SnowGypsy

It just doesn't seem to offer the kind of versatility that I would be looking for, but I am sure a good option for some. I'm not real crazy about sticking something electric into a big tub of water. This article explores the pros and cons: https://www.busyinbrooklyn.com/tag/sous-vide-pros-and-cons/

I would be concerned that air is getting in there to puff it up like that. If air gets in, water can get it also. I would call Dutchmen customer service, especially if I purchased this new or even otherwise to see what they suggested I do. This is a giant bubble, not the standard bubbles, and I would make sure that was understood. This is not "normal". I once read a post where a family was cruising down the highway on vacation and suddenly saw their roof peeling off, so I wouldn't ignore it. We had an entry level TT from the worst of manufacturers and never had a problem like this with the rubber roof in the 5 years we owned it, so I would be very firm with the manufacturer about my displeasure with the situation. If the manufacturer chooses to ignore it, Dicor may be able to advise, but I would still make the manufacturer aware that their 2018 product in less than 2 years was requiring repairs most likely due to the way the roof was installed unless it has in some way been abused.

Thanks for all the input. It is interesting. I do a lot of stews/chilies, and this seems like something that would work well in that case. I have no use for a microwave, so look for alternatives. After further review, I would think its best use for me would be reheating pre-cooked from scratch items that had been frozen, maybe. We aren't big meat eaters, and so much of what is done is with meats.

LindaH: Thank you for the idea. I sort of do that with the cast iron pot with cast iron lid cooking early and then maintaining the temp until lunch by reheating periodically. I looked up to see what the "sous vide" was. I have seen them at our local Wal-Mart. The ones I saw, I just thought those particular ones were for submerging in a pot of more or less liquids to heat them up, sort of like those contraptions that you stick in a cup of coffee with a cord, plug them in and the metal part gets hot (old time thing but I see them still advertised), so didn't pay much attention to them. I guess I should watch a youtube on them.

I have considered getting a thermal cooker for this purpose. I like to "get it over with", but still like home cooked from scratch, so cooking it early and enjoying it later would be good. I have read reviews and prefer the ones where you use the pot to cook in that goes inside of the thermal vessel where it continues to cook. My only concern in this case is making sure the temperature stays hot enough to avoid spoilage, which is why I am still pondering whether or not to purchase it. This is something where I don't spilling would be an issue.

I was surprised when I learned that they owned Grand Design RV. I did not realize they were acquiring other companies, and hopefully, their acquisitions won't end up trying to be so price competitive that they forget about quality as the others mentioned above have. It also seems like some of the other big ones just buy and then put the manufacturer out-of-business ending competition from that one.

In our owner's manuals for our vehicles, it lists information on towing, so that is where I would start. This is a good website for becoming familiar with the terminology, etc. when it comes to RVing explaining stuff in a user friendly manner: http://changingears.com/ Also, if the trailer is going to be just for weekends or vacations, there might be something that would work, but if 1500 lb limit, looking at something "barebones" in a pop-up or something like a mini-camper (basically a place to sleep) like the Runaway Campers, Escapade campers, and Aliner has come out with a new family unit that is mostly beds and nothing else although I couldn't get a weight on that. We just need to better understand what Barbara's needs are. It can be really intimidating to be a "newbie" among those that are experienced. We bought our first pop-up used a couple of blocks from our house in 1984!

I was watching a video of a man who purchased a travel trailer from CW, and he said he did because CW was the only one that carried that model. He was right. I wonder if CW actually contracted to have some cut-rate units made for them. In the case of CW, it is not a case of negative comments being more likely posted, far too many with the same darn issues leading me to believe that it is their "business model". Marcus "Lemon" (I have had emails with me and trust me "Lemon") concerning their business practices. He only cares about getting his name in the news and making the biggest profit without caring what it takes to do it. He is a real "piece of work"! CW has devoured small RV dealerships which is really sad, because those smaller RV dealerships stayed in business by providing good customer service. I was saddened when Good Sam was devoured by CW as we had been members of Good Sam for more than 25 years at that time. I bet "Lemon" would love to devour the Escapees!

