The following are ALL OF our lessons learned since full-timing
5/02. These do not include
the hundreds of lessons learned by reading books and on-line before starting
or that we have put on our website at
www.skyaid.org/rv. I welcome your comments/corrections/suggestions. Henry
Lahore hlahore at skyaid.org
Highlights of our 2002 Teton order
additions Aug 2004
and April 2005
Ordered a Teton 36 Laramie 5th wheel in Jan and picked it up
in May 2002
Upgraded mattress & sofa from Teton
wanted more comfort - would probably
buy elsewhere next time around
Replaced recliners with two from Flex-Steel -
got them with Teton-like fabric
3rd axle for more carrying capacity and extra safety
Mor-Ryde RE suspension great ride, can independently adjust wheel
alignment
excellent ride - we
have not any any reason to add air hitch
Dual-pane tinted insulated windows keeps out cold, UV, heat of sun, and
noise
2000 watt inverter and 400 AH batteries extended boondocking.
This runs microwave, hair dryer, toaster, but not air conditioning
2 40 pound propane bottles
Double insulated refrigerator 10 cubic foot smaller ref. created space
for a second pantry
Freezer compartment is probably larger than in side-by-side and unit cost
$1,000 less.
Office desk with 12 volt outlet added to recharge laptop and cell-phones
without inverter
Added another
12 volt outlet on other side of RV about 12 months later, behind the chairs
Full width vanity which we converted into space for 88 key music
keyboard
purchased a small
keyboard and mounted it with
velcro next to the TV - for
middle of the night compositions
Two additional coax cables installed to the outside - for high-speed
two-way internet satellite
should have had 3
cables to the roof for internet satellite with directional control
Cable from office desk to vanity RV area network = LAN to access
printer, internet from vanity
ended up not using - WiFi instead of wire
Vinyl instead of carpet in front of shower eliminate risk of rotting
carpet
Factory pickup was an extra $1,000 but we probably got more attention to
details and very quick fixes
We do not have a 2nd A/C, generator, solar panels, vacuum, dish
washer, clothes washer/dryer
Some of the reasons we purchased a Teton:
1) Designed for 0 to 100 degree environment,
2) Good attention to detail in design and construction
3) Good floor plan including 3 in 1 living room permitting 3
arrangements which can be slid in
4) Dining slideouts have flush floor
5) Headroom of 8 in main floor and 65 in near-half of bedroom
6) Able to easily build to our options
7) High ( 4 star) rating in safety for 36 with 3rd axle
9) One of the few 5th wheels rated for full time in
www.rv.org
We have been very happy with our purchase decisions and with the Teton
We are anticipating
replacing our 2002 Teton with a 2012 Teton
Failed to order for our 2002 Teton = 20-20 hindsight
Convection oven instead of microwave
Awnings over windows would really help keep sun off of Teton and windows.
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