My new TT expenses

[Richard6959]

I consider myself a newbie when it comes to traveling in an RV. So when my wife and I started planning we focused on the brand and model that we were going to purchase. Although I knew there was going to be some additional costs involved to get things ready for our first trip, I didn’t realize just how much. So I wanted to share my experience NOT to deter anyone from the idea that may be thinking about RV’ing, but to give you some things to consider.

It’s a fact that people need “stuff”, sometimes we have too much, sometimes too little but we all have it. I’m still figuring out what is the necessary stuff, what I think is necessary, what is simply a “want” and what stuff is just plain dumb to consider. So here we go…

We brought our new 2014 TT home last month (August) and its still sitting in the driveway. We have been working for just over a month now to get it ready for our first trip. This is what I have purchased.

4 rolls of cheap RV toilet paper that could be used to sand furniture – Cost: $5
Wheel chocks – Cost:$10
Dog bone for 50 amp to 30 amp plug – Cost: $30
Dog bone for 30 amp to 110 plug – Cost: $25
Pop-a-plate - Cost: $8
Slide seal treatment – Cost: $20
Slide cable dry lube – Cost: $20
Several wire baskets – Cost: $20
2nd A/C for bunkhouse - $1100
Truck Mirrors – Cost: $300
Truck air spring support – Cost: $100
WifiRanger Antenna – Cost: $350
JD Stabilizer system – Cost: $250
Fantastic Fan (installed in vent over the kitchen)– Cost: $200
Fan installation kit $8 (Returned)
Lap seal (Wrong color, used anyway) – Cost $10
Refrigerator fan – Cost: $15
Queen memory foam mattress pad (love it)– Cost: $125
8 large Storage tubs – Cost: $80
Spice rack – Cost: $20
Magnetic knife holder – Cost: $10
Knives – Cost: $20
3M hooks, tape, Velcro – Cost: $40
Brush to wash RV – Cost: $20
Mop – Cost: $10
2 bottles of Wax - $16
Micro-fiber clothes – Cost $10
Scissor jack drill attachment – Cost: $8
R/V Water hose – Cost: $30
Utility water hose – Cost: $20
Storage box for some of the junk – Cost: $40
50 foot/ 50amp extension cord – Cost: $100
Sewer kit - Cost: $30
Kitchen towel holder – Cost: $10

If you’re keeping up we are at $2992….

Leveling blocks (Lego style without the little men) – Cost: $30
Water pressure regulator – Cost: $40
LP tank gauge – Cost: $15
Stick on bubble levels – Cost: - $5
Water hose end caps – Cost: $3
2 vent shades – Cost: $25
1 vent shade cushion – Cost: $10 ?
1 gal tank deodorizer – Cost: $10
4 Camp chairs – Cost: $100
Refrigerator thermometer – Cost: $5
Dump station wrench – Cost: $8

We’re not done… but so far we have spent $3242. We know all the employees at camping world by name. When we walk in, they run the other way.

This is still on the list but has not been purchased.

Awning sun screen – Cost: $80
Door step rugs – Cost: $30
Patio rug – Cost: $70
3 Slide stabilizers – Cost: $125
Pots, pans – Cost: $50
Adhesive – Cost: $5
Indoor thermometer W/ multiple sensors for tanks – Cost: $60
Outside Refrigerator thermometer – Cost: $5
Shower squeegee – Cost: $5
Vent cover – Cost: $25
Water thief – Cost: $5
Sewer slinky – Cost: $20
Twin Memory foam pad for bunk house – Cost: $80
Outdoor shower kit – Cost: $20
Battery master switch – Cost: $40
EZ Hose carrier – Cost: $30
Clear hose connector: Cost: $8

Another $658 for a grand total of $3900. But wait, there’s more. My wifey wants to buy some new linens, a few decorative thingy’s and some more kitchen stuff. Each time either of us leaves the driveway we come back with more stuff even if its only to the mail box its likely more stuff will have arrived.

