I spent most of my childhood in Central Arkansas,

Showing posts with label Camping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Camping. Show all posts

Monday, December 8, 2025

Petit Jean Mountain State Park



I spent my childhood as well as many of my adult years in the state of Arkansas. Due to some life changing events, I left there in 2002. I now live in the great North West, here in Oregon. It rains a lot during the fall, winter and the spring. It is really wet and yet we do not let it keep us from enjoying life. While I may enjoy living here in Oregon, where I can walk its sandy beaches I have very fond recollections of Arkansas. I can honestly say that Arkansas still runs deep within me, and probably always will. Growing up I developed a huge interest in Photography and Hiking which is a great combination. And like a lot of nature nuts, my favorite singers were John Denver, Michael Martin Murphy, and a few other folk artists. The same as many teen-age boys, I drove my Father crazy, with my semi-long hair, just below my collar. Now I have none to speak of, what's up with that? I even read a few of the books by Euell Gibbons. Once I became old enough to drive, I did a lot of camping on my own, not always by choice mind you, just the way things worked out. My favorite place to camp, hike and photograph was Petit Jean Mountain State Park.
Petit Jean Mountain is located near Morrilton Arkansas. It has an incredibly rich history. There is also a wonderful story for how this oasis of paradise got her name. Once you reach the top of the mountain, you will want to stop at Stouts Point. Located at the east end of the mountain, this is a great place to experience the true beauty of an Arkansas sunrise. It is here that you can find the sign which tells the story for her name. From this point you can also see the Arkansas River valley below.
On a clear day you can watch the eagles soar through blue skies. See the river barges as they make their way up the Arkansas River. The view from Stouts Point, is only one of her many treasures. You will find more of these treasures on Red Bluff Drive and all around her ridges
The Cedar Creek Trail  is another one of my favorite places. This is not a real hard trail, fairly easy and offers a lot to see. Other trails include the Cedar Falls Trail. This trail is a little harder, and well worth taking.  There is also the Canyon Trail . This is part of the Boy Scout trail.  Petit Jean Mountain State park has many trails, for those who have the aspiration and fortitude to take the journey Nevertheless if Hiking is not your image of fun or in the event you are unable to, because of health concerns. Do not lose heart. You can still enjoy her magnificence by visiting the many overlooks throughout the park. Red bluff drive is a must; last time I was there it was a very well maintained gravel road. I remember right there at the intersection, there is a little dairy bar. They were only open about nine months out of the year. I can tell you, they served some really good burgers, milk shakes and orange floats. I have been told by park officials that it is out of business though, hopefully someone will reopen it.
 After a long day of hiking and sightseeing, there is nothing like sitting back and enjoying a nice camp fire. Roasting hotdogs, making S'mores or just gazing at the stars, on more than one occasion I was invited, by my neighbor to join them around their campfire. I have met some of the nicest and most musically talented people while camping at Petit Jean State Park.

  If I tell you everything about her, you would have no reason to make the journey, to see her.  I talk about this place as though it was a person, a lady. Indeed I do, once you make the trip you will too. I made several trips to see her and photograph her. It did not seem to matter what time of the year it was she always gave me some great photographs, and a lot of good memories. Every time, that I was there I would hike down to Cedar Falls. Something about that place that would bring about calmness, it was a place to forget about the world an all of its problems.  Just when I thought, I had seen everything she had to offer. I would discover something new about her. She was always there for me, when I just needed to get away from things.
 Petit Jean has seen her fair share of marriage proposals, weddings, and Honey-mooning couples.

Petit Jean has so many things to offer, to so many people. I have not been there in a few years. I cannot imagine that too many things have changed. The park service is very diligent in preserving the park and keeping it as natural as possible. Although I understand that there has been some major renovations made to Mather Lodge at Petit Jean Mountain State park. This park has camping available for RVs as well as tent camping, boating, fishing. If you live in Arkansas and have not visited Petit Jean you are cheating yourself of a wonderful experience. If you are on the road just passing through the state you need to visit Petit Jean  and create some memories of your own, you will be so glad that you did.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Ladies Behind The Wheel Of A Motor-Home!

