Category: RV Tips

RV Slide Out Repairs – How To Avoid Expensive Problems

In this article I’m going to be talking about RV slide out repairs. And the top five tips for maintaining and protecting your RV slide outs.

So that way you can avoid a lot of the slide repairs that can be very costly to fix.

Of course, one thing’s for sure. And that is that RV slides provide a lot more living space inside an RV.

RV slide rooms can increase living space dramatically
RV slide rooms can increase living space dramatically

In fact, RV manufacturers can extend up to 50% of an RV’s living space by using enough slides.

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RV Slide Outs Can Have Problems

But slide out rooms can have their problems too. And that’s especially true if they’re not maintained or operated correctly.

And that eventually often leads to RV slide out repairs becoming necessary.

In fact, there are many RVers these days that absolutely avoid slide rooms altogether.

Because of the potential problems that they have heard about or seen themselves.

But by following the tips in this article, you can avoid a lot of those issues and problems. Ones that can become very expensive to repair.

Not All Slide Outs Are The Same

First of all though, let me say this. Not all RV slide rooms operate the same way.

Yes, they all go out and then come back into the RV. But the mechanism that causes them to do that can be very different from one RV to another.

And there are four main kinds of slide out systems in use today in most RVs you’ll see.

RV Slide System #1

The first one we’ll talk about is the electric rack and pinion type of system.

Now rack and pinion just means that you have a circular gear that moves on top of a lateral gear. And moves the slide room in and out.

A typical rack and pinion RV slide gear
A typical rack and pinion RV slide gear

It’s the most common type of mechanism used because it’s very reliable. Also because there’s very few moving parts too.

So RV manufacturers love using that system and installing it at the factory.

Unfortunately, it can also be one of the more expensive systems to install correctly.

RV Slide Out System #2

The second slide system we’re going to talk about has a little bit of a bad reputation though.

It’s the Schwintek slide room system. And Schwintek uses worm gears at each end of the slide to move the slide in and out.

This is what a Schwintek RV slide system looks like on the outside of the slide room
This is what a Schwintek RV slide system looks like on the outside of the slide room

It’s actually a fairly reliable system overall. But some RV manufacturers these days have been using them in ways it was not designed to be used.

For instance, they may use it on very long and heavy slides often referred to as “super slides”.

But Schwintek is not designed for that. It’s best used for smaller slides like you find in an RV bedroom.

And as long as it is used in the way it was designed, it usually works just fine.

RV Slide Mechanism #3

Now the third type of system we’ll talk about is hydraulic. It uses a motor and a pump and somewhere there is a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid.

A hydraulic slide system using an arm to drive the slide room in and out
A hydraulic slide system using an arm to drive the slide room in and out

Now if you know anything about hydraulics you know that you can use it to move really heavy things around.

So a hydraulic slide mechanism works very well for those bigger and longer super slides I mentioned earlier.

And the other thing that you’ll notice is that as you operate a hydraulic slide it moves in and out usually a lot faster too.

Especially when compared to the electric rack and pinion type of slide system. In fact, it can move so fast that it’s almost scary to some people.

RV Slide Out System #4

Now the last system we’ll talk about today is a cable slide room system. It’s a little more expensive and therefore it’s not used quite as often.

But it uses cables that bring the slide out and then cables that pull it back in.

A typical cable slide out mechanism on the outside of the slide
A typical cable slide out mechanism on the outside of the slide

Usually you only see a couple of cables outside but there are more that are inside the mechanism.

And once again, this kind of system is best used on smaller slides.

Although it is more robust than the Schwintek system mentioned above.

OK, those are the four most commonly used types of slide systems in RVs these days.

But remember that maintenance is going to be required on all of these systems to some degree.

So here are my five top tips for maintaining RV slide rooms to get the best service from them.

RV Slide Out Repairs – Maintenance Tip #1

And the number one tip is make sure that you lubricate any moving metal parts that are touching one another.

You’ll want to do that to keep them moving smoothly and cut down on friction.

However, it’s important to use the right lubrication too. So don’t use anything other than a dry lubrication like you see here.