Sorry I have to keep this short, I need some more lap seal and camping world is still open.

[srvnt]

Don't give up, your halfway there! BBQ, weight distribution hitch, generator, etc, etc, man the list goes on and on!

[chuckster57]

I will give you fair warning now, it NEVER ends!!!

I've been buying "stuff" for my RV's since '89...still buying stuff.

[Richard6959]

Originally Posted by srvnt

Don't give up, your halfway there! BBQ, weight distribution hitch, generator, etc, etc, man the list goes on and on!

The RV came with a bumper mounted BBq and the dealer threw in the weight distribution hitch. $1000 saved. Need to go buy more stuff...

[Festus2]

I see that you have 3 slide stabilizers on your list at $125. If these stabilizers are the type that you place under your slides when extended, you might consider not doing this. When extended, the slide outs are designed and constructed to bear the weight of the occupants sitting or standing on it plus the weight of any furniture or appliances.

By placing stabilizers underneath the slide out, you are actually preventing it from flexing ever so slightly and instead keeping it rigid. Some slight and barely noticeable flexing is more desirable to having it "immovable". I doubt if you would notice any significant movement of the slide out by not having the stabilizers in place.

Personally, I would not use or recommend them. I very seldom, if ever, see them being used by RVers. So I would save the $125.

[JRTJH]

I've been RVing for darn near 50 years now and many of the things on your list as "need to have" or "must have" are things that aren't yet in my inventory of "stuff". I say that because it seems that you're "parked in the driveway" not using your RV "until it's complete"....

I'd urge you to "take what you've got" and go camping. Sure, there will be things that you will need (WalMart is right around the corner from almost every US campground) and there will be things that you "thought" you'd need that never were necessary. As you camp, as you grow in experience you'll find things you "need" things you "wish you had" and things that "go in the next garage sale".... Don't try to "wait until it's complete" to start camping, take a few pots from home, some sheets that fit "good enough" and some old pillows and load the refrigerator and fill the water tank and "head out" !!!!

So far, I've never had a thermometer in my refrigerator, never had a fan in my refrigerator, never had a gage on my propane tanks and never had a "plastic end" for my fresh water hose. I just screw the ends together after I coil it up and store it in the basement. I think there's one old plastic bin in there, but certainly not 8 new ones waiting for "stuff".....

Stop spending already and start camping. I'm guessing you'll find that much of the "STUFF" on your "need to get list" will fall by the wayside as you learn to enjoy what you've got.

The objective for most of us isn't to "take it all with us" but to use the RV to "get away from all of it".....

Plan a trip before you go broke buying "stuff"......

[GaryWT]

A really or wow are the first 2 words that came to mind. Someone has sold you a bill of goods and my guess is CW. Camping for 24 years and I don't have 1/3 of this stuff. When we started back in the day it was the old pots and pans from our college days, the older towels from the closed, sleeping bags that we had. In time you upgrade and what not. Buy Scott toilet paper, tow mirrors are like $30 for a set, fans and thermometers don't have any. If you had a hose, sewer hose, clothes, food and something to sleep on/with you are good to go. So much of what we still use was extra stuff around the house and then there is always Fathers Day for the stuff you want.

Good luck and happy camping.

[chuckster57]

I may need to clarify my original reply. I went back and looked at the OP's list, and I also don't have nearly the amount of things listed.

I have however bought things that have made MY RV'ing easier. MY conveniences maybe aren't what someone else's are, and I was blessed with a job that allowed me to spend $$ on "stuff", so over the years I have. We each have our own idea of need vs. want, and my main point was to say that it seems once you start livin the RV life, you'll never run out of things to buy.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I may need to clarify my original reply. I went back and looked at the OP's list, and I also don't have nearly the amount of things listed.

