New Rig for a New Year

Well we did it.  After a month of serious deliberation, debate and consideration we found the "perfect" rig!  I say that in quotes because everyone will tell you - there is no perfect rig.  There are always pros and cons, but this one included most of the features and the layout that we wanted.  The best part about this purchase was the fact that we found a new 2018 model and it was seriously discounted to sell.  I have many tips to share about negotiating for a rig (and I do want to share our good and bad experiences).  But for now let's talk about our new home which was purchased in Mesa, and we live in Mesa for 9 months of the year, so why shouldn't it be called Mesa Ridge Lite!?  

Highest on our list of features was some type of thermal package - there is no industry standard regarding thermal packages or 'four seasons' packages.  The fact that there is some attention given to the rig staying warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather is necessary when one lives in the desert.  No matter what steps are taken to insulate the rig by the manufacturer, we will still have to take additional steps to keep it cool when we return to AZ at the beginning of the school year.  Air conditioning units will keep the rig 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature - but when the temp is in the high 100-teens, that is a small comfort.  Speaking of air conditioners, we needed this rig to have two.  Having two air conditioners means this rig is 50 amp, not 30 amp like the Hideout. The Hideout has a 13,500 BTU A/C.  The new rig has a 15,000 BTU main A/C and a secondary 13,500 BTU ducted A/C.  So those were two huge pluses to this particular unit.

Next let's talk layout.  Most RV buyers chose their unit solely or primarily on layout and I think this is a mistake.  There are structural and practical considerations that should weigh at least evenly in the decision.  In our case we did not want more than two slides.  The more slides the harder it will be to keep cool in the summer.  We needed a bunkhouse and in this upgrade we wanted the kids to have more space overall.  We specifically wanted to have more desk spaces for work/school.  

Mesa Ridge Lite 3110BH (2018) by Highland Ridge

 NAILED IT!  I'm not sure if you can tell, but under the bunk on the slide there is a kiddie dinette!  This booth is not small either.  All four of us could sit at that table - I don't think four adults could fit, but my point is it is a good size.  Wait...let's remember what we have been living in for the past 20 months...

Hideout 25LHSWE by Keystone

We are increasing our livable space by 115 square feet! The Hideout has 200 square feet, the Mesa Ridge has 315 square feet.  Let's talk kitchen.  People - do you see the counter space I have been working with in the Hideout?  Do you see the improvement in the Mesa Ridge?  The kitchen in the Hideout is fully functional.  I have made all kinds of wonderful vegan meals, but have I missed having a decent counter?  Uh, yes. 

My new kitchen!

So. Much. Counter.

In addition to the counter space (highest on kitchen wish list) the fridge is slightly larger.  Oh, and now I will be able to stand at the stove while someone passes behind me without having to get out of the way!  Yes, the corridor between the couch and the bathroom (Hideout) is not really a passing zone for two adults, a kid and an adult may be able to pass...you get the point.  It's tight.  But, regarding the kitchen....I now also have an outdoor kitchen!

Huge outdoor kitchen

If you've followed our adventure you know that I cannot cook indoors in the heat of the summer.  Actually, if the air conditioner is running you should not use the stove or oven if you want to have a cool indoor space.  But check out that outdoor fridge!  It is huge!  I have seen a lot of outdoor kitchens and most do not have that size of fridge.  The outdoor kitchen also has a two burner cook surface.  There is also a grill mount on an arm attached to the rear of the unit which swings around to add the grill to the outdoor kitchen.  There are so many cabinets between the indoor and outdoor kitchen cabinets.  Storing groceries has been a challenge, though I do have grocery shopping down to a science.  

Bunkhouse room with kiddie dinette

The other exciting aspects of the new rig is that the kids have an actual room with a door that closes.  Since living in the Hideout we parents have been confined to our bedroom after the kids go to sleep so as not to wake anyone.  I am really looking forward to closing that door and hanging out in the living room in my heated massage chairs in the evening (not a joke).  Finally we are glad that this rig includes two 30 lb propane tanks like the Hideout.  We saw others that have two 20 lb tanks.  It also has a prewire for our solar setup. 

Heated massage chairs - what camping trip would be complete without this perk?

As with all rigs there are downsides.  The biggest one is the size of the gray and black tanks - at 28 gallons each they are WAY too small!  We are living with 40 gallon tanks for each.  With 40 gallon tanks we have to empty the black every 4 days, however I guess we will be emptying it every three days now.  While we are stationary and hooked to the sewer the gray is not an issue, but when we in dry camping situations it will fill too fast.  I complained a lot about that to the dealer and their solution was to throw in a 35 gallon portable external tank for free (on sale for $150).  I think that will solve the problem for us and will in fact increase our capacity to 63 gallons which exceeds the fresh water - showers for everyone while boondocking - Hooray!  The final negotiated price for this beauty was $31,495 with the portable external tank and all vent covers installed at the dealer's expense.  I think we got a good deal.  We will be selling the Hideout by owner.  The purchase price of the Hideout was $22,000 and we hope to get around $16,000 for it.  

Having a bathtub was a necessity too and this one seems longer and more sturdy than the Hideout's.
It's also nice to have a second door placed in the bathroom.

So...the next step is to get a new truck.  If you are ever going to buy a trailer and a truck I highly recommend buying the trailer first so that you can size the truck to the trailer.  As you might recall we bought the Hideout because it was the biggest trailer our Toyota Tacoma could pull, we were limited by our truck's capacity and even when we tried to keep our weight down we were a bit over while on our 2018 adventure.  So the dealership is prepping the rig and we will find a truck over the next week and we will be able to bring home our new home next week.  I will discuss towing capacity and payload in one of my next blogs because fitting a truck to a trailer is not as simple as you may think!