under camper, check all seals. We tow with a 2007 F150 XLT 5.4l super crew 4X4 with blue ox weight distribution hitch. Not the best MPG but it handles the camper well. We camp mostly along the Appalachian areas of SW Ohio, eastern Kentucky/Tennessee, western Carolina's. I do the roof cleaning twice a year with the UV protection/cleaner. We live in Ohio and use our camper 10 months out of the year March early December. I retire in a couple years and we're going to full time for 5-7 years so I'm trying to stay on top of it. Our dealership is responsive but 2-4 weeks every visit. In short, yeah what he said.
I currently have a 2005 Jayco 24ft ultralight and thinking of upgrading, which brought me to this video. While I've definitely had my fair share of litlle fixes, the major stuff has held up over time. 15 years later putting on 15k miles a year, haven't had a problem with the fridge, furnace, stove, AC, cabinets, trim, flooring, electrical or LP. I have heard a lot of horror stories with newer RVs and I think it speaks to what the OP was getting at, in that the market is so competitive now that they build these things as cheap as possible to make decent money. I did have one nasty experience in that my awning blew clear off and got thrown 100ft away. I replaced it with a cheap one and that completely broke right after my 1 year warranty expired. That one hurt. My thoughts around this are it's a bit of a crap shoot. Either buy brand new so you get the Bumper to Bumper warranty and hopefully these issues turn up fast, or buy something that's 5+ years old and have a professional do a thorough inspection. If it makes it that long without evident problems you might have a winner. In any case, I wouldn't trade my RV experiences in for the world. The memories my family has had will be cherished forever. After some years we learned the best off the grid spots as we can't stand RV parks. Once you find these, that's where the real experiences begin. Thanks for the video bud.
Fantastic comment! Yep these new ones can be a pain in the ass. We are planning to upgrade to a bigger fifth wheel thos year and researching now. I like we both said, well worth the headaches for the amazing memories and adventures!
Your right on all trailers get beat up. My 2018 Winnebago has had some fixture rattle loose on it. Most folks don’t factor the cost of all the add ons like sway bars, water and sewer hoses and pipes and electrical serge protector. With all that said it’s worth the money to me to create great memories with my family. Thanks for posting.
Yep well worth it and I love it. But I think the new rv buyer needs to know what's involved and what to expect. I also find it funny that most of the sales people we have not that sell rvs don't even own one..lol it's not like buying a new truck and being trouble free for years. If you buy a rv you are gonna need skills or have to learn them. But well worth it. I do wish rv manufacturers would hire better more carrying people to build them.
So glad you made this video! I’m in the RV market and the salesman gave me the ‘we take good care of our customers’ spill. Such BS. I’m glad your are resetting my expectations and making them more realistic.
I didn't understand 80% of what you were saying, but I gave the video a thumbs up because you sound so passionate about this stuff and you are doing what you love, and I can't think of many people who are doing what they love.
Very true on all accounts. Having had a couple of travel trailers for 8 years or so I've had similar experiences. Camping in TT are fun but they are built like crap and I think all brands are about the same. Warranties are also overrated and you can't get an appointment anyway and risk missing half your season if you can't fix some things yourself.
SPOT ON, DUDE! I like folks who tell it like it is - so many of these channels tend to wow the viewer about how much fun RV travel is, and either gloss over or do not address at all, the real cost of RV ownership due to repairs and urgent "fix-its" that inevitably occur. Unless you have money to burn, best to take his advice and get savvy with basic tools and repair steps, because one day, you will be too far from the local "warranty" shop and time will be critical. Retirees and new to the sport young couples, beware! On another note - forget about the dealer telling you how important and valuable it is to get your warranty work from where you bought the trailer. Unless you camp 10 miles from home, when you have things go wrong on the vacation road, you will be looking for a dealer that does warranty work on your make / brand - so your local dealer becomes irrelevant most of the time. Shop around, and get the best deal you can - including making a trip to Indiana where most of these are built - and get your best deal without all the markups and transportation charge add- ons. If you are buying used, take someone who has been there, with you. And if you need repairs, expect your rig to be in the shop for days and as long as 2+ months. In the end, we are enjoying our rig just fine and cannot think of a better way to travel the back roads of this country at your own pace, and in a clean and quiet environment
A few years ago I would have agreed with you about the build quality. But since I acquired my current trailer I haven’t had to fix anything. It’s an Arctic Fox 4 season trailer. It’s solid and I definitely put it to the test. I take it places in 4 wheel drive that my friends won’t take their Jeeps lol I have a Ram 1500 and I hate the fuses!! It tows the trailer like a dream though. I heard someone say that a trailer going down the road is like a house during an earthquake of 6 on the Richter scale lol Definitely have a look at Arctic Fox Trailers. Mine has top of the line quality materials and great workmanship. I’ve put 60,000 miles on mine so far and not one thing has gone wrong(knock on wood)lol Half those miles were off-road on dirt and gravel in National Forest and/or BLM lands. One of the reasons I bought a 4 season trailer is I take my grandson up to the snow parks up high in the mountains. We play in the snow all morning then we go inside the warm and comfortable trailer and he takes a hot shower while I make lunch. After lunch he takes a short nap then back to playing in the snow lol. Then it’s another hot shower, dinner and a board game or movies then bedtime. Day 2 is a repeat of day 1 lol. We usually stay 3-5 days and he loves every minute of our time together. He’s only 8 years old and loves going places with me and the trailer. It’s like having the perfect little cabin wherever we go lol. Anyway I just wanted to share my story because while your advice is correct for 90% of the trailers out there it’s incorrect about mine. Ram1500 + Arctic Fox Trailer = Fun Cheers mate and happy trails
Glad you have a truck and trailer combo that has served you well. Don't ever sell that camper! I think you got really lucky! And I'm glad you did. Keep making those memories!
Hey man great info on the Arctic trailer… what year & trim is your Ram 1500? How much does your trailer weigh? I am looking at getting something for my family of 3 & my daughters friend who always goes camping/crabbing with us… thank you sir I have a 16 ram 1500 Laramie with air ride
You hit a lot of great points. This weekend we traveled 44 in S. Missouri. I was amazed at vans and light trucks pulling big RVs! Really a great presentation.
your 100% right i been doing this for a long time YOUR RIGHT.and keep insurance on it , i had a blow out and it messed up lot of things $3000.00 of repairers , i had to pay my deductible of $1000.00 it was worth it.
Experienced TT owner here and watched your video to see how good your info was. Well it was brutally honest! 100% agree with all said. They are a lot of work but fun to explore the country in. I look at the maintenance projects as giving me something to get my mind off of work but sometimes I think I spend as much time maintaining as I do camping. And not that I always have to its just something I do!
Just want you prepared. Travel trailers are amazing and you can make incredible memories with them! I loved owning them. But The experience is alot better when you understand what they are and what they need.
That was one of the best camping videos's I have ever seen, thank you for being so honest, and straightforward with all your answers as to the proper way to take it all in stride.
