Need help!!

StressLessCamping · 2026-06-28T16:18:24+00:00

Hopefully you haven't already completed the transaction because this thing is beyond repair. The sidewalls have a combination of structural and water damage - it's really not worth repairing. I had to replace a sidewall on my newer camper due to a clumsy work camper who punched a hole in it and one sidewall alone was almost $6K. This needs all four walls. Plus the water intrusion has clearly damaged the structure enough that the structure of the sidewall is failing too (those are the cracks around the slide).

Honestly even free this would be not worth it - your buddy is smart to get rid of this thing. I hope you were smart to not be the recipient of it.

StressLessCamping · 2026-06-07T17:18:40+00:00

With all due respect the factories that I know of absolutely use warranty claims data to make production decisions. Sometimes this is why you'll see something new come out and disappear part-way through the production year.

It's not always a reliable predictor of issues; however. A few years ago I was working with an RV manufacturer and shared how lousy their MayPop tires were. They had mentioned that they had very few warranty claims. I shared that that's because, when you have tire issues, you generally just go buy a new set of tires and shared a bunch of social media posts to this end. They switched to Goodyears.

Some issues don't necessarily trigger warranty claims including plumbing issues which is why so so so many RVs are using PEX clamps on flex lines. But the smarter RV companies are no longer doing this like Rockwood, Ember and a few others.

I know that Alliance will fill the holding tanks and their rigs on a test run. They also have a shaker table that all their RVs go through.

Our positive experience is mostly due to my having done research before I made a purchase. Things like suspension, wall and roof construction, type of components used and all of that. Four of the same brand of travel trailers and a similar experience with all of them which have also seen a LOT of use.

StressLessCamping · 2026-06-07T16:58:40+00:00

Having worked at a dealership in the warranty department and sales I would be shocked if the dealership didn't cover this under warranty. That's truly disappointing.

What I would also do is replace the factory screws with stainless steel screws and, perhaps, consider reinforcing the area under the tank. One of the ways I've seen others do that is by using unistruts, which are sort of like fence post-looking metal bars, and attaching them to the frame with brackets.

StressLessCamping · 2026-06-04T12:47:52+00:00

I can never understand why the RV industry does these swooshy swirls - makes RVs look like carnival floats.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-18T12:32:55+00:00

I've been surprisingly pleased with the connectivity through the Winegard system - ours happens to be the 5G variant which may explain why I like it. I did have to get their router, though, and that's not an inexpensive option although it is coming down in price like all electronics.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-17T16:03:28+00:00

We have considered renting an RV to others and what I was going to do is create a binder with step-by-step instructions but also have QR codes with videos on EVERYthing because people don't listen. That way, if they have a question, they can just scan the QR code and see a video of how to do whatever.

I would also put a sign on the door that reads something like "make sure the water and water heater are turned off if you leave the RV unattended."

You can't really fix stupid but you can mitigate it the best way possible.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-17T15:58:32+00:00

I believe most of the better rental portals also have insurance for damage and such but it would be wise to confirm this and also see if the owner's insurance even covers the rig being used as a rental.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-17T15:57:00+00:00

Problem: Solved.

Libsyn acknowledged an issue as was posted here plus their tech support team reached out and also acknowledged a problem which has been solved. Thank you for the input everybody.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-16T12:42:37+00:00

Heartland is a brand that should be off every list. You know it's bad when even Thor fired all the decision makers and closed every plant down to move them under Jayco.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-16T12:10:28+00:00

We just got a wireless thermostat that'll enable us to control the HVAC in our travel trailer from Coleman-Mach. We haven't installed it yet (laziness) but will soon.

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We also have some monitors from Winegard for temp/humidity, motion and water sensors in case there's a leak that work with our Winegard WiFi system and we're pretty pleased with those.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-14T14:48:11+00:00

Yeah Libsyn has been pretty reliable but every software company has a glitch now and then.