Ladies if you are reading this article, please note it is for the husbands. When it comes to driving a motor-home in at least 85% of couples traveling in a Motor-Home, the husband is the sole driver. I strongly urge you to talk to your husband and ask him about teaching you how to drive the coach now, instead of waiting until you have to drive your RV because of an urgent situation

Does your Spouse do any of the driving while you are on the road with your Recreational Vehicle?  If you answered no, you are doing yourself and your spouse a disservice, by doing all the driving yourself. I am a supporter of men teaching their wives how to drive and park the Recreational Vehicle It does not matter if she drives every day or not. The fact is that your wife needs to know how to handle your motor-home. There are a couple of reasons for this task, and both of you will benefit from this. Sharing the driving will allow you to feel more relaxed when the two of you arrive at your destination. Another reason that your wife should know how to drive your motorhome is in the case of an emergency. 

For example lets say that you live in Alabama, you and your wife are on your way to Yellowstone and then to the Oregon Coast. No real hurry to get there since the two of you is retired. Then about the time you reach Cheyenne Wyoming, you start feeling a lot worse than you did a month ago. When you and your wife were still planning this trip, which at that time you convinced yourself that it was all the excitement of making the trip. So you decide to visit the Emergency room, only to find out five hours later that your condition is serious and that you are going to need surgery and soon. You are also told that you will not be able to travel for three weeks, and you cannot drive for at least six weeks. The travel plans that you made did not include six weeks in Cheyenne, which is about 1450 miles from home, yet almost 1600 miles from your final destination. If you had just taken a few hours and taught your wife how to drive the Motor-home, this situation would not be such a big deal.

Most women are intimidated by the size of these vehicles, and rightfully so they are pretty big. The first part of the challenge is to get them behind the wheel. If you have a motor-home, this can make it a little harder to do. And most of it has to do with the height and the width of the coach. After all, are used to driving their car most of the time, and this is something different and significantly bigger than anything you have ever driven. First you will want your wife to become familiar with the layout of the dashboard. Just as you had to do when you first bought the coach. Once she becomes familiar with the dash and you are confident that she knows where everything is located. Next go through your basic setup procedures to make sure that she is comfortable and able to reach all of the controls with ease. Now she is ready to drive. I suggest that you start off in an empty parking lot somewhere, only because this will feel less threatening. Most large parking lots have a street that goes around the parking lot. This street is usually out of the main flow of traffic. Yet it is still marked off as a street with center line.

The driving forward is only part of being able to handle the recreational vehicle. Being able to backup is just as important as driving; you never know when you might get into a tight spot that you have to back out of. Also to having to park your RV in the campsite. For this part of the procedure, you will need seven markers, flags road cones whatever you can find to mark off an area. Make sure that they are big enough that they can be easily seen by the driver. In this first exercise, we will only use six of the markers. As shown in this diagram. You will want to place two markers on each side of the vehicle. The two cones on the right and left should be set about 20 feet apart, and 3 feet from the edge of the vehicle. Take the last two cones and set them up in the back to resemble a fence or curb. Once you have done this, drive the motor home around and set it up for a right-hand turn to park as if you were parking in a campground.
You want to start with a right-hand turn also known as a blindside turn because they are more difficult. Once she has mastered, this left-hand exercise turn will be easy. Repeat the exercise until she is comfortable. Then move the cones one-foot closer on each side, and try it again. Most motorhomes today are equipped with backup cameras and monitors so you can see objects behind you; these are extremely helpful for all of us.
We have all been there, we pull into the park, stop at the ranger station to register and get our site assignment. When we find our designated site we can see that parked directly across from us is a huge Fifth Wheel. The truck is sitting in the street a little, and of course we cannot leave out the tree. The trucks owner is out on a bike ride with his wife, it's unlikely that they will be back anytime soon. So for this exercise we have created some obstacles she will need to maneuver around.
This last backing exercise is entirely optional; the chances are that you may never use it. However, it is a fun activity. Also to that you can take pride in knowing that you can do it when most people would have a lot of trouble on their hands if they ever had to use it. It goes by a lot of different names, I call it the weave. Set the markers in a straight line at or about 30 feet from each other. Position the coach so that the first marker is on the right, and it is even with the rear wheels. Then start backing up and in between the markers. This is a maneuver that they teach in most truck driving schools. I can tell you from experience it is much easier with a motor-home than with a tractor and trailer.