The reason they have these rules is that their are irresponsible owners that give them no choice. I encountered a woman with two dogs this week, one a known aggressive breed of probably 60 lbs and I had my two seniors with me on leashes. She could barely restrain her the aggressive breed who most likely "wanted" my 2 dogs. Luckily, they were breaking down to pull out. Aggressive dogs of any size are often expelled from many parks, good ones, at least. With both dogs with me, I can only pray that we don't have an issue. Larger dogs do more damage and cost insurance companies more when they attack. The likelihood of being mauled to death by a small breed? When someone wants to pet our dogs "Does your dog bite?", I answer "They could." as they have teeth, heck, I could bite too! Acquaintances pet the dogs, but strangers need to get their own or go to the shelter to help out! The owner recently evicted based on owners not picking up after their dogs, and another one was on the eve of it before they left angry.

We use this KDOT website that might be helpful: http://www.kandrive.org/kandrive

IRS or INS? I remember a story where a hotel gave a list of names to immigration authorities: https://www.npr.org/2018/11/06/664737581/motel-6-agrees-to-pay-millions-after-giving-guest-lists-to-immigration-authoriti and it didn't work out for Motel 6. So many scams now. I don't answer questions about neighbors/other residents to anyone outside the neighborhood/RV park that comes snooping around as it could present a real danger to someone. A lot of people have tried to go under the radar for various reasons, and someone looking for them giving a call here and there to snoop around.................

It sounds interesting, maybe "to good to be true" for the annual membership cost. Too little info to make an informed decision. When I googled, there were other articles. Since they are just getting started, it isn't possible to see where they are going with this, but this article sort of clarifies what they "hope" to accomplish: https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2018/10/rv-entrepreneur-goes-national-with-members-only.html?page=all That explains what is going on a little better.

*"electric, sewer and trash not included". I am just curious as to how much that might add up to. We spent 6 years in AZ, and that appears to be the pre-heavy snowbird season. Anyone not familiar with temps in AZ during that time should realize that much of AZ is still very hot in the fall, and nearly every other month of the year, but we really liked AZ when we could get out to the mountains, zoos, museums............... January was really nice!

Will you be full-timing in the unit, or just doing extensive traveling?

It must have been a new one, but what stumps me is why none of this was noted in a walk-thru with the dealer. With a new unit sitting for an extended time, it just seems it would have been gone through by the dealer, and then with the couple when being picked up. I would not start out on a cross-country trip with a new RV, but then I know the woes of new RVs. This "thing" of having to return it to the factory is coming up more and more often which is very difficult for many in time/cost. If it has to go back to the factory, I see that as a major failure of the unit. Many times the RV spends so much time in repair that it takes away from the joy of ownership. The award is excessive IMO though. We had 2 different RV dealers in Kansas tell us that if we chose a unit, it would be a week before we could pick up as they would turn all systems on and go through them, water, furnace, etc. etc. and this was on a travel trailer that cost much less than a motorhome.

Did some reading on Lacey, and they have a lot of homeless people and advise "safeguarding your valuables", so would not be in my top ten to visit. The guy in the video is looking for "hits" and this would be typical of what he uses to get them. I watch him off and on, more off than on. Anyone that wants to understand why such ordinances are necessary needs to view some videos on homelessness - CA has the best selection on youtube. Some charitable organizations get old, crappy RVs for people who are homeless and set them up in RV parks, not a good situation all too often as "rules" tend to be an issue. I have seen it. I don't like rules either, but........... Seriously, how many people had this location on their "Must-See" list? 5.3 miles from Olympia, I'd be writing ordinances also. Olympia has a horrible problem with the homeless, businesses closing, needles on the street along with feces and urine. Looks like they buy tents and distribute them along with many freebies - give freebies and they will come. Olympia looks like a disaster with angry citizens thus Lacey is thinking "Oh, no, they will be coming here!"

Another article concerning the "slump": https://www.barrons.com/articles/rv-industry-slump-inventory-elkhart-recession-economy-thor-winnebago-51566240571 Some are thinking that the slump will disappear in 2020. https://axleaddict.com/rvs/Why-RV-Sales-Are-Falling-and-What-This-Means-for-You an article that said a slump started Aug/Sep 2018, so blaming tariffs which started in July 6, 2018 on the slump really doesn't pan out, but it looks like they will try to blame them for further increases in their production costs thus sticker prices, but wouldn't it be nice to have that RV with American made parts, maybe they wouldn't fall apart as quickly. The RV industry is up and down, up and down, up and down and has always been that way. I didn't say a pop-up was a luxury RV, but that RVs were not necessarily a luxury item. Even TTs and 5th wheels can have payments of less than $300, easily affordable to many families. What one considers a luxury item often has to do with their budget is to begin with.