To help prevent RV slide out repairs use a dry lube like this on moving metal parts
To help prevent RV slide out repairs use a dry lube like this on moving metal parts

Because if you use something else, very often dirt or debris will be attracted to that lubricant.

And that can even gum up the system instead and make it worse.

So lubricate moving metal parts and use a dry lube for that task.

Slide Out Tip #2

Now the second tip is to also lubricate your slide seals very often as well.

And slide seals are the rubber seals that go all the way around your slide room.

The purpose of them is to keep any kind of weather and debris out of your RV.

But especially to prevent water from penetrating in and around the slide room.

And replacing a slide seal when it’s damaged can cost you thousands of dollars. So you really want to pay attention to your slide room seals.

And the number one thing that breaks down rubber slide seals is ultraviolet rays from the sun.

So while your slide is extended it’s a good idea to lubricate and protect the seals.

And the best kind of lubrication you can use in my opinion is a high quality ultraviolet inhibitor. Like 303 Aerospace Protectant.

Preventing RV slide out repairs involves protecting slide seals with a UV inhibitor
Preventing RV slide out repairs involves protecting slide seals with a UV inhibitor

I have used this product for years now. And it keeps my slide seals supple and protected from UV damage.

Prevent RV Slide Out Repairs – Tip #3

OK, the third tip for today is also about slide seals. And that is that you need to keep them flipped into place when the slide is extended.

Now this is one of the most common problems I see as an RV inspector.

And that is that that some of the slide seals don’t completely flip out when the slide is extended.

Slide seals not flipped out when the room is extended
Slide seals not flipped out when the slide room is extended

So when you have the seal not flipping out like it should, water can penetrate into your slide room easily.

And when it does, it can start rotting walls, ceilings and floors away quickly. And that’s a very expensive repair.

So you need to keep those slide seals flipped out when the slide is extended.

And keep them nice and tight against the wall of the slide to protect the slide interior.

A Couple Of Suggestions On How To Do This

Now there’s a couple ways you can do this. First of all, you can do it manually.

So you go around after you set up your RV and put your slides out. And you check and make sure that all the slide seals did flip correctly.

But if they didn’t, you could take a ladder and then run your hand up behind the seal and flip it back into place manually like you see here.

Use your hand to manually flip out the slide seals
Use your hand to manually flip out the slide seals

But there’s a way to do it automatically too. I know because I had a very stubborn slide seal on my kitchen slide.

It just would not flip out and back in no matter what I did. So I found a suggestion from another RVer that works really well for me.

And that is that he used these little small half inch plastic furniture bumper stops that you can find for sale almost anywhere.

But you can find them pretty cheap on Amazon at this link.

Then he placed them about halfway down the sidewall of the slide about 18 inches apart from top to bottom.

Keep slide seals flipped properly automatically with these small furniture stops
Keep slide seals flipped properly automatically with these small furniture stops

Now when you do that, you just stick them right on the slide side wall after prepping it with alcohol.

Then as the slide goes out, it flips the seal right out. And likewise as the slide goes in it flips it back in automatically.

The good news is that these furniture stops have been on my slide sidewall for years now. And they work great!

Prevent RV Slide Out Repairs With Tip #4

Now tip number four is to get to know your RV slide out rooms very well.

And what I mean by that is you should listen to them carefully as they operate in and out. Get to know the sounds they make in normal use.

Now all slide out rooms make sounds of various kinds. And very often there’s little squeaks and maybe a slight moan or two.

But what you don’t want to hear are loud sounds. Like pops or grinding noises.

In fact, usually loud sounds of any type that means something is not right.

So when you start hearing that, you need to give that attention right away.

Slide Repairs That I Made on My RV

In fact, let me tell you about another one of my slides that I had this kind of issue with. And that’s my living room slide.

Now it’s operated fine for years going in and out without any trouble. But I always listen very carefully to all my slides for anything out of the ordinary.

And this one started making some funny noises that it hadn’t made before.

So I went online and did some research on the noise I was hearing. And I learned about an issue that these electric rack and pinion systems can have.

And that’s where the slide motor housing loosens up over time. The bolts that hold it together just loosen up through use and vibration.