When you are practicing with markers, there is really no need for a spotter. However, spotters are needed when backing into a campsite, a driveway, or any other place where there are fixed objects that can cause damage. You need to be able to see the spotter at all times. There is one other backing maneuver called the 1,2,3 method this only works in ideal situations where you have plenty of space. This method is probably the easiest. Find the center of the rear wheel, measure eight feet toward the front of the vehicle. Place a small piece of stripe tape on the coach as a marker.


 Pull the coach forward until the stripe tape, is even with your spotter on the left. At that point, turn the wheel all the way to the right until your spotter is even with the rear wheel. Then turn all the way to the left as you are backing in. Not too shocking that most of the body work that is done on motor-homes were caused from backing into an object, trees, buildings or cars. This is why you should have a spotter when ever it is possible.

Now that we have all the backing up and parking out of the way, let's hit the road. Before you begin repeat the basic set up procedures, seat position, mirrors, steering wheel all need to be in a comfortable place  Start out with roads that are less traveled, this will reduce her tension and feel less intimidating. Show her how to make some turns so that she can learn about things like where to start the turn while remaining in the proper lane. Maintaining safe distances from the vehicle in front of you.  If you cannot see the tires of the car in front of you, then you are too close.It is always best to pass freight trucks and buses on the left. When you pass on the right you are at risk of being in the drivers blind spot. if the other driver can not see you, he may attempt a lane change thus causing an accident. When both of you become at ease with the progress that has been made, then you are ready for the highway. Out on the highway it drives like any other vehicle and you would take the same precautions. Remember guys keep calm; be patient, build the driver's confidence by letting her know that she is doing a great job. There is one danger that you have to worry about. After she has learned how to drive your coach and she has become comfortable; she may not want to give it back. Until next time happy travels!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Cab-Over Camper



Cab-over campers, truck campers, or slide in campers as some folk's call them all started back in the early 1950's. The pioneer of this camping phenomena Was Merle D McNamee After world war two the pickup truck rapidly gained popularity amongst the general population. Prior to the war, pickup trucks were primarily used for businesses and farms. Merle was an avid camping enthusiast, who knew that there had to be a better way to go camping. So he designed the first slide in truck camper, which was not much more than just a box with a couple of cots thrown in to sleep on.  We can thank Merle for many of the features that cab-over camper manufacturer's use today. These features include the stand-up height, the bed over the cab, corner mounted jacks, indoor appliances, and more. From Merle's truck camper design, the Class C or mini motor home was born.  

There are just a few companies, that are still manufacturing cab-over campers in the United States today. These Cab-over Camper manufactures  are at the top of the RV marketplace. Part of this has to do with the roller-coaster economy over the last 20 years, which has  put some of the smaller manufacturers out of business; leaving the older and stronger companies to grow and prosper. Cab-over campers seem to be more popular in the Western, one-third, of the United States. This is also a contributor to the decline in the popularity in this segment of the RV industry across much of the nation. The popularity of these campers in the west has to do with ruggedness terrain which we enjoy. It is not uncommon to see a truck with a Cab-over camper pulling a  boat, horse trailer, or a utility trailer loaded with ATV’s

These campers come in various sizes, as small as six foot, and as large as thirteen foot, Since the popularity of Cab-over campers has grown, they are becoming more luxurious with slide+outs, side entrance doors. Which makes it easier to get in to the camper. Most of the campers contain the same amenities as full size travel trailers, such as refrigerator, stove, oven, water heater, bathroom, microwave and more. Obviously the bigger the camper the more it weighs. This could be a problem, for you the buyer. If you already have a truck it is crucial to pick the right camper that will not overload the truck. Just an example, the Palomino Backpack HS800 weighs in at 1675 pounds. This camper will be fine on your Ford F150, Dodge 1500, or the Chevrolet 1500 series. If you have an F150 or the 1500 series trucks you can push the envelope slightly by adding overload springs to your truck. You have to understand that when they made that truck; the engine and drive train were designed to move a specific amount of mass down the road. The brake system was also designed to stop a specific amount of mass. You should visit your owner's manual for more specific information. One of my favorite trucks for hauling a cab-over camper is the Ford F350 or the F450 with dual wheels. This truck will accommodate just about any cab-over you choose.  If you are looking for both the truck and the camper you should purchase a truck, slightly bigger than what you need. The advantage to this is that you have a truck that will handle the load. Also in the event that you decide, that you want a bigger camper at a later date, you have enough truck to handle it. This also goes well if you are towing a trailer or boat.

