Dear Dr. R.V. Shrink:
I found last week's column on preferences in choosing an RV very interesting. We are going through the same decision process ourselves. I think the biggest difference between my partner and I has been our respective chores. I do most of the cooking and my partner does most of the repair and maintenance.
I don't like the cooking options offered to me in many units. My partner says we can get used to it, but I don't want to get used to it. I want what I'm already used to. I am talking about going from a conventional oven to a convection oven. I refuse to switch.
As my partner has found out the hard way, I would rather fight than switch.
Am I being unreasonable? Should I learn new tricks?
--Burning in Bakersfield
Dear Burning:
I hear this complaint a lot. A regular oven has been replaced with a convection oven in many brands and units. If you are going to move into a home on wheels I think you should trick it out the way you want it, or find a used one that already is the way you want it.
One drawback that many first-time buyers never consider is the fact that a convection oven only runs on electric. That means having to be hooked up or running a generator every time you need to use the oven.
On the plus side, most people that have switched to a convection oven seem to be very happy with it.
If you are buying new I would ask about an option to have the best of both worlds. You might have to give up some drawer space, but it will most likely be a worthwhile trade-off.
Having both a convection oven and a propane oven will also give you more options when making a big meal and wanting everything done at the same time.
When dry camping you will not limit your meal options and when paying for utilities you will save on propane costs.
It will also allow you to limit your generator usage when dry camping and still continue to eat meals that require an oven.
Don't you wish the whole world had such easy problems to solve? Half the world is trying to figure out where to get enough potable water to make it through the day, and our biggest dilemma is convection vs. propane oven options?
--Keep Smilin', Dr. R.V. Shrink
Monday, March 14, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
RV buyer be aware
Dear Dr. R.V. Shrink:
We have been looking at RV floor plans for a year. We are soon to retire and cannot seem to agree on size, layout, amenities, or even type.
We are all over the map. We have looked at motorhomes, trailers, fifth wheels in all class sizes. How do people make a buying decision? Is it just us? Can you give us any pointers?
--Perplexed in Pensacola
Dear Perplexed:
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. Many people take the leap and discover they didn't do enough homework. My recommendations would be to try imagining how you will use your RV.
Will you do much entertaining? If so, what seating arrangements will you have available. Another important consideration is sleeping quarters. Do you want a dedicated bed or can you live with a convertible? Do you want separate beds? How about room on both sides of the bed so you are not climbing over each other when getting up in the night.
Is the bathroom roomy enough? Does the kitchen offer convenient working space, and adequate counter top real estate for prep work, dish washing and utensil storage? Where will you relax? If TV is important, at what angle is it placed? Many times it gets stuck wherever the manufacturer can find some leftover space.
Think about storage. Think about water and waste tank capacity. The smaller the unit the smaller the tanks become. This is only a concern if you plan to spend more time without hookups. The list can go on and on, but you really need to imagine how you will use the RV. Don't let a salesperson talk you into something that absolutely will not work for you.
You have to do your own homework. Most salespeople have never lived the RV lifestyle. They can make anything they have on the lot sound perfect for you if you haven't figured it out for yourself.
You don't need a doorbell that plays 50 songs, but you want function, quality and convenience. Sooner or later you have to pull the trigger and there is no guarantee you will end up with all the right options.
Once you get on the road you may discover your personal RV lifestyle is totally different than you imagined. Many people end up with several units before they find one that is close to their needs and wants.
Let me close with, "talk to other RVers." That is where you will find hundreds of opinions and give you food for thought. Just looking at all the "bling" will not answer the most important question you may not even have yet.
--Keep Smilin', Dr. R.V. Shrink
We have been looking at RV floor plans for a year. We are soon to retire and cannot seem to agree on size, layout, amenities, or even type.
We are all over the map. We have looked at motorhomes, trailers, fifth wheels in all class sizes. How do people make a buying decision? Is it just us? Can you give us any pointers?
--Perplexed in Pensacola
Dear Perplexed:
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. Many people take the leap and discover they didn't do enough homework. My recommendations would be to try imagining how you will use your RV.
Will you do much entertaining? If so, what seating arrangements will you have available. Another important consideration is sleeping quarters. Do you want a dedicated bed or can you live with a convertible? Do you want separate beds? How about room on both sides of the bed so you are not climbing over each other when getting up in the night.
Is the bathroom roomy enough? Does the kitchen offer convenient working space, and adequate counter top real estate for prep work, dish washing and utensil storage? Where will you relax? If TV is important, at what angle is it placed? Many times it gets stuck wherever the manufacturer can find some leftover space.
Think about storage. Think about water and waste tank capacity. The smaller the unit the smaller the tanks become. This is only a concern if you plan to spend more time without hookups. The list can go on and on, but you really need to imagine how you will use the RV. Don't let a salesperson talk you into something that absolutely will not work for you.
