The Lingo

standerson · 04-13-2021, 05:36 PM

We bought a 2015 Chateau 28Z. The Mrs. has been hitting the WWW getting educated.

I walked in the door the other night and got this: "Our cars are too big to be a toad. We need to get something that can be flat towed or on a dolly. Maybe a Honda Fit and somthing like that. Blue Ox, I think, is the best system. If we go boodocking, we probably need solar on the roof. We probably need to replace the front and rear anti sways with something better. Tires are another story. What do you thing?"

"Think I may have to switch to a cheaper bourbon".

Bob Denman · 04-13-2021, 06:36 PM

NoNoNo: Stay with the good stuff.

But you can change to cheaper toilet paper and peanut butter...

standerson · 04-13-2021, 08:47 PM

Just popped open a bottle of Willets Pot Still.

Lt Keefer · 04-13-2021, 09:27 PM

Good for her. Take it one step at a time and all will be fine. The more you read about your new money pit the happier you will be.

MJC62 · 04-13-2021, 10:20 PM

I kinda like the DW to stay in the dark somewhat. Makes it easier to purchase all the "necessary" upgrades....

standerson · 04-13-2021, 10:26 PM

She is all in on this thing. Hell, she likes driving it more than I do.

RVwife · 04-13-2021, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by standerson

She is all in on this thing. Hell, she likes driving it more than I do.

Ah, a woman to my own heart. I'd much sooner be driving the Axis than just riding along. DH is fine with having a personal driver so he can nap when he's not taking in the scenery.

Yes, I'm all in too. DH doesn't much like cruisng the interwebs for info but he loves cast iron cooking over an open fire. I'm real fine with that! He's a great cook.

Bob Denman · 04-14-2021, 12:03 AM

you both sound perfect for each other.

Mr Sunshine · 04-14-2021, 02:18 AM

Welcome! It's been said that you bought an RV kit! How you assemble it is up to you and your pocketbook. Enjoy!

Scubawise · 04-14-2021, 02:54 AM

Same here my wife controls all things inside the motorhome and I handle all things outside. She loves playing on her computer connected to winegard and site seeing !

standerson · 04-17-2021, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVwife

Ah, a woman to my own heart. I'd much sooner be driving the Axis than just riding along. DH is fine with having a personal driver so he can nap when he's not taking in the scenery.

Yes, I'm all in too. DH doesn't much like cruisng the interwebs for info but he loves cast iron cooking over an open fire. I'm real fine with that! He's a great cook.

I make an excellent Pineapple Upsidedown Cake in a dutch oven over a fire.

RVwife · 04-18-2021, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by standerson

I make an excellent Pineapple Upsidedown Cake in a dutch oven over a fire.

That sounds yummy! Do you have a special recipe (maybe you could post) or just a recipe found online? We're always up for more dessert.

DH has an excellent pork chops, pineapple, and rice one pot Dutch oven meal that we make often. We plan on enjoying that on our up coming trip next week.

Bob Denman · 04-18-2021, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJC62

I kinda like the DW to stay in the dark somewhat. Makes it easier to purchase all the "necessary" upgrades....

Amen: it keeps me from getting shot!

Scubawise · 04-18-2021, 07:29 PM

Post the desserts meals!

RVwife · 04-19-2021, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubawise

Post the desserts meals!

I decided not to hijack this thread too badly, so I started a Recipes thread.

You'll find the recipe here: https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f4...tml#post288009

Hope folks will join in and add their favorites.

IDguy · 04-21-2021, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by standerson

We bought a 2015 Chateau 28Z. The Mrs. has been hitting the WWW getting educated.

I walked in the door the other night and got this: "Our cars are too big to be a toad. We need to get something that can be flat towed or on a dolly. Maybe a Honda Fit and somthing like that. Blue Ox, I think, is the best system. If we go boodocking, we probably need solar on the roof. We probably need to replace the front and rear anti sways with something better. Tires are another story. What do you thing?"

"Think I may have to switch to a cheaper bourbon".

A couple thoughts to save money:

1. Demco towbar and baseplate as good and much cheaper than Blue Ox. Buy online. Have a local car mechanic install base plate for 1/4 the price of RV dealer.
2. Jeep Cherokee my favorite tow. You really do want to tow 4 down vs. dolly. Started with 2wd standard trans Jeep Patriot...with 6000 miles for $12,000. It was fine but not as cushy.
3. Solar useless in my area. Maybe yours too. Doesn’t work in fall or winter when I need to keep batteries up for heat. Sun angle too low and days too short.
3. Spend your $ on better lead acid batteries (don’t waste on AGM or Li). And, if you don’t have generator get a portable to meet your needs. 2 Kw if you don’t use AC, 3.5kw if you do.

And my first purchase is always new mattress. Maybe previous owner solved that.

SteveCie · 04-21-2021, 09:20 PM

We have the Freedom Elite 26HE, which is very comparable to your RV. For the first 2 years I used a tow dolly to bring our 2011 Buick LaCrosse Sedan with us. The RV handled the 4400 lb sedan all across the Rockies with op problem whatsoever. The Tow Dolly however was a chore to utilize. So this year, I picked up a 2019 Chevy Equinox front wheel drive, had a Blue Ox base plate and tow bar installed along with a RVI Brake Controller, and the Equinox with Blue Ox is fantastic. It's very expensive, but worth every penny.

standerson · 04-21-2021, 11:23 PM

(Whispering) The Mrs. joined this forum but I don't know what her handle is (Whispering)

My wife is the most generous person in the world. I love her with all my heart. She is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Bob Denman · 04-22-2021, 12:15 AM

. She's standing right behind you...

But nice try!

mcpandt · 04-22-2021, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IDguy

A couple thoughts to save money:

1. Demco towbar and baseplate as good and much cheaper than Blue Ox. Buy online. Have a local car mechanic install base plate for 1/4 the price of RV dealer.
2. Jeep Cherokee my favorite tow. You really do want to tow 4 down vs. dolly. Started with 2wd standard trans Jeep Patriot...with 6000 miles for $12,000. It was fine but not as cushy.
3. Solar useless in my area. Maybe yours too. Doesn’t work in fall or winter when I need to keep batteries up for heat. Sun angle too low and days too short.
3. Spend your $ on better lead acid batteries (don’t waste on AGM or Li). And, if you don’t have generator get a portable to meet your needs. 2 Kw if you don’t use AC, 3.5kw if you do.

And my first purchase is always new mattress. Maybe previous owner solved that.

Ditto on almost all of this. We purchased a Cherokee as well and bought the tow bar package through Etrailer.com. Had our mechanic install and saved at least $1000 over CW.

One thing about the Cherokee, though. If you want to tow 4 down, which we do, you have to have one of the models with 2 speed PTU or ActiveDrive which I believe is the Trailhawk and the Limited, but there may be others if it was an add on. With a dolly, logistics are tougher and you are somewhat limited to pull through spaces which can be at a premium in a lot of campgrounds.

On the batteries it depends on the configuration of your battery compartment. I pretty much had to go with the AGM batteries as it's almost impossible for me to get to the back battery to check the water levels. I am 6' 4" and I have a hard enough time getting my battery tester cables back there. There had to be a better design.

I have made a number of mods over the last 6 months to get the coach where we want it, most of them from reading this board. There are a lot of very knowledgeable folks on here, and always willing to share great advice.

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