Cab-over campers appear to be very expensive. When you think about the size of it compared to the price of a travel trailer or fifths-wheel,  The reality of it is this, Cab-over campers have all the same amenities that a travel trailer or fifth-wheel will have; in a more condensed space. Because of this, a cab-over camper can seem quite costly you have to look beyond the price tag, and at what you are getting for the price
 Since these campers are somewhat condensed it can feel cramped with five people in it on a rainy day, or at night when you are getting ready for bed. For a family of three or four it is very comfortable. Most all of these campers have a place for a television DVD player with theater sound. Most of the luxuries that you have at home  
Back in the late 90's Manufacturers of cab-over campers solved the space issues by adding floor plans with slide-outs. This feature added eighteen square feet or more to the livability of the camper This also makes the cab-over camper weigh more Northwood's Arctic Fox model 1140 weighs in at 3465 pounds. If you are trying to keep the weight down the Bigfoot 25C10.6E weighs in at 2600 pounds dry weight and has no slide out.  Another option is the CLTC10 Camplite it comes in at 2190 pounds dry weight

Structural technology has come a long way. Back in the early 70's cab-over campers were all made of 2X2 wood construction and tin metal skin. Now, most of the high line cab-over campers are built using a 2X2 aluminum structure for the floor joist topped with one and one quarter inch plywood. Walls are made with 1X1 inch aluminum studs welded in a jig. The vacant areas are packed with foam insulation. Afterward, both sides are sprayed with a very strong adhesive; this is then overlaid with a fiberglass skin, on one side, and interior paneling on the other side. This structure is then run through a set of pinch rollers. When the structure is done it is three times stronger with half of the weight, of the old stick a Tin construction. This type of construction has allowed manufacturers to build larger campers that weigh less than those of days gone by.
Space has to be used wisely. In the smaller Campers gray and black holding tanks are significantly smaller. The bathroom is another area which space is condensed. Smaller cab-over campers have what they call a wet bath. When you step into the bathroom it is a one piece shower pan with a curtain that goes across the door, keeping it as dry as possible. The toilet is also located in this small cubicle. On the larger campers, the holding tanks are larger. And depending on the floorplan you could have a dry bath or a wet bath.

Storage can be an issue. Obviously you lose the use of the bed of your truck. Most cab-over do not have a lot of outside storage. Therefore, you have to use the floor space in the camper for larger items. This means that you have to be very frugal about the amount of camping gear that you pack; the way you pack it is just as important. With my experience in the RV industry, I can offer you a few tips. Lay a carpet runner down on the floor that has a rubber backing. Place cardboard on both sides of the floor area leaning it against the paneling to protect it from scratches. You can also wrap any sharp objects with a cloth and duct tape.
These campers are a unique unit within the Recreational Vehicle industry. If you use your truck for work as well as play, the cab-over camper is a good way to go. Simply remove the camper from your truck, for work. Then reload it for the weekend trip. This camper also allows you to pull a trailer hauling your other toys. You are not limited to the places that you can camp; the cab-over camper will go where ever your truck will go, so if you have a favorite fishing spot that is off road, then go. Cab-over campers can actually save you money. If you owned a motorhome and still had to have the truck for work now you have two vehicles that you have to perform preventive maintenance on Two vehicles to purchase gas, tires, and oil for, just to mention a few.

Cab-overs are great for dry camping, especially if you do live, or travel in the Great Northwest. In most places, here in the northwest you can get by without an Air-conditioner. Therefore, the only electric power you really need is to charge the batteries in the camper. With the modern technological advances that they have made in solar power, more camping enthusiast are turning to solar power each year. It is little pricey to get started with solar power. You will find that the investment is well worth it. You can purchase an 85-watt solar panel with everything you need to install it safely and correctly for less than a thousand dollars. Some solar panels are mounted on the roof of the camper. There are pros and cons to this. Pros include, that it is always working. One of the cons are that to secure it you have drill holes in your roof; this can lead to a potential leak   When dry camping you will only have 12-volt power. If you have the desire to have 110-volt power you can purchase a portable generator, there are several of them on the market. Keep in mind you want a 4000 watts or larger, this will carry most of your appliances plus your air-conditioner.  You will also want to make sure that it has a 30 amp outlet on the face panel. Depending on where you are going you will want to carry a good supply of water.

