Hi, I'm Ann, new 2024 Four Winds 24F Class C

[Crazydoglady2018]

Yeah, I know, don't buy new, but my partner wanted new and he put up most of the money. We have a dog who's not good with most strangers, so we figured the only way we can ever travel is just take him with us. We plan to drive cross country once or twice, maybe across Canada as well.

[ghnl]

Nothing wrong with new (if you can afford it...). Perhaps plan a few local trips and learn how everything works and what to do if/when it won't.

Are you new to RVing or do you have some experience? If you're new I suggest you find a good independent RV repair shop (some dealers are good but generally they don't have the best reputations) and pay the independent shop for an hour or two of their time to go over everything with you. They likely know the weak points and how to avoid breakdowns. Take notes, pictures, videos, etc. It could be money well spent...

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Crazydoglady2018

Yeah, I know, don't buy new, but my partner wanted new and he put up most of the money. We have a dog who's not good with most strangers, so we figured the only way we can ever travel is just take him with us. We plan to drive cross country once or twice, maybe across Canada as well.

Congratulations! We love our 2020 Chateau 24F. We also travel with 2 pups. I've done many , many mods and upgrades to make it suit our needs. Please keep us updated on your adventures!

[Bob Nodine]

Originally Posted by Crazydoglady2018

Yeah, I know, don't buy new, but my partner wanted new and he put up most of the money. We have a dog who's not good with most strangers, so we figured the only way we can ever travel is just take him with us. We plan to drive cross country once or twice, maybe across Canada as well.

Welcome and you are not the only one who buys new. We have owned 8 RV's and 5 of them were new. Actually ordered two of them from the factory the way we wanted them. Also purchased a 2023 Chevy Colorado before they even built the first one. Love that truck. Just purchased the wife a 2025 Chevy Equinox. So far so good. But then again I can fix most anything.

This is a good spot to get help with your new RV so when you need help come back and post the problem here.

[Mark54]

Originally Posted by Crazydoglady2018

Yeah, I know, don't buy new, but my partner wanted new and he put up most of the money. We have a dog who's not good with most strangers, so we figured the only way we can ever travel is just take him with us. We plan to drive cross country once or twice, maybe across Canada as well.

Congrats and welcome!

We bought new expecting the worst and no surprises except no leaks! But electrics were awful, so i replaced and rebuilt the system to suit us. 80+ mods/adds later...

Suggest a 'test camp' session in your driveway- fill water tank, charge up, and unplug- try all water and electrical systems before going anywhere and fix as needed.
Listen for mice at night... look for entry points underneath if you hear any- usually plumbing and/or electrical chases.

Get a mobile tech to fix unless you are like many of us, and are handy.
Leaks are usually at swivel fittings (many!)- and are supposed to be hand tight + 1/4 turn max!

Open seats/beds, cabinets and find everything, clean mfr debris and inspect for problems, or to just get to know where everything is- batteries, charging systems, furnace/water htr., water pump, filters, etc etc.

Check all electrical connections- make sure they are very tight! (Loose= arcing= fire)
Make sure drive train fluids and electrics are up to snuff too- take to dealer if any questions (NOT RV dealer- chassis maker dealer! Ford in your case) The usual, oil, AF, and tire pressures.

Good luck and enjoy!!

[Crazydoglady2018]

Thanks everyone! We've taken a half dozen 2-night trips, and I've gone alone with one dog a few times. We've had it back to the dealer a few times for warranty work, and I think we've been lucky - so far the most serious problem was a leaking faucet in the shower, which has been repaired is now working.



We owned a 24' travel trailer some years back, but it was permanently parked. We used it in the winter as a home base for skiing, so our dogs would have a place to stay. I don't remember anything ever breaking.


We're not particularly handy, so I like the suggestion of finding an independent RV repair person to keep an eye on things. I'm big on preventive maintenance of just about everything.



I think I'm going to enjoy being part of this group!

[PreCambrian]

Welcome to the forum. We bought our Four Winds new. Our dog is the same way so he comes with us everywhere. Whenever he sees the RV in the driveway he goes crazy because he thinks that he will be left behind. He sleeps under the dinette.

My only advice is that if you can do your own repairs RV life will be cheaper, faster, and easier.

[PreCambrian]

One other thing that we do for our dog (and is also a security monitor) is that I use a Blink security system with one or two cameras along with the Blink "synch" module which connects to the Internet via our Winegard 4G+ antenna. Then whenever we want we can check to see if he is alright plus read the temperature inside the RV to make certain that it isn't too hot.

Obviously you can only do that when both the RV and yourself have internet. It does however have motion activated local recording of video that works whether or not you are connected to the Internet.

[ghnl]

Here's our dog story. 'Honey' is a rescue we adopted when she was about a year old. I'd taken her on rides to get used to it - but they always ended up back at home. After we'd had her for about 2 or 3 months we took her with us in the motorhome to Summit Point Raceway in West Virginia. We arrived early enough that I was able to take her for a long walk in the afternoon. We had friends over to our rig for dinner then we sat around yakking all evening. I took Honey out about 9pm to 'do her numbers' (#1 & #2...).

About 10 pm our guests left. Honey was fast asleep in the front of the motorhome. We got ready for bed in the back of the motorhome.

About 3am or 4am I heard Honey get up as she walked around the front of the motorhome. She didn't usually get up during the night at home. I silently wondered if I should get up in case she needed to go outside. A minute or two later (I hadn't moved or said anything) Honey made her way to our bedroom. She suddenly figured out we were there and jumped up as she joyously kissed our faces. She must have thought we all went home and left her alone in the motorhome!