Another thought, who told you that the "extras" would give you more towing capacity? This website has some really good info about understanding RV weights and many things RV related: http://changingears.com/

The quality of RVs has most certainly changed, and the better units aren't being made in Elkhart, IN. I am from that area originally. Who do I trust? Well, no one in the media as they simply try to sway people to their way of thinking. I don't care for the WSJ anyway and feel many are "jumping on the bandwagon" - I was very active during 2016 watching media outlets and formed an opinion of them. Experts in the field, hey I just researched wind farms, and experts can't be trusted either. I also don't think we ever recovered from the last recession, just good fleecing by the media. An RV isn't a luxury item anymore. Pop-ups can be bought for a payment of about $99 a month and just about everyone can get credit to buy one, even those that shouldn't. RV industry is running into what economics calls "price exceeds value". A lot of people are converting cargo trailers into exceptional RVs and showing everyone else how to do it on YouTube. The media has to have something to report, and without war or famine, they are just shaking the bushes for something to fill the space.

I agree with ARGO, "Caveat emptor!", about the best way to go with buying from a dealership is to read reviews of that dealership and see what kind of customer service they give as far as resolving issues with the trailer and working with both yourself and the manufacturer. Also watch for extended amounts of time that it takes the dealer to get the trailer in and out of the shop. All the manufacturers that you have mentioned are about the same when it comes to quality, and quality can be "hit or miss" with some units being great and others poor. If you go to the owner's forums (google them), watch for the same issues recurring again and again as those are the ones to be most concerned about. Some owners simply cause their own issues by not doing required maintenance or simply not realizing the limits of the trailer like overloading it. In a private sale, if the owner doesn't want it inspected, walk away. Also, read, read, read, so that when you shop, you can seem like you really know what you are doing so someone doesn't try to take advantage of you as they will do it in a second!

I wouldn't pay too much attention to The Wall Street Journal on this. There are more manufacturers popping up around the country, even some of those in Elkhart have facilities elsewhere in the country, and at only 65%, which I am sure was much higher in the past, maybe it has more to do with what they producing in Elkhart than the economy or tariffs. I think the quality has become poor with many of the units and many hesitate to buy for that reason. A lot of barely used units are on the market with good prices based on the supply being so high. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. I think all too often looking back at the past to make predictions doesn't really work as things have changed so much.

We had a Salem in the past. I am wondering if you have checked it over looking at the ceiling and around the windows for water damage and also rocking back and forth on the floor looking for squeaky or loose areas in the plywood. Also, look at the roof as I suspect it is a rubber roof and you'll want to know the condition. $ Spot has a good idea, but I would check it over making notes to make the salesperson aware that you are looking for a good deal and if work is going to be required, the price needs to come down, and maybe down again. Having to shop for an RV is just the worst, and never let them pressure you into buying as if it is "gone tomorrow", it was not "meant to be".

I understand the part about NV, but am confused at how many states are going to be involved. If the check had the SD address drawn on a local bank, I'm not seeing the issue. If the check has the CA address, I could see an issue there. Also, making up an address for insurance purposes is probably fraud no matter who tells someone to do it, so I would discourage people from doing that. I realize OP is no longer doing this, but want to make sure everyone understands that is not a good practice to follow. And, I don't understand how a vehicle belonging to someone domiciling in CA for health insurance purposes can be registered in SD as the domicile state in that case, as neither the vehicle or the person calls it home. NV part I understand. Again, everyone should individually look at their circumstances and the state(s) they are dealing with before leaping into something. In the age of the computers, all your info can be lined up in a matter of seconds!

Wasn't there issues with this in the past when using the Escapees in SD. It had something to do with the mail forwarding service being in TX or something along those lines. I take it one's mailing address is SD and the address on the check is SD, and not involving the state of TX? SD does not have to allow RVers to domicile there at all, and I believe they are not the most friendly on the issue. Just something to think about when making a choice. See how many issues are involved before making a choice.

Both Bornfree and Lazy Daze are known for their longevity and quality. With a used unit, the care it has gotten makes a difference too. If I were only going to be in an RV for 4 years, I would not buy a new unit as you will be paying mostly interest and after the first 4 years, very likely you will owe more than you can sell if for - I have seen this many times! Wanting to sleep 6 people, you need to look at the bed sizes and people sizes as the beds can be unusually narrow or short in length. Dinette beds are usually the shortest. In affordable, you will have to consider the cost of your RV insurance, registration, etc. plus you'll be getting maybe 8 to 10 miles per gallon of gasoline. Tires over 6 or 7 years old really should be replaced, and they are expensive.