One of my RV slide out repairs included tightening my slide motor housing bolts
One of my RV slide out repairs included tightening my slide motor housing bolts

And therefore that causes problems with the slide that you can begin to hear. Before it gets really serious and needs repair.

So I went out there to check the motor housing bolts. And sure enough, they needed tightening.

So I tightened them all back down and now my slide moves in and out just like it should. And it doesn’t make that unusual sound anymore.

So know your slides and the sounds it makes that can be considered normal. And take action when you hear sounds that aren’t normal.

For me, I would have never prevented slide damage if I hadn’t been listening to my slide very carefully.

Then if you find anything that’s out of the ordinary, do research on it and get it fixed.

You can do it yourself or get an RV service tech in and get it fixed before it becomes a major issue.

Conclusion

Now here’s my fifth and final tip. Maintaining your RV slide outs is going to take dedication and effort on your part.

So you need to schedule regular maintenance to protect your RV slide out rooms.

But it will pay you back many times over in fewer costly repairs and less stress and frustration.

And these tips that I’ve given you will help you keep your slides in great shape and operating smoothly for many years to come.

Have safe and happy travels my friends!

Motorhome Suspension Upgrades – Improve Ride And Handling

In this article I’m going to be talking about motorhome suspension upgrades.

And how to use them to make ride and handling improvements for your RV.

This is especially important information for owners of gas class A RVs and class C RVs.

Watch my video on motorhome suspension upgrades

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What RV Chassis Needs Motorhome Suspension Upgrades?

And primarily I’m going to be referring to Ford chassis suspensions in this article. Because they are used an awful lot in RV motorhomes.

Now with Class C RVs you’re going to see a lot of Ford E350 and E450 chassis setups.

A typical Class C RV
A typical Class C RV

And with gasoline-powered Class A RVs you’re going to see a lot of the Ford F-series chassis being used.

A typical gas-powered Class A RV
A typical gas-powered Class A RV

So the question is – why are they so popular and in such widespread use?

Well, one reason is because they have been pretty reliable and trustworthy overall. And they have a proven track record through the years.

Chassis Problems That Require Motorhome Suspension Upgrades

But they do have problems! And there are lots of RV owners out there complaining of undesirable ride and handling issues.

And it’s so prevalent among motorhome owners that I felt the need to write this article. So let’s cover the issues that these RVs have.

And one undesirable characteristic is a tendency to ride rough. In fact, some motorhomes built on the Ford chassis are just awful to drive.

And when you hit even small bumps in the road, it just jars you hard inside the RV.

Sometimes it almost feels like it’s going to knock the fillings right out of your teeth. And that makes for a very poor RV travel day!

Other Chassis Issues That Are Unpleasant

Now another characteristic is that sometimes they can exhibit rocking and rolling tendencies. Especially in the wind, or when going around corners.

And excessive lean in the corners can also be experienced. But another undesirable trait is having “tail wag” in the back of the RV.

This is where the tail is drifting from side to side on the road. But up front the steering is wandering too.

So what that results in is the driver going back and forth with the steering wheel just trying to keep the RV going straight down the highway.

Now some of the issues that I just mentioned can be very different from one RV to another.

And a lot depends on the manufacturer and the way they put the RV onto the chassis at the factory.

How Serious Are These Chassis Problems?

Sometimes the issues I’ve mentioned here are just a little annoying. But at other times they can be very serious too.

And that often results in “white knuckle driving”. Grabbing that steering wheel with the grip of death.

Because you’re afraid that it may get out of control at any point. And that’s a very unpleasant experience to have!

But now let’s talk though about another reason why these chassis are so popular. Even despite their undesirable handing characteristics.

And that is that the class C and the gasoline-powered Class A are the least expensive of the larger motorhomes. At least that is often the case.

Now we’re not talking about Class B RVs here. They’re not in this discussion at all as they are smaller motorhomes.

But what we are talking about here are larger motorhomes instead.

And if the cost of the RV is important to a buyer, most often it’s going to be a Class C or a gas Class A that they choose.

So as a result, the manufacturers want to keep the price down as much as they can.

And one of the ways they do that is in the cost of the chassis. And the Ford chassis is a fairly inexpensive one for RV manufacturers to use.