You are definitely telling the truth about RV travel trailers we are remodeling our 34 foot travel trailer also you may date awesome video keep up the good work.
DUDE!! Best truth video ever. Just spent the day shopping / looking at 2 dozen toy haulers, travel trailers, 5th wheels and you are spot on. You get what you pay for. Thank you
I was almost talked into buying a travel trailer by a friend, but considering your comments and watching other youtube RV videos, I have decided to keep “roughing” it in beachfront condos and mountain scenic log cabins. Thanks for saving me from my retirement savings.
I've basically come to the same conclusion - after researching RVs for over 1 year. Instead of spending 100k on a class C, I can spend that same amount renting beach-front cottages, etc, pay for airline tickets & renting cars. Hard to get a RV to the Bahamas also, lol.
GREAT EYE OPENER VIDEO! I would like to add a thought to this video. As a retired LEO, I lost count of all the camper awnings I've found along side the road where a high wind or a passing 18-wheeler caused the awning to fully come open at freeway speed. The only solution I've seen is the addition of additional tie-down straps holding the awning firmly in place.
We bought a coachmen 38’ travel trailer that ways 8,300 pounds dry weight. We love it!! We’ve had it for 3 years and have had no problems so far but I always have a tool kit with me.
Thanks for the video. I am not really a tool guy but I am learning. You have to be a little bit of a general contractor, electicrician and plummer with these things and save the dealership for really major repairs. Of course they are built cheap but they have to endure the equivalent of a hurricane and a earthquake as they go down the road. Still love my gateway to great outdoors.
I welded chassis for Nash Trailer's for 2 years and everyone in my department took a lot of pride in doing the best quality work! I'm from La Grande, Oregon, home of several travel trailer factories, outdoors RV, Nash, Terry Trailer was there my whole life but no longer is. Inner Mt makes campers that go on your truck. Keystone RV factory is in our area, and we have a few tiny home builders.
We have put the camper dreams on hold right now .We rented a cabin for vacation this year . I'm not ready to a take a financial beating on a new camper .
You should check out my save thousands course in the video text. It will teach you how to save huge money on a new camper, truck, trailer, boat etc. Nothing else out there will teach you how to save more money. I already like how you are being smart and not letting the emotional aspect of a camper stop you from making the right decisions. Great job!
Great video. I use to work in a motor home factory. We built pretty good motor homes and had pretty good inspections teams. This guy is spot on with this video. Never buy a trailer that was built on Friday 😂😂😂
That's was exactly what this video was for! To get you educated and prepared so you can do it the right way and make some amazing memories! You are gonna love having a camper!
Good gracious. I’ve been looking forward to buying a camper for the past six months and this single video has convinced me to avoid it entirely. I can do this stuff but I absolutely HATE it. KOA cabins, here we come.
Campers are great but honestly you would hate it. And the camping world has gotten much worse since covid. Campgrounds are booked a year out, they are packed like sardines, the quality of campers has gotten worse, the warranty repair time frame for simple repairs can be 6 months out, etc. It's not what the dealer says it is. In my circle of camping friends of about 20 with campers 16 of us have sold them and get air bnbs now. Easier, no camper payment, truck needed, storage, insurance, maintenance, headaches, etc.
Let her know they are well worth owning if she or her husband has so general mechanical skills. The memories are amazing! But they are not buy and good to go. They need attention regularly.
Your advice on the tool kit is spot on! Spend some time walking through your RV thinking about the 'what ifs'. What if this breaks, what do I need to fix it. What if that breaks, what do I need to fix it. Then assemble your tool kit. I have a 40 foot 5th wheel and stuff happens. I had done the 'what if' thing and assembled all the tools I would ever need, or so I thought. I had a blow out and could not change the tire. I learned that the RV manufacturer does not provide a lug nut wrench for the RV and my truck lug nut wrench didn't fit. The next trip I had a battery powered impact wrench and socket. The next time, I had a valve stem start leaking on me in the middle of the desert during a long trip to Colorado. 15 minutes later, tire was changed. You live and you learn. My wife ran a slide out and a bag had fallen down and she didn't see it. It tore the front fascia off the slide as she ran the slide out. An hour later, I had completely fixed it better than it had been assembled in the factory. You will need all manner of screws, finishing nails, staples, and glue along with common hand tools. I also pack a cordless drill/impact set with all different types of bits and drill bits. Another tool I would tell everyone to invest in is a good tire pressure monitoring system. It caught the leaking valve stem I mentioned earlier and I was able to get pulled over long before the tire went flat. It paid for itself first time out. I use the TST systems, 507 series. Thanks for the great advice!
This is true for all, especially the newer ones. We bought a used 2003 toy hauler. Toy haulers are a little tougher and this older one is really tough. The "boom" in the last years or so has made the quality even worse as they slam units onto the market. Even if we bought a brand new one we'd shoot for a toy hauler. Partly for the instant deck they can provide.
Thank you for this video. I am a single woman in my 60s, I was thinking and hoping to buy a camper. You have taught me a lot and I have now decided not to. I also had flooring problems brought to my attention. The manufactures are more worried about quantity not quality.
GREAT VIDEO! Thank You! I have been looking at travel trailers, and kept thinking...wow these sure are pieces of crap. So after watching your video, you saved me thousands. Since I can do anything to an old used one, I'll just find an old dog and fix it. You statement about being pissed off after paying so much for something new and then it breaks. That is me. We will be using ours as a remote retreat, so once I tow it to the location, it's ride is over anyway. With the money I save over a new one, I can pull the guts out and rework it to fit my needs. I can even make room for my comfy chair and couch.(Even the furniture in the expensive new ones is lightweight half ass crap). Thanks again sir, Salute!
Thanks for all the insight. Just bought my sister’s 21ft 2002 Jayco Kiwi. She’s kept it in excellent shape for being 18years old. Excited to get it out in the road!
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
That was the best most honest video I've seen so far.
Thank you.
@@SamkoTradBow x2
@@TC-tw5zk thank you
@@SamkoTradBow Go out and buy a $60,000 truck to pull a $25,000 camper Well maybe you shouldn't went to Jackson Center and Bought yourself a Airstream You get what you pay for sleep in your $60000 Dodge truck
@@rodneyconaway1600 thanks
The people who gave this video a thumbs down are either RV salespersons or the workers assembling these things.
Thank you.
LOL
Almost all parts from China shiped to America assembled by Mexicans. Lol I was a worker assembling these things lol
Hahaha omg that was funny
@@bobbazoid909 come on man 😞 we all the Mexicans are not the same i assume some of them sucks they just don't care but for me i do care and do things right just like it's being build for me 🙂 so, and i don't eat beans and fart if you wonder 😌👌
😆 🤣
On metal-to-metal fasteners like bolts, machine screws and nuts, put #2 (blue) loc-tite on the threads. When screwing two pieces of plastic together, put high temp hot glue on the threads before you run it in. It takes a minute or twp for that to cool and acts like loc-tite. If you can get to the far end of the screw where the threads protrude, put a daub of hot glue on it too. This will greatly reduce the number of loose screws.