There are several ways to install your Cab-over camper onto your truck. The most common for smaller comb-over's; use mounting brackets which fit into the four corner stake pockets Turnbuckles are connected to the brackets the other end is attached to the cab-over then tightened. The Belly Bar is another method this is recommended for heavier and larger campers. If you are purchasing the camper, new ask the dealer for his recommendation. You can also ask him about the Happijac system or the Torklift tie downs both of these seem to be safe and very durable.  

Cab-over campers have a natural tendency to feel top heavy when going around corners or in windy conditions.  This is one of the reasons that I prefer the Ford F350 with dual rear wheels; the wider footprint in the rear gives it more stability at corners and in windy conditions. If you don't have the luxury of owning one of these one-ton trucks, there are other options. Camper struts; these are like shock absorbers which will help to absorb most of the side to side motion. The upper end connects to the bottom side of the cab-over. The other end connects to brackets mounted to the truck at the lower corners of the windshield.
I hope that I have provided you with some helpful information about truck-mounted campers. There is a great wealth of information out there concerning this segment of the Recreational Vehicle Industry. In my next article, we will talk about truck campers for the smaller trucks.  Below is a list of Cab-over Camper manufacturers that you should check out.
·       Lance
·       Real-lite
·       Maverick by Palomino
·       Bigfoot
·       Eagle Cap

·       Arctic Fox

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

10 Important Tips for Buying a Recreational Vehicle By Ron Downing

Tips to help you make the right choice for you, verses what the salesman wants you to buy. So the big year is finally hear, the year where you can retire and take life easy.  After all you have worked hard to arrive at this place in your life. With so many choices how do you know what is a good fit for your lifestyle. The best way to figure this out is to ask yourself some questions before you ever visit the RV Dealership.

1.     What is our budget for the RV?
The amount you invest will conclude the size, elegance and the amenities that will be on the recreational vehicle that you purchase. New class C motor homes can range from $65,000-165,000 for a good quality coach. Class A Motor Homes range from $95,000 - $160,000 for gas engines. Class A Motor homes with Diesel engines start out at $185,000 to a million or more.  Travel Trailer and fifth wheels range from $18,000.00 to $79,000.00 The good thing about purchasing a new vehicle is that you have the manufactures warranty. You know how it has been taken care of. Most dealers have some stock units. These units are typically ordered by the dealer in the interior color, that is the number one or two colors that the manufacture builds the most units of. Dealers also outfit stock units with options that their experience has suggested is the most preferred by the end user conversely if you desire a custom built unit with all the amenities that you want and the colors and floor plan that you like then you can order your RV. This could cost you a little extra, merely because dealers are motivated to sell you a unit that they currently have on hand. If you order a unit it could take up to 12 weeks to arrive, divergent to taking delivery in just a few days.

2.     Do we want to buy a pre-owned vehicle?
Buying a used vehicle unquestionably has its ups and downs. On the positive aspect you are benefiting from the first owner taking the depreciation. In these economic times it can be a buyer's market. However there are some things to consider when buying the pre owned vehicle. The first thing is make sure everything on the vehicle works. Most respectable dealers will guarantee the vehicle for thirty days. If you are buying it from an individual you in all probability will not have any recourse. A refrigerator that goes bad could set you back as much as $2000 or more. This one costly repair alone can make a delightful arrangement curdle quickly.  Depending on the age of the vehicle you can purchase extended service plans. These vary in price and coverage so make sure that you know what it covers.  Since the price varies you can usually negotiate for a better deal. If you are in doubt about something don't be afraid to ask. After all it is your money. 


3.     What is our travel style going to be?
This one question can stir up a lot of ideas, but I will be brief. If you want the freedoms of being able move-about during the trip such as using the bathroom, grabbing something to eat without stopping, taking a nap on the bed, Or if you plan on taking a pet on the road with you. Then you might want to consider a Class C or a class A motor Home.However, if none these things apply to you and you already own a vehicle that is designed for towing. Then a travel Trailer or fifth wheel is a good choice. Keep in mind that most likely you will be towing something either way. Purely for the reason that if you are using a motor home, once you have parked. Should you desire to go sightseeing, you are going to want to take something more fuel efficient and easier to get around in.

