Full time in a rural area

[montanaowner]

Hey guys. I am a full timer going to live in an area where the nearest city is 70 miles.

I am asking a question about spare parts I might keep on hand. For sure circuit boards for everything. That is high on the list. Considering keeping a spare inverter since I am 11 years old and it is original equipment.

Any other ideas?

[Montana Man]

If you are 11 years old you may want to ask your parents about this.

[montanaowner]

I am a lot older. The camper is a 2010. Still would like to hear from folks about spare parts or strategies they use when in a situation like this.

[bwright]

My exact thoughts when I read this......hahaha!

[DadsHemi]

Tools would be your friend

[h2ojocky]

Mine is 16 years old and though I don't full time, I would not stock up on spare parts. Maybe some spare shark bite fittings. You can always go to town IF your rig breaks down. Definitely have a multimeter and know how to use it.

[RMcNeal]

+1 on the shark bites. A quick fix in the event of a leak. I keep a few elbows, couplings and caps on hand.

[Theunz]

You could run up several thousand dollars in spare parts only to have something unexpected go wrong. Some plumbing bits and some eternabond tape will stop most water leaks which is the biggest danger to your rig. Most any other problem is just an inconvenience.
70 miles is only an hour and a half or so drive if you need something major. Even then the dealer might have to order it anyway. Amazon Prime is just a day away and you don’t have to drive 70 miles and pay inflated dealer prices.

[JandC]

Originally Posted by montanaowner

Hey guys. I am a full timer going to live in an area where the nearest city is 70 miles.

I am asking a question about spare parts I might keep on hand. For sure circuit boards for everything. That is high on the list. Considering keeping a spare inverter since I am 11 years old and it is original equipment.

Any other ideas?

I assume from your wording that you are not actually a "full time RVer" but instead attempting to live in your stationary RV permanently?

After a few years your situation creates different maintenance and upkeep issues compared to an actual full time traveling RVer. If I were you I would make sure you had tools to service your water heater and a/c units for sure.

[DQDick]

Make sure you have a big enough socket to remove the anode rod from your water heater. Eternabond tape, self leveling lap sealant, and a good collection of shark bites would be my suggestion. In addition, a 2010 won't have LED bulbs in the lights. I would change to LED's and keep a few spares.

[Freedom@62]

I've seen plenty of posts of what is considered a full time RV'er is. What difference does it make if they travel or are stationary. In my mind if you don't have a sticks and bricks home and live in your RV you are fulltime. Granted you may run into different situations on the road all the time. Does this apply to snowbirds who only travel a couple times a year. I myself have not retired yet and live stationary in my Montana but we do take vacations in our Montana and fully expect to retire soon and hit the road.

[WeBeFulltime]

If you keep just one of each part that you COULD need you will be extremely over weight.

[JandC]

Originally Posted by Freedom@62

I've seen plenty of posts of what is considered a full time RV'er is. What difference does it make if they travel or are stationary. In my mind if you don't have a sticks and bricks home and live in your RV you are fulltime. Granted you may run into different situations on the road all the time. Does this apply to snowbirds who only travel a couple times a year. I myself have not retired yet and live stationary in my Montana but we do take vacations in our Montana and fully expect to retire soon and hit the road.

There are thousands and thousands of folks that convert a fifth wheel or travel trailer into a permanent "park model" and live in it on a lot. It never moves and many times it is actually sitting on blocks with skirting around it. To me these folks are not full time RVers or any type of RVers, they are just folks living in a residence.

Then there are thousands and thousands of folks who live full time in their RV and either travel a little or travel a lot. To me these folks are full time RVers.

The OP came to the right place for advise on how to maintain his Montana and what possible parts to have on hand. But the OP is not a full time RVer IMHO.

[montanaowner]

Originally Posted by JandC

There are thousands and thousands of folks that convert a fifth wheel or travel trailer into a permanent "park model" and live in it on a lot. It never moves and many times it is actually sitting on blocks with skirting around it. To me these folks are not full time RVers or any type of RVers, they are just folks living in a residence.

Then there are thousands and thousands of folks who live full time in their RV and either travel a little or travel a lot. To me these folks are full time RVers.

The OP came to the right place for advise on how to maintain his Montana and what possible parts to have on hand. But the OP is not a full time RVer IMHO.

Oh my god. So if it makes you feel any better. I am a guy who travels from contract to contract and lives in my 5th wheel full time. In between the times that I am going from contract to contract that is.

The Webster's definition "spending or requiring all of the time normally given to an activity. Opposite of part-time." Kind of fits the Webster's definition. Fits it closely. I don't know what colloquialism you are referring to. Maybe your definition of "full time" doesn't fit the Websters?

So, in a few minutes Mister "you aint full time because I say so", I am going to jerk the refrigerator out of the back of the truck. Took a 180 mile round trip to pick it up from the shop. Hopefully I can wrestle it back into the hole and get it hooked up this evening. At least without major orthopedic trauma. At this age.......it is a risk.

As an aside, I have about half a dozen boards that I bought. RV systems are pretty simple.....except for that. Vulnerable computer boards and I figure going for the low hanging fruit before pulling systems apart is a good use of my limited time and expense. Bought some shark bites. Great suggestion. I am a bit modest. I have a great tool chest and actually know how to use the tools. I've gone cordless and thank god for that. What a hand saver. So, thanks to everyone who made good suggestions.

Getting back to Mister Aint no full timer..........it shouldn't take me but a few minutes to get the refer hooked up. Getting it back in is the challenge. I guess if you are a "real" full timer you can just pull in a shop and get the techs to do it. Putting in that service call now. Hello.

As for the person who suggested I get an identical rig for spare parts. Would it be out of line to suggest a place where you can store it until I need it? I am sure it would fit although there might be a bit of cephalgic crowding.

I am not allowed to flame anyone now. Pity I used my one get out of jail free card already.

[mlh]

I would sure have generator at least 2000 watts and a charger for my truck batteries. Some tools socket sets, wrenches a hammer and things of that sort.
Lynwood

[AZ Traveler]

Mathew,

You can buy most of what you need and have it delivered by Amazon.

[northern lights]

Just about anything you need in RV parts is at Amazon & with quick shipping too. No matter where you are in the continental USA.

And don't forget independent dealers like Lynwood Harrell with his fun non RV products who will really work with you.

[mlh]

Originally Posted by northern lights

Just about anything you need in RV parts is at Amazon & with quick shipping too. No matter where you are in the continental USA.

We had a customer in New Mexico. When we sent him something it took the UPS driver 4 hours to get to his place and 4 hours back. It was an all day trip. The driver was out of comminution for 5 of those hours but UPS always delivered his package at no additional cost.
Lynwood

[rohrmann]

Originally Posted by montanaowner

Hey guys. I am a full timer going to live in an area where the nearest city is 70 miles.

I am asking a question about spare parts I might keep on hand. For sure circuit boards for everything. That is high on the list. Considering keeping a spare inverter since I am 11 years old and it is original equipment.

Any other ideas?

You might want to consider placing the model and year of your rig in your signature line for when you have an issue, it will make answering much easier. Also, is it an inverter or are you talking about your CONVERTER?

[DebNJim B]

Some 1/2" shark bite fittings makes sense and some cheap items that frequently ware out along with a good variety of tools and supply of fasteners.
MY experience though is that any significant part that I acquire and keep for a spare pretty much guarantees that part will not fail.