Don't just tighten a loose screw, take it out, dope it up, put it back in. Don't just fix the one loose screw, go around, remove them all, dope and replace them. Consider pop rivets ti replace screws. Learn about rivet nuts.
When you see wire that is the long tube slit length wise, either tape it all up or replace with the spiral kind. Whichever kind, tape the ends to the wire with electrical tape to keep the looming from coming off or sliding out of place. When you use electrical tape, don't just wrap it around somethings, pull in snug as you wrap so it it tight. Use heat shrink tubing where possible. Cover electrical screws and connectors with so=silicone sealant to keep moisture and corrosion out and to somewhat reduce chance of screw coming loose. Silicone dope peels off when you need to get at the component.
Clean stuff with Goof-Off Pro before you seal it up. When you caulk, work the bead inside the gap not just over it. Re-coat your roof at least one every two years, yearly is better. Never wash your vehicle or trailer with car wash "wax", it is silicone and makes re-painting and touch ups a problem later because Silicone Never Dies.
Invest in a little hand held sand blaster from HF. Hook it to your compressor and blast off the rust before your spray it with rust-fixing primer. Coat that with a good Urethane paint.
Keep an eye on the ceiling/roof, floor and walls for any sign of water ingress. A water stain over here may actually come from a seam ten feet over there. If you have to replace interior wood paneling, check out the 3/16" mahogany flooring underlayment sheets at HD or Lowes. It has a nice color and grain and looks great with a semi-gloss finish, cheap too.
Carry chemicals. Get Loc-tite brand cyanoacrylate (super glue), JB Weld brand two-part epoxy, clear silicone sealant, Contact cement, rubber cement, Gorilla brand wood glue, 3M weatherstrip adhesive, Number 2 Permatex and learn and when how to use them and on what materials. Carry a High Temp glue gun and sticks. Super glue and Gorilla glue are both water-activated so DON'T use then on dry parts. Dampen the parts with a wet rag first. Not so with epoxy but you MUST mix epoxy well for two minutes (I know, it's a pain but you'll live). Spread on Contact Cement, put the pieces together then pull them back a part for a full minute before finally seating them together. Get em straight because this time is for keeps.
Carry a spray de greaser, Goof-Off Pro, lacquer thinner and mineral spirits for cleaning grease, paint, etc. Also the usual household cleaners like Windex, vinegar, a couple Scrunges, Scotch-Brite pads (soapless). Rubbing alcohol, disinfectants, first aid kit. A package of single edge razor blades. Duct tape (You knew that). Roll of all purpose mechanic's wire for temporarily binding up loose pipes, hoses, mufflers, etc. Roll of string or twine, same reason.
Soldering iron, silver solder. Moisture-displacing electrical socket spray. Bulbs, fuses, 12-10 and 8- gauge wire, good electrical tape, spiral loom. Pop rivet gun two or three lengths pf rivets. Drill, drill bits and driver bits. Extra battery and charger. Electrical wire connectors. D,C,9V, AA and AAA batteries. Asst of zip ties. Flashlight, headlamp. Rain gear. Plastic tarp. 4x4 sheet 3/4" plywood. Because. A few short pieces of 2x4 for chocking, blocking and improvising. Throw in a couple pieces of aluminum or steel bar, flat bar or angle just in case.
4 in. angle grinder with three grades of flap discs plus metal cut off wheel. Good 4-inch knife with whet stone and 3-in1 oil. Dremel kit with asst of heads and bits. Frog painters tape. Black, white and Silver paint pens for marking (better than Sharpies which fade). Spray can of rust fixing primer, black enamel or urethane spray.
Lubricants. Dry Teflon (PTFE) spray, WD-40, 3-in-1 oil with the long slide out tube spout, light white grease. Liquid Wrench penetrating oil! Anti-seize for bolt threads like lug bolts. Block of paraffin (in the canning supplies at the hardware store). "lead" pencil, actually graphite, for scribbling on a metal latch. Quart each of motor oil, power steering and transmission fluid.
Three grades of sandpaper and emery cloth. Wood and metal files. Wood and metal chisels and punches.
Saws, metal and wood. Measuring tape, yard stick, calipers. Spirit (bubble) level. Magnifying glass.
The usual hand tools, SAE and Metric. hammers. Jack (not the one that came with your truck, a hydraulic bottle jack at least 3 ton). Jack stands, chocks. Long steel bar for prying, leverage, just because. Tow strap. 4-way lug wrench. Tire plug kit, tire slime, 12V tire inflator.
Owners manuals or PDFs for all your equipment, tools, generators, etc. Don't assume you'll have the Net when you need it.
THEN... you should be ready for almost anything.
Fantastic post! Very detailed and well said. Many people will benefit from this comment. Thank you! Wish more people took the time to share knowledge like this to help others out.
You should write a book, the "Everything On This Thing Will Break Must-Have List for Travel Trailer Owner's" lol So what you're saying is that these things are so terrible you might as well pull them with a fully stocked service truck??
Seriously, thanks for sharing your wisdom, that is a good list and will seriously help a lot of folks!
Lol, this is awesome. Thanks!
You are all very wrlcome. Hope it helps. Now, get Out There!
A true valedictorian graduate from the School of Hard Knocks! Thanks for the tips
Buddy, I have watched hundreds of videos of RV-ing and this is THE most honest video I’ve watched. Thank you so much for the practical details you shared.
Welcome! Glad you enjoyed it! Campers are so worth it, but it important to know what you are getting into and how to approach it the best way.
You are the kind of person I want to buy a used trailer from.
Yeah I try hard to take care of stuff. That way it last longer, has better resale and I can catch any issues before thry get crazy
@@SamkoTradBow hey bro I have a 29ft 5th wheel looking for truck to pull it any recommendations on truck and hitch companies to look at for truck hitch 5th wheel?
@@SamkoTradBow 99 conquest by gulfstream I'm currently looking at 1500 series gas vs diesel?
@@yumadbro9554 diesel 2500 cummins
Great video!
This guy is so dead on!!! This video should be a requirement to watch before you buy!!
Thank you.
They didn't explain ANYTHING when I bough mine... The questions I did ask they were unsure most of the time what the answers were smh
@@BloodyKnives66 me too....luckily I have youtube and also I'm a handyman which you have to be with owning a rv
Who’s gonna buy after watching this? Lol
@@virginiaspeciale8641 I was going to. Probably not now.
I was planning to buy a camping trailer but after watching this video I'm scratching that plan. Thank you for the reality check.
They are great memories makers. But not so simple or plug and play and the commercials and sales guy shows.
Took the words out of my mouth. Reality check for sure. I'm out. Much appreciated!!
Me too. Tent camping instead-only downside - i have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and cooking is a bit messy.