But they just simply do not have hardly any advanced or updated technology in them.

So as a result, they often ride just like the heavy truck chassis that they really are.

But the good news here though is that you actually can make them ride better than they do. With better handling characteristics as well.

And this can be accomplished with just a few adjustments or motorhome suspension upgrades.

What To Do Before Making Suspension Upgrades

But before we get to that, let me mention something that is important to keep in mind.

And that is something you need to do before you start modifying your chassis in any way.

You need to make sure that you have the suspension already in good shape. That way any modifications you make will actually work.

For instance, before you do anything, check your tires first. Believe it or not, they can impact your ride and handling in very significant ways.

So make sure that they’re in good shape. Make sure that the tire pressures are adjusted correctly for the weight you have in your RV.

The next step is to look carefully at the stock suspension that came with the RV.

Do you have any broken parts in the suspension? Are there excessively worn parts or equipment that needs attention?

If so, then make sure that you get those issues fixed first before you make any modifications to the RV’s suspension.

Now once you have your tires and suspension in really good shape, how does the RV handle?

If you still notice there are some ride and handling issues, then it’s time to think about motorhome suspension upgrades.

The Reason Why I Installed A Steering Stabilizer Bar

Now interestingly, about a year and a half ago I had a steering stabilizer bar installed on my motorhome.

It’s called the “Safe T Plus” steering stabilizer. That’s the name of the company that makes the stabilizer bar I had installed on my rig.

I had the Safe T Plus Steering Stabilizer Bar installed at their facility
I had the Safe T Plus Steering Stabilizer Bar installed at their facility

And the reason I had it installed on my diesel pusher motorhome was not for an improvement with ride and handling.

But actually, I installed it mainly for safety reasons rather than ride characteristics.

Because I’m very conscious about the possibility of a tire blowout on the front end of my motorhome.

And one of the suggestions for helping in that area is a steering stabilizer bar. So I got the Safe T Plus bar installed.

And I went to their facility in Tallapoosa, Georgia to get the job done by their professionals.

What I Learned At The Safe T Plus Facility

While there, I found out that they have a whole array of suspension upgrades that are available as well.

Safe T Plus has a whole array of motorhome suspension upgrades available
Safe T Plus has a whole array of motorhome suspension upgrades available

And many of them are especially for the Ford chassis problems that are so common.

So I talked to them quite a bit about it while I was there getting my stabilizer bar installed. And here is what I learned while I was there.

First of all, they’re always going to recommend a Safe T Plus bar installation for most RVers.

The Safe T Plus steering stabilizer bar
The Safe T Plus steering stabilizer bar

Because it really does help with RV steering and it’s a safety issue as well. So that’s a great place to start.

What Motorhome Suspension Upgrades Are Best?

But what if your coach is exhibiting “tail wag” and wandering around in the steering?

For that they recommend “radius rods” for the front. And a “trac bar” for the rear of the motorhome suspension.

Motorhome suspension upgrades - Radius rods for the front of your motorhome
Radius rods for the front of your motorhome
Trac bars for the rear of your motorhome
Trac bars for the rear of your motorhome

That combination will lock down the suspension going forward. And keep it moving in a straight line down the highway.

But what about those body roll issues? Where you’re rocking and rolling and leaning going around corners?

Well, the recommendation in that case is to consider installing “Sumo Springs” on your RV.

Sumo Springs for motorhome body roll
Sumo Springs for motorhome body roll

And Sumo Springs are very popular with a lot of Ford chassis owners out there. So they can make a big difference with RV body roll.

But also consider “sway bars” for your rig too. They will also help lock down the chassis suspension so it can’t move side to side too much.

Sway bars can help with body roll too
Sway bars can help with body roll too

Can You Really Improve Harsh Ride In Your Motorhome?

Now the final point I want to talk about is what about the harsh ride characteristics of the Ford chassis?

Well, I wish I had a whole lot better news for you on that particular issue.

But the truth is that with the Ford chassis, you’re only going to improve it so much.

And it may never get to the point where you have the same kind of ride that air suspension in a diesel pusher motorhome provides.

