Wish List
Features
These are the features we’re considering and/or not considering. For more on possible features see the RV Class Comparison page.
| Feature or Accessory | Extra Info |
|---|---|
| Desired for Added Safety | |
| Brakes, on toad/trailer, auto-engage on disconnect | |
| Brakes, integrated | requires a 7-pin connector; requires a controller in the tow vehicle |
| Brakes, upgraded | tow vehicle & toad/trailer |
| Cameras – backup, trailer, truck bed | |
| Fuses, extras | |
| Heat Gun | for checking brakes, for air conditioning / heating leaks, etc. (have one somewhere in the garage … ) |
| Hitch, lock | |
| Hitch, weight-distribution | (if non-5th wheel) |
| Hitch, Sway Bars | (if non-5th wheel) |
| Multimeter | for testing |
| RV, door, frame, reinforced | |
| RV, door, locks, upgraded | Preferably electronic with pin or fingerprint access |
| RV, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | |
| RV, wheel boot | e.g. Brahma Wheel Lock |
| Maintenance Items | |
| #2 square bit | |
| Collapsible ladder | e.g. Gorilla multi-position (heavy, but versatile) or an Oxgord telescoping |
| Onboard air compressor(s) | tow vehicle & toad/trailer, or just tow vehicle if only one |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) | tow vehicle & toad/trailer |
| Wheel covers | Sun and waterproof |
| Wrench, universal faucet handle | for dump stations and water fills |
| Minimum Needs and Wants | |
| 4-Season Use* | |
| Bed space, dedicated | Don’t want to be shifting it to a table and vice versa depending on need at the moment |
| Bed space, able to stand beside, both sides | Need to able to easily get out of the bed for those jump-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night leg cramps; if not realistic, then schooch-off-the-bottom type; never ever the crawl-over-the-other-person type |
| Cook, interior | Gas stove + convection microwave sufficient, no need for an oven; fridge/freezer; pantry space |
| DESK w/ a real / ergonomic chair and large monitor | probably in place of a kitchen table/booth & chair combo; or in garage of toy hauler; here’s an excellent option to consider by Changing Lanes |
| Internet | see Changing Lanes video 1 and video 2 for a good overview of some possibilities |
| Refrigerator, Dual Power | Gas/Electric (not “residential/elec only”) with auto-switch of power source |
| Shower, interior | |
| Space enough for two dogs, two people | Enough elbow room that if we have to stay inside for a while due to weather or work we don’t kill each other |
| Spare tire carrier | Preferably two |
| Power, surge & voltage protectors, heavy-duty | +/- Hughes Autoformer & Power Watchdog combo |
| Power, UPS (for the compters, NAS, etc.) | |
| Temperature monitor | for when we have to leave the dogs alone in the RV for a short time |
| Toilet, interior | |
| Water, Fresh, Filter, Two | (a) for use on external hose when refilling fresh water tank, (b) inside on sinks to filter water for drinking |
| Water, Pressure Regular | |
| Extra Wants | |
| Chairs – comfy recliner types | probably vs. a sofa |
| Entertainment center, interior | |
| Patio-capable toy hauler | with 3-season “wall”; dual-patio would also be sweet |
| Power, backup | WATT Fuel Cell (or the like) in place of a conventional Generator; WATT – replaces generator, converts propane via chemical process (vs. combustion) into usable AC -or- DC electricity; standalone or can also supplement / monitor solar house batteries setup |
| Power, house batteries, charged via alternator (single or dual) while in-motion | if use, use it in combo with solar; DiploStrat’s info page; RV / Marine Battery Charging |
| Power, house batteries, charged via solar panels, 2 banks | +/- in combo with in-motion charging via alternator; Ohm Home Now’s info page |
| Power, multi-stream capable | Shore, house battery (themselves charged via alternator, solar, and/or fuel cell), backup |
| Self-levelling | |
| Washer & Dryer or combo unit | |
| Might Consider It | |
| Cook, exterior | Gas grill, or, better: smoker, e.g. Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett |
| Entertainment center, exterior | |
| Fireplace, only if used for heating | Do not need or want a purely decorative / ambiance fireplace |
| Fuel tank, “filling station” | for motorcycles and/or Jeeps |
| Fuel tank, expanded capacity tow vehicle | |
| Radiant floor heating | e.g. STEP Warmfloor or Warm Waves |
| Shocks, & Suspension, Upgraded on RV | |
| Shower, exterior | Dog rinse! |
| Slides | Adds space when parked, but overall it seems they’re problematic and not handled well under warranties |
| Toilet, cassette | |
| Tongue-weight scale, integrated | (if non-5th wheel) |
| Water, Instant Hot | Sinks, plus separate one just for shower; e.g. Truma |
* Therefore probably not a pop-up, though: an Opus Off-Road AirOpus w/ extra awning space is enticing and can go off-roading (to some extent) along with the Jeep(s) vs. being left behind, so such a pop-up could work if we chase the sun around the country; pop-ups are much better frontage-area-wise and overall weight for towing behind the Jeep(s) than most other varieties