@@roberttyminski4203also rainy days
What’s your opinion on a Bruder or the MDC (both are Australian brands)
This makes me appreciate my tent, that much more now. Thank you.
Love tent camping! Simplicity and reliable
Thank you for this video I will not invest in one!
Camped exclusively primitive my whole life, deserts, backpacking, Colorado River, redwoods, wherever. I hate campgrounds. I’m 66 and I retire in 80 days. I’m shopping for an RV because I’m too old to camp in the dirt. Period. I still hate campgrounds.
Thanks! You convinced me to skip the RV/trailer purchase and stick with tents and hotels.
Un my opinion the tent and hotels are a better option
As a single lady I really appreciate learning about all sides of this responsibility :) thank you
You are welcome. They are amazing, but there require some major attention and up keep.
I'm single to ,want one
@@dreameryoung38 you will love having one and the freedom to explore you get. Just need to have or develop some basic knowledge on how to repair some stuff so that you can spend more time traveling and less time getting repaired. But it's all easy stuff and won't take long to figure out.
Alot of women we talk to at camper grounds etc say thst driving and backing up a camper were thier biggest fear. Thst is so easy. Big trailers are so much easier to back up than small trailers. There is absolutely zero reasons that you should be worried about any of it. Just be prepared with some basic tools and some knowledge on how to fix some stuff like changing a tire, 12 volt electrical for when a light goes out on the road, putting up trim peices, proper trailer hook up etc. You will love having a camper.
@@SamkoTradBow Wow thank you so much for the response,dead set on getting one,everytime I see one my head turns.I have a RV lot within walking distance where I'm staying and I'm constantly looking wondering what my 2011 GMC CANYON can pull.Im back in my hometown taking care of family matters but am leaving making a RV perfect.I dont want another house or apartment
@@dreameryoung38 you will have to Google tow capacity by vin number. Then enter your vin and it will tell you what you can tow. Then look at campers that are no more than 60 or 70 percent of that weight. Closer to 50-60%is best as you are going to add weight when you put food, gear, dishes, etc in the camper. Its very easy ro put 500-800 pounds of stuff in a camper. So if you can tow 4500 pounds look at campers in the 2500-3000 pound dry weight range. You will also want a quality weight distribution and stabilizing hitch like the equalizer 4. It will make the ride so much better and safer!
I've owned 2 travel trailers in the past 3 years, 1st one was totalled, and I 100% agree with this! I felt like the words were being pulled right out of my mouth. Totally accurate! RV repair shops are horrible because they have to fix something that's designed to never be perfect! Great video!
Yeah its always something with a camper. But so worth it.
I bought my RV 20 years ago and still going strong. $49.95 Walmart tent.
Love me some tent camping! actually have a new kodiak canvas on the way to me as we speak!
I placed an air conditioner in the front door to my tent. I have to double up a heavy blanket at night.
Wow your moving right up with things , lol
As someone looking to buy a travel trailer, this was an exceptionally helpful video. Thank you!
You will love having a camper! Just make sure you buy it for the cheapest price possible and are prepared for the little annoying stuff that's gonna happen!
Excellent video. No fluff, just 20 minutes of really useful information. Great work, thanks for making this.
Thank you.
I 100% agree. I was warned about what goes wrong with travel trailers but you truly don’t understand it till you actually get one. I still go every summer with the family and have so much fun but I find myself fixing it up more and more. Nothing like getting to your campsite and finding multiple screws popping out on the outside and a cabinet door above your bed hanging off. True story….
Yep amazing adventures and memories but tool kit always required
I agree with the shoddy workmanship that goes into 99% of these RVs and thought exactly of the stark contrast in comparison with vehicle builds. We got our first travel trailer this month and just slowly discovering the type of materials the trailer is made of from fixing things, such as microwave mounts, bed braces, trims, etc. No major issues yet, but I don't see these things surviving in one piece past 10 years even with utmost care. We have no regrets and enjoy the heck out of it though!!!
So we'll said! Especially the last sentence. Yes they are crap materials and crap builds and crazy expensive. But thry take you to amazing places and make amazing memories. That is priceless. Enjoy your new rig!
@@SamkoTradBow that still doesn't justify the manufacturers poor build quality and crappy materials used in the manufacturing of these rigs.
@@kckettridge It still beats buying equally shoddy work you see in single and double wide trailers.
You get lots more value with a TT especially a mid-upper class one
❤️ You are the RV Dad I never had, love your way of speaking the truth of the trailer ownership. Your Wisdom is appreciated 🙏
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video!
17:50. “None of this is hard to fix”. I agree with you especially if you are mechanically inclined and have the time. I like to fix things but spending my weekends working on something that that has inherent flaws and has to be watched like a baby is not appealing. Thanks for sharing. RV Quality is poor to subpar because they don’t have to meet the same standards as cars/trucks. There are no lemon laws for RVs.
Could not of said it better. But luckly the issues are usually minor and worth the headaches.
Thank you for being HONEST about this process because they shine everything up and make it look real PRETTY and BAM you will be sitting on the side of the road with a hunk of real pretty stuff
Hahaha. Its not quite that bad! But there sure could use some quality control and improvements. None of this would be acceptable in the auto, boat, motorcycle, etc industryies.
The gold standard in honesty and level of detail, thank you sir!
Thank you
This guy has nailed it. We had a 28 foot Pass Port made by Keystone and it was bought brand new. It was the first trailer we ever bought so we really didn't know what questions to ask or what to look for. After a year we found out just how crappy these things are put together. They use the minimum rated equipment on the trailers and Keystone says they do that to save the OWNER some money...............that's just a big pile of BS. At the end of the day after the warranty runs out, the dealership and the company that built the thing will not have a lot of interest in you any longer. Pay close attention to this video, he is dead on.
Thanks! Glad you liked the video.
I think watching your youtube videos are much more informative than US TV Networks.
Thank you. I appreciate that
I'm a semi-trailer mechanic and I definitely recommend rivets or bolts with lock nuts. Great video btw 👍
Thanks. Yeah I've been using rivets and been much happier
I was thinking the same thing. Don't just fix it, fix it right.
Good tip. Thanks!
Locknuts, rubber lined washers, and hex bolts all SS so it’s one and done.
Yep.Was thinking that on any screw that you can get to the inside, bolt and locking screws and your done👍
This guy is the absolute authority on the subject…thanks for your honest transparency…
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the video
"We live in a disposable world" facts
Sad, but true
Very True.
I always tell my wife... throw it away and buy another one.
'Merica!
“.... and there are no friends at dusk”
This video is spot on correct. For new travel trailer buyers, don't let this dissuade you. You will need to learn how to fix things in your trailer but the fun and memories you have far outweigh the work. Almost every time we go out, I have to fix something. We go camping with a group which is more fun but also we have a pool of knowledge and experience that we lean on. Please keep posting videos like this one.
Yep so worth it! the memories you can make are amazing in a camper. The knowledge you gain from working on them is also a benefit in everyday life at home.