I have however bought things that have made MY RV'ing easier. MY conveniences maybe aren't what someone else's are, and I was blessed with a job that allowed me to spend $$ on "stuff", so over the years I have. We each have our own idea of need vs. want, and my main point was to say that it seems once you start livin the RV life, you'll never run out of things to buy.

No truer words were ever spoken.... That's why I'm still walking by that brass anti-siphon valve at Lowe's.... I know I need it, but if I buy it, something else will "rise to the top of my list" and I'll still be "wanting to buy something"

[Festus2]

If you intend to buy all this "stuff" now, then you'll have nothing left to buy. All the fun of looking, shopping and buying will have gone. Save some for later and; in the meantime, improvise or do without. You'll be amazed at how much money you can save and how easy it is to do without a whole bunch of the items on your shopping list.

As has been mentioned previously ....... "wants vs needs". I bet that you can have a whole bunch of fun and enjoy camping without many of the items on your list(s).

[theeyres]

Wow! I fulltimed and never bought half that stuff. Surely you jest and are just listing all the stuff you could buy. Have fun...evidently you like buying more than doing. Just go camping and enjoy.

[Ken / Claudia]

All of the fun stuff we do costs to much. You ever buy a boat, my last one was 33,000 and when I left the dealer I owned them 42,000.

[Fishhawk]

It's your money and opinion on what's "needed" to be ready to camp
So Do what you feel will make your camp "convenient"

It's my opinion that you are way over thinking this stuff

Our approach, which as usual, was far from perfect, was to add what we really needed
When we needed it, not following anyone's list

We love to camp, like to be reasonably comfortable
But don't give a rats about things being "perfect"

Be happy, don't worry

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I may need to clarify my original reply. I went back and looked at the OP's list, and I also don't have nearly the amount of things listed.

I have however bought things that have made MY RV'ing easier. MY conveniences maybe aren't what someone else's are, and I was blessed with a job that allowed me to spend $$ on "stuff", so over the years I have. We each have our own idea of need vs. want, and my main point was to say that it seems once you start livin the RV life, you'll never run out of things to buy.

[Richard6959]

I knew this would get a few of you stirred up! Me, I could have hooked up at the dealer and went strait to the campground .

But, I have a wife and two teenage daughters.... enough said. But yes, there are a couple of goodies on the list I bought for myself just for convenience.

Oh we wont get everything remaining on our list, and I might have said that we are moving so we will be full time/for a few months. So with that, a few extra things were warranted.

[bg71361]

All I just heard was 2 teenage daughters and full timing for a while, you may need those extra luxuries. Good luck friend!!

[chuckster57]

I didn't see ear plugs on that list LOL.

[trueweb]

Haha, I think all the long timers and full timers take for granted their experience and what they already have tucked away in their tool bags and storage boxes.

For the rest of us that bought our first RVs we are worried about "what if". We think we "need" all the supplies and they aren't expensive if purchased or replaced over time, but all those $5-$40 items add up.

I'll have to study your list to see what I missed!

[kellydog98]

You mean the rest of you don't have maid and butler service?

[GmaPaTime]

Having just been through this our selfs, my DW and I decided to only get what was needed to function the systems within the trailer so we could just enjoy being away from it all. We believe in only getting THINGS as you experience the actual need for it. Also must say that CW is not the cheapest place to buy things.

[JRTJH]

Not to beat a dead horse to death, but something that we haven't mentioned is weight. We're talking about a Laredo 320TG being pulled by a Dodge 1500. Add a DW, 2 teenage daughters and now all the "stuff on this list" ???

The trailer dry weight is about 8000 lbs, add the "stuff that normal teenagers bring" with the "stuff that D/W brings" and the "stuff on this list" and that trailer's weight is going to be "over the top".

Not to start yet another debate on "if it can pull it" or ??? But remember, the trailer has a cargo capacity of about 1500 lbs. The "stuff" on that list is likely a lot more than the load capacity of the trailer and there's no clothes or food in it yet...... And it's riding on TowMax tires......