There are some unpleasant universal truths about RVs:
- They are expensive in every way and will only depreciate in value.
- Most of them are painted with the “classic” swoosh-n-swirl paint scheme. No one knows why, perhaps to create the illusion of speedy fun.
- Like any vehicle (or home) they require routine maintenance.
- They have small kitchens. It’s vacation! Who wants to cook, amirite?
- Water is their mortal enemy.
- Many of them employ the old mirrors-to-create-the-feeling-of-spaciousness trick. Except for the narcissists of the world, nobody needs that many mirrors.
- The interior decorating often is just plain awful.
- Mice adore them.
- They usually have a lot of TVs and couches.
- They have self-contained sewage systems, and require that you occasionally haul your…uhhhh…personal contents around. Then dispose of them. Personally.
There are some unpleasant universal truths about purchasing a used RV:
- Photos are deceptive and, even without any editing, photos of RVs make them appear much nicer than they are in person.
- People are deceptive. “Showroom quality!” they claim. “Only one owner!” they assure. “New tires! New batteries! New such-n-such!” they boast. “Don’t worry about the smell of cat pee, we’ll have that taken care of!” were the actual words of one seller as we walked through clumps of baking soda coating the carpet.
- If you don’t do your homework, you’re going to get taken.
- Even if you do your homework, you might still get taken.
- It will take many tries until you find a rig that fits all your needs and wants, and it will still not fit all of your needs and wants because perfection isn’t reality.
Despite all of that seemingly insurmountable negativity, we have been determined to retire as full time RVers in a few more years, and this past weekend we drove to Oregon for the third time in as many weeks, and found our retirement home.
38’ Newmar Dutch Star Diesel Pusher in swoosh-n-swirl Cypress with four slide-outs and only 8300 miles on it. It seemed to be too good to be true on paper and in the pictures, and I was reluctant to waste another weekend in what would surely be a let-down. TBG talked to the seller a lot. We spent a ridiculous amount of time doing online research about this specific coach (although it is a very well-respected manufacturer, and we have been studying this long enough to know what a potential peach this rig could be.) It turned out to be as clean as advertised, and had even more features than the seller had listed. We’re still pinching ourselves and alternately waiting on tenterhooks, worrying we may have been taken. But enough of all this for now, you want to see the inside, don’t you? OK, come on in!
Because of our height disparity, we required a 6-way adjustable seat and adjustable pedals.
Like so many RVs, it has a TV above the cockpit, not our favorite. This model also has the split windshield, which isn’t as view-friendly as a one-piece, but if you get a crack, it’s a far more affordable fix.
Both front seats rotate, and the passenger seat is a recliner.
The cloth sofa folds down into a bed and has a large storage drawer underneath.
Known as the curb side of the rig. Note the mirrored backsplash over the stovetop*
Known as the street side.
Kitchen with a 3-burner propane stove, microwave-convection oven, double sink, and two extender countertops.
Dining “room”, the table has two extra leaves and two padded folding chairs that stow away in the bedroom wardrobe. A pleasant surprise was this computer station area.
The two pantries and the (rather smallish) refrigerator.
We’re already thinking of making one of the pantries into a small coat closet. The drawers are removable/adjustable so it wouldn’t need any structural changes.
Pantry and fridge closed, shower
Inside the shower with its cute little flip-down seat. Potential future site of Turtle’s box.
Bathroom. The wallpaper and faucet don’t thrill me, but the wallpaper is pristine so not likely to change it anytime soon.
The faucet will be a cheap and easy fix soon.
Street side bedroom slide with a queen-size bed (TBG fits!) and a brand-new tempurpedic topper. Note the mirrored* and padded headboard — both in perfect condition, but not really our style. The bedding here is stock and once our budget recovers from the primary purchase, I’ll be doing some decorating.
Curbside bedroom slide. (The rolled up carpet doesn’t really live there.)
Teeny combo washer/dryer and wardrobe. The little RV combo w/d aren’t big enough to handle much, but they can keep you in clean unders at least!
Note the mirrored slider doors**all of the mirrors are going to get some of that peel-n-stick window film stuff eventually
We overnighted on the way home, and marveled at how much like a house and not like a vehicle it felt. TBG handled the driving like a champ (I drove separately as we didn’t want to tow yet until he had the feel of the rig on its own) and now it is waiting by the side of the house for my weekend driving lessons to begin.