Maybe I shouldn’t be watching this...our first trip in our TT is Friday...
Great video!! As a father os 3 looking to purchase a travel trailer to invest in memories this channel is SUPERB!!!
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it
Excellent. I have owned boats (Bring Out Another Thousand) and it's very similar to RVing -- especially travel trailers. One thing I'd like to mention is how people get so caught up in tow capacity but only learn later that payload matters. But I think your concept of travel trailer being a disposable asset is rock solid.
Great point about the payload. Especially for the fifth wheels. If I had a nickel for every rig I passed on the highway that has 3500 in tongue weight in a 2500 truck..lol
Preach Brother!! We love our travel trailer, but it is a fair amount of work. And you better be in pretty good physical shape AND mechanically inclined to fix things. I grew up in mobile homes as a kid and knew about the shoody work and cheap materials and wasn't surprised. I have repaired and improved many items.
ALL THAT SAID, I LOVE MY TRAILER (2017 FLAGSTAFF 832IBS)!!!!
You nailed it! Great foe memories and get aways. Just need some tlc and maintenance
Don’t have a travel trailer, but have always watched those traveling down the road and said a prayer that they make it safely as anything and everything can go wrong. I use to drive semi’s and just having to pull a trailer loaded with dirt, gravel, etc just to job sites was nerve racking. Can’t imagine how driving a pulling a travel trailer would be like. I did help drive RV from Florida to Michigan while towing a jeep behind one time, that was enough for me. Hope everyone who travels stays safe
Yep they can be white knuckle driving for sure. Especially when I watch these huge trailers pulled by vehicles not capable of safely towing that much or that much tongue weight.
Im 27 and my new next move is that im going to create my own creative WORLD on a plot of land in the woods near a stream of water.
I will gradually create something very profitable from it, in my world away from the world, whilst tucked away within the rustle and bustle (nearby).
Sounds like a sould plan. Wishing you great success with making it all happen
Thank you!
I tow a 22ft 3400lb dual axle travel trailer on my 2013 Tacoma that’s rested for 6500lb max towing. Installed a brake controller and have a 8000lb weight distribution hitch with sway bars and no issues at all. Been in 25mph winds and been passed by big rigs and don’t feel it sway.
You did it right! You have a light weight trailer that is half what your truck is rated to tow. Well done!
@@SamkoTradBow yeah I wanted to stay around 75% of the gross weight when fully loaded so in case I dry camp
Hahahaaaa, I like this guy! He's still finding shit to fix 3/4's of the way through the video. Thanks for the straight shooting 👍
We love having a camper! But not gonna lie, always something to work on...lol
Just got a truck (Ram 1500 Limited), gonna be getting a trailer within the next year or two. Saving this vid so I can refer to it once I've purchased. This is gold.
Glad you enjoyed it and beautiful truck! I love the rams!
@@SamkoTradBow thanks! Yeah, it's gorgeous, hopefully it holds up. Lots of talk of unreliability but most actual Ram owners seem to have few issues.
You are so CORRECT! I bought a second hand travel trailer and just about had to rebuild the entire thing! I adopted Warrens philosophy and Bought a high-back camper shell for my truck and have not regretted it for a minute! I built a bunk with storage under it and have a home away from home! Down side, it's a one-man operation and cannot accommodate but one person, "THE KILLER"!
Glad you got it all dialed in and working great for you.
Wish we had politicians as honest as you. Great video.
Thanks
One of my cargo bays is dedicated to all the tools I need for everything I've ran across so far. I put up pegboard and use it for a stocked toolbox storage. Anything I end up using on my RV, I put it in that storage or buy a duplicate if I need it in the home garage as well.
excellent Idea
Excellent post. I have for too long shared needed tools between trailer and home and it ends up biting me in the end.
@@kevinpohlner2840 yeah a dedicated tool kit in the rig is well worth it.
Why can't every video be this straightforward and no BS. Brother...This was great.
Thank you. Glad yoy enjoyed it
Looking for my first RV but if and when I buy it won’t be moved.Putting it on one site in Florida and will use it when I’m down there.I would guess there would be a lot less wear on it.Jayco seems that it’s well made.
They are all built the same. So just find a floor plan you like by any of them. But with you planning to leave it at one site might be worth looking at what they call "Park" or destination models. They are much better built, and bigger tanks, higher ceilings etc. Much more residential but still towable anytime.
How true and correct the gentleman was about RV trailer quality being not very good.
My solution is to build your own RV Trailer. My trailer will be made out of wood and steel corrugated roof using only screws and lag bolts in structure, on a former C-channel frame RV Trailer. My belief is that the method I build it, it will withstand the forces of most weather conditions and will outlast any current manufactured RV. It will have self-contained features and will employ other features useful making it enjoyable for its intended use.
If you can't build your own, then you have no choice but to buy one with all of the risks with one.
Glad ypu are making one like you want. I uear many people are doing that now. Would be great to see some of those custom built ones being sold. Could be a great business idea
Wow, this is a real video! I have been told its like the trailer is going through an earthquake every time you travel. This was spot on.
Yep the road sure does beat them up! Glad you enjoyed the video
Preach it, brother! First time camper owners here. Just got first one 2 weeks ago. Had a Ford F-150 could tow 11,700lbs on paper. Turns out dealership reps were the only ones who told me that truck would be fine pulling a 9,300lb toy hauler. Well, after driving from Tampa dealership to my home near Jacksonville, the engine worked its arse off, I was being thrown all over the interstate, I decided the next day to go get a Ford Super Duty with the 6.7L Diesel. Best decision ever. What a difference. Got 6mpg with F-150, getting 14mpg with camper fully loaded with 2 Harleys and full water tank, 4 adults in truck.
Love it! Way to make it happen and roll with the punches. You are gonna love camper life and the amazing memories you are gonna make! Excited for you and how much fun your gonna have!
Which engine did the f 150 have?
@@Yessentuki4 the small 2.7 ecoboost. Thats why it o ly had a 7200 tow capacity.
Funny you should mention this, I have an F-150 with the 8200 GVWR package and 9500# tow, it's payload is over 2300#, however, with a 5.0L, my intent is to get a 4500-6000# dry, fully loaded under 7000# target. I think towing anything over 7000 with a 1/2 ton, while possible is not something you want to do long-term or great distances. Hopefully I won't hate it, but I can't afford a new truck too. Live in Florida, so not a ton of hills, let alone mountains, so I got that going for me. I guess we'll see.
RV = new retirement job. Its all about maintaining and anticipation of what's going to break. Very accurate info with video. Thx!
Hahaha. Sure can seem like a second job. But so worth it! Amazing memories and great family time.
This is good. So much of the time is spending trying to figure out which trailer but also have to face reality.
Well said. Trailers are amazing and bring awesome memories. But they are work and require some maintenance and up keep.