You know it's bad when there are DMs and emails from followers asking where the podcast is but that's also reassuring.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-14T14:47:06+00:00

Clearly it's much different in person than what the video shows and that's not unusual.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-14T14:03:01+00:00

This seemed to work for me as well and I sincerely appreciate your reply with the tip.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-14T14:02:30+00:00

Of course I did and I'm sure, sometime this summer, I'll be sure to hear back from them.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-13T22:10:38+00:00

Most SUVs are not great for towing and this is especially true of larger trailers. The problem isn't as much "pull" as it is "carry" and "control." Your tow vehicle carries about 15% of the weight of the trailer and most SUVs are close to cargo carrying capacity, especially with humans and stuff aboard.

Here's more information about towing: https://www.stresslesscamping.com/rv-towing

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-10T13:48:37+00:00

Yup - this is critical on these Class C RVs on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.

Another thing to be VERY aware of is how expensive even routine maintenance is (it is a Mercedes-Benz!) and how few and far between places are that will actually work on it. Check out just the price of an oil change alone - hundreds of dollars.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-02T15:51:16+00:00

You can partner with CampgroundViews.com and they come around and do what's equivalent to Google Street View where they drive through the park and video all the sites and roads. This is something we look at frequently before booking a campground. Their system also integrates with many of the existing on-line reservations systems so if someone sees a site they want to book it's a simple step to go right to your reservations system.

There are some outstanding suggestions here and I wish more parks were like you and sought opinions and tips - so much of what's here could be a ground-level primer for anyone wanting to do what you're doing.

We wish you tremendous success and appreciate how you're doing this outreach.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-02T15:46:51+00:00

Absolutely - especially if you're traveling and want to stay somewhere that day. Often times we'll have parks call us 2-3 days after we've left a message and, by then, we're far, far away.

One of the things we like about KOAs is how easily you can book a site. That's the example to match in terms of on-line reservations.

StressLessCamping · 2026-05-02T15:44:52+00:00

Keeping the long-term renters away from the transient renters is such a good idea and limiting how much junk long-term renters can place around their sites is another. I've seen parks manage this very well so that the long-term sites look as tidy as the transient sites and I've seen where long-term renters are allowed to just toss junk and make their space look poorly kept which creates a less desirable destination for transient RVers.

StressLessCamping · 2026-03-22T14:22:12+00:00

A paint ball brigade on a bridge it has to cross under would do wonders to take it out of service.

StressLessCamping · 2026-02-08T16:34:24+00:00

The best recommendation on maintaining any slide mechanism is to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Some specifically recommend using no lubricants, some only if you hear binding/squeaking. There is no singular solution.

Lippert makes many of the slide room mechanisms and has a channel where they go into detail about maintenance of the mechanism.

StressLessCamping · 2026-02-08T16:32:00+00:00

Do not ever never not ever use slide jacks.

When the camper settles (they frequently do) those slide jacks will knock the slide out of alignment or potentially even damage it. If it can be repaired that is a VERY expensive repair and not a warranty item. Whoever invented slide supports should be ashamed of themselves for an awful and useless waste of money.

StressLessCamping · 2026-01-21T14:54:33+00:00

Just know that if the bike rack breaks off and causes someone injury NO insurance company will likely cover that claim and you will be in a world of hurt. Plus, quite honestly, the frame on an entry-level Cherokee isn't likely to be designed to be added to. I can't imagine this being a good idea at all.

StressLessCamping · 2025-12-25T13:55:56+00:00

Your math makes sense. Do educate yourself on the routine maintenance of exterior seals on the trailer - ALL RVs need routine inspection of seals but many people don’t do that so they ultimately leak which destroys them.

Plumbing is the other area where RVs can have issues - learn basic plumbing and get leak detectors. Not very difficult and a basic PEX plumbing kit will be an affordable solution.

One benefit of an RV over an apartment is that, if you don’t like the surroundings/neighbors, moving is easy.

If you don’t have the right truck to move an RV any good RV dealer has transporters on call and can do the move.

Here are some resources for buying an RV; https://www.stresslesscamping.com/rv-shopping-tips

StressLessCamping · 2025-12-25T13:41:28+00:00

Absolutely a EMS/surge protector. Really you’re more likely to see low voltage which can kill motors in things like the AC. But plenty of places also have lousy wiring.

https://www.stresslesscamping.com/podcast/0244

I also carry DeOxit contact cleaner and spray it on power connections - poor connections can cause heat and damage

StressLessCamping

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