This personal information on some of our purchases is provided to possibly help folks understand some of the expenses necessary to head out in a trailer full time. It is one thing to settle on your tow vehicle and trailer but the expenses don’t end there, especially if you want to ensure safety and reduce risk of issues.
Being completely new to the RV life, this is really no different than buying a house for the first time. Some of the items listed are simply to upgrade the equipment of the trailer that we already know should be replaced. We also wanted to be ready from the beginning to do some off the grid, dry camping.
In no specific order, this is what we purchased with a short explanation for why. Where prices are provided, tax is include and except where noted, all items shipped free. (purchased in Canadian currency).
Truck
2017 GMC Canyon Duramax diesel crew cab. Equipped with integrated trailer brake controller, hitch receiver and exhaust brake.
Add-ons – tow mirrors from Boost Auto Parts – $450 (expected delivery end of August)
Trailer
Grand Design Imagine XLS 21BHE
Bundled with purchase: 2 x 6V Batteries, Bike rack, Power surge protector, Maxi vents, Hitch and sway control etc, Backup camera (for trailer), 100w solar panel – $2300
Equipment:
Firman 3000w inverter generator – Primarily for dry camping and powerful enough to run the air conditioner when needed. – $655
weBoost drive 4G-x RV cellular booster – will hopefully provide us with full cellular coverage in most areas we visit including national parks and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the US. We will be relying on cellular data for the internet including streaming. – $653
Andersen 3600 – Ultimate Trailer Gear Duffel Bag for Trailers, Camper and RVs. Provides good quality levellers, stabilizer pads and an easy to use tire jack system, to replace an RV tire, all in one easy to store kit – $280
Spa Oxygenics Shower Head – Will provide far superior water management for showers while dry camping and is highly recommended by many RV travellers – $57
Camco RV TastePure KDF Water Filter and Camco RV Flexible hose protector- Removes sentiment and mild odours from RV park water supply – $45
Signstek Water Pressure Reducer with gauge – Many RV parks have too high water pressure that can burst the internal piping of the trailer. We can set the maximum pressure that would be permitted. – $40
Ever Ready First Aid Universal Splint and Primacare First responder Bag – hope this is never needed but Kim is a first responder so you never know – $65
Camco RhinoFLEX 20 Ft RV Sewer Hose Kit – Replaces the cheap quality hose that will come with the RV to help reduce chances of spills and provides a clear plastic elbow and other handy accessories. The hose that comes with the RV can be attached if extra length is ever required- $60
Camco Sidewinder Sewer Hose Support – Provides support to permit the hose to gradually slant towards the sewer connection while parked. – $60
Camco 25ft drinking water hose – Drinking hoses are different than normal garden hoses and this will allow us to attach the one that comes with the unit to provide 50′ of hose. – $30
Pet Exercise Kennel – cute little pen for Miko to provide a safe outdoor space – $55
Mattress Pad for one of the double bunks from Topsy Farms 77″ x 56″ – We have the items already to support the other mattress. Hopefully the queen mattress is ok for a year or two. – $325 (includes shipping)
Napoleon TRAVELQ TQ285X Portable Propane Grill with Scissor Cart – A very solid and reasonably sized 2 burner unit that will fit into the side storage of the trailer. I love that it comes on a cart with good wheels, although it is heavy – $450
Coleman® Reversible Beige/Black RV, Patio and Camp Mat – $60
Action Wipes® Body Wipes – large box size for dry camping (reduce water consumption) – $60
RV Insurance – $650
Total costs (to date) for getting ready – $5800
Still required:
Cellular hotspot and data plan – US purchases