Amazing. You said exactly what I needed to hear. When I was conjuring questions while watching the video, you would just go straight into my mind. Thank you. I was about to drop 15k at random spur of the moment decision. Using an X5 diesel,6k cap, 600lb tongue. Didn’t even think about people, gear, water alone is 8lb a gallon. Man thank you so much
Veey welcome and glad you enjoyed it
I work in the RV industry and you are 100 percent correct about how trailers are build. I see so many mistakes and sloppy workmanship in trailers from every manufacture. People listen to what he is saying and check every inch of your trailer.
Thanks for commenting. Alot of people seem to think that higher price means better build and nice to hear from an insider that they all have the same issues.
I preferred a short two bed. Kept it simple. Hot shower, toilet, heater and cook top. Warm, dry and a good bed makes you a bette hunter. I added some accessories for more creature comforts lol. Flipped the axels for added clearance in rough country. Loved it. After using it for like 15 years one of those Texas monster grass fires got it and the barn it stayed in. Was basically in mint shape. Dang! the bad luck.
Sounds like it was the ultimate camper! Sorry she got burned up!
Just bought a camper 23 ft. Looking at your video thanks for all of the tips. You are very honest and straight to the point.
You will love having a camper! Now you know the stuff to watch for and things needed to do to make it last and keep the memories coming. They are amazing. Just need to attention and care.
Awesome true video...may I add after owning two I would NEVER tow a trailer of any substantial size without a Hensley hitch its a safety tool thats worth its weight in gold!! Thanks
Heard fantastic things about that hitch.
Finally someone's truthful about the quality of a product🤔I hope a lot more people wake up that sales men are trying to sell a dream and then they sell it to you and it falls apart😮
Yep rv sales people are pretty bad!
Yup, poor construction and grade of material is sickening today. The price war again and you get what you pay for if your lucky, lol. We have had lots of fun RVen and I just don't stress anymore, I expect it to fall apart now. We store it inside, out of the weather also and everyone should if they want it to last bit longer, lol. We're still dragging ours down the hwy and having lots fun!
You bring up some good points, thanks for sharing yours!
Drive slow, be safe.
Well said on all counts. It is what it is, but still very worth it!
I've been trailering for years. Agree on build quality, but I have never had the nuisance problems you have had. The most important lesson here is matching the tow vehicle to with the trailer. I have a half ton Silverado. And I tow a 5000lb trailer. Its a perfect set up. My Silverado is rated for 9200 lb but I would not go anywhere near that.
Yep that was our biggest mistake, Buying a camper too big for our truck (6500 pound camper and truck rated for 7200). Hence the new diesel...lol My wife calls the ram 2500 the best 60 grand mistake we ever made.
what do you think of 5000lb trailer for 7700lb (Land Rover)?
Bought my first trailer used six years ago. Immediate electrical issues. Took me a month to trace it. Leaking pipes. So many problems. Bought a new one a few years later. Same problems but now I get to see everything wear out from the start!
Hahahaha. Best comment ever!
Couldn't agree more. We own a Winnebago Minnie 2606RL, overall a great trailer but you need to be a Mr. Fixit or Jack of all trades. I ordered a PEX repair kit with various clamps/hose and keep in camper, superglue, pop-rivet gun/various rivets, we keep seal, slide, dry lock spray lube. We keep white and clear silicon chaulk/RTV, a tube of dicor, drill and bits, self tapping screws, finishing nails... You get the picture. We're on year 2 of ownership and mostly minor things but it's slowed way down. Our first year warranty service involved 3 trips to dealership for slideout leak repair. Fixed one corner, then other started. My second trailer so I was prepared for it. The dealer explained to me that all manufacturers push these out as fast as possible and then count on dealership to do final inspection and or repair quality issues factory should have caught. I am VERY PROACTIVE on trailer maintenance. Before every trip I examine dicor on roof, crawl under camper, check all seals. We tow with a 2007 F150 XLT 5.4l super crew 4X4 with blue ox weight distribution hitch. Not the best MPG but it handles the camper well. We camp mostly along the Appalachian areas of SW Ohio, eastern Kentucky/Tennessee, western Carolina's.
I do the roof cleaning twice a year with the UV protection/cleaner. We live in Ohio and use our camper 10 months out of the year March early December. I retire in a couple years and we're going to full time for 5-7 years so I'm trying to stay on top of it. Our dealership is responsive but 2-4 weeks every visit.
In short, yeah what he said.
Appreciate the honesty and details. Also glad you are enjoying the camper! Those are great tips on the extras to have on hand in the camper as well.
Lmfao when he said I probably had this thing airborne before ...
Literally was about to post the same thing! 🤣🤣
Driving on Michigan's roads, that probably should be I must have, at LEAST once... lol
😆 me too
Most because many people drive too fast. Sometimes as if they forgot that they have a trailer behind them. Lack of common sense.
I currently have a 2005 Jayco 24ft ultralight and thinking of upgrading, which brought me to this video. While I've definitely had my fair share of litlle fixes, the major stuff has held up over time. 15 years later putting on 15k miles a year, haven't had a problem with the fridge, furnace, stove, AC, cabinets, trim, flooring, electrical or LP. I have heard a lot of horror stories with newer RVs and I think it speaks to what the OP was getting at, in that the market is so competitive now that they build these things as cheap as possible to make decent money. I did have one nasty experience in that my awning blew clear off and got thrown 100ft away. I replaced it with a cheap one and that completely broke right after my 1 year warranty expired. That one hurt. My thoughts around this are it's a bit of a crap shoot. Either buy brand new so you get the Bumper to Bumper warranty and hopefully these issues turn up fast, or buy something that's 5+ years old and have a professional do a thorough inspection. If it makes it that long without evident problems you might have a winner. In any case, I wouldn't trade my RV experiences in for the world. The memories my family has had will be cherished forever. After some years we learned the best off the grid spots as we can't stand RV parks. Once you find these, that's where the real experiences begin. Thanks for the video bud.
Fantastic comment! Yep these new ones can be a pain in the ass. We are planning to upgrade to a bigger fifth wheel thos year and researching now. I like we both said, well worth the headaches for the amazing memories and adventures!
Your right on all trailers get beat up. My 2018 Winnebago has had some fixture rattle loose on it. Most folks don’t factor the cost of all the add ons like sway bars, water and sewer hoses and pipes and electrical serge protector. With all that said it’s worth the money to me to create great memories with my family. Thanks for posting.
Yep well worth it and I love it. But I think the new rv buyer needs to know what's involved and what to expect. I also find it funny that most of the sales people we have not that sell rvs don't even own one..lol it's not like buying a new truck and being trouble free for years. If you buy a rv you are gonna need skills or have to learn them. But well worth it. I do wish rv manufacturers would hire better more carrying people to build them.
So glad you made this video! I’m in the RV market and the salesman gave me the ‘we take good care of our customers’ spill. Such BS. I’m glad your are resetting my expectations and making them more realistic.
Appreciate that and glad you enjoyed the video
I didn't understand 80% of what you were saying, but I gave the video a thumbs up because you sound so passionate about this stuff and you are doing what you love, and I can't think of many people who are doing what they love.