4.    We want to purchase a Motor home. Do we want to purchase gas or Diesel
When it comes to buying a motor Home, One of the significant factors in making this assessment of Gas or Diesel is knowing how far you are going, and how often you are going to be in the motor home. My suggestion is this if you are not going to put more than 25000 miles per year then save your money and buy the gas powered unit. Chassis with Diesel engines usually cost $15,000 - $30,000 more than gas. Mind you it's, not just the engine that cost more it requires a heavier chassis as well.  While Diesel engines may last longer and have fewer breakdowns. Just the preventive maintenance can be rather costly. If you do have a breakdown it is usually a $1500 Minimum. There are a lot of coaches on the market that are being labeled introductory diesel units. Ask questions and visit the various chassis manufacturer's websites. Make sure that the engine has enough power to move the coach up and over the hill. So if you are looking at a 35 foot coach and it has a 190 horse engine that is a little on the light side you want at least a 225 horse engine or higher in order to be efficient. In recent years the gas engines in these RV's have come a long way in the way of efficiency and durability.






















5.    Where are you headed in your RV?
The North American Continent is wide open and there is a lot to see. For this you would want something big a comfortable because you will be on the road for quite a while. However if all you are doing is taking short weekend trips to the local state parks and such then you probably don't need anything to fancy for that. There are a lot of RV's on the market to choose from. Everything from tent trailers to campervans, Travel trailers, Fifth wheels, and Cab over Camper (truck campers) these units offer a lot of the same comforts of home. They can range in size and weight, as well as price. 

6.    How long will we be doing this
This will also determine the size and type of the RV you want to purchase. If you have never used an RV before, and you are not sure if you are going to like the RV lifestyle then you might want to rent one first. My suggestion here is that you seek out a dealership who is willing to take your rental off of the purchase price in the event that you decide to purchase one it could save you some money. Now keep in mind you cannot gauge or judge the RV lifestyle by a one week camping trip in a rental, you should try it for at least three weeks. Also keep in mind that rental units are not always maintained the way you would keep yours. Should the unit breakdown and cause you some inconvenience please don't throw in the towel.













7.    Will other family members or friends ever travel with us?
If you plan or think that you may be taking family or friends with you then a Class C, travel Trailer, or Fifth Wheel, are all good choices. These coaches are designed with multiple sleeping accommodations. Most of them are very roomy. Class A motor homes are usually designed for two people comfortably however they will sleep up to four adults.

8.    How much space do we need?
This again also depends on how much time you intend on spending on the road. In the event that you find yourself taking longer trips to further destinations. You will want some room to stretch out. On the average when you are parked you will only spend ten to twelve hours a day in the RV and eight of that is usually sleeping. But there are those days when it is raining or too cold to enjoy the outdoors. These are the days that you will wish that you had bought the other unit that you had looked at. When you purchase a unit that is too small it can make your RV experience a little less enjoyable.


9.    Do we want a Travel Trailer or Fifth Wheel?
This depends largely on the tow vehicle that you already own. If you have a pickup truck then you obviously have a choice of one or the other. You will also want to think about question number #7. A travel Trailer gives you the ability to have a vehicle that can accommodate more passengers. If you are pulling a travel trailer with a truck then you have the whole bed of the truck to haul additional things. A fifth wheel can obviously only be towed by a truck and you lose the bed space to haul anything of any size when towing. These units also use more of the interior space from the back to the front. A travel trailer that is 28 feet from the rear bumper to the coupler only has between 24 and 25 feet of livable space. In my personal opinion fifth wheels are easier to tow, easier to hook up and easier to park in to a campsite. (Look for future articles on this matter)


10.How long will our trips last?
This will also have some influence on what you will want to look for in an RV. The longer you plan to be gone the more stuff you tend to want to take with you. Therefore you need storage space. Usually fifth wheels, Class A's and some class C motor home tend to offer more in the way of storage space. Knowing how long you plan to be on the road at any given time will also influence how much interior space that you feel that you need. I suggest that you select a unit that is about four feet longer than you think you need in order to be comfortable. Six months down the road you will be glad that you did.


These are just a few important questions that you need to ask yourself before purchasing an RV I am sure that you will have many more. Buying a RV is a big purchase so take your time and get what you want. Also visit a campground sometime and just ask someone who has an RV what they like about their RV, and what they don't like. You will find that they are very happy to tell you. Until next time happy RV shopping.