You have to do your own homework. Most salespeople have never lived the RV lifestyle. They can make anything they have on the lot sound perfect for you if you haven't figured it out for yourself.
You don't need a doorbell that plays 50 songs, but you want function, quality and convenience. Sooner or later you have to pull the trigger and there is no guarantee you will end up with all the right options.
Once you get on the road you may discover your personal RV lifestyle is totally different than you imagined. Many people end up with several units before they find one that is close to their needs and wants.
Let me close with, "talk to other RVers." That is where you will find hundreds of opinions and give you food for thought. Just looking at all the "bling" will not answer the most important question you may not even have yet.
--Keep Smilin', Dr. R.V. Shrink
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
RV Campwhereiwannabe
Dear Dr. R.V. Shrink:
We have been living the RV lifestyle for almost two years. We have traveled all over the country visiting all the interesting places we have always wanted to see. I think one of the biggest adjustments we've had to make is planning far enough ahead to be able to find suitable parking accommodations for our rig. We never realized how crowded the RV parks and campgrounds would be when we planned this retirement life.
There have been areas we just had to skip, because we could not find a place to stay. Is this normal or are we just a couple old RVers that need to learn a few new tricks?
--Double Parkered in Arizona
Dear Parker:
I think it depends a lot on how you define, “suitable parking accommodations.” There is no question that the whole RV camping industry has embraced the reservation system. From RV luxury resorts to pit toilet forest service campgrounds you can now make site reservations, and many people do.
This has to be a generalized answer because of the huge range of ways in which RVers like to travel. To stay spontaneous, you still need to move around without booking yourself months in advance. To do this successfully you need to be able to roll with the punches. It actually takes more planning to travel without reservations, at the drop of a hat or the spur of the moment.
Willing to dry camp, take available partial hook-ups, or play campground bingo on your computer as you get closer to a destination is a necessary evil.
We seldom use reservations, and we are seldom blocked out, but often we have to move several times around a campground to stay as long as we wish or find nearby dry camping. Another thing that will make a difference is time and experience. Eventually, you will discover many places you do not even know exist that fit your bill for accommodations. You just have to spend enough time in an area, talk to other RVer’s, search online, read enough articles, and keep good notes.
We can’t even read our Rand McNally because we have so many notations scribbled all over it. If you are in California and someone tells you about a great spot in Florida, write it down. Chances are you are going to be in that area eventually. That tip could come in handy down the road (pun intended).
Joining a club like the Escapees can help both with camping and also educationally thru their seminars. Learning to master the fine art of popular online reservation systems can also open some doors.
Always talk to park management when trying to shoehorn into a particular park. They often know of situations that may not show up online immediately.
Think of this as a challenge, not a stumbling block. We have found some of our most rewarding, enjoyable, and beautiful camping spots by being forced to think outside the box.
--Keep Smilin’, Dr. R.V. Shrink
We have been living the RV lifestyle for almost two years. We have traveled all over the country visiting all the interesting places we have always wanted to see. I think one of the biggest adjustments we've had to make is planning far enough ahead to be able to find suitable parking accommodations for our rig. We never realized how crowded the RV parks and campgrounds would be when we planned this retirement life.
There have been areas we just had to skip, because we could not find a place to stay. Is this normal or are we just a couple old RVers that need to learn a few new tricks?
--Double Parkered in Arizona
Dear Parker:
I think it depends a lot on how you define, “suitable parking accommodations.” There is no question that the whole RV camping industry has embraced the reservation system. From RV luxury resorts to pit toilet forest service campgrounds you can now make site reservations, and many people do.
This has to be a generalized answer because of the huge range of ways in which RVers like to travel. To stay spontaneous, you still need to move around without booking yourself months in advance. To do this successfully you need to be able to roll with the punches. It actually takes more planning to travel without reservations, at the drop of a hat or the spur of the moment.
Willing to dry camp, take available partial hook-ups, or play campground bingo on your computer as you get closer to a destination is a necessary evil.
We seldom use reservations, and we are seldom blocked out, but often we have to move several times around a campground to stay as long as we wish or find nearby dry camping. Another thing that will make a difference is time and experience. Eventually, you will discover many places you do not even know exist that fit your bill for accommodations. You just have to spend enough time in an area, talk to other RVer’s, search online, read enough articles, and keep good notes.
We can’t even read our Rand McNally because we have so many notations scribbled all over it. If you are in California and someone tells you about a great spot in Florida, write it down. Chances are you are going to be in that area eventually. That tip could come in handy down the road (pun intended).
Joining a club like the Escapees can help both with camping and also educationally thru their seminars. Learning to master the fine art of popular online reservation systems can also open some doors.
Always talk to park management when trying to shoehorn into a particular park. They often know of situations that may not show up online immediately.
Think of this as a challenge, not a stumbling block. We have found some of our most rewarding, enjoyable, and beautiful camping spots by being forced to think outside the box.
--Keep Smilin’, Dr. R.V. Shrink
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