Thank you. Appreciate it.
Very true on all accounts. Having had a couple of travel trailers for 8 years or so I've had similar experiences. Camping in TT are fun but they are built like crap and I think all brands are about the same. Warranties are also overrated and you can't get an appointment anyway and risk missing half your season if you can't fix some things yourself.
Exactly and well said. Thanks!
SPOT ON, DUDE! I like folks who tell it like it is - so many of these channels tend to wow the viewer about how much fun RV travel is, and either gloss over or do not address at all, the real cost of RV ownership due to repairs and urgent "fix-its" that inevitably occur. Unless you have money to burn, best to take his advice and get savvy with basic tools and repair steps, because one day, you will be too far from the local "warranty" shop and time will be critical. Retirees and new to the sport young couples, beware!
On another note - forget about the dealer telling you how important and valuable it is to get your warranty work from where you bought the trailer. Unless you camp 10 miles from home, when you have things go wrong on the vacation road, you will be looking for a dealer that does warranty work on your make / brand - so your local dealer becomes irrelevant most of the time. Shop around, and get the best deal you can - including making a trip to Indiana where most of these are built - and get your best deal without all the markups and transportation charge add- ons. If you are buying used, take someone who has been there, with you. And if you need repairs, expect your rig to be in the shop for days and as long as 2+ months.
In the end, we are enjoying our rig just fine and cannot think of a better way to travel the back roads of this country at your own pace, and in a clean and quiet environment
Very well said and a fantastic outlook. Thank you for posting! You hit on many great points!
A few years ago I would have agreed with you about the build quality. But since I acquired my current trailer I haven’t had to fix anything. It’s an Arctic Fox 4 season trailer. It’s solid and I definitely put it to the test. I take it places in 4 wheel drive that my friends won’t take their Jeeps lol
I have a Ram 1500 and I hate the fuses!! It tows the trailer like a dream though.
I heard someone say that a trailer going down the road is like a house during an earthquake of 6 on the Richter scale lol
Definitely have a look at Arctic Fox Trailers. Mine has top of the line quality materials and great workmanship. I’ve put 60,000 miles on mine so far and not one thing has gone wrong(knock on wood)lol
Half those miles were off-road on dirt and gravel in National Forest and/or BLM lands.
One of the reasons I bought a 4 season trailer is I take my grandson up to the snow parks up high in the mountains. We play in the snow all morning then we go inside the warm and comfortable trailer and he takes a hot shower while I make lunch. After lunch he takes a short nap then back to playing in the snow lol. Then it’s another hot shower, dinner and a board game or movies then bedtime. Day 2 is a repeat of day 1 lol. We usually stay 3-5 days and he loves every minute of our time together. He’s only 8 years old and loves going places with me and the trailer. It’s like having the perfect little cabin wherever we go lol.
Anyway I just wanted to share my story because while your advice is correct for 90% of the trailers out there it’s incorrect about mine.
Ram1500 + Arctic Fox Trailer = Fun
Cheers mate and happy trails
Glad you have a truck and trailer combo that has served you well. Don't ever sell that camper! I think you got really lucky! And I'm glad you did. Keep making those memories!
Hey man great info on the Arctic trailer… what year & trim is your Ram 1500? How much does your trailer weigh? I am looking at getting something for my family of 3 & my daughters friend who always goes camping/crabbing with us… thank you sir I have a 16 ram 1500 Laramie with air ride
You hit a lot of great points. This weekend we traveled 44 in S. Missouri. I was amazed at vans and light trucks pulling big RVs! Really a great presentation.
Glad you enjoyed it.
your 100% right i been doing this for a long time YOUR RIGHT.and keep insurance on it , i had a blow out and it messed up lot of things $3000.00 of repairers , i had to pay my deductible of $1000.00 it was worth it.
Excellent tip on the insurance! A tire spreading would rip up some stuff for sure on a camper!
@@SamkoTradBow on my camper the gas lines are right over the tires, (dumb place to put all 4 copper gas lines)
@@steve-and-drones hahaha. Agree someone was not thinking right
His not lying. I'm from California and I worked for cuple company's that build travel trailers 5th wheels it made of glue and self-tappers.
Love that phrase. I'm gonna use it. Thanks for the comment.
did you ever work for Lance?
I don't think I have, maybe... I built tham in California.
Nicely done! I have had travel trailers since the 1980's and they all the same quality issues no matter how much you pay.
Thank you. I agree. Love it one people comment that this one is better and this one sucks. they are all the same.
Experienced TT owner here and watched your video to see how good your info was. Well it was brutally honest! 100% agree with all said. They are a lot of work but fun to explore the country in. I look at the maintenance projects as giving me something to get my mind off of work but sometimes I think I spend as much time maintaining as I do camping. And not that I always have to its just something I do!
Plus maintaining them are good skills that everyone should know. Will help them in life. We love our campwr and the memories we make in them.
This is not what I wanted to hear, but I like the blunt honesty
Just want you prepared. Travel trailers are amazing and you can make incredible memories with them! I loved owning them. But The experience is alot better when you understand what they are and what they need.
One of the most honest guys around, no bullshit.
Thanks
Funny, reminds me of my old 81 Harley FLH. I knew what needed to be tightened down every 300-500 miles.
Hahaha. Yep same exact concept. Pain in the butt, but worth it
I wonder if they’re designed to go down the road
That was one of the best camping videos's I have ever seen, thank you for being so honest, and straightforward with all your answers as to the proper way to take it all in stride.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. Campers are amazing! But you need to know what your getting into and how to be prepared for it all.
You are definitely telling the truth about RV travel trailers we are remodeling our 34 foot travel trailer also you may date awesome video keep up the good work.
Thank you.
DUDE!! Best truth video ever. Just spent the day shopping / looking at 2 dozen toy haulers, travel trailers, 5th wheels and you are spot on. You get what you pay for. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks!
Think he meant that no matter what you pay for you'll still have to repair as you go 🤠
@@Thiscitygirl correct. They are all the same. All well worth owning, but all have issues.
I was almost talked into buying a travel trailer by a friend, but considering your comments and watching other youtube RV videos, I have decided to keep “roughing” it in beachfront condos and mountain scenic log cabins. Thanks for saving me from my retirement savings.
I do believe you are making a smart choice. Less headache and money!
I've basically come to the same conclusion - after researching RVs for over 1 year. Instead of spending 100k on a class C, I can spend that same amount renting beach-front cottages, etc, pay for airline tickets & renting cars. Hard to get a RV to the Bahamas also, lol.
GREAT EYE OPENER VIDEO! I would like to add a thought to this video. As a retired LEO, I lost count of all the camper awnings I've found along side the road where a high wind or a passing 18-wheeler caused the awning to fully come open at freeway speed. The only solution I've seen is the addition of additional tie-down straps holding the awning firmly in place.
Fantastic tip! Thank you.
