First time full timers permanently parked - advice appreciated

[rudy558]

Hi all!

Background:
We just bought a brand new 2023 Reflection 337RLS and plan to go full time.

We've never owned an RV before and are going to park it on some family property permanently while we save up for a house or some property of our own to build on.

We live in the Pacific Northwest and get a pretty vicious northeastern wind that can be about 12 degrees and 60+ miles an hour at the worst. The wind definitely knocks out the power from time to time. We also get plenty of rain and some snow. Our summers have gotten more severe with some days reaching as high as 100 degrees.

Question
I'd love some advice on what purchases we should prioritize and anything y'all wish you'd known starting out? Should we invest in a good carport for the RV? A generator? Gooseneck and slide out supports? Wheel stabilizers? Slide out covers? Other things I don't know to list? All advice welcome

[Second Chance]

NEVER use slide-out supports. If there is settling of the RV, the slide supports will distort the slide boxes and damage them. There are a lot of things to be concerned about before worrying about a little movement in an RV. Would recommend the following at a minimum:

No Freeze Water Hose (that's the brand name).
Remote temp sensor(s) for the basement.
Pressure regulator and water filter inside the heated utility bay.
Consider adding extra insulation to the water lines leading to the kitchen island (they tend to freeze first on the 337).
Consider skirting.
An auto-start generator with an automatic transfer switch is a good idea if there are frequent power outages.
Slide toppers help with heat in the summer but would be extremely noisy with high winds.
Get the second AC (bedroom) for the summers.

There are several dedicated forums and Facebook groups focused on living in RVs in cold weather - search, research, and read, read, read.

Rob

[WhittleBurner]

Even though we have been through some pretty high winds and been alright I would consider some kind of anchors. What I would use would be the kind they use on mobile homes. Big screws with cables around the frame. Even though wind at 60 should be ok but all it would take some gusts that go even higher to be a real problem.

[Najataagihe]

Hi all!

We've never owned an RV before and are going to park it on some family property permanently while we save up for a house or some property of our own to build on.

We live in the Pacific Northwest and get a pretty vicious northeastern wind that can be about 12 degrees and 60+ miles an hour at the worst.

Do what Snowbirds with permanent winter trailers used to do - turn it into a small house!

Take the wheels off, support the frame with aluminum jacks on foundation support pads and anchor the frame to the ground with steel strapping and screw anchors.


You are not really buying an RV, but a pre-fab house.

If you ever decide to go back on the road, a bit of maintenance and disassembly and you are on your way!


I would pass on the garage, as it will damage the trailer when the wind topples it.

Skirting and a small light bulb or two under the trailer would be a good idea.


Also, get some propane camp heaters for use when the power goes out.

The furnace may fire up, but the fans won't.


Add the recommended components already posted and you should be fairly snug for the winter!

[Stealth13777]

Good rubber chocks, I would go ahead and get a large propane tank onsite setup to connect to the RV, and look at your vents. They may already be maxxfan type vents - if so just get the appropriate vent cover. If not - if you plan to use them (and that part of the country you do have seasons where you could have windows/vents open), upgrade. If not, I would still put a cover on them but leave the stock fan.

Skirts are a decent idea for cold if you are never moving. Second chance gave you a great list.

The propane heater will work with the power out so long as your battery is charged - but only until the battery runs out. Short power outages it will likely be fine. If you expect multiple days a generator and/or additional batteries are not a bad idea. The AC and electric heat will require AC power.

Go ahead and read about using the tanks too. You want to let the black tank fill up (flushing with plenty of water) before draining, not just leave it open.