Howdy All!
I figured that I should probably follow protocol and introduce myself. I've been lurking since July when we started getting serious about RV'ing. I didn't have any success in trying to rent a newer model through RVShare or Outdoorsy (scammers or no-responders), so we figured why not just jump in?
The hard part was figuring out what to buy.
In comparing four different MFG's and both the Class A & C types (we don't have a truck to pull a trailer) it got pretty hard to keep all of the models straight. I ended up build out a spreadsheet and entered in all the stats for about 15 different categories and then compared/ranked each against all the others. That was quite an undertaking, but made our decision crystal clear when our priorities were laid out.
We're a family of 5 (plus a dog) and was looking for something we could do together and have the kids bring a friend or two while we were making memories. So # of beds + room to move around was a must. Given that we were mainly looking for outdoor time, an outdoor kitchen, external LP tank hookup, and an outdoor shower head were good things as well. Put those together with me being 6'4" and having a hard time with leg room on the Class C chassis, and we came to a very happy decision. We bought the
2019 Hurricane 34J.
Since the end of July, I've put about 1500 miles on it going to local sites for weekends and burning through most of the mods that were in Jerry's list. A lot of the ones listed didn't need to be done, as Thor upgraded the newer coach. For example all the lights are LED, the tank and battery monitors are all combined into a digital panel, there's a 4-port USB bank in the bedroom, and the Rapid Camp system is now just an app on my phone that is actually pretty handy.
Things I have Modified on the RV so far are:
CHF front & back
AC Condensation drain hose in the front passenger cab
Dynamat covering in the cab under-floor for sound proofing
Dynamat 3/4" foam padding in the dog house for temp reduction and sound proofing
EezTire TPMS & tire stem extensions to put them on
Quik-Fill Battery Watering System
Temper-Pedic foam pads on the bunks & a cooling one on the master bed
Replaced back bedroom outlets with ones that include USB ports
Mod'ed a Weber Q Series portable grill for use with 16' of LP hose connected to the RV
I also bought for the RV (don't consider these "mods" per se)
50 Amp EMS portable system
Water filtration system
An additional 30 Amp extension cord
A bewildering number of different power adapter plugs & a couple dog bones
A Multi-tester, & live circuit tester
A bag to carry all that power related crap in
A whole 'nother small tool bag with it's own set of tools
A set of sprays & lubes just for the RV
Chock Blocks & 2 sets of adult lego pads to help with keeping the tires on the ground when I level the RV
Two 25' potable hoses
Two 15' grey hoses
A whole bunch of tank-emptying equipment
9'x18' Camping rug
Portable table
5 bag chairs
Collapsable wagon for hauling all that crap around
Sheets and bedspreads that don't fit the 6 custom beds in the RV
The only things that made it in there that we didn't end up buying were a set of beach towels (1 for everybody, but not to be confused with "bath towels" that were bought separately) and about half of the pots and pans.
This has got to be the most expensive way to "save money on vacations" that I've ever heard of.
All that being said, I have to admit that these mini excursions that we've taken the last half of the summer have been some of the best "family time" things we've ever done.
And I also want you all to know that this forum and the kindness, knowledge, and thoughtfulness in helping anyone with questions that you have shown here was the tipping point in convincing me that we could be successful "trying out this RV thing".
Thank you all so, so much.
I can only hope to return the karma down the road.
Cheers,
Curtis
Thor Forums