Loved your video! You convinced me I don’t need to buy one, I will rent one. Thank you
Buy or rent, both are great options and let's you get out and explore! Any way you do it works just make those memories!
I worked for Lance Campers, you are 100% correct about everything in the video. Especially about the workers.
Thank you. Wish the rv industry would step it up a bit.
We bought a coachmen 38’ travel trailer that ways 8,300 pounds dry weight. We love it!! We’ve had it for 3 years and have had no problems so far but I always have a tool kit with me.
Awesome. Love hearing these stories of people loving them and no problems. Glad you guys are enjoying it!
I love how this video is just straight to the point 💯
Thanks
I love this Video. Sounds just like my Dad. “Lipstick and Rouge”
Love that phrase!
Thanks for the video. I am not really a tool guy but I am learning. You have to be a little bit of a general contractor, electicrician and plummer with these things and save the dealership for really major repairs. Of course they are built cheap but they have to endure the equivalent of a hurricane and a earthquake as they go down the road. Still love my gateway to great outdoors.
Very well said and so worth the little headaches for the amazing memories made in a camper. We will always have one, god willing.
I welded chassis for Nash Trailer's for 2 years and everyone in my department took a lot of pride in doing the best quality work! I'm from La Grande, Oregon, home of several travel trailer factories, outdoors RV, Nash, Terry Trailer was there my whole life but no longer is. Inner Mt makes campers that go on your truck. Keystone RV factory is in our area, and we have a few tiny home builders.
That's good to hear. All the brands coming out of Elkhart Indiana are a joke quality wise.
Thanks for the honest video. This isn't discussed enough. I wasn't aware of how much work and know how was needed.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video
We have put the camper dreams on hold right now .We rented a cabin for vacation this year . I'm not ready to a take a financial beating on a new camper .
You should check out my save thousands course in the video text. It will teach you how to save huge money on a new camper, truck, trailer, boat etc. Nothing else out there will teach you how to save more money. I already like how you are being smart and not letting the emotional aspect of a camper stop you from making the right decisions. Great job!
He said, “Piece of Garbage”. ! Thank you so much TB&W!
Great video. I use to work in a motor home factory. We built pretty good motor homes and had pretty good inspections teams. This guy is spot on with this video. Never buy a trailer that was built on Friday 😂😂😂
Yep never buy a Friday or a Monday vehicle...lol
Lol wait how are suppose to know the day it was built?!
I am so glad I found this video. Planning on buying a trailer and a truck now I got the low down and know where to start.
That's was exactly what this video was for! To get you educated and prepared so you can do it the right way and make some amazing memories! You are gonna love having a camper!
Good gracious. I’ve been looking forward to buying a camper for the past six months and this single video has convinced me to avoid it entirely. I can do this stuff but I absolutely HATE it.
KOA cabins, here we come.
Campers are great but honestly you would hate it. And the camping world has gotten much worse since covid. Campgrounds are booked a year out, they are packed like sardines, the quality of campers has gotten worse, the warranty repair time frame for simple repairs can be 6 months out, etc. It's not what the dealer says it is. In my circle of camping friends of about 20 with campers 16 of us have sold them and get air bnbs now. Easier, no camper payment, truck needed, storage, insurance, maintenance, headaches, etc.
Thank you man for your honesty. I’m passing this on to my daughter
Let her know they are well worth owning if she or her husband has so general mechanical skills. The memories are amazing! But they are not buy and good to go. They need attention regularly.
Traditional Bowhunting And Wilderness Podcast BBC L
Your advice on the tool kit is spot on! Spend some time walking through your RV thinking about the 'what ifs'. What if this breaks, what do I need to fix it. What if that breaks, what do I need to fix it. Then assemble your tool kit. I have a 40 foot 5th wheel and stuff happens. I had done the 'what if' thing and assembled all the tools I would ever need, or so I thought. I had a blow out and could not change the tire. I learned that the RV manufacturer does not provide a lug nut wrench for the RV and my truck lug nut wrench didn't fit. The next trip I had a battery powered impact wrench and socket. The next time, I had a valve stem start leaking on me in the middle of the desert during a long trip to Colorado. 15 minutes later, tire was changed. You live and you learn. My wife ran a slide out and a bag had fallen down and she didn't see it. It tore the front fascia off the slide as she ran the slide out. An hour later, I had completely fixed it better than it had been assembled in the factory. You will need all manner of screws, finishing nails, staples, and glue along with common hand tools. I also pack a cordless drill/impact set with all different types of bits and drill bits.
Another tool I would tell everyone to invest in is a good tire pressure monitoring system. It caught the leaking valve stem I mentioned earlier and I was able to get pulled over long before the tire went flat. It paid for itself first time out. I use the TST systems, 507 series.
Thanks for the great advice!
Absolutely fantastic advise! Than you for taking the time to write this. People will love the info and be better prepared.
This is true for all, especially the newer ones. We bought a used 2003 toy hauler. Toy haulers are a little tougher and this older one is really tough. The "boom" in the last years or so has made the quality even worse as they slam units onto the market. Even if we bought a brand new one we'd shoot for a toy hauler. Partly for the instant deck they can provide.
Yep our next one would be a toy hauler for the usable spaces as well
This is the most honest man in America he should run for President!
Hahahaha. Thanks
This guy is smart he knows how to use tools. Makes a big difference!
Yep if your gonna own an rv you will learn fast how to work on stuff..lol
Thank you for this video. I am a single woman in my 60s, I was thinking and hoping to buy a camper. You have taught me a lot and I have now decided not to. I also had flooring problems brought to my attention. The manufactures are more worried about quantity not quality.
Glad you enjoyed the video and it helped you make the best decision for your life style.
GREAT VIDEO! Thank You! I have been looking at travel trailers, and kept thinking...wow these sure are pieces of crap. So after watching your video, you saved me thousands. Since I can do anything to an old used one, I'll just find an old dog and fix it. You statement about being pissed off after paying so much for something new and then it breaks. That is me. We will be using ours as a remote retreat, so once I tow it to the location, it's ride is over anyway. With the money I save over a new one, I can pull the guts out and rework it to fit my needs. I can even make room for my comfy chair and couch.(Even the furniture in the expensive new ones is lightweight half ass crap). Thanks again sir, Salute!
Sounds like a great plan! You will love having one and gives you reason to get away! And the old ones are great ones!
Nice soundtrack. Open all the cabinets, and check for roof leaks and mold. Rot and mold caused by leaks, are a deal breaker!
This guy rocks!!!! The best video EVER!!!
Haahaha. Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for all the insight. Just bought my sister’s 21ft 2002 Jayco Kiwi. She’s kept it in excellent shape for being 18years old. Excited to get it out in the road!
Awesome! You are going to enjoy it so much! Go make those memories!
Thank you for keeping it real about owning a rv and the responsibilities that come with owning one. Keep up the good work
Glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully this video helps people figure out if rving is right for them
The best review on RUclips!
Appreciate that