A Very Costly But Effective Upgrade To Consider

At least not without investing in a costly major suspension overhaul. Like the Liquid Spring aftermarket product.

I made a video about that suspension modification that really does seem to get the job done. And you can view the video on it here.

Click here to watch my video on Liquid Spring motorhome suspension upgrades
Click here to watch my video on Liquid Spring suspensions

But just bear in mind that it will be far more expensive than the modifications we are talking about in this article.

However, you can make the harsh ride of the Ford chassis better without going quite that far.

A More Economical Way To Improve Your Harsh Motorhome Ride

And the place to focus on more than any other is often the suspension’s shock absorbers.

So make sure you get a good set of shock absorbers on that chassis to improve the ride.

And what Safe T Plus recommended in that case is “Koni shock absorbers”.

Koni shock absorbers can help a lot with harsh motorhome ride
Koni shock absorbers can help a lot with harsh motorhome ride

In fact, when I talked to them about it I was very impressed with what they had to say.

So much so, that I went ahead and put Koni shocks on my diesel pusher as well. Especially since the shocks on it were kind of old.

And you know what? I was very pleased with the results of the changes they made. And I’m very happy with everything that they installed.

Now here’s one thing that I do want to mention after going through all of these suspension upgrades though.

A Very Important Piece Of Advice

They made sure to tell me to not to recommend throwing everything at your chassis or suspension all at once. That’s a big mistake!

In fact, sometimes you can actually make things worse when you do that.

So what they recommended is incremental changes to your suspension instead.

In other words, make some changes and see how it works out. And if something needs to be adjusted, you can do that afterward.

Then move on and make another change if you still need help with ride or handling.

So the final point I want to make here is don’t do too much at one time!

Instead, here’s what I recommend. If you have ride and handling problems or suspension issues, then give them a call first.

Tell them what your issues are and what what chassis you have with your RV. Then just discuss it with them for a while.

As you do, they can make recommendations to you for upgrades on your particular suspension. Upgrades that can make a real difference.

How To Get Your Motorhome Suspension Upgrades Installed

And then they can ship the parts right to you if you are very handy and good with tools.

In fact, they say that you might be able to install these parts yourself in that case.

But honestly, for most of us, we’re going to need to find a local repair shop to do the work instead.

One that’s familiar with RV suspensions. Then you can have them install the parts for you to be sure that the work is done right.

And very often truck repair facilities can work very well for that kind of installation.

But if you want to, you can do what I did and just go to the Safe T Plus factory.

You can get your motorhome suspension upgrades installed at the Safe T Plus factory
You can get your motorhome suspension upgrades installed at the Safe T Plus factory

There you can have them install the upgrades you need in Tallapoosa, Georgia. Then you know it’s done right the first time!

And you know what? I was very pleased with the work that they did for me on my motorhome suspension.

Now let me say that I am not affiliated with Safe T Plus or compensated by them in any way.

I am just a believer in the products they sell and the work they do.

Conclusion

OK, those are the suspension upgrades that I wanted to suggest for you in this article.

Now we all wish that that the Ford motorhome chassis had a lot better ride and handling than it does.

But wishing will not make it happen. However, you don’t have to travel in your motorhome these days feeling either unsafe or uncomfortable.

And the suspension upgrades I have covered in this article can help make sure of that.

Have safe and happy RV travels!

Cheap Travel Trailers – Should You Buy One?

This article is about cheap travel trailers. And whether it’s a good idea to buy a new one or not.

And some ideas on how to make sure that you buy a better quality product.

Of course, RVs come in all sizes, configurations, and even price ranges. And really that’s a good thing!

Because it allows us as consumers to choose what works best for us. For our particular circumstances.

Watch my video on cheap travel trailers

So we can choose an RV that fits the way we like to travel and camp. And for our own budget as well.

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A Very Important Truth About RVs

But here’s a simple truth about RVs that’s very important to understand. And interestingly, it applies to a lot of things in life outside of this industry.

It’s a very simple statement really. And that is that you generally get what you pay for. That’s true of RVs and of so many other things in life.

You often get what you pay for when buying cheap travel trailers
You often get what you pay for when buying cheap travel trailers

So what that means with RVs is that if you spend more in the RV market, you generally should expect better overall RV build quality.

Also, better customer support from the manufacturer and so on.

The Purpose Of Most Cheap Travel Trailers

But many travel trailers are built to be the entry-level segment of the RV industry.

Of course, that’s really not true of all travel trailers. Because certainly, there are higher end ones like Airstream and other brands like that.

But generally speaking, a lot of travel trailers are built to be more affordable by more people.

And therefore, they’re the entry level segment of the towable RV category.

The Advantages Of Buying Cheap Travel Trailers

So then, that means that you can experience RVing without breaking the bank.

And it brings the RV experience to many people who couldn’t afford it otherwise.

Also, if you’re new to RVing, it’s a great way to learn more before you buy something more expensive.

The Disadvantages Of Buying Cheap Travel Trailers

But here’s the flip side of that scenario. It also means that you’re going to see a lot more examples of poor fit and finish in this area.

Also, you’re going to see lower quality building materials too.

And you’re going to see less attention to good building methods, and so on. Now the question is, is all of that really so bad? Not really!

Because it can be okay if you plan to use that low-cost travel trailer just a few times a year.

But if you’re going to spend an extended amount of time in it, you’re probably going to wear it out pretty fast.

However, if you only use it a few times a year, as many people do, then it may be just fine for you.

The Problem With Many New Travel Trailers These Days

But I personally don’t like what I am seeing coming out of the RV factories right now. Especially in the low-cost travel trailer segment.

Now we all know that the Covid pandemic affected RV manufacturers in a big way.

But of course, it also affected a lot of other industries out there too.

The Covid pandemic Affected the quality of RV builders a lot
The Covid pandemic affected the quality of RV builders a lot

And one of the big problems RV builders faced was with their workforce. It was very difficult to keep experienced people working on the production line.

So as a result of that, we saw a lot of poor quality control coming out of RV factories.

And we saw a lot of build problems. Things that you would not normally see before Covid.

And unfortunately this was happening all across the RV industry too.

I, fact, I would say that there wasn’t hardly any RV manufacturer that wasn’t touched by the pandemic in a negative way.

But we are a couple of years down the line from the pandemic’s effects now.

And some improvement has been made as the industry strives to get back on its feet again.

However, there are still issues with low quality building procedures. Especially in the low-cost travel trailer category too.

What Kind Of Travel Trailers Are We Talking About Here?

Now let me be clear about what I’m talking about here. I’m not really referring to teardrop trailers. You know, very small ones.

Or single person RVs. They do not make up a huge segment of the travel trailer category.

What I’m really talking about are travel trailers that are designed for couples. Or maybe even a small family.

This is the kind of cheap travel trailers that I am discussing
This is the kind of cheap travel trailers that I am discussing

These kind of travel trailers would start around 17 feet or so, and go up from there.

And the build quality that I’m seeing in these kind of travel trailers borders on atrocious in many cases now.

So having said all that, we get back to the question of whether you should buy a cheap travel trailer these days, or not?

Should You Buy A New Cheap Travel Trailer Then?

So should you buy a new cheap travel trailer that has been designed to be an entry-level unit?

Well, it’s your choice. And I cannot tell you what to do. Of course, that’s really the truth about almost everything in RVing.

But I can make some recommendations to help you be protected when you buy any RV.

And these recommendations will help you make wise decisions as you buy a newer cheap travel trailer.

So let’s start with my first suggestion. And it applies if you feel that you really have to buy a new RV.

Of course, there’s many good reasons for buying a new RV. So if you feel that’s really important to you, here is my first recommendation.

The Best Protection You Can Have When Buying Any RV

And that is that I feel that you really should have that RV inspected thoroughly before you buy it. Yes, even if it’s a new RV.

This is the kind of cheap travel trailers that I am discussing
Always get an RV inspected by a professional before buying it

Of course, people who buy travel trailers often feel that’s too much money for them to spend.

But how much money will you spend on fixing a poorly built RV though?

But there could be other situations that stand in the way of getting an RV inspection too.

For instance, the dealer may even deny an RV inspection for any RV you buy from them.

Or you may try to get an RV inspection, but there isn’t a lot of inspectors in your area.

Now if any one of those situations applies in your case, then it presents a challenge for you.

What If You Can’t Get An RV Inspection By A Pro?

But I’ve created a guidebook that can be helpful for you. To make sure that you are getting an RV that is as trouble-free as possible.

The guidebook will show you how to go through and inspect all the various parts of any RV.

And it will show you how to make sure that all the RV components are functioning correctly.

Also, it will have a checklist that goes along with the guidebook too.

That way you can make sure that you don’t miss anything important as you go.

You can find the guidebook for buying new RVs here. Or click on the image below.

My guidebook for buying new cheap travel trailers or any kind of RV
My guidebook for buying new cheap travel trailers or any kind of RV

Now let me be clear that this is not an equal substitute for an RV inspection from a professional. It’s just not.

But if you can’t get an inspection from a pro, then you can get a lot of really good information about that RV by performing a guided RV inspection yourself.

And if you follow the information in the guidebook you will get a good feel for that RV’s situation.

Whether it’s in good shape and ready for travel, or not. Just by doing an RV inspection yourself with guidance from a pro like me.

The Next Step That Is Critical For RV Buying Success

Now once you get the information on what is happening with that RV, what’s next?

I recommend that you then get the issues you found in your inspection fixed. And make sure you do that before you take delivery of the RV too.

So if you follow those guidelines on buying a new low-cost travel trailer, you can still do very well. And get an RV that you’ll be happy with.

Now let’s move to my second recommendation about cheap travel trailers.

Here’s Another Way To Buy Quality Cheap Travel Trailers

And that is that maybe it’s time that you consider a low-cost travel trailer that’s a little older instead.

Of course, we know that the Covid pandemic really came in around 2020.

And it lasted in force until the end of 2022. So maybe look for a travel trailer from 2019 and older.

Now there’s a lot of advantages to actually buying a used RV too.

Why Consider Buying A Used Cheap Travel Trailer?

For instance, you can consider buying a better quality RV if it’s used.

Because if you’re buying new, you’re paying premium money for that travel trailer.

And that means that you can only choose from so many brands if you are on a budget.

Also, many of those new cheap travel trailer brands are probably not going to be very high quality.

But if you choose from the used RV market instead, the situation changes.

And if you go back a few years, then you can start to work with better brands for the same money.

Consider buying a better quality used travel trailer instead
Consider buying a better quality used travel trailer instead

Now when it comes to cheap travel trailers, I highly recommend that you consider going back before the Covid years too.

Another Big Help When You Buy A Used Travel Trailer

Now I have also made a guidebook about used travel trailer brands.

And it can help you narrow down the brands that you really should be considering on the used market.

You can decide if you think that will help or not. But I highly recommend that you choose from the better RV brands if you want to be happy with your RV purchase.

Just click here to view my used travel trailer guidebook, or click on the image below.

My used travel trailer guide to the better RV brands
My used travel trailer guide to the better RV brands

Now one more thing to consider. And that is if you choose to download any of my guidebooks, I’ll be there to personally help you as well.

Yes, I’ll make myself personally available to you as you go through the RV buying process. And getting my help can be crucial to getting a good RV.

But when we’re talking about used RVs and travel trailers let me say this.

Conclusion

I’m a huge fan of getting a certified RV inspector to inspect it before you buy.

That’s because there’s a lot of things that can be hidden in a used RV that could be trouble.

So if at all possible hire a professional inspector to go through any RV you are considering to buy. And that way you’ll know what you’re buying!

Now I hope you’ll follow the suggestions I’ve provided here in this article.

For buying either a new cheap travel trailer. Or going back a few years and getting a little better brand and build quality on the used RV market.

If you follow the advice I’ve given you here, then buying a cheaper low-cost travel trailer does not mean that you have to be buying junk.

And then you’re not just accepting anything that the industry is throwing out of its factory doors.

Instead, you are prepared as an RV buyer. You’ll know what you’re doing as you’re going through the buying process.

And if you follow my advice, I am very confident that you really can buy a cheap travel trailer that you’re going to be happy with.

Not only now, but for many years to come as well.

Have safe and